Burn Bright by Bethany Frenette

Pages: 304
Genre: Supernatural
Series: Dark Star #2
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Release Date: Feb 25, 2014

Audrey Whitticomb saved her entire city.Well, kind of. The superhero Morning Star (who just happens to be Audrey's mom) might have played a small part, and her sidekick, Leon—Audrey's sort-of boyfriend, who is gorgeous... and frustrating—maybe helped, too.But after two peaceful months, there is a vicious new threat in Minneapolis. Her name is Susannah, and she's a Harrower, a demon hell-bent on destroying people like Morning Star, Leon, and Audrey—the Kin. Like others before her, she seeks the Remnant, a Kin girl who has the power to unleash the inhabitants of the Beneath. But to what end?Audrey already has a ton on her plate: dealing with her best friend Tink's boy drama, helping her other best friend Gideon figure out his nightmares, and exploring the highs and lows of "dating" Leon. But when she develops a powerful new ability, Audrey seizes on the chance to fight, despite her mother's protests and Leon's pleas.As Audrey gets closer to figuring out Susannah's motives and tracking down the Remnant, she'll uncover more than she bargained for. The terrible truth is staring Audrey in the face. But knowing the truth and accepting it are very different things.

So, if you follow me on Twitter, you know that I've been dying for a book where the main character isn't the prophetic savior or bringer of doom. I mean, they're fun, but so typical nowadays. But this series definitely doesn't follow that road! While Dark Star was a fun read, it didn't really make an impression, but Burn Bright? It definitely did. I adored it and just loved reading it!

I was a bit fuzzy on what happened in Dark Star, but Burn Bright craftily weaves in the storyline from book one into this sequel. Soon enough I was traveling with Audrey on her wild adventures (and getting almost killed too. Well, that's not good) and getting into the Harrower-version of a catfight.

Yeah. It was fun!

The plot is unbelievably action-packed, filled with so many fights, new powers, new problems, and twists that just made me gape at the pages. I mean, seriously? It twisted my head around, and the twists were just so...wow. 

And there was Audrey. Oh Audrey...Audrey, Audrey, Audrey. She was one stubborn character and I loved her all the more for it! While she did irritate me sometimes for keeping some very important things secret, she won me over with her obvious loyalty for her friends and anyone she loved. She was so headstrong and I just loved her determination and her snark! I also loved her best friend type of relationship with her mom--it was so sweet.

Leon was just an adorable character who I loved! Sure, he was uptight sometimes, but Audrey loosened him up when he need to stop being so stiff, and they were just such a cute couple. I loved their steady romance and their relationship was so fun! At first I didn't like him, but he grew on me. Sort of like moss. (I'm pretty sure it was that way in Dark Star too! It just says more that Leon was able to get into my good graces--again. *wink*)

This is pretty much the best sequel you could ask for! It doesn't disappoint and I just loved it! It was so amazing and I was pretty much gushing about it the days that followed after I finished! Also, you guys. Have you seen the gorgeous covers?

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The Brokenhearted by Amelia Kahaney

Goodreads Blurb

Prima ballerina Anthem Fleet is closely guarded by her parents in their penthouse apartment. But when she meets the handsome Gavin at a party on the wrong side of town, she is immediately drawn into his dangerous world. Then, in a tragic accident, Anthem falls to her death. She awakes in an underground lab, with a bionic heart ticking in her chest. As she navigates her new life, she uncovers the sinister truth behind those she trusted the most, and the chilling secret of her family lineage…and her duty to uphold it.
The Dark Knight meets Cinder in this gripping and cinematic story of heartbreak and revenge. From Alloy Entertainment, this inventive new superhero story is sure to captivate any reader.

The Brokenhearted isn't one I would really recommend and, quite honestly. Which really disappoints me since The Brokenhearted was one of my most anticipated books of 2013. And the cover was gorgeous, not to mention--superhero ballerina? Yes please! Unfortunately, it didn't meet my expectations at all.

Anthem was a very...irritating character. She was naive, impulsive, and didn't really think about the consequences of her actions. I couldn't relate to her at all and couldn't get over the fact that she was so...gah. I wanted to smack her around pretty much the entire book. She was a weak character who basically cried, whined, and screwed up for about 3/4 of the book.

And this was pure insta love at its finest. After exactly one meeting, Anthem couldn't stop thinking about Gavin. And when they meet for the second time, Anthem basically spills everything about her life to him, despite the fact that she's never told anyone else about them. I basically pulled my hair out at that point, and it was pretty early on. The rest of the book, she's pining for Gavin despite knowing him for only maybe...a week? Two?
Also, there was a love triangle.

There was absolutely, or at least, barely, any worldbuilding. I was confused over exactly where we were or when we were. Was it steampunk? Dystopian? A completely different world? And what exactly caused the South Side to become so desperate with such a (admittedly brilliant) gritty atmosphere? We don't know and we don't learn.
On the subject of worldbuilding, I'm confused as to how a bionic heart would change her appearance and make her gorgeous. Or give her super speed/strength and healing. It was never explained why she got all these powers, but it obviously had something to do with her heart--but...how?

As for the plot, I really don't think much else happens besides Anthem crying and whining until 3/4 into the book where she finally decides to do something about the criminals. Then it got pretty kickass and I loved seeing her in action. The twist was rather predictable, if not unique, but I guessed it maybe a quarter in. But the end? It was absolutely cliffhanging and I think I may end up reading the sequel anyways!

Disappointing, I honestly cant' say I enjoyed this book, though it does have a decent setup for a sequel so I may read that just to find out what happens. Who knows? Maybe my questions will be answered then!

Pages: 336

Genre: Steampunk (?)

Series: Brokenhearted #1 

Publisher: Harper Teen

Release Date: Oct 8, 2013

Rating: 1.5