Review: The Last 8 (The Last 8 #1) by Laura Pohl

Book Blurb:

A high-stakes survival story about eight teenagers who outlive an alien attack—perfect for fans of The 5th Wave

Clover Martinez has always been a survivor, which is the only reason she isn't among the dead when aliens invade and destroy Earth as she knows it.

When Clover hears an inexplicable radio message, she's shocked to learn there are other survivors—and that they're all at the former Area 51. When she arrives, she's greeted by a band of misfits who call themselves The Last Teenagers on Earth.

Only they aren't the ragtag group of heroes Clover was expecting. The group seems more interested in hiding than fighting back, and Clover starts to wonder if she was better off alone. But then she finds a hidden spaceship, and she doesn't know what to believe…or who to trust.

Find out more about The Last 8 on Goodreads

My Review:

3 Out Of 5 Stars

Genre: Aliens, Dystopian, Survival, Suspense, Teen--

The last 8 was very different from what I expected and I am not certain how I feel about it. The story is narrated by Clover, a very smart girl who ends up watching everything she knows and loves be annihilated by an alien invasion. There was no warning or clear reasoning, the aliens showed up and evaporated everyone, until for some unknown reason Clover is left alive- by herself. What seemed like a potentially action packed story turned into a really sad, introverted battle with depression and lots of contemplation of suicide (even a few almost attempts that didn't follow through), the darkness only saved by the antics of a cute dog companion. Most of the story in general was very dark, way more than I anticipated for an alien story- I expected hope and gumption but instead I got angst and sorrow (which may have been more realistic to be fair, just not what I was looking for).

There were some very nice plot twists that I appreciated and a couple of awesome battle scenes but overall I could not connect to Clover who seemed a little too unemotional and the choices that were made at the end of the story made no sense at all with too easy a resolution. This is the first book in a series and while it was completely unique and had some interesting components, I don't believe I will be reading the next one. Keep in mind that I am sure other people will love this story, it was just not what I was looking for.

Review: Aurora Rising (The Aurora Cycle #1) by Jay Kristoff & Amie Kaufman

Book Blurb:

From the internationally bestselling authors of THE ILLUMINAE FILES comes an epic new science fiction adventure.

The year is 2380, and the graduating cadets of Aurora Academy are being assigned their first missions. Star pupil Tyler Jones is ready to recruit the squad of his dreams, but his own boneheaded heroism sees him stuck with the dregs nobody else in the Academy would touch…

A cocky diplomat with a black belt in sarcasm

A sociopath scientist with a fondness for shooting her bunkmates

A smart-ass techwiz with the galaxy’s biggest chip on his shoulder

An alien warrior with anger management issues

A tomboy pilot who’s totally not into him, in case you were wondering

And Ty’s squad isn’t even his biggest problem—that’d be Aurora Jie-Lin O’Malley, the girl he’s just rescued from interdimensional space. Trapped in cryo-sleep for two centuries, Auri is a girl out of time and out of her depth. But she could be the catalyst that starts a war millions of years in the making, and Tyler’s squad of losers, discipline-cases and misfits might just be the last hope for the entire galaxy.

They're not the heroes we deserve. They're just the ones we could find. Nobody panic.

Find out more about the book on Goodreads

My Review:

5 Out Of 5 Stars

Genre: Aliens, Another-World, Heart-Wrenching, Mystery, Romance, Scary, Space, Supernatural, Survival, Suspense, Teen--

When Tyler flies a quick trip before his draft opportunity, he never expects to be delayed by finding a girl 200 years out of her own time stuck in the fold- nobody is suppose to be able to live in the fold, period. His reward is to get saddled with the rejects of his class, the outcasts nobody wanted on their teams. His first mission with his new crew unsurprisingly goes sideways fast- but maybe this messed up crew are the people he needed most to fight a bigger battle...

I recommended this book to another person, someone who is not a big sci-fi reader that was a little bit hesitant to start the book. She ended up blowing through it and informed me that it was not like most science fiction/space adventures. And that is a 100% true statement. This was an action/mystery/drama that just happened to have most of the setting in a space ship and outer space. The best comparison I have would be like a more drama and angst filled Ocean's 11 in space, with a big ensemble cast that each has their role on a particular heist mission- that may just uncover some dark secrets and save the world.

There was honestly so much going on and I loved every minute of it. The book was narrated by all 6 crew members- and one Aurora, all with different personalities, skills and hopes and I feel like I got to know them all. Aurora Rising really had something for everyone in it- unrequited love, flirty and snarky banter, unexpected kisses, potential sociopaths, elaborate missions, conspiracy theories, death and destruction, awesome science fiction animals/tech and places, illness, unknown powers, alien species, planetary war, a girl completely out of place who uses current day references, an alien mate bond, scary flowers... See? There was a LOT going on in the book and I was so there for it.

Can I just say that the ending was awful (and I blame Jay for it because Amie's books in the past don't end with me broken) and I have no idea how I am suppose to recover from that and wait a year for the next book? That being said, I would not change anything about this story and world building and I will attempt to patiently await the next book.

I highly recommend the audiobook since it is a full cast and every character get's a voice, even some of the random messages have cool audio tones to go along with it. The only downside to the audio was sometimes it was unclear who the current narrator was (especially in the beginning before I could recognize each voice and the character attitude) which I feel would not be an issue in the physical book.

Blog Tour & Giveaway: Within Ash and Stardust (The Xenith Trilogy #3) by Chani Lynn Feener

Within Ash and Stardust
Chani Lynn Feener
(The Xenith Trilogy #3)
Published by: Swoon Reads
Publication date: July 16th 2019
Genres: Science Fiction, Young Adult

Having gone from kidnapped faux princess to the legitimate heir to an intergalactic throne, an impulsive, sarcastic teen must take charge of her own destiny in this epic YA novel.

On Earth, Delaney is a normal teenager who recently graduated high school with a fantastic best friend and a loving boyfriend.

But Delaney isn’t on Earth. She’s on Xenith, a war-torn planet half a galaxy away. Originally mistaken for an alien princess, Delaney has gone from kidnapped imposter to the recognized heir to an alien throne. Oh, and she’s engaged to the prince of an enemy nation whose ruthless father is on the warpath.

Torn between two planets, two fates, and two loves, Delaney is finally ready to choose her own destiny in Within Ash and Stardust, the stunning conclusion to Chani Lynn Feener’s Xenith Trilogy.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

My Review:

5 Out Of 5 Stars

Genre: Aliens, Another-World, Heart-Wrenching, Roamnce, Royal-Court, Survival, Suspense--

Shockingly, this review will be pretty short (for me) since this is the third book in an amazing ride and I don't want to give away any potential spoilers for the series or this book in general because this is a series that very much needs to be experienced.

This was a bittersweet read for me- on one hand I could not wait until this book was released so I could read it and see what happened next, but on the other I was not sure I was ready for the series to end and I had to say goodbye. When I first picked up Amid Stars And Darkness (book one in the series) I thought the book sounded interesting and I was interested in reading it. What I never expected was how fast I was going to get sucked into this dangerous, strange world and fall in love with Delaney and her Ruckus and her struggles to get home- and do what is right. Talk about being put into a bad situation and coming out a stronger, better person. The worst part about reading Amid Stars And Darkness was the year I had to wait to get my hands on Between Frost and Fury- and then again to finish the trilogy with this book, Within Ash and Stardust. I can easily say that each book has gotten better and better, the conflict more real and dangerous and the heartbreak so significant that I felt the struggle and was on the edge of my seat to see how everything would play out. To say that I love this series is a mild understatement- I adore it and think everyone should pick it up because I guarantee there is something for everyone here.

I will be the first to admit that I actively despise love triangles, nothing about them appeals to me... But, bravo Chani for making me be sucked into this love triangle for all it is worth. To be fair, I am pretty sure this romantic angst about ripped out my heart- but I would not change a single thing about it. Both men have their strength and flaws, both men are honestly good people (even if one of them you have to look deep, deep down), and I was just as torn and drawn to the men as Delaney. Yet, there was one person I rooted for from the beginning, there was just a spark I saw in him that drew me and I wanted to know more. I was not disappointed by what I found. This was the hardest struggle Delaney had to face, and that is saying something when she had the fate of multiple worlds on her hands.

I know I spoke about the romance a lot, but this series was not just about (an amazing, angsty) romance, but just as equally an action/adventure/science fiction story that was exciting and dangerous and all around encompassing. I am not sure how I am suppose to get over this book hangover but you can guarantee that I will gladly gobble up everything that Chani wants to write next.

You can find my review of Amid Stars and Darkness HERE and Between Frost and Fury HERE

Author Bio:

Chani Lynn Feener has wanted to be a writer since the age of ten during fifth grade story time. She majored in Creative Writing at Johnson State College in Vermont, and graduated in 2012. To pay her bills, she has worked many odd jobs, including, but not limited to, telemarketing, order picking in a warehouse, and filling ink cartridges. When she isn’t writing, she’s binging TV shows, drawing, or frequenting zoos/aquariums. Chani is also the author of teen paranormal series, the Underworld Saga, originally written under the penname Tempest C. Avery. She currently resides in Connecticut, but lives on Goodreads.com.

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Blog Tour: The Chosen One (Alinthia #4) by Siobhan Davis

Siobhan Davis latest release The Chosen One is here! This is the fourth book in the Alinthia series, a paranormal romance reverse harem book. Read on for more information about this book or download your copy exclusively from Amazon, FREE to read in Kindle Unlimited.

The Chosen One (Alinthia #4)
by Siobhan Davis

Series: Alinthia #4
Genre: Paranormal Romance/ Reverse Harem
Age Category: New Adult
Release Date: 30 June 2019

Book Description:
Is she strong enough to fulfill her legacy or will the dark side prevail?

After the gruesome battle on Xzanthar, General Arantu is on a mission to seek retribution, and he has Earth in his sights. Alinthia and her protectors ally with the government to shield innocent humans from attack, but that’s not their only concern.

As her eighteenth birthday approaches, Alinthia’s awakening draws closer, and no one knows what to expect.

Working from the secret society’s hidden base in the Valley of the Queens, Alinthia attempts to forge partnerships with alien allies in preparation for the ultimate battle. However, emotions are running high, distrust is rampant, and loyalty is hard-won.

Dane continues to push Alinthia away, causing additional friction and uncertainty when they can't afford to be divided. Determined to avoid confronting what happened on Xzanthar, he throws himself into his duties, butting heads with everyone as he struggles to deal with the aftermath.

Presenting a united front has never been more important, but will their bond be enough to save Alinthia from the dark, evil forces still lurking in the shadows? Or are they all doomed to fail?

Add The Chosen One to your to-read list on Goodreads

Buy your copy of The Chosen One on Amazon

My Review:

4 Out Of 5 Stars

Genre: Aliens, Another-World, Heart-Wrenching, Reverse Harem, Romance, Royal-Court, Space, Supernatural, Suspense--

Tori just got her guys back, but it is not like she has a chance to just sit back and enjoy her free time. Instead, the universe is on the brink of war, her powers are still uncertain, her lineage and the prophecy are still in doubt, and she is experiencing issues in her own group. There is so much for a 17 year old girl to handle- even if she is the prophesied queen on a powerful alien species...

Keep in mind that this is book 4 in a continuous series that build on the actions of the previous book. I highly recommend reading them all in order so the story makes sense- otherwise you will be missing a lot of plot!

There was less action in this story than the last one, but I think that was made up for by tons of steamy sex! I have always been a fan of Coop and Maddox, but this installment has changed my mind about brainy, shy Beck- there can definitely be something said for the quiet ones who pay attention. So yep, any way, The Chosen One made up for the lost quality time in the last book where the group was split up and now that Tori is comfortable with herself and her feelings, she was not holding her body back from sexy time. Can I mention here that I appreciate the level of heat Siobhan uses in the book, making the scenes hot but not over the top descriptive or too long that I feel awkward reading it or like I need to skim over anything.

Ok, I know that I am probably not suppose to feel this way, but I really do not like Dane. I understand he has been through some awful things and I feel bad for him and know that he needs help to potentially overcome his trauma. Sure, all that is fine. BUT I still do not like him or how he treats Tori. There is no excuse for his actions at this point, and to be honest he treated Tori just the same way before he underwent the abuse so this is not really a new behavior and I am over him. He has been condescending, judgmental and irritable to Tori from the get go, making her doubt her place with the brothers and her skills and he has always rubbed me the wrong way. I agree with Coop and I will hold a grudge against Dane at least until the end of the series (aka one more book). Ok, tangent over.

I feel like the Chosen One was the perfect transition book in the series, giving the characters a few minutes to catch their breath while the underlying tensions for the battle are brewing. I love all the character growth that Tori has undergone over the last few books, turning from a naive uncertain girl to this capable, confident warrior. She is now the badass the world needs to save the day, the guys are just arm candy! I can't wait to see what the final book will bring, how the ultimate battle will play out- and I am also worried about the fate of the characters I have grown to love.

I reviewed a complimentary copy of this title.

Previous books in the series:

- The Lost Savior (Alinthia #1)
- The Secret Heir (Alinthia #2)
- The Warrior Princess (Alinthia #3)

About Siobhan Davis:

USA Today bestselling author Siobhan Davis writes emotionally intense young adult and new adult romantic fiction with swoon-worthy romance, complex characters, and tons of unexpected plot twists and turns that will have you flipping the pages beyond bedtime! She is the author of the international bestselling Kennedy Boys, Saven, and True Calling series’.

Siobhan’s family will tell you she’s a little bit obsessive when it comes to reading and writing, and they aren’t wrong. She can rarely be found without her trusty Kindle, a paperback book, or her laptop somewhere close at hand.

Prior to becoming a full-time writer, Siobhan forged a successful corporate career in human resource management.

She resides in the Garden County of Ireland with her husband and two sons.


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Blog Tour & Giveaway: Alien Minds (Dimension Drift #1) by Christina Bauer

Alien Minds
Christina Bauer
(Dimension Drift #1)
Published by: Monster House Books
Publication date: April 23rd 2019
Genres: Science Fiction, Young Adult

DIVERGENT meets OCEAN’S EIGHT in this urban fantasy heist!

On my seventeenth birthday, I wake up in the hospital to find I just survived a sketchy but terrible accident. My parents stand by my bedside—both are beautiful, wealthy, and super-nice. They tell me that once I leave the hospital, I’ll attend the prestigious ECHO Academy, where I’ll churn out equations for the government along with my mega-smart peers.

So, I’m living the perfect life.

Then why does everything feel all wrong?

My parents, my house and even ECHO Academy…none of it fits. Plus, what’s up with Thorne, my brooding yet yummy classmate who keeps telling me I need to remember my true past, which seems to have included a lot of us kissing? That’s one thing I’d really like to remember, except for the fact that I’m pretty sure Thorne is hiding a ton of nasty secrets of his own, including the fact that he may not be from this world. But considering how my own past seems alien to me, it’s not like I can judge. Plus, Thorne has dimples. That’s a problem.

And worst of all, why does it feel so yucky to work on these calculations for the government? It’s all supposed to be part of ECHO, but my heart tells me that I’m helping something truly terrible come to pass. Thorne seems to think that kissing him again will release my real memories.

Maybe it’s time to pucker up.

“Appealing and engaging. Love the strong female character!” – Arlene’s Book Reviews

This new series is perfect for: fans of urban fantasy, action & adventure, cool science, evil corporations, forbidden romance and hot new classmates who may or may not be aliens.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / iBooks / Google Play

My Review:

5 Stars Out Of 5 Stars

Genre: Aliens, Another-World, Dystopian, Mystery, Romance, Survival, Suspense, Teen, Time-Travel--

Meimi wakes up to find she has no memories of who she is or what is going on, but she does not trust the weasel little doctor who tries to feed her lies of her past. All she knows for certain is that she refuses to fall into the doctor's plan and be a good little minion to destroy mankind- and that she needs her own plan to escape, and if she just so happens to sabotage a plan to kill millions of "undesireables", so be it. Thorne only wants to help save his Transcendent Meimi and he is willing to pretend to be anyone and do anything he can to get the job done- and hopefully she will remember who he is along the way.

I highly recommend picking up the two prequel books, Dimension Drift and Scythe before jumping into Alien Minds because the needed back story that leads up to Alien Minds. Trust me, you might be missing info and you would be really sad to miss out on the complex, detailed world (world?) building that Christina has already started.

Godwin’s button eyes narrow to slits. “I hate you.”

“Good.” I narrow-eye right back at him. “I hate you more.”

Hypothesis: that’s the least mature conversation between two scientists, ever.

I was not sure who's perspective this book was going to be written from since there have been two prequel novellas, one from Meimi and one from Thorne so imagine my excitement when I discovered that Alien Minds was narrated from both the characters. Alternating at chapters, we get to see everything that is going on! I love books with multiple perspectives since I never want to be left out and Christina delivers that to me in this book. I love seeing what each one is plotting, because let me tell you, there is A LOT of plotting, scheming and mischief to be had by both characters in this book.

I enjoy Thorne's brothers and I would love to see books in the series set from their points of view (hint hint Christina!)- I can only imagine the level of interesting that lives inside the mind of quiet Slate and really Justice is dreamy with his cowboy swagger and calm disposition.

The ending sets up the next book in the series and hints at a ton more action to come and I can't wait to see what will lie in wait for Meimi and her gang next!

Author Bio:

Christina Bauer thinks that fantasy books are like bacon: they just make life better. All of which is why she writes romance novels that feature demons, dragons, wizards, witches, elves, elementals, and a bunch of random stuff that she brainstorms while riding the Boston T. Oh, and she includes lots of humor and kick-ass chicks, too.

Christina graduated from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School with BA’s in English along with Television, Radio, and Film Production. She lives in Newton, MA with her husband, son, and semi-insane golden retriever, Ruby.

Be the first to know about new releases from Christina by signing up for her newsletter: http://tinyurl.com/CBupdates

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Review: The Warrior Princess (Alinthia #3) by Siobhan Davis

Book Blurb:

She’ll tear the galaxy apart to save them…

Captured by a special, secret government agency, Alinthia is now facing another new reality—one where she’s separated from the four guys who have come to mean so much to her. But she has faith in Dane, Coop, Maddox, and Beck, and she refuses to give up hope.

Until she discovers General Arantu and his despicable daughter have imprisoned her protectors and time is running out to save them.

Desperate to escape the government’s clutches and rescue her loved ones, Alinthia finds unlikely allies in the strangest of places. With their help, she finally understands what is required to assume full control of her powers and fulfil her legacy.

However, the more she uncovers about herself and her abilities, the more she understands how fragile the line is between good and evil, darkness and light, right and wrong.

Will she make the ultimate sacrifice in the name of love, or are there some lines that can’t ever be crossed?

Find out more about The Warrior Princess on Goodreads and pick up a copy from Amazon

My Review:

4 Out Of 5 Stars

Genre: Aliens, Another-World, Heart-Wrenching, Mystery, Reverse Harem, Romance, Royal-Court, Space, Supernatural, Survival, Suspense, Teen--

Wow there was an unexpected level of sexual assualt that took place in this book. Warning for those who need it, there was super uncomfortable forced sexual deeds that were basically rape (the person kinda agreed to it but only as a way to save others from the abuse). Yeah, be warned, it was awful.

I loved the level of action that Siobhan created in this installment, be it either Tori training and discovering new powers to actually battles to the death, it was one action packed moment to the next. Also, Tori turned into a badass warrior- the title could not be more appropriate. She was all of a sudden determined, dedicated and completely competent, issuing orders and keeping everyone in line. The Damsel just rocked everyone's world and became the Hero in this one.

Can I just mention how much I love Cooper? He is my favorite of all the brothers with his personality and charm. I hope to see more from Beck and Maddox in the next book because I feel a little as if they were overlooked in this story and they are both great characters. And that brings me to Dane. Ugh, Dane. I thought he had potential in the first book in the series as the strong silent jerk type with a heart of gold- but I was wrong. He does not have a heart of gold, he is just kind of messed up. I know he experienced some terrible things in this book and I 100% cut him slack for his behavior since- but I did not like him before the abuse, nothing has changed for me. He can be left out of the story for all I care... Ok rant over.

The story ended on such a crucial detail that I am dying to know what will happen next! I have enjoyed the series overall and while there were some parts in this book that I would have preferred be left out, the action, danger and twists kept me coming back for more. I will say that I hope Tori and her guys (most of her guys) get some quality alone time to come.

I am voluntarily reviewing a complimentary copy of this book.

Blog Tour & Giveaway: Umbra (Dimension Drift 0.2) by Christina Bauer

Umbra
Christina Bauer
(Dimension Drift Prequels, #2)
Published by: Monster House Books
Publication date: March 26th 2019
Genres: Dystopian, Fantasy, Young Adult

A prequel novella to the new series from USA Today’s ‘must read YA paranormal romance’ author, Christina Bauer.

One day, eighteen-year-old Thorne will be the Emperor of the Omniverse, the single being who rules countless worlds. Trouble is, his father Cole–who’s also the current Emperor–is a sadistic freak.

In fact, Cole won’t even keep his promises to the very humans who got him his throne.

Thorne won’t stand for it. He decides to travel to the human world and make good on his father’s promises. What he doesn’t count on is falling in love….

“I love how Bauer manages to add some awesome new world building to each of her books.”– Woven Magic

This new series is perfect for: fans of urban fantasy, action and adventure, cool science, evil corporations, forbidden romance and hot new classmates who may or may not be aliens.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo / Google Play

My Review:

5 Out of 5 Stars

Genre: Aliens, Another-World, Mystery, Romance, Royal-Court, Suspense, Teen, Time-Travel--

Thorne is the "extra" prince, the unwanted one who has almost no power (aka Sentient, the alien technology that enhances special talents) but spends his time trying to save other worlds and dimensions from destruction. When a debt is called in and his father the king refuses to pay his due, Thorne decides to honor that debt in his place. But Thorne had no idea what he was going to find on this mission, and that it would alter his life forever.

It's not about what you have, it's about who you are.

I do not usually read short stories, actually I usually avoid them like the plague. But after reading all of Christina's previous books, I picked up Scythe which made me hungry for more and so of course I had to read Umbra. I highly recommend that you read this series in order, including the prequel stories to help fill in the world and the characters.

Alright, let's just be honest here- Umbra gets five stars because I love Thorne. He is worth five stars regardless of the plot. But that being said, this was such a cool short story! I read Scythe back in November and I had so many questions I wanted answered due to the shocking ending and crazy surprises. Well, I jumped into Umbra without having read the synopsis, just knowing that I wanted more from this messed up version of earth. Color me surprised when I discovered Umbra was told from the mysterious alien Thorne's point of view and how he ended up meeting Meimi in the first place. And then some extra too (not gonna lie, I have been concerned for Meimi's well-being these last few months)!!

You cannot imagine how psyched I am for Alien Minds! I can't wait to continue the journey and unravel more of the mystery and the worlds. This is the perfect series for anyone who likes science fiction, action, danger and true love.

Author Bio:

Christina Bauer thinks that fantasy books are like bacon: they just make life better. All of which is why she writes romance novels that feature demons, dragons, wizards, witches, elves, elementals, and a bunch of random stuff that she brainstorms while riding the Boston T. Oh, and she includes lots of humor and kick-ass chicks, too.

Christina graduated from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School with BA’s in English along with Television, Radio, and Film Production. She lives in Newton, MA with her husband, son, and semi-insane golden retriever, Ruby.

Be the first to know about new releases from Christina by signing up for her newsletter: http://tinyurl.com/CBupdates

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Blog Tour & Giveaway: Off Planet (Aunare Chronicles #1) by Aileen Erin

Off Planet
Aileen Erin
Published by: Ink Monster LLC
Publication date: March 19th 2019
Genres: Dystopian, Young Adult

From USA Today Bestselling Author Aileen Erin

Maite Martinez has always yearned for more than waitressing in a greasy diner on the polluted ruins of planet Earth. Hiding her special abilities is a full-time job on its own, even with the government distracted by the mysterious alien race – the Aunare.

When a SpaceTech officer gets handsy with her, she reacts without thinking. Breaking his nose might not have been her smartest move. Now she’s faced with a choice: serious jail time working in a chain gang on a volcano planet or join the corporate army to fight against the impending war with the Aunare. It’s really no choice at all.

As with everything in her life, Maite quickly realizes that the war with the Aurnare isn’t what it seems. And Lorne, the Aunare prince, keeps popping up everywhere she goes. Being seen with him could get her in even deeper trouble with her commanders, but he’s the first person who sees through the wall she’s built around herself and she can’t bring herself to send him away.

When the situation between SpaceTech and the Aunare escalates, Maite has a way to end the war before it even begins. There’s only one question: Can she stop the total annihilation of humanity without getting herself killed in the process?

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

My Review:

5 Out Of 5 Stars

Genre: Aliens, Another-World, Dystopian, Heart-Wrenching, Space, Survival, Suspense--

Hiding out on Earth, waiting until the day where the authorities would discover that she is a halfer- half human half Aunare alien, Maite knows that it is only time until she will be arrested. When tensions are already high, Maite ends up attacking a handsy customer at the restaurant she waitresses at- a customer who just so happens to be someone in power. Maite ends up arrested and sent off planet to work her punishment off. But she may not survive her punishment, which could lead to war.

Aileen's Alpha Girl series captivated me from the first chapter and ever since I discovered them I have impatiently waited to get my hands on the next book. When I saw that she had a new series coming out about aliens and outer space I was so excited, I knew I was going to read it. Hands down, Off Planet is unlike anything Aileen has written before (and I can say this with confidence as a super fan) and it was unlike anything else I have read period. With elements of dystopian, science fiction, an underlying mystery and a mysterious guy lurking on the fringes, I can say that this is a must read.

Being saved by someone was nice, but being able to save myself, that was a rush.

Maite was such an awesome character, totally capable and skilled, able to take on any opponent and have the upper hand (without using her alien mojo). I love that she enjoyed fighting and training, but she also enjoyed being able to educate others to be able to protect themselves. Off Planet was in no way a romance, but there were a couple of tasty men added to the list, my favorite being Declan, the honorable human son of Maite's enemy. And then there was the mysterious Lorne who has a connection to Maite she doesn't understand. I am interested to see how all of this will play out next.

Let's just talk about the fact that this is very much an adult book. I went into it expecting this to be another cute YA sci-fy romance story, but Off Planet was not that even a little bit. Between language, sexual assault and overall content and interactions, I would classify this as adult science fiction. Not that that is a problem, just a disclaimer for new readers. There were a few times where Maite was basically being tortured and due to Aileen's descriptive writing it was so real that I felt her pain and wanted to intervene.

My biggest problem with Off Planet is that I am left wanting more and the next book is not coming out until 2020! Sniff sniff, I will try and work on my non-existent patience, but we all know that is a losing battle.

Author Bio:

Aileen Erin is half-Irish, half-Mexican, and 100% nerd–from Star Wars (prequels don’t count) to Star Trek (TNG FTW), she reads Quenya and some Sindarin, and has a severe fascination with the supernatural. Aileen has a BS in Radio-TV-Film from the University of Texas at Austin, and an MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University. She lives with her husband in Los Angeles, and spends her days doing her favorite things: reading books, creating worlds, and kicking ass.

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Audiobook Blog Tour & Giveaway: Sail (Haunted Stars #1) by Lindsey R. Loucks

Author: Lindsey R. Loucks

Narrator: Kamala Alcantara

Length: 9 hours 58 minutes

Series: Haunted Stars, Book 1

Publisher: Evershade Publishing

Released: Nov. 20, 2018

Genre: Paranormal Romance; Science Fiction

Nineteen-year-old Absidy Jones is a ghost magnet, a sensitive person spirits flock to when they can't cross over. After her brutal past escaping the hordes of ghosts vying for her attention, she spends her reclusive existence melting down iron into bite-sized pieces. Whether alloy or wrought, ancient paper clips or nails, consuming iron is the only thing that keeps the ghosts away.

But when Absidy's sister goes missing in deep space, a dangerous place brimming with rogue planets, ship-eating nebulas, and vicious aliens, Absidy vows to find her. She leaves her safe haven and boards the first ship she can that's on a direct route to deep space - a ship that turns out to be haunted.

To keep the malicious ghosts from killing her, the alluring bad boy pilot gifts her a small bundle of all the iron on the ship. But their growing relationship is tested with the crew's prying eyes and hidden secrets. While the ship sails into deep space, it's not just her sister's life that Absidy fears for. It's her own as well. Especially since her stash of iron has shrunk to zero.

My Review:

3.5 Out Of 5 Stars

Genre: Aliens, Another-World, Dystopian, Romance, Scary, Space, Supernatural, Suspense--

I had been eye-balling Lindsey's books for a while but this was actually the first one I have had the opportunity to read. Hands down, this is the most unique book I have ever read, and I read non-stop. This was a mix of sci-fi, paranormal and romance all rolled together to get an intense, completely unexpected experience.

I found the book to have an incredibly unique plot, one I have never seen or expected in my wildest imaginations. The main character, Absidy, eats iron to keep away the ghosts that seem to be drawn to her. But the problem (ok, there are a lot of problems, but let'a focus on one) is that her body is breaking down the iron too fast and iron is a rare commodity. Add in the fact her sister is missing and Absidy gets accused of a crime she did not commit and hides her identity to sneak on to a spaceship to try and find her sister. Yep, there was a LOT going on in this book, between the sci-fi space stuff mystery, creepy ghost paranormal incidents and the steamy sexual encounters with a roguish pilot. To sum it up, Absidy had her plate full of a hot mess.

The narrator had such a very feminine, girlish voice yet she was able to make so many other character voices, including multiple male characters with such skill! Her narration was really enjoyable, and I am a sucker for a narrator who can make the audiobook come alive that way. She did speak fairly slow so I did have to up the speed to 2.0x to keep my attention, but she was so clear and precise in her diction that I have no complaints. About half way through the book though the sound quality changed, the narrator's voice at random intervals sounded far away occasionally for no reason. It was odd and only occurred occasionally so it did not really impact the book.

This is very much so the first in a series, so many things were left unsaid and undone that you for sure will need the next book to find out more.

I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Lindsey R. Loucks. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.

Lindsey R. Loucks is a USA Today bestselling author of paranormal romance, science fiction, and contemporary romance. When she's not discussing books with anyone who will listen, she's dreaming up her own stories. Eventually her brain gives out, and she'll play hide and seek with her cat, put herself in a chocolate-induced coma, or watch scary movies alone in the dark to reenergize.

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Kamala Alcantara is a Voice Actress & Audiobook Narrator capable of performing a wide range of voices & accents.

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