Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

Series: Red Queen Trilogy #1
Publication Date: February 10, 2015
Publisher: Orion
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Dystopia 
Amazon ~ Goodreads ~ B&N

Synopsis: Graceling meets The Selection in debut novelist Victoria Aveyard's sweeping tale of seventeen-year-old Mare, a common girl whose once-latent magical power draws her into the dangerous intrigue of the king's palace. Will her power save her or condemn her?

Mare Barrow's world is divided by blood--those with common, Red blood serve the Silver- blooded elite, who are gifted with superhuman abilities. Mare is a Red, scraping by as a thief in a poor, rural village, until a twist of fate throws her in front of the Silver court. Before the king, princes, and all the nobles, she discovers she has an ability of her own.

To cover up this impossibility, the king forces her to play the role of a lost Silver princess and betroths her to one of his own sons. As Mare is drawn further into the Silver world, she risks everything and uses her new position to help the Scarlet Guard--a growing Red rebellion--even as her heart tugs her in an impossible direction. One wrong move can lead to her death, but in the dangerous game she plays, the only certainty is betrayal. 

My Rating: 5/5 stars

My Review: "Red in the head, Silver in the heart." 

Mare's world is divided by blood. Silvers are royalty that yield special powers from elements to reading minds, while Reds are the poor workers, destined for a life of slaving away to earn scraps or fighting in a deadly war. When Mare tries to pickpocket a stranger, he ends up landing her a job at the royal court, only to find out that the guy Mare pick-pocketed was Prince Cal, the heir to the throne. But when Mare is faced with danger she unleashes a power that she didn't know she had, in front of the Silvers.

Red Queen is an action packed, emotional roller coaster. In my eyes, this book is better than the Hunger Games and Divergent combined. It has action, family, romance, war, and betrayal. There wasn't a single minute I was bored while reading, and the characters are all so unique and different that you can't help to fall in love with them.

Mare is definitely one of the most amazing characters I have seen in a long time. I fell in love with her right away, she is selfless and cares about the well being of her family and friends, she would sacrifice herself in order to keep those she loves safe. She's a strong character, even though she's new to her powers and is a Red, she isn't a coward and knows when to fight and keep going. But what I loved most about her is that she's not perfect, she makes mistakes, some small and some really big that can cost her life, and she doesn't win every battle she fights but thats what makes her so human and so relatable. The author did an amazing job with this character, I couldn't find any flaws with her.

The plot of this story is very compelling. Like I said, its full of action, backstabbing, and romance. While this book mostly focuses on the political side of Mare's world, theres still some romance in the book to make it even better. The love triangle (at least I think its one) is well thought out and entertaining. I found myself rooting for one guy, and then at the end of the book I found myself surprised at the betrayal and ended up rooting for the other guy that I didn't like in the beginning.

Overall, in my eyes this book was absolutely perfect. I highly recommend this to all Dystopia and Fantasy fans. I am so excited for the second book to come out, just so that I can find out what happens to Mare next. 

Happy Reading
- Aneta

2015 Real Book Challenge

Welcome to 2015 “Real” Book Challenge!

Have you gotten used to reading on your Kindle, iPad, Nook, or other reading device? Do you have tons of pretty books filling your bookshelves that are just begging to be read (and maybe sniffed a little too)? Do you have a favorite book or series that you’ve been looking for a reason to reread? All these scenarios, and so many more, are the perfect reason to join the “Real” Book Challenge! Join us in a quest to put down the electronic devices and pick up a physical copy of your favorite book(s).

Check out the full set of rules and guidelines here. 

Levels

1-10 - Real Book Newbie 
11-20 - Real Book Enthusiast 
21-30 - Real Book Snob 
31-40 - Real Book Aficionado 
41-50 - Real Book Hoarder 
50+ - Real Book Queen/King 

My Goal

My goal will be to read 

31-40 - Real Book Aficionado 

Join me in the challenge. Sign up here.

Stacking the Shelves

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews. With this amazing meme, you can check out which books I've gotten this past week.

Bought

Unhinged by A.G. Howard

Ensnared by A.G. Howard

The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson

The Madness Underneath by Maureen Johnson 

From Netgalley

Water So Deep

Seventeen-year-old Emma Harris is drowning on dry land.

No one knows what’s happening to her, and she’d like to keep her evolution from human to mermaid a secret, but the truth is getting harder and harder to hide. From her adoptive family, from her friends, and especially from the irresistible James Phelps.

Her time in the ocean is spent dodging a possessive merman, while her time on land is split between caring for her special-needs brother and squeezing in every last possible moment of human life. She soon realizes falling for James is unavoidable when he constantly comes to Emma’s rescue and somehow manages to see through her carefully constructed icy facade to the vulnerability she lives with every day. Everything about James makes Emma yearn for a life on land she just can't have.

When Emma’s brother disappears on her watch, James is the only person she trusts to help her save him. But even if they can save her brother, nothing can prevent her return to the sea. Whether she likes it or not, Emma is changing—unable to breathe without yielding to the tide—and it's only a matter of time before she's forced to surrender forever. 

Seeker

For readers of A Game of Thrones and The Hunger Games comes an epic new series.

The night Quin Kincaid takes her Oath, she will become what she has trained to be her entire life. She will become a Seeker. This is her legacy, and it is an honor. As a Seeker, Quin will fight beside her two closest companions, Shinobu and John, to protect the weak and the wronged. Together they will stand for light in a shadowy world. And she'll be with the boy she loves--who's also her best friend.

But the night Quin takes her Oath, everything changes. Being a Seeker is not what she thought. Her family is not what she thought. Even the boy she loves is not who she thought.

And now it's too late to walk away.

What did you guys get this week? Let me know in the comments.

Lucifer's Rants: How I Made a Bookstore Sales Lady Have A Panic-attack

Hi everyone, this is a topic I started here at Angelic Reviews. It's called Lucifer's Rants, named after the fallen angel Lucifer himself, where I talk about a certain topic that's on my mind and is book related. I hope you enjoy.

Onto today's topic.

How I Made a Bookstore Lady Have a Panic-attack

Before I tell my story, we need a little bit of background knowledge. Have you guys read the book Dead of Winter by Kresley Cole? It looks like this:

If you haven't, don't worry I won't reveal any spoilers. But if you have, you'll know exactly what I'm talking about.

So for those of you who haven't read the book yet. It was supposed to be the last book in the Aracana Chronicles series. I don't know if this was the author's original plan or if there just was never an update on Goodreads, but I believed this was the last book until this happened.

This book leaves off with a HUGE cliffhanger. Honestly, it's one of the biggest cliffhangers I've ever seen in my life.

So I started freaking out saying "No way this is the ending. At least not to a series." I went and checked Goodreads, still no news of a fourth book in the series. I decided to check the page numbers, and Goodreads said that the book should have 330 pages. Yet my copy only had 303 pages.

I was so angry with the book I stormed over to my local bookstore. I went up to the counter and told the sales lady that there was a problem with my book. This is how the conversation went.

Me: "Hi, I recently bought a book here, and theres a small problem with it. It's missing the last 27 pages."

Saleslady #1: "Oh no, I'm really sorry about that. What book is it?"

Me: "Dead of Winter by Kresley Cole."

Saleslady #1: "WHAT? DON'T TELL ME ANYTHING ABOUT IT, I STILL HAVEN'T READ IT. KAREN COME HELP THIS YOUNG LADY BECAUSE I CANT EVEN.. I JUST CANT!"

Saleslady #2: "What's the problem?"

Saleslady #1: "HER KRESLEY COLE BOOK IS MISSING PAGES! YOU HAVE TO DO IT, I DONT EVEN WANT TO TOUCH THAT BOOK UNTIL I FINISH IT!"

Saleslady #2: "Okay.."

So after looking online, and looking at my book, she sees that it is in fact missing pages. She goes to look at all the other books they have on display and they all contain exactly 303 pages.

Saleslady #1: "WAIT DOES THAT MEAN MY BOOK IS MISSING THE ENDING. I CANT DO THIS ANYMORE KAREN. THIS IS THE LAST BOOK AND I NEED TO READ THE ENDING. WHAT AM I GOING TO DO NOW! THIS IS MT FAVOURITE SERIES BY MY FAVOURITE AUTHOR. I THINK IM GOING TO CRY!" *breathing heavily*

Saleslady #2: "Hold on, let me just check the authors Facebook page to see if this happened to anyone else. Oh wait... Yeah the author plans on releasing a fourth book to finish off the series. And she cut out the last few pages and decided to elongate it for the fourth book."

Saleslady #1: "THANK YOU JESUS! I THINK I ALMOST HAD A HEART ATTACK! PLEASE DON'T EVER SCARE ME LIKE THAT AGAIN..... KAREN I'M TAKING MY BREAK.. I NEED SOME AIR BEFORE I FAINT!"

After getting my book back, and talking to Karen about terrible books. I went in search of new books in the store, let's be honest you can't walk into a bookstore and not buy a book. As I was checking out with my brand new purchase, the mall security guy walks up to Karen and tells her that Saleslady #1 is outside in her uniform (short-sleeve shirt, and it was like -30 Celsius outside) and she's refusing to come back in because she can't look at books right now.

So Karen asked me to stay and watch the store for a little bit as she went outside to get Saleslady #1. She ended up sending her home because she wasn't in a fit condition to work anymore.

I honestly feel so bad. I didn't realize that she would freak out so bad. I thought I was angry at the huge cliffhanger the book left off, but she was a million times worse. 

I have my fingers crossed for her to get back to normal, and hopefully finish the book eventually. 

So take this as a warning from me. Don't go barging into bookstores complaining about the ending of a book until you're certain its the last one.

Lets hear your craziest bookstore story. Let me know in the comments below.

The Moth in the Mirror by A.G. Howard

Series: Splintered #1.5
Publication Date: October 22, 2013
Publisher: Amulet Books
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Romance
Amazon ~ Goodreads ~ B&N

Synopsis: An original ebook-only novella in the Splintered series, told from the points of view of both Jeb and Morpheus. Morpheus wants to know more about his rival for Alyssa's affections, so he digs into Jeb's memories of his time in Wonderland. But he may be surprised by what he finds. 

This brand-new story and perspective from A.G. Howard's dark, magical world stands alone, but also provides a tantalizing glimpse of what's to come in Unhinged, the sequel to Splintered. 

My Rating: 4/5 stars

My Review: “Romance wasn't fair. Nor was it a game. It was war. And, as on any other battlefield, compassion and mercy had no place there.” 

Find out what happened in Splintered from Jeb's point of view. As Morpheus digs through Jeb's memories in order to learn the reason why Alyssa likes Jeb, he stumbles upon three different memories from Jeb's time in Wonderland.

This cute novella is perfect for finding out what exactly happened to Jeb during Splintered when he was away from Alyssa, it is also perfect if you just need a little more Morpheus or Jeb in your life.

This short story was honestly perfect, just as the book was. The only thing I would have liked to see is more from Morpheus's point of view, and maybe it being a tad bit longer. But other than that it was a cherry on top to Splintered. 

If you need a quick refresher before starting book two, this ebook will do just that.

Happy Reading,
-Aneta

January 2015 New Release Giveaway Hop!

Welcome to the January New Release Giveaway Hop! This lovely hop is sponsored by Librarian Lavender. Please feel free to enter the giveaway, and check out the link to other amazing blogs.

Giveaway!

The winner will receive any book of their choice as long as its a January 2015 release, and a maximum of $18.

Just incase you can't decide. Here are a few January 2015 New Releases.

 

 

Rules:

- Giveaway is International as long as The Book Depository ships to you.

- Must be 18 or older to enter. Or 13 and up with parents permission. 

- Winner will be emailed. You have 2 days to reply with your address and choice of book.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Waiting on Wednesday: Rogue by Julie Kagawa

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

Rogue by Julie Kagawa 
Series: Talon #2
Publication Date: April 28, 2015
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Amazon ~ Goodreads ~ B&N

Synopsis: Ember Hill left the dragon organization Talon to take her chances with rebel dragon Cobalt and his crew of rogues. But Ember can't forget the sacrifice made for her by the human boy who could have killed her—Garret Xavier Sebastian, a soldier of the dragonslaying Order of St. George, the boy who saved her from a Talon assassin, knowing that by doing so, he'd signed his own death warrant. 

Determined to save Garret from execution, Ember must convince Cobalt to help her break into the Order's headquarters. With assassins after them and Ember's own brother helping Talon with the hunt, the rogues find an unexpected ally in Garret and a new perspective on the underground battle between Talon and St. George. 

A reckoning is brewing and the secrets hidden by both sides are shocking and deadly. Soon Ember must decide: Should she retreat to fight another day…or start an all-out war?

I Love Books Tag

This wonderful tag was created by Mariibel from The Words Written. You can check out the original post here. Feel free to do the tag with me, just link it back to Mariibel's post.

If the zombie apocalypse started the first book I would grab would be? ...
Throne of Glass, not only is it one  of my fave books, but it would inspire me to kick some ass!
Lost you at the library, but you would probably find me (which section?)...
Definitely the young adult fantasy section.
Obviously you don't know anything about books! You need to read ASAP...
City of Bones, the book that got me into reading.
Valentine's day I'm spending it with (which book character?)...
Will Herondale <3333
Even book works stop reading long enough to notice that..
It's almost 4 in the morning, I should probably get some sleep.
Botton of my bookshelf all lonely and covered in dust is (book you hate, or have yet to read)....
The whole Twilight series, that just speaks for itself.
On a rainy day I like to read...
Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare
Oh My Gosh! Someone is trying to rob a person so you hit him with (which is the biggest book you own or have read?)...
City of Heavenly Fire (that thing is massive)
K-I-S-S-I-N-G! who is sitting in that tree next to you?...
Adrian Ivashkov :*
Sweet boys (girls) or Bad Boys(girls)?...
I love me some bad boys!! :)

Talon by Julie Kagawa

Series: Talon #1
Publication Date: October 28, 2014
Genre:YA, Fantasy
Amazon ~ Goodreads ~ B&N

Synopsis: Long ago, dragons were hunted to near extinction by the Order of St. George, a legendary society of dragon slayers. Hiding in human form and growing their numbers in secret, the dragons of Talon have become strong and cunning, and they're positioned to take over the world with humans none the wiser.

Ember and Dante Hill are the only sister and brother known to dragonkind. Trained to infiltrate society, Ember wants to live the teen experience and enjoy a summer of freedom before taking her destined place in Talon. But destiny is a matter of perspective, and a rogue dragon will soon challenge everything Ember has been taught. As Ember struggles to accept her future, she and her brother are hunted by the Order of St. George.

Soldier Garret Xavier Sebastian has a mission to seek and destroy all dragons, and Talon's newest recruits in particular. But he cannot kill unless he is certain he has found his prey: and nothing is certain about Ember Hill. Faced with Ember's bravery, confidence and all-too-human desires, Garret begins to question everything that the Order has ingrained in him: and what he might be willing to give up to find the truth about dragons. 

 My Rating: 5/5 stars

My Review: “They wanted me to sit, listen, learn, be quiet, when I wanted to run, shout, jump, fly.” 

I did not think Julie Kagawa could have done any better than she did with the Iron Fey Series... Yet I was proven wrong!!

I am a huge dragon fan! Except that every time I've read dragon books I've usually been really disappointed which is why I was very hesitant in trying this series! 
I am so glad that I did, because Julie writes about dragons like I've never seen before. This whole idea that dragons can switch into human form and have tried to live amongst us for a while now is so fantastic I couldn't believe no one ever came up with his before.

I love Ember! Her attitude and personality is so amazing and hilarious, there were moments where I didn't know if I should laugh with her or admire her for the things she did! She's one of those characters where she doesn't like being told what to do, and she likes to know the details of what she's doing and why she's doing it, which is exactly what Talon doesn't provide her. I love how she's brave enough to try and seek out answers on her own to discover the truth about Talon.
There were moments where she really had me worried, she could have handled some situation way better than how she did it, but it just added to her character and made me admire her even more.

Garret and Riley... I usually have a clear choice in love triangles but this time I'm stumped. I love Garret, and I love how he is going through pretty much the same thing and Ember and not knowing if their organization has been honest with them. He's really cute and I super athletic which I love. But on the other hand we have Riley, and he's that badass/motorcycle riding/rouge dragon. I usually have a thing for the mysterious bad guy that ends up falling in love with the main character, but this time I would have to say that I like Garret's personality way more than Riley, but Riley is a dragon which is major cool.
If Garret was a dragon I would most likely be trying to get married to him right now, but I guess not all wishes come true.

The plot of this story was fantastic, while it was a little long, there was tons of action and surprises that made you want to keep reading. Julie's writing just keeps getting better and better, and it just makes you fall in love with the characters, the plot and the world-building. All aspects of the book were perfectly written.

I cannot wait to continue reading this series when the next book comes out. I highly recommend this book to all Fantasy lovers, no matter the age group, and no matter if you like Dragons or not. You will love this book.

Happy Reading,
-Aneta

Stacking the Shelves

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews. With this amazing meme, you can check out which books I've gotten this past week.

Bought

Mortal Heart 
Annith has watched her gifted sisters at the convent come and go, carrying out their dark dealings in the name of St. Mortain, patiently awaiting her own turn to serve Death. But her worst fears are realized when she discovers she is being groomed by the abbess as a Seeress, to be forever sequestered in the rock and stone womb of the convent. Feeling sorely betrayed, Annith decides to strike out on her own.

She has spent her whole life training to be an assassin. Just because the convent has changed its mind doesn't mean she has... 

Dead of Winter
Can Evie convince her rival loves to work together? Their survival depends on it in this third book of #1 New York Times bestselling author Kresley Cole’s Arcana Chronicles, a nonstop action tale of rescue, redemption, and a revenge most wicked.

Heartbreaking decisions 
Evie was almost seduced by the life of comfort that Death offered her—until Jack was threatened by two of the most horrific Arcana, The Lovers. She will do anything to save him, even escape Death’s uncanny prison, full of beautiful objects, material comforts…and stolen glances from a former love.

Uncertain victory 
Despite leaving a part of her heart behind with Death, Evie sets out into a frozen and perilous post-apocalyptic wasteland to meet up with her allies and launch an attack on The Lovers and the vast army they command. Such formidable enemies require a battle plan, and the only way to kill them once and for all may mean Evie, Jack, and Death allying. Evie doesn’t know what will prove more impossible: surviving slavers, plague, Bagmen and other Arcana—or convincing Jack and Death to work together.

Two heroes returned 
There’s a thin line between love and hate, and Evie just doesn’t know where she stands with either Jack or Death. Will this unlikely trio be able to defeat The Lovers without killing one another first?

These Broken Stars
It's a night like any other on board the Icarus. Then, catastrophe strikes: the massive luxury spaceliner is yanked out of hyperspace and plummets into the nearest planet. Lilac LaRoux and Tarver Merendsen survive. And they seem to be alone. 

Lilac is the daughter of the richest man in the universe. Tarver comes from nothing, a young war hero who learned long ago that girls like Lilac are more trouble than they’re worth. But with only each other to rely on, Lilac and Tarver must work together, making a tortuous journey across the eerie, deserted terrain to seek help. 

Then, against all odds, Lilac and Tarver find a strange blessing in the tragedy that has thrown them into each other’s arms. Without the hope of a future together in their own world, they begin to wonder—would they be better off staying here forever?

Everything changes when they uncover the truth behind the chilling whispers that haunt their every step. Lilac and Tarver may find a way off this planet. But they won’t be the same people who landed on it.

Horizon
Fate has bound them together—and torn them apart. Now Daire and Dace face one final fight that will seal their destiny forever.

Daire Santos is the last of the Soul Seekers, and the only thing standing between the Richters and the destruction of everyone she loves. With her grandmother gone and Cade back in Enchantment, Daire must finally step into her destiny and lead the fight against the Richters. But what if that means sacrificing the person she loves most?

Bound to the Richters by blood, Dace struggles against the darkness growing inside him that threatens to claim Daire too. Though Daire refuses to give up on him, the choice may not be hers. An epic battle is on the horizon and the end of the world looms near. With such insurmountable odds stacked against them, is their love really enough to conquer all? 

WON!

Sweet Reckoning 
It’s time. 

Evil is running rampant and sweet Anna Whitt is its target. Nobody knows when or how the Dukes will strike, but Anna and her Nephilim allies will do anything necessary to rid the earth of the demons and their oppressive ways.

The stakes are higher than ever, and Anna is determined that the love she feels will be her strength, not a liability. But trying to protect the ones she loves while running for her life and battling demonic forces proves to be perilous—especially as faces are changing and trust is fleeting. When the Duke of Lust sends Anna’s great love, Kaidan Rowe, to work against her, Anna must decide how much she’s prepared to risk.

In the most sensual and fast-paced installment yet, Sweet Reckoning brings all the beloved Neph together one last time to fight for their freedom.

Thank you so much to Jess from Jess Time to Read for a kindle copy of the book. I absolutely can't wait to read it.

What did you guys get this week? Let me know in the comments.

Waiting on Wednesday: The Girl at Midnight by Melissa Grey

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

The Girl at Midnight by Melissa Grey
Series: The Girl at Midnight #1
Publication Date: April 28, 2015
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Genre: YA, Fantasy 
Amazon ~ Goodreads ~ B&N

Synopsis: For readers of Cassandra Clare's City of Bones and Leigh Bardugo's Shadow and Bone, The Girl at Midnight is the story of a modern girl caught in an ancient war.

Beneath the streets of New York City live the Avicen, an ancient race of people with feathers for hair and magic running through their veins. Age-old enchantments keep them hidden from humans. All but one. Echo is a runaway pickpocket who survives by selling stolen treasures on the black market, and the Avicen are the only family she's ever known.

Echo is clever and daring, and at times she can be brash, but above all else she's fiercely loyal. So when a centuries-old war crests on the borders of her home, she decides it's time to act.

Legend has it that there is a way to end the conflict once and for all: find the Firebird, a mythical entity believed to possess power the likes of which the world has never seen. It will be no easy task, but if life as a thief has taught Echo anything, it's how to hunt down what she wants . . . and how to take it.

But some jobs aren't as straightforward as they seem. And this one might just set the world on fire. 

Splintered by A.G. Howard

Series: Splintered #1
Publication Date: January 1, 2013
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Amazon ~ Goodreads ~ B&N

Synopsis: This stunning debut captures the grotesque madness of a mystical under-land, as well as a girl’s pangs of first love and independence. Alyssa Gardner hears the whispers of bugs and flowers—precisely the affliction that landed her mother in a mental hospital years before. This family curse stretches back to her ancestor Alice Liddell, the real-life inspiration for Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Alyssa might be crazy, but she manages to keep it together. For now.

When her mother’s mental health takes a turn for the worse, Alyssa learns that what she thought was fiction is based in terrifying reality. The real Wonderland is a place far darker and more twisted than Lewis Carroll ever let on. There, Alyssa must pass a series of tests, including draining an ocean of Alice’s tears, waking the slumbering tea party, and subduing a vicious bandersnatch, to fix Alice’s mistakes and save her family. She must also decide whom to trust: Jeb, her gorgeous best friend and secret crush, or the sexy but suspicious Morpheus, her guide through Wonderland, who may have dark motives of his own. 

My Rating: 5/5 stars

My Review: Splintered captivated me right from the beginning. This fantastic retelling of Alice in Wonderland begins with Alyssa, a descendant of Alice Liddell herself. Alyssa embarks on a new adventure when she realizes that Wonderland is real, and the only way to save her mother is to travel down the rabbit hole and fix all of Alice's mistakes. 

I love almost everything about this book! I love all the characters (except for one), and the fantastic world that Mrs. Howard created based off of Wonderland. There is tons of action to keep you on your toes, and blindsides that will leave you with your mouth hanging open!

Alyssa is such a relatable character, you honestly can't help but love her. Even though her mother is locked up in an insane asylum, and she can hear plants and bugs talk to her, Alyssa does her best to try and be a normal teenage girl. She works at a vintage store, and skateboards in her free time. I love that about her. I love how even though her mother is considered crazy and she doesn't want to be anything like her in the beginning of the book, you can still tell she loves her and that her touch means everything to her. Alyssa may not be the smartest character out there, but she knows how to follow her conscience which always leads her in the right direction. I would definitely follow her on a quest anywhere!

For me, the love triangle in this story is very one sided. Alyssa has a huge crush on her neighbour Jeb, who is dating someone else. As Alyssa's friend and neighbour, Jeb ends up following Alyssa through her mirror to London and goes on the quest with her. Throughout the whole adventure in wonderland, Jeb tries to hold Alyssa back and get her to go home so that she doesn't get hurt.
I found Jeb to be one of the most whiny characters I have ever read about! Half of the time the only words that came out of his mouth were "Alyssa lets go home. I don't want you to get hurt." While it was nice that he cared about Alyssa, he was also holding her back and being such a debby-downer that I got really annoyed at him.

On the other side of the love triangle, we have Morpheus. Morpheus appears to Alyssa when they were children and taught her everything she knows about Wonderland, after her mother's accident Alyssa forgot everything about Morpheus and what he taught her, but after an incident with her mother, the memories start coming back to her, and Morpheus guides her back into Wonderland. Pretty much the complete opposite of Jeb, Morpheus encourages Alyssa to go on this quest to save her mother, even though his intentions may not be always right, he believes and trusts Alyssa and looks out for her best interest. Morpheus is smart and very mysterious, but he's really kind and caring towards Alyssa. 

The world-bulging in this story was absolutely amazing! Even though the author didn't create Wonderland, she made huge differences in the characters and the landscape of Wonderland, and it was perfect! All the descriptions and landscapes in this book were described so well I could feel like I was alongside Alyssa and Jeb as they travel through Wonderland. Every flower or bug that talked to Alyssa in the read world was described so well I could hear and see them in my head. I am really impressed with the world-building and authors writing.

Overall, this book is one of the best books I've read in 2014, and it makes me wish I read it sooner. I highly recommend this book to all Fantasy fans, especially if you love classical retelling, you will definitely love this book. Other than Jeb, I found this book to be perfect, and I absolutely can't wait to continue with the series.

Happy Reading,
-Aneta