Review: The Sword of Armageddon by Temple Mathews

Name of book: The Sword of Armageddon (The New Kid Series #3)
Author: Temple Mathews
Publication: TeenLibris (first published November 6th 2012)
Genre: YA Paranormal
Source: Provided by the kind publisher...

Things have never been darker for 16-year-old Will Hunter. The girl he loves has been taken from him, he's been betrayed by his newfound half-sister, and he has only hours to find a cure to the poison coursing through his veins. He's in no shape to stop the Dark Lord from finding and using the Sword of Armageddon-but if he can't, he's not the only one who will die. 

The third book in the New Kid series takes Will and friends from a demon-infested island in the Puget Sound to the top of the Seattle Space Needle, where Will's struggle against the Dark Lord ends in a confrontation that will determine the fate of all mankind.

-- My Rating --

-- My Thoughts --

    WOW! The first and the second book in this series blew me away, and this one was no different. I absolutely love the way Temple Mathews writes his characters. They breath out of the page, like they are standing next to me, whispering the words into my ears. They are as realistic as they can be.

Better read the New Kid (my review) and the Rising (my review) first.

     Will and Natalie have been through so much, isn't it finally the time to relax and settle down? Oh, no. The Dark Lord has a much, much more evil plan, including ending the human race as we know it. And while fighting seems like the only way to survive, will their unconditional love help Natalie and Will survive the inevitable  Even if it means facing their darkest fears? In the final installment, they both have to answer the question: What is the price of love? And are they willing to pay it?

     Abso-freaking-lutely loved this book! This series is definitely my favorite one ever, right next to Lauren Kate's Fallen series (that's a HUGE statement, people). I was so joyful that I get to see what happens to Nat and Will, but when the book finished, I got all clingy and started begging the author to continue the series. I CANNOT bear to part with such amazing cast of characters, from the ever-protective Will to the lovely sisters, Nat and Em, to the weird, adorable Rudy.

     Temple Mathews definitely knows how to capture readers. From the first page, I was sucked right in. This book is a exotic, unique page-turner! The plot is flawless and it will never bore you. The villains are villainous and venomous. The setting and the pace fit perfectly. You WILL NOT find any excuses to delay reading this, it's begging to be read, so do it, now. Or you are passing a great opportunity to be enchanted!

Review: The Rising by Temple Mathews

Name of book: The Rising (The New Kid #2)
Author: Temple Mathews
Publication: 2012 by Teen Libris (first published 2010)
Genre: YA Paranormal
Source: Provided by the kind publisher..

Will Hunter’s had a rough few months. He just survived the battle of his life. He learned the devil was his father. And his newly demonic best friend Rudy is trapped under glass until Will can find a way to bring him back from the dark side. All Will wants is to lay low for a while with Natalie, the girl he loves, and focus on saving his friend.

But Will never seems to get what he wants.

In Seattle, Will encounters a dangerous new breed of female demon, faster and more deadly than anything he’s ever faced, and a mysterious, striking girl who arrives just in time to save his life. Natalie doesn’t trust her, but Will is drawn to her in a way he doesn’t fully understand. Is she a powerful new ally? Or will her secrets destroy him and everything he cares about?

As the devil’s minions work to reassemble their leader’s body piece by piece, Will must once again become the New Kid to prevent the Dark Lord from rising—this time for good.

-- My Rating --

-- My Thoughts --

     I fell in love with this series immediately after I read the first book. I loved the uniqueness and the author's style. I couldn't wait to start reading this, but because of my HUGE TBR list, it took me a long time. I am disappointed that I didn't read it sooner.

Warning. minor spoilers if you have not read The New Kid, the first book in the series (my review here).

     Will, has fought of demons, demonteens, and the Devil himself. But winning a battle does not mean that you'll win the war. And as Will finds out, the devil's body has been cut into pieces by the explosion, and his slaves are trying to collect them. But Will has to get there first, or darkness will engulf the world?

     Will loves Natalie, but he can't let her get hurt. So, he slips further away, while she is left confused and hurt. Going into a new high school, Will is attracted to a mysterious girl like he has never been before. Who is she? Will Will find the body of the Dark Lord? Will he and Natalie grow back into an item? Find out more when you read The Rising, a heart-stopping, action-packed thrill ride.

     I love this novel. I think that I have grown tired of the same stories done over and over again. This novel is a unique one, I love the author's writing style. In the first book, I thought it was a little middle-gradey , but in this one, it fit the pace and the story perfectly. Pacing is something Temple Mathews is a pro at. He knows the exact same pace that the story should be written in, when and were.

     I am in love with Will. His pride, his confidence, his protectiveness, and his unconditional love. He is a boy that I wish the best of the best for. Natalie definitely suits him with her shy attitude and vulnerability. This book left with a CLIFFHANGER (shouty capitals to ensure you!), I CANNOT wait to start the third book in this breathtaking series. Recommended to you, fantasy lover, and you, paranormal fan, and you, too, romance geek!

Review: The New Kid by Temple Mathews

Name of book: The New Kid (The New Kid #1)
Author: Temple Mathews
Publication: 2009 by Teen Libris
Genre: YA Paranormal
Source: Provided by the kind publisher...

Will Hunter is used to being the New Kid; Harrisburg High School is his fifth new school in less than three years. By now, he knows not to be fooled by the bright pep rallies, the wholesome jocks, the innocent cheerleaders. He knows the evil lurking underneath. It’s the same evil that took his dad eight years ago: the same evil he battles every day.

Natalie Holand’s life fell apart the night her sister Emily disappeared. No one believes her when she tells them what she saw: yellow and green eyes, glowing beneath the surface of the water in which Emily supposedly drowned. And Emily isn’t the only person to go missing in Harrisburg lately. The town is changing, not for the better, and Natalie doesn’t know why. What she does know is that, whatever’s happening, it’s bad, and the New Kid is right in the middle of it.

Because Will has a secret even bigger than Harrisburg’s, and there’s more to it than even he knows.

This fast-paced, action-packed first novel by veteran Hollywood screenwriter Temple Mathews takes the idea of high school as hell to a whole new level. Will’s story, part wish-fulfillment sci-fi adventure and part iconic hero’s journey with a side of budding romance, will appeal to teen readers of both genders.

-- My Rating --

-- My Thoughts --

     I didn't actually expect that much from this book. Yes, the premise is strange. And yes, the cover is truly fabulous. But still, I didn't expect the "wow" factor in this book, and I was pleasantly surprised.

     Will has been moving around from school to school for the last couple of years. His mum thinks that its due to her ever-changing job, but no. It's Will who needs to move around. He needs to hunt down the things. The things that ruined his life when he was only eight years old. The things that are corrupting one town after another. The things that turn every helpless teenager into a slave.

     Will is always following his rules when settling into a new town: never get too attached. But in this new town, it's different. He can't resist Natalie's pull and Rudy's strange friendship. Will knows it's wrong to get attached, he knows that they will get hurt in the end, but can he live this lonely any longer? Can he save this town from getting infected? Can he find the master of the creatures? And will he ever live a normal teenage life? Find out much more when you read The New Kid. An action-packed, thrilling new kind of paranormal tale.

     I loved this book. Having no idea what I was reading, I got a little confused at first, but then, it got much better. I have to admit that I was worried, reading from a boy's POV. Although, the book is in third person, much of the focus is on Will. And being in Will's mind is such an experience! I never knew that boys were so thoughtful, so caring, so efficient. I loved Will, every single part of his personality.

     Temple Mathews has created a lot of supporting characters, and i liked all of them. April, Will's mum, is hiding something, but she is also caring. Natalie is an intelligent, head-strong girl, she is like a copy of me. I loved the growing attraction between Will and Natalie, it was so sweet and believable.

     If you want to have the roller coaster ride of a lifetime, with so many twists and turns that will leave your head dizzy and your heart racing, then The New Kid is you new favorite