Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Crystallum by Laney McMann Review

**I received this book free from the publisher through Netgalley in return for an honest review**


Crystallum is the first book in The Primordial Principles that follows the story of Kadence Sparrow as she finds herself in the middle of the Primordial race that she has always known about, but never been apart of until now. Here's the full jacket flap summary:

Kadence Sparrow wasn't born a devil's child-she was turned into one. Now, she's hiding from the truth, and running for her life. 

For years, Kade's true nature has lurked behind an illusion, so when her dad gets another job transfer, she knows the drill: no close friends, no boyfriends, and most importantly: don't expose what she is. Ever. Keeping secrets is easy. Lies are second nature. So is the loneliness-and the fear, but when the Shadows attack, and Kade meets Cole Spires, she could expose everything she's trying to hide. 

As one of the Celestial Children, Cole lives by an oath: defend the Ward, protect the Primordial race, guard the gateways, and stick to his own. Everything else is a distraction, and besides, he's lost enough. Cole's job is clear, and no one his age does it better. So, when he meets Kade in a club downtown, he assumes she just wants his attention. Most girls do, but Cole soon realizes ... Kade isn't like most girls. 

The children of heaven and hell are living among us, fighting an age-old war. And falling for someone from the opposition is not an option. But a chance encounter between Kade and Cole will blur the rules, as Kade's journey to keep her truth hidden catapults them together and into a web of lies, forcing her to not only face the demon inside her, but to answer the hardest question of all. 

Which is thicker-blood or water?

I started reading this book and it immediately sucked me in. I am very much acquainted with the ideas of half-angel and half-devil children, but Crystallum took a different approach to the whole idea of it that I really enjoyed.

One of the things that I can't ignore that bothered me, is just how much some of the aspects of the story reminded me of Cassandra Clare's Shadowhunters series. Aside from that, it was a very fun read that had me hooked from start to finish. If you're looking for an enjoyable read that feels a bit familiar at the same time, then Crystallum is the book for you. By the end of it, I was thrusting for more.

The characters in this book were diverse, entertaining, relatable, and had readers really connecting with them. I really love the secondary characters in this book and hope that Lane delves more into their stories in the next books.

Basically, this a good book that deserves a read and I will definitely be picking up the next book when it hits shelves! And that's what I discovered when I read this book cover to cover!

The Vengeful Half Postcard Promotion

Hey everyone, I'm sorry I've been out of the loop lately and way behind on my reviews, but I'm catching up by starting with a review of Crystallum that I will post just after this one! Besides that point, I am promoting The Vengeful Half by Jaclyn Dolamore that is out and available for purchase now! I will have a review up of this super exciting book soon, so don't worry, but in the mean time, this is a book you should definitely pick up.

Here is the summary on Goodreads for The Vengeful Half:
This novel contains interior comics and art by the author.

Olivia might look human, but she’s grown up with a heavy secret: her mother is a potion-maker who fled her home in a parallel world, the Hidden Lands. 

Alfred is the blind, charismatic young heir to the illegal potions trade. When Olivia's mother is kidnapped by the magic dealers with whom she once made a bad bargain, she has no choice but to trust Alfred's offer of help. They travel to a strange new world of bootlegged American pop culture, lifelike doll people, and reincarnation. Alfred finds himself putting his position on the line to defend Olivia against his family’s conniving plans. Maybe he has morals…or maybe he’s just falling in love. 

When Olivia escapes from an attack by a curiously familiar sorceress, she learns that potion dealers weren’t the only thing Mom was hiding from. Dark secrets lurk in Olivia’s past, and now Olivia must kill or be killed by the girl with whom she once shared everything

I don't know about you, but that summary has me already wanting more.

The amazing author sent me this postcard in the mail that I have been meaning to share with all of you because I love it so much!


In case you can't read the quote that well, it reads:

"He imagined what it would feel like if she touched him when she said that. Her touch must be so different from Thessia's. Everything about her was a little sharper. He didn't feel like he had to dance around anything when he spoke to her..."

If this quote is any indication of what the book will be like, then I honestly can't wait to start reading! Who is Thessia? Is this a love triangle? Who is he talking about? Who is he? How completely amazing and heart wrenching is this book going to be? And can we talk about her super cute drawing that brings the setting of the quote to life?



The Vengeful Half is out now, released March 11th, and you should pick up your copy ASAP. This is the first book in a series and I can't wait to to start it.