#205 Book Review: Empower

Empower (The Violet Eden Chapters #5)
Release Date: 12 November 2013
Author: Jessica Shirvington
Publisher: Hachette Australia
Source: Publisher for Review
Format: Paperback
Where to Buy:  Fishpond | Booktopia
More Info: Goodreads

Summary: 

It has been two years since Violet Eden walked away from the city, her friends, her future and - most importantly - her soulmate, Lincoln. Part angel, part human, Violet is determined to stand by the promises she made to save the one she loves. 

Living in the perpetual coldness of a broken soul she survives day to day as a Rogue Grigori in London. 

But when an unexpected visitor shows up at her door, the news he bears about someone she swore to protect leaves Violet with no choice.

Even worse, she fears that this might all lead back to the night she tries hardest to forget. And what was taken without her permission.

Violet is going back to New York ... and she knows exactly who is going to be there.

With Phoenix in her dreams and Lincoln in her heart she knows it is only a matter of time before the final choice must be made. 

Cover:
I love the contrast between dark and light and it really reflects the story and the core of Empower. It really represents the finale of the series and I adore it!

Story:

The final battle to test the power of love...

Well, the tag line above may sound cliché but that's how I felt throughout my journey of reading Empower and perhaps even the entire series. I have waited a year to read the finale of the series and I remember how last year after finishing Endless, I wasn't even sure if there will be another book in the Violet Eden Chapters. I couldn't be more pleased to find out that there's another book and although it is the finale, I felt ready to start the journey leading to the end of Violet's story. 

The ending of Endless left me heartbroken for Violet and Lincoln. Although Empower still contains that powerful action that we adored from the previous four books, I found Violet and Lincoln's relationship and love more prominent than other elements of the book. Perhaps it was because we were left hanging after the ending of Endless but the wait for Empower was absolutely worth it since there is plenty of romance which leaves reader breathless and anxious for more. This finale is all about decisions, choices and without spoiling anything, it's an epic finale that beautifully wraps up the whole series. 

Characters:

This is perhaps the best part of Empower. Watching Violet grow as a character from Embrace to Empower is absolutely a great journey, beginning from her denying her powers and abilities to the point where she embraces and uses them to save her loved ones. Towards the end, I was satisfied by Violet's development as a character. I also really adored Lincoln's character. Although his development was not as big and prominent to that of Violet's, I never stopped rooting for him and his love for Violet. Together, they form the epic couple whose relationship melts my heart. There's also Phoenix, who constantly made my heart twinge. Before, I was concerned about how Jessica would end the sort-of love triangle between the three and how she did it was great. It pleased me to know that all three characters could finally obtain the happiness they truly deserve after all the journey they went through. Of course, there are other amazing characters in the story but I have to admit, Phoenix and Violet and Lincoln's story outshine them.

Overall:

Empower is a powerful and satisfying finale to the Violet Eden Chapters. After waiting a year, this book is absolutely worth the wait. It has everything you want in a finale; an epic battle, a conclusive romance and most of all, a beautiful end to the journey of the characters you love and feel attached to. I will miss this series so much but I'm looking forward to reading Jessica Shirvington's upcoming works!

5 Forget-Me-Not flowers for Empower!

Thank you Hachette Australia for the review copy!

PS: Hi everyone! I'm finally back to blogging after 6 months of hiatus. It's going to take some time to get into the reading and blogging mode but expect more reviews to come soon!

Between the Lives Blog Tour - Jess's Favourite Scene + Giveaway!

Hello everyone! For my stop in Between the Lives's blog tour, Jess is here to share one of her favourite scenes from the book. I would also like to thank Amanda from Harper Collins Australia for putting this blog tour together! 

PS: Don't worry, it's non-spoilery ;)

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Sabine is in her Roxbury life and working at her parent's pharmacy after just making a discovery that might change both of her lives. It is also the first time she meets Ethan:

When I got to the drugstore, I said hello to Mom and the pharmacist Denise, then I wriggled awkwardly – thanks to my cast – into one of the white jackets that were supposed to make us look more ‘medically informed’. When Mom and Denise weren’t looking, I slid my notebook onto the counter. I kept a magazine resting on top of it, so when customers came in they wouldn’t see the list.

1. Test blood theory – exterior physical reaction 

2. Test hair – pigment and removal 

3. Test laxatives – internal physical response 

4. Test poison – consciousness and organ failure 

If points one through four achieve a successful outcome, proceed to next point.

My hand trembled as I wrote number five. 

5.      Choose

I chewed on a fingernail, staring at what I’d just written. Could it really be that simple? I didn’t know, but even so ... I crossed out the last point. It was too early for that. Points one through four first. Then I’d worry about what would happen ... next.

Giddy from the rush of thinking such forbidden thoughts, I did what I’d really come here for: I stocked up on everything I was going to need, waiting until Denise went on her break to grab some items from behind her counter. By the time I returned to the register, someone was waiting and looked like he’d been there for a while.

‘Sorry for the wait. What can I get you?’ I was sure I was flushed from guilt. I hoped he hadn’t seen me shoplifting from my own family’s store.

The guy, who’d had his back to me, spun around and glared. I let out a little gasp before I could stop myself. He was probably in his early twenties – and he was undeniably hot. Trouble and attitude radiated from him. And there was something ... more. In his eyes. They were startling: dark blue and intense, with a depth you didn’t normally see. Eyes that could too easily see through someone.

I set my shoulders and got ready to deny any accusations. But he just gave me an up-and-down look I couldn’t read – other than to know it wasn’t flattering – and shoved a handful of crumpled scripts towards me.

‘How long?’ he asked, his full lips set in a straight line.

I gave him a tight smile as I sifted through over a dozen scripts, more than a few for heavy-duty medications. That explained the aggressive, defensive attitude: drug dealer.

‘These are going to take a while,’ I told him. ‘Since there are so many and they’re not all in the one name.’ Hint: I know what you’re doing. ‘The pharmacist will need to see ID and call it through for approval.’ After which we’ll ring the police.

I kept a firm hold of the scripts, expecting him to snatch them and make a run for it. But he simply shrugged, leaned against the counter and folded his arms.

‘Just call the Roxbury Medical Clinic and give them the prescription codes and my ID details. They’ll verify.’ He slipped a driver’s licence out of his wallet and tossed it on the counter before narrowing his eyes at me. ‘How long?’

This guy was an ass. And thankfully I wasn’t in Wellesley today; I didn’t have to behave. I sucked in a breath and was about to tell him to take a hike when Denise came back from her break.

‘Ethan!’ she said, looking delighted. ‘What are you doing here?’

Drug guy shrugged, sending me a sly look. ‘Being interrogated.’

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Add the book: 

Goodreads 

Where to buy? 

Fishpond | Booktopia

Find Jessica Shirvington at:

Website | Goodreads | Twitter

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GIVEAWAY!

Thanks to Harper Collins Australia, I have 2 copies of Between the Lives by Jessica Shirvington to giveaway to Australian residents! 

The giveaway runs from today until 24 May 2013. Good luck!

#194 Book Review: Between the Lives [ARC]

Between the Lives [ARC]
Release Date: 1 May 2013
Author: Jessica Shirvington
Publisher: Harper Collins Australia
Source: Publisher for Review
Format: Paperback
Where to Buy:  Fishpond | Booktopia
More Info: Goodreads

Summary:

For as long as she can remember, Sabine has lived two lives. Every 24 hours she Shifts to her ′other′ life - a life where she is exactly the same, but absolutely everything else is different: different family, different friends, different social expectations. In one life she has a sister, in the other she does not. In one life she′s a straight-A student with the perfect boyfriend, in the other she′s considered a reckless delinquent. Nothing about her situation has ever changed, until the day when she discovers a glitch: the arm she breaks in one life is perfectly fine in the other.

With this new knowledge, Sabine begins a series of increasingly risky experiments which bring her dangerously close to the life she′s always wanted... But just what - and who - is she really risking?

Cover:
I like how there is a thin line, dividing the girl as if the girl has 2 sides in her and the blurry background effect. I think it suits the book quite well!

Story:

What if you had to live 2 different lives?

As a huge fan of Jessica Shirvington's The Violet Eden Chapters, I was really excited for Jessica's newest book that is not set in the world of The Violet Eden Chapters. I am still anxiously waiting for book 5 in the series, particularly after what happened in Endless (book 4), but I'm glad that Jessica wrote a new book which I really enjoyed!

Between the Lives is a story about a girl living 2 different lives. Sabine, our main protagonist, 'shifts' every 24 hours to her other life where she still has the same name, but surrounded by different family and friends. This concept sounds absolutely interesting. It's unique and I love the way Jessica explored this concept in the book. But of course, living 2 different lives in itself is strange so when Sabine experiences a glitch, she becomes determined to unravel the mysteries behind the 'shift', to the point that she might end up having the ability to simply choose living in one life and forsake her other life. Jessica's writing is as usual, gripping and I really enjoyed the way she explores the concept of the 'shift'. The romance, on the other hand, balances the mystery so well. The ending was bittersweet and I'm not sure if this is a series or a stand-alone but I'd be incredibly happy if Jessica decided to write a sequel!

Characters:
Sabine is a character I can easily relate to. Her suffering, her pain of living 2 different lives and her need to keep up appearances even though she hates it make her desperate to find out how the 'shift' truly works when the glitch happens. Sometimes the things she does are quite extreme and this is where I introduce you to Ethan, the guy who keeps Sabine balanced, 'sane' and believes her concept of living in 2 different lives. Ethan is an amazing character who truly cares for Sabine although he himself is a mystery. The relationship between Ethan and Sabine is sweet, beautiful and can be quite intense at times. When I found out the truth about Ethan, I was really surprised. It wasn't what I expected at all and it broke my heart. But all is well in the ending and I am completely thankful for that!

Overall:
Can you imagine living 2 different lives? Between the Lives explores this intricate concept with a touch of romance and mystery. If you love Jessica Shirvington's The Violet Eden Chapters, then you should check out Between the Lives! It's different to the series but still has Jessica's amazing writing that you will love!

4 Forget-Me-Not flowers for Between the Lives!

Thank you Harper Collins Australia for the review copy!

PS: Keep an eye out for teasers that I will post on Twitter ;)

#167 Book Review: Endless

Endless (The Violet Eden Chapters #4)
Release Date: August 28th 2012
Author: Jessica Shirvington
Publisher: Hachette Australia
Source: Publisher for Review
Format: Paperback
Where to Buy:  Fishpond | Booktopia | Dymocks
More Info: Goodreads

Summary from Goodreads:

Love will kill us all.

Angels are real. They aren't always kind. Violet Eden is certain of all this because she is Grigori - part angel, part human. She has felt the influence of both light and dark. 

When Hell unleashes its worst, Violet must embrace every facet of her angel self to save the people she cares about and the world as she knows it. But death is not the worst thing that Violet will face. For her, the endless question 'Can love conquer all?' will finally be answered.

Cover:
I like how the girl in the cover really represents Violet! Violet often ties her hair in ponytail and wears black shirt like the girl in the cover. Plus, I like the blue colour theme of the cover too!

Story:

Is love endless?

Endless is one beautiful and exhilarating ride. While I really enjoyed Embrace, Entice and Emblazed, the first 3 books in the series, Endless is the strongest book out of the whole series. I can ensure myself that even though I have to wait a year for the next book, I can never forget the events that happened in Endless. They are truly unforgettable.

Endless is named one of the 50 books you can't put down as a part of the Get Reading campaign in Australia and I absolutely agree. From the very first page, my hands are glued and I have to keep reading until the end. The story directly picks up from the ending of Emblaze and Violet's life is filled with risks. Lilith is hunting her and her mother, her relationship with Lincoln is fragile and her powers continue to increase. Besides Jessica's unique take on angels, there are so many things happening in the book and I love that constant shift from sweet romantic scenes between Violet and Lincoln to full-on action. Things are unpredictable in Endless. I try to guess how the story is going to go but Jessica manages to surprise me most of the time. What breaks my heart completely is the ending. I understand why Jessica chooses to end it that way but wow, I hope I can patiently wait for the next book!

Characters:
Violet has grown from the first book and I really enjoyed reading her character development throughout the series. My favourite Violet moments are definitely in Endless. She continues to prove herself as a strong heroine who fights for what she believes and care for. While I can feel Violet's uncertainty between Phoenix and Lincoln in the first 3 books, Violet is absolutely certain with who she chooses in this book. Her certainty of her choice makes me appreciate her more. This 'love triangle' is more than just a love triangle. It's not just love but bond courses through Violet's relationship with Phoenix and Lincoln. I still adored Phoenix but I loved Lincoln more, knowing that Violet and his relationship are progressing better and better. I manage to keep my hopes up for them but Jessica surprised me with the ending! But the character that breaks my heart completely is definitely Phoenix. Underneath his façade is a guy who is confused and torn between love and loyalty. As for other characters, I really enjoyed reading about them too such as Griffin, Spence, Onyx and also Violet's parents. However, Vi, Linc and Phoenix definitely stand out from the other characters. Their moments and scenes are all I'm waiting for because they are beautiful, sad yet breath-taking.

Overall:
Is nothing endless? Endless is the fourth breath-taking installment in the Violet Eden Chapters. Jessica's writing brings you a beautiful and heart-breaking story of love, fighting for those you care for and the power of someone's will. With constant shifts between action and romance, Endless is the strongest book out of the series! While Vi might believe that nothing is endless, I believe that her love for Linc is and I really can't wait for the next book in the series. Now, I shall return to collect the pieces of my heart that has been broken after reading Endless!

5 Forget-Me-Not flowers for Endless!

Thank you Hachette Australia for the review copy!