Monday, July 9, 2012

Review: Crux



Crux


Author: Julie Reece

Summary:


She should have run. Now, she’ll have to fight.

Eighteen year old Birdie may be homeless, but she’s surviving, that is until a mysterious guy throws money in the air like a crazy game show host, and she grabs some with the idea she’ll be able to buy dinner that night. 

In that singular moment, unassuming Birdie becomes the girl in everyone’s viewfinder. Thugs want to kill her. Money-guy wants to recruit her. The very hot, very rich, and very out of her league Grey Mathews wants to save her.

Birdie, though, wants nothing to do with any of them, until she realizes fate didn’t bring them all together. 

Her heritage did.

Now, with only twenty-one days left, she’s got to decide whether to follow in the footsteps of those before her or risk her life for people she’s only just met.




Published 9 July 2012

*

Wow, just wow. 

Crux was so action-packed that I was whisked off from one scene to the next in a wave of never-ending surprises and adventure. 

I am catapulted into a startling climax right away in the first chapter. From the moment when Birdie chooses to follow the guy, Jeff, into an alley to pick up the thousands of hundred dollar bills flying in the wind, her life is destined to change-- for the better and for the worse. Armed with cash, Birdie is ready to start living life for herself. And in a lucky turn of events, she bumps into the hot Grey Mathews over and over again. 

Yet, we should know that nothing could ever be normal for Birdie. As she is hounded by greedy thugs, she has to come face to face with her magical legacy. There is a reason why she saw Jeff in the faceless crowds of millions and there is a reason why he handed her his fortune. Mythology and historical elements weave themselves seamlessly into the tale and Crux becomes more than just a full-fledged adventure story. It becomes a coming-of-age tale. 

As Birdie traipses through strange lands in her dreams, she encounters monks who offer boggling riddles and Vikings who harbour hidden vendettas. Can dreams get any stranger than that? Yet, her real life isn't much better. With an amulet in her care, Birdie has to learn to deal with her powers and get accustomed to the fact that her new dog is the ancestor of wolves. But, on her journey to discovering her heritage, Birdie's past gives her doubt and more than once, she pushes Grey away. Grey, the one boy who is willing to listen and understand. 

So along with epic battle scenes, old Latin riddles and some good kissing, Birdie has to come to fully trust herself in order to become the girl she really wants to be. There can really be nothing wrong with this book. 

One star for being thought-provoking. For allowing me to take a look at the life of a homeless girl through the eyes of Birdie, for being a smart enough novel to point out the tragedies of human trafficking, for making me wonder about Shondra-- the poor girl lost in the swarms of commercial child exploitation...

One star for being the most thrilling ride of my life. I'm thoroughly satisfied with the action in Crux-- the gruelling training, the dangerous escapades, the numbing kidnapping and that mind-blowing battle scene of epic proportions at the end of the novel. Simply brilliant. 

One star for the endearing cast of characters. There's Jeff who is really something, especially when his real identity is revealed. Then there's Scud and Kate who offered Birdie their genuine friendship which healed her mistrust of those around her. And finally, Fenris, the dog who always protected Birdie and who is just as commanding and intimidating as a guy. (We should have seen more of him!)

And lastly, one star for Birdie, being the awesome heroine that she is, and Grey, who is in a complete league of his own. Their love made Crux a romantic read that is warm and tingly in all the right places.

So, let's do the Math. I've never been so happy to give out four brilliant stars!


Source: ARC from J. Taylor Publishing for review purposes     


          

xoxo,
Sel



34 comments:

  1. LOL you made it sound so nice then only give 4 stars... =o= anyway random thought: we have a teacher in school called Mr Matthew Grey xD

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    Replies
    1. 4 stars means that the book is really good for me at least, I rarely hand out 5 stars ;) Mr Mathew Grey is nothing like Grey Mathews in Crux... *shudders at the thought* they are like... Complete opposites =o= *derp face*

      But Crux is really good still, 4 stars means that it's a must-read :)

      Delete
  2. Hi!

    Thanks so much for your kind words :)I appreciate you taking the time to read and review! :)

    *** wongshile, I wouldn't mind having a teacher with either name if he looked like Grey :)

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    Replies
    1. Hi Julie,

      Thanks for writing such an amazing book! You don't need to thank me ;) I had the best time reading it as well!

      *** If only we could have a teacher who looks like Grey...

      Delete
  3. Great review! I've been putting off this book for a while now..thanks for the boost!

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    Replies
    1. Glad my review gave you the boost :D put it to the top of your to-read list!

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  4. Great review. :) Thanks for the comment on my blog I am now a new follower! :) Btw I can't wait for ur entry my e-mail is: ebonyblacklines@hotmail.co.uk so u can e-mail me. You should host a competition! I'll enter! Also how did you get that picture slideshow of your reviews at the top? xx You can e-mail me instead of replying back as a comment if u like. ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Okay :D I'd love to host one some day! Then you'd be one of the first that I'll contact ;)

      Let me go dig out my template designer, I'll email you back in a day!

      Delete
  5. Wow! Just WOW! I need to read this book....it is now added to my TBR list :)

    xxxx

    P.S; Thanks for following :) I am now following too!

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    Replies
    1. Glad you had the same reaction as me after reading this review ;) thanks for following back, dearie!

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  6. Hey, I've nominated you for the Versatile Blog Award! You can check out my page for the nomination
    RB :)
    http://reflectivebookworm.blogspot.co.uk/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, thank you! It's always nice to have awards hurhur :D

      Delete
  7. I haven't heard of this one before but wow, it sounds very unique and intriguing! I love how you divided your stars! Wonderful review! :)

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    1. Thanks, Sara! One good thing about the book blogging community is at you get to meet books that you'd have never meet otherwise :) this is a great book that I almost missed! I loved dividing the stars too ;) Glad you liked it!

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    2. Exactly! I find so many new books to get excited for! I love it! :)

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    3. There will only be more and more >:) so let's plop down and start reading!

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  8. Sounds good....

    Sel would you consider following my blog?: http://milenasbookcorner.blogspot.com.au/

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hey Love your blog! New follower! Mind following me back?

    ~Caroline from http://carolinescleverconcepts.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sure ;) Thanks for following! And glad you love my blog :)

      Delete
  10. Wow! Great review! I haven't heard of this one before, but I'll definitely have to check it out!(: Thanks for stopping by my blog Sel! :D

    ~Keertana
    Ivy Book Bindings

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  11. Sounds like an interesting read, thanks for sharing it!
    new follower!

    http://thecrossbreeds.blogspot.com/

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  12. Awesome review! I've only vaguely heard of this one, but based on your review, it sounds really fun and thrilling! I'm definitely going to read this soon; thanks for convincing me! :)

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    Replies
    1. You're welcome ;) So glad I have you convinced!

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  13. This book looks great! You gave an awesome review:) I am now following, thanks for the follow!

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  14. Hi Sel. Wow!! Great review. I'm excited to see this book now. I must say, I love the name of the characters (Scud, Birdie?, Fenris the dog ). And the title definitely is enticing already.

    I only hope that my TBR can still give some room for one more book. It's always 'one more book' anyway. HAHA.

    New follower, btw. Thanks for the follow :D

    ReplyDelete
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    1. *grins* You're right, it's always 'one more book' every time! But this time it's totally worth the read :)

      The characters have really unique names, you'll love them ;)

      Thanks for following!

      Delete
  15. Oh man, this sounds amazing. This book sounds kick ass (and a bit like the Strange Angels series that I love). Great review!

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  16. great review....i really love the cover and ur thoughts on the book....just put it in my to-read list.

    Le' Grande Codex

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  17. While at first off-putting, the cover grew on me after a few minutes, and the synopsis sounds good. I can't say that before reading your review I would have read it, though. But after, I think I might have to check it out. Thanks for the great review!

    ReplyDelete

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Wishing you lots of good books to come along your way!

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