The Abyss Surrounds Us (The Abyss #1)

Title: The Abyss Surrounds Us 
Author: Emily Skrutskie
Genre: YA Fantasy/Sci-fi
Rating: 5/5
Cover: 7/10

For Cassandra Leung, bossing around sea monsters is just the family business. She’s been a Reckoner trainer-in-training ever since she could walk, raising the genetically-engineered beasts to defend ships as they cross the pirate-infested NeoPacific. But when the pirate queen Santa Elena swoops in on Cas’s first solo mission and snatches her from the bloodstained decks, Cas’s dream of being a full-time trainer seems dead in the water. 
There’s no time to mourn. Waiting for her on the pirate ship is an unhatched Reckoner pup. Santa Elena wants to take back the seas with a monster of her own, and she needs a proper trainer to do it. She orders Cas to raise the pup, make sure he imprints on her ship, and, when the time comes, teach him to fight for the pirates. If Cas fails, her blood will be the next to paint the sea.
But Cas has fought pirates her entire life. And she's not about to stop.

***

After having had some trouble getting interested in books for a few months, The Abyss Surrounds Us managed to firmly get into the swing of things again.

The relationship between Cas and Bao was amazing to see develop: from reluctant trainer, to almost that of a proud mother. And the character development that Cas went through from start to finish was truly beautiful to witness. Skrutskie managed to make it so that Cas's journey felt fluid and natural - from her first day out on her own boat, to the self-discoveries brought on by captivity.

Another definite plus was the relationship between Cas and Swift. It started out so subtle, that by the time it is addressed in the text, it feels almost inevitable. But the way Skrutskie manoeuvred around the issues that arose from the situation both girls were in was what truly shone: at no point did the romance feel wrong, forced or even detrimental to Cas as a character in captivity. Much to the contrary, in fact: Cas's strength and determination when it came to Swift made her shine as a character that not only knows what she wants and deserves from life, but also one I hope young girls will look up to. The world needs more Cassandra Leung's in literature; not only to show that it is okay to love another girl, but also that love, in whatever form it comes in, should never come above your own sense of self, identity, freedom and morals.

Truly a very entertaining read right to the very end. Definitely recommend, and I'm very much looking forward to the next book, because that cliffhanger was a killer! 

Waiting for April

Title: Waiting for April
Author: Jamie Loren
Genre: NA Sci-fi
Rating: 5/5
Cover: 10/10

I was given a copy of this novel by the publisher via netgalley. This in no way influences my review and opinion.

"April Fletcher has died nineteen times... but she doesn't know it.

As far as April is concerned, she's just a normal seventeen-year-old, looking forward to spending spring break with her friends and going to college in the fall. April doesn't know she has never lived past her eighteenth birthday, nor does she realize that Scott Parker, her best friend, is actually her childhood sweetheart and fiancé from her very first life.

For nineteen-year-old Scott Parker, spending quality time with his soul mate has proved difficult ever since her tragic death in 1729. Since then he has lost her an additional eighteen times—each of her deaths more devastating than the last, and each of her births wiping the slate of her memory clean. Unable to save her but unwilling to give up, Scott has to hide the fact he's immortal—and will be until April confesses her love again.

But this time, things have changed. April has denied her feelings for him, is dating someone else, and with her eighteenth birthday fast approaching, their friendship is falling to pieces. Fearing their souls are irrevocably drifting apart, Scott must race against the clock to win her heart and save her life.

Or risk losing her forever."

***

This wasn't even on my plan to be read anytime soon, but I finished another book and was bored, so decided to give it a head-start before going to sleep. It's laughable, really, because sleep was the last thing I did once I got started with Waiting for April.
The story starts out slightly creepy-like, with Scott staring out at April's window the entire night, but once we get to know him, and understand his pain, it becomes clear that he isn't watching her so that he can control her; he just wants her to be safe, whether it's with him or not.

Scott and April's love story(ies?) was so beautifully rendered by Loren. It was achingly tender and so, so sad. I lost count of how many times I'd sobbed before I finished the book. Fate might be on their side, always bringing her back to him, but karma sure as hell hates them.

And the best part was the bomb dropped on us towards the end. The first thing I did when I finished Waiting for April, was rush to find out if there was a sequel, because it could not end like that - no way, no how. So, big sigh of relief at finding out it'll be a trilogy. I'm really looking forward to finding out more about what makes these people the way they are - why do some come back, and what happens when the other doesn't? Is that what happened to the other guy (you'll know who I mean once you've read it, but I won't name names because spoilers!)

Overall, a touching, beautifully written debut by Jamie Loren that any romance fans will gobble down!

The Stone Rose

Title: The Stone Rose
Author: Jacqueline Rayner
Genre: Sci-fi
Rating: 5/5
Cover: 6/10

WHY wasn't this filmed?? Ultimate Rose/Doctor episode ever. 

And it has all the stuff we love the most about Doctor Who: crazy aliens, impossible situations, lots of humour, and the best of all... it takes place in Classical Rome. Picture The Fires of Pompeii, take away Donna and put Rose in her place, and add a hell of a lot of Doctor sass, and you have The Stone Rose.

And when I say it would have been the ultimate Rose/Doctor episode, I mean it. The Stone Rose is like a mix of Tooth & Claw, The Idiot's Lantern, The Impossible Planet, Satan's Pit and Army of Ghosts, all rolled into one beautiful package of Doctor/Rose cuteness. The Doctor is worried and possessive. Rose is teasing and flirty. And yes, there is kissing.

This is what feeds those NC17 fanfictions out there. Amazing. Fantastic. Allons-y!

And if all that wasn't enough to convince you to read it, how about this: the audiobook is read by David Tennant in his Scottish accent ;)

The Mayan Prophecy

Title: The Mayan Prophecy (TimeRiders #8)
Author: Alex Scarrow
Genre: Sci-fi
Rating: 4/5
Cover: 7/10

A little bit of a confusing start (my own fault for insisting on starting a series on book 8), but all that was quickly forgotten when the story took off. And boy, did it take off.

Hidden messages in the holy grail are only the tip of the iceberg of awesome that was this book. The whole 'Windrunners' thing created such a knot in my head, that I didn't even see the next twist coming. The switching between narrators, far from making it even more complicated, only added to the book, and allowed me to understand a bit more of what was going on, and why.

Adam's character intrigued me, and I have a feeling, considering his involvement, that this isn't the last we'll hear of him, which I'm happy about. Maybe it's just because he was the newest character to the series, but I really liked him and his personality.

And wow... that ending! Chilling (in the best way possible).

Definitely worth a read! (though I'd start with book 1, which I have already bought...)

Cold Magic

Title: Cold Magic (Spiritwalker #1)
Author: Kate Elliott
Genre: YA, sci-fy
Rating 4.5/5
Cover: 8/10

Cold Magic tells the story of young Catherine Hassi Barahal, who, shortly before he twentieth birthday, is married to an arrogant cold mage, the haughty Andevai Diarisso Haranwy, who seems to regard her with as much happiness as one would a cockroach under one's shoe.
But then, why is it that, when Andevai's superiors find out that he married the wrong Hassi Barahal girl, and order him to kill her, does he refuse? Without answers, and faced with the question of who her real father is, since it would seem she has been lied to her entire life, Cat knows only this: she needs to warn her maybe-cousin, Bee, that the mage House who wants her killed is now after her cousin, to try to marry Bee off to Andevai in Cat's place.
But above all, Cat is faced with the question of whether or not she can trust her somewhat unwilling husband.
What follows is a race that will leave you biting your nails in nerves, cursing and laughing right along with Cat, Vai, Bee and Rory. Kate Elliott's world building is something to watch, it's so intricate and detailed, and, while that makes for an incredibly intricate and rich story, I found that the repetitive accounts about the story of how their world came to be the way it is tiring and unnecessary. It made the book, which is really absolutely great, drag, when it could have flowed so seamlessly, it would have been too good to express in words. On the other hand, the dialogue is so visceral, the characters so divertingly flawed, and the action scenes so good, I almost gave Cold Magic a 5/5. I can't pretend it didn't have this rather big fault, though, so 4.5/5 it is.
Cat's story is sure to ensnare you, and Cold Magic has it all: pig-headed heroins, haughty and seemingly indifferent heroes who turn out to be far too amazing for their own (and my sanity's) good, secondary characters with a depth that is quite remarkable, humour in just the right amount, family intrigue, lots of betrayals, and a romantic entanglement that makes me wish this wasn't a YA book... ;)
I other words, most highly recommended!