Book Review: Archangel of Mercy by Christina Ashcroft

Archangel of Mercy 
By Christina Ashcroft
Release Date: December 4th, 2012
Format: Ebook (ARC)
Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥

Blurb from Goodreads:
Between an angel and a desperate woman comes salvation and a raw passion that challenges them at every turn…

When Aurora Robinson attempts to open a rift between dimensions to embrace her true heritage, an arrogant Archangel is the only one who can save her from the jaws of hell. And while she owes Gabriel her life, she's determined not to fall at his feet-despite the desire she feels whenever they're together.

After his wings were brutally destroyed millennia ago, Gabriel has no compassion for humans like those who ruined him and betrayed the ones he loved. But when he inexplicably finds himself defying ancient protocols to rescue a woman from a fate worse than death, he is shocked by the searing attraction he feels for a mortal.

As the ancient forces that seek to punish Aurora for her actions close in, Gabriel offers the tempting woman protection at his private sanctuary. But as they both succumb to their desires, they discover an even deeper connection-one that threatens to consume them.

My Review:
After reading
A very big thank you to Netgalley and Berkley Heat for providing me with an ARC of this book.

As you see from the GIF below, I was really ecstatic over the approval I got plus Christina is such a nice author. I had fun tweeting with her and she actually mailed a swag to me all the way from Australia. So sweet. Now, back to what I think of the book.

Gabe has the whole package. He is the tortured Alpha hero that I didn't fall in love with at first read. He was too alpha for my taste - at first. He was so rude, dismissive of Aurora, so snobbish and I just couldn't stand his bastardness. He is the type that needs some getting used to. He is an acquired taste. To me, he is like bitter gourd. I didn't like and fancy it at first but I grew to like it as I consumed it more. Gabe is just like that.

 Aurora is the heroine I love. Tough, courageous and possesses a sheer force of will. She isn't easily intimidated and daunted by anything or anyone. She has a mind of her own, doesn't shrink from speaking what she thinks and doesn't allow anyone to trample all over her.

I like the concept behind the angels mythology. It veered from the usual religious based background. It is a great touch to the whole thing. Overall, Archangel of Mercy is a story that you need to plough through and then you'll find that it is enjoyable after all as it does suffers the first-in-a-series syndrome.

Before reading
My request for this was finally approved yesterday after waiting for a month. Feels like Christmas!!!
                                                

Book Review: City of Lost Souls (The Mortal Instruments #5) by Cassandra Clare

City of Lost Souls (The Mortal Instruments #5) 
By Cassandra Clare
Release Date: May 8th, 2012
Format: Paperback
Rating: ♥ ♥ 1/2

Blurb from Goodreads:
Don’t miss The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, soon to be a major motion picture in theaters August 2013. The New York Times bestselling Mortal Instruments continues—and so do the thrills and danger for Jace, Clary, and Simon.

What price is too high to pay, even for love? When Jace and Clary meet again, Clary is horrified to discover that the demon Lilith’s magic has bound her beloved Jace together with her evil brother Sebastian, and that Jace has become a servant of evil. The Clave is out to destroy Sebastian, but there is no way to harm one boy without destroying the other. As Alec, Magnus, Simon, and Isabelle wheedle and bargain with Seelies, demons, and the merciless Iron Sisters to try to save Jace, Clary plays a dangerous game of her own. The price of losing is not just her own life, but Jace’s soul. She’s willing to do anything for Jace, but can she still trust him? Or is he truly lost?

Love. Blood. Betrayal. Revenge. Darkness threatens to claim the Shadowhunters in the harrowing fifth book of the Mortal Instruments series.

My Review:
Well, the scenes I enjoyed were basically Simon and Izzy's as well as Jordan and Maia. I didn't really care for the J.S.C trio. I was rather ambivalent about Magnus and Alec. I just thought that both of them were too stunted emotionally to be in a committed relationship. Alec was too insecure while Magnus was holding back something somehow.

I feel so relieved to have finally finished this book. I had to practically drag myself through it. I thought the series ending at CoB was just perfect because my interest started waning from CoFA onwards. The plot wasn't as solid and exciting anymore; it was like watching a soap opera. Without Simon, I don't think I would have pulled through this melodrama.

Book Review: Beautiful Redemption (Caster Chronicles #4) by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

Beautiful Redemption (Caster Chronicles #4) 

By Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

Release Date: October 26th, 2012

Format: Paperback

Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Blurb from Goodreads:

Is death the end . . . or only the beginning?

Ethan Wate always dreamed of leaving the stifling Southern town of Gatlin.

But he never dreamt that finding love with Lena Duchannes would drive him away. Lena is a Caster girl whose supernatural powers unveiled a secretive and cursed side of Gatlin, so powerful it forced him to make a terrible sacrifice.

Now Ethan must find a way to return to Lena - and Gatlin - as she vows to do whatever it takes to get him back. Even if it means trusting old enemies or risking their loved ones' lives.

Can Ethan and Lena rewrite their fate and their spellbinding love story in this stunning finale to the Beautiful Creatures series?

My Review:

"Here Endeth The Caster Chronicles". 

I think my heart just broke a little when I finally turned the page, saw the words and finally accepted the fact that this crazy journey has indeed finally come to an end. 

It has been a crazy and roller-coaster ride and I loved every second and minute of it. The Caster Chronicles is one of the weirdest and eccentric yet very creative series I've ever read. 

The ending was bitter sweet. All I have to do now is to keep pressing the replay button on the movie trailers and wait for it to be released.

Book Review: Devil in the Making (Devilish Vignettes #1) by Victoria Vane

Devil in the Making (Devilish Vignettes #1)
By Victoria Vane
Release Date: November 6th, 2012
Format: Ebook (ARC)
Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Blurb from Goodreads:
Every devil has a beginning...
A rebellious young nobleman's prank with the king's lion goes comically awry, leading to a startling chain of events.

A riotous Georgian romp in the tradition of Fielding's Tom Jones and a prequel to the Devil DeVere series.

**This title is NOT a romance**

A Note from the Author:

When I first conceived A WILD NIGHT'S BRIDE, a Georgian set, Hangover-inspired romantic comedy, I had no idea that one devilish secondary character would spawn an entire series, but Ludovic, Viscount DeVere, proved to be a dream come true. This larger than life character has captured the hearts of so many fans who have begged for more DeVere.So without further ado…. Here is how it all began….

My Review:
A very big thank you to Victoria Vane for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. You know I love you lots ♡

This is a short story/novella reliving the younger days of DeVere, Ned and the introduction to Simon, our hero in the forthcoming Jewel of the East. I enjoyed getting to know Simon and his lewd poetry writing skills.

DeVere was insolent and as devilish as ever and we get a glimpse into how his father was like. Terrible. Worst than terrible and he deserved to go rot in the depths of hell. I mean, virgin cleansing to cure pox? What more with a mere child? Thank god DeVere was back in time to prevent this abomination.

I'm on the fence regarding his mother though. I don't approve of what she did, abandoning her children to seek her own happiness but can't really blame her as how she got married to DeVere's father was another horror all of its own.

The episode with the lion and Freddie were cute and funny, especially at the end. DeVere was sure daring, defying the king like that.

As always, it is a pleasure to read Ms. Vane's works and I'm seriously looking forward to Jewel of the East and The Trouble With Sin. Imagine the hallelujah feeling I had when I found out The Devil's Match was not the end of DeVere and Co.

I recommend reading the Devil DeVere series first before starting on this one as it'll guarantee to enhance the reading enjoyment.