Book Review - Underworld by Meg Cabot

So as I mentioned in my previous book review, Abandon, the first book in Meg Cabot's trilogy - I was going to go into reading this book with an open mind - I was going to forget about the negative points within the first book and be completely focused on this one. 

Pierce ends up being held in the Underworld - which John claims - is for her own safety and this is because not all of the departed are dear. Some are so unhappy with where they ended up after the underworld, they've ended up coming back as furies. The furies are intent one hurting the one who sent them there - and whom he loves. 

I had my fingers crossed for this book and I couldn't help but wonder if it would be better than Abandon even though I scolded myself for it - it couldn't help but sneak into my head but once I started reading it I noticed there were a few changes compared to Abandon and most of these were that all of the bad points which I mentioned in Abandon - weren't carried on into Underworld.

There was a direct plot which kept the flow of the story moving at a good pace and there was also a lot of twists and turns, excitement and drama which kept me interested and left me wanting to read more. 

You also find out a lot more about the side characters which I loved! It's not very often where the side characters would get their story told as in depth as this one provides - Pierce's cousin Alex for example - who in Abandon was a bit of a dark horse, he was very secretive and not really as involved - but in Underworld, you learn his story and he becomes a much more prominent character and I can;t wait to see what Awaken will bring out in him. But, one of the main things I loved about this book, was finding out Johns background! He was always so secretive and never talked about himself and if he did, it would be a few worded answers and that's all - but Mr. Smith - the wee devil provided Pierce with a book which contains enough information for her to figure out his background... cheeky. 

There was a lot more humour as well in this book which I liked - Abandon was very serious most of the time but in Underworld the characters aren't so strung - even though there is an impending danger the characters have the chance to show a bit of sarcasm and humour.

There was one aspect of the book I was a bit iffy on - and that was the romance in this book. I did like it in Abandon but it has evolved a bit in this book and it's mostly Pierce's part in it I didn't really like. She's too forgiving and I don't like it. I can understand that she may just not want to hurt John's feelings but your meant to be honest with each other in a relationship - she just butters him up and bubble wraps every negative thing she has to say. John, yes, is pretty violent and lies quite a lot but considering he is Lord of an Underworld you can understand why he might be violent and he lies because he clearly want's to protect Pierce from the dark sides of him and his world - but that doesn't mean she should just brush in under the carpet. 

Overall, this book was a vast improvement to Abandon - the plot was better, there was more excitement,  the side characters were really involved and it was better written. I will be purchasing Awaken when it comes out as I'm really intrigued as to how it will end :)

Product Rave

I am a huge believer in drugstore make-up - literally everything I buy is either from the drugstore or from online so I love to try new products which are at a reasonable price. 

The brand MUA are probably one of the cheapest brands in the drugstore and I love their products! Not only are they extremely affordable (although I will say they have upped their price on their new products) and the quality is phenomenal - ranging from their lipsticks to their eyeshadows. So when I seen that they had a new range out Undress your Skin I had to try some of it.

The first product I got was an eyeshadow palette - Undress Me Too and this was £4.00. As soon as I seen this product I had to get it. The colours looked amazing and I was immediately drawn to them because they were very neutral shades which are suitable for day or night. 

 The majority of the shadows are quite shimmery and there are a few mattes in there as well. The pigmentation of these are amazing as I've said before and they are also very easy to blend and I love the fact that they have a matte black especially. 

The next product I got was a highlighter. This is because it is more of a sheen highlighter that doesn't add any extra colour onto the skin it only highlights it which I really like. I believe this was around £3 but you can check the superdrug website and check. The sheen this highlighter gives is really nice - it gives a very natural and dewy finish to skin 

 I know in the photo is looks kind of pink but I can assure you that it doesn't leave a pink sheen on the skin. I love this product - I would use it daily and also for nights out - it's very versatile

I will definately be purchasing more from this new range - the quality is great and you can't beat the price, what's not to love?

:)

Book Review - Abandon by Meg Cabot

Pierce died. Well she was pronounced as NDE'd - near death experience and when she came back, she wasn't quite the same. But she hopes that moving to a new home and a new school things will get better... but he keeps showing up - John - Lord of the Underworld - even though he shows up exactly when she needs him, but he wants to take her back to the Underworld. 

Okay so for once I am going to be a bit harsh... here it goes...

This book wasn't the best. The plot of the story moved incredibly slow - I guess you could say it dragged. The first maybe half to three quarters of the book was it explaining about Pierce's accident and her trip to the underworld - which got a bit boring after a while, I was waiting for the excitement and romance!

The writing of the book I didn't like either - it was pretty confusing. One minute you would be reading something that was happening in the present and the next you would read about a time when Pierce was seven - I wouldn't have minded this if there had of been a break in the paragraph or maybe if it was written in italics so you would know it was from the past - but that didn't happen.

What I did like about this book however was the story line. I thought it was very interesting the way Hades and Persephone was in a way linked to John and Pierce but the were a few differences between the two and the meaning of why Persephone had to stay with Hades in the Underworld was different also which I really liked - it added a fresh twist on the Greek Myth. I know a lot of people mightn't like the comparisons between the two but I find that a new take on the Greek myth is nice and that just because they're somewhat similar in a way doesn't mean they have to do the same things by script.

Pierce I also liked - she was smart and strong and was pretty easy to relate to - especially in the romance department which I'm sure most teens go through. John I also liked - he was strong, caring and loyal, not to mention extremely bad ass as he is Lord of the Underworld. He knows what he wants and he will do what it takes to get it, but, even when all hope is lost and he doesn't think Pierce wants in - he still protects her. 

The other characters were well written and well developed - they each had their own part in relation to Pierce and her accident. 

Overall I don't really know what to make of this book - it has it good points and its bad points and I'm sure depending on what type of books you like, the good and bad parts might be different for you. I wouldn't say this book isn't read-worthy - but I do have the second book waiting on hand and I'm willing to give it a shot - I just hope the plot moves along at a better pace.

Book Review - Sweet Peril by Wendy Higgins

Anna Whitt the daughter of a guardian angel and demon promised herself that she would never do the work of her father - she was naive to make such a vow.

Anna finds herself doing whatever it takes to survive especially as she is haunted by the demon whisperers - she earns herself the reputation of being the schools party girl - which is good and bad in a way. She will go unnoticed from the demon whisperers as she is working, but it will begin to test her willpower and her addiction - after all, her father is the Duke of substance abuse. 

Anna's life has been a roller coaster ever since Kaiden told her what she was - she is becoming more and more popular as the days pass by and the more parties she attends - but somewhere deep down - Kaiden still plagues her heart, and her mind.

But there's a more urgent matter at hand - a message from the angels has surfaced and Anna finds herself travelling the globe with Kope, son of Wrath, in an attempt to gain the support of other nephilim and to give them hope - they know though, that it won't happen without a fight. 

Anna is older in this book and has matured and grown into a strong and confident woman - she knows what she needs to do and it willing to do whatever it takes to ensure that the nephilim will be free. With Kope at her side throughout the meetings with the other Neph, she is sure they will listen and hopefully, join her. Throughout her journey she travels all over the world and eventually has to tell her friends - Blake, Marna and Ginger and also Kaiden. 

Kaiden has also matured and is doing everything he can to keep out of danger - which means working. As the son of Lust, you can imagine what kind of work that would be. He tries to forget about his attraction to Anna - but when she turns up and begins to tease him - he can't forget. But they will be faced with the ultimate question - is loving someone really worth risking their life?

Throughout this book you get to meet a lot of knew characters, each of which are very well developed and who all have their stories told which helps you to feel like you know them. The plot is a lot more advanced and fast paced than Sweet Evil and will no doubt keep you interested in all aspects. There's love, loss, danger, excitement... what's not to love? It will keep the pages turning - you would be able to finish this in one sitting because it is that intense - and I guarantee you'll love it

Book Review - Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins

Anna Whitt was born with the sixth sense of feeling and seeing other people's emotions. She's aware of the torment within herself and the inexplicable pull of danger - but it isn't until she turns sixteen and meets the alluring Kaiden Rowe that she discovers her heritage and her willpower is put to the test. 

Anna Whitt is a tender hearted southern girl who has a secret. She can see, and feel other people emotions - and also has heightened senses which came to her as she got older - which was for a young girl, was terrifying. Then one night she meets Kaiden Rowe - who is a drummer in a band - and he immediately snags her attention - including the red star burst badge on his chest. 

He is the guy your daddy warned you about

Throughout Anna's encounters with Kaiden - she begins to learn more about herself and what she is - but also that... she's not the only one. There are a number of teens whose lives depend solely on being bad influences - these are the nephilim, and they are the sons and daughters of fallen angels. 

Anna and Kaiden go through a lot of challenges in this book and their destiny is put to the test - especially Anna's. Will she embrace her Halo or her Horns? 

Anna is a great lead female character who could possible relate to the majority of young teenage girls in some shape or form. She's loving, smart, loyal and determined - she will face love and loss and I guarantee you will cheer her on.

Kaiden is also a great main character - he's funny, smart, a total badass and you can't help but love him - you learn about his life and even though he has his tantrums and his downsides - the good things about always shine through. He's loyal, strong, determined - and maybe change his fate. 

The side characters in this book were also very well developed and they were involved quite a bit throughout.

The main plot is great - it's fast paced and there isn't one single bit that was boring or lagging with excitement - there was always enough information to keep me interested. This is the type of book which you would be able to finish in one sitting because it is written and portrayed that well that you always want to find out what's on the next page. 

A great read which I highly recommend! 

Book Review - Everbound by Brodi Ashton

Everbound continues on a week or so after Everneath ended. I will admit I was wondering what way this book was going to go - if it was going to have the happily ever after and let that be that - or if something twisted and the unexpected happened... I'm not going to tell you which one it was but I will say it did not disappoint! 

Nikki is living a borrowed life - Jacks life... it should've been her the tunnels took and for that she will do anything to get Jack back - the problem is - she has no idea where to start or how to go about it. It then hits her that she has one possibility - and that's Cole. Even though he is the one person least likely to help her - he surprises her by taking her to the Everneath himself. 

Everything about Nikki has touched his heart - and everything that happens surprises Nikki more and more - maybe she doesn't know Cole as well as she thought she did.

Travelling through the Everneath is a lot more dangerous than they expected and they have to rely on Nikki's memories of Jack in order to find there way to him - yes that's right - Jack isn't in this book very much - but no matter, there was Cole. Even though he is a different character for the better in my opinion. Nikki is completely oblivious to Cole's feelings for her - which was annoying because it was kind of obvious - ultimately though, it leads to tragic ending and yes there is a cliffhanger.

What I also loved about this book was the action that was involved. Everneath was more laid back and there was no real urgency or running for their life so to speak - but in Everbound - there's this matter of urgency running throughout the entire book - will the make it in time to get jack? Will they find their way though the rings? Will they make it out alive themselves? It was really fast paced and as it is based on Greek Mythology there was a lot of pain and suffering, not necessarily on the characters but around them. 

There is a love triangle in this book again but it is more pronounced - and ultimately I'm favouring more towards Cole - I can't help it. You learn so much more about him and find out how deep and complex he really is. You get a true insight into his life - even before he became an everliving. Cole says there are no heroes - but is he just resisting the person he can be - or does he see his fate sealed?

I truly enjoyed this book - it was fast paced - intriguing and undoubtedly insightful. Unfortunately I will have to wait about a year or more for the finale in the Everneath Trilogy *weeps* but I'll bet it's worth the wait! 

Book Review - Predestined by Abbi Glines

Predestined is the follow on to Existence which I have also done a review on - if you want to check it out then click here 

After Pagan helps to save Dank from an eternity in hell, she expects things to go back to normal - well as normal as it can be considering her boyfriend is death and she can see souls... but things just keep getting weirder. At the end of existence - which if you haven't read then I wouldn't want you to read this part - Pagan finds out that Leif is no ordinary boy, he isn't even human. Along side that - Leif is missing and the town is is in a state or worry, but he's showing up in Pagans dreams, uninvited. 

Dank didn't think he had anything to worry about, what can a soulless creature do anyway? But he finds that he has made a grave mistake - Pagan's soul has been marked and claimed by Lief - Heaven knows Dank will do anything to save Pagan - if Hell wants a piece of him too - then bring it on.

I loved this book - it was fast paced and had me turning page after page waiting to see what happened next. Pagan and Dank finally get the relationship they want and are enjoying every minute of it. What I really enjoyed though was seeing Leif in Pagan's dreams - because they weren't just dreams, they were memories. Lief helped Pagan throughout her life, but due to him having no soul - she wasn't able to remember him.

Dank is a lot more open and expressive in this book which I also really liked - i enjoyed seeing him happy and living a normal life - even if he is death.

Overall this is a great sequel to Existence and I loved getting to learn more about the characters - especially Lief - and I can't wait until Ceaseless is out - the final book in the Existence Trilogy