Title: The Lord of Opium (Matteo Alacran #2)
Author: Nancy Farmer
Release date: September 3, 2013

As the teenage ruler of his own country, Matt must cope with clones and cartels in this riveting sequel to the modern classic House of the Scorpion, winner of the National Book Award, a Newbery Honor, and a Printz Honor.

Matt has always been nothing but a clone—grown from a strip of old El Patron’s skin. Now, at age fourteen, he finds himself suddenly thrust into the position of ruling over his own country. The Land of Opium is the largest territory of the Dope Confederacy, which ranges on the map like an intestine from the ruins of San Diego to the ruins of Matamoros. But while Opium thrives, the rest of the world has been devastated by ecological disaster—and hidden in Opium is the cure.

And that isn’t all that awaits within the depths of Opium. Matt is haunted by the ubiquitous army of eejits, zombielike workers harnessed to the old El Patron’s sinister system of drug growing—people stripped of the very qualities that once made them human.

Matt wants to use his newfound power to help, to stop the suffering, but he can’t even find a way to smuggle his childhood love, Maria, across the border and into Opium. Instead, his every move hits a roadblock, some from the enemies that surround him…and some from a voice within himself. For who is Matt really, but the clone of an evil, murderous dictator?

3/5 Stars

While The House of the Scorpion did leave some loose ends, I found that The Lord of Opium tended to flat line a tad for me.

In book two we see the major characters with a few new ones added in to. I would recommend re-reading the first book before this one, to refresh ones memory if need be. Depending upon how long ago you read it.

This book mainly revolves around Matt adjusting to his role as The Lord of Opium. As much as I wanted to see more of Maria and Matt they were fairly well separated throughout this instalment. I’d like to have seen a little more romance, and interaction between these main characters. I do realize that it is not a romance novel but as a reader would certainly have liked more.

I enjoyed the added twist with Matt to cure one of the secondary characters. But I have to say I didn’t enjoy her much as a character – she didn’t seem to have much depth for me. A minion if anything.

Matt has a character that is believable and flawed. Not perfect what so ever, we see conflict within himself from his emotions to his thoughts about his new position and himself as a person.
The author does a wonderful job of building the world created and I definitely give a gold star for this. It’s one thing I do enjoy seeing in my read. Creativity and Uniqueness’s! lol.

This instalment was not as strong as the previous book, but certainly had some great factors. The complexity alone was intriguing and the authors’ writing was great. Just the storyline fell a little short for me.

For all those readers who enjoyed Divergent by Veronica Roth you may also like this story.

Thank you to Simon and Schuster Australia for supplying me this copy of the book for my honest review.

Consume by Melissa Darnell book review

Release Date: Out now!

Publisher: HarlequinTeen

Pages: 384pgs

The Story

Tristan Coleman has survived the change from Clann magic user to vampire, much to Savannah Colbert's joy—and despair. By changing the Clann's golden boy and newly elected leader, even to save him from death, she has unleashed a fury of hatred and fear that they cannot escape.

As the Clann and the vampire council go to war, Tristan and Sav face a new threat—a fracturing of the all-consuming bond they share. To fight for peace, they must forge a new trust and risk everything to take down their deadliest enemy, even as they must run for their lives. Soon they will learn that some bonds are stronger than love—and some battles cannot be won without sacrifice.

My  Review
A big thanks to Harlequin Australia for sending me a review copy of this book!

CONSUME is the final instalment in The Clann trilogy, overall it was not my favourite  book in the series but was glad to see how the characters went and the finale ended. We see everything concluded and what I’d say a good end to a three part series.

The first two books and this one including, the author did a wonderful job of creating the world that she has.

It certainly answered most of the questions us readers ask ourselves as we follow a series. I found that the character development fell a little flat for me in this series, like something more was needed. I felt like the storyline needed more as well. We see Tristan’s dilemma in this series but honestly this instalment fell flat for me, however as a reader we get a conclusion that we certainly were looking forward to which for me was a great bonus.

This is a great series overall, and I do recommend it to all who enjoy a ya storyline with a great world to immerse yourself in.

 

3/5 stars

 

Unbreakable by Kami Garcia Book review

Supernatural meets The Da Vinci Code in this action-packed paranormal thriller, the first book in a new series from New York Times bestselling author Kami Garcia.

I never believed in ghosts. Until one tried to kill me.

When Kennedy Waters finds her mother dead, her world begins to unravel. She doesn’t know that paranormal forces in a much darker world are the ones pulling the strings. Not until identical twins Jared and Lukas Lockhart break into Kennedy’s room and destroy a dangerous spirit sent to kill her. The brothers reveal that her mother was part of an ancient secret society responsible for protecting the world from a vengeful demon — a society whose five members were all murdered on the same night.

Now Kennedy has to take her mother’s place in the Legion if she wants to uncover the truth and stay alive. Along with new Legion members Priest and Alara, the teens race to find the only weapon that might be able to destroy the demon — battling the deadly spirits he controls every step of the way.

Suspense, romance, and the paranormal meet in this chilling urban fantasy, the first book in a new series from Kami Garcia, bestselling coauthor of the Beautiful Creatures novels.

 

 

 

3 Stars

Unbreakable had a lot of great qualities. I really enjoyed the mysterious plot that Garcia put forth and the fact that is was completely different to her previous novel Beautiful Creatures was a bonus.

The only thing that I didnt enjoy in parts was the teenage melodrama and whining and at times the immaturity. But overall its a fast read .



The horror put forth was eery and the plot was good, but I felt that the romance was a little laid back for me. I personally enjoy a little more romance that seems to blend better in my novels but this story certainly has a lot of potential.


Anyone who enjoys a great horror story will certainly enjoy this story it’s defiantly not for the faint at heart.


Unbreakable is a supernatural - paranormal read, and this author has woven this well throughout the story. Once again this shows the authors ability to tell a story and her unique writing abilities.


At times the story was a tad predictable – but the constant action and scary moments will certainly have the horror fans appeased.


Unbreakable does focus a lot on the characters and their backgrounds. Unique and well defined. Which initially is setting up for the next instalment giving the reader background information. But with the fast paced and on the edge read I’m sure that the horror fans will enjoy.


I look forward to the next instalment.

Thank you to Simon and schuster for supplying me with this book  for my honest review.