8. ruj 2014.

ARC Review: Rites of Passage by Joy N. Hensley

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Author's 

Book summary:
Sam McKenna’s never turned down a dare. And she's not going to start with the last one her brother gave her before he died.
So Sam joins the first-ever class of girls at the prestigious Denmark Military Academy. She’s expecting push-ups and long runs, rope climbing and mud-crawling. As a military brat, she can handle an obstacle course just as well as the boys. She's even expecting the hostility she gets from some of the cadets who don’t think girls belong there. What she’s not expecting is her fiery attraction to her drill sergeant. But dating is strictly forbidden and Sam won't risk her future, or the dare, on something so petty...no matter how much she wants him.As Sam struggles to prove herself, she discovers that some of the boys don’t just want her gone—they will stop at nothing to drive her out. When their petty threats turn to brutal hazing, bleeding into every corner of her life, she realizes they are not acting alone. A decades-old secret society is alive and active… and determined to force her out. At any cost.
Now time's running short. Sam must decide who she can trust...and choosing the wrong person could have deadly consequences.
          When my friend Zemira read this one and couldn't suppress her excitement about this book it was my cue to go and request it as I knew I'd enjoy this one too. I did, which is not a surprise. But what surprised me was that all this military talk didn't bother me the slightest.

          Our main character in this story is Sam, who finds herself in men's world. Being raised in a military family it was a surprise and not to see her taking the same steps as her bothers before her and joining the military. A bit controversial move for some members of Denmark Military Academy but for some highly offensive. Even though she knew that the training and living up with high expectations would be hard for her, she couldn't even dream that not only military officers but rather her mates will try to turn her life into a living hell. Not only try, but rather succeed in that.

         It would be insane but not to admire Sam on her persistence and strength which she showed in this book. How even in the worst moments she didn't give up and kept going, fighting and going forward, never backward. Even though at moments it was cruel, it really made her stronger and fierce. But Rites of Passage is not just cruel and dark, but it has a rather nice romance. Which starts as a simple crush Sam has on her drill sergeant and grows and develops into a nice romance, which is persistent and fierce like both of them are.

        Only reason why I couldn't think of this book as a perfection is its ending. I really wish it was a bit more closed as this was it leaves space for a possible sequel which in my opinion feels unnecessary.

Rating: 4.5 stars. 

Until the next time,
*Note: An ARC of this book was kindly provided by the publisher, HarperCollins. Thank you!

Broj komentara: 19:

  1. Man we seriously need more standalone books. I realize that most every story can probably continue in another direction with the other the same characters, but seriously - stop the open endings! I am totally still going to read this though, great review!
    Missie @ A Flurry of Ponderings

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  2. I continue to read nothing but outstanding reviews for this one and I have made time for it in my busy schedule. I am sad though that the ending is open, those endings I think are worse than cliffhangers.

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  3. I keep hearing great things about this book, definitely one I need to pick up though. I like that Sam seems to be a persistent one with a never back down mentality. I feel that characters like that always show good character development as a story progresses. And the fact that there's a nice romance in it too is a plus! Great review Tanja :)

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  4. I am very excited to start this. I've been in a slump lately and want something to get me out of that. Even Rashika was glowing and praising this one, saying it was very powerful even though it certainly punches you in the gut. Amazing review!

    Faye at The Social Potato

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  5. Yay! So happy you loved this every bit as much as I did!!

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  6. You girl, seriously add so much to my TBR pile. I'm really liking the sound of this book. Military background kids make for really great protagonists and seeing as it's a girl in this, I'll be keeping an eye out for sure, as it sounds very intriguing. Fabulous review!

    Sarika @ The Readdicts

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  7. Wohoo! Wasn't this book awesome? I'm so glad that you loved it as much as I did. I adored Sam and respected her so much for her bravery. Those douches in her life needed to be smacked repeatedly in the face.
    I agree about the ending. It's my least favorite part. I'd be curious to see if a sequel was going to be written.
    Lovely review, Tanja!

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  8. I like how it's a reverse role here with Sam in a man's world, it would certainly deal with some interesting gender bias issues! Great review lovely!

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  9. Oh, now you have me intrigued! I like that the military tasks did work for you, and am curious about the romance between Sam and her drill sergeant. Thanks for the review!

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  10. YAY TANJA!!!! I absolutely adored this one, I'm so glad you did too! I agree I would have liked a slightly altered ending given how much I love romance and HEAs, but I thought it made sense too given the military's strict rules. Lovely review:):)

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  11. I'm relieved to hear that you weren't thrown by all of the military speak, because that's always a concern of mine in this type of read. Here's hoping for a second installment to help make-up for that so-so ending. Lovely review!

    OdgovoriIzbriši
  12. woo... review twins! I loved Sam's persistance and courage as well

    OdgovoriIzbriši
  13. This one is intriguing. Good to know the military terms etc doesn't get in the way of the story.

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  14. I think we felt pretty much the same way about this one. It was very emotional and everything about it was practically perfect... except the ending. In some ways, it was naive, and in others it felt unfinished.
    But overall, a huge success.
    Wonderful review!

    OdgovoriIzbriši
  15. I confess that I'm really curious about this one because the reviews are wonderful and I'm really impatient to try it as well.

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  16. So much love for this one! I can't wait to read this one, Tanja. I'm not particular with how I want my book to end as long as it's not a cliffhanger so I think this would be a perfect fit for me. I cannot wait to meet Sam. I feel so much admiration for her already. Lovely review, Tanja! :D

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  17. I've seen this around but never really looked at any of the reviews or for that matter checked to see what it was about before! Sounds really interesting and unique, I've never been big on anything military aspects but I might have to check this one out.
    Great review! =)

    OdgovoriIzbriši
  18. I'm soo glad you loved this one Tanja! I thought it was amazing! I do agree that a sequel is unnecessary, but even if there is a sequel, I'd definitely read it!

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  19. I have only seen one other review of this book and it was also a positive one. I had my doubts because I knew there would be a lot of military talk, but if that didn't bother you then it probably wouldn't bother me either! Adding this to my TBR :D

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