Thursday, October 13, 2016

ARC Book Review: The Destined by E. J. Mellow

My Rating: 5/5 Stars
Author: E. J. Mellow
Genre: Fantasy
Published: 2016


**If you haven't read The Dreamer and/or The Divide this review may contain spoilers. Check out my review for The Dreamer Here and The Destined Here.


I'm not gonna lie. This is going to be a hard review to write. I got emotionally attached to both Molly and Dev. It was hard to let them go but E. J. Mellow did them justice. 

Goodreads Synopsis:

With the loss of Terra’s greatest weapon, the war against darkness escalates rapidly, and time is on no one’s side. While Dev struggles to keep his home and hope alive, Molly and Rae find themselves forced to confront a desperately kept secret and quickly learn that a life-altering sacrifice is the asking price to restore order. 

Nightmares, betrayal, the fate of two worlds, and one man’s hunger for vengeance lead Molly down a twisted and dark path she fears she might never come back from. Cornered into making a heart-wrenching decision, Molly teeters between deliverance and damnation. Who is worth saving most—a nation or the one she loves?

My Review:

After I finished The Divide I immediately picked up The Destined. I needed more and I needed it right then. One of my favorite things about this series is how the next book picks up right where the last one ended. I was able to dive into the book and be completely immersed in minutes. 

The first part of the book ripped my heart out. Molly, Dev, and Rae are so close and it was hard seeing them like that. The letters between Dev and Molly didn't help. It was like putting a band-aid on a severed limb. In other words it hurt. My heart ached for them. 

This book is packed full of butt kicking action. Molly is fully in control of her powers and we get to see exactly what she can do. We also get to see a lot of Dev fighting and trust me that's pretty amazing too. 

Molly and Dev are one of my favorite fictional couples. One of the reasons why is because of how their relationship developed. I hate insta love and avoid it at all cost. Molly and Dev's relationship grows throughout the entire series. It also doesn't overwhelm the rest of the story. So you get this amazing romance along with an awesome plot. 

Side characters are so important to me. You can have a great main character but if you have pathetic, shallow side characters your story falls flat. E. J. Mellow gives us a wide selection of side characters that are just as great as the main ones. My favorite though was Rae (can he have his own book please?). He's funny, cute, and easy going but he knows when it's time to be serious. His relationship with Molly was so sweet. Seriously he had me crying at parts. I also grew to love Hector. He's prickly on the outside but once you get past that he's just a big softy with some issues to work through. 

This series has earned a special place in my heart and on my shelf. The characters are some of the best I have ever read. The writing is well developed, and flows easily. And the covers are something special. I can't thank E. J. Mellow enough for letting me be part of this journey. 



"Sometimes I wake up thinking
 I finally dreamt of you,
but then I realize
my heart remains still."
- Part of a letter from Molly to Dev



Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Book Review: The Divide by E. J. Mellow

My Rating: 5/5 Stars
Author: E. J. Mellow
Genre: Fantasy
Published: 2015

The Dreamer was a lot like it's name. It was soft and lovely. Full of light romance and an intriguing new ability to travel through dreams to a new world. The Divide took all of that to a whole new level.

Goodreads synopsis: 

Molly finally uncovers the truth about the strange dreams that plagued her sanity for weeks. Now destined to accept a clandestine role, Molly must find the strength and courage buried deep to push forward and succeed.

With the help of Dev, the roguish blue-eyed man of her dreams—whose dark past resurfaces to haunt him—Molly prepares to test the limits of her newly awakened powers and set right a world on the edge of being consumed by nightmares.

But when an unknown shadow stalks her every step and a shocking revelation about her ancestry comes to light, Molly may find herself forced to make a decision that could leave her alone in the dark and standing on the wrong side of a divide.


My Review: 

I was anxious that E. J. Mellow wouldn't be able to top The Dreamer but. oh. my. gosh. She blew me away. The book picks up right were we left off and doesn't stop. The action, romance, and new developments just keep coming. We discover more about Molly's powers and we find out about past dreamers. Basically a lot of holes are filled and a lot of questions answered. 

I LOVE Molly so much you guys. She's so caring and determined o do what's right. In The Dreamer she's trying to figure out her new abilities and this new world. In The Divide she's done taking the back seat. She takes charge and wants answers. She doesn't let anything or anyone get in the way of what she thinks needs to be done.

Now it's time to dedicate an entire paragraph to the love of my life. Dev. I honestly can't get enough of him. And finally!! I have his story. My heart you guys. It broke for him. The romance between Molly and Dev went from we're just friends to I'm sorry but can you get a room?!? The first third of the book I was getting fed up and I just wanted to smash their faces together but the rest of the book I spent melting into a puddle. 

Okay. Time to get serious. That ending?! I can't believe... I'm still in shock. What even was that?? Cruel that's what it was. It's like someone took a knife and stabbed me in the chest. Repeatedly. I need answers! Btw I've already started book three. My answers are within my grasp but I'm a sobbing mess of fear and anxiety

I can't express to you guys how good this series is. The writing is superb, the plot keeps you on your toes, and the characters feel like you can reach out and touch them. Go grab The Dreamer and go ahead and get the rest of the series because once you start you won't be able to stop.