Good Girl, Bad Blood

 

Pip is not a detective anymore.

With the help of Ravi Singh, she released a true-crime podcast about the murder case they solved together last year. The podcast has gone viral, yet Pip insists her investigating days are behind her.

But she will have to break that promise when someone she knows goes missing. Jamie Reynolds has disappeared, on the very same night the town hosted a memorial for the sixth-year anniversary of the deaths of Andie Bell and Sal Singh.

The police won't do anything about it. And if they won't look for Jamie then Pip will, uncovering more of her town's dark secrets along the way... and this time everyone is listening. But will she find him before it's too late? - excerpt from Goodreads

Good Girl, Bad Blood by Holly Jackson is second in the series and the story continues not long after the end of the first book. Because of the trust and expertise of Pip, she found herself caught up in another mystery. This time it's someone significant in her life, while that fact is true she uncovers more secrets that makes this book such a great read. The plot twists is one that moves the story forwards and grabs unto your attention till all these ends. 

Besides a good plot, character development of Pip also adds on to the greatness of the book. What she discovers, her moves, her sharp mind continually keep readers feeling for her as well as that want to get to know how she reacts to situations. Many new interactions and relationships were built in this book and I have to say it is truly essential in making this book well loved. 

Vengeful

MAGNETO and PROFESSOR X

SUPERMAN and LEX LUTHOR

SDYNEY and SERENA CLARKE

VICTOR VALE and ELI EVER

Great partnerships, now sourced on the vine.

But Marcella Riggins needs no one. Flush from her brush from death, she's finally gained the control she's always sought - and will use her newfound power to bring the city of Merit to its knees. She'll do whatever it takes, collecting her own sidekicks, and leveraging the two most infamous EOs, Victor Vale and Eli Ever, against each other once more.

With Marcella's rise, new enmities create opportunity - and the stage of Merit will once again be set for a final, terrible reckoning. - excerpt from book.

Vengeful by V.E Schwab has been a long awaited sequel to Vicious. I first fell in love with her writing through the first book and has ever since followed her writing career which has yet to disappoint me. This year I started reading her novels again that has been sitting for long time on my shelves. She has always been an auto buy author for me and somehow I had not caught up with her books as I can't bear that bitter sweet feeling of finishing her novels. I am always on awe upon completion, wanting to go back to those emotion rollercoasters. 

There is so much to say about this book but since I write spoiler free reviews, I'll keep it as simple as I can. Starting off with the characters, there are multiple point of views for anyone who is significant in the plot line. You'll get your favourite from the first book, as well as some new main and supportive characters. I was blown away on how epic each characters' power came to be, never the same, never a dull moment. The uniqueness and assortments of powers feels infinite when it comes to the author's imagination, it definitely reminded me of the TV series "Heroes". This does not feel like a copy cat at all if you're thinking of X-men, superheroes of any sorts, a refreshing take on anti-hero. Dark and twisted thoughts that turned into actions is what you'll find in the characters, but if you sympathise with them, you might understand why.

Undercover Bromance

Braden Mack thinks reading romance novels makes him an expert in love, but he’ll soon discover that real life is better than fiction. 

Liv Papandreas has a dream job as a sous chef at Nashville’s hottest restaurant. Too bad the celebrity chef owner is less than charming behind kitchen doors. After she catches him harassing a young hostess, she confronts him and gets fired. Liv vows revenge, but she’ll need assistance to take on the powerful chef.

Unfortunately, that means turning to Braden Mack. When Liv’s blackballed from the restaurant scene, the charismatic nightclub entrepreneur offers to help expose her ex-boss, but she is suspicious of his motives. He’ll need to call in reinforcements: the Bromance Book Club.

Inspired by the romantic suspense novel they’re reading, the book club assists Liv in setting up a sting operation to take down the chef. But they’re just as eager to help Mack figure out the way to Liv’s heart... even though she’s determined to squelch the sparks between them before she gets burned. - excerpt from Goodreads.

Undercover Bromance by Lyssa Kay Adams is the second book in the bromance book club series. Although it's not the continuing story for Gavin and Thea, it's people that have appeared previously. Braden and Liv definitely make a fun combo to read about. Their clashing personalities brings out maybe the worse or probably the best of their current self. In terms of dynamics, these two have more banter and more sass and it's adorable to read about it. Rom-com is at its best, the author has capture my heart as a new favourite. 

The cliches and tropes of a rom-com is definitely present but that's what I want and I loved it. It's not something that happens in real life but it isn't a fairy tale as well. What I meant is that Braden is written like every girl's dream come true yet he is still single. From his yearnings and obviously a secret about his past, you get to the present day Braden, explaining why is he single. Even Liv herself have a little something to hide from the readers. I love it when characters have a mysterious past which slowly unfolds, definitely a good hook me in element. Liv is the type of character that might get on your nerves through her reactions of every situation thrown at her, there will be times of "Why are you doing this??".

Firefight

Babylon Restored, formerly Manhattan, may give David answers. Ruled by the mysterious High Epic, Regalia, David is sure Babylon Restored will lead him to what he needs to find. And while entering another city oppressed by a High Epic despot is a gamble, David's willing to risk it. Because killing Steelheart left a hole in David's heart. A hole where his thirst for vengeance once lived. Somehow, he filled that hole with another Epic—Firefight. And he's willing to go on a quest darker, and more dangerous even, than the fight against Steelheart to find her, and to get his answers. - excerpt from book.

Firefight by Brandon Sanderson is the second book of the trilogy where the story continues on smoothly from book one. Here the reckoners are at a new adventure and possibly more critical and dire than previous attempts. They travel to a new city with one new aim and David feels there's something missing. I love how that immediately starting the book you're in a lot of action. Catching you off guard is what the author is extremely good at, you can never predict the book. 

The characters are complex and they have much growth in the story. Their actions and reactions greatly moves the story forward. I love David as he is always considerate and written uniquely when it comes to his obsession. His interactions with other characters really drives the book and I always want more of it whenever it comes to his love life. Other characters that keep me on my toes are certainly the lady of the book and also the leader of reckoners as you can tell there is so much more to them that the author has yet to reveal. The more I read the more eager I am to know their stories.

Traitor to the Throne

This is not about blood, or love. This is about treason.

Amani has always been more gunpowder than girl. But as the Blue-Eyed Bandit her powers have gone from strength - as has the rebellion she risks her life for.

Then a brutal kidnapping leads her straight to the Sultan's palace, and she is forced to return to her desert-girl's instincts for survival. Betrayal, cunning and espionage are a way of life here - and Amani finds she fits right in.

But with the ghosts of her past swirling all around her, Amani's greatest fight may be to keep her own secret heart and desires under control...- excerpt from book

Traitor To The Throne by Alwyn Hamilton continues right where we left off in the first book and it had an interesting start. I wouldn't say my attention was instantly captured but the action was good. I enjoyed the book a little but I read real quickly through most parts and focused more on conversations and only when it's exciting. There was quite a number of plot twists that caught me by surprise and it was really really good. The author have done a great job planning the story that leads to those incidents. All characters have such important roles to play in it.

The heroine is a well established character in the first book and you would expect less from her. In this book there is just little growth to her as she still lives up to her Blue Eyed Bandit role but then situations does not permit her to be herself and that's when she had to change to survive. I love her interactions with certain characters with moves the story forward with ease. The introduction of new characters into the story also brought a breath of fresh air to it. These new characters are unexpected and they all play really important roles. Sometimes you wished there was more interaction of them with Amani. One thing that disappointed me was the absent of some other characters which I liked in the first book.

This was a really thick book and there was just enough action. I expected more to happen but the timeline was short and we can't have too much happening actually. But still I felt that there was a lack of incidents and also too much focus on the main heroine. The book would be more exciting if there was another point of view introduced. Maybe I expected too much hence I got a tad disappointed. Overall this was a good second book with a good ending that will want you reading the last book. The only reason why I speed read was because I have the last book on my hands and I just wanted to breeze through this book. I think I  might not do it enough justice but then again with speed reading I skipped through parts that were what I felt unnecessary in the stories. If the first book didn't capture you then I think there is no point in continuing the series.

Revenge, Ice Cream and Other Things Best Served Cold

After the humiliating events on the 4th of July, Gemma's trying to grapple with the fact that Hallie knew her true identity ALL SUMMER, and that she was the one who stole Teddy from her.

Gemma vows revenge, but things immediately get more complicated than she planned. Her dad forces her to get a job, and the only one she can find involves scooping ice cream all day. Ford, Gemma's longtime crush, has arrived in the Hamptons, and he is cuter than ever. Josh is refusing to speak to her after finding out she lied to him. And to top it all off, Teddy is back in the picture, and closer to home than Gemma would like.

Gemma and Hallie find themselves locked in an escalating revenge cycle involving everything from strawberry syrup to stolen identities, But just when Gemma thinks she has the upper hand, the biggest bombshell of all is dropped. And it's one that threatens to change her life forever. - excerpt from book.

Revenge, Ice Cream and Other Things Best Served Cold by Katie Finn is the second book in the Broken Hearts and Revenge trilogy. The book immediately continues where we left off in the first book. I was really anticipating this book and hoping for it to be good which I was not disappointed at all. The plot was very smooth with many good incidents/twists happening in the book. I especially loved the last plot twist towards the end of the book. It really surprised me because I did not see it coming at all.

Glass Sword

Mare Barrow's blood is red- the color of COMMON FOLK but her silver ability, the power to control lightning has turned her into a weapon that the royal court tried to control.

The crown calls her an impossibility, a fake, but as she makes her escape from Maven, the prince-the friend-who betrayed her, Mare uncovers something startling: she is not the only one of her kind.

Pursued by Maven, now a vindictive king, Mare sets out to find and recruit other Red-and Silver fighters to join in the struggle against her oppressors.

But Mare finds herself on a deadly path, at risk of becoming exactly the kind of monster she is trying to defeat.

Will she shatter under the weight of the lives that are the cost of rebellion? Or have treachery and betrayal hardened her forever? - excerpt from book

Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard is the second book in this trilogy and I have to say I was a bit disappointed in it. I think it's because I was expecting a lot more action in this book but it was not up to my standard nonetheless it was still a good sequel. I think the highlight of this book is the character growth but I sometimes find Mare a bit whiny. Her interactions with other characters are sometimes exciting and also frustrating too. There were moments that I wanted to slap her so so bad. Mare did change a lot in the whole journey of this book to the point that either you love her or hate her. 

Scarlet

Even in the future, beware of the big, bad wolf....

Cinder, the cyborg mechanic, returns in the second thrilling installment of the bestselling Lunar Chronicles. She is trying to break out of prison-even though if she succeeds, she'll be the Commonwealth's most wanted fugitive.

Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit's grandmother is missing, When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information about her grandmother's whereabouts, she is loath to trust this stranger, but is inexplicably drawn to him, and he to her. As Scarlet and Wold unravel one mystery, they encounter another when they meet Cinder. Now. all of them must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen Levana, who will do anything for the handsome Prince Kai to become her husband, her king, her prisoner. - excerpt from book

Scarlet by Marissa Meyer is the second book in the series where it just gets better and better. The book continues right where the previous book stopped but this time the main character is Scarlet instead. For this book, it's the fairy tale retelling of Little Red Riding Hood. It's so fun to try and relate the actual story to this book, discovering where in the plot and who of the characters will be similar.

While the main plot focuses on Scarlet 's story, Cinder's story runs parallel in the timeline. I love how the author can keep me at my toes with two leading ladies in the story. Both plots are fantastically thrilling and action packed. I love how the book is broken down into parts again just like the first book. I love consistency shown in writing when it comes to series. I'm also loving the swapping of stories in the book and it's not confusing at all. Every time a swap of character's point of view happens in the chapters, you'll be left hanging on the previous character which then makes you want to keep reading to reach the other person's story, such a good page turner method.

With the introduction of some new characters into the series, there is so much room for growth. I absolutely love the new characters that are written into the story, especially the funny and sarcastic ones. All the male characters in this series are just to die for, each of them exuding qualities that you would want in men. Of course, they are not perfect people but the author makes their flaws so entertaining to read about. Without a doubt the men in the series have woo my heart, I can easily picture them with their beautiful features (drools). The female characters are just as good as the men for me, they are definitely women you don't mess with.  You can certainly see all the characters grow in the story, their interactions  are so pleasant to read. There's so much you can learn about the characters' personality just by the way to react to situations and the conversations with other characters.

This is one of those books that does not lack in action, romance, wit and many more. Reading this book was sort of like picturing a movie for me and it was so epic and entertaining. It had fantastic plots and characters which resulted the book being hard to put down. If you have read the first book, of course you have to read this one too. I highly recommend this to young adult book lovers, the science fiction part is just a setting for the book, it's nothing too technical/mechanical to understand. I'm so in love with this series right now and it's easily scored a place in my favourites for this year. I cannot wait to start the next book as I am now waiting for the delivery. The series has very good reread value too, I'm definitely going to read again to see if I've missed other details.