COLLIDE (The Taking #3) by Melissa West ARC Review plus Giveaway

COLLIDE (The Taking #3)

by Melissa West 

Release Date: 02/09/15

Entangled Teen

320 pages

Summary from Goodreads:

Military legacy Ari Alexander has survived alien spies, WWIV, and a changing world order. But when the new leader of Earth uses Jackson—the only boy she's ever let herself care about—to get to her, Ari has no choice but to surrender.

To free Jackson, she agrees to travel to the national bases to train others to fight. What she discovers is a land riddled with dying people. Ari has the power to heal by turning the fighters into aliens—half-breeds like her. If she succeeds, together, they have a chance at overthrowing the alien leader, Zeus. But if she fails, everyone she holds dear will be wiped away forever.

Once again, everything Ari’s come to believe is thrown into question. In a world of uncertainty, loyalties are tested, lies are uncovered, and no one can be trusted. If Ari and Jackson have any hope at survival and at preserving a life for the future, they must fight the final war with their eyes wide open.

BUY LINKS:
Amazon│B&N│Kobo

BOOK REVIEW:
Rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have no idea what to say. I just turned the very last page of the final book in the trilogy that I really, really LOVE and I feel overwhelmed, sad and ecstatic all at once. I've read Gravity and Hover and felt nothing but awe with both books and I'm so happy to say Collide is no different. This book will make you swoon, cry, smile, scream and have you on edge until the end. It's the perfect conclusion to an amazing and unforgettable series!

Hover ended on a really huge cliffhanger so when I finally got my hands on an arc of Collide I dropped everything and immediately dived into this foreign but beautiful world. I didn't think it was possible for the series to get better but it did! There was so much intense action, drama and romance going on that it never got boring. Jackson and Ari never fail to amaze me. They're both so stubborn, selfless and willing to do anything it takes to save everyone. Unfortunately, you cannot save everyone in a war. Death is inevitable. I got teary eyed and my heart broke for Ari several times. Watching her go through the grief but not being able to show it is just... sad. I have always admired her determination and fierce personality and it shows every time just how strong of a person she is. She's one kickass heroine. I love seeing her character grow. She used to be the kind of girl who never depends on anyone but herself. She makes decisions and acts on them without really thinking about her safety. She's still all those things but now she sees that she's not alone and she doesn't have to be. She knows that she's a part of something bigger - with her family, all her friends and Jackson. I've said it then and I'll say it again, I am IN LOVE with Jackson Castello. 

“I don’t want to fight. Or yell. Or even talk to you. What I want to do is…” I trail off, not sure I want to admit my true thoughts with my parents a wall away.

Jackson smirks, his head tilting in that way I love. “Is what, exactly?”

How could anyone not love him? He's protective, understanding, gentle and caring. He has lost a lot of the people he loves but he never falters to be there for Ari when she needs him. And that scene with Ari's mom and dad! Talk about every guy's nightmare (lol). 

Collide was full of action, drama, swoon-worthy moments, heartbreak, excitement and everything you could ask for. I love the twists and turns to the story, the addition of new characters and the feeling of not knowing who to trust (I was very suspicious of everyone). So what's up with my one star missing review you may ask? Well I've always had in my mind that when Ari and Zeus finally come face to face in battle, it would be this epic, bloody and super intense fight to the death. Unfortunately (just like in HP and Hex Hall) that's not what I got. I admit I was kinda disappointed when I came to that particular part of the book and how the ending felt just a bit rushed. But since I've always had a special place in my heart for the Taking series, I didn't let those bother me too much. The ending didn't feel like it was wrapped up too nicely and neatly which was okay with me. I like my endings feeling hopeful and full of so many possibilities. Hey as long as I get to see Ari and Jackson well and together, you won't hear me complaining.

I have to say my heart is breaking to have to say goodbye to this great series. But since all good things come to an end and I could still stalk Melissa West in all of social media, I'd happily and eagerly wait until her next book comes out. And if you haven't started the series yet, I highly recommend that you do now. Must-read!

I received an e-arc to read and review as part of the tour.

Books in this series:

(covers linked to Goodreads)

 

Buy Links to Gravity (Book One):
Amazon│B&N│Kobo Books

Buy Links for Hover (Book Two):
Amazon│B&N│Kobo Books

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Melissa West writes young adult and new adult novels for Entangled Teen and Embrace and Penguin/InterMix. She lives outside of Atlanta, GA with her husband and two daughters and spends most of her time writing, reading, or fueling her coffee addiction.

She holds a B.A. in Communication Studies and a M.S. in Graphic Communication, both from Clemson University. Yeah, her blood runs orange.

Author Links:

   

GIVEAWAY:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Tour Organized by:

Release Day Blitz and Giveaway: HOW TO UNBREAKUP by Rebekah Purdy

HOW TO UNBREAKUP

by Rebekah L. Purdy 

Release Date: 02/10/15

Swoon Romance

Summary from Goodreads:

First rule of breakups: There’s no going back.

For three years, seventeen-year-old Grace Evers has regretted breaking up with Sage Castle.

That day, she lost her boyfriend and best friend. And let's be honest, it's impossible to just be friends with the one person who gets you, faults and all, and loved you anyway. It's impossible not to think about how it felt to be held by him, or the way he looked right before he was about to kiss you with the most perfectly yummy kiss goodnight.

And now that things are over between them, they've become strangers to one another. Sage won’t even look at Grace, let alone talk to her!

Breakup life sucks and Grace is utterly miserable, doing whatever she can to ease the pain of losing Sage. She's spent the better part of high school pretending to be something she’s not and hanging out with people who probably wouldn't notice if she wasn't there. Crappy dates, backstabbing friends, and Sage's cold shoulder have taken their toll.

So when her parents propose going away to their house on Lake Michigan for the summer, Grace is thrilled. No more massively bad dates with horrible kissers or lunch with frienemies. Just three months of swimming, hiking, and relaxing before senior year starts.

But when Grace learns Sage and his family will be joining them, she readies herself for a totally awkward family vacation of disastrous proportions. How can it be anything but awful if Sage won't even acknowledge she exists?

This is it, Grace's last chance to get Sage back and unbreakup.

BUY LINKS:
Amazon

BOOK EXCERPT:

“Let’s check out the deck.” Mom looped her arm through mine as we made our way around the furniture to the glass doors. As soon as we pushed them open, the scent

of the lake and beach hit me. The sound of gulls echoed in the air. Beach chairs lined the deck, the view breathtaking. From here, I saw there was already a fire pit dug out on the beach. The doorbell rang from inside and Mom squealed. “Come on,” she said. 

My parents rushed to the front door, us kids on their heels. “Time for our other surprise.” Dad glanced at us as he whipped open the door. 

There, standing on the porch, was the Castle family. No. Flipping. Way. 

Sage’s mouth dropped open in disbelief. He met my gaze then looked away, obviously his parents hadn’t let him in on the surprise either. I squeezed my eyes tight then opened them again, trying to ignore the sick pit in my stomach. Okay. Just keep calm. It isn’t the end of the world. Not yet anyway. 

“Welcome Castle family,” Dad said, hugging Mr. and Mrs. Castle. “The Evers and Castles together again.” Mr. Castle chuckled. “Now how’s this for a surprise?” “I gave up soccer camp for this?” Sage asked, his eyes narrowed. “Yep, and you’re going to enjoy it. End of discussion.” Mr. Castle gave him a warning look. 

Sage pushed inside, carrying his stuff, not even bothering another glance in my direction. Crap. This wasn’t happening. It might be the end of discussion for Mr. Castle, but I had a feeling this was far from over. If things kept going like they were, it’d be a long, miserable summer for all of us. 

Allie smiled as she came inside. “This is freaking sweet. We’ll be able to hang out all summer. Just like old times.” “Yeah. Just like old times.” I gave her a quick hug. Minus the part where Sage actually talked to me. Things in my life were about to get a whole lot more complicated.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Rebekah Purdy grew up in Michigan, where she spent many late nights armed with a good book and a flashlight. When not hiding at her computer and getting lost in her stories, she enjoys reading, singing, soccer, swimming, football, camping, playing video games and hanging out with her kids. 

She loves the unexplainable like Bigfoot, the Dogman, and the Loch Ness Monster (lots of good story material)! She admits to still having all the books she bought throughout her childhood and teen years, and she may or may not have an obsession with anything chocolate…

AUTHOR LINKS:

   


GIVEAWAY:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Blitz Organized by:

Release Day Blast and Giveaway: COLLIDE (The Taking #3) by Melissa West

Collide (The Taking #3)

by Melissa West 

Release Date: 02/09/15

Entangled Teen

320 pages

Summary from Goodreads:

Military legacy Ari Alexander has survived alien spies, WWIV, and a changing world order. But when the new leader of Earth uses Jackson—the only boy she's ever let herself care about—to get to her, Ari has no choice but to surrender.
To free Jackson, she agrees to travel to the national bases to train others to fight. What she discovers is a land riddled with dying people. Ari has the power to heal by turning the fighters into aliens—half-breeds like her. If she succeeds, together, they have a chance at overthrowing the alien leader, Zeus. But if she fails, everyone she holds dear will be wiped away forever.

Once again, everything Ari’s come to believe is thrown into question. In a world of uncertainty, loyalties are tested, lies are uncovered, and no one can be trusted. If Ari and Jackson have any hope at survival and at preserving a life for the future, they must fight the final war with their eyes wide open.

Buy Links:
Amazon│B&N│Kobo

Books in this series:
(covers linked to Goodreads)
 

Buy Links to Gravity (Book One):
Amazon│B&N│Kobo Books

Buy Links for Hover (Book Two):
Amazon│B&N│Kobo Books

Book Excerpt:
My gaze drifts over to Jackson to find him watching me, his blue-green eyes no longer beaten, but strong. Alive. Raging.
I walk over and press my hands to the glass, my eyes never leaving his. In them I see everything he’s thinking and feeling. His anger at Kelvin. His sadness at losing Mami. His love for me, an unwavering fire inside him. And then I see his determination, so clear it’s as though I’m thinking it myself—he’s going to kill Zeus.
It’s time to begin.
Jackson nods once to me, and I grip the glass tighter, feeling its composition, and then the glass vibrates, harder and harder. Law goes still. I draw a breath, my focus on the boy I love and his raging eyes, and then a tiny crack splits out from my right pinky finger like a spider web across the glass, splitting again and again. Another starts from my left hand and I lean farther into the glass, imagining Jackson and me back on Loge, Emmy and Mami, and then the window bursts, the glass shooting out in a thousand directions.
Jackson stands slowly, effort etched into his face, the muscles in his arms flexing. The door to his room starts to open, and my gaze flashes over, every fiber in me focused on keeping it shut. “They’re coming,” I say.
“It doesn’t matter,” Jackson replies, his voice like a warm blanket over my heart, soothing the ache that’s been there since he disappeared. The ache I feared would never go away. “They can’t contain us. They will never contain us.”

About the Author:

Melissa West writes young adult and new adult novels for Entangled Teen and Embrace and Penguin/InterMix. She lives outside of Atlanta, GA with her husband and two daughters and spends most of her time writing, reading, or fueling her coffee addiction.

She holds a B.A. in Communication Studies and a M.S. in Graphic Communication, both from Clemson University. Yeah, her blood runs orange.

Author Links:

   

GIVEAWAY:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Blitz Organized by: