Vanilla Queens Dream Reads #3 & Giveaway

With just a few days until the release of Boundless; one of our most anticipated reads. We have our copies pre-ordered and just are nervously waiting for our postman to arrive with our beautiful copies. We thought we’d do a joint post on our thoughts on the series so far. If you haven’t read the series already, our post may contain a few spoilers.

The past few years have held more surprises than part-angel Clara Gardner could ever have anticipated. Yet from the dizzying highs of first love, to the agonizing low of losing someone close to her, the one thing she can no longer deny is that she was never meant to live a normal life.

Since discovering the special role she plays among the other angel-bloods, Clara has been determined to protect Tucker Avery from the evil that follows her . . . even if it means breaking both their hearts. Leaving town seems like the best option, so she’s headed back to California - and so is Christian Prescott, the irresistible boy from the vision that started her on this journey in the first place.

As Clara makes her way in a world that is frighteningly new, she discovers that the fallen angel who attacked her is watching her every move. And he’s not the only one. . . . With the battle against the Black Wings looming, Clara knows she must finally fulfil her destiny. But it won’t come without sacrifices and betrayal.

In the riveting finale of the Unearthly series, Clara must decide her fate once and for all.

Favourite book in the series so far.

Rachel: I’m so torn, because I loved the development of Tucker and Clara’s romance in Unearthly, but I think Hallowed is my favorite so far. The story is fleshed out so much more in Hallowed and we get so many answers. Plus, there’s conflict with the romance and MAJOR sadness. I know, how can I love sadness in a book? Well, it’s just that my emotions were pulled all over the place and it really made me feel!!

Jasprit: Unearthly. This book seriously knocked my socks off. I remember at the time I was super crazy with work, I had about a million other things going on, but every second I got I spent with this book. I remember all my Goodreads friends were on this huge high, as the release of Hallowed was just around the corner and once again I was totally out of the loop (the story of my life). But I managed to devour my copy in two days and was left wanting so much more.

What do you like most about the Unearthly series?

Rachel: I love the characters and relationships, they’re so well done. Each character is facing their own personal dilemma, whether they’re human or part-angel, and the depth this brings out in them is fascinating. The romance is pulling me in every direction, because this is one hell of a love-triangle! I’m not a fan of love-triangles, but for some reason it works in this series. I’m going to be torn up with either choice that’s made, because I’m attached to both Christian and Tucker. The angel world and lore is also quite good and the plot is compelling. I just find that this story stands out in every way when compared to other angel stories.  

Jasprit: I like the fact that it’s so different from the paranormal angel books out there. I remember at the time I was going through my long term paranormal funk, where I was suffering from a complete paranormal burnout, so I was super wary about giving Unearthly a try. But Cynthia Hand just took the angel aspect to a whole another level, she surprised me profusely that I wanted more of Cynthia’s work straight away. Also for the first time ever, there was a love triangle that didn’t have me cringing.

Who do you want Clara to end up with?

Rachel: In Unearthly, hands down I was Team Tucker all the way! Christian commits the one of the biggest of guy/boyfriend blunders in Unearthly: He leaves Clara, his date, at the prom to take his ex-girlfriend home!!! MORON!! So, at that point I crossed him off my list, and Tucker took up residence in my heart completely. Cynthia Hand had to go and blow all this out of the water in Hallowed. I got to know Christian better and it was evident that he and Clara together would make a perfect match.  With all that said, Tucker is still my first choice, but only by a hair! My heart is going to break for whoever is not picked. Oh, the heartache that’s sure to come!    

Jasprit: This is so tough! In Unearthly I was all team Tucker, with his dimple/dimples and teasing demeanour what’s not to love? But then in Hallowed Christian just seriously upped his game, all this charm, wit and loveable side emerged that I didn’t even know existed. He completely rocked the boat that I felt so torn between Tucker and Christian. But if I’m forced to choose then I’m going for Tucker.

Favourite cover:

Rachel: Well, it’s going to be an Aussie cover, obviously! They’re gorgeous. The Aussie Boundless cover is my favorite. Just as a side note, wasn’t Clara’s hair blond in Hallowed? The Aussie cover shows it red. Maybe I’m wrong. 

Jasprit: The Aussie series is just gorgeous, Aussie covers always seem to shine above the rest, and I definitely think they’ve outdone themselves. The US covers are a close second; I love how they’re themed so similarly. And lastly the UK covers, in comparison to the others I have no clue what’s going on here. My all time favourite cover has to be the Aussie Boundless cover; I could stare at it all day.

Aussie covers

UK covers

US covers

What are you most looking forward to in Boundless?

Rachel: Answers! I have to know how this whole purpose thing will work out. Is Angela evil? What about Clara’s brother? And, most importantly: Who does Clara end up with?!! I’m on pins and needles, here!

Jasprit: Like Rachel said I need ANSWERS! Hallowed didn’t end in a major cliffhanger or anything, but there’s still so much that I need to know. But my main priority is finding out who Clara is going to end up with, Tucker or Christian. The suspense is just killing me!

Who else is excited for Boundless? We've decided to give away one copy to one of our lucky followers, the giveaway is international as long as The Book Depository ships to you. Full list of countries can be found here. And the giveaway will be open for a week. Good luck everyone! Until then you can enjoy watching the Boundless trailer below.

Vanilla Queens Dream Reads #2 Losing Lila

Hello readers! Jasprit and I are back with our take on a book we both loved.  Back in January, Jasprit, Sam from Realm of Fiction, and I did a read-along for Hunting Lila and instantly fell in love with Lila and Alex (yes, drooling was involved!).  I knew I would have to read the sequel, so I was beyond thrilled when my lovely co-blogger, Jasprit, sent it to me as a gift!  Needless to say we both read and loved this story, so we thought we'd do another Vanilla Queens Dream Reads joint post, and give you our thoughts:

Here's a little about the book: 

Alex and Lila are on the run, desperately trying to stay one step ahead of the Unit, which is somehow tracking their every move. While Alex is determined to keep Lila safe and her ability secret at any cost, Lila's only thought is of finding a way back to California so she can rescue her brother and mother from the military base where they're being held. Struggling to control both her growing power and her deepening feelings for Alex, Lila decides the time has finally come to stop running and start fighting. Together with Alex, Demos, and the others she's come to think of as family, Lila plans not only to save her brother and mum, but also to completely destroy the Unit and everything it stands for. But the plan requires Lila to return to California alone, and to make friends with the enemy - and in doing so, she risks losing everything: Alex, her family… even her life.

Favorite character and why: 

Jasprit: There is such a fantastic bunch of characters in this book that I think I would have a hard time narrowing it down to one! Most of the characters all had an impact on me in one way, take Suki, which ever situation she found herself in, however dire, she would always bring a smile to your face. Then there’s Demos, he’s meant to come across as this scary guy who can force you to do things, but under all this bravado, he is a real sweety, who at times I just wanted to give a big hug. Lila; so determined and stubborn, you wanted to shake her for making people constantly worry about her, but she was one heck of a tough main character. And lastly but not least Alex *sigh* he has easily become one of my favourite literary crushes, he’s just the perfect package; over protective, caring, tender and totally swoon worthy. Thinking about him makes me warm and tingly all over.

Rachel: Lila is my favorite, I think because I felt closest to her, as the story is told in her POV.  She made such strides in character in this story.  She was so determined to rescue her family and bring down the bad guys, with little concern for her own safety. 

Most hated character and why:

Jasprit: Rachel’s dad; every time he made an appearance I just wanted to punch him one, anything to take the smug smile off his face. Rachel would be a close second.

Rachel: Rachel, Richard Stirling’s (the owner of Stirling Enterprises) daughter and all around evil you-know-what (rhymes with witch!).  She has full knowledge of what’s being done to the “psygens” and has no remorse whatsoever.  Plus, she tried to make moves on Alex in Losing Lila! No one gets between Lila and Alex! There’s another character I hated at the end, but I can’t say who, as it would spoil things. 

Scene that made us the angriest:

Jasprit: Rachel’s dads thinking just because he’s the top guy everything he says goes. How he assumed because he had Lila’s back up against the wall, she would automatically do all he says.

   

Rachel: The scene where Lila meets Richard for the first time, I don’t know how Lila kept control.

Favorite or most swoony/steamy scene:

Jasprit: Now I definitely can’t narrow this one down, so I’m just going to say everything with Alex ;)

Rachel: I’ll let the quote speak for itself. *sigh*: Alex sat up too and took my hands in his. “Lila, I promise you I’ll never leave you again, ever.  I promise you that I’ll keep you safe and that we’ll find Jack and your mum, and I promise that even if Jack does kick my ass, which one day I hope he will, I will still never leave you.”

Scene that made us saddest:

Jasprit: Two in particular; Alex and Lila; knowing she’d messed up, I honestly I thought it was the end for them. I remember reading this scene with a huge lump in my throat. Secondly Demos, I had so wanted him to get his happy ending, he’d completely changed my initial assumptions that I’d had of him and he’d done everything he possibly could.

Rachel: The scene where Lila misread something with Alex, all I have to say is, thank goodness for Suki and her mind reading skills! I also just felt generally bad for Amber, and when Jack put the blanket around her shoulders while he was comforting her, my heart was touched. 

 

Scene that made us most happy:

Jasprit: Gang going into kick butt, I had a serious adrenaline rush, it was so much fun being back together with the gang again; watching them hatch a plan, the banter between them and then constantly winding each other up. Oh how I wish I was part of Demos’ group too! 

Rachel: It’s so hard to pick, because there were so many!  I don’t want to spoil things either, so that makes it hard to share.  I was happy when Lila reached down inside and realized she wasn’t afraid anymore, and she knew she could kick the Unit’s ass.  Yes, let’s hear it for an empowered female!

Most liked secondary character:

Jasprit:  Suki; this girl would brighten up a room and everyone’s mood as soon as she enters, she’s always so lively and bubbly and of course I’d love to have as a best friend, I could get her to read everyone’s minds all the time!

Rachel: Probably Suki because she’s just so sassy, and how can you not love a girl that could give Imelda Marcos competition in shoe collection?!

General Thoughts and Final Rating:

Jasprit: 4 Stars. I absolutely adore Sarah Alderson’s writing, I have read every single book and they never fail to disappoint. Losing Lila was the perfect sequel to Hunting Lila, with its fast pace, jaw dropping scenes, heart wrenching moments, and a fantastic set of characters which will keep you thoroughly entertained. Sarah please don’t end this awesome series here *sobs*

Rachel: My rating: a solid 4 stars.  Losing Lila was a perfect follow-up to Hunting Lila. It was action packed fun from the first pages, we got to see a matured Lila using her awesome powers, so cool, by the way.  And if that wasn’t enough, I was swooning over hot guys, Alex and Jack!  Sarah Alderson really likes to write scenes with shirtless HOT men, count me in!  Added bonus: not an angsty teen in sight, just pure adrenaline-boosting fun!  I really hope we get to see another story, maybe centering on Jack next?

Would you recommend this book?:

Jasprit: I think this has been an amazing series so far, I recommend everyone should pick it up. It provides so much that I think it has a little bit of something for everyone. However just a fair warning, I’ve already called dibs on Alex. So you’re free to pick any other character ;)

Rachel: Absolutely!  A must read for Lila fans or anyone looking for pure unadulterated fun. Nice try, Jasprit, with the Alex dibs!  I thought we talked about shared custody?!