Protecting William (Litmus book 2) by Kayla Howarth

A writer never stops, not even on holiday in Milan. Hope this fine Italian city will inspire me to write, however the weather is not very inspiring and the grey and wet day is more suitable for curling up with a good book. Talking of good books, just finished Protecting William, which is the second book in the Litmus series. (I reviewed Losing Nuka a few months ago) I liked this one a lot and gave it five stars.

Protecting William by Kayla Howarth on amazon.com

Of all the illegal fight joints, William had to walk into Litmus.  It’s not how either Nuka or William had hoped to see each other again after four years. What started out as a sneaky lad’s night out has consequences no one could have foreseen. So starts the next instalment in the exciting Litmus series. I was hooked from the first page and grew to like the main character, William, Nuka’s younger brother, very much. He is one of these good guys, but without being smug or annoying by being a holier than thou saint. If you’ve not read the institute series I would recommend you do, as the same characters feature in the Litmus series and it is nice to see them have grown up in the books. The book is narrated in the first person so we see the world through William’s eyes. It’s always a hoot to be part of somebodies thoughts and insecurities, especially if they are the opposite of the actions he takes. Great work again Kayla, I loved protecting William. (And I’m glad you went easier on him than Nuka, I guess you have a soft spot for him too.) Look forwards to reading saving Illyana which came out a few months ago.

Eve of Tomorrow (Dawn of Rebellion Series Book 3) by Michelle Lynn

This has been a great YA series and I thoroughly enjoyed all 3 books. Maybe the second and third lacked some of the humour of the first, but that was offset by a fast and exciting plot. I gave it 5 stars.

Eve of Tomorrow (Dawn of Rebellion series Book") by Michelle Lynn on Amazon.com

Eve of Tomorrow is the third and last book in the Dawn of Rebellion series. And what a cracking end to the series it is. Quite a number of surprises and I dare you not to shed a tear. What I liked most about the series is seeing the two girls; Dawn and Gabby grow from London street urgings into not to be messed with strong woman, without losing their core characters. Gabby remains mouthy and defiant, while Dawn keeps her softer caring side.

Book 2 was rather dark and serious, and while things are grim in the colonies we see a more hopeful tone and also some romance. One character that comes to the fore in this book is Lee and I really felt for the tall silent American as he had the misfortune to fall in love.

The plot is exciting and fast moving as the girls race against time to stop a dangerous weapon that could spell the end of the colonies, being deployed.

I’m sad that the series has ended but it has been a great read and even though I would have liked a different ending, I can understand why the writer has reached this conclusion. Great stuff and look forwards to reading more from this writer in the future.

Darkness Divided: Part Two in The Unfading Lands Series by Katharine E. Hamilton

The glorious summer is slowly coming to an end. We still are having hot days but we also are seeing a few clouds and the occasional shower. Still using my beach time productively to read some books. This one is the second in a YA series. I really enjoyed the first one and was looking forwards two part two. It was still good but not as pacey as the first. I gave it 4 stars.

Darkness Divided:Part Two in The Unfading Lands series on amazon.com

It was a while since I read the first book in the unfading lands series and part two had been on my ‘to be read list’ for a while. As I enjoyed book one I was looking forwards to the follow up. The book starts with Elizabeth and her brand new husband Clifton, traveling to his Kingdom. There events take a dramatic turn and I was once again gripped by the story. The writer has developed Elizabeth into a character I like very much; she always seems to see the good in people and the positive in a situation. Here we also get to know the character of Isaac a little better as he continues his transformation from spoilt Prince to hero. We find out more about Lancer and what made him the bitter man he is. I would like to say I enjoyed this book as much as the first, but somewhere in the middle my mind started to wander a bit; the story had slowed and I think the writer wanted to explore the romantic sides of her characters a little more before the final exciting finish. I could have done without some of these bits as it was clear at the end of book one who has feelings for who. Darkness Divided stays firmly in YA territory but I would warn against very young readers picking this up; some limbs do get separated from their owners and the battle scenes are bloody. The book finishes with many questions unanswered and I’m pleased that the third book in the series is ready. I think the first book appealed to the girl in me that likes to see a strong-willed-sword wielding heroine and the second part slightly annoyed the girl that hates romantic yucky stuff, so I look forwards to more battles and magic. (Maybe even a marriage or two, I’m not completely heartless!)

Black Bead: Book One of the Black Bead Chronicles by J D Lakey

A bit of a departure from my normal reviews as this is not an Indie but a published writer. However even published writers need a little help. The writer requested reviews and made her book free on kindle so I downloaded her book and put it on my list. It turned out to be a great read that had me on the edge of my seat. I was initially a little put off by the new age infused world, but when I got going I found myself reading a very exciting adventure story. 5 stars.

Black Bead Chronicles book 1 by J D Lakey on Amazon.com

This is a book that will appeal to a lot of YA fans; a group of children needing to prove themselves in a confusing world full of danger. Cheobawn is a young girl that is deemed to be unlucky by the adults in her group. She has strong psi abilities and she is chosen by 3 boys and her friend Megan to form a pack. I found the world the writer has created at times bewildering as the social structures and the creatures in this world are so unfamiliar. I would advise to just go with the flow and not focus too hard on having to figure it all out. What you are left with is a thrilling adventure story that moves at a fast pace. You hold your breath as the children race against time to make it back to their home dome. This is part one of a series and I’m sure the complex social set up of this world will be further explained. This is a riveting start to a sci-fi series that will no doubt appeal to a lot of youngsters and adults. Looking forwards to the next instalment.

Day of Reckoning (Dawn of Rebellion Series Book 2) by Michelle Lynn

Its been a while since I read the first in the series; Dawn of Rebellion, but it was one I was keen to get back to. I didn't enjoy it as much as the first book as it was much darker and violent. As it was well written, quick paced and exciting I still gave it a 5 star. One of the better YA series out there for it's original vision of the future.

Day of Reckoning (Dawn of Rebellion Series Book 2) by Michelle Lynn on Amazon.com

I really enjoyed the first book in the series; Dawn of Rebellion, so I was keen to find out what happened to our two plucky sisters from the East end. I wasn’t disappointed. Dawn and Gabby now find themselves in Texas and the fate of their friends unclear. Texas seems on the face of it a clean and civilised state, but they soon discover that they are held prisoner by an oppressive and cruel regime. Even though the sisters have similar experiences they deal with them in different ways; Gabby becomes hardened and vengeful as Dawn still believes in the protection of the innocents. It tests the sister’s relationship to the limit. The book is much darker as it deals with themes like torture and murder, but it stays firmly in YA territory. The story is like the first book narrated in the first person and each chapter is told from a different character’s perspective. The pace is again quick and there is no shortage of action. I do like the way the girls speak, using typical London slang, but I missed some of the humour of the first book. The author provides us with many surprises and covers a lot of story in this book, but it is still not entirely clear who is fighting on the side of good. I’m looking forwards to the last instalment of the series to find out if the girls will find a safe and happy place to put their feet up. Judging by this book they still have a few trials to face in Eve of Tomorrow.