Waiting on Wednesday: This Wicked Game by Michelle Zink

Waiting on Wednesdays is hosted by Breaking the Spine! It puts a spotlight on upcoming releases we're anticipating! 

THIS WICKED GAME BY MICHELLE ZINK
Release Date: November 14th 2013

Claire Kincaid’s family has been in business for over fifty years.
The voodoo business.
Part of the International Guild of High Priests and Priestesses, a secret society that have practiced voodoo for generations, the Kincaid’s run an underground supply house for authentic voodoo supplies. Claire plays along, filling orders for powders, oils and other bizarre ingredients in the family store, but she has a secret.
She doesn’t believe.
Struggling to reconcile her modern sensibilities with a completely unscientific craft based on suspicion, Claire can’t wait to escape New Orleans – and voodoo – when she goes to college, a desire that creates almost constant conflict in her secret affair with Xander Toussaint, son of the Guild’s powerful founding family.
But when a mysterious customer places an order for a deadly ingredient, Claire begins to realize that there’s more to voodoo – and the families that make up the Guild – than meets the eye.
Including her own. - Good Reads

As she bands together with the other firstborns of the Guild, she comes face to face with a deadly enemy – and the disbelief that may very well kill her.

I adore Michelle Zink and her writing and I'm really looking forward to this book! I'm actually not even that interested in voodoo and normally I'd probably skip over that subject, but because Michelle wrote it, it's a must-read! 

Review: A Temptation of Angels by Michelle Zink

A Temptation of Angels by Michelle Zink

Published: March 20th 2012
Publisher: Dial
Page Count: Hardcover, 435
Source: ARC
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal, Romance
Find the Author: Website, Good Reads, Twitter, Blog
Buy This Book: Amazon, Book Depository
Add It To Your Good Reads Shelf

Even angels make mistakes in this page-turning epic romance
When her parents are murdered before her eyes, sixteen-year-old Helen Cartwright finds herself launched into an underground London where a mysterious organization called the Dictata controls the balance of good and evil. Helen learns that she is one of three remaining angelic descendants charged with protecting the world's past, present, and future. Unbeknownst to her, she has been trained her whole life to accept this responsibility. Now, as she finds herself torn between the angelic brothers protecting her and the devastatingly handsome childhood friend who wants to destroy her, she must prepare to be brave, to be hunted, and above all to be strong, because temptation will be hard to resist, even for an angel.
Michelle Zink masterfully weaves historical fantasy with paranormal romance to create a gripping tale of love and betrayal. - Good Reads

I hate to do this review, because it isn't going to be glowing. And I hate that, because I love Michelle Zink. She is very sweet, has an amazing blog and I loved her Prophecy of the Sisters trilogy, which is what made me so eager to read A Temptation of Angels. 


A Temptation of Angels began with a really amazing opening scene that had me unable to put it down. Like, I was up at 3 am trying to nurse my newborn son back to sleep and I was beyond exhausted and I actually lingered and read after he'd gone back down. It was that intriguing. I really found the world building to be interesting. What was the problem for me then? Instaluuuuv. I can do instaluv, but it has to be believable and it just wasn't believable for me. I also felt that Helen was a little bit of a pushover on one hand and then on the other, she could be ridiculously defiant and do whatever she pleased, even if it wasn't a very clever mood. I just couldn't identify with her or sympathize with her. I felt that her character wasn't as fleshed out as I would have liked. There were also a few phrases or words that I felt were a little over-used as well. 


I'm not sure how to rate this book. I can't tell if it's really just a stand alone book or if there is potential for a series. If there is potential for a series, I'd be much more forgiving. The reason being is that I felt the character growth didn't satisfy me completely and neither did the blossoming of the romances - I think they should be stretched out a little more and given more room to grow. Plus the ending didn't feel final at all! 

                                              4 out of 5 Hello Kitties!

Waiting on Wednesday: A Temptation of Angels by Michelle Zink

Waiting on Wednesdays is hosted by Breaking the Spine! It puts a spotlight on upcoming releases we're anticipating! 


A TEMPTATION OF ANGELS BY MICHELLE ZINK

Release Date: March 20th 2012

Even angels make mistakes in this page-turning epic romance... 
When her parents are murdered before her eyes, sixteen-year-old Helen Cartwright finds herself launched into an underground London where a mysterious organization called the Dictata controls the balance of good and evil. Helen learns that she is one of three remaining angelic descendants charged with protecting the world's past, present, and future. Unbeknownst to her, she has been trained her whole life to accept this responsibility. Now, as she finds herself torn between the angelic brothers protecting her and the devastatingly handsome childhood friend who wants to destroy her, she must prepare to be brave, to be hunted, and above all to be strong, because temptation will be hard to resist, even for an angel. 
Michelle Zink masterfully weaves historical fantasy with paranormal romance to create a gripping tale of love and betrayal. - Good Reads

I *loved* Michelle Zink's Prophecy of the Sisters trilogy and I am dyyyying to read this! She writes beautifully! 

Circle of Fire (Prophecy of the Sisters, #3) by Michelle Zink

Circle of Fire (Prophecy of the Sisters, #3) by Michelle Zink


Published: August 1'st 2011
Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers
Page Count: Hardcover, 352
Genre: Young Adult, Historical, Paranormal
Find the Author: Website, Good Reads, Twitter, Blog
Buy This Book: Amazon, Book Depository
Add It To Your Good Reads Shelf

With time dwindling but her will to end the Prophecy stronger than ever, Lia sets out on a journey to find the remaining keys, locate the missing pages of the Prophecy, and convince her sister Alice to help--or risk her life trying. Lia has her beloved Dimitri by her side, but Alice has James, the man who once loved her sister--and maybe still does. James doesn't know the truth about either sister, or the prophecy that divides them. And Alice intends to keep it that way.
There are some secrets sisters aren't meant to share. Because when they do, it destroys them. This stunning conclusion to Michelle Zink's Prophecy of the Sisters trilogy will make saying good-bye bittersweet for readers. - Good Reads

I LOVED THIS! Aaaaahhhhhhh!

Michelle Zink nailed the ending to this trilogy. Her writing is as  beautiful as ever and the characters are wonderful, just wonderful!

I loved seeing Lia come into her own throughout this trilogy. She has grown an incredible amount throughout the books and by Circle of Fire she's a woman. She has faults and you see her overcome them; most of all her ability to trust in others and deal with herself. 


I love getting to know Alice better and seeing her side of the story and we're given a much clearer picture of where she's coming from and who she is.

Dimitri. Pure sexiness. I liked his addition in the previous book, but in this book I loved it. He's so swoon worthy! He respects Lia and he LISTENS to her. He doesn't try to be the boss. He's there for her without telling her what she has to do. Now that alone makes me love him! Nothing is worse to me than the love interest growling and scowling because the heroine isn't doing exactly what he wants her to do. By the way, I don't think growling or scowling is even mentioned in this book. Thumbs up for that!

The romance throughout the book is just the right amount for me. It's consistent without being overplayed and it stirs the emotions. There are some sexual scenes in this book; I found them gratifying (!!!!!!!!!!!!)... I could see that others may not enjoy that though. 


Overall, just a perfect ending and an exciting read. I laughed, I cried. In fact I think I was almost on the verge of bawling towards the end. Henry! Such a sensitive subject for me!


Circle of Fire was totally worth $9.99. Or in my case 900 swagbucks that I saved up to convert into two $5 amazon giftcards! READ THIS, READ THIS, READ THIS! 


                                        5 out of 5 Hello Kitties!

Guardian of the Gate (Prophecy of the Sisters, #2) by Michelle Zink

Guardian of the Gate (Prophecy of the Sisters, #2) by Michelle Zink

Published: August 1'st 2010
Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers
Page Count: Hardcover, 240
Genre: Young Adult, Historical, Paranormal
Find the Author: Website, Good Reads, Twitter, Blog
Buy This Book: Amazon, Book Depository
Add It To Your Good Reads Shelf

The ultimate battle between sisters is nearing, and its outcome could have catastrophic consequences. As sixteen year-old Lia Milthorpe searches for a way to end the prophecy, her twin sister Alice hones the skills she'll need to defeat Lia. Alice will stop at nothing to reclaim her sister's role in the prophecy, and that's not the only thing she wants: There's also Lia's boyfriend James.
Lia and Alice always knew the Prophecy would turn those closest to them against them. But they didn't know what betrayal could lead them to do. In the end, only one sister will be left standing. - Good Reads

I really loved the first book in this series and of course had to continue as soon as possible and find out what happened to Lia and Alice. And Guardian of the Gate did not disappoint! The beginning started out a little slow, but soon I was completely sucked in.

I don't like to give any spoilers away in my reviews, just because that's no fun, but I will say that this book was full of surprise and adventure. There were quite a few new surprises thrown in that I did not expect at all and I can't wait to see how they play out in the final book Circle of Fire, which just came out luckily enough!

This book had much more romance than the Prophecy of the Sisters. I like romance and look for it in the novels I read usually, so of course I welcomed it with open arms. The romance had a few minor faults, but I found I was personally able to look past them and enjoy the obvious love and support Lia needs. I think that having a shoulder to rest your head on that you trust is vital to get you through tough times and this romance definitely accomplished that.

This installment in the trilogy is really about Lia becoming more comfortable with herself in the prophecy and we see her grow much stronger throughout this book, especially her spirit. I think a lot of her strength comes from the people surrounding her, both the good and bad. 

Overall, I'm so glad I pushed through the slow beginning, because this book was amazing and I CANNOT WAIT to read Circle of Fire!

5 out of 5 Hello Kitties