Fractured Suns by Theresa Kay

While Jax and Lir fight separate battles, their missions have more in common than they realize. It’s a race against time to stop men driven only by greed and power. But the people they trust the most might be the very people working against them—and "family" doesn't mean what it used to. Will they recognize their friends from their enemies in time to save the people they love or will they lose each other in the process? 

Just gonna go ahead and get this out of the way... Fractured Suns does not suffer from second book syndrome... it was AMAZING!!!!  

The Broken Skies Series is a true hidden gem! This is a series that is WAY under-hyped! Theresa Kay makes writing look easy. Fractured Suns is the second book in the Broken Skies Series and again doesn't disappoint. When Theresa contacted us again to review her second novel I have "give me hands" flying all over the place! I knew I needed it but had no clue how much I was going too get out of it. Fractured Suns picks right up where Broken Skies ended. I'm going too keep this review 100% spoiler free because if you cant tell by now I'm very pro team-read this series.

We have Jax our leading lady. She continues to be a strong willed, stubborn, powerhouse of a heroine. She is such a strongly written female character and in this book we continued to get so much out of her. With her new found strength and power she really becomes a force to be reckoned with. Then we have Lir, who really steps up his game in this book. He is strong, supportive, swoon worthy, amazing male character. Since this book is written in dual POV (100% A POSITIVE THING FOR THIS NOVEL) we get so much more out of both these characters and it made their stories intertwine so seamlessly and it really pulls this novel together. Their relationship is just such a joy to read and get to experience. Though their relationship, of course, is a fictional one it feels so real. They are still new to it and are learning that trust and communication is the key to getting past anything. These two together have me head over heels with being head over heels in love. They have sky rocketed and easily have become one of my favorite book couples. I can't wait to see where they're relationship heads in book three. Especially with how the story is left off.

We also have a lot more secondary characters in this book. Sadly, I wont get to mention all because some are new players. We do however get a lot more Rym time! Which made this girl a happy camper. LOVE HIM!!! and his horrible comic timing. We also get a lot more Jace and Flint. These two characters were ones I knew would be important, but going into this book had no true sense on how much we were going to get out of them. Their characters took this book to a whole new level! (I wish yall could see my face right now.... It's.... Ugh... My mouths open my hands are fan-girl flapping around... I'm struggling to form actual words!) These two... Just wow. These characters are what would have made this novel a "make-or-break" for me. They made this novel.

The best part of Fractured Suns in my opinion is it's pace. You're never overwhelmed by one certain aspect. It has the perfect mixture of action packed scenes, romance, character development, and set this series. Even the scenes that are not fast paced action moments are still filled with amazing Easter eggs and little hidden treasures. Wait, did I say the pace was my favorite part?... I might have lied, the plot twist was my favorite part. Trust me when I say you think you'll have the "big reveal" figured out.... BUT YOU ARE WRONG!!!!!!!! You might be right about a few things that will happen, but you still wont be ready for what happens. I thought I knew exactly where this book was headed... but when the actual twist happens... I seriously jumped off the sofa, started throwing pillows around, pulling my hair, and then balled my eyes out. I'll never again make the mistake of turning my back to you Theresa, because it's clear you're not above shoving a knife into it and then twisting!
 

What an amazingly perfect, gripping, and heart breaking twist... No, not just twist, but story. This series needs to be on shelves everywhere and moved to the top of your TBR list. Theresa was clearly born to write. She is a writer I could easily see slip into other genres like New Adult and Contemporary and again make it look like she has been doing it forever  

This is a knock out novel and series that continues too surprise me. Fractured Suns will have you paying for the whole seat... but you're only going to use the edge of it.

10/10 Stars 
-Angela 

HIDE: Omnibus by Jax Spenser

When Keegan finally gets away from his brutal mother on his sixteenth birthday/ Things should get better but turn bizarre when his father picks up a hitchhiker in the desert. 

When I was contacted by Jax to read this novel I was really excited because... well obviously, Aliens. I was also really interested in it because I liked that it was a bind-up of a five part series. When this book arrived I was so happy with the way it looked (if you're an avid reader than you'll get what I'm saying). It's that shiny, thick spine, glossy style a lot of indie authors use, and it's personally one of my favorite styles. Also loved the cover art on both the bind-up and of the individuals. That aside, on to the actual review.

Omnibus is a bind-up of: Untethered, Singularity, Coherence, Freefall, and Redshift. All following sixteen-year-old Keegan Roe. Keegan suffers from blackouts and from a rough up bringing. After a turn of events he ends up with his father on a trip that ends up somewhere they didn't plan. 

This could be your last memory...

I love reading stories from a males point of view so again this added on too the reasons I was happy to read this. I wont lie however, I did have a little bit of a love hate relationship with Keegan. When I read the first two parts he got a little on my nerves. By part five I did end up liking him. I think I was just waiting for that moment when he finally grew a pair and just did something kick ass... Really wanted him to take control of his destiny. He does have a great deal of character development, but never exactly hit the mark I was hoping for. Hoping that when we get more into the story and when we get a part 6-whatever number that we can get a more grown up, tougher Keegan. At first his memory loss was something that I feared wouldn't grow on me either, but it did and I was real thankful for it. By the end it really turned into such a unique player in the story. The only side character I really think you need to know about is Lizzy Bruce. She was my favorite part/character in this series. She's had a lot of the characteristics I was hoping that Keegan would show. She was interesting while still maintaining to have such mystery surrounding her. She's probably who I'm most looking forward to seeing in the future.

As far as world building and plot I think this is Jax's real strength. He paints the perfect picture of a creep town, with vivid, and odd characters filling it. The pace of this story does start out slow but by the end you'll find yourself thankful that it took a cooler speed. The first two books Untethered and Singularity are all about introductions and world building, Freefall and Coherence are all about getting you hooked and placing Easter eggs, and Redshift really brings it all home. Redshift really sold me on this series. I loved the way all the memories, flashbacks, and little details finally get revealed. I thought I had a lot of things figured out, and was happy with the little twist that came into play. Hide takes a new spin on an old topic and gives it something extra. With how the story is left off I was left with a few remaining questions and wanting more... Not a bad problem as I see it.Seriosuly though that ending killed me I really nee to know what is going to happen next. By the end I was left thinking...

The Hide Series is a fun, light, brain twisting read that will have you craving more.

8/10 Stars 
-Angela  

Revisiting a book The Lux Series by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Sigh, so I have been feeling the book blues. I felt like all this month I have been in a reading funk. I don't know what's up but hopefully I can shake it off soon and get back into the swing of things.... Anyways, people always say that when you're in a reading rut that you should take a step back and pick up a book you've read before and loved. So this month I decided that my re-visiting of a book would be the book that I still too this date say is my favorite series ever. I read this series some time ago and recently I've been wondering if I re-read this book if I would still think it was my all time favorite (completed) series.

Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. Katy and him do not get along. But when a stranger attacks her and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand something unexpected happens.

Thinking about it and being in my slump had me picking up this series again. This week I took the time to re-read all 5 books. I also decided to do something a little different with the review as well...I decide to review this series as a whole. This is something I wouldn't do but in this case I felt it was necessary. I wont be giving out any spoilers I'll just be touching down on some bases about how I feel about this series as a whole. As I said above The Lux Series is a completed series by Jennifer L. Armentrout, with the fifth and final book coming out last year. The series is made up of Obsidian, Onyx, Opal, Origin, and Opposition. 

I CANT EVEN START TO EXPLAIN HOW MUCH I LOVE THIS SERIES!!!! LIKE HOLY ALIEN BABIES EVERYWHERE MY MIND HAS AGAIN BEEN BLOWN AND MY HEART HAS REMAINED TAKEN!

Everyone and their mom knows I'm more than a little obsessed with aliens so when it comes to books about them I am very very picky. So when I was first shown this book I wasn't really looking forward to reading them. With their cheesy old school romance covers... I just couldn't! BUT I finally decided to say "Screw it" and pick them up. Thank god I did that and this time. The Lux Series is still my all time favorite (completed) series. Even though the first book is like alien twilight I didn't even care. I prefer aliens to vampires anyways. I think this is one of the first series that gets better with each books. Each one I read outshines the last. I normally find myself saying how much I like the first book more than the third or the second one didn't match up well with the last, etc. etc. This wasn't an issue with this series, I repeat, each book is better than the last! (Opal and Origin are tied for my personal favorite because THOSE ENDING!!!!!! OMG!!!!! NO SERIOUSLY, CAN WE TALK ABOUT THE ENDING OF ORIGIN?!>!!?!$%^#%^$% LIKE WHAT!)

Not only is this one of my favorite series, it holds one of my all time favorite book couples... Katy Schwartz and Daemon Black. And lets just get down to brass tax... Daemon Black steals the show in every book. GOOD GOD DO I LOVE THAT SEXY ALIEN! His cocky over the top attitude never let me down. I love his love for life, family, and his lady. I liked that he was seriously the biggest dick on this and any other planet. Katy is a girl who refuses to be in the background. Her constant need to take Daemon down a few pegs, made me constantly want to high five her. But I like everyone else who has read this series, am in love with the romance. I love it! Sigh, it was just perfect.

 “So I was thinking, they're eighty-six thousand, four hundred seconds in a day, right? They're one thousand, four hundred and forty minutes in a day...They're one hundred and sixty-eight hours in a week. Around eighty-seven hundred and then some hours in a year, and you know what?...I want to spend every second, every minute, every hour with you...I want a year's worth of seconds and minutes with you. I want a decade's worth of hours, so many that I can't add them up.”

(TAKE ME AWAY!!!! BEAM ME UP HOTTIE!!!!)

This story also holds so many amazing second characters. As far as those went Luc and Archer are my favorites. (Leah, I know you're reading this and shaking your head and making fun of me BUT YOU KNOW I LOVE SUB CHARACTERS! AND HOW CAN YOU NOT LOVE LUC!!! That little lunchable eating son of a gun).

Normally when a series is this action packed it would come off as trying to hard, NOPE Jennifer Armentrout made it seem effortless... These books are seriously the definition of "a page turner". Each book left you wanting more. Even the last one had me wishing there was just one more! She gets sarcasm and romance on a level that a lot of ya authors just don't get... like holy hot alien scenes!!! (I heard a little rumor that Jla is writing a new book that will extent on the Lux Series!!! Someone please tell me if this is true?!!! Because I just might die.)

These books had me laughing, crying, screaming, and wanting to flip over tables with excitement. The characters are amazing, well built, hilarious, and just over all lovely! Re-reading this series wasn't a mistake. I'm 100% sure that Jennifer Armentrout wrote this series for me, I mean aliens, romance, and witty comebacks will forever be the key to my heart and Jennifer Armentrout owns that key. The only sad part about re-reading it was having to realize all over again that it's over. That there is no more Daemon Black in store. No more sweet alien invasions. No more amazing plot twist. For that I am not thankful, but for having read these I am. Jennifer L. Armentout still remains one of the few authors I will drop everything I'm doing/reading to pick up anything she writes.


10/10 Stars on all five books 
 -Angela  

(Lux BookDepo)

Broken Skies by Theresa Kay

"Thirty years ago, civilization collapsed. Few survived.
Ten years ago, the aliens arrived…and stayed.
One year ago, I killed two men and went a little crazy.
Today, the aliens took my brother and I will do anything to get him back." 

Until recently, the E’rikon have remained segregated in their city and ignored the few humans who have tried to engage them, that was until now... They have taken Jax’s brother. After the aliens have taken him she finds that she wasn't the only one left behind. One of the aliens was also left.  Coming to some sort of an agreement, they decide to work together to get her into the alien's city. That seems like it would be the hardest part of their journey... it's not. In this world where alien and human are at odds, the connection forming between the two could have major consequences. What started off as a rescue mission sets a chain of events in motion which threatens everyone one earth. 

We were fortunate to be asked by Theresa Kay to give this book a try in exchange for an honest review. Below we are going to post both of our views on Broken Skies. 

Angela's Review

All I knew about Broken Skies was that it was being compared to The Lux Series a lot... If you know anything at all about me you know that The Lux Series is my favorite series. And yeah it is very comparable, but too me it was more like The Lux Series, The Dustlands Trilogy, Taken, Alienated, and The 5th Wave had some kind of crazy sex party and during which a baby was formed and that baby turned out to be Broken Skies. Yeah it's that insane. On top of all of that I am a known Alien obsessed freak so I have very high standards when it comes to alien books... All that being said... I LOVED THIS BOOK! I LOVED EVERYTHING ABOUT IT.

Starting off with the characters. Jax is this fiery strong willed sassy redhead that you will love. Her loyalty and determination are absolutely amazing. Her character growth is off the charts! She is strong; yet weak at the beginning, but by the ends transforms into the leading lady that you wanted and you'll be standing behind. Her attitude is much like mine aka very sarcastic, and made it very easy for me to connect with her. Lir... OH LIR... I loved him. The second he appeared and was described I knew I was in love. Normally it's the characters I have to worry about falling in insta-love, nope this time it was me. whoosh, SWOON. Even when I hated  him I loved him. The relationship between the two is what really makes this story, and I have no complaints about that. Their relationship is an emotional roller-coaster that I want to ride on another 50 times. They don't have insta-love just insta-like and it was to cute for words. I like how their relationship builds, what it becomes, and how it is left at the end. At one point when they are in the Alien city and things happen with Lir (can't say what because spoils) that I seriously screamed....

It's just so good. The sub characters like her twin brother Jace, her family friend Flint, and Lir's cousin Rym were all strong and well rounded. I especially liked Rym. Pretty sure if some kind of side story or novella was written from his point of view I would eat that junk right up. The next thing I loved about Broken Skies was the world building. It wasn't anything over the top. It was just enough to get it's point across and then left it so you could fill in the rest yourself, and I loved that. Their journey never feels forced or rushed, another plus side too this story. With strong characters, and a strong story you think that is all I would really have to say about this book but its not... My favorite thing about Broken Skies is that Theresa has given us something new to the alien genre!!! AND THANK YOU!!! She gave us a new spin on what aliens look like. Their hair color was brillz, their eyes amaze, but the fact that they have these scales on their backs leading into their hair line was something that I thought at first hear was going to be odd... NO LOVED IT!!!!! Never thought a man with scales could sound sexy, but I loved being wrong about that.... And I know I've said this before as well but I don't care Imma say it again... I DON'T WANT TO LIVE IN A WORLD WHERE IF ALIENS DO COME HUMANS AND ALIENS COULDN'T BE TOGETHER!!!!! I seriously love them that much. And who are we kidding I know we all hope aliens come and that they look like Lir, Daemon Black, and Evan Walker. BEAM ME UP HOTTIES!!!! AM I RIGHT?!?!

The plot is fast paced and constant, leaving you with a "never a dull moment" feeling. The story starts small and just keeps building up and up until the ending leaves you breathless. No it didn't per say leave on a cliffhanger but just about as close as you can get too one. Action packed, no emotion left un-felt, and super suspenseful... Too me the ending was left at the perfect moment.

 I can not wait to read book two in this series, and hope that Theresa will bless us with more chances to read her work... Theresa Kay was born to write. She might be an "under known" author right now, but I have no doubt that that will end soon. 

10/10 Stars 
-Angela

Leah's Review

I'm not as big of an alien fanatic as Angela, but I do love some romantic action packed alien stories. When Theresa contacted us and described this as a post-apocalyptic scifi novel that is like Lux.... Well, SOLD.

I was sucked into the book as soon as I started reading. You find out early on that Jax is pretty damaged as far as emotions and people skills go. Something really awful happened to her which pretty much changed her life and now she relies on her brother to keep her together. Once her bro is taken away by some aliens, she kicks it into high gear and sets out to find him. Problem is that one of the aliens got left behind and is now with her. He also just happens to be a super handsome, sarcastic, and charming alien named Lir (seriously, who knew a dude with a line of scales on his back could be hot... don't knock it until you read it!!).  The thing that I love about Jax is that she knows she is broken. She knows that what happened to her really screwed her up, but it doesn't stop her at any point in the book from being a complete BA. She reminds me of Katniss from The Hunger Games where she channels her hurt and pain into doing what she has to do for her loved ones. I think she is a killer leading lady.

The majority of the book follows Lir and Jax on their misadventures through the woods trying to make it back to the alien city where Jax's brother is supposedly being kept. A lot of stuff happens along the way that brings them together... then apart... then together... You get the picture. Basically they spend two weeks together hiking through the woods and almost dying several times and accidentally fall in love with each other. They have to learn to depend on each other and trust each other, but EVERY TIME things seem to be going good for them, something else happens. It was so frustrating!! It was also sort of awesome at the same time because there isn't a whole lot of insta-love going on and you have to stay on your toes to keep up with all the action. But when it happens, BAM YOU LOVE IT. Oh, and I just love Lir. I love how he could be Daemon Black's handsome witty cousin. They could get together and be sarcastic and makes girls drop their underwear all over Earth.

There are some pretty major plot twists that happen. Like, I had NO idea and was completely thrown off my game because I had no idea where the book was going to go. In short, this book was amaze-balls. I was on the edge of my seat pretty much the whole time because I had no clue where Theresa was going to take the ending. My favorite part of the book is when Lir and Jax actually get to the alien city and the time they spend inside of it. My only complaint with the book is that I wish that there would have been a little less time in their woodsy adventure and more time focused on them once they got in the city. THAT ENDING THO. Holy bananas. Talk about a cliffhanger. I seriously need book two NOW because everything ended right when you are on the edge of your seat and have NO idea where your allegiances lie.

If you are an alien lover or just a fan of scifi in general, this is definitely a book you want to pick up. It reminded me a lot of Lux, The 5th Wave, and Alienated, which btw all happen to be my favorite alien books.

5/5 stars
-Leah

Fire in the Woods: Jennifer M. Eaton

Fire in the Woods: Jennifer M. Eaton

When a plane crashes in the woods near Jess’s home, the boy of her dreams literally falls right out of the sky. David needs Jess to help him avoid being taken by the military and to get back to his ship. This might be a little hard with her dad being a Major and all. As Jess finds herself falling for the strangest, sweetest, cutest guy ever she'll find out that she might have to choose between saving her world or his. As they race through the woods with Major Dad and most of the U.S. military one breath behind them, Jess and David grow closer than either of them anticipated. David has a secret that could change everything. Time is ticking down to Armageddon, and Jess must think fast if she's to save the boy she's falling in love with, without sacrificing Earth and everyone on it. 

Fire in the Woods is a sweet fall read. The Lux Series meets Alienated, this book will have you feeling giddy. If you know me then you know I LOVE ALIENS!!! I can never get enough. But what do I love more than just aliens??? Star-crossed alien human love! I don't think I can stress enough how sweet this book was. When Jess is running to the store to pick up some photos she decides to head through the woods where she is struck with a headache and then stumbles upon the mysterious David. With David having nowhere to go, injured, and with Jess feeling oddly obligated to trust him and help him, she decides to sneak him around and let him stay at her house.


"You see Dad, I can't stay in the house. There's this drop-dead gorgeous guy in the woods, and I promised to bring him ice... Nah. That wouldn't go over well. Certain things a girl should just keep to herself."


The thing I loved about Fire in the Woods was that when the aliens came here they think our planet is too cold. I've felt like when we do discover that there are aliens on our planet (because I know we will) that they would comment on it being too warm... So I really appreciated that Eaton took a different spin on this. The other  new spin on the alien genre I liked was that David took his appearance from Jess' thoughts. And since she was thinking about two smexy actors she just saw on a movie ad, it made hearing about David a lot easier... If you get what I mean... HE SOUNDS SO HOT!!! All muscles and turquoise eyes. Swoon. Jess and David's relationship is fun and entertaining. I loved that David is so clueless to how the human world works and how Jess soaks up every moment of it...

"Muddling around, he felt different parts of the door, and finally found the handle. A smile crossed his lips as he lifted the latch and the door opened. I did my best to hold back a smirk as he stepped out. 'You can fly a space ship, but you can't get out of a car?' his eyebrow arched. 'Do you know how to trigger a stagnant preemptory reaction in an overheard visualization module?' I folded my arms 'How would I know how to do that?' 'Any six year old can do that where I come from.' Well I wasn't born on a space ship.' 'And I've never had a reason to get out of a car before.' I smiled. 'Touche.'"

Yes, the whole book is that adorable. And thankfully there was no love triangle... THANK THE ALIEN GODZ THERE WAS NO LOVE TRIANGLE! Even though the love to me started super fast what can you really expect from a book?! At least it wasn't insta love. When the romance does start picking up and playing out it is as equally as adorable as the rest of the book. I love how the both of them had two completely different ways to show affection and that they were both so clueless to when the other one as flirting.

There isn't a whole lot of world building or sub characters in this book, but I felt that that was actually a plus for how this book played out. There is her dad and best friend but neither of them (in my opinion) were

super highlighted characters. I think my favorite thing about this book was the sprinkled in Alien references that we all know and love. This book kept a fast pace through out the whole time.The way Fire in the Woods ended was perfect. It did come with a sample for the first chapter of book two and I told myself I wasn't going to read it, but I caved and I'm so mad I did because I need to know what is going to happen.

Fire in the Woods does lean more towards the book Alienated than it does The Lux Series with it's light and care free attitude. I see why so many people are gushing about this book. Overall it's a quick fun and entertaining read alien fans everywhere will enjoy. It's been a good while since I've read a really good alien book and Fire in the Woods provided a much needed dose. 

8/10 Stars 

-Angela