Christina Bauer (1)

Free audiobook received in exchange for an honest review.

So when I started listening to this, I thought I would DNF... The audiobook has been narrated by the author herself and it seemed horribly overacted.

Well, surprise surprise! Somewhere along the way, I got used to it and then I started loving it. What seemed annoying at first was just different and gave off such positive vibes. Let's just say that this overacted voice just fits the main character so well. She is spitfire; she is snarky, and she is generally up to no good.

The characters in this book are quite well built. Not super original, but they have that certain something to them. Maybe it's the audiobook voice that really brought them to life.

I quite enjoyed the world-building too. There was an interesting fresh look at world of angels and demons and the half-blooded. Not an urban fantasy that is set (at least partially) in our world as usual, but a new fantasy setting instead. We visit the Purgatory where the souls are being judged and our MC fights evil souls that requested judgment by combat. Yes, she also attends a school, so there is that setting, although the school is not your typical institution either.

There are certainly some clichés, but similar to the narration somewhere along the way, I just didn't care anymore. I was hooked.

This book was just a perfect guilty pleasure read. The kind of book that might be a bit silly, but in such a way that you are in for the ride rather than rolling your eyes. (Although, as I said, it might take time for it to grow on you.) It’s a great palate cleanser before you start reading something more serious. I am certainly going to continue with the series.… (plus d'informations)

As you all know (and I've written in my reviews of the previous instalments) I'm not a great sci-fi enthusiast but this series is more 'alternate universe' and slightly 'dystopian' than 'spacey', so who knows... if you're looking for a clean and easy teen/early YA read, this series might be for you!

That said, I hate to admit it, but I didn't like the book :'( (I'm sorry!!!)
It had a lot of potential, but I just didn't feel it :(

Character development was a tad lacking. I wish we would have gotten to know Meimi and Thorn (and, of course, the other characters) better. Instead, it felt like we quickly glossed over some thoughts and feelings and moved on to the next thing on the agenda. I mean, there were some big revelations going on, but our power couple just kept on going, taking everything in stride and moving on.
Swapping pov was, as always, a great touch, especially since Meimi and Thorne were both stuck on different sides of an exile void.

Pacing and flow were not good. It felt rushed and a tad chaotic from start to finish with very short, very fast-paced chapters.

I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book and while I'm happy that the story arc seems to be finished for Meimi and Thorne, I'm sure more adventures are possible with the other brothers and their transcendents :-)
Although I must admit, I'm not sure if I will read them, it just feels a tad too YA for me and I really really would have liked some more depth into the story.… (plus d'informations)

Elle is no ordinary Cindarella nor is Alec an ordinary Prince Charming.
Both have issues, yes and both have family problems, but will they finally be able to get together? Well, it's either that or something bad is going to happen.

It was really nice to read about Elle and Alec, going back to earlier years to get the whole story. Only a very few scenes overlap with the previous books, which was great to read about in another pov and to get a grip on the timeline.
Elle and Alec have separate chapters so we get to be inside both their heads (and believe you me, it was fun!)

Character development was good, and in my opinion, it was just because the author was able to go into the past for a bit so we could get the big picture, the reason why they do certain stuff or why they have such hopes and fears.
Throw in some Bry and Knox and well, what more do you want? :)

Pacing and flow were good with a nice balance between the conversations and all the action. This instalment spans a few years but as a reader, you didn't feel the story was being rushed, but rather told in its own pace.

I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book and it was a very pleasant and enjoyable read! Though the series is not done yet, it does feel like a big story arc has finished. I'm very curious to know what the next book will be about :)

If you like fairytales with a twist and with some clean romance added to it, look no further, this is the series for you!… (plus d'informations)

Oh wow, I can't believe this is number 8 already!!
But then again, you really can't get enough of Myla, though I have to say, it took me some time to get into the story and enjoy it.

Worldbuilding:
Was good. We went all over the place, seriously, but all scenes and environments were detailed enough so you knew what was going on and where you were.

Character development:
Was good. After 8 books you kinda think you know who everyone is, well, except for the villain, and that there isn't that much room for more growth. But then the book addresses some fears and worries Myla has, deep deep down, and figuring out what's important and what not seems to be the name of the game.

Pacing and flow:
Was decent. As I've said before, it took me a while to get into the book, mostly because it has pretty short chapters that constantly switch POV between Myla and Lincoln, which (especially at the start) kept interrupting the flow of the story :(
Good balance between action and conversation, as always.

I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book and while it took me some time, I eventually got into it and enjoyed the rest of the book. Myla is just an awesome, kicking ass character :D… (plus d'informations)