Silver Shadows by Richelle Mead | Rating: ★★★★★

“Are you in a suit?" I managed at last, my voice choking up. "You didn’t have to dress up for me."
"Quiet, Sage," he said. "I’ll make the hilarious one-liners during this daring rescue."

Richelle Mead is at it again! And by that I mean, she’s being an absolute angel and nightmare and the ultimate goddess of suspense all at the same time. No! Joke! I repeat: no joke.

Silver Shadows is just as fast paced as every novel Mead has ever written and then some. I can’t say all the emotions I felt while reading this one because it’s indescribable but I guess you should trust me when I say it, this book will make you feel e v e r y t h i n g. Prepare yourself for a surge of emotion and a whole world of danger, because whereas The Fiery Heart was all about passion and love, this one takes on a darker tone, while still holding onto the romance and humor of the rest of the series.

Last we saw, Sydney and Adrian were separated when the Alchemists caught wind of their relationship. Sydney Sage was turned in by her own, and younger sister, Zoe Sage and things really hit the fan. After all this time of keeping their relationship a secret, they have been discovered and during an altercation in the night which our previous installment ended, Sydney has sacrificed herself to save her friend Eddie (who was with her when she was taken) and is now being held at an Alchemist reeducation center.

The Temptation (TSC #6) by Aubrey Clark | Rating: ★★☆☆☆

The Temptation is an all-time series LOW for the mess that was a continuation of L.J. Smith’s fantastic The Secret Circle series. What was once a delightful and magically dark trilogy is now a half-assed attempt at expanding the world and giving it a bit of a modernized treatment. And I can’t help but to think, once more, what the hell was going on in the minds of those who decided to continue the series?

Okay, okay, fine. It’s totally the whole money thing and it’s very tacky and disappointing but I do get it. I still think it was horribly unnecessary and butchered a perfectly good series by taking it away from its roots and the brilliantly kind L.J. Smith.

In theory this final installment could have worked well and packed on the action, it fell back into its pattern of being increasingly lackluster and a barrel of wasted potential. The Hunt, its predecessor, was far superior and while it was by no means as good as the original run, it was still better than whatever this was.

Once more, this is because L.J. Smith isn’t the one writing the books any longer and our ghost writer, Aubrey Clark, doesn’t quite have the spark or understanding of these characters like their creator did. Even the television adaptation (RIP, you were gone too soon!) seemed to portray the characters better than this mess.

Beautiful Redemption by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl | Rating: ★★★★★

There are lots of things we choose not to see. Doesn't mean they aren't there, even if we wish they weren't.

Fans were certainly stumbling over themselves in anticipation over the conclusion of the much-beloved Caster Chronicles. We were all thrown off in the final moments of Beautiful Chaos and startled by the loss of one character. His sacrifice was huge in the moments that he gave up his own life to save his family, friends and the southern town of Gatlin.

Now, we follow him into the afterlife and watch with teary eyes as he tries to come to grips with his own death. But he isn’t the only one struggling: those who were left behind in the world of living are having a hellish time moving forward.

One thing is for certain, one thing everyone should know by reading this series, is that anything could happen. Nothing is impossible. Nothing is forever. Nothing is certain. In one small jump, we lost one important player–but is there a way to get him back? Beautiful Redemption shows us strength and determination in ways we had yet to see and is by far the most beautiful of the series.

(Spoilers under the cut, so stop reading if you haven’t finished this installment.)

Beautiful Chaos by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl | Rating: ★★★★★

"When I first met you, that’s what I remember. I looked up at the sky and thought, I’m going to love this person because even the sky looks different."

With two installments under their belts, Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl bring us back into their striking story of forbidden romance, magic and struggle with Beautiful Chaos. Chaos has a tone that is reminiscent of the previous novels and fits perfectly with a series. As always, it’s smart and fast paced and will leave readers breathless at the finally twists and discoveries in the last chapters.

It absolutely sets the stage for something far greater and one last mystery for its final installment.

The Caster Chronicles is a unique blend of southern talk, the charms and the annoyances, teen angst, magic and young love. I have to admit that the growth in characters is something special and that’s the most important thing about it. All of the characters we’ve come to know evolve and it’s a privilege to watch.

And the plots?

Ow, ow, ow! Oi!

Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl | Rating: ★★★★★

There’s something about sitting alone in the dark that reminds you how big the world really is, and how far apart we all are. The stars look like they’re so close, you could reach out and touch them. But you can’t. Sometimes things look a lot closer than they are.

After a bit of procrastination on my part (and over a year of hassling from my other half) I finally picked up Beautiful Darkness, the first sequel to Beautiful Creatures and the second overall release in the Caster Chronicles. It took me long enough, right?

We’re welcomed back to Gatlin, a seemingly normal southern town that is layered between a world of dark and light magic, of Casters, Incubus, Keepers and Seers. Back are the familiar rules, plots and characters (and some new ones!)–but ever since the death of Macon Ravenwood, things haven’t been exactly improving for our leading lady and her guilt.

It’s summer time in Gatlin and something is lurking in the shadows.

As someone with a weakness for witches and angst and a dash of romance, I have to say that this second installment is far more superior compared to its predecessor. And I enjoyed the first book immensely so that is saying something. The fact of the matter is, once I picked back up this novel and began to read, I lost myself in it.

Firewalker by Josephine Angelini | Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5)

Love is being willing to become the villain so that the one you love can stay a hero.

As most of my readers already know Trial By Fire, the starting point of the Worldwalkers series, was one of my favorite 2014 releases. It was full of everything that makes a fantasy novel good and captivating. Needless to say, I was excited to see the expansion of the planned-trilogy with this years release in Firewalker.

(I’ve been waiting to just throw my money at Josephine Angelini. JUST. TAKE. IT. ALL!)

For me, my reasoning for checking it out to begin with was simple: I am, and always will be, attracted to stories that center around witchcraft. But what made my attention never stray was that Trial By Fire was smart, fast paced, romantic and the world created was just breathtaking and mysterious.

It was a magical read in more ways than one.

Fortunately for readers, Firewalker was all that and more. And for readers looking for more action packed sequences than the last, you’re in luck! In place were the mystery, the fantasy, the power and the romance. Josephine simply builds onto what we already know with changes, heartbreak and new mysteries and memories.

The Witch Narratives Reincarnation (Land of Enchantment Trilogy #1) by Belinda Vasquez Garcia | Rating: ★★★★☆

“I fear nothing. Neither you nor any of your kind can hurt me. Sticks and stones may break my bones, but humanity will never break me.”

From 2014. This book was won via Goodreads First Read Program. This in no way effects my review or alters my opinions on the novel at hand.

Okay... so, let me just think of two words to describe this excellent book. Oh, yes! I've got it! WHOA and UNDERRATED. Seriously, I'm so in love. This is the perfect introduction to the series and it will blow your god damned mind. I'm telling you -- I couldn't stop talking about it or thinking about it after I flipped the final pages. I'm still recovering from it. I'll probably still be gushing about it next year or the year after that and... Oh, God, I'm rambling. Can I have more, now? Please?

It started off a bit slow for me, I couldn't connect with it at the very start of it for whatever reason, but when it got into its groove I'm telling you guys -- it got into its groove. I have to include that there are a lot of things that are triggering in it, so while I enjoyed it, I feel the need to warn you that topics in here may include: death, incest and sexual abuse. Please, please, do not put yourself in harms way if any of these topics have the potential to bring in unfortunate memories for you.

That being said. Belinda's writing skills, her detailing, are on an entire level of excellence when it comes down to how she wrote this, the world she describes is breathtaking and frightening it chills you to the bone. It's the excellent addition to anyone's bookshelves if you, like me, love any and all things witchy and are craving something with more diversity, more chills and more intrigue than what the genre often has to offer.

Trial by Fire by Josephine Angelini | Rating: ★★★★☆

Trial by Fire is an unique, descriptive, magical, intriguing and intelligent creation amongst young adult stories of witchcraft. It takes familiar themes, and worlds, tying them together neatly with fresh twists and turns all in the form of parallel universes and more. Trial by Fire certainly treats its readers to a fantastic trip through fiction and it deserves a world of hype.

And within the fantastic writing lay loveable and relatable characters, steamy plots, some dark humor and a little bit of romance. So I ask: how can you go wrong?

With Trial by Fire, you can’t. And it serves as an eye catching introduction to Josephine’s latest series that will be satisfying to readers of all ages. Especially if they love stories which revolve around witches and are interested in seeing a new take on Salem.

Our plot centers around an ordinary girl who has yet to discover her true self and all the powers that rest inside her. In our introduction to her we see her as a smart but sickly girl who wants nothing more but to enjoy her life and be normal, and her ultimate goal in that moment is to, at last, go to a party with her best friend who she happens to have feelings for. What I enjoyed about the brief glimpse in our world is that it gives us an idea on how she handles certain things as well as her self.

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl | Rating: ★★★★☆

"Mortals. I envy you. You think you can change things. Stop the universe. Undo what was done long before you came along. You are such beautiful creatures."

Beautiful Creatures is the first in a series of books referred to as the Caster Chronicles written by this duo and takes place in our world with a magical twist. That magical twist being Lena Duchannes (rhymes with rain!) and her families ability to cast magic as well as a curse that has caused this young girl to fear her sixteenth birthday, where she finds out once and for all if she’s to be a light or dark caster.

And if there’s anything she could do at all to change her fate.

My best friend had been trying for a long while to get me to read this novel. He’d told me immediately that I’d become obsessed with the characters, the magic — the love story. And the family elements within.

I’m not going to lie to you guys, though — while I’ve given it a high rating and will openly admit my love to it, it did take me a long time to actually get into it. It was one of those books that I kept aside and would read a few pages before putting it down; having no motivation to continue at a quicker speed. If I’m being honest with you, for one reason or another, it took me months to get into it and finish it.

The Book of Spells by Kate Brian | Rating: ★★★★☆

"Charming girls. Fine breeding. Perfect manners. Black magic."

I’ll start my review by saying this: when I first began to really, really explore reading there were two sorts of things I’d look for in my reading material. Shallow, easy-breezy plots that you could gossip with friends about (see: The Clique, Gossip Girl, The A-List, The Insiders, The Au Pairs, Private, Pretty Little Liars… Get the point?) or, well, witches. And while this novel is enjoyable, I think I’d have much preferred it when I was in my early teens.

Private has always been one of my favorite young adult book series’, especially when looking for some light reading. In fact, Kate Brian’s books have frequented my shelves since I began purchases more and more books for my self. For me, her writing style was always much better than some of the others in her genre and the mystery surrounding plots in Private was always well thought out and just that right level of soapy drama.

Not to mention her characters are often well developed and fascinating. Even if they end up being totally crazy.

So when I caught wind of the path she’d taken in the series, I was intrigued! Witches and Billings Girls?

Be still my heart!

The Secret Circle Trilogy (Original) by L.J Smith | Rating: ★★★★☆

"The silver cord can never be broken. Your lives are linked. You can’t escape each other any more than you can escape destiny."

I’m a sucker for all things witches — and so it is no shock that this trilogy is one of the first things I got my hands on when I was old enough to read young adult literature. L.J Smith has penned many novels for teenagers (don’t be fooled — a majority of the newer things written under her name are not of her writing!) and has seen her creations The Vampire Diaries and The Secret Circle adapted for television.

Her work is often overshadowed by adaptions (The CW Network is home to many loosely based young adult literature adaptions that scarcely stuck to their source material) or neglected due to readers finding it ‘weird’ or ‘cheesy’ or just overall not the greatest in writing. Which is okay, seeing as not everything is bound to be a persons cup of tea and most of her novels were published in the 90s.

Did I forget to mention they are targeted at a younger audience, anyway?

Regardless, The Secret Circle Trilogy is one of the best showcases of L.J Smith’s work. Of the three novels in this first run of these characters, you come to meet a group of young witches as they struggle to use their powers together for a common goal — and of course there’s a little romance to boot. And, well, teenage drama.