Book Review: Limerence(The Cure #3) By Charlotte McConaghy

Limerence (The Cure #3)  by  Charlotte McConaghy

Published April 2016 

by Momentum, Pan Macmillan

ARC For Review 

Summary

No injection can cure love. Only life can do that.

Deep in the darkest tunnels hide the last of the resistance fighters. Hunted by the savage Furies and the ruthless Bloods, they live in constant peril. The only means of survival is to seek strength in family and find courage in love. So what happens when love is cured, scoured away, leaving death in its place?
In the final battle for freedom, there are no lines that won't be crossed. And for Josi this means becoming the creature she fears most of all: the girl with a blood moon heart.
The gripping conclusion to the dystopian trilogy The Cure, Limerence is a love story for the monsters within.
Perfect for fans of Pierce Brown, Laini Taylor and Maggie Stiefvater.

Forgiveness and Love

Bravo, bravo, bravo! Standing ovación for Limerence by Charlotte McConaghy. It has been several years since I have blogged...Life and such/ BUT I am back! Man oh man so happy to make my return to reviews using this wonderful work of art. McConaghy does an excellent job of making you feel through these broken characters. This is the third installment of a dystopian tale that is set after a major plague has wiped out most of humanity. This book is not only clever, but it is also cleverly written. We jump from present to past, to very past, and the beginning of each chapter has the date of where that character is at that moment. In this installment we get 3 points of view and they are smashingly good!

The Story, we find ourselves right back to where we left off. Things were a bit hazy as it has been years between books but the emotion was there and soon the memories came flooding back. Quite some time has passed between where the second installment left off and where this final book begins. As the story moves forward there are pivotal moments when we get glimpses of things that transpired in the past. Brilliant really, a lot of books give you info dump at the beginning and then move forward but Limerence will feed you morsels at a time, as needed. The world is much smaller and though emotions are being tampered with by those with power our protagonists are doing what they can to save the youth. The next emotion up for reprograming is love. This cannot be and what is left of those with the courage to fight the tyranny will do so until the bitter end something must be done. As the story progresses everything our characters thought they knew will change. The good, the bad, and the ugly get ready for a mysterious and thought-provoking ride.

The Characters, Josi and Luke these two have had such a turbulent time since meeting and falling in love. They have both made grave mistakes some of which no one could ever come back from. Their connection, commitment and strength provides them with what is needed to keep fighting for the world first and I am happy to say for each other. As the story progresses we find out all of their transgressions so heart breaking and awe inspiring. Josi takes the W in my opinion she faced the thing that she despises and with the help of her love she will overcome hate and learn to be free, free to love fully. Luke steadfast albeit stubborn also needs to come to terms with the mistakes of his past. His determination to finally end the tyranny that threatens to destroy what is left of humanity is marvelous to behold. Our third POV takes us inside of the head of someone who has forever been affected by the new government I enjoyed getting to see how different someone without vital emotions battles with inklings of what once was. The secondary characters are so developed they hardly felt secondary at all their journeys are just as gripping as our primary characters.

The End, McConaghy has done it. A good and truly balanced believable ending to a dystopian tale. I am so used to tragic endings when it comes to dystopian I was nervous. Tragic endings are so not my thing! I'll take the fluffy unicorn every single time! However, this ending was PERFECT for this story. The world is still torn apart, but the loose ends are tied in a way that meshed perfectly to each character and their journey. Things are on the mend and our favorites are just exactly where they need to be...slightly broken still, but the promise of healing through time is quite apparent. This is what I loved the most.

Rating
5.0 Because well and truly this book made me feel what the characters were feeling. McConaghy smashes this story out of the park! If you are thinking about picking this up I highly, highly recommend you do so now!

Purchase 

Amazon

About the Author 

Charlotte grew up with her nose in a book and her head in the clouds. At fourteen, her English teacher told her that the short story she'd submitted was wildly romantic, so she decided to write a novel. Thus began her foray into epic fantasy and dystopian sci-fi, with sweeping romances, heroic adventures, and as much juicy drama as she could possibly squeeze in.

Her first novel, Arrival, was published at age seventeen, and was followed by Descent, which launched The Strangers of Paragor series, an adventure fantasy for teenagers.

She then wrote her first adult fantasy novel, Avery, the prologue of which came to her in a very vivid dream. Her second adult novel, Fury, is the first in a romantic science-fiction series called The Cure, set in a dystopian future.

Charlotte currently lives in Sydney, having just finished a Masters in Screenwriting from the Australian Film, Television & Radio School. With her television pilot script, she won the Australian Writer's Guild Award for Best Unproduced Screenplay of 2013. She will, however, always be a novelist at heart, still unable to get her nose out of the books.

Blog Tour: True North By L. E. Sterling

True North

(True Born Trilogy #2) 

by 

L.E. Sterling 

Expected publication: April 4th 2017 

by Entangled: Teen

GoodReads

Summary
Abandoned by her family in Plague-ridden Dominion City, eighteen-year-old Lucy Fox has no choice but to rely upon the kindness of the True Borns, a renegade group of genetically enhanced humans, to save her twin sister, Margot. But Nolan Storm, their mysterious leader, has his own agenda. When Storm backtracks on his promise to rescue Margot, Lucy takes her fate into her own hands and sets off for Russia with her True Born bodyguard and maybe-something-more, the lethal yet beautiful Jared Price. In Russia, there's been whispered rumors of Plague Cure. 

While Lucy fights her magnetic attraction to Jared, anxious that his loyalty to Storm will hurt her chances of finding her sister, they quickly discover that not all is as it appears…and discovering the secrets contained in the Fox sisters' blood before they wind up dead is just the beginning.?? 

As they say in Dominion, sometimes it’s not you…it’s your DNA.

Hidden Secrets don't Stay Hidden Forever

Get ready for another wonderful read! I could not wait to jump back into the world of Dominion City! Lucy and Margot...Two pieces of a puzzle, I could not wait to find out what secrets they hold. Sadly, yet expectantly not all is revealed in the second installment but much is! Everything is bleak with the world and looking bleaker still. There is just enough backstory to refresh the readers mind of what happened in the last book but not too much where it becomes redundant. This story still contains all the delicious elements of the first and maybe adding a dash of mystery. I am very good about figuring things out quickly and I am still at a loss. This is very exciting for me because I am sitting at the edge of my metaphorical seat and will remain there until the next installment. I don’t see how everything will tie together I just hope beyond the stars above that we get a HEA.

The Story, Storm is back Lucy is still here though her heart has fled along with her sister. There is a plan, Lucy will help Storm and Storm will help Lucy. Quid pro quo right? Wrong! So wrong, it is not funny…Not one bit. The story picks up right after the ending of the first. Margot went willingly to Russia but Lucy knows better she knows the sacrifice her sister made was to keep Lucy safe. Though Lucy is the rule follower and fixer of the Fox sisters something has changed. Fundamentally what used to drive Lucy is no longer there. She knows something nefarious is going on and she will stop at nothing to find out exactly who she and her sister are. Things are moving albeit slowly but just when it seems like attentions will turn to finding Margot a new distraction arises amongst the remaining population and Lucy is let down again. This prompts her to make a rash decision that she cannot turn away from. Thankfully she has made a strange alliance and she is not alone.

The Characters, this may be a bit of a spoiler but we don’t see the vile parents in this installment. I will also say the reader learns much about them and it is beyond mortifying. I want them to explain themselves and pay for their evil actions. Egads this installment picks up the steam factor between Lucy and her love. One thing I don’t understand is why they are dancing around their true emotions for each other. Both are hooked to each other! Just get married already and have superhuman super cute panther shifting babies already! Yeesh! Lol! The tension and attraction is very well written I feel what Lucy feels so I want her happiness. Key characters have secret agendas and there is a lot of mystery surrounding everyone from the most malevolent to the most benevolent.

The End, the reader sees firsthand the plans that have been laid out for years that are now coming to fruition. I’m happy to report there is a lot of action and explosions and shocking revelations. I’m going to say that again in the event you missed it the first time. There are SHOCKING REVELATIONS!!! The Dominion City rubber meets the Russian road in an eerily plausible way that is sure to delight readers everywhere. Lock and key let anyone try to control one of these girls and get ready for a fight. Lucy may not know exactly what happened to them and why but she will fight with every ounce of her being to protect her other half. I don’t know how everything will come to a close but what I do know is I’ve become very attached to these characters and I can’t wait to see what is next! I also can’t wait to find out more about Lucy’s new mysterious friend.

My Rating

4.5 The world is coming to an end and I can’t wait to see what happens next…I need answers like water for a parched throat. I also need Lucy to accept her feelings for Jared who dare I say gets even more amazing and steals my heart!!! Last but in no way least I need to know all of the answers 4.5 filled stars!

True North - Excerpt

“Let me finish. I have a job to do. I’m obliged to do the best job I can. Not just because I work for Storm but because that’s who I am. That job is to protect you, Lu.”

I turn my head, unable to bear even another second. I’ve had my fill of Jared’s merc routine. Gentle fingers coax me back again until I’m just inches from Jared’s glittering eyes. They look feral in the moonlight.

“But Lu.” He breathes my name like it’s a full sentence. “It’s a good thing that’s my job, because… Don’t you know I can’t even help myself?” He’s so close it’s as though the boundaries of our flesh have disappeared. And within one breath and the next, his lips are on mine. Soft, warm, molding me to his mouth. Then, hungrier, he pulls me closer, seeking more.

I’m dizzy with the taste of him on my lips, in my mouth. When my strength gives out, I slump onto his chest and he holds me tighter. I can barely react to the blazing warmth of his body full down the length of me, the scratchy feeling of his shirt decal under my fingers. There’s a fire in me, too, and with his sudden nip to my lip, it ignites. I’m feverish for him. Jared’s chest is molten rock under my hands. I’m struck with a desire to run kisses up his neck, to just behind his earlobe, just to hear the quick suck of his breath. I grab his hair and pull him tighter still. My lips sting from trying to get closer, closer, and rubbing too hard up against his teeth. Jared tries to hold them back but I can feel his incisors sharpen, his growl deepen, his eyes flip to a luminescent green in the darkness of the garden as he drinks me in.

And just as suddenly as it started, he takes me by the shoulders and pulls me away. I sway on the patio bench like a rag doll, cold and dazed. The garden hums with some secret life, bugs and frogs, but it’s just Jared and me here.

Touching a finger to my swollen lips, I watch him. He pants as though he’s kicked the living tar out of someone, a glassy expression to his feline eyes. He doesn’t take his hands off me, but he isn’t going to bring me close again, either. And that’s what makes me explode.

“What kind of game are you playing with me, anyhow?” I scream at him, thankful that the garden is empty for my tirade.

Follow the Tour HERE

About the Author

L.E. Sterling had an early obsession with sci-fi, fantasy and romance to which she remained faithful even through an M.A. in Creative Writing and a PhD in English Literature – where she completed a thesis on magical representation. She is the author of two previous novels, the cult hit Y/A novel The Originals (under pen name L.E. Vollick), dubbed “the Catcher in the Rye of a new generation” by one reviewer, and the urban fantasy Pluto’s Gate.

Originally hailing from Parry Sound, Ontario, L.E. spent most of her summers roaming across Canada in a van with her father, a hippie musician, her brothers and an occasional stray mutt – inspiring her writing career. She currently lives in Toronto, Ontario.

✿ Website ✿ Twitter ✿ GoodReads ✿

Book Review: True Born By L. E. Sterling

True Born 

(True Born Trilogy #1) 

by 

L.E. Sterling

Pub May 3rd 2016 

by Entangled: Teen 

Summary
Welcome to Dominion City.

After the great Plague descended, the world population was decimated…and their genetics damaged beyond repair.

The Lasters wait hopelessly for their genes to self-destruct. The Splicers pay for expensive treatments that might prolong their life. The plague-resistant True Borns are as mysterious as they are feared…

And then there’s Lucy Fox and her identical twin sister, Margot. After endless tests, no one wants to reveal what they are.

When Margot disappears, a desperate Lucy has no choice but to put her faith in the True Borns, led by the charismatic Nolan Storm and the beautiful but deadly Jared Price. As Lucy and the True Borns set out to rescue her sister, they stumble upon a vast conspiracy stretching from Dominion’s street preachers to shady Russian tycoons. But why target the Fox sisters?

As they say in Dominion, it’s in the blood.

The Answers Are In The Blood

After reading the blurb I knew I was in for a treat. There were so many elements to this book I can’t just place it in one genre. There are dystopian, post apocalyptic, paranormal, and fantasy elements to this tale. A disease has nearly wiped the planet the 2% is at the top while the rest figure it out or die. When I say figure it out I mean starve or die from the plague. So yea, situation looks dire. There are divisions and plain ol’ hysteria Dominion is where the story plays out everyone’s existence is bleak. Even the wealthy upper circle people are on borrowed or should I say bought time. This book is constantly going, going somewhere, dropping morsels and revealing questions. Man oh man after that delicious appetizer I’m ready for a meal! I want and need answers. I will definitely keep my eyes peeled for the next installment. Coming out soon! Yay!

The Story, as I mentioned before its not looking good for the people of Dominion or the world. People are dying everywhere there are bodies on the floor. There are protocols that everyone follows. True Born follows Lucy and Margot they are conjoined(by the toe) twin sisters there is something very special about them but no one knows exactly what. A long time ago pollution decimated and practically ruined the planet due to these harsh conditions people started sprouting fins or flat out dying. Lucy and Margot are part of the Upper Circle translation Grade A ARSEHoles with stupid amounts of money and power. They are about to turn 18 and thus put through several blood tests to see if they are either Splicers, Lasters, or True Born. Something is wrong and Lucy feels some impending catastrophe. There are riots and attacks and all the while Lucy is trying to save her sister, figure out what they are, and fighting the feelings that are blossoming between her and Jared.

The Characters, I was thoroughly delighted by this cast of characters. Lucy and Margot are surrounded by so many wonderful characters I could not get enough. There were times in the story I felt like storms clan was similar to the x men. Though Margot and Lucy are twins they are very different. Both of them are categorized as good girls who do what they must to uphold the family image. Margot is a charming diplomat that can woe the crowd while Lucy is calculating and protective. Storm is a True Born with way more power than he lets on, he has been hired to protect Lucy and Margot just when you think you’ve figured him out bombs start dropping and so will your jaw. The bad guys are pretty obvious but their moves and motives are not. I loved each character even the bad ones…I just want to know more I need the whos whats and wheres.

The End, remember those bombs I told you about? Yep…That happens but seriously Storm reveals some of his cards and Lucy and Margot? Well there is not much that can be done but they sure try. The ending was a little sad but the promise for more is there. I was happy to see certain people get their just desserts. I have my theories as to what secrets lie within Lucy and Margot but I will keep them to my self. I was pretty disappointed in Lucy’s parents though I do love them or should I say love to hate them I really need the why. There are several open ended story lines that I’m very excited about!

4.5 Holy SMOKES! This was a great read! I seriously can’t wait for the next. I have the fever and the only cure is more Lucy, Margot, Jared and Storm!

Purchase Through
Amazon | B&N

About the Author

L.E. Sterling had an early obsession with sci-fi, fantasy and romance to which she remained faithful even through an M.A. in Creative Writing and a PhD in English Literature – where she completed a thesis on magical representation. She is the author of two previous novels, the cult hit Y/A novel The Originals (under pen name L.E. Vollick), dubbed “the Catcher in the Rye of a new generation” by one reviewer, and the urban fantasy Pluto’s Gate.

Originally hailing from Parry Sound, Ontario, L.E. spent most of her summers roaming across Canada in a van with her father, a hippie musician, her brothers and an occasional stray mutt – inspiring her writing career. She currently lives in Toronto, Ontario.

✿ Website ✿ Twitter ✿ GoodReads ✿

Book Review: The 5th Wave (The 5th Wave #1) by Rick Yancey

The 5th Wave 

(The 5th Wave #1) 

by 

Rick Yancey 

Published May 7th 2013 

by G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers 

Purchased 

Summary
After the 1st wave, only darkness remains. After the 2nd, only the lucky escape. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th wave, only one rule applies: trust no one.

Now, it's the dawn of the 5th wave, and on a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from Them. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Who have scattered Earth's last survivors. To stay alone is to stay alive, Cassie believes, until she meets Evan Walker. Beguiling and mysterious, Evan Walker may be Cassie's only hope for rescuing her brother-or even saving herself. But Cassie must choose: between trust and despair, between defiance and surrender, between life and death. To give up or to get up.

The Prodigal Teddy Bear Returned

So…To be quite honest I hadn’t heard of this book until I saw previews for the movie. Light bulb! I was like what what? So I ordered the book then I looked at it…for a pretty long time actually. I wasn’t sure about what to do? Do I watch the movie first? Books are always better than the Movie. After a pretty serious heated debate with myself I was like who am I kidding! OFC I’m going to read this NOW. I’m so glad I did! Yikes, Bikes…Talk about scary not in a horror kind of way just in an overcoming so many obstacles I’m not so sure these characters will make it much longer. I cannot wait to continue the series but the third isn’t out until May and if #2 ends in a cliffhanger, I may just not make it. Book Nerd Problems…

The Story, the others have come and they are very effectively destroying the world’s population. Cassie is not a remarkable girl but certain situations allow her to do very remarkable things. Humanity is dwindling but the fire of those remaining burns bright. Cassie’s life changes drastically just like everyone else’s on the planet. Promises are sacred and she will do what it takes to be reunited with her brother. She goes from a large community to a small community and ends up completely alone. Her road crosses with a very unlikely ally but with careful planning and recuperation Cassie is determined to see her mission through the end. She can worry about the rest once she gets there.

The Characters, so I’ve already touched a bit on Cassie but here is some more insight she is willful, determined, intelligent, and perseverant. She has lost everything she’s ever known in a very short time. These events are what will power her with everything to be reunited with her brother. Cassie walks us bit by bit of all of the devastation that has befallen the world. There is a journal and yes a teddy bear. I love the teddy bear because his meaning is so deep. I may be reading too much into it but I think that bear represents humanity’s will. This bear is an extension of Cassie and her determination. You don’t want to know what happens to the bear at the end. I will say I was like bawling my eyes out. EVAN! My boy!! Hello?! Baker/ Brawny guy oh and super dreamy…There is total mistrust in the beginning but soon these two will bond in a way that will surely change the world! LOL GROSS…Head out of the gutter yall! I meant in a connection of wills not bumps. GROSS EARMUFFS!!! Gah…Oh before I move on to the end I want to point out Raven…She is like totally gnarly in the most amazing way!!! I totally love her and I guess Parish is growing on me…but it took a long time let me tell ya this guy had a lot of digging out to do.

The End, this is the part where you have to have an open mind…like tick tock goes the clock and the mouse ran away with the spoon. Things aren’t neat or pretty, to be honest they are downright explosive. Keep in mind this is fiction…its okay if things are a bit convenient or perfect. Regardless HE WILL FIND YOU! That was like my favorite line. I am beyond curious to see what happens. This is more post apocalyptic and Sci-Fi than anything else but a part of me wants to throw dystopian in there as well. Here in lies the trouble. I think I’ve only liked the way 2 dystopian trilogies have ended…Not gonna lie folks I’m harboring scars from Mocking Jay…Yeah, I need to let it go but Katniss’ selfishness burns deep. Anyhow I don’t see how this could end in the green. I feel like everyone is set to doom so I look forward to being confirmed in suspicion or delighted in surprise. You know who I’m rooting for…I can’t wait to jump into the next…

Until Then Pretties…

My Rating

4.5 They always start so good let’s hope it keeps it traction otherwise I will be way sad because I have high hopes!! Remember he will find you love filled stars!

Purchase Through 

Amazon

About the Author

Rick is a native Floridian and a graduate of Roosevelt University in Chicago. He earned a B.A. in English which he put to use as a field officer for the Internal Revenue Service. Inspired and encouraged by his wife, he decided his degree might also be useful in writing books and in 2004 he began writing full-time.

Since then he has launched two critically acclaimed series: The Extraordinary Adventures of Alfred Kropp, for young readers, and The Highly Effective Detective, for adults. Both books are set in Knoxville, Tennessee, where Rick lived for ten years before returning to Florida.