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Young Assassins #1
Young Love Murder
First love’s a killer, but so is seventeen-year-old Annabelle Blanc. The teenager was raised to be an assassin and taught to never fall in love. She lives for the job until she meets Gabriel Sanchez, the son of her latest target.
Wealthy, spoiled and self-indulgent, Gabriel Sanchez is a teenage playboy. Setting his sights on the beautiful Annabelle, he's drawn to the mysterious new girl who's playing hard to get. Gabriel also finds himself pulled into a world of deception, violence and murder.
Off-centered for the first time in her life, Annabelle struggles to fight her doomed attraction for the handsome Gabriel.
In this gritty, mature YA novel, you'll follow Annabelle and Gabriel in an intense, funny, angry, crazy, rocky and passionate romance.
As two worlds collide and they're repeatedly thrown together and pulled apart by fate, will Annabelle and Gabriel overcome betrayals, revenge and heartbreak to find a lasting love?
Wealthy, spoiled and self-indulgent, Gabriel Sanchez is a teenage playboy. Setting his sights on the beautiful Annabelle, he's drawn to the mysterious new girl who's playing hard to get. Gabriel also finds himself pulled into a world of deception, violence and murder.
Off-centered for the first time in her life, Annabelle struggles to fight her doomed attraction for the handsome Gabriel.
In this gritty, mature YA novel, you'll follow Annabelle and Gabriel in an intense, funny, angry, crazy, rocky and passionate romance.
As two worlds collide and they're repeatedly thrown together and pulled apart by fate, will Annabelle and Gabriel overcome betrayals, revenge and heartbreak to find a lasting love?
502 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 24, 2011
70 people are currently reading
4969 people want to read
About the author
April Brookshire
11 books789 followersAuthor of romance and urban fantasy. Her works include the Young Assassins series, Beware of Bad Boy series and Dead Chaos series. She currently lives in Denver, Colorado.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 252 reviews
April 5, 2012
It's impossible to write this review without a few mild spoilers, but I left out all of the major events. Some filthy language ahead. You've been warned.
WHAT, Part 1 :
What exactly is Young Love Murder about? The summary tells us that the book is about a young assassin who falls for the son of one of her hits. So I'm thinking : Hmmm. This could get interesting. We might see some grisly murders. No doubt our protag will kick some ass and take some names.
Gabriel's take on Anna :
My girlfriend can throw a knife like a ninja.
My girlfriend owns a gun with a silencer.
My girlfriend can knock a guy out in one punch.
My girlfriend sometimes wears knives strapped to her thigh.
My girlfriend can drive a car like James Bond.
My girlfriend associates with supposed Russian bodyguards who can afford Lamoborghinis.
My girlfriend was a virgin who had already been taught sex tricks from a French Madam.
Who the hell is she?
Who the hell is she? I'm still trying to figure this out. Yes, Anna is badass. Absolutely, she gets the job done. Admirably, she never backs down from her tough girl persona. Aside from that, I never felt like I got to know her. She was a bit stubborn and bratty when it came to how she treated others. Just because you can kick your boyfriend's ass, doesn't mean that you should at every given opportunity.
What is this book about? In the first 30 or so percent, I couldn't have begun to tell you. I figured the book was YA. The kids were in high school, they were horny, there were two guys wanting the same girl, etc. etc. So I'm thinking...yeah...probably going to ditch this one. I wanted assassinations not silly high school games!
Which brings us to...
WHAT : Part 2 (otherwise known as THE middle part of the book)
I have nothing to say other than the middle was a mix of Beautiful Disaster (huge drama fest, complete with all forms of name calling and violence) and New Moon (substitute the months of sitting in a room pining, for years of one person choosing to pine while logging it all in a journal). Obviously, I'm not going to try to sell the middle of the book. It was an odd, out-of-bodybook experience.
Gabriel, Gabriel, Gabriel. What is anyone to do with you? Just because Anna's the man in the relationship, doesn't mean you have to forget how to act like one. In case you want your balls back, I have them wrapped up all nice and pretty for you.
On a side note : do I really need to note for the ten thousandth time that I really hate the overuse of the nickname "baby" in any book?
FUCK : Part 3
This last part could have a double meaning. There was, indeed, quite a bit of fucking going on, at least there was for a YA book (as I've seen it shelved by others). We weren't hitting hardcore adult romance type of scenes but there was definitely more nakey-nakey and sexy time than you'd see in the usual YA romance. I myself am going to shelve Young Love Murder as an adult book. Even though it started out in high school, the book ended with the characters in their 20's and out in the real world. The next book also appears to be set among adults out in the real world.
The second reason for me ending this WTF with a big F bomb is the fact that this book was a WHOLE lotta crazy. The name calling, the running, the obsessive love, the roughhousing, the murders, the bullets flying everywhere.
I don't know whether to be amused or extremely disturbed at this sentiment :
"You shot me in the shoulder, Annabelle! I know what that means! And I love you too, baby."
This is not joking around. He's being dead serious.
BUT...I will say that after we got past "WHAT" and "THE," at least things were finally starting to move in the "FUCK" section. There was a bit of Anna's on-the-job experiences in Part 2 : THE, but the real payoff was when we got these kids out of the high school setting. This is when got to see more of the world of underground assassins at play.
The last part of the book was interesting. If more of the story had followed the action of the last 30%, I would have gone with a higher rating. Will I read on in the series? Possibly. I might check out book 2, so I can what happens with Anna's brother (who was the best character in the book).
If you like books with crazy drama, you'll probably like this book. If you devour books where the hero will stop at nothing until he gets what he wants, you'll probably love this book.
My feelings? Although quite entertaining in parts, the book fell short of my expectations. I can see why others would like it though. There are a few people I know who would love this book.
WHAT, Part 1 :
What exactly is Young Love Murder about? The summary tells us that the book is about a young assassin who falls for the son of one of her hits. So I'm thinking : Hmmm. This could get interesting. We might see some grisly murders. No doubt our protag will kick some ass and take some names.
Gabriel's take on Anna :
My girlfriend can throw a knife like a ninja.
My girlfriend owns a gun with a silencer.
My girlfriend can knock a guy out in one punch.
My girlfriend sometimes wears knives strapped to her thigh.
My girlfriend can drive a car like James Bond.
My girlfriend associates with supposed Russian bodyguards who can afford Lamoborghinis.
My girlfriend was a virgin who had already been taught sex tricks from a French Madam.
Who the hell is she?
Who the hell is she? I'm still trying to figure this out. Yes, Anna is badass. Absolutely, she gets the job done. Admirably, she never backs down from her tough girl persona. Aside from that, I never felt like I got to know her. She was a bit stubborn and bratty when it came to how she treated others. Just because you can kick your boyfriend's ass, doesn't mean that you should at every given opportunity.
What is this book about? In the first 30 or so percent, I couldn't have begun to tell you. I figured the book was YA. The kids were in high school, they were horny, there were two guys wanting the same girl, etc. etc. So I'm thinking...yeah...probably going to ditch this one. I wanted assassinations not silly high school games!
Which brings us to...
WHAT : Part 2 (otherwise known as THE middle part of the book)
I have nothing to say other than the middle was a mix of Beautiful Disaster (huge drama fest, complete with all forms of name calling and violence) and New Moon (substitute the months of sitting in a room pining, for years of one person choosing to pine while logging it all in a journal). Obviously, I'm not going to try to sell the middle of the book. It was an odd, out-of-
Gabriel, Gabriel, Gabriel. What is anyone to do with you? Just because Anna's the man in the relationship, doesn't mean you have to forget how to act like one. In case you want your balls back, I have them wrapped up all nice and pretty for you.
On a side note : do I really need to note for the ten thousandth time that I really hate the overuse of the nickname "baby" in any book?
FUCK : Part 3
This last part could have a double meaning. There was, indeed, quite a bit of fucking going on, at least there was for a YA book (as I've seen it shelved by others). We weren't hitting hardcore adult romance type of scenes but there was definitely more nakey-nakey and sexy time than you'd see in the usual YA romance. I myself am going to shelve Young Love Murder as an adult book. Even though it started out in high school, the book ended with the characters in their 20's and out in the real world. The next book also appears to be set among adults out in the real world.
The second reason for me ending this WTF with a big F bomb is the fact that this book was a WHOLE lotta crazy. The name calling, the running, the obsessive love, the roughhousing, the murders, the bullets flying everywhere.
I don't know whether to be amused or extremely disturbed at this sentiment :
"You shot me in the shoulder, Annabelle! I know what that means! And I love you too, baby."
This is not joking around. He's being dead serious.
BUT...I will say that after we got past "WHAT" and "THE," at least things were finally starting to move in the "FUCK" section. There was a bit of Anna's on-the-job experiences in Part 2 : THE, but the real payoff was when we got these kids out of the high school setting. This is when got to see more of the world of underground assassins at play.
The last part of the book was interesting. If more of the story had followed the action of the last 30%, I would have gone with a higher rating. Will I read on in the series? Possibly. I might check out book 2, so I can what happens with Anna's brother (who was the best character in the book).
If you like books with crazy drama, you'll probably like this book. If you devour books where the hero will stop at nothing until he gets what he wants, you'll probably love this book.
My feelings? Although quite entertaining in parts, the book fell short of my expectations. I can see why others would like it though. There are a few people I know who would love this book.
October 8, 2013
There be spoilers and copious amounts of cussing ahead. You are warned.
... What in the ever loving fucking hell?!?
First, this child is out of her fucking mind. What's-her-name.. Anna or whatever. Miss delusional. Miss I'm so above typical teenage problems. Miss Yes I killed your father and we haven't seen each other in 6 months but we're still in a relationship. Miss I'm not a murderer I'm just an assassin and we all know those aren't the same thing. Miss my shit don't stink. Miss Baddest fucking thing on this planet since god farted.
Lost. Your. Fucking. Mind.
*Deep calming breath*
Ok.. I'm trying to be calm here. This.. I'm.. How.. *deep calming breath*
I have stopped reading this book. I've had too. I'm just losing my shit over this woman. Ha! Woman.. that's a joke. This is a four alarm nutjob. I, with a fierce passion, hate this character. Now let me tell you why:
The author has made her just perfect. Don't you just love when authors do that? Why Anna's the best assassin in the world. Uh~huh. And She's the fastest and the quickest and what's more, she's morally responsible. Yeah, she only kills those that truly deserve it. So she's not a murderer. Yup. She's just fucking perfect our lil Anna.
First off, stop blowing smoke up my ass. She's 17 fucking years old. I don't care how good you want us to believe she is.. she's not the best. And as far as being morally responsible by only killing "the one's that deserve it" I, once again, say stop blowing smoke up my ass. It isn't about ridding the world of the bad guys. It isn't about saving humanity. It isn't about any of that shit because if it was... SHE WOULDN'T BE GETTING PAID FOR IT!! It is a job and she doesn't care who it is as long as they've done -something- she can use to give herself the excuse that it's perfectly reasonable to murder someone. And it -is- murder. I will wait patiently while someone explains to me how the fuck you kill someone without murdering them. So.. if we can move on with the assumption that killing is murder.. *sigh of great patience* then how many people has this paragon of morality murdered? Then how much of a fucking monster is she? The hypocrisy of it is absolutely fucking mind boggling. My mind is completely boggled.
So she is hired to kill Gabe's father. Falls in love with Gabe. Gabe walks in on her murdering his father. This.. in any rational half-assed intelligent person would be the signal that the relationship is, in fact, over. Not to our lil Anna. No no no. This is just a slight bump in the road because you see Gabe's father was a sack of murdering shit.. (Hmmmmm. *Gives pointed look to Anna*) .. so Gabe should be -just- fine with her murdering him. Not that Gabe knows anything about his father's illegal activities. To Gabe, it's just his father. So 6 months later after Gabe and Anna have gone back and forth with trying to find each other, Gabe promising to kill her, Anna professing her love, Gabe professing his hate, yada yada yada Gabe graduates and is going to let some chick he can't stand give him a blowjob. Anna, at this point in the story, loses her shit. She knocks out the girl and how dare Gabe cheat on her.
Ok first, are you fucking serious? And second, ARE YOU FUCKING SERIOUS?!?!?!? Then Anna has the fucking nerve to go on and on about Gabe fucking other girls. BITCH...YOU BLEW HIS FATHER'S BRAINS OUT RIGHT IN FRONT OF HIM!!! WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU THINK WAS GOING ON!?!? That your relationship was moving along as normal? LOST YOUR FUCKING MIND!
*shakes head* It's at this point I stopped reading this. How could I continue?
I should of known I wasn't going to like this chick when she decided so magnanimously to give up the business and stay with Gabe.. but only after she murdered his father of course. Had to get that last paycheck.
Think about that.
Just stop and think about that for a second. She's willing to put a bullet into his father's brain and then stick around while this boy she is -sooo- in love with falls to pieces because of what she did. While her boyfriend's mother falls to pieces. The aunt, the cousin. The entire family infected by this act of violence.. she's willing to stand there, hold his hand, comfort him, whisper encouraging words and pick up the pieces while pretending to be the dotting girlfriend when in fact she's the one that caused all that pain. And THE FATHER'S the monster.. wow..
I'm not defending the father at all. He is scum. But so is she and trying to sell her present her as anything more then that makes me hate her with a fierce passion.
So not no, but hell no. Not worth finishing.
... What in the ever loving fucking hell?!?
First, this child is out of her fucking mind. What's-her-name.. Anna or whatever. Miss delusional. Miss I'm so above typical teenage problems. Miss Yes I killed your father and we haven't seen each other in 6 months but we're still in a relationship. Miss I'm not a murderer I'm just an assassin and we all know those aren't the same thing. Miss my shit don't stink. Miss Baddest fucking thing on this planet since god farted.
Lost. Your. Fucking. Mind.
*Deep calming breath*
Ok.. I'm trying to be calm here. This.. I'm.. How.. *deep calming breath*
I have stopped reading this book. I've had too. I'm just losing my shit over this woman. Ha! Woman.. that's a joke. This is a four alarm nutjob. I, with a fierce passion, hate this character. Now let me tell you why:
The author has made her just perfect. Don't you just love when authors do that? Why Anna's the best assassin in the world. Uh~huh. And She's the fastest and the quickest and what's more, she's morally responsible. Yeah, she only kills those that truly deserve it. So she's not a murderer. Yup. She's just fucking perfect our lil Anna.
First off, stop blowing smoke up my ass. She's 17 fucking years old. I don't care how good you want us to believe she is.. she's not the best. And as far as being morally responsible by only killing "the one's that deserve it" I, once again, say stop blowing smoke up my ass. It isn't about ridding the world of the bad guys. It isn't about saving humanity. It isn't about any of that shit because if it was... SHE WOULDN'T BE GETTING PAID FOR IT!! It is a job and she doesn't care who it is as long as they've done -something- she can use to give herself the excuse that it's perfectly reasonable to murder someone. And it -is- murder. I will wait patiently while someone explains to me how the fuck you kill someone without murdering them. So.. if we can move on with the assumption that killing is murder.. *sigh of great patience* then how many people has this paragon of morality murdered? Then how much of a fucking monster is she? The hypocrisy of it is absolutely fucking mind boggling. My mind is completely boggled.
So she is hired to kill Gabe's father. Falls in love with Gabe. Gabe walks in on her murdering his father. This.. in any rational half-assed intelligent person would be the signal that the relationship is, in fact, over. Not to our lil Anna. No no no. This is just a slight bump in the road because you see Gabe's father was a sack of murdering shit.. (Hmmmmm. *Gives pointed look to Anna*) .. so Gabe should be -just- fine with her murdering him. Not that Gabe knows anything about his father's illegal activities. To Gabe, it's just his father. So 6 months later after Gabe and Anna have gone back and forth with trying to find each other, Gabe promising to kill her, Anna professing her love, Gabe professing his hate, yada yada yada Gabe graduates and is going to let some chick he can't stand give him a blowjob. Anna, at this point in the story, loses her shit. She knocks out the girl and how dare Gabe cheat on her.
Ok first, are you fucking serious? And second, ARE YOU FUCKING SERIOUS?!?!?!? Then Anna has the fucking nerve to go on and on about Gabe fucking other girls. BITCH...YOU BLEW HIS FATHER'S BRAINS OUT RIGHT IN FRONT OF HIM!!! WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU THINK WAS GOING ON!?!? That your relationship was moving along as normal? LOST YOUR FUCKING MIND!
*shakes head* It's at this point I stopped reading this. How could I continue?
I should of known I wasn't going to like this chick when she decided so magnanimously to give up the business and stay with Gabe.. but only after she murdered his father of course. Had to get that last paycheck.
Think about that.
Just stop and think about that for a second. She's willing to put a bullet into his father's brain and then stick around while this boy she is -sooo- in love with falls to pieces because of what she did. While her boyfriend's mother falls to pieces. The aunt, the cousin. The entire family infected by this act of violence.. she's willing to stand there, hold his hand, comfort him, whisper encouraging words and pick up the pieces while pretending to be the dotting girlfriend when in fact she's the one that caused all that pain. And THE FATHER'S the monster.. wow..
I'm not defending the father at all. He is scum. But so is she and trying to sell her present her as anything more then that makes me hate her with a fierce passion.
So not no, but hell no. Not worth finishing.
January 7, 2013
OHHHHHHH MY GADD! This book was freaking amazing I don't even know where to begin! This book had me crying my eyes out, mad as hell and laughing! I love it! Totally enjoyed every page! Ana and Gabriel was just WOW. Even the supporting characters were amazing. I want to read more of them.
I started reading and was still reading until 4AM in the morning and woke up at 8AM to pick up on reading and i have work at 10AM!
I made this video since I love the characters so much! I can't wait for Jackson's book!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCH_DJ...
I started reading and was still reading until 4AM in the morning and woke up at 8AM to pick up on reading and i have work at 10AM!
I made this video since I love the characters so much! I can't wait for Jackson's book!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCH_DJ...
February 14, 2016
I actually have tears reading this book!
And my head is singing:
Cause you really hurt me, cause you really hurt me
Princess of China by Coldplay feat Rihanna
Again and again! And it made me cry even more!
Seriously? This is like an obsessive unhealthy love! And. i. Love. It! :)
"Death brought us together, death tore us apart. Now, it seems as if more death is destined to bring us together once again. Let it not be our own."
---- this is like LITERALLY!
Ok! So where to start...
At first i feel like the story is rushing it from the beginning but as i go along, boy was it so sloooow! The agony is long! They were apart from each other and it's so damn long.
Yeah. I was talking about Anna and Gabriel.
The bad boy thing was questionable for me. Only at first. Because from the moment he laid eyes on Anna he is so not acting like a bad boy. He was smitten! It's like he was head over heels for her with just one kiss in that beach. Same goes for the badass assassin. I mean one kiss and she's done for too. Hmm maybe i guess that's love right?
Oh well. The love hate relationship is very amusing and i am so entertained! Well first thing, i cannot believe he still loves her even though she killed his father in front of him.
" I loved you, Anna! More than anything in this world. And now I don’t know if I do anymore because I hate you. So much. I hate you so much that it’s killing all the love I had for you. And I hate you for that too!”
I know he also hates her but it says so right there that he's still hung up on her. Their relationship wasn't even that long and yet he couldn't seem to get over her.
As for Anna,
"It’s funny that loving him will be both my greatest joy and greatest mistake in life."
she's crazy to think that Gabriel is still in love with her. Making herself believe that he was looking for her because he still loves her. I can't blame her. Maybe. Well, because this was her first time to fall in love. She's crazy in love. And she just can handle to let go.
My favorite part of this drama is the confrontation in that party then the beach scene!
If he’s suddenly experiencing tender feelings for me, it’s too late now. I meant what I said.
Omg! I even have a soundtrack!
For the party, while that slut was making her way to Gabriel's pants then got hit by Annabelle, it's "From Yesterday" by 30 Seconds to Mars.
Gosh! Anna is giving up because she was hurt and jealous! I mean c'mon she has this delusion that he's in love with her and they will somehow get back together, only to find out he's with another girl. Funny thing is, Gabriel, although confused with his hate, doesn't want to let her go. He actually panicked when she told him Goodbye.
I also played R.I.P. by Rita Ora and of course Love the Way You Lie by Eminem and Rihanna.
The beach part?
“Because I don’t want to love you anymore!”
Despite the sense of satisfaction I feel because she may have been faithful to me for the past six months, despite how beautiful she is and how much I want her physically, I still hate her. What she did . . . I shudder at the memory.
Loving her has caused me more pain than even my father’s death did.
She wipes a hand wearily over her face. “Then don’t! Just forget that I ever existed. You don’t have to ever see me again.”
I played Princess of China by Coldplay and Rihanna.
Perfect song! Both of them hurting! Both of them want to give up! Both of them still love each other yet in agony. Gaaah the drama!
That's also the perfect song especially after the shot Gabriel and Anna gave to each other.
Anna and Gabriel are entitled to suffer. I mean i can't even explain Gabriel, so many things happened to his miserable life. Anna well she's a girl in love. Her boyfriend shot her in the chest. Almost killing her. So Gabriel deserved what happened to him too. Him going insane for two years! Believable!
See how he was:
Sometimes people say that their deceased loved one would want them to move on and find happiness with someone else. Is that true, or is it an excuse to betray the memory of the person who loved you?
--- even i don't know how to answer this. Maybe I'll get back to this thought.
Right now, i can't think because i am so hungry! Lol
Anyway, i am so excited for the second book!
Jackson, Max and Brent and oh! Uncle Simon are all awesome!!!
OH! One more thing!
I forgot to mention, the song for this book is also...
BEAUTIFUL LIE by 30 Seconds to Mars.
WHY? Go on and read it. there's plenty of HUGE LIES in this one.
Here read/sing this:
"It's a beautiful lie
It's the perfect denial
Such a beautiful lie to believe in
So beautiful, beautiful lie it makes me
It's time to forget about the past
To wash away what happened last
Hide behind an empty face
Don't ask too much, just say
'Cause this is just a game"
And my head is singing:
Cause you really hurt me, cause you really hurt me
Princess of China by Coldplay feat Rihanna
Again and again! And it made me cry even more!
Seriously? This is like an obsessive unhealthy love! And. i. Love. It! :)
"Death brought us together, death tore us apart. Now, it seems as if more death is destined to bring us together once again. Let it not be our own."
---- this is like LITERALLY!
Ok! So where to start...
At first i feel like the story is rushing it from the beginning but as i go along, boy was it so sloooow! The agony is long! They were apart from each other and it's so damn long.
Yeah. I was talking about Anna and Gabriel.
The bad boy thing was questionable for me. Only at first. Because from the moment he laid eyes on Anna he is so not acting like a bad boy. He was smitten! It's like he was head over heels for her with just one kiss in that beach. Same goes for the badass assassin. I mean one kiss and she's done for too. Hmm maybe i guess that's love right?
Oh well. The love hate relationship is very amusing and i am so entertained! Well first thing, i cannot believe he still loves her even though she killed his father in front of him.
" I loved you, Anna! More than anything in this world. And now I don’t know if I do anymore because I hate you. So much. I hate you so much that it’s killing all the love I had for you. And I hate you for that too!”
I know he also hates her but it says so right there that he's still hung up on her. Their relationship wasn't even that long and yet he couldn't seem to get over her.
As for Anna,
"It’s funny that loving him will be both my greatest joy and greatest mistake in life."
she's crazy to think that Gabriel is still in love with her. Making herself believe that he was looking for her because he still loves her. I can't blame her. Maybe. Well, because this was her first time to fall in love. She's crazy in love. And she just can handle to let go.
My favorite part of this drama is the confrontation in that party then the beach scene!
If he’s suddenly experiencing tender feelings for me, it’s too late now. I meant what I said.
Omg! I even have a soundtrack!
For the party, while that slut was making her way to Gabriel's pants then got hit by Annabelle, it's "From Yesterday" by 30 Seconds to Mars.
Gosh! Anna is giving up because she was hurt and jealous! I mean c'mon she has this delusion that he's in love with her and they will somehow get back together, only to find out he's with another girl. Funny thing is, Gabriel, although confused with his hate, doesn't want to let her go. He actually panicked when she told him Goodbye.
I also played R.I.P. by Rita Ora and of course Love the Way You Lie by Eminem and Rihanna.
The beach part?
“Because I don’t want to love you anymore!”
Despite the sense of satisfaction I feel because she may have been faithful to me for the past six months, despite how beautiful she is and how much I want her physically, I still hate her. What she did . . . I shudder at the memory.
Loving her has caused me more pain than even my father’s death did.
She wipes a hand wearily over her face. “Then don’t! Just forget that I ever existed. You don’t have to ever see me again.”
I played Princess of China by Coldplay and Rihanna.
Perfect song! Both of them hurting! Both of them want to give up! Both of them still love each other yet in agony. Gaaah the drama!
That's also the perfect song especially after the shot Gabriel and Anna gave to each other.
Anna and Gabriel are entitled to suffer. I mean i can't even explain Gabriel, so many things happened to his miserable life. Anna well she's a girl in love. Her boyfriend shot her in the chest. Almost killing her. So Gabriel deserved what happened to him too. Him going insane for two years! Believable!
See how he was:
Sometimes people say that their deceased loved one would want them to move on and find happiness with someone else. Is that true, or is it an excuse to betray the memory of the person who loved you?
--- even i don't know how to answer this. Maybe I'll get back to this thought.
Right now, i can't think because i am so hungry! Lol
Anyway, i am so excited for the second book!
Jackson, Max and Brent and oh! Uncle Simon are all awesome!!!
OH! One more thing!
I forgot to mention, the song for this book is also...
BEAUTIFUL LIE by 30 Seconds to Mars.
WHY? Go on and read it. there's plenty of HUGE LIES in this one.
Here read/sing this:
"It's a beautiful lie
It's the perfect denial
Such a beautiful lie to believe in
So beautiful, beautiful lie it makes me
It's time to forget about the past
To wash away what happened last
Hide behind an empty face
Don't ask too much, just say
'Cause this is just a game"
July 23, 2012
Read my review on my site: http://everythingatoc.blogspot.com/20...
Adam Gregory as Gabriel & Nina Dobrev as Annabelle
Geez, I was so indecisive I probably changed my choices a million times about my visuals but I think I'm content now.
You say you got an inner bad girl? Well then, this might be good for you.
Okay, first things first, you need to understand is that the protagonist has been trained to kill. Yes, she is a killer. I'm not even going to try to sugarcoat her character even though supposedly it's for the better of society, for "good". Let me tell you, the book is chaotic. Sometimes in a good way and some, in a bad way. I am in a emotional high right now. My heart screamed for me to stop reading but my head wanted to know more. See, I've never been good with reading books that screams: HEARTBREAK and this one has definitely got heartbreak written from the first pages and throughout. I wasn't comfortable with the budding romance because it felt like a lie, and it was built on a lie. But I can't lie, the sexual tension? It's so there. So, I was feeling iffy about the "I love you's" and the hot sex. Truthfully? I was reading, just waiting for the inevitable break up to happened. Boy, did it happen. I know forsure that Gabriel and Anna does not go out without a bang! Yes, pun intended. They we're just two fucked up souls, fucked up by none other than each other. There was angst, then there was love. There was revenge on both counts then there came the hope for redemption. It felt like a never ending goose chase with these two buttheads. So exasperatingly stubborn with each other!
The feelings I had for this book reminds me of Beautiful Disaster and Thoughtless. Beautiful, complex characters that we're just... flawed and that makes them memorable. This is one of those books that mind-fucks you! It has an element of surprise too. I thought that little twist was cute and Gabriel's journal entries. Overall, I loved, and hated it, then loved it only to hate it again.
I loved Jackson, I can't wait to hear the other Blanc assassin's story.
Adam Gregory as Gabriel & Nina Dobrev as Annabelle
Geez, I was so indecisive I probably changed my choices a million times about my visuals but I think I'm content now.
You say you got an inner bad girl? Well then, this might be good for you.
Okay, first things first, you need to understand is that the protagonist has been trained to kill. Yes, she is a killer. I'm not even going to try to sugarcoat her character even though supposedly it's for the better of society, for "good". Let me tell you, the book is chaotic. Sometimes in a good way and some, in a bad way. I am in a emotional high right now. My heart screamed for me to stop reading but my head wanted to know more. See, I've never been good with reading books that screams: HEARTBREAK and this one has definitely got heartbreak written from the first pages and throughout. I wasn't comfortable with the budding romance because it felt like a lie, and it was built on a lie. But I can't lie, the sexual tension? It's so there. So, I was feeling iffy about the "I love you's" and the hot sex. Truthfully? I was reading, just waiting for the inevitable break up to happened. Boy, did it happen. I know forsure that Gabriel and Anna does not go out without a bang! Yes, pun intended. They we're just two fucked up souls, fucked up by none other than each other. There was angst, then there was love. There was revenge on both counts then there came the hope for redemption. It felt like a never ending goose chase with these two buttheads. So exasperatingly stubborn with each other!
The feelings I had for this book reminds me of Beautiful Disaster and Thoughtless. Beautiful, complex characters that we're just... flawed and that makes them memorable. This is one of those books that mind-fucks you! It has an element of surprise too. I thought that little twist was cute and Gabriel's journal entries. Overall, I loved, and hated it, then loved it only to hate it again.
I loved Jackson, I can't wait to hear the other Blanc assassin's story.
January 14, 2012
In my world of rainbows and flying ponies, I think should tell you a bit about myself.
1. I like stories with happy endings. BLISSFUL, PERFECT happy endings. I don't care what turmoil or whatever shit that happens in the middle, the ending has to be laden with sugar and icing.
2. I like stories where the main girl is kick-ass cool. Someone who is independent and relies on her own instead of some guy who is, for whatever reason, doing the dirty job for the girl.
3. Of course, a kick-ass girl should also be accompanied with a competent, if not an equally cool guy. A guy to even be cool enough when he's not with the girl.
4. All conflict (and I love them to be in generous handfuls. Seconds please!) between guy and girl has to be resolved. Preferably through shooting witty comments at each other. No stubbornness please! Both parties should have a proper, sensible cause to fight head-over-heels for.
5. Lastly, I am a strong advocate that chemistry, romance, love ...... DO NOT EQUATE TO SEX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Unfortunately, the last point for me overrides the first, second, third and fourth point.
Does this book pass the test? Almost! If only..... (please refer to fifth point above)
So basically, I was toggling between giving this book 2 or 3 stars. Thanks to the generous servings of kissing, groping, making out, I rest my case at 2 stars.
This book is actually a likeable read for me. The characters are memorable, the plot is competent, the conflict is always present. However, I wonder if this book's settings is in Mars. Let me tell you why:
The main character, Anna, and her brother, Jackson, murder for a living. A very posh living, for that matter. What happens to the police? When do they step in, and how is it possible that not a single member of the police force worldwide step in to solve these murder cases? For me, I have faith in the police force, and the forces of justice, that we have on planet Earth.
Another point of contention- Anna and Jackson are good guys. They only murder bad people. Considering how they effectively prevent the(-ir) world from over-population, one might wonder whether the world is really such a bleak, grey, hopeless place.
And oh! I wonder whether the leading man, Gabriel, is in love with Anna or Anna's ass, from what i get out of this book. What do Anna and Gabriel do when they first get to know each other? Make out. What do they do when they celebrate Anna's birthday? Make out. What do they do to overcome jetlag on a plane? Make out. What do they do when they try to apologise to each other? Jump on a trampoline!!!
No, sorry, typo error, the answer was making out. My bad.
I reiterate: this book is not bad due to flawed characters, storyline, or execution. My criteria for a good book are just not tuned into this book's favour, that's all. It is a shame, really. It was a good read, a guilty pleasure even. I guess I'll have to stick to Barney and fairytales.
*****
Ok, after a few days, I find myself rereading parts of this book. Really addictive. A book that keeps me hooked deserves credit for it. I'm adding a star to its name. It deserves it. Maybe sometimes (my) rules ARE meant to be broken.
1. I like stories with happy endings. BLISSFUL, PERFECT happy endings. I don't care what turmoil or whatever shit that happens in the middle, the ending has to be laden with sugar and icing.
2. I like stories where the main girl is kick-ass cool. Someone who is independent and relies on her own instead of some guy who is, for whatever reason, doing the dirty job for the girl.
3. Of course, a kick-ass girl should also be accompanied with a competent, if not an equally cool guy. A guy to even be cool enough when he's not with the girl.
4. All conflict (and I love them to be in generous handfuls. Seconds please!) between guy and girl has to be resolved. Preferably through shooting witty comments at each other. No stubbornness please! Both parties should have a proper, sensible cause to fight head-over-heels for.
5. Lastly, I am a strong advocate that chemistry, romance, love ...... DO NOT EQUATE TO SEX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Unfortunately, the last point for me overrides the first, second, third and fourth point.
Does this book pass the test? Almost! If only..... (please refer to fifth point above)
So basically, I was toggling between giving this book 2 or 3 stars. Thanks to the generous servings of kissing, groping, making out, I rest my case at 2 stars.
This book is actually a likeable read for me. The characters are memorable, the plot is competent, the conflict is always present. However, I wonder if this book's settings is in Mars. Let me tell you why:
The main character, Anna, and her brother, Jackson, murder for a living. A very posh living, for that matter. What happens to the police? When do they step in, and how is it possible that not a single member of the police force worldwide step in to solve these murder cases? For me, I have faith in the police force, and the forces of justice, that we have on planet Earth.
Another point of contention- Anna and Jackson are good guys. They only murder bad people. Considering how they effectively prevent the(-ir) world from over-population, one might wonder whether the world is really such a bleak, grey, hopeless place.
And oh! I wonder whether the leading man, Gabriel, is in love with Anna or Anna's ass, from what i get out of this book. What do Anna and Gabriel do when they first get to know each other? Make out. What do they do when they celebrate Anna's birthday? Make out. What do they do to overcome jetlag on a plane? Make out. What do they do when they try to apologise to each other? Jump on a trampoline!!!
No, sorry, typo error, the answer was making out. My bad.
I reiterate: this book is not bad due to flawed characters, storyline, or execution. My criteria for a good book are just not tuned into this book's favour, that's all. It is a shame, really. It was a good read, a guilty pleasure even. I guess I'll have to stick to Barney and fairytales.
*****
Ok, after a few days, I find myself rereading parts of this book. Really addictive. A book that keeps me hooked deserves credit for it. I'm adding a star to its name. It deserves it. Maybe sometimes (my) rules ARE meant to be broken.
September 25, 2012
Sorry, there's nothing to like about this book. Its all so very cliche': Anna and her bro are globetrotting teen assassins, orphans no less, and are beautiful, rich, and expertly trained. Despite being mentored by a famous French Madame, for her job as a hired gun, naturally, she has managed to maintain her virginity and has sworn off love because it killed her parents.
What kills me, is that she walks into the next "job" all sophisticated and street smart, and falls for a guy who's akin to any guido on Jersey Shore. He's rich, spoiled, a creepy womanizer, shallow as a mud puddle, and just all around "ick." Their relationship is totally devoid of anything meaningful, except for perhaps the fact that he didn't get her in bed the first night like he usually does, so he determines that means he loves her. What a winner.
Anna, is no better, figuring she's in love, when in truth its really the only romantic relationship she's ever had. Neither one of them is all that emotive-- its a lot of tell and little show.
Anyway, thats as far as I got after a couple of tries. It was just. so. dumb.
What kills me, is that she walks into the next "job" all sophisticated and street smart, and falls for a guy who's akin to any guido on Jersey Shore. He's rich, spoiled, a creepy womanizer, shallow as a mud puddle, and just all around "ick." Their relationship is totally devoid of anything meaningful, except for perhaps the fact that he didn't get her in bed the first night like he usually does, so he determines that means he loves her. What a winner.
Anna, is no better, figuring she's in love, when in truth its really the only romantic relationship she's ever had. Neither one of them is all that emotive-- its a lot of tell and little show.
Anyway, thats as far as I got after a couple of tries. It was just. so. dumb.
February 25, 2015
This is so bad - it's hilariously bad! I felt brain cells disappearing just reading this piece of junk.
OMG I'M A BAD-A$$ ASSASSIAN (BUT NOT A MURDERER) BECAUSE I ONLY KILL BAD GUYS
Listen love - if you kill people - it's murder. If you kill people on behalf of the FBI/CIA it's State Sanctioned murder. I don't have a problem reading about you being an assassin BUT don't justify it. There's reasons for "due processes" and "innocent till proven guilty" and if you don't follow it then civilisation is a mess.
I recently read an YA/NA series called Project Five Fifteen - I despised the heroine, but the plot was amazing (particularly the first book). It was based on a bunch of teens, who were trained from a young age to become Assassins. They had no family (plucked from orphanages), never experienced love, emotion or closeness. They were treated like sociopaths - they kill by order. No justification for it - their mission is to kill - not ponder why.
It was chilling and much more believable. The author rendered them the kind of kids you'd expect - from being brought up that way. Not silly, sassy, "I'm-so-cool-Miley-is-my-best-friend" teeny weeny wanna-be Assassins. These guys performed the whole thing including Parkour. They author did her research!!
This was like a Cr*ap version of Buffy combined Mean Girls (stupid c*rap version). Another reviewer described it as New Moon combined Beautiful Disaster.
It's silly, stupid and unrealistic.
It follows loads of clichés, with the playboy, tall-dark-handsome-every-girl-wants-this-rich-kid hero who falls in love with a woman out to kill his dad. Seriously pass me a bucket.
You'll enjoy this, perhaps, if your 13.
OMG I'M A BAD-A$$ ASSASSIAN (BUT NOT A MURDERER) BECAUSE I ONLY KILL BAD GUYS
Listen love - if you kill people - it's murder. If you kill people on behalf of the FBI/CIA it's State Sanctioned murder. I don't have a problem reading about you being an assassin BUT don't justify it. There's reasons for "due processes" and "innocent till proven guilty" and if you don't follow it then civilisation is a mess.
I recently read an YA/NA series called Project Five Fifteen - I despised the heroine, but the plot was amazing (particularly the first book). It was based on a bunch of teens, who were trained from a young age to become Assassins. They had no family (plucked from orphanages), never experienced love, emotion or closeness. They were treated like sociopaths - they kill by order. No justification for it - their mission is to kill - not ponder why.
It was chilling and much more believable. The author rendered them the kind of kids you'd expect - from being brought up that way. Not silly, sassy, "I'm-so-cool-Miley-is-my-best-friend" teeny weeny wanna-be Assassins. These guys performed the whole thing including Parkour. They author did her research!!
This was like a Cr*ap version of Buffy combined Mean Girls (stupid c*rap version). Another reviewer described it as New Moon combined Beautiful Disaster.
It's silly, stupid and unrealistic.
It follows loads of clichés, with the playboy, tall-dark-handsome-every-girl-wants-this-rich-kid hero who falls in love with a woman out to kill his dad. Seriously pass me a bucket.
You'll enjoy this, perhaps, if your 13.
September 22, 2015
I am a fan of yours on Wattpad, so I was with this book since you first started writing it. I thoroughly enjoyed it and think your a really good writer. Keep up the good work. I can't wait to see the sequel.
May 27, 2013
half a star, or quarter a star? yuck. :/
April Brookshire. Lady. You're messed up, disturbed and in need of some serious help. I would suggest before writing any more crap you actually THINK what you're writing about and actually improve your grammar.
Ditto for the editor who did SUCH a suckey job that I wanted to tear my hair out. Even I write better than this and I KNOW that i'm a crap writer!! >.<
First off, I think that there are people who can weave magic with their words, can write in such a way that it makes your heart ache for the characters and make your fingers tingle with anticipation and inspire you in a way that makes you want to write the best of things. But this? This was such a load of crap I think I should get an award for making it through the book. The synopsis was so interesting but the writing and the plot and the way things went down? Ugh, I suggest the author to improve her skills on fictionpress or something before writing another book.
Um, love at first sight? Really? How very convenient. She saw his picture and now she cant get him out of her mind. He speaks two words to her and he cant stop thinking about her? I don't think thats how guys work. I know that she's supposed to fall for him and he's supposed to fall for her but there could've been something the author could've done to make the situation more believable and more realistic. Honestly I used to write like this when I was fourteen. :/
aside from that the grammar is horrible. The writing actually made me cringe. Why is it that the books with the most awesome blurbs are the ones the most horribly written? “i left the weapons in hiding place...”. Shouldn't it be, “i've left weapons in hidden places...”? Plus there was more description of clothes than was necessary. I mean we know you're a vixen so stop shoving your make-up and clothes in our face and get ON with the story! And the plan to kill Xavier Sanchez was pretty lame. I mean if you have to kill him by dating one of the guys then why not just use Max, the trusting, naive one instead of leading both of them on and creating trouble for yourself. Aren't assassins supposed to be careful and emotionless. Instead she carries around emotional baggage and it is so obvious the author is trying so very hard to create drama where there shouldn't be any just for the sake of progress in the plot—which, I admit, is pretty crappy.
Plus the way that Annabelle thinks that she's so special and different from the rest is so annoying.
And all Anna wonders about is why she thinks Gabriel is hot. And he's always confused why he gets jealous over her. Only a few pages into the book she's contemplating the word 'love'. Gabriel's point of view is like that of a whiny, teenage girl. And which hot-blooded teenage boy uses the term 'harlot' in everyday language?
“Fate is crashing down on us. Doesn’t she know that you can’t fight fate? ” Um, seriously?
I find it unrealistic and weird that after one kiss Gabriel is ready to abandon his play-boy ways just because he realizes that he has a “speshul” connection with her. At this point I would ask the author to take notes from Chloe Neill, author of the Chicago-land Vampires series. How she built the tension for three books before the guy finally let his guard down while the girl still held on to her self-respect.
“Oh baby, I’m sorry. Please don’t be mad at me.” ugh! This is like a train wreck happening right in front of my eyes. I've seen twelve-year olds write better than this. :/
please pray tell HOW do you fall in love with a person that you don't even really know? They're secretive and don't tell you stuff about their life and you just what? Fall head over heels for them?unrealistic much?
Jackson
loves being an assassin as much as I do . What kind of a whackjob ENJOY'S killing people? Sure you get used to it but enjoying it? Isnt that a sign that you are a complete sociopath?
Ok, so then she has perfect aim and then she's wasting precious time when she could just finish it off and make gabriel hear the tapes. Just another pathetic way of creating unnecessary drama!
And then when he confronts her about the murder, one moment he's all, 'i'll get her all the help she needs' and 'I still luuurv her' but then in a fraction of a nano-second aaalll that love just goes poof! And then poof! Its back again. And then he hates her again and wants to kill her. The characters are unrealistically hot and cold. It doesn't even make sense. The author obviosly doesnt know how to handle her characters.
And she keeps repeating all of her feelings. 'I knew his father was a monster. Thats why I killed him.' then a few paragraphs later 'I knew his father was murdering drug-lord. Thats why I killed him.' It is extremely annoying!!! >.<
its a weird fact that your father just died and you're obsessing over your girlfriends virginity.
“The imbecilic organ ”. She actually used the term. Somebody. Please teach this wwoman how to write. MY EYES BURN with the indignity of that phrase!! >.<
the DUDE is obsessing over valentines day. Instead of bitching and moaning why doesnt he do something useful!
His arms tighten around me before he
tosses me down on the off-white couch, fol-
lowing right after to lean in a sexually
menacing manner over me. I don’t care how
I get him, I want him. I’ll take whatever he’ll
give me. Just the thrill of being with him
again, in his arms, no matter how hateful
he’s being, is making me feel better than I
have in months. <--- IS THIS A SELF-RESPECTING WOMAN???
A sense of
male satisfaction shoots through me know-
ing that I contributed to her sex hair. <--- Oh God. Blegh.
That guy hits her like crazy and she just puts up with it! God, what kind of self-respecting woman accepts that kind of thing!! april brookshire is an awful writer!! >.<
and then suddenly, this BRENT person appears. Unnecessary drama much?
as we all four make our way down to the hotel . Really? What happened to 'all four of us'?
And those odes to annabelle he started writing? It was so pathetic.
The most annoying thing about this novel is that it made me feel nothing! I was just looking at the pages wondering when this crap woul be over. I was so disappointed. And if she wanted to write really obsessive heroine there's a good way to accomplish that. Meg Cabot writes the most obsessive heroines and somehow makes them endearing. This just felt like she was trying to fit all the mouthfull words in one sentence and tring to make the main characters falls in lust/love. Mentality of a twelve-year old. :/
April Brookshire. Lady. You're messed up, disturbed and in need of some serious help. I would suggest before writing any more crap you actually THINK what you're writing about and actually improve your grammar.
Ditto for the editor who did SUCH a suckey job that I wanted to tear my hair out. Even I write better than this and I KNOW that i'm a crap writer!! >.<
First off, I think that there are people who can weave magic with their words, can write in such a way that it makes your heart ache for the characters and make your fingers tingle with anticipation and inspire you in a way that makes you want to write the best of things. But this? This was such a load of crap I think I should get an award for making it through the book. The synopsis was so interesting but the writing and the plot and the way things went down? Ugh, I suggest the author to improve her skills on fictionpress or something before writing another book.
Um, love at first sight? Really? How very convenient. She saw his picture and now she cant get him out of her mind. He speaks two words to her and he cant stop thinking about her? I don't think thats how guys work. I know that she's supposed to fall for him and he's supposed to fall for her but there could've been something the author could've done to make the situation more believable and more realistic. Honestly I used to write like this when I was fourteen. :/
aside from that the grammar is horrible. The writing actually made me cringe. Why is it that the books with the most awesome blurbs are the ones the most horribly written? “i left the weapons in hiding place...”. Shouldn't it be, “i've left weapons in hidden places...”? Plus there was more description of clothes than was necessary. I mean we know you're a vixen so stop shoving your make-up and clothes in our face and get ON with the story! And the plan to kill Xavier Sanchez was pretty lame. I mean if you have to kill him by dating one of the guys then why not just use Max, the trusting, naive one instead of leading both of them on and creating trouble for yourself. Aren't assassins supposed to be careful and emotionless. Instead she carries around emotional baggage and it is so obvious the author is trying so very hard to create drama where there shouldn't be any just for the sake of progress in the plot—which, I admit, is pretty crappy.
Plus the way that Annabelle thinks that she's so special and different from the rest is so annoying.
And all Anna wonders about is why she thinks Gabriel is hot. And he's always confused why he gets jealous over her. Only a few pages into the book she's contemplating the word 'love'. Gabriel's point of view is like that of a whiny, teenage girl. And which hot-blooded teenage boy uses the term 'harlot' in everyday language?
“Fate is crashing down on us. Doesn’t she know that you can’t fight fate? ” Um, seriously?
I find it unrealistic and weird that after one kiss Gabriel is ready to abandon his play-boy ways just because he realizes that he has a “speshul” connection with her. At this point I would ask the author to take notes from Chloe Neill, author of the Chicago-land Vampires series. How she built the tension for three books before the guy finally let his guard down while the girl still held on to her self-respect.
“Oh baby, I’m sorry. Please don’t be mad at me.” ugh! This is like a train wreck happening right in front of my eyes. I've seen twelve-year olds write better than this. :/
please pray tell HOW do you fall in love with a person that you don't even really know? They're secretive and don't tell you stuff about their life and you just what? Fall head over heels for them?unrealistic much?
Jackson
loves being an assassin as much as I do . What kind of a whackjob ENJOY'S killing people? Sure you get used to it but enjoying it? Isnt that a sign that you are a complete sociopath?
Ok, so then she has perfect aim and then she's wasting precious time when she could just finish it off and make gabriel hear the tapes. Just another pathetic way of creating unnecessary drama!
And then when he confronts her about the murder, one moment he's all, 'i'll get her all the help she needs' and 'I still luuurv her' but then in a fraction of a nano-second aaalll that love just goes poof! And then poof! Its back again. And then he hates her again and wants to kill her. The characters are unrealistically hot and cold. It doesn't even make sense. The author obviosly doesnt know how to handle her characters.
And she keeps repeating all of her feelings. 'I knew his father was a monster. Thats why I killed him.' then a few paragraphs later 'I knew his father was murdering drug-lord. Thats why I killed him.' It is extremely annoying!!! >.<
its a weird fact that your father just died and you're obsessing over your girlfriends virginity.
“The imbecilic organ ”. She actually used the term. Somebody. Please teach this wwoman how to write. MY EYES BURN with the indignity of that phrase!! >.<
the DUDE is obsessing over valentines day. Instead of bitching and moaning why doesnt he do something useful!
His arms tighten around me before he
tosses me down on the off-white couch, fol-
lowing right after to lean in a sexually
menacing manner over me. I don’t care how
I get him, I want him. I’ll take whatever he’ll
give me. Just the thrill of being with him
again, in his arms, no matter how hateful
he’s being, is making me feel better than I
have in months. <--- IS THIS A SELF-RESPECTING WOMAN???
A sense of
male satisfaction shoots through me know-
ing that I contributed to her sex hair. <--- Oh God. Blegh.
That guy hits her like crazy and she just puts up with it! God, what kind of self-respecting woman accepts that kind of thing!! april brookshire is an awful writer!! >.<
and then suddenly, this BRENT person appears. Unnecessary drama much?
as we all four make our way down to the hotel . Really? What happened to 'all four of us'?
And those odes to annabelle he started writing? It was so pathetic.
The most annoying thing about this novel is that it made me feel nothing! I was just looking at the pages wondering when this crap woul be over. I was so disappointed. And if she wanted to write really obsessive heroine there's a good way to accomplish that. Meg Cabot writes the most obsessive heroines and somehow makes them endearing. This just felt like she was trying to fit all the mouthfull words in one sentence and tring to make the main characters falls in lust/love. Mentality of a twelve-year old. :/
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 28, 2014
Annabelle is a pretty awesum chick. Even if a little far fetched at 17 years old, this girl can kick ass.
The general blurb and what I’ve written only gives an insight to the first 1/3rd of the book, anything else will give too much of the plot away. The first 1/3rd gives the reader a solid foundation to the rest of the packed book which is filled to the brim with love and hate.
Annabelle has been trained in all kinds of weaponry, she has had lessons in the art of seduction by a French Madame, she travels the world on different missions; with and without her assassin brother who both, in their spare time, like to beat up assholes and each other, and her assassin parents died in action; the love of her father for her mother causing their deaths.
So, Annabelle is taught that love is a weakness and she's trained to; lie, cover her feelings and hide her expressions, as well as kick butt and murder. Her targets are always bad people and she believes that they get what they deserve, she is not a murderer, but a killer.
Her latest target (Xavier) is a drug dealing, murdering, loving husband and father.
She plans on getting her hands on Xavier by dating his son (Gabriel, who doesn't believe that his father is a bad guy at all) or nephew (Max) and in the process, gaining access to Xaviers home.
Annabelle begins to fall in love and finds it difficult to hide her true emotions, Gabriel can read her pretty well also. They embark on the kind of Love/Hate relationship everyone loves (they shouldn't, but they do) which sees them to travel across the world together.
This really is a typical YA/New Adult book when it comes to content. Dual POV, romance, some swearing, no descriptive sex, general jealously and sibling rivalry.
Although far fetched ( for eg... Annabelle doesn't drink, has never had sex, she's is a pro killer at 17 and Gabriel is a male whore at 17, they also like to beat each other up on occasions and then kiss and make up) I found it to be a really enjoyable read.
Love the fact that it's not overly descriptive when it comes to stupid stuff like decorations and they don't talk about pointless things. Its not too long or drawn out more than it should be (which surprises me as it is 502 pages, which is also good for the download price) and has plenty of dialogue and action, although some readers are asking why isn't there more, it's enough for me.
I understand that not everyone is enjoying it, it's not a bad book, its not sloppy, drawn out or boring all ALL, this I find the main problem with books in this genre.
I think the problem that people seem to have is that it's so far fetched, it might not be for everybody, but if you agree with myself, then give it a read. I understand, but.... I don't care. It was fun and interesting and had plenty of angst, romance and action in it for me.
If you like this book, I suggest the Untouchable series by Lindsay Delagair similar aspects with out so much of the Love/Hate and more romance.
The general blurb and what I’ve written only gives an insight to the first 1/3rd of the book, anything else will give too much of the plot away. The first 1/3rd gives the reader a solid foundation to the rest of the packed book which is filled to the brim with love and hate.
Annabelle has been trained in all kinds of weaponry, she has had lessons in the art of seduction by a French Madame, she travels the world on different missions; with and without her assassin brother who both, in their spare time, like to beat up assholes and each other, and her assassin parents died in action; the love of her father for her mother causing their deaths.
So, Annabelle is taught that love is a weakness and she's trained to; lie, cover her feelings and hide her expressions, as well as kick butt and murder. Her targets are always bad people and she believes that they get what they deserve, she is not a murderer, but a killer.
Her latest target (Xavier) is a drug dealing, murdering, loving husband and father.
She plans on getting her hands on Xavier by dating his son (Gabriel, who doesn't believe that his father is a bad guy at all) or nephew (Max) and in the process, gaining access to Xaviers home.
Annabelle begins to fall in love and finds it difficult to hide her true emotions, Gabriel can read her pretty well also. They embark on the kind of Love/Hate relationship everyone loves (they shouldn't, but they do) which sees them to travel across the world together.
This really is a typical YA/New Adult book when it comes to content. Dual POV, romance, some swearing, no descriptive sex, general jealously and sibling rivalry.
Although far fetched ( for eg... Annabelle doesn't drink, has never had sex, she's is a pro killer at 17 and Gabriel is a male whore at 17, they also like to beat each other up on occasions and then kiss and make up) I found it to be a really enjoyable read.
Love the fact that it's not overly descriptive when it comes to stupid stuff like decorations and they don't talk about pointless things. Its not too long or drawn out more than it should be (which surprises me as it is 502 pages, which is also good for the download price) and has plenty of dialogue and action, although some readers are asking why isn't there more, it's enough for me.
I understand that not everyone is enjoying it, it's not a bad book, its not sloppy, drawn out or boring all ALL, this I find the main problem with books in this genre.
I think the problem that people seem to have is that it's so far fetched, it might not be for everybody, but if you agree with myself, then give it a read. I understand, but.... I don't care. It was fun and interesting and had plenty of angst, romance and action in it for me.
If you like this book, I suggest the Untouchable series by Lindsay Delagair similar aspects with out so much of the Love/Hate and more romance.
February 4, 2013
Well, it takes me two days to finish "Young Love Murder" but it's worth my time. When I read it, it's like I was sitting on the roller coaster ... happy and annoyed, excited and bored ... still I love it.
The story's interesting; however, it still isn't perfect for me. First of all, I do like the idea that the main character, Annabelle ... a badass assassin, is falling in love with the target's son, Gabriel. I know that their love has chemistry although sometimes I feel like it is all about sex. Second, the story has a great ending ... every knots has been solved but still it's too long for me. Third, I admit that Annabelle and Gabriel are made for each other but when Gabriel lost his Anna, I feel like he lost his cool which isn't cool. Yep, there are two sides of this plot, good and bad. However, the good part has casted a spell on me and it makes me look pass another part. So let's move on to the characters.
The characters are the greatest part of "Young Love Murder" and the strange thing is I love Jackson more than Annabelle and Gabriel combined. But first, let's focus on Annabelle and Gabriel (and leave Jacks to me >///<). Annabelle is an interested girl. She is smart, beautiful, and living in the strange world. She is a cool assassin who kills in order to protect the innocent people and of course she's madly in love (this thing makes the plot of "Young Love Murder" so new to me). Gabriel is a man who suffers and struggles through a lot of things. He also has something I can't pin point on that makes me really like him ... It might be his charisma, his sense of humor, all even the way he thought of each situations. Jackson ... I love him. He is a cool and reliable guy who loves his family ... I can't tell a lot about him to you until the sequence book (which must be his story). I respect Simon; I also adore Brent and Max.
Overall, "Young Love Murder" is a great book that you'd not miss. I give it 4 stars and I can't wait to read Jackson's story.
The story's interesting; however, it still isn't perfect for me. First of all, I do like the idea that the main character, Annabelle ... a badass assassin, is falling in love with the target's son, Gabriel. I know that their love has chemistry although sometimes I feel like it is all about sex. Second, the story has a great ending ... every knots has been solved but still it's too long for me. Third, I admit that Annabelle and Gabriel are made for each other but when Gabriel lost his Anna, I feel like he lost his cool which isn't cool. Yep, there are two sides of this plot, good and bad. However, the good part has casted a spell on me and it makes me look pass another part. So let's move on to the characters.
The characters are the greatest part of "Young Love Murder" and the strange thing is I love Jackson more than Annabelle and Gabriel combined. But first, let's focus on Annabelle and Gabriel (and leave Jacks to me >///<). Annabelle is an interested girl. She is smart, beautiful, and living in the strange world. She is a cool assassin who kills in order to protect the innocent people and of course she's madly in love (this thing makes the plot of "Young Love Murder" so new to me). Gabriel is a man who suffers and struggles through a lot of things. He also has something I can't pin point on that makes me really like him ... It might be his charisma, his sense of humor, all even the way he thought of each situations. Jackson ... I love him. He is a cool and reliable guy who loves his family ... I can't tell a lot about him to you until the sequence book (which must be his story). I respect Simon; I also adore Brent and Max.
Overall, "Young Love Murder" is a great book that you'd not miss. I give it 4 stars and I can't wait to read Jackson's story.
May 10, 2012
*I am amending this review to include my own prejudice. I am not a fan of when a character makes jokes as they are trolloping about killing people. Now this does not bother many people and if you don't mind that you might love this book. IE Cat or Sirantha*
Keep the wind away from this one because that fourth star might blow away for me.
The book is 2 peoples POV (Anna and Gabriel. ) Anna is an Assassin that is contracted to kill Gabriel’s dad. First thing Anna is not the girl on the cover. She is more of this bubbly nothing is serious in life kind of girl. I think the picture of the girl on the cover is of some girl who read the book and is wondering how she felt about it on reflection. My emotions were all over the place with this book. It could have been 2 stars and thought the story had potential to be 5 stars. The beginning of the book was a little annoying because I was expecting a more serious book. The assassin part is more of a goofy slap stick comedy IMO. Example first she meets Carmine in a bar when she is supposed to be a High School student and then she shows up at school with a Lamborghini??? Blend in much? Anna and Carmine are similar in how wonderful they feel about themselves which gave me a problem getting into the story. Jackson is Anna’s brother and the only character that I liked from beginning till end. Anna and Gabriel were both so self-absorbed that I felt like I didn’t really care if either or both got hurt. Then the story took a turn and I really got into the writing and started to feel for the characters. Then it got a little boring for a while and out of the blue BAM I’m back into it hard. If the author would have made the assassin part better I feel it probably would have been a no brainer and pass it onto my friends book. But instead I’m sitting here saying EH I read it if you want to it’s only a buck. If the second book in the series is focused on Jackson I would consider reading it.
Keep the wind away from this one because that fourth star might blow away for me.
The book is 2 peoples POV (Anna and Gabriel. ) Anna is an Assassin that is contracted to kill Gabriel’s dad. First thing Anna is not the girl on the cover. She is more of this bubbly nothing is serious in life kind of girl. I think the picture of the girl on the cover is of some girl who read the book and is wondering how she felt about it on reflection. My emotions were all over the place with this book. It could have been 2 stars and thought the story had potential to be 5 stars. The beginning of the book was a little annoying because I was expecting a more serious book. The assassin part is more of a goofy slap stick comedy IMO. Example first she meets Carmine in a bar when she is supposed to be a High School student and then she shows up at school with a Lamborghini??? Blend in much? Anna and Carmine are similar in how wonderful they feel about themselves which gave me a problem getting into the story. Jackson is Anna’s brother and the only character that I liked from beginning till end. Anna and Gabriel were both so self-absorbed that I felt like I didn’t really care if either or both got hurt. Then the story took a turn and I really got into the writing and started to feel for the characters. Then it got a little boring for a while and out of the blue BAM I’m back into it hard. If the author would have made the assassin part better I feel it probably would have been a no brainer and pass it onto my friends book. But instead I’m sitting here saying EH I read it if you want to it’s only a buck. If the second book in the series is focused on Jackson I would consider reading it.
December 21, 2011
We need more heroines like Ana!!
Seriously!!
She's Bad-a$$. And having a hottie hero like Gabe doesn't hurt either.
I am looking forward for book 2 and please feature Jacks more ;-), I loved him ever since he threw Ana's "delicates" across their hotel room.
Seriously!!
She's Bad-a$$. And having a hottie hero like Gabe doesn't hurt either.
I am looking forward for book 2 and please feature Jacks more ;-), I loved him ever since he threw Ana's "delicates" across their hotel room.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 27, 2013
If any of you have ever watched the movie Mr & Mrs Smith you will get a drift of what I am about to write down. It is that movie where Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolene are a married couple but secretly international assassins. Take that and substitute the character Brad Pitt with a watered down version of Bella from "Twilight" . What do you get? YOUNG LOVE MURDER.
This is a book that has taken love hate relationship to a new extreme. What more can you expect from a book about assassins? The concept is good I will give them that. A 17 year old Female assassin out to seduce the son of her next target only to fall in love with him. However it would have been much more likable if only the female lead was not that heartless. I get that she kills only the bad guys and in a completely Bane kind of way believes herself to be a "necessary evil". Yet you can't help flinching every time she jokes about the kills she make. She is believable for most part and I do enjoy reading about a strong female character. But she also suffers from the same disease which I am being increasingly made aware of after every YA venture that I have been making recently known as "Instant Love". She doesn't even see the guy in person before the attraction kicks in. When they finally meet she falls for him and he for her. Why? you might ask. Because she is the only girl that doesn't get jealous when other girls start paying attention to him and that too on the first day of their meeting. Here is the kicker though. Deep down the girl is really jealous about the guy she just met. Then the instant attraction takes its course and both of them are head over heels in love with each other within one week. True, obsessive and stalker kind of love...But the fates are not kind to the young lovers because she has an assignment to finish and that involves killing her true love's father and disappearing. Talk about more drama. The book then takes use through many anguish filled, confusing story lines were you have to sit with your fingers crossed hoping that the assassin and lover find each other and can carry on with their twisted love affair while killing people on the side, which I must confess I found despite of my incredulity very entertaining.
The writing style of the author is good. She knows how to take a story this common and spin it in to a very unconventional sort of entertainment. However she does need a lesson in writing romantic lines cause the dialogues were really grating on my nerves. Before this book I had no idea that love sick couples have to finish each and every sentence with the word "BABY". "I am fine Baby", "Are you comfortable Baby?", "Do you want me to get that Baby?","Can you pass the bullets so that I can shoot the guy Baby" and many more. I never realized "Baby" was such an ugly word. The guy Gabriel as I have said is a male version of Bella. There is no logic in his devotion to Anna. He actually makes Bella look kind of good and with a backbone. His kind of obsession is actually unhealthy and I couldn't find much redeeming qualities for him. The book is very fast paced. You will be glued to the book during the first 100 pages and then it looses steam and you will feel the need to abandon it. But if you stick with it the story again picks up and then again looses steam coming to a whirlwind conclusion. That is another thing, this book could have been a couple of pages short. I was never a one to call a 389 page book a long one but this one sure does feel like it. It is one endless cycle. If you are into to those kind of love stories were the guy and the girl are out to kill each other on the basis of an obsessive kind of love then this is the book for you. Else you will be disappointed
This is a book that has taken love hate relationship to a new extreme. What more can you expect from a book about assassins? The concept is good I will give them that. A 17 year old Female assassin out to seduce the son of her next target only to fall in love with him. However it would have been much more likable if only the female lead was not that heartless. I get that she kills only the bad guys and in a completely Bane kind of way believes herself to be a "necessary evil". Yet you can't help flinching every time she jokes about the kills she make. She is believable for most part and I do enjoy reading about a strong female character. But she also suffers from the same disease which I am being increasingly made aware of after every YA venture that I have been making recently known as "Instant Love". She doesn't even see the guy in person before the attraction kicks in. When they finally meet she falls for him and he for her. Why? you might ask. Because she is the only girl that doesn't get jealous when other girls start paying attention to him and that too on the first day of their meeting. Here is the kicker though. Deep down the girl is really jealous about the guy she just met. Then the instant attraction takes its course and both of them are head over heels in love with each other within one week. True, obsessive and stalker kind of love...But the fates are not kind to the young lovers because she has an assignment to finish and that involves killing her true love's father and disappearing. Talk about more drama. The book then takes use through many anguish filled, confusing story lines were you have to sit with your fingers crossed hoping that the assassin and lover find each other and can carry on with their twisted love affair while killing people on the side, which I must confess I found despite of my incredulity very entertaining.
The writing style of the author is good. She knows how to take a story this common and spin it in to a very unconventional sort of entertainment. However she does need a lesson in writing romantic lines cause the dialogues were really grating on my nerves. Before this book I had no idea that love sick couples have to finish each and every sentence with the word "BABY". "I am fine Baby", "Are you comfortable Baby?", "Do you want me to get that Baby?","Can you pass the bullets so that I can shoot the guy Baby" and many more. I never realized "Baby" was such an ugly word. The guy Gabriel as I have said is a male version of Bella. There is no logic in his devotion to Anna. He actually makes Bella look kind of good and with a backbone. His kind of obsession is actually unhealthy and I couldn't find much redeeming qualities for him. The book is very fast paced. You will be glued to the book during the first 100 pages and then it looses steam and you will feel the need to abandon it. But if you stick with it the story again picks up and then again looses steam coming to a whirlwind conclusion. That is another thing, this book could have been a couple of pages short. I was never a one to call a 389 page book a long one but this one sure does feel like it. It is one endless cycle. If you are into to those kind of love stories were the guy and the girl are out to kill each other on the basis of an obsessive kind of love then this is the book for you. Else you will be disappointed
October 10, 2021
I loved this book. It had me laughing so hard I was close to falling off my couch one moment and crying like it was me who was in deep pain, the next.
I often hear people say the words "those two are crazy in love", but they don't even know half of it, because when it comes to Annabelle and Gabriel, those words take on a new meaning. Insane sounds like a better word to describe the relationship between those two. The chase, the combination of love and hate, the crazy attraction, the banter between Anna, Gabriel and Jackson, it all kept things beyond interesting. I loved the fact that Anna was such a badasss and that Gabriel was the type of guy that didn't give up even when it got tough. They were so perfect together.
I hope the next book is about Jackson. I want to see him eat his words about never falling in love. Once again, this book was awesome! Can't wait for the next one.
December 12, 2012
Let me just first start off by saying - DNF.
The premise sounded really good, but I had no idea that it was going to be that crazy. Literally, if you like extremely unrealistic books, this is for you.
I almost made it to 50% of the book, but I just couldn't do it. I almost stopped right away after He just stood there, and watched - like it was nothing. But I continued reading because I wanted to know why there were so many good reviews. Like maybe I'm just missing something? I really wanted to like and finish this book, but couldn't do it. The characters are so extreme, and Gabriel's definitelya bit really cuckoo. Or maybe it's just love that makes us do crazy things sometimes... but oh, do crazy things happen about 90% of the time in this book.
I was hoping that there'd be more assassin things, fighting, etc, but it wasn't there. Not as much action as I would have wanted, and it's more romance. I usually like romance in a book, but it really didn't work for me in this. If it was more focused on the assassins aspect, and a little bit less on the love story - I think that the story would have worked better. And why the instant attraction. Liked Max's and Jackson's characters, but the plotline obviously only focuses on Gabriel and Anna, considering that they're the main characters. I found the other characters to be much more interesting than the main characters, and I lost interest in Anna and Gabriel, quickly. The story is told in Anna and Gabriel's alternating POVs.
Anyways, I hope you guys can appreciate this book more than I did.
The premise sounded really good, but I had no idea that it was going to be that crazy. Literally, if you like extremely unrealistic books, this is for you.
I almost made it to 50% of the book, but I just couldn't do it. I almost stopped right away after He just stood there, and watched - like it was nothing. But I continued reading because I wanted to know why there were so many good reviews. Like maybe I'm just missing something? I really wanted to like and finish this book, but couldn't do it. The characters are so extreme, and Gabriel's definitely
I was hoping that there'd be more assassin things, fighting, etc, but it wasn't there. Not as much action as I would have wanted, and it's more romance. I usually like romance in a book, but it really didn't work for me in this. If it was more focused on the assassins aspect, and a little bit less on the love story - I think that the story would have worked better. And why the instant attraction. Liked Max's and Jackson's characters, but the plotline obviously only focuses on Gabriel and Anna, considering that they're the main characters. I found the other characters to be much more interesting than the main characters, and I lost interest in Anna and Gabriel, quickly. The story is told in Anna and Gabriel's alternating POVs.
Anyways, I hope you guys can appreciate this book more than I did.
August 26, 2011
This book was amazing. The plot has so many twists and turns. Anna is unlike any other girl her age and Gabriel becomes a strong leading male character early on in the book. The author brings reality and fantasy together in a way that gives this book a unique feel. While it may not be for all it is definetly a must read. Fast paced, it grabs you from the beginning and holds all the way to the end. I would recommened this book to anyone who loves suspense, romance and thrillers. By the end you'll be asking when the next book I coming out. I know I was.
March 19, 2012
I had really high expectations going in because of all the reviews and was just terribly disappointed. I couldn't finish this book. I'm not sure what kind of genre this is supposed to be, but whatever it is it is not suited for me.
The book read like it was written by 10 year olds for other 10 year olds. There were so many grammar problems, incoherent scene transitions, and rambling sentences it made it impossible for me to read.
I enjoy the young adult genre, and I'm used to a lower writing grade, but this was much worse than the standard YA I'm used to.
The book read like it was written by 10 year olds for other 10 year olds. There were so many grammar problems, incoherent scene transitions, and rambling sentences it made it impossible for me to read.
I enjoy the young adult genre, and I'm used to a lower writing grade, but this was much worse than the standard YA I'm used to.
April 26, 2012
LOVEED ITT!!!!!
December 10, 2012
Holy hell.
Annabelle is an assassin. A hit man. A killer. Whatever you want to call it, she has been doing it since she was fourteen, and she is good at it. After both her parents died, she and her brother were raised by “Uncle” Simon, who raised them since Annabelle was two and Jackson was four. He trained them in how to be fighters but all in the name of justice; they never killed people who weren't guilty of something horrendous, and Simon made sure of that.
Annabelle is 17, but usually has to play the part of someone older. Simon gives her and Jackson their assignments, depending on who the target is. But now, Annabelle finally gets a target that allows her to act her age, and she is actually excited.
“Is this what normal teenage girls go through every day? If it is, it sucks. I’d take being an assassin over being a normal teenage girl any day. If I have a problem, I kill it or run away from it. If a regular teenager has a problem they have to work through it. Yep, it sucks.”
Learning how to be a normal teenager isn't easy, especially because Annabelle has never known normal, or anything even somewhat resembling it. But her new target has a teenage son, and he is her best method of getting into the house.
Everything is going perfectly. Annabelle caught his attention, and is going to have no problem getting to her target. The problem? She may have fallen in love. The worst part? Falling in love with her target’s son isn’t even the worst that is about to come.
“Damn those eyes, something about looking into them makes me uncomfortable. Gives me the feeling that he’s going to see more than what I present on the surface. Discover my secrets.”
I don’t want to give too much away, but this is only about the first third or so of the story. If you want to know a LITTLE more, you can read this:
So, as I was saying...
Holy hell.
I can’t help grinning like an idiot, and I feel like a sociopath doing it because I’m grinning like an idiot while I’m rooting for an assassin to find true love with a non-assassin boy who is ultimately quite insane.
Does that make me crazy?
Okay. So. Yes, its a long(ish) book and in several ways it seems like its a couple of shorter books wrapped into one, because it definitely has distinguished parts. Only the first third is dedicated to what I initially saw as the main plot of the book. The middle is dedicated to the aftermath of what happens in the first part. The end is somewhat subdivided into two parts; one pre-Gabriel goes crazy and one post-Gabriel goes crazy. Not that he wasn't crazy before, but especially crazy. That being said, its not slow paced at all, but its not that it is fast either – how it is written and the premise of the story (the hits) works perfectly with its structure. Granted, the themes do start to get somewhat repetitive, because there is a lot of Gabriel trying to chase down Anna. Also note, this book spans over a four year period (or 3 years and a little).
So, a few things you need to know about this book.
1) Teenage assassins who fall in love? Yes, I understand that the ideas can seem a little far fetched at times. BUT this is what is so fantastic about fiction. If you are expecting a completely realistic book, this might not be it, but if you come in open minded I bet you will enjoy it (at least a little). I think I would qualify this as one of those guilty pleasure books.
2) The main characters may or may not be insane (they are a tad). You can chalk it up to terrible life experience or trauma, or anything you want, but you can’t get around the fact they are a tad sadistic. Somehow, this works for them (and it can be very entertaining at times). You may feel crazy for loving them, but they are quite lovable, even though they kill a lot of people. Don't ask questions; just love.
3) Their love seems a bit (a lot) obsessive. And since the main two characters (Annabelle and Gabriel) have a lot of wealth, they are able to do things like chase each other around the world (for example). So, if you are the type of person who doesn't like that kind of story, then you probably really wont like this book (because its definitely there). It is going to be like a YA love story but with adult scenes (hence, new adult genre).
4) One pet peeve: it does overuse the word baby a lot. So if that is something that drives you nuts, nuts you may be driven.
Annabelle is an assassin. A hit man. A killer. Whatever you want to call it, she has been doing it since she was fourteen, and she is good at it. After both her parents died, she and her brother were raised by “Uncle” Simon, who raised them since Annabelle was two and Jackson was four. He trained them in how to be fighters but all in the name of justice; they never killed people who weren't guilty of something horrendous, and Simon made sure of that.
Annabelle is 17, but usually has to play the part of someone older. Simon gives her and Jackson their assignments, depending on who the target is. But now, Annabelle finally gets a target that allows her to act her age, and she is actually excited.
“Is this what normal teenage girls go through every day? If it is, it sucks. I’d take being an assassin over being a normal teenage girl any day. If I have a problem, I kill it or run away from it. If a regular teenager has a problem they have to work through it. Yep, it sucks.”
Learning how to be a normal teenager isn't easy, especially because Annabelle has never known normal, or anything even somewhat resembling it. But her new target has a teenage son, and he is her best method of getting into the house.
Everything is going perfectly. Annabelle caught his attention, and is going to have no problem getting to her target. The problem? She may have fallen in love. The worst part? Falling in love with her target’s son isn’t even the worst that is about to come.
“Damn those eyes, something about looking into them makes me uncomfortable. Gives me the feeling that he’s going to see more than what I present on the surface. Discover my secrets.”
I don’t want to give too much away, but this is only about the first third or so of the story. If you want to know a LITTLE more, you can read this:
So, as I was saying...
Holy hell.
I can’t help grinning like an idiot, and I feel like a sociopath doing it because I’m grinning like an idiot while I’m rooting for an assassin to find true love with a non-assassin boy who is ultimately quite insane.
Does that make me crazy?
Okay. So. Yes, its a long(ish) book and in several ways it seems like its a couple of shorter books wrapped into one, because it definitely has distinguished parts. Only the first third is dedicated to what I initially saw as the main plot of the book. The middle is dedicated to the aftermath of what happens in the first part. The end is somewhat subdivided into two parts; one pre-Gabriel goes crazy and one post-Gabriel goes crazy. Not that he wasn't crazy before, but especially crazy. That being said, its not slow paced at all, but its not that it is fast either – how it is written and the premise of the story (the hits) works perfectly with its structure. Granted, the themes do start to get somewhat repetitive, because there is a lot of Gabriel trying to chase down Anna. Also note, this book spans over a four year period (or 3 years and a little).
So, a few things you need to know about this book.
1) Teenage assassins who fall in love? Yes, I understand that the ideas can seem a little far fetched at times. BUT this is what is so fantastic about fiction. If you are expecting a completely realistic book, this might not be it, but if you come in open minded I bet you will enjoy it (at least a little). I think I would qualify this as one of those guilty pleasure books.
2) The main characters may or may not be insane (they are a tad). You can chalk it up to terrible life experience or trauma, or anything you want, but you can’t get around the fact they are a tad sadistic. Somehow, this works for them (and it can be very entertaining at times). You may feel crazy for loving them, but they are quite lovable, even though they kill a lot of people. Don't ask questions; just love.
3) Their love seems a bit (a lot) obsessive. And since the main two characters (Annabelle and Gabriel) have a lot of wealth, they are able to do things like chase each other around the world (for example). So, if you are the type of person who doesn't like that kind of story, then you probably really wont like this book (because its definitely there). It is going to be like a YA love story but with adult scenes (hence, new adult genre).
4) One pet peeve: it does overuse the word baby a lot. So if that is something that drives you nuts, nuts you may be driven.
June 26, 2016
DNF
Let me start by saying that reading this book gained me NOTHING. It is a really painful journey for me and I swear my eyes aren't gonna be the same after all the eye-rolling. Frankly, the only reason I read this book in the first place is because I found this book in Wattpad and was delighted to find out that the author had taken the risk to self-publish her book, which gained a lot of readers from the site. I then searched for the finished eBook and I'm not even halfway through the book when I eventually regretted my decision.
This story had a really good idea. I always loved badass girls and even liked the idea of a cold, heartless assassin falling in love. But unfortunately, this book didn't quite fulfilled my expectations. It was just bad.
The characters are annoying. I know the female lead, Anna, is a tough, badass assassin, and I usually loved those kind of female leads. But this so-called "badass" MC didn't do anything but annoy me. She is a conceited, selfish, big-headed, stupid, whiny and bratty. I mean, she didn't need to rub off in our faces on how skilled she is in fighting when in fact she's just all talk and bravado.
Another character that annoyed me the most is the male lead, Gabriel. To be honest, he acts more of a girl than the female lead. Not to mention that he is pathetic and stupid. His reaction when his girlfriend killed his father is morbidly hilarious. Come on man, that girl killed your father and all you can think is how cool she is?! And all the chasing he made afterwards to get revenge on Anna is plain boring.
The only sensible and likable character in here is Jackson. I find him more interesting than the pathetic, lust-filled MCs.
The love story is a poor excuse for a romance.Wait, I'm not sure if it even deserves to be called a "love story" because it is more on LUST than LOVE. Let me explain: The moment Gabriel set eyes on Anna and vice-versa, they can't help but be entranced on each other's beauty. When Anna came to Gabriel's school, he started to take a move on her and get to know her mysterious attitude. There are some chit-chats and cheesy lines and kissing and then BAM! They are totally falling in love. *eye-roll*
Oh yeah, that's totally believable because they only knew each other for 3 days! 2 and a half day to be exact ever since that night on the club.
The writing is crappy. Yes, there's not much grammatical errors but I think the author should use and be more creative in using descriptions and figurative language.
The plot has no real direction. I would much appreciate this novel if the author focuses more on what is happening around the characters rather just in their ill and boring thoughts and romance. Although I admit that I'm not sure what really happened on the end for I gave up halfway through the book. But I guess from the painful journey that I endured and the reviews, it is not really much of an ending, more of what I already began to predict and expect.
I can totally see why some people like this though. I admit too that I quite enjoyed this especially when Gabriel made those funny and sweet lines and when Anna is sticking to her badass side, but some things just can't be ignored that easily.
CONCLUSION: I think I just lost half of my precious brain cells while reading this book and I doubt if I'll finish this or even picked it up once again someday. I just can't afford to lose what remained of my sanity, thank you very much.
Let me start by saying that reading this book gained me NOTHING. It is a really painful journey for me and I swear my eyes aren't gonna be the same after all the eye-rolling. Frankly, the only reason I read this book in the first place is because I found this book in Wattpad and was delighted to find out that the author had taken the risk to self-publish her book, which gained a lot of readers from the site. I then searched for the finished eBook and I'm not even halfway through the book when I eventually regretted my decision.
This story had a really good idea. I always loved badass girls and even liked the idea of a cold, heartless assassin falling in love. But unfortunately, this book didn't quite fulfilled my expectations. It was just bad.
The characters are annoying. I know the female lead, Anna, is a tough, badass assassin, and I usually loved those kind of female leads. But this so-called "badass" MC didn't do anything but annoy me. She is a conceited, selfish, big-headed, stupid, whiny and bratty. I mean, she didn't need to rub off in our faces on how skilled she is in fighting when in fact she's just all talk and bravado.
Another character that annoyed me the most is the male lead, Gabriel. To be honest, he acts more of a girl than the female lead. Not to mention that he is pathetic and stupid. His reaction when his girlfriend killed his father is morbidly hilarious. Come on man, that girl killed your father and all you can think is how cool she is?! And all the chasing he made afterwards to get revenge on Anna is plain boring.
The only sensible and likable character in here is Jackson. I find him more interesting than the pathetic, lust-filled MCs.
The love story is a poor excuse for a romance.Wait, I'm not sure if it even deserves to be called a "love story" because it is more on LUST than LOVE. Let me explain: The moment Gabriel set eyes on Anna and vice-versa, they can't help but be entranced on each other's beauty. When Anna came to Gabriel's school, he started to take a move on her and get to know her mysterious attitude. There are some chit-chats and cheesy lines and kissing and then BAM! They are totally falling in love. *eye-roll*
"The more time I spend with him, the deeper my feelings go."
Oh yeah, that's totally believable because they only knew each other for 3 days! 2 and a half day to be exact ever since that night on the club.
The writing is crappy. Yes, there's not much grammatical errors but I think the author should use and be more creative in using descriptions and figurative language.
The plot has no real direction. I would much appreciate this novel if the author focuses more on what is happening around the characters rather just in their ill and boring thoughts and romance. Although I admit that I'm not sure what really happened on the end for I gave up halfway through the book. But I guess from the painful journey that I endured and the reviews, it is not really much of an ending, more of what I already began to predict and expect.
I can totally see why some people like this though. I admit too that I quite enjoyed this especially when Gabriel made those funny and sweet lines and when Anna is sticking to her badass side, but some things just can't be ignored that easily.
CONCLUSION: I think I just lost half of my precious brain cells while reading this book and I doubt if I'll finish this or even picked it up once again someday. I just can't afford to lose what remained of my sanity, thank you very much.
March 30, 2012
I'm a bit ambivalent about this book, debated whether I should give it 3 stars or 4. Even now, I'm not completely sure I've given it the right rating, but I guess that's expected from a book I consider really good, hell 5 star worthy in stretches, but flawed. Definately better than most spy capers, though - books and movies (Mr. and Ms. Smith I'm looking at you). And it definately delivers on what the title promises, young love and murder.
Anyway, guess good first. The writing's top notch for the most part, if a little rough at the beginning. The book alternates first person point of view between Annabelle and Gabriel, the two main characters. Annabelle's narration is really clinical, which works from a trained assassin's point of view for the most part and can be quite humorous, although her descriptions of her normal jobs aren't that great. Example: I stabbed him in the leg with a syrnge. He'll be dead in a couple of hours. See? But her Kill Bill inspired ones are a riot. Gabriel is mostly hilariously douchey but here and there seems a little off for a guy's point of view. Or maybe I'm just jealous I can't act like that 90% of the time.
The best part though is Annabelle's sibling rivalry with her brother Jackson. I don't know how Brookshire captured it, but it's spot on and the teasing's the part I definately liked the most. And the other characters, Max, Simon, Brent, are all pretty well developed and add a great friendly/familial quality to the story.
Now for the bad part: the plot's rediculously cheesy. Most of the time, it didn't really bother me because the characters are loads of fun, but there's this weird two year jump in the story about four fifths of the way through I really didn't like. I've been thinking about why the jump bothered me so much, since there are a couple of other few month long jumps that I really didn't have a problem with. And it's not because of what Gabriel did right before the jump either , I actually liked the twist and thought it made sense. I guess I just didn't like it because it streches out the story and didn't have the intended emotional and/or deep effect on me - instead, it took away from what was an otherwise fun plot. It took me until almost the end of the book to like Annabelle again, and I still don't know if I really care if Gabriel died ().
So yeah, I think that jump would've worked better as a six month instead with a modified storyline, and I feel it messed up the flow of the story enough that I seriously wanted to give this book a 3 star rating, but in the end I guess I still had enough fun reading this.
Anyway, guess good first. The writing's top notch for the most part, if a little rough at the beginning. The book alternates first person point of view between Annabelle and Gabriel, the two main characters. Annabelle's narration is really clinical, which works from a trained assassin's point of view for the most part and can be quite humorous, although her descriptions of her normal jobs aren't that great. Example: I stabbed him in the leg with a syrnge. He'll be dead in a couple of hours. See? But her Kill Bill inspired ones are a riot. Gabriel is mostly hilariously douchey but here and there seems a little off for a guy's point of view. Or maybe I'm just jealous I can't act like that 90% of the time.
The best part though is Annabelle's sibling rivalry with her brother Jackson. I don't know how Brookshire captured it, but it's spot on and the teasing's the part I definately liked the most. And the other characters, Max, Simon, Brent, are all pretty well developed and add a great friendly/familial quality to the story.
Now for the bad part: the plot's rediculously cheesy. Most of the time, it didn't really bother me because the characters are loads of fun, but there's this weird two year jump in the story about four fifths of the way through I really didn't like. I've been thinking about why the jump bothered me so much, since there are a couple of other few month long jumps that I really didn't have a problem with. And it's not because of what Gabriel did right before the jump either , I actually liked the twist and thought it made sense. I guess I just didn't like it because it streches out the story and didn't have the intended emotional and/or deep effect on me - instead, it took away from what was an otherwise fun plot. It took me until almost the end of the book to like Annabelle again, and I still don't know if I really care if Gabriel died ().
So yeah, I think that jump would've worked better as a six month instead with a modified storyline, and I feel it messed up the flow of the story enough that I seriously wanted to give this book a 3 star rating, but in the end I guess I still had enough fun reading this.
December 25, 2014
Well, that was a huge disaster. Not that it wasn't good. It is, its extraordinary I might add. if you're a fan of brutality, heartaches and sexual appeal then this is a book for you. Anna isnt your typical teen that becomes awkward around attractive boys. she knows how to manipulate men, and that makes this novel hilarious. You dont read something like this frequently. The bad boy is the one doing the chasing and the girl teasing.
I originally thought it was a fun read with carefree moments because Anna being bad-ass and kicking ass. I was wrong, it was fun in the beginning but when the story progressed, it became -not quite depressing but close. The story was eventful and it was fast-paced, so readers wont be bored with this.
Interesting plot. The unusual relationship between anna and gabriel I haven't read yet but somehow, I didn't appreciate it. Gabriel comes off too old, like he's 30 something. But Anna's maturity is understandable. Maybe I didn't like it because the boy is harsh. And his mental struggle is confusing me. Then theres that scene when he hits Anna. No matter what she had done, he has no right to hurt her physically. There is also the verbal abuse. Oh, and I almost forgot that he shot her.
I originally thought it was a fun read with carefree moments because Anna being bad-ass and kicking ass. I was wrong, it was fun in the beginning but when the story progressed, it became -not quite depressing but close. The story was eventful and it was fast-paced, so readers wont be bored with this.
Interesting plot. The unusual relationship between anna and gabriel I haven't read yet but somehow, I didn't appreciate it. Gabriel comes off too old, like he's 30 something. But Anna's maturity is understandable. Maybe I didn't like it because the boy is harsh. And his mental struggle is confusing me. Then theres that scene when he hits Anna. No matter what she had done, he has no right to hurt her physically. There is also the verbal abuse. Oh, and I almost forgot that he shot her.
April 3, 2013
Not impressed. None of it was really deep and the main characters were flat and contradictory which made it more annoying then surprising. It felt like Young thought it would be fun to just drag the story out with seemingly random and often unnecessary events and then have Anna and Gabe do insane crap like shoot each other just for the fun of it. Overall this book came off light and fluffy as well as shallow and vain when it should have had me reeling in my seat (i mean shes a freaking killer) instead of waiting for them to stop confessing their love and calling each other baby like love sick teens and get to the kick arse bits only to have shit go bad and them pine over each other. If I was even remotely interested in the sappy crap that made up 95% of this book id b better off dusting off re runs of passions and wasting my time watching that! at least I'd have some eye candy. In conclusion nothing about this book was really that great and a lot of it was just f'd up and stupid. I suggest u don't waste ur time.
October 4, 2012
0 STARS and i hate this nonsense..
yeah it's a DNF, i thought this was a YA story not an adult one.. it is disappointing.
1st i thought that the girl assassin is going to be tough, i mean she throws all over the book how she was trained to hold her emotions and be a professional and blah blah blah.. but all i see is a whining little girl..
the love story, yeah it is gross i skipped reading all the scenes.
i thought it would be built through out the entire book till at last both confess love.. i mean even when that didn't happen i thought that maybe Gabriel would create some kind of a group or i don't know.. and try to get her back for what she did to his father, maybe put a chase.. but noooooo..
from what i have read it is a complete waste of time.
i don't recommend it to anyone..i hate it.. it is not worth it..
really really got me disappointed i thought i would get a deep love story..yes not the case.
yeah it's a DNF, i thought this was a YA story not an adult one.. it is disappointing.
1st i thought that the girl assassin is going to be tough, i mean she throws all over the book how she was trained to hold her emotions and be a professional and blah blah blah.. but all i see is a whining little girl..
the love story, yeah it is gross i skipped reading all the scenes.
i thought it would be built through out the entire book till at last both confess love.. i mean even when that didn't happen i thought that maybe Gabriel would create some kind of a group or i don't know.. and try to get her back for what she did to his father, maybe put a chase.. but noooooo..
from what i have read it is a complete waste of time.
i don't recommend it to anyone..i hate it.. it is not worth it..
really really got me disappointed i thought i would get a deep love story..yes not the case.
July 29, 2014
Holy gobshit!!! What in the fuck sake did I just read?!
Since when it’s ok to kill people, and consider it kickass?! I don’t care what they’ve done, or who they are, you can’t bloody justify MURDER!!!!! On top of it all, you get paid for doing it…yeah…fucking Mother Theresa she is… Plus, she is described as “perfect”, blah, blah, blah… clearly she’s far from it…pffffff...
And HIM, OMG, she killed your father in front of you, HELLOOOOOOO… how idiotic one can be to get past that!!!!!!!!!!!!!
These two are shit eating idiots and I can’t stand them! COMPLETE AND UTTER WASTE OF MY TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And seriously, what’s with all the grammar and writing mistakes, it was ridiculous!!!
Since when it’s ok to kill people, and consider it kickass?! I don’t care what they’ve done, or who they are, you can’t bloody justify MURDER!!!!! On top of it all, you get paid for doing it…yeah…fucking Mother Theresa she is… Plus, she is described as “perfect”, blah, blah, blah… clearly she’s far from it…pffffff...
And HIM, OMG, she killed your father in front of you, HELLOOOOOOO… how idiotic one can be to get past that!!!!!!!!!!!!!
These two are shit eating idiots and I can’t stand them! COMPLETE AND UTTER WASTE OF MY TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And seriously, what’s with all the grammar and writing mistakes, it was ridiculous!!!
December 5, 2012
I like totally loved this book!So different from the books i read!
The whole concept of Assassin and the bad ass girl is enough to hold my interest and keep me on edge on the whole book.
Anna is an Assassin who is assigned to kill people for justice.When she gets her next assignment what she doesn't realize is that she will fall for the target's son - Gabriel and he in turn.
For first time Anna wants something - love - but she can't and when she tries to do her work and escape..her identity is revealed and Gabriel is set out for revenge!
In the chase between love,hate and revenge...Gabriel and Anna's love story goes through many twists and turns!
I soo loved this story and i am looking forward for the next one!
Sri.
The whole concept of Assassin and the bad ass girl is enough to hold my interest and keep me on edge on the whole book.
Anna is an Assassin who is assigned to kill people for justice.When she gets her next assignment what she doesn't realize is that she will fall for the target's son - Gabriel and he in turn.
For first time Anna wants something - love - but she can't and when she tries to do her work and escape..her identity is revealed and Gabriel is set out for revenge!
In the chase between love,hate and revenge...Gabriel and Anna's love story goes through many twists and turns!
I soo loved this story and i am looking forward for the next one!
Sri.
December 21, 2012
"Death brought us together, death tore us apart. Now, it seems as if more death is destined to bring us together once again. Let it not be our own."
This is freaking amazing! I never thought I'd get hooked the instant I've read this! This is too cool! Anna and Gabriel was just WOW. I bawled my eyes out, (Seriously! Who wouldve thought reading assassins book would make you cry? Only April Brookshire does! Uggggh!!!) mad laugh as hell and obsessed this unhealthy love story! I cant freaking wait for the Jackson's story! 2013!! please come sooner!
This is freaking amazing! I never thought I'd get hooked the instant I've read this! This is too cool! Anna and Gabriel was just WOW. I bawled my eyes out, (Seriously! Who wouldve thought reading assassins book would make you cry? Only April Brookshire does! Uggggh!!!) mad laugh as hell and obsessed this unhealthy love story! I cant freaking wait for the Jackson's story! 2013!! please come sooner!
September 23, 2012
IF YOU HAVENT READ THIS BOOK YET STOP SCROLLING, OPEN A NEW TAB, AND BUY THIS DANG BOOK!!
IT WILL CHANGE THE WAY YOU LOOK AT THE "BAD" GUY!! UGHH I LOVE EVERY SINGLE WORD OF THIS BOOK I READ IT TWICE IN A ROW!! MUST MUST MUST READ!!
THIS BOOK HAS THE PERFECT AMOUNT ROMANCE AND TRAGEDY AND YUMMINESS!!!
IT WILL CHANGE THE WAY YOU LOOK AT THE "BAD" GUY!! UGHH I LOVE EVERY SINGLE WORD OF THIS BOOK I READ IT TWICE IN A ROW!! MUST MUST MUST READ!!
THIS BOOK HAS THE PERFECT AMOUNT ROMANCE AND TRAGEDY AND YUMMINESS!!!
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