Happy Book Birthday, Lindsay Cummings!

HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY!!

That's right! Book 1 in the Balance Keepers series by Lindsay Cummings is out TODAY!

If you haven't picked up a copy, you should! Why? Cause Lindsay Cummings is an amazing author!

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What is the book about?

The Fires of Calderon is Book One in Lindsay Cummings's epic Balance Keepers series. These exciting fantasy adventure books are full of magic, mystery, friendship, and humor and are perfect for fans of books like Brandon Mull's The Candy Shop War or the Unwanteds series by Lisa McMann.

Bestselling author of the Skeleton Creek series Patrick Carman describes The Fires of Calderon as "fast paced and packed with adventure," and Peter Lerangis, bestselling author of the Seven Wonders series, says, "Wow!"

With themes of friendship, self-discovery, and courage; both boy and girl main characters; fierce creatures to battle; a mystery to solve; and a boarding school that could be described as Hogwarts underground, there's something for every reader to enjoy in this contemporary—and fantastically imaginative—spin on the classic Journey to the Center of the Earth.

When eleven-year-old Albert Flynn follows a mysterious map deep into the woods, and then under the woods, he discovers he's a Balance Keeper—someone with special magical skills for keeping harmony in fantastical underground worlds. Together with his teammates Leroy and Birdie, Albert must master his magical talents in time to stop the fires in the Calderon Realm from destroying New York City above.

Review: The Murder Complex by Lindsay Cummings

Publisher: Greenwillow Books

Source: Purchased

Pages: 398

Series: The Murder Complex #1

Release Date: June 10, 2014

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An action-packed, blood-soaked, futuristic debut thriller set in a world where the murder rate is higher than the birthrate. For fans of Moira Young’s Dust Lands series, La Femme Nikita, and the movie Hanna.

Meadow Woodson, a fifteen-year-old girl who has been trained by her father to fight, to kill, and to survive in any situation, lives with her family on a houseboat in Florida. The state is controlled by The Murder Complex, an organization that tracks the population with precision.

The plot starts to thicken when Meadow meets Zephyr James, who is—although he doesn’t know it—one of the MC’s programmed assassins. Is their meeting a coincidence? Destiny? Or part of a terrifying strategy? And will Zephyr keep Meadow from discovering the haunting truth about her family?

Action-packed, blood-soaked, and chilling, this is a dark and compelling debut novel by Lindsay Cummings.

Let me start off by saying that I DID read The Fear Trails before I read The Murder Complex and I really enjoyed it. I think that it was a great way to start the series and I would definitely recommend reading it before reading The Murder Complex!

Now on to The Murder Complex. When I first heard about this book, I knew that I had to read it. It sounded so good! I was a little iffy because there are a lot of cases where an author's debut books aren't very good. However, Lindsay Cummings KILLED it! (No pun intended haha) 

I loved Meadow as a character. She was so strong and heroic. I loved how much she cared for her family, especially her little sister. I loved how she wouldn't give up until she knew that her sister, as well as her family, was safe. She was an absolutely amazing character.

Zephyr wasn't your average book-boyfriend type of guy. I thought that he was cute, but not in that "jock guy" kind of way. There was something different about him that I really liked. I loved how he cared for Meadow. I loved how he wanted to just protect her no matter what. I loved him as a person. Also, what girl wouldn't love a guy who dreamed of being in a fairy tale with the girl of his dreams?! Like, that's so freakin' cute!

I liked how there were some parts of this book that literally made my heart beat so fast. I could really picture myself in the book, dealing with the things that were happening. And at some points, that was REALLY scary! But I liked that feeling! It made me feel closer with the characters.

There was only one thing that bugged me with this book. I really didn't like how some of the chapters were super short. Just when you would get really into the story with one of the character, the chapter would end. 

Overall, I really liked this book. And THAT ENDING. I cannot wait for the second book to come out so I can find out what happens. Lindsay Cummings is an amazing author and her debut book, The Murder Complex, proves that!

Friday Reads! [5]

Currently Reading:

I am currently on page 161 of this book and absolutely loving it! I think that it is very fast paced and just super enjoyable! I will be spending tomorrow (Saturday) down at the beach, so hopefully I get a lot of this book knocked out if not finished! I am really looking forward to seeing what happens with Meadow and Zephyr!

What are you reading this weekend?

Friday Reads [5]

Currently Reading:

I am currently about 51% done with this book. I am really enjoying it so far and I can't wait to find out what happens! When I finish this book, I plan on reading The Fear Trials by Lindsay Cummings and then of course go on to The Murder Complex!

What are you reading this weekend?