Reacting to The Kiss Of Deception by Mary E. Pearson

SPOILER WARNING. 

This is a post, showing you my reaction when reading these books, all in GIF's. So, pull up a chair and enjoy. 

Firstly, when I saw that title, and I was like...whet. What kind of a title is THAT? 

But I digress...flip to the opening scene with Lia, laying face down on a table, half naked getting a wedding kavah done on her back.

Yeah- almost didn't survive that scene...half out of embarrassment for the character, half out of sheer confusion because I honestly couldn't figure out what they were doing. It's a henna tattoo people. In case you're wondering. 

Then Lia commits political AND familial suicide, in running away. Like so-

But she feels pretty fabulous about it. #bossmode

Escaping trackers...scattering her stuff along the trail & in the river...she thinks she's GOT IT GUURL. 

But then the dudes show up, and the FEELZ begin at their first meeting

The Assassin be like...#IveGotDis

 And the Prince...seething internally. #HowCouldSheBetrayMe

And as a reader, I couldn't figure out who was who...was Kaden the Prince? Rafe the Assassin? I couldn't figure it out...

But try as the Assassin might- to act all charming and harmless,

 to get Lia to like him...she ends up going with the Prince...despite his surliness. 

So, despite an underlying weirdness...they end up being friends- er...something. And despite the Prince vowing to hate the woman who jilted him at the alter, he discovers she's not anything like he imagined she'd be. And the Assassin? Well, he's trying to hate Lia, trying real hard, bro- but the more time each dude spends with the princess...they come away saying..."I danced with the enemy- I didn't want to, but when I was with Lia, everything was different and..."

Meanwhile, since no one knew the real identity of the dudes, everyone was probably thinking (like I was) that Kaden was the Prince, and Rafe the Assassin. So, I was losing my marbles, because Lia was falling in love with the Assassin, and I was convinced her lover was going to slit her throat, at any minute.

And with good reason- because when Lia decides to go back to Morrighan, we discover WHO is WHO. THE GLOVES COMETH OFF.

Starting with when the Assassin (whom we think is the Prince) starts shouting in a foreign language.

What's that? Oh, that language is Vendan...Duuude...He's Vendan...which could only mean one thing...

HE'S THE ASSASSIN. And Lia is done for. 

And we are shock. Utterly shock. 

But first, it starts with a little of this...

But then the shock wears off, leaves you like

Betrayal has run it's course through our hearts. Ripped us open and run amok. But still, we can't quite get over how terrible it is. How wonderful we thought Kaden was. 

He's NOT WHO WE THOUGHT HE WAS.

I suppose not...

And yet, there's this terrible thing going on...WE STILL LIKE KADEN. Despite his misgivings. 

Nope. It's not. 

But it comes in waves...we still can't believe Kaden is the traitor. The baddie. Oh man, betrayal floweth deep. 

Meanwhile...Rafe is feeling the burn. 

The betrayal. The OH-MY-GOODNESS-WHY-DIDN'T-I-SEE-THIS-COMING business, yeah. He's pretty messed up about it. And despite his Princely ability to chill in the midst of a non-chillax environment, he's losing it. Slowly but surely. 

And so...mission to find and take back Lia...has begun. 

Meanwhile, Lia traverses across Cam Lanteux with the Vendan Barbarians, drowning in Kaden's betrayal.

And she must find a way to escape them...besides, she's got moves. And the gift. 

 And becomes more confident in her abilities, during their stay with the gypsies.

 Much to Kaden's utter horror..

 Because while he likes to think he believes her gift is a facade...she's seriously starting to creep him out. And, just to be on the safe side, he vehemently tells Lia she shouldn't trust him, and that his people will ALWAYS COME FIRST.

As in, at every stop, you'll be the last and lowest priority concern on my list. #liarliarpantsonfire
And with that, the gypsies send them off- wishing Lia the best of luck- and smuggling her some assistsance- in the form of a weapon. #sneaky 

Things got real with Walther's company of men...and left the readers like...

We see Venda on the horizon...

And all we wanna do is 

But bailing is not a choice...and we wonder just what will we find within the pages of The Heart Of Betrayal? 

Well...stay tuned- crazy & awesome and horrible stuff happens.

Read the content-breakdown review for The Kiss Of Deception

& book 2 The Heart Of Betrayal

And the Book Banter Video !!

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Talon by Ronie Kendig

Book 2 in the Breed Apart series (read review for book one- Trinity, here) follows Aspen Courtland, reeling from the loss of her twin brother, who went MIA overseas. The Marine Corps says he's dead, but Aspen can't accept it as fact. With her brother's traumatized war dog, and a more than mysterious soldier who says he was with her brother the day he 'died', they set out for answers....answers people will kill for. 

PLOT:

Brilliant. Fresh. Action packed. Complex. Everything that should be in an action, suspense, romance book. 

SEXUAL CONTENT: 

Characters fall in love. There's more of an underlying sensual pull between Dane & Aspen, moreso than with most of Ronie's other books, but that suited me fine. Their romance was tastefully written, sweet, kinda tragic and passionate. They kiss a few times. For a cover during an opp, they are married in name only, but nothing happens in regards to bedroom scenes or anything of that nature. A few soldiers make reference to their having made the marriage legitimate, but it's a case of hearsay. 

A soldier's gaze rakes over Aspen, and the context says that he "raped her with his gaze" or something like that. 

Mention is made to someone's father having a mistress (said character is a result of their father having the mistress), and him calling her a whore. 

There may be more references, but as I always say- my point isn't to catch every single one and list it here, it's just to give you a feel as to how each type of content is in the book- and if that is or isn't your jam. 

VIOLENCE:

Typical military/spy/suspense book type stuff. Hand to hand combat, blood, people getting shot- some at close range- people dying etc. There's mention to a character getting beaten as a child, being starved, having no heat or blankets in their room to serve as punishment. Another sub-character is pushed out of a window and falls to their death. 

CONCLUSION:

This book has everything that makes a book a goodie, in my mind. Action, emotion, romance, mystery, emotionally deep characters, a gripping plot- gah! It has it all, people. 

This book would give the Bourne movies a run for their money- but seriously, it would make a fantastic film. 

If you like suspense fiction, or spy type stories...pick this book up and READ IT. NOW. Today! 

5 Stars & I'd recommend it for ages 18+ 

Like watching reviews in video format? You're in luck, I filmed a video review of Talon!

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Booktube Book Review | Trinity by Ronie Kendig

Hey guys! Here's a book review in video format, if that's your jam! It's not a book banter like the previous video's I've done- this one is review only and no spoilers :) 

Enjoy! 

If you're looking for the full review for Trinity, click here.
Review for book 2 in the series, Talon, click here.

Trinity by Ronie Kendig

Book 1 in the A Breed Apart series (read review for book 2 - Talon, here), Trinity follows the story of Heath Daniels, a once Green Beret, and Darci Kintz, a Military Intelligence Officer. Taking place mostly in Afghanistan- things get  all kinds of crazy when Darci is abducted by some super baddies in the Chinese Military, while Heath and his war dog are sent to find Darci and bring her home alive.

PLOT:

Fast paced. Complex. Just when you think you know what is going on- boom! Plot twist. This book kept me on the edge of my seat, even reading it through a second time.

SEXUAL CONTENT:

Falling in love- attraction type whatnot. While trying to escape a rogue Chinese Military camp, Darci knows if she doesn't escape, they'd kill her, after a brutal gang rape. Thankfully, that doesn't take place, but it's a reality present. It's implied that on a mission, Darci slept with the enemy- both literally and figuratively, to gain information. 

VIOLENCE:

Military combat stuff. People get beaten, shot- some at close range- their guts, brains or blood splattering the people around them, killed, tortured. With the torture, it's mostly electroshock, some roughhousing, nail removal (although the character only finds their nails are gone when they come to, they don't remember it happening). Not low on the violence content. It's a military book. But it's not over the top, make your stomach revolt on you type of explicit grossness. 

CONCLUSION:

Plot, romance, danger, characters, suspense, ON FLEEK! All of it. I loved this book, even reading it the second time through, I was glued to the pages. It has all the needed elements to be fabulous, high gear, intense military suspense read. 

5 Stars

Age Recommendation: 18-19+
If you're looking for the video review, here it is. 

Come say hi and join the book conversation on Instagram! 

Lifestyle: @ToAshleyNikole

Book Reviews & Inspo: @BooksSheLoves

Digitalis by Ronie Kendig

Book 2 in the Discarded Heroes series, following the stories of different men who have left the broader military group and joined a black ops type group called Nightshade.
Read review for Wolfsbane - Book 3 

PLOT:

It builds up until about chapter 7, where things ramp up and get more intense. While this book wasn't non-stop action, it was full of suspense and didn't drag one bit. It flowed well- and the plot was intriueging for many reasons. Piper and Colton's relationship. The identity that Piper is trying to hide from Colton. Colton's flashbacks. Then there's the subplot with Azzan, the assassin in Israel. It was a full plot and I loved EVERY minute of it. 

SEXUAL CONTENT:

As the two MC's, as you can imagine, Piper and Colton are the love interests. Falling in love, attraction type stuff. A kiss here and there. Nothing super passionate or steamy. 

VIOLENCE:

Lot's of hand-to-hand combat. People get shot, killed, that kind of stuff. None of it is super graphic or really detailed, to my remembrance. 

CONCLUSION:

Hands down, I loved every minute of this book. It was terrible, wonderful, gut-wrenching, powerful and intense. My only complaint is that I wish there had have been an extra 25 pages interspersed throughout the book, dedicated to more interactions between Piper and Colton, because I loved them so dang much! I love the plot, loved the characters- all of it was fabulous and made for a perfect read. 

5 Stars & I'd recommend it for 17+ ish- again, it's all quite dependent on each reader. 

Season Of Glory by Lisa T. Bergren (Review by Ashley Nikole)

Book 3 in 'The Remnants' (not to be confused with The Remnant Chronicles by Mary E. Pearson) comes out March 8th! 

PLOT:

I finished reading book 2 - Season Of Fire, last Summer, and have been eagerly awaiting the series' conclusion until now! I devoured this book in a day- cause the suspense of wanting to know what happens to everything, was just eating me. So...in I went! 

The plot was slower than the first two books I'd say. It built steadily, with little mini-attacks and battles here and there, picking up speed around chapter 24. 

It didn't feel as grounded as I think I would have liked- but to each his own! 

SEXUAL CONTENT:

There are references to consummating a marriage- bedding one's wife or husband, etc, etc. Brief kisses between Dri & Ronan, one or two more passionate ones. There's a fairly passionate kissing scene with Dri & Keallach, where they end up laying on top of each other in the street, kissing in the rain- Keallach compelled Dri's body in cooperating. Yes, she cooperated a smidge- but most of it was his controlling her into it. They get interrupted before anything else happens. 

As in book 2, there's an underlying sensual pull between Dri & Keallach, even though they don't spend very much time together alone in this book. 

VIOLENCE:

War type gore. Decapitations. Hand-to-hand combat. People get stabbed, shot, sliced, blown up, cut down. Someone cauterizes a wound with a sword, searing the flesh together to keep the person from bleeding out. A character is beheaded with a sword during battle, in front of Dri. There's the sound of bones breaking, possibly the head hitting the floor and spraying her with blood. 

CONCLUSION:

I had pretty high hopes for this book. Unfortunately most of them weren't met with trumpet's blaring or glory music playing.
It won't be like that for every reader- a lot of it is due to my own personal taste in how plot's flow, and how character's are made and played out.
The plot- to me- felt like it stalled a fair bit, subsequently accomplished too much (but at the same time, not enough) in the last ten pages of the book. I think I was just hoping for a different sort of climax to occur at the 3/4 mark. Oh well. My heart will go on.
I did, however, enjoy the supernatural component to the story...how Dri as an empath worked, how the healer did, how the Remnants prayed over the sick and injured, etc. That was pretty neat. Besides several ideology moments that turned my crank the wrong way, I enjoyed most of the discerning, prayer, healing type content.
There were certain moments in the plot where I had some pretty good 'aha!' moments and I liked where it was going. There were a few scenes where the interactions between characters were touching...but honestly, if I'm going to fully enjoy a book, there have to be more than a few parts here and there that I enjoyed. I need more emotional & romantic connection between the two characters that are in love (Ronan & Dri), not just between characters that are totally forbidden to be together (Keallach & Dri)- and have the most romantic- er- sexual scene nearly being a rape...without any positive romantic/sexual content. That felt a little odd to me.

As I mentioned, there were several elements that did not make this series my favourite. Which is strange- because I really have enjoyed most of Bergen's work...as you know, the River Of Time series is my favourite series to date.
This particular series however, was not my jam. And that's okay. That doesn't mean her writing is bad or anything like that- it's just that this series was not written for me to enjoy. It was written for another person, who will be absolutely crazy about it. And that is awesome!
Bergren writes like a boss, is an incredibly gifted author- but that doesn't mean that every single book she writes, will make me go dancing down the road doing a jig. And that's perfectly normal. I'm still a die-hard Lisa Bergren fan, and I will continue to buy, read and support her career as as author- because I have faith in her and LOVE her reading, even if a book here or there is just not my jam. Ya know?

This time through, I'll give Season Of Glory 3 stars and recommend it for ages 16+ (except maybe that scene with Keallach and Dri- it depends on the reader. If parents are looking for the exact page number- at least in my ARC, it was page 304-307)

If you've been a big fan of the first two books, Season Of Glory hits stores March 8th! Yeehaw! Lemme know how you like it when you get your hands on the conclusion to this series!

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Post Script...

Character Chit-Chat & Confusion:

This book didn't float my boat- for a few reasons. 

#1- I'm not a huge fan of dystopian fiction

#2 - This didn't feel like it was dystopian even...it more felt like it was fantasy, or just slightly askance historical fiction with some elements of fantasy

#3- The relationship between Ronan and Dri was not compelling to me. There was one scene in book 1 that alerted me to their attraction to each other, but if I didn't know better, I would definitely have thought their relationship was strictly brother/sister style. I mean, I would've been okay if it had, but if they're going to be a romantic couple- even a forbidden romantic couple, I just wanted a bit more...substance to their relationship. 

#4- The plot didn't feel overly grounded, to me, personally. To another reader, it could be totally different. It seemed rather...compartmentalized, not like each event flowed well and built into the next. 

#5- There were many elements in this series that just felt...off to me. I don't know why. Not to say that is how it will be for everyone, but to me, if there's this underlying weirdness that I can't quite put my finger on...I don't enjoy the experience as fully as I might. 

Also, I feel like as a reader, I wanted to see more complex characters. Keallach was a fairly in-depth character, as was Niero & most of Keallach's counsel. But honestly, I was wanting to root for Ronan, for more reasons than that he was Dri's sworn protector. Ya know?
And honestly, I couldn't tell whether Keallach was coming or going. It was just plain weird- probably contributing to that weirdness I couldn't quite put my finger on? Yeah, it's probably all Keallach's doing. I mean, I knew there was going to be a certain amount of waffling, but in the end, I didn't even end up liking him- and I thought, at the beginning of the series that Kapriel was going to be focused on more heavily. Even though he's the older twin, he was more of a sub-character.

Deluge by Lisa T. Bergren (Review by Ashley Nikole)

Today I am reviewing book 5 of the River Of Time series! I have finally finished re-reading the entire series, and I loved it. So...let's get started. 

PLOT: 

This one is a lot more about life in general for the Betarrini/Forelli/Greco clan, than any of the previous books. There's not as much fighting & battle, people trying to kidnap the She-Wolves left, right and centre, but it is by no means boring. It spans over...I believe it's five years from start to finish with Deluge. It is split into three sections...

Part 1 - Preparations - Late Autumn 1345

follows the Bettarrini/Forelli peeps as they make their way to Venice to visit the Doge, and also to personally investigate rumours that two of their Betarrini kin, have time travelled and are stuck in the Doge's prisons. As this is a content breakdown review- as all my reviews are, there are spoilers aplenty. Also, whilst there, Lia & Luca decide to wed, and the following whirlwind of planning a hasty wedding and departure, follow. 

Part 2 - Horizons - Winter 1345 - Spring 1346 

#ForelliBaby #MommyGabi #DaddyMarcello  

Part 3 Pestilence - 1348 

is, as you can imagine, about when the plague arrives and ravages its way through Italy and all the surrounding areas. And then Firenze comes to commandeer Castello Forelli & Greco, as if all their attempts in the past weren't enough- and one great and final battle ensues. Intense business! 

This plot has ebbs & flows of it being more intense, then less...the focus being more on living life and plenty of passionate kissing scenes, in part 1, then slowly building in part 3 until the climax and battle occur. Of course, it is so much more suspenseful, because you know that with the plague...it's not likely that everyone from the Forelli/Betarrini/Greco clan will survive, and that is the worst kind of torture. The. Worst. 

VIOLENCE: 

Fighting, hand-to-hand combat, people getting cut with knives, swords, hit with arrows, stabbed with daggers. Dropping boiling vats of water onto soldiers trying to scale a wall. Battle. Blood. Lot's of it.

Two MC's are stabbed. One gets a spiked ball to the chest. Post-war carnage, including dead people and decapitations. Lot's of people die from the plague with those nasty, puss-filled buboes that eventually burst and smell REALLY bad. 

SEXUAL CONTENT:

This book has a plenty of kissing scenes, a good deal of content leading up to sex, but the scene always ends before that happens. I've included a few scene excerpts, just so you can get a feel for how they usually go :) 

"Then, one by one, he pulled the pins from my hair, and I closed my eyes, appreciating the sensation of his every touch, the tickle of each section of hair as it tumbled down around my neck and across my shoulders. Slowly, he turned and unbuttoned my gown, freeing me of its confines, leaving only the shift for my nap. But as I sank to the bed and looked up at my husband, who put one knee beside me and slowly pulled off his tunic and tossed it aside- his shirt opening at the nape so I could see the finely sculpted muscles of his chest- I was well aware that there would be very little napping to be had in this glorious, gorgeous room along the Grand Canal." 

When Lia & Luca get engaged, they share knee-jellifying kiss. 

"But without further invitation he kissed me then, in earnest. Plying my lips apart, hungry, searching, demanding. I thought I could kiss him all night. We'd kissed before but never with such abandon. He'd always been so cautious, careful with my reputation, my virtue. But now that I was to be his...well, his kisses promised me many days and nights of passion ahead...'Oh, my Lia, my beautiful Evangelia,' he said in a whisper, pulling back and gently bending my head to the side. He planted tiny kisses across my cheek and slowly, delectably, down my neck, pausing at the clavicle. There, he hovered, 'Please,' he said, kissing me there again, the breath from his words sending shivers down my arms. 'Tell me that we can marry soon.'" 

Luca and Lia get married a few days later- this scene is from their wedding night. 

"His warm hands rubbed over my shoulders and he leaned forward to kiss me right where my neck and shoulder joined, sending a delicious shiver down my back. 'Are you afraid?' he whispered, all careful concern. 'Nay,' I said, 'not with you'. 'Good. There is no need to fear, Evangelia. Only reasons to rejoice...' he unlaced the back of my overgrown and slipped it from my shoulders...Luca pulled off his tunic and then his shirt, and stood there before me, all smooth-chested, muscle upon muscle...He bent and lifted me up in his strong arms, carrying me so slowly toward the bed, I wondered if we'd ever make it there....He seemed to get a bit distracted with me kissing him the whole time. It was like I couldn't get enough of him. When his knees finally met the edge, he tossed me, laughing into the centre of it and hurriedly chased me in, hovering over me, kissing, kissing, kissing..." 

There are more scenes similar to the ones above...the romance has definitely advanced in this book, compared to the others. Usually the romantic moments are descriptive and knee-weakening- which is not a bad thing, but it isn't for every reader- especially every age. The sexual content in this book is more mature, but very honouring and beautiful in depicting marriage, but it doesn't trip into it being an explicit sex scene, which I appreciate. 

There are other references to a man bedding his wife, making love to her, etc. etc. There are remarks about Gabi being in heat like a wolf. Gabi gives birth, it isn't extremely descriptive because a midwife is delivering the baby, so we either get the labour from Lia's perspective (she's sitting next to Gabi on the bed holding her hand) and Gabi, who's having the baby. 

Gabi and Lia bathe, sometimes in separate baths but in the same room, sometimes one is helping the other with her bath. 

A character makes reference to what the Fiorentini would do if they got ahold of his Sienese wife, how they would let the men, 'have their way with her' before torturing and killing her. 

Again, as I've said before, I have in no way, caught all the sexual content that is in Deluge, in this section of the review. That has never been my intention. In these content-breakdown reviews, all I want is to let you, as a reader, get a glimpse at what each amount of content is like, roughly, throughout the book. 

CONCLUSION:

 Incredible, epic, devastating & heartwarming finish to Lisa T. Bergren's 'River of Time' series. The first time I finished this book, I wept. Like I never have over any other book. Le-wow. 

Personally, I wish the ending had have been a little different...with different characters, especially after the painting scene. I just wanted to see some closure and resolution between the family a bit more, but that's about it. Clearly, I'm not thrilled over certain people's deaths *cough* *cough*. But, my heart will go on. This is an amazing finish to one of the most beautifully well written and thought out series I have ever encountered. 

5 Stars for this one, and I'd recommend it for ages 18+ 

If you want to read full reviews for the rest of the River Of Time series, check them out below! 

Book 1 - Waterfall

Book 2 - Cascade

Book 3 - Torrent

Book 4 - Bourne & Tributary 

Booktube Book Banter Video 

Have you read the series? What were your thoughts? I wish it could keep on going...20 + books in the series...but alas! 

Bourne & Tributary by Lisa T. Bergren (Review by Ashley Nikole)

Slowly but surely, moving towards having the entire River Of Time series reviewed. You can find the review's for...

Book 1 - Waterfall

Book 2 - Cascade

Book 3 - Torrent 
Book 5 - Deluge
River Of Time series Book Banter video

But today, we are going over the two novella's, Bourne & Tributary. These books pick up where Torrent left off, where the ladies are waiting for Luca, Marcello & Rodolfo to come back from the battle we saw begin at the end of Torrent. 

Today I'll be doing the breakdown separately (First Bourne, then following with Tributary), but in the same blog post, since I got the two novella's combined in one book. I'm not certain if you can get them bound separately as novella's instead of combined...but anywho, let's get started, shall we? 

|| BOURNE ||

PLOT: 

Steady & fast paced throughout. As this is a novella (135 pages), it's shorter and the plot a bit more mini in scale, but no less riveting. It follows our band of Forelli/Greco/Betarrini peeps as the Fiorentini launch an attack against the secret brotherhood with the triangle tattoos. Essentially, they're trying to discover who they are, so they can decimate them, their land, and their families. 

VIOLENCE: 

Battle type stuff. People getting stabbed, pierced with arrows. At one point we come across a Forelli knight who was strung up in a tree, eyes bulging, his tongue sticking out *cue the ew* 

While the assassins go about trying to discover the brotherhood and murder them all, a castello is burned, some of its occupants inside. The rest of the castello (women, children and soldiers) were cut down in the courtyard. The assassins left triangular cuts on their ankles, and for some of their victims, possibly on their necks? I'm not entirely certain. 

People are beaten in combat and in attempting to extract information, but nothing floats toward torture-land. 

SEXUAL CONTENT: 

Soldiers capture Lia and threaten to do some nasty business if she doesn't give them the information they want. One soldier begins moving his hands up her leg, but that's as far as he goes. 

Between characters there are kisses- some short, some longer, more passionate. 

When Marcello is ill with a fever, Gabi (they are married) climbs into bed with him with little on (a shift or thin nightgown or something like that), pressing her thigh against his and wrapping her arms around his chest- or just on top of. When he wakes, he says, "Wait until I tell the men how you healed me...climbing into bed with none but that on..." 

Later on, Marcello pulls Gabi into their room and they share a passionate kiss. 

"'Shouldn't you return to bed, m'lord?' 

'Undoubtedly,' he said, moving to kiss my lips, parting them with his own. He wrapped his arm around my back and puled me close, grunting in pain but refusing to release me. I settled in, kissing him back with equal passion." 

Later on... "But my husband decided my course of action for me. He opened the door a crack. Finding me alone, he took my hand and pulled me through, back inside. Then he latched and locked the door, lifted my hands to the wall above me, and began to kiss me like he never, ever intended to let me go again." pp. 60-61 

Again, I've not covered ALL the sexual content in this book- there is bound to be stuff I haven't caught in this review- but that wasn't really my intention in the first place. I just include the bulk of the information, to give you a feel of what is present. Cool peas :-P

CONCLUSION:

The only sad thing about this book is that it was so dang short! I was ramping up for the crazy stuff, really enjoying it, and then- boom! It was finished and I was into Tributary. But even in its short form it was delightful. Fast paced. 

These two books shift their focus more to Lia & Luca, and Rodolfo. Except for a few romantic scenes between Marcello and Gabi, it doesn't focus on them as much. Which was okay. They weren't omitted from the books, but the focus shifted a lot to Lia & Luca's romance, and I really enjoyed their relationship and the new-ness of being able to get to know them as an almost couple. 

|| TRIBUTARY ||

PLOT: 

Tributary takes off, I think it's a year after Bourne ends. This one focuses again, on Lia & Luca's budding romance, and also heavily focuses on Rodolfo and a young woman named Alessandra. It was faced paced and I enjoyed reading it- I wish there was a whole book dedicated to Rodolfo Greco and his story. But alas...

VIOLENCE:

Battle type stuff. Arrows shot into people, taking people out with swords. That kinda stuff. Alessandra gets beaten up by a Fiorentini Lord, kicked, slapped and punched. 

SEXUAL CONTENT: 

While in captivity, Alessandra is nearly raped. The head dude leaves her with one of his knights, instructing him to rape her. The knight grabs her, she starts screaming and crying, but he tells her he is her friend and he intends to help her escape. He plays up the facade, yelling for her to come to him, to give in and to stop complaining, then instructs her to scream and shakes her. She does, making it sound as though he's raped her, to anyone listening. He then killed the knight on watch and stripped him of his clothes. When he told her to take off her dress, she thought he was going to take advantage of her, but he turned his back and tossed her the guard's clothes to change into.  

Rodolfo and Alessandra share a kiss at the end of the book. Nothing really steamy, but it wasn't a quick peck on the cheek either. 

CONCLUSION:

Finishing Tributary left me feeling like I'd just finished an appetizer, and was ready for the main course. Unfortunately, the book had finished, and I was like...dude, now I need to read Deluge- which I told myself I'd never do again. But alas...I'm gonna go and do it again. Whoops. #cantstopwontstop 

Anywho, I really enjoyed these books. They were shorter and didn't take as long to work out or resolve, but I enjoyed them just as much. 

As I said in the conclusion above, I really enjoyed getting to watch Lia & Luca fall in love, and also follow Rodolfo's story a bit closer. That was pretty much awesome. 

5 stars and I'd recommend these two books for 16+...just depending on how each person can handle the gory, massacre-type violence and the lightly steamy kissing scene with Marcello & Gabi. 

Have you read Bourne & Tribuary? What were your thoughts? 

The Remnant Chronicles | Book Banter

Hey guys! Happy Monday!!! 

I really enjoyed filming the River Of Time series book banter, and I decided- hey why not film some more? There will be plenty more to come in the future, for books that I am clearly obsessed with, but for today we have a video dedicated to discussing The Remnant Chronicles by Mary E. Pearson. 

This video contains a ton of spoilers, so if you haven't read the books- you're forewarned. To those of you who have read, (or haven't and just want to know about theses books like I totally would- regardless of spoilers) this video is my version of sitting down with you and discussing my feels about these books. It's random, borderline hysterical, and fun. So get a cup of tea, a cozy blanket to snuggle under, and enjoy! 

If you are looking for the full breakdown of content in a review, you can find them here...
Book 1 - The Kiss Of Deception 
Book 2 - The Heart Of Betrayal 
Book 3 - The Beauty Of Darkness (Coming Summer 2016)
GIF Reaction to Kiss Of Deception

What did you think of the Remnant Chronicles? Are you as stoked about The Beauty Of Darkness (coming Summer 2016) as I am? Eeek!

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