Book Reviews - The Reading Cat

Eternity's Awakening - Anne Malcom

6/21/2018

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

I received an ARC of this book from the author and I voluntarily reviewed it. Thank you Anne Malcom!

Guys, this book was awesome, epic, totally witty and fun to read, yet heartbreaking and kindle-trowing-across-the-room frustrating. This book reads exactly with the same flow and narration we know and love from the previous two Isla books. Get ready for sass level 1000.

We see more of Isla’s facade start crumbling in this book. We start seeing a softer side to her. One that makes her more three-dimensional and complex.

This book, like the others is jam packed with pop culture references that will make you laugh and smirk. The characters in this series are just so alive (don’t tell Isla I described her as alive... shh...). They jump off the pages and punch you in the face with their exuberance, making this read a wild ride.

There is no dead time in this novel - no pun intended. The action and suspense is non-stop and extremely riveting. I don’t think my racing heart got a break from page one. Action - hot romance - action - crazy revelation... and so it goes.

If you like books full of personality and sarcasm, that still pull at your heartstrings and maybe your sanity, then this series is for you.

Faults in Fate - Anne Malcom

5/30/2018

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

I received an ARC of this book from the author and I voluntarily reviewed it m. Thank you Anne Malcom!

This is why I love PNR. Perfectly executed, and flawless. I loved this so hard and it was a novella! That’s because Anne Malcom is a witch with words *wink*. She puts the reader under her spell and keeps them captive for the entirety of the novel.

I love The Vein Chronicles, and this novella about Isla’s bestie, Sophie, was just as fabulous as their senses of style - which is epic by the way. This story has the same atmospheric aspects as the other books in the series. What I mean is that, even though we follow Sophie and not Isla, and the plot is witch oriented and not Vampire oriented, the same essence comes from reading it; it FEELS like they’re in the same series and that the books belong together. Like two puzzle pieces, or much more paranormal and cool analogy I have no brainpower for right now.

Sophie is such an awesome and entertaining character to follow. It’s her turn to have the spotlight, and I loved every second. Her sass paired with her killer style and wit is what got me. Add a sexy werewolf into the mix, and we’ve got a home run - which is what Malcom’s done if you didn’t catch that.

This book totally got me pumped for the third installment in the Vein Chronicles. If you haven’t started them yet, what are you waiting for?

Shield - Anne Malcom

2/10/2018

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

I received an ARC of this book from the author and I voluntarily reviewed it. Thank you Anne Malcom!

This has got to be my favourite Anne Malcom book yet. This book was everything; dark, emotional, riveting, and full of angst. This book took me by surprise with such darkness from Malcom, but I loved it.

Not only is the plot enthralling and enticing - you won’t be able to stop reading - the writing is absolutely beautiful. The metaphors and the symbols are sublime, and the style of the writing itself is just flawless. I’ve never highlighted so many quotes in my life.

And Rosie... I can’t review this book without mentioning Rosie. Such strength and independence, yet also guarded and fragile. A complex and complete character. A character who stands up for what she believes in. A character with strong morals and beliefs. A character, who just like a rose, absolutely beautiful, but protects herself with her thorns.

The concept that good and bad are not cut in dry in this book is integral and beautiful - can you tell I’m running out of adjectives? The book dances in the shades of grey between good and bad, while Rosie insists there is only black and white. A shattering perspective that will take the reader on a wild ride.

As stated above, this is Anne’s best book yet.

Out Of The Ashes - Anne Malcom

12/10/2017

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

I received an ebook of this novel from the author and I voluntarily reviewed it. Thanks Anne Malcom!

My favourite Anne Malcom books are Unquiet Minds and Skeletons of Us, and since this is a parallel story, I knew I would love it. Even though I already knew what was going to happen, I still got way too emotional at certain points, and at certain lines. Yes, Anne can make me feel all these feelings as if I'm reading the story for the first time and not, well, the second.

As much as I love all the Sons, Bull has taken the crown, well there's Kill too, but Bull is special. Anne is able to paint a vivid picture of his past, and his demons, and we see how his darkness starts to recede with Mia and Lexie. I loved how integral Lexie was to the story. How it's not a simple love story, but one about family as well. Family is not blood, family is about bonds, love, trust... It's the people that feel like home, the people you turn to, and that comes through loud and clear in this book.

There are just so many beautiful lined in this book dealing with light and darkness, and day and night. I may have overly highlighted in this book *shrugs*. Bull rising from his ashes was a beautiful story to read, and I cannot wait to dive into the next one.

Broken Shelves - Anne Malcom

9/16/2017

★ ★ ★ ★

I received an ARC of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Anne Malcom!

What a page turner! This book had me routing for Gina and Sam the whole way. I loved how although this book was primarily about Gina and her struggles, Malcom also gives us glimpses of Sam in the first four years of the band. She demonstrates his struggles, and his demons.

This is a beautiful body-positive, soul-affirming, beauty is both on the outside and the inside, and beauty is not a mold you either fit in or not. It is everywhere, if only one chooses to open their eyes. I just had a flashback of me and my bestie walking around and just commenting on how attractive every female we encountered was. We still do it. All the time.

I mentioned above that Malcom shows us Gina and Sam's demons, but she also shows us the struggles of the spotlight. Of the constant judgement, and criticism accompanying it. In subsequence, this book was also about being comfortable in your own skin, about being yourself and not trying to be like someone else, another rock star, or follow the stereotypes. It was about breaking the prisons formed by those stereotypes; silencing the demons and those putting them there.

Another fabulously written Unquiet Mind book, although I'm not surprised, because it is Anne Malcom after all.

Skeletons of Us - Anne Malcom

9/15/2017

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

I received an ebook of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Anne Malcom!

It baffles me how Anne Malcom can publish glorious book, after glorious book, after glorious books. Like how is that even possible. I'm not complaining one bit. This series has become one of my all-time favourite series, and my favourite Anne Malcom series. It is such a complete and compelling story.

The first thing I want to get to is the emotional aspect of this book. Malcom has the knack to make us feel a whole spectrum of emotions with this book. As this is the continuation of Lexie and Kill's story, the book already starts with a huge emotional baggage left behind by its predecessor. You will love the pain, I assure you.

Now, the writing. Malcom's poetry, her use of literary devices, and character development are flawless. And I mean, F-L-A-W-L-E-S-S. I swear, Malcom has a talent for song writing, because I get chills every time I read one in her books.

I'm so unbelievably happy that I have come across this author and that she has become one of my go-to authors.

Echoes of Silence - Anne Malcom

8/19/2017

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

I received an ebook of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Anne Malcom!

I cannot even begin to explain how connected I felt to this book. Not because I'm crazy similar to the main character, because I'm not except for killer music taste and being a book worm, but Malcom was able to capture me with her story. Every emotion Lexie was feeling, I was feeling; every heartache, joyous occasion, betrayal, I was feeling right along with her. I was feeling the emotions to the point where I cried with the main character - yup you read right. I don't cry often - in fact it's quite rare that a book will make me cry - but this book did.

So much happened in this book. There is so much anticipation before something happens that you feel your heart racing and palpitating. As you read the words, your heart skips beats, and your breathing quickens, or even stops all together. This is why Malcom is one of my favourite authors.

I love how although this book features the MC, it's not ABOUT the MC. Yes they are present and important to the story, but the focus remains on Lexie and the people around her. The focus remains on the music and her relationships.

Also, this book REALLY makes me want to sing. Or maybe it's the fact that I've listened to Alice Kristiansen for two days straight...

Thank the Lord I have book two on my kindle ready to go.

Firestorm - Anne Malcom

5/30/2017

I received an ebook of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Anne Malcom!

I thought I loved Cade and Gwen's story, but I think this one has surpassed theirs. This book is Amy's complicated love life, and when I say complicated, I mean super duper complicated.

I don't even know where to start with this book. I like how Malcom went back and forth in time throughout the book. It gave us a background on Amy's perspective, and also told us what was happening in the present.

I love how sassy Amy is. Like, she freaking hilarious. I want her as a best friend. For real. She's witty, sarcastic, and a complete badass! On top of all that, she's got a killer taste in fashion... and men!

I really liked how Malcom went back in time and explore both her relationship with Ian and Brock. I felt as though looking at how she was with Ian provided us with more insight for the story and Amy's future.

Malcom is a smart and skilled author, and I can't wait to continue this series!

Deathless - Anne Malcom

4/24/2017

I received an ARC of this book from the author via Give Me Books. Thank you Anne Malcom and Give Me Books!

I know I've probably said this is Fatal Harmonie's review, but I love the narration style of this series. It is full of great sass, references, comments, wit, and humour. Isla's point of view does not disappoint at all. My favourite parts are when she goes in these long monologues and forgets where she's going with the story - because I do that. A lot.

That plot twist Anne! It was so unpredictable (in my opinion) and just messed with my head - in a good way.

I really enjoyed how Greek Mythology was incorporated into the story - I'm a huge Greek Mythology geek; and I'm Greek and a geek, and that rhymes so I'm awesome (wow Isla is having an impact on me, and I know how to use conjunctions properly apparently).

Speaking of rhymes, the prophesies / poems were well written and I thoroughly enjoyed them. If you've been reading my reviews, you'll know that I'm a sucker (catch what I did there?) for poetry in books.

Anyways, where can I get me some of that Deathless nail polish? Like seriously?

Back to the review! So Deathless was a great and enthralling sequel to Fatal Harmony, which will not disappoint.

Still Waters - Anne Malcom

3/24/2017

I received an ARC of this book from the author via Give Me Books in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Anne Malcom and Give Me Books!

This book was way different from Making The Cut, yet I still really liked it. Again, Anne's flawless taste is showcased in her novels through musical and film references. Let's all be honest here, Audrey is a queen.

Keltan and Lucy are both beautifully broken people who try and find a way to make their love work. They are like two puzzle pieces who are trying to find out which way they fit perfectly together. This creates a lot of back and forth between them, which got me exasperated at times, yelling at my phone "YOU LOVE EACH OTHER WHY ARE YOU ACTING STUPID!", and then realizing that their actions were absolutely consistent with their characters.

I really liked the structure of the story. The flash backs were perfectly placed within the plot and the Covet columns were really entertaining. The way the flashback passages were inserted, created a certain stillness while reading - referencing the very important aspect of the line between drowning and stillness.

Speaking of drowning and stillness, I liked how Anne used the contrasting imagery of water and fire throughout the novel. The use of vocabulary such as wading, swimming, drowning, etc. sporadically in the book created a sense of unity. In comparison, Lucy and Rosie are said to like to burn things because it sends a message. Not to overanalyze these characters, but it seems as though they are compensating for their lack of control whilst drowning, by using the opposite element which they can control.

Anyways, let's stop with the English Essay type review. It I had one critique of the novel, it would be that the first two/thirds could have been slightly more concise, but over all, a well written book!