Journey to Territory U, L.J. Epps

Its like a soft 3 stars...

I really want to like Book 3 of The Extinction of All Children series, and it does wrap up many of the questions readers have about what is happening. The pace and dialogue strays, but the basic story line is okay. I just couldn't get as into it but I wanted to know what on Earth was going on. Many of the questions about Emma and Esther come to a head in this book but the reveal falls flat. Emma made some smart decisions and some dumb ones but she is young...it's expected. I thought overall, she was a character I could rally behind.

Some of the twists were expected or so dragged out that when they finally do come out its not shocking. Emma continues to be challenged again and again. Will she be able to unite the territories? Read book three to find out.

I received a free copy in exchange for a fair review.

Oh, we can be heroes just for one day.....I need a tissue and a hug!

Okay I know I am late to the OMG Stranger Things is like the best show ever but I have no time people!

Anyways once Season 3 dropped, I decided Eff it, who needs sleep.  So I binged as much as I could between work, life, general BS...and finally finished it. 

In the last few weeks I have become irrationally attached to these freaking characters!!!  Mike and El make me all weepy with puppy love.  Hopper and Joyce kill me with sexual tension!!!  Steve is f**king awesome! I just...I love them all...its such a great show! 

It's the perfect blend of supernatural horror and plot. Not to mention the nostalgia!  I was a kid in the 80's...not a teen but I was aware of enough and remember all of it.  I was like Lucas' little sister Erica...maybe a little younger. 

Turn around
Look at what you see
In her face
The mirror of your dreams

It makes more sense once you watch it!

SPOILERS...DO NOT READ IF YOU HAVEN'T WATCHED THE END OF SEASON 3!!!!!





So I knew something BIG would happen.  I was sad when Dr. Alexi died.  I liked him.  He just wanted a better life.  But I KNEW a big character was going away.  So as the last episode ramped up so did my anxiety.  Then....THEN Joyce agreed to a date with Hopper and I knew he was going to effing DIE! 

I didn't want it to happen but as she gazed at him in the reactor area about to turn the keys I started tearing up.  Then Billy f**king sacrifices himself for El and WTF...I hated him but he was just a damaged kid...he doesn't deserve this!  When he says "I'm sorry" to Max before dying tears started to fall.  Then Joyce sees Will and is sobbing so now I am started to really lose my battle with my tears.  But when....when she sees Eleven and El realizes Hopper is gone its gone.... I am full on crying!!!!!!!!

I managed to compose myself.  I'm watching them pack up Will, Joyce, and Jonathan and it's sad...they are leaving Hawkins.  Its sadder when we realize El is leaving with them!  I mean it makes sense but NOOOOOO!  Anyways the tears return during that whole scene.  Nancy is parting with Jonathan....Will is parting with his BEST FRIENDS....Joyce is parting with everything she's ever known...and El is leaving Mike and the gang but Mike...and SHE LOVES HIM TOO!

But what killed me.  Like honestly ripped my f**king heart out...the letter. El is reading Hopper's "speech" he was going to have with El and Mike about boundaries and the flood gates opened.  F**k I am starting to tear up again just typing this! 

I lost it.  He called himself her dad.  He made sure she knew she SAVED him from his demons.  He said he loved her in so many ways.  And OMG...

So yea this show gutted me...THANKS A LOT GUYS.  Whatever, there is clearly a Season 4. Russia has a F**KING Demogorgon and when they went to get a prisoner to feed to it, they said "no not the American".  So the only thing keeping me from sobbing further is that in my head that is Hopper.  He got sucked into the Upside Down and spit out in Russia.  Right...RIGHT!?!?!?! 

I'm going to bed.  I am emotionally drained 😓

PS Showing them saying goodbye with "Heroes" playing in the background was so mean!!!!!! 

Journey to Territory M (Extinction of All Children #2) by L.J. Epps

Its more like 3.5 stars but I still enjoyed it enough to push to 4. The story is still following Emma and her rag tag group trying to force equality throughout the territories. This installment was more real. Emma is still infuriatingly stubborn but she seems to be starting to think about things before acting. 

There is more mystery, more death, more action in this book. If you liked book one you will like book two plus some. It's entertaining, it's exciting, it makes you want to keep reading. The relationships between the characters are developing well. I still don't like the "love triangle" LJ is implying but I get it. It creates drama and jealousy. 

I liked it enough to keep trucking on to book three. I need to know what is going on. Why is craigluy separated from the rest of the nation? Why is it three territories? What happened??? Why is the president such a jerk?!?! Who thinks "yes lets kill babies"?!?!

Thats my take. I think if you've made it this far you HAVE to read book three. Plus it is entertaining. 

I got this book for free from Netgalley to read and give my honest review.

Extinction of All Children - L.J. Epps

I'm undecided how much I like this book but it did catch my attention.  It is very reminiscent of another book with fight to the death game with kids, except that isn't the concept here.  Here it is another tyrannical leader making decisions for the populous that aren't very fair.  Our lead, Emma, is the last child of her territory who just turned 18, there are 3 territories and she lives in the poorest.  Don't worry, I'm not spoiling anything.  She is a strong willed, take nothing from anyone type of chick.  She knows inherently that the situation in her territory is wrong even though they try to brainwash them into thinking its for the best.

Its a quick read and it is interesting.  We follow Emma and her fight against the President.  She meets some new people along the way, many of whom seem to immediately fall for her.  Its the beginnings of teen love triangles, a rebellion, and bringing a family back together.  I think if I was a teen or early 20's I may have been more into it.  I liked it but Emma is so bull headed and young, its frustrating.  She is learning though so I do want to continue the series.  Its 3.5 stars form me but only because I am still deciding if I like Emma enough to deal with her immaturity and the boys just falling at her feet.  It's not really believable for me...yet. 

I will move on to book two because I kind of want to see where the story goes.

I got this book for free from Net Galley to read and give my honest review. (spoiler in the jump)

**SPOILERS**

The Invited by Jennifer McMahon

This is an entertaining story about a couple who gives up their "boring City life" to build a home in a small town.  Except things aren't all what they seem.  They are a normal loving married couple.  Its relatable but sometimes a little much.  I've not built a house from scratch but I've gutted and rebuilt from that.  And while we did it, it was hard!  I cannot imagine two DIYers building a house from bottom up.  No matter how much the wifey knows from her dad. 

Moving on, it was an interesting story.  You have this cute couple, a rogue high schooler, small town gossip, a mystery, oh and a ghost.  I'm not spoiling anything don't worry.  The dynamic between all of the characters was built upon as the story went on.  I like that.  It's not thrown in your face from the start.  You grow and learn with them.  While it was slow at times, and annoying others the story was good.  It got really good as all the pieces started to fit together.  I'm glad I read it and I would recommend it to anyone who likes a good mystery with some history, and  a touch of supernatural.

I got this book for free from Net Galley to read and give my honest review. 

The Devil Aspect - Craig Russell

I can't begin to explain how disturbing this story is.  Its fascinating but really delves into the dark recesses of the mind.  We are following Victor Kosarek a Doctor of Psychology in Czechoslovakia before WWII.  He is a brilliant psychologist who is in search of the "Devil Aspect" in his patients.  He had some trying times that led him to yearn to discover what causes such horrible Psychosis. 

He is new at an asylum where the Devil's Six are being held.  They are the worst of the worst.  They have done unspeakable things and cannot be put with common criminals or be released back into society.  Victor is there to pull prove his theory with these exceptionally mad persons. 

It's a story of mystery, murder, supernatural, and a splash of love. It keeps you guessing for the most part but I saw some of it coming from a mile away.  It flips between the asylum and Prague where a detective is trying to find the "Leather Apron".  A mad man who is carrying out horrible crimes against women.  It really was an interesting book but there was a point...a point where we meet Mr. Hobbs where I thought, I am so not sleeping tonight.  It's disturbing but keeps you wanting more. 

I would recommend this to anyone who likes a good mystery suspense all the while hinting at a supernatural element.  Check it out, but I don't recommend reading before bed. 

I got this book for free from NetGalley to read and give my honest review.

SPOILERS

A Hideous Beauty: Kingdom Wars I - Jack Cavanaugh

I give it three stars but only because its ending was redeeming.

I have mixed feelings on this one.  On the one hand I like the premise.  Its Supernatural meets West Wing.  Actually there was literally an entire season of Supernatural dealing with a not so good President and meddling angels but I digress.

We are following the mishaps of Grant Austin.  Pulitzer Prize winning author for his book on the President currently in office.  What he doesn't know is he is just a pawn.  Forces are in control and he played right into their hands.  He apparently is an attractive man with a weird sense of humor.  He sounds like someone I would like but he is written in a way that I almost couldn't stand him.  Women weren't represented well at first either.  I mean the first thing I do when I meet a new female friend is not have a girl power pow wow about our mutual ex and talk about clothes but whatever.  Nor do I fly off the handle easily, actually I don't know many women that actually do.  But maybe me and my friends are different and other females would get unexplainably jealous and irrational because of a complete misunderstanding.

Moving on, once we know Grant's purpose in this wondrous world it got better.  Too bad that was 3/4 of the way into the book.  But once we see the whole crazy situation laid out it got way more interesting.  I really don't like how Grant handles everything but I was rooting for him in the end.  I felt for him.  How could someone as insignificant as him be so important in the grande scheme of things.  How can a normal guy be so important to the war between good an evil.  How can one man change the world?  Grant is going to find out.

I liked the book eventually but getting to the better side of Grant took forever.  I know he is written to be a sarcastic butt but its a bit much.  I will probably read book two because of the ending.  So if you like a twisty Good vs Evil book, give it a try.  Just be forewarned the main character can be a beating at times.

I got this book for free from Netgalley to read and give my honest review.  

**SPOILERS**