The Lost Sun by Tessa Gratton

Synopsis:

Fans of Neil Gaiman's American Gods and Holly Black's The Curse Workers will embrace this richly drawn, Norse-mythology-infused alternate world: the United States of Asgard.

Seventeen-year-old Soren Bearskin is trying to escape the past. His father, a famed warrior, lost himself to the battle-frenzy and killed thirteen innocent people. Soren cannot deny that berserking is in his blood--the fevers, insomnia, and occasional feelings of uncontrollable rage haunt him. So he tries to remain calm and detached from everyone at Sanctus Sigurd's Academy. But that's hard to do when a popular, beautiful girl like Astrid Glyn tells Soren she dreams of him. That's not all Astrid dreams of--the daughter of a renowned prophetess, Astrid is coming into her own inherited abilities.

When Baldur, son of Odin and one of the most popular gods in the country, goes missing, Astrid sees where he is and convinces Soren to join her on a road trip that will take them to find not only a lost god, but also who they are beyond the legacy of their parents and everything they've been told they have to be.

Review: 
I absolutely love the Norse Mythology that this book is structured around. It is such a refreshing change of pace then reading the typical Greek mythology that has become so popular. Anyone who has read my reviews know that I am a huge mythology buff, so I was ecstatic to have won this book and gotten a chance to review it. 

I would have loved to see a bit more character and plot depth however. It all just fell flat for me, as if someone was relating the days events in a list. I didn't find myself captivated or relating to the character's. 

This book has so much potential, as does the series and given the mythology aspect I intend to check out the next instalment with hopes that there will be something else other then the mythology to keep it afloat for me like it did for this book. 

 Rating:
2 out of 5 Raven's. (Just not for me) 

Burning by Elana K. Arnold

Synopsis:

Ben: Having just graduated from high school, Ben is set to leave Gypsum, Nevada. It's good timing since the gypsum mine that is the lifeblood of the area is closing, shutting the whole town down with it. Ben is lucky: he's headed to San Diego, where he's got a track scholarship at the University of California. But his best friends, Pete and Hog Boy, don't have college to look forward to, so to make them happy, Ben goes with them to check out the hot chick parked on the side of Highway 447. 

Lala: She and her Gypsy family earn money by telling fortunes. Some customers choose Tarot cards; others have their palms read. The thousands of people attending the nearby Burning Man festival spend lots of cash--especially as Lala gives uncanny readings. But lately Lala's been questioning whether there might be more to life than her upcoming arranged marriage. And the day she reads Ben's cards is the day that everything changes for her. . . and for him

Review:
I was attracted to this book because of the gypsy aspect of it. As a fan of the television show " My Big Fat American Gypsy Wedding" and other shows of that sort, I already knew a bit of gypsy history and I was curious to see how it would play out in the written world. 

It was a little concerning to see how the gypsy males where portrayed in the story. They all seemed controlling and a little abusive, given how little is known about Gypsy's it made it come across that this is how all the men act, and it very well could be but until it is a fact I would have liked to see at least one male that was a good role model.

I did like how it seemed to keep to the gypsy tradition and heritage.  And I think my favorite part out of the entire story had more to do with Ben's little brother coming out to Ben then either of the two main character's. I actually wished that the book had had more of him in it or gone deeper into his story.

Overall I am stuck in the middle with this book because I neither loved nor hated the book, I am just kinda meh when it comes to it.

Rating:
3 out of 5 Raven's. (It was ok.)

The Elite by Rachel Van Dyken

Synopsis:
When I won the annual Eagle Elite College Scholarship lottery, I was thrilled. After all, my grandma had just died and I wanted to take care of my aging grandpa -- he couldn't be a farmer in Wyoming forever. And graduating from Eagle Elite meant opportunity.

But I wasn't counting on meeting Nixon.

Nor was I counting on the rules of the Elect.

1. Do not touch The Elect.
2. Do not look at The Elect.
3. Do not speak to The Elect.

And worst of all? Don't discover the secret they hide, because in the end, you may just realize... it's about you.

*This is a New Adult Book, blood, violence, cursing, sexual references, and drug use. Not recommended for those under 17*




Review:
 I loved every single thing about this book. It is full of steamy action that kept my eyes glued to the pages as I eagerly devoured Trace's story and took the journey to discover the truth with her.

 
Rachel Van Dyken truly hit the mark in every single way with this book. I mean what more can you ask for when it comes to something swoon worthy, you have pages filled with hot guys, piercings, tattoo's, knights in shining armor and then there are the mob bosses and violence that gets your heart pounding.

I loved that with each character I found myself getting attached to them, there was not just one that drew my interest, but all of them. I wanted to know what made them tick, I wanted to know more about them.

I wanted to know why Nixon had those rules put in place, why he even got away with being the way he was and running things the way he did, or why he ran things the way he did. Most of all I wanted to know what his issue with being touched was.

I wanted to know why Chase was so nice to Trace when it was obvious that it was going to cause nothing but trouble.

I loved that Trace didn't back down from Nixon when she first met him, she didn't let herself be pushed and bullied by his threats. She might have been scared but she stood up for herself. She was such a strong character.

The plot twist I sadly saw coming but even still I found it enjoyable and the predictability of it didn't take away from the storyline. I cannot wait for the next installment in the series and I intend to look more into book written by the author.

Rachel Van Dyken has a made a new fan out of me!

Rating:

5 out of 5 Raven's!

Favorite Charrie: Chase, for being so sweet and so chivalrous. For always breaking the ice and making me laugh.