Persephone by Kaitlin Bevis

Goodreads Blurb

There are worse things than death, worse people too
The “talk” was bad enough, but how many teens get told that they’re a goddess? When her mom tells her, Persephone is sure her mother has lost her mind. It isn’t until Boreas, the god of winter, tries to abduct her that she realizes her mother was telling the truth. Hades rescues her, and in order to safely bring Persephone to the Underworld he marks her as his bride. But Boreas will stop at nothing to get Persephone. Despite her growing feelings for Hades, Persephone wants to return to the living realm. Persephone must find a way to defeat Boreas and reclaim her life.

Oooh I loved this. Sort of. Kind of? Of course, I, and everyone else, knows how many Persephone retellings there are in the YA world, but I hadn't read one in a LONG time, so I decided why not? I'm so glad I read this! It's possibly one of my favorite Persephone retellings (at least, the ones where they actually include the Greek gods!)

So I honestly think that what I mainly loved about Persephone (not the person) was the world and how the Greek gods were portrayed. There were a specific set of rules, powers, and all those things, and it was like watching mythology come to life! I loved how everything they could and couldn't do made some kind of sense in the world and how vivid the Underworld really was in this book. I'm probably not desciribing how great the world building was, but trust me, it was definitely something that I noticed throughout the book!

What I did find curious, however, was that while the Greek gods were famous as myths in the world, the actual myths hadn't happened. Sure, everyone knew all about Zeus, Hades, Demeter, Cassandra, but Orpheus and Euridyce hadn't happened yet, obviously Persephone and Hades hadn't, but somehow Helen of Troy did? And if there was a class on Greek mythology, how come Persephone didn't know about Cassandra and how she was cursed? These were the little things that I wish were less...conflicting.

The plot was completely fabulous though! I loved how Persephone slipped into her role as the Queen of the Underworld, how she dealt with everything, and I loved seeing how she reacted to everything--being a goddess, getting into her powers, and so much more. I honestly could predict most of the book and twists, so while it wasn't shocking in the least, Persephone was an enjoyable read!

As for characters, I absolutely loved all the characters to the core! Except for Persephone herself. It seems that lately, almost all the books I read have annoying main characters. She kept putting herself in danger and throughout the entire thing, I really just wanted to shove her.She was annoying to the max and I'm not kidding or exaggerating when I say she's a diva.

Persephone was a great read and definitely one of my favorite retellings although it would've been better if Persephone herself was a better character who had more depth to her than she did!

Pages: 237
Series: Persephone #1
Genre: Fantasy/Romance/Retelling
Publisher: Musa publishing
Release Date: July 6, 2012
Rating: 3.5--->4

Exiled by M.R. Merrick

Goodreads Blurb

Chase Williams is a demon hunter in the Circle, or at least he was supposed to be. On his fifteenth birthday, Chase stepped up to the altar to claim his elemental power, but it never came. Elemental magic is passed down to a hunter through the bloodline, but on Chase's birthday, the bloodline stopped. 
Exiled without the Circle's protection, Chase has spent two years trying to survive a world riddled with half-demons and magic. When he has a run in with a frightened and seemingly innocent demon, he learns the Circle's agenda has changed: the Circle plans to unlock a portal and unleash pure-blood demons into the world. Vowing to stop them, and knowing he can't do it alone, Chase forms a reluctant alliance with Rayna — a sexy witch with an attitude and a secret. 
In their attempt to stop them, Chase and Rayna find themselves in the middle of the Circle's plan, leaving one of them to decide what their friendship is worth, and the other's life depending on it.

So, here I am, giving another indie book another try. Why? Because this time, almost everyone I knew read and loved this! And thank goodness, I liked it too! While it wasn't the best I've ever read, Exiled was definitely a good read that was riveting and exciting!

It's been a while since I've read something that was truly paranormal and I'm glad to finally ease back into it once and for all! Exiled holds vampires, shifters, witches, trolls, goblins, other dimensions, goddesses...basically the whole thing! I'd usually say that that was pretty stupid and I usually dislike most books like that, but Exiled mixed all the species into one giant storyline that I thoroughly enjoyed. 

The plot was completely action packed since you'd find Chase either attacking/being attacked by demons, on some crazy mission, or something along the lines of impossible. And because of it, Exiled was a thrilling read that kept you reading until the end. It was an action packed read that was fast paced throughout the entire book without stop. If there's one thing that stood out about Exiled, it was that this book was all action, no breaks or slow pacing anywhere! Sadly, though, the plot was predictable and I wasn't surprised by any of the twists.

But I was insanely irritated by Chase himself, always thinking he was all that. Whenever he thought he could help or when he thought he knew everything, he just messed every-freaking-thing up and I wanted to punch him SO BAD. Whenever he went to be the hero, he always put someone in danger. He was just idiotic, impulsive, immature, and I hope to never encounter a character this annoying again.

As for romance, no I don't think there was any. Rayna and Chase actually almost killed each other at first, but I got annoyed at Chase SO much. He was feeling all these compulsive emotions towards Rayna and I don't think he even considered the fact that he liked her. Ugh. 

Pages: 264

Series: The Protectors #1

Genre: Paranormal

Publisher: Self published

Release Date: April 12, 2012

Rating: 3 stars

Rua by Miranda Kavi

Goodreads Blurb

A girl with an unknown destiny. 
A boy from a hidden world. 
When Celeste starts at a new school in a small, Kansas town, she hears whispering voices, has vivid nightmares, and swarms of blackbirds follow her every move. She is oddly drawn to aloof Rylan, the other new student who has his own secrets. 
The exact moment she turns seventeen, she wakes to a bedroom full of strange creatures, purple light emanating from her hands, and Rylan breaking in through her bedroom window.
He knows what she is . . .

So here's another one of those indie books that was recommended to me! (By Lisseth at Read-a-holicz this time) And then, of course, majoy cover love! I love the purple and the designs and how wonderfully it portrays the book! 

Something I've noticed in indie books is that...well, I'll write a Random Musings post for that! Expect it sometime in Nov!

Anyways, what I did like: Plot and creep factor!

What I didn't like: The romance.

What was iffy: Characters and world building.

The characters were definitely amusing and I loved each their personalities! Especially Tink's. He was just hilarious and I loved how supportive he was, but it irritated me how quickly he became friends with Celeste. Within a day he was already doing all this stuff for her, protecting her and it was just...oh so very unrealistic. And then there was also that stereotypical vibe each character gave off. I mean, they each had different awesome personalities...but they acted like stereotypes. Tink was gay and he was so extremely girly and was literally acting like a girl in a guy's body. And then Rylan had that whole mysterious/know-it-all love interest who was instantly attracted to Celeste...and it...wasn't...good.

The world-building, while it dived more in depth in world-building than most indie books I've read, it still didn't explain WHERE it came from. Why are there only five Tuatha? Why did they have a nature connection? Why only one? But there were a few explanations; just not enough to completely satisfy my curiosity. But the world was definitely interesting and had a lot of potential! I just wish we could've dived deeper into it rather than grazing the surface.

The romance was very insta-lovey and that annoyed me to no end. Rylan wanted to kiss her "ever since he laid eyes on her" and Celeste was attracted (VERY attracted) to Rylan within the first day. And it was just...really really annoying for a girl who likes slow and steady. So...romance...not for me. 

Now the PLOT was amazing! At least,  near the end it was. There were a few plot twists, but nothing very major or anything that completely shocked me. In the beginning there were so many creepy things that happened and I absolutely loved that! The Sidhe in Rua aren't exactly...fae/fey...more...Otherwordly. You'll see what I mean! But the plot was really the only thing I actually liked, I'm sad to say. 

Pages: 265

Series: Stand alone

Genre: Fantasy/Romance

Publisher: Indie published

Release Date: August 28, 2012

Rating: 2.5--->2 stars