Book Review: Sela

I am proud to be a stop on the blog tour for Sela, Jackie Gamber's follow-up novel to Redheart, which I read and reviewed last year. See the remaining stops over at the publisher's website.

Sela by Jackie Gamber

Peace was fleeting. Vorham Riddess, Venur of Esra Province, covets the crystal ore buried deep in Leland's mountains. His latest device to obtain it: land by marriage to a Leland maiden. But that's not all.

Among Dragonkind, old threats haunt Mount Gore, and shadows loom in the thoughts of the Red who restored life to land and love. A dragon hunter, scarred from countless battles, discovers he can yet suffer more wounds.

In the midst of it all, Sela Redheart is lost, driven from her home with only her old uncle to watch over her. As the dragon-born child of Kallon, the leader of Leland's Dragon Council, she is trapped in human form with no understanding of how she transformed, or how to turn back.

Wanderers seek a home, schemes begin to unfurl, and all is at risk as magic and murder, marriage and mystery strangle the heart of Esra. A struggle for power far older and deeper than anyone realizes will leave no human or dragon unaffected.

In a world where magic is born of feeling, where the love between a girl and a dragon was once transformative, what power dwells in the heart of young Sela? [Source]

I received this novel for review from the publisher.

Sela is book 2 in Jackie Gamber's Leland Dragon series of fantasy novels about dragons. These books are great for fantasy novel lovers aged 10 and up.

Riza and Kallon are back, although our main characters now focus on Sela and Drell. Some of the main characters from Redheart are also back, and I have mixed feelings about them. However, my review of Redheart included spoilers, and I am going to try to keep this review spoiler-free.

Sela is the human daughter of Riza and Kallon. Drell is the dragon son of Fordan Blackclaw, Kallon's enemy. There is peace in the Leland province, but peace is rarely long-lasting. Greedy, vicious humans are trying to take over the mountains, and there is more than one sneaky party with a hidden agenda.

The wonderfully wacky wizard Orman is back, as well as the meddling (with good intentions) wizard Layce. I must say, those two together make quite a pair. I loved the relationship between Orman and Layce. Their banter and both of their personalities provide a good amount of giggles and chuckles as I was reading. We also had a few new secondary characters that acted as friends and allies for Sela when she needed them most. I loved that she wasn't alone in her journey.

I was also extremely pleased that the novel followed the basic elements of story grammar, just as Redheart did. Gamber takes great care in her writing to build up tension and emotions. She builds her characters, rather than plopping them down in a weak plot. She describes the setting and uses it to support to the plot. She leaves her readers on the edge of their seats, gripping the pages, thirsting for more.


About the author: As an award winning author, Jackie writes stories ranging from ultra-short to novel-length... She is the author of the fantasy novel Redheart, and writing an alternate history time travel novel. She blogs professionally for English Tea Store.com, where she reviews classic science fiction and fantasy novels and pairs them with the ideal tea-sipping companion. Jackie is a member of the professional organizations Science Fiction Writers of America and Horror Writers Association. (via)


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Book Review: Blood Drive

Blood Drive by Traci Houston

When a group of vampires rises from the dark of the humid Miami summer and murders her partner, officer Cara Evens gathers a group of allies with their own unique abilities to avenge her partner's death and save the city. To succeed she'll have to accept her own changing abilities, ignore her lust for a vampire and hide the one thing her enemies need to kill them all. [Source]

I joined this blog tour for 2 reasons. 1, I love a good vampire novel as much as the next person. 2, this novel is Traci Houston's debut novel, and I love to support new authors.

When the book opens, we meet Cara, our leading female, right away. After she finds her partner murdered, she takes on the mystery of discovering the truth about his death. She quickly realizes that there is more involved in this case than just a simple murder. When she meets Jonathan, a part of her that she was trying to hide suddenly resurfaces.

Cara must now learn to control her powers, while still trying to solve her partner's murder. As if that wasn't enough, there is the small matter of Jonathan, the vampire who is distracting her with lustful temptation.

Luckily, there are others out there like her, others who have powers beyond a normal human. They must all learn to get along (like first graders) and use their powers together to stop Christian, the vampire who is trying to basically take over the world. He wants something that Cara and her friends have, and he has resources that they don't have. If the otherkin can't collaborate and accept each other (and themselves), then Christian will enslave the human race and allow vampires to rise to power.

I love Cara as a character. It is so rare for female leads to be powerful and confident, while still feeling human emotions. Cara has her inner struggles, for sure, but she doesn't let them interfere with her goals. More importantly, she doesn't let passion take control. She keeps her focus on what is important.

What I didn't like: some of the powers of the otherkin are not fully explained or developed, merely mentioned in passing. Additionally, I felt that the middle chapters were drawn out, while some of the fight scenes were rushed. The abrupt ending turned me off a bit, as well.

Overall, I gave this novel 4 stars because I really like the complexity of the group, and how they interact with each other. They all seem to counter each other's strengths and weaknesses, and they are all truly loyal to each other. While vampirism is the underlying platform, themes like friendship, tolerance, and acceptance are interwoven within the plot to make this quite a contemporary novel.

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I received an ARC of this novel to read for a blog tour.

Book Review: Firelight

Firelight by Sophie Jordan

A hidden truth.
Mortal enemies.
Doomed love.

Marked as special at an early age, Jacinda knows her every move is watched. But she longs for freedom to make her own choices. When she breaks the most sacred tenet among her kind, she nearly pays with her life. Until a beautiful stranger saves her. A stranger who was sent to hunt those like her. For Jacinda is a draki—a descendant of dragons whose greatest defense is her secret ability to shift into human form.

Forced to flee into the mortal world with her family, Jacinda struggles to adapt to her new surroundings. The only bright light is Will. Gorgeous, elusive Will who stirs her inner draki to life. Although she is irresistibly drawn to him, Jacinda knows Will's dark secret: He and his family are hunters. She should avoid him at all costs. But her inner draki is slowly slipping away—if it dies she will be left as a human forever. She'll do anything to prevent that. Even if it means getting closer to her most dangerous enemy.

Mythical powers and breathtaking romance ignite in this story of a girl who defies all expectations and whose love crosses an ancient divide.. [Source]

Amazing. What else can I say??

I didn't jump in this bandwagon until a couple weeks ago, mainly because I was trying to wait for the paperback version to be released. But then I was offered the chance to review the sequel, AS LONG AS I read and reviewed Firelight first. So I bought it and I read it. And I loved it.

Commence jumping on bandwagon.

Now I am a fan.

I *might* be living under a rock, but I haven't really read very many YA novels about dragons lately, let alone YA novels about draki. That usually makes me want to read something, that little bit of uniqueness. Before reading, I had to turn to my geeky, loves-all-things-sci-fi-and-paranormal fiance to explain what draki are.

I was hooked from page 1! The rising action that occurs right away drew me in and left me breathless. I personally don't like when novels take 3 or 4 chapters to build up and get interesting, so this novel earned points quickly.

Also, I love how the author introduces characters seamlessly and naturally. I didn't feel as though names of characters were being thrown around just for the sake of having them there. Each character, even the secondary ones, served a distinct and unique purpose.

As if I wasn't on the edge of my seat while reading, the author then threw this crazy little twist in, smack dab in the middle of a major conflict. Just when I was expecting some sort of resolution, I was given more questions.

Some of the foreshadowing was a bit obvious, which I don't usually like. However, at times, in this novel, it served to peak my interest even more, therefore keeping me reading.

I love Will and Jacinda as a couple. So wrong for each other, but so connected. I can't really explain how much I love them together.

Holy open ending, Batman! If I had read this novel when it was first published, I honestly would have been seriously angry with the ending. However, now that I have the sequel firmly in my grasp, I'm okay with it... But ONLY because I have that sequel, literally waiting on my coffee table.

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Book Review: Shatter Me

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days. The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal. As long as she doesn't hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old-girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don't fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war- and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she's exactly what they need right now.

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior. [Source]

I was able to read and review an ARC of this novel through OUaT tours (see button below my rating).

Let me preface my review by saying that I have never watched (or been remotely interested in) X-Men. So I came into this novel clueless and not knowing anything about Rogue or her specific powers. Thus, I didn't quite understand Juliette's power until I read further and did some indirectly related research.

Okay, back to the review.

This novel is about Juliette, who has been in jail for 264 days. Before she was lucked up, she was poked, prodded, tested, examined, and questioned extensively. Before that, she was shunned, teased, ignored, and exiled. All because of the mystery of her touch. It causes pain, torture, and death.

The world outside the jail where Juliette is being held is not the world we know now. In Juliette's world, there is no green, and the weather is erratic. Animals and plants have mostly died off. The Reestablishment is trying to regain control over society in order to return the world to the way it used to be, or so Juliette thinks.

When a strange man, Adam, is locked inside Juliette's cell, she learns that the Reestablishment is lying. Rather than return to society to the way it used to be, they are trying to create a new society, a new way of life. Adam and Juliette reforge a bond that had been created long ago. With this new friendship, and as her life dramatically changes, Juliette must look inside herself to become who she was meant to be. She must learn to accept her mysterious condition as a power, not a curse, and she must live freely, rather than locking herself up inside her own self.

I loved this novel from page 1 to page 342, start to finish. I was instantly enthralled in Juliette's world. I couldn't put the book down! Juliette is a likable character; she is smart and strong, even though she doesn't truly realize it yet. Her childhood was sad and lonely; my heart ached for her.

Adam was so lovable, despite the fact that I truly didn't trust him until I met his younger brother. My heart ached for them, too.

Actually, now that I think about it, my heart ached a lot while reading Shatter Me. I think it had to do mostly with the author's writing style. It's not easy to read poetic/lyric narratives, but that style always seem to trigger my emotion more than simple dialogue or descriptions. Tahereh Mafi's comparisons and descriptions were magical and fluid. I saw everything that Juliette saw, and I felt everything she felt.

Warner is that kind of character that you hate to love, and love to hate. He was very well-written, although not developed yet. I am anxious to read more about his motivations, what makes him tick.

The last 7 chapters provide more of a resolution to the conflict, but they do not wrap up the novel in the least. Far from providing closure, I was left with more questions, wanting more, needing more. Castle has gathered together some powerful people, and I need to know his plan. This entire novel was most certainly set up for a sequel, and I am more than ready for it to be written.


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Book Review: Across Eternity

Across Eternity by Aris Whittier

Born a genius; education, wealth, and prestige came easy to Logan Richards. Actually, there wasn’t much that Logan couldn’t learn or acquire. However, he knew there was more to life than money and power. Logan was determined to find the woman who he'd dreamed of his entire life and know what it was like to love her before he died.

Amber Lewis, a waitress for a five-star restaurant in, Dana Point, California, was overworked, stressed, and wary of life since her sister, Heather, had passed away. Then, one evening while working she fell hopelessly in love with Logan Richards, a chivalrous man who felt deeply familiar.

For Amber, it was the beginning of a voyage of self-discovery and renewal. For Logan, it was the completion of life. For each of them it was the deepest sort of love. [Source]

Across Eternity is the story of Logan and Amber as they rediscover their love for each other. They have been lovers in many different lives and time periods. In this time period, Logan is a wealthy, wise, good-looking older man, and Amber is a young, vibrant, waitress who hasn't quite discovered her true self yet.

As their relationship develops, it takes Amber longer to comprehend the full depth and scale of their love. Due to Logan's sizable amount of assets, they spend long days alone, with only each other for company, and they are able to travel around the world. Overall, their relationship only spans a few short months, although they both grow and develop as if they had spent years together.

I liked Amber as a character, as she was easy to relate to; her thoughts, actions, and motivations were easy to understand. The author did a splendid job turning Amber into a real person; every emotion that she felt came off the page. I truly felt what she felt.

The twist at the end was quite unexpected. When Logan first made his announcement in the kitchen, I was honestly devastated, and confused. The twist explains his reasoning, even if I was disappointed by it.

I gave this novel 4 stars because I believe that Logan's infertility was unnecessary. Giving Amber a child would have been another unexpected twist, one to make the ending a little less harsh. Regardless, I did enjoy this novel! It was sweet, and yet suspenseful. I love how the author naturally created the sexual tension between Amber and Logan, and was able to build it for two-thirds of the novel before they finally made love. I wholeheartedly agree with the reviews that tout this novel as a transition from YA to adult romance.

Check out the author's blog HERE.


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I was contacted by the author and sent a free ebook to read and review.

Book Review: Linger

Linger by Maggie Stiefvater

In Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver, Grace and Sam found each other. Now, in Linger, they must fight to be together. For Grace, this means defying her parents and keeping a very dangerous secret about her own well-being. For Sam, this means grappling with his werewolf past . . . and figuring out a way to survive into the future. Add into the mix a new wolf named Cole, whose own past has the potential to destroy the whole pack. And Isabelle, who already lost her brother to the wolves . . . and is nonetheless drawn to Cole.

At turns harrowing and euphoric, Linger is a spellbinding love story that explores both sides of love -- the light and the dark, the warm and the cold -- in a way you will never forget. [Source]

After my exhilarating experience reading Shiver (click here for my review), I was *slightly* disappointed by Linger. It didn't flow as easily as Shiver, and one of the new characters (Cole) really irked me. Also, having the point of view of 2 additional characters made it a bit more confusing.

Sam was just as sweet and honest and lovable, while Grace seemed much more mature and independent. She also seemed to be slightly more reckless. Isabel is my new favorite secondary female character; that chick is strong-willed and ferocious. Rawr. As for Cole, the reason he irked me is because I can't stand guys who act like the world revolves around them. Dude, show some sensitivity.

I was devastated when Grace escaped, but I understand why she had to, and why Sam had to be the bad guy in her parents' eyes. It doesn't matter to them how he acts or what he does. It matters what their daughter does. The ending, with Sam's wish and his fierce, quiet determination, had me swooning. Just like with the end of Shiver, when I couldn't wait to read Linger, I now can't wait to read Forever!

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I won a free ARC of this novel in a giveaway.

Book Review: Redheart

Redheart by Jackie Gamber

Enter the lands of Leland Province, where dragon and human societies have long dwelled side by side. Superstitions rise sharply, as a severe drought strips the land of its bounty, providing fertile ground for the darker ambitions of Fordon Blackclaw, Dragon Council Leader, who seeks to subdue humans or wipe them off the face of the land.

As the shadow of danger creeps across Leland Province, a young dragon named Kallon Redheart, who has turned his back on dragons and humans alike, comes into an unexpected friendship. Riza Diantus is a young woman whose dreams can no longer be contained by the narrow confines of her village, and when she finds herself in peril, Kallon is the only one with the power to save her. Yet to do so means he must confront his past, and embrace a future he stopped believing in.

A tale of friendship, courage, and ultimate destiny, Redheart invites readers to a wondrous journey through the Leland Dragon Series. [Source]

I received this novel for review from the publisher. I was also granted a guest post from the author. CLICK HERE to read Jackie Gamber's thoughts on dragons in YA novels.

Redheart is a YA fantasy novel about dragons. Considering most YA fantasy novels these days are about vampires, I was pretty excited about a little, shall we say, change of scenery. Dragons!

Kallon is our main dragon character; Riza is our main human character. They meet, unexpectedly, and form a shaky friendship. Neither one of them seems to really get along with the rest of their kind. They are both lonely and hurt, unknowingly waiting for each other.

Their friendship takes an interesting journey around the Leland Province, to places that neither of them have ever been, especially Riza. They spend time together, and time apart. Each of them feels pain at the other's sufferings. They both sacrifice much for the other, culminating in the ultimate sacrifice at the very end.

From the very start, I had a feeling about Riza. I just knew something would happen to her; she would change. Orman Thistleby, who is Kallon's wizard friend, even hinted that something about Riza was different. Hence, the ending was not much of a surprise to me.

Jastin Armitage, human dragon hunter, and Fordan Blackclaw, leader of the dragons, both made my blood boil. Particularly Jastin. He was rude, obnoxious, self-righteous, and vindictive. I was glad to see him humiliated at the ending. He deserved it for everything he did to Riza and Kallon.

Throughout this novel, I was very pleased that it actually followed the basic elements of story grammar. The rising action was thrilling and left me on the edge of my seat, yearning for the big climax. There was enough of a resolution to give me some closure while still leaving me excited about the sequel. Speaking of, I really can't wait for the sequel! Big changes are coming to Leland Province, for both humans and dragons alike.


About the author: Jackie Gamber is an award-winning freelance editor, as well as award-winning author of the fantasy novel Redheart, available now through Seventh Star Press (www.seventhstarpress.com) and ebook at a special rate of $1.99!


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Book Review: Davi

Davi (Tales of Suruale, #1) by Roy C. Booth, Brian Woods

Humans and dwarfs have been at odds for generations. When human blacksmith Davi is sent to the Dwarven King to reopen the local trade routes, he finds himself more at home with his enemies than he ever did with his own kind. [Source]

One of the authors sent me this free ebook to read and review.

Davi is a short, sweet novella about the human of the same name. Sent from his home on an impossible quest, he chooses his own path. He uses his humble personality and his unique talents as a master smith to befriend the dwarfs and to create a new life, a new family.

At a few points in the novella, I was nervous for Davi. I didn't trust the dwarfs and I thought for sure that they were going to turn on him. But they didn't. They accepted him as a brother, they appreciated his talents and his presence, they healed him when he was wounded, and they even allowed him to take on a dwarven wife.

As a I said earlier, this is a short and sweet novella. It's a quick read for someone who enjoys this branch of fantasy but isn't quite ready for LotR.

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Book Review: Deadly

Deadly by Julie Chibbaro
A mysterious outbreak of typhoid fever is sweeping turn-of-the-century New York. Every week more people fall ill, and despite thorough investigation, there's no cause in sight. It's not until the city's most unlikely scientist -- sixteen-year-old Prudence Galewski -- takes a job as an assistant in a laboratory that the evidence begins to fall into place. It seems one person has worked in every home the fever has ravaged: Mary Mallon, an Irish immigrant dubbed "Typhoid Mary" by the press. Includes a historical note by the author. [Source]

I received this book for review through 1 ARC Tours. I chose to join this tour because I wanted something new to read (as if my TBR list isn't long enough) and because the author lives locally near where I live. I love to support local authors and artists.

I am not much of a science fiction fan, so I was a bit nervous about reading this book. I am also not a SCIENCE fan, so the thought of reading about viruses and laboratories made me a bit queasy.

Luckily, because this book is written during the 1900's and through the eyes of a teenage girl, so the scientific terms were kept to a minimum. There were many hand-drawn illustrations included, such as a model of a microscope, that added the whole feel of the novel. As Prudence progressed in her job, the illustrations became more and more complex.

Prudence was a very likable character. I truly felt bad for her when her friends didn't understand her, and when her mother tried to prevent her from getting her dream job. I was so happy for her when her mother finally stood up for her!

The beginning of the book was a little slow; however, that's because Prudence's life was slow at the time. I like that she didn't despair or get too whiny. I was also very pleased with her self-control later on when she discovered her feelings for a certain man. Despite her one little mishap, she was humble and modest.

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Book Review: Red Moon Rising

Red Moon Rising by Peter Moore
Teen Wolf meets True Blood in this fun, boy-friendly story.

Being only half-vamp in a high school like Carpathia Night makes you a whole loser. But Danny Gray manages to escape the worst of the specists at his school. Thanks to the genetic treatments he had as an infant, most people assume Danny's other half is human. Which is a good thing.

Ever since the development of synthetic blood – SynHeme – vamps have become society’s elite, while wulves like his father work menial jobs and live in bad neighborhoods. Wulves are less than second class citizens; once a month they become inmates, forced to undergo their Change in dangerous government compounds.

For Danny, living with his vamp mother and going to a school with a nearly all-vamp student body, it’s best to pretend his wulf half doesn’t even exist.

But lately Danny's been having some weird symptoms -- fantastic night vision; a keener-than-usual sense of smell; and headaches, right around the full moon.

Even though it's tempting to live in denial, it's hard to ignore evidence. There's only a month until the next full moon, and Danny's time is running out.

Peter Moore speaks to adolescents in a voice that will have them laughing, set in a world that will get them thinking..[Source]

I received this book for review through 1 ARC Tours. I chose to join this tour because I love fantasy novels and I love YA novels; plus, the theme of the novel seemed cool. Half vamp and half wulf? I figured, it's gotta be full of conflict.

And boy, was I right about that! Danny's got conflict with his mother and stepfather, and with his sisters, and with a cold-hearted teen vamp at school, not to mention the internal battles he fights as his symptoms get weirder and weirder. Any teen, male or female, will be able to relate to Danny. He's a great lead character, funny and honest, that I would love to see featured in more novels.

There was another major conflict: wulves vs vamps. This novel seems unique in that the wulves are considered criminals; they can only get low-paying jobs as laborers or servants. They are segregated in schools and in society. Besides the fact that they get sent to dangerous compounds once a month, this turmoil reminded me much of the 60's here in America, with the civil rights battles.

What I didn't like about this novel: Granted it was an ARC, but there was A LOT of grammar mistakes. The flow of the story worked for me, but the author seemed to put all of his creativity into the main plot, and none into character development, or even character names. Very few of the names were original or even pertinent.

I was also very disappointed by the ending. Gunther disappeared too easily, and there was no closure at all with Danny's situation (unless it was set up for a sequel). I also would have like to see a resolution between Danny and Julia.

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Book Review: Losing Faith

Losing Faith by Denise Jaden
A terrible secret. A terrible fate.

When Brie's sister, Faith, dies suddenly, Brie's world falls apart. As she goes through the bizarre and devastating process of mourning the sister she never understood and barely even liked, everything in her life seems to spiral farther and farther off course. Her parents are a mess, her friends don't know how to treat her, and her perfect boyfriend suddenly seems anything but.

As Brie settles into her new normal, she encounters more questions than closure: Certain facts about the way Faith died just don't line up. Brie soon uncovers a dark and twisted secret about Faith's final night...a secret that puts her own life in danger.[Source]

I bought my own copy of this novel. I was nervous to read this book because I had read a review that included the word cult. I knew my whole opinion of the book would be forever tainted. Going into the book with just one word at the center of my mind meant that I was searching for the clues, just waiting for the cult to pop out. I think, at one point, I was trying to force the cult to form. I was seeing murder suspects in everyone, even Brie’s history teacher. It was sorta anticlimactic when the truth was revealed.

I liked Tessa a LOT. I think she is one of my favorite supporting characters in a YA adult novel. She was more developed as character than Brie was, and I was actually more interested in her than the truth about Faith. I could see a whole novel around Tessa… I would definitely read it!

I have to admit, I did not like Alis at all. He was so shady and secretive, and incredibly emotional. SO not my type. And not what I had imagined Brie’s type to be either. I guess that would be because Brie was a very confused teenager. Nonetheless, I could have done without him.

I have to give it to Denise Jaden for turning a NaNo novel into a YA bestseller. This trend is quickly catching on, and she did well to do it early on.

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Book Review: Hush Hush

Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her...until Patch comes along.
With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment, but after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure whom to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is far more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.
For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life.[Source]

I bought my own copy of this novel.

This is the classic story of a boy and a girl who shouldn’t be in love, but they are. Add in the fact that the boy is a mythological creature and the girl is “different than other humans.” Stick them in a high school setting, take the girl’s parents away, and you’re done. Recipe for a YA bestseller.

I liked the fallen angel aspect, because that’s a true bad boy. Different than the vampires and werewolves that are popular lately. I didn’t get Patch’s motivations, ever. First, he wanted to kill Nora. Then, he wanted to save her. He didn’t want to save her, but he loved her, so he did anyway. Make up your mind, boy!

Nora was a great female lead. Strong, independent, albeit a bit stupid. The truth about Patch being a fallen angel was right there the whole time, but it took her WAY too long to figure it out. Open your eyes, girl!

Bit of a twist there at the end… Jules was in the background for the entire book. Without giving away the ending, I’ll just say that I just never expected what happened. Especially with Elliot.

I wish the conflict with Dabria had been played up a little more. I didn’t like how Patch just settled the whole issue and the reader gets left out of any struggle between the two. That’s one reason why I prefer third person point of view, even though first person brings you right into the action. See, the action in this book was a little lacking. I loved the whole “hide and seek in the school” bit, but the gym scene was a little boring.

Regardless, a great YA novel, and I am looking forward to reading the next one!

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Book Review: Prisoners in the Palace

Prisoners in the Palace by Michaela MacColl

London, 1838. Sixteen-year-old Liza's dreams of her society debut are dashed when her parents are killed in an accident. Penniless, she accepts the position of lady's maid to young Princess Victoria and steps unwittingly into the gossipy intrigue of the servant's world below-stairs as well as the trickery above. Is it possible that her changing circumstances may offer Liza the chance to determine her own fate, find true love, and secure the throne for her future queen?

Meticulously based on newly discovered information, this riveting novel is as rich in historical detail as Catherine, Called Birdy, and as sizzling with intrigue as The Luxe.[Source]

I received this book for review from the publisher through 1 ARC Tours. I chose to join this tour because I love historical fiction and I love royalty novels.

The book starts off shortly after Liza's parents have died, so it jumped right into the conflict. An up-and-coming debutante has been left penniless, with no family or friends to turn to. Luckily, Liza has been raised to be independent and quick-thinking...

Or so I thought. This girl is witty enough to negotiate with the hotel owner and prevent him from selling her possessions, but she's too naive to hold her tongue when addressing a potential employer.

Liza smartened up over the course of the book, and formed some vital friendships. Most obvious, of course, is her friendship with Princess Victoria. But there was also Boy and Will, and the unexpected alliance with Lehzen. Without those friendships, Liza surely would have ended up like Annie.

As for Simon, well, I did NOT see that coming! When I did a quick reread, I saw the signs, although only because I knew what to read for. I don't want to ruin the ending for anyone, but I will warn you to read all the dialogue VERY CAREFULLY.

I liked that this book jumps right in with conflict and struggles, so no pages are wasted on developing problems for characters to solve. The problems are presented almost immediately. I also loved the theme of the unexpected friendships. However, overall, I felt the book was lacking something. It doesn't jump out as a romance, or a mystery, and the historical fiction aspect needs something else to back it up.

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Book Review: Shiver

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

the cold.
Grace has spent years watching the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf—her wolf—watches back. He feels deeply familiar to her, but she doesn't know why.

the heat.
Sam has lived two lives. As a wolf, he keeps the silent company of the girl he loves. And then, for a short time each year, he is human, never daring to talk to Grace...until now.

the shiver.
For Grace and Sam, love has always been kept at a distance. But once it's spoken, it cannot be denied. Sam must fight to stay human—and Grace must fight to keep him—even if it means taking on the scars of the past, the fragility of the present, and the impossibility of the future. [Source]

I was a little late to jump on this bandwagon – The Werewolves of Mercy Falls. I knew it was hugely popular, so I decided to buy and read the first one to see what the fuss was all about.

Oh, I am so glad I did! Shiver is, by and far, the best YA book I have read in a LONG time.

I was hooked right from the very first page. Each chapter is either from Grace or Sam’s point of view. There is a hint of foreshadowing right on the first page of each chapter, as there is a little number under each chapter title. The numbers tell you the temperature, which gives you an idea of how Sam is feeling. Of course, this creates a lot of suspense for the reader, which means the reader never wants to put the book down.

I was reading so fast that I got confused by all the different werewolves. Several times, I had to force myself to slow down and reread so I wouldn’t miss anything important.

When I got to the accident, I can only imagine how my face must have looked – eyes wide, mouthing, “No, no, please, no!” I was bawling like a baby by the end of that chapter. I had to put the book down and go grab a box of tissues so I could keep reading. I was so in love with Sam that Grace’s pain became my own. And what she did to the guitar – ohmigosh, it made me cry even harder.

I was left with several questions when the book ended, but I expected that to happen, since I knew that this is Book 1 in a trilogy. I can’t wait to find out what happened with Olivia… And the new recruits. If I had read this before publication of the other books, I would have said that the trilogy looks very promising. It’s a good thing Book 2 has already been published – I am going to go get it right away!

Rating: 5 hearts!

Book Review: Incarceron

Incarceron by Catherine Fisher

Incarceron -- a futuristic prison, sealed from view, where the descendants of the original prisoners live in a dark world torn by rivalry and savagery. It is a terrifying mix of high technology -- a living building which pervades the novel as an ever-watchful, ever-vengeful character, and a typical medieval torture chamber -- chains, great halls, dungeons.

A young prisoner, Finn, has haunting visions of an earlier life, and cannot believe he was born here and has always been here. In the outer world, Claudia, daughter of the Warden of Incarceron, is trapped in her own form of prison -- a futuristic world constructed beautifully to look like a past era, an imminent marriage she dreads. She knows nothing of Incarceron, except that it exists.

But there comes a moment when Finn, inside Incarceron, and Claudia, outside, simultaneously find a device -- a crystal key, through which they can talk to each other. And so the plan for Finn's escape is born. [Source]

I received a free ARC of this book for completing a read-a-thon back in August. I didn't rush to read it, as I wasn't reviewing it for the publisher. I started off being really excited to read this book, which wore off a bit as time went on and I still hadn't read it. Luckily, I ended up liking it a lot!

Age recommendation: 13+

I love the way this book started. The action, the mystery, the foreshadowing... Right away, secrets are hinted at and Finn is introduced as the main character. I had to go back and reread several parts twice, because of all the secrets and double meanings. I figured out the biggest secret (Finn) easily enough, but I didn't get the Warden's secret (Claudia) until shortly before he revealed it. And as for Sapphique, that had me guessing up until the end.

There were two major things I didn't like about this book: First, it took forever for Claudia to actually DO something to try to save Finn. She was all talk, no action. I like Attia much more than Claudia. And second, the ending was so weak! So incredibly anti-climatic. I mean, the Queen just walked away. No way in hell I would have let that happen if I had written the book. Finding out that there is going to be a sequel only comforts me a slight bit. A sequel wouldn't be needed if there had been a better ending.

Rating:

Book Review: The Art of Racing in the Rain

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

Enzo knows he is different from other dogs: a philosopher with a nearly human soul (and an obsession with opposable thumbs), he has educated himself by watching television extensively, and by listening very closely to the words of his master, Denny Swift, an up-and-coming race car driver. Through Denny, Enzo has gained tremendous insight into the human condition, and he sees that life, like racing, isn't simply about going fast. Using the techniques needed on the race track, one can successfully navigate all of life's ordeals.

On the eve of his death, Enzo takes stock of his life, recalling all that he and his family have been through. In the end, despite what he sees as his own limitations, Enzo comes through heroically to preserve the Swift family, holding in his heart the dream that Denny will become a racing champion with Zoë at his side.

A heart-wrenching but deeply funny and ultimately uplifting story of family, love, loyalty, and hope, The Art of Racing in the Rain is a beautifully crafted and captivating look at the wonders and absurdities of human life...as only a dog could tell it. [Source]

I borrowed this book from the library and read it because it was highly recommended by several colleagues of mine. There are several of us that all trade books often, and I trust them when they say that I'll enjoy a book. I was told that this particular book is both funny and sad. Funny, I like. But I can't handle sad. I don't like crying over books. In the end, I decided that it was more amusing than funny, and more aggravating than sad. But I don't want to give away the ending.

Quick summary: Enzo is the narrator of this story, and he is a dog. He has a great owner, but he's not too keen on his owner's love interest. Until they make a baby, that is. Enzo becomes the baby's protector, but there is only so much he can when he is not allowed to follow her everywhere she goes. And there is the impending end; dogs don't live forever. It's up to Enzo to keep his owner true to himself, and to help him fight for what's right.

Age recommendation: 17+

Yea, I loved this book. Enzo is SUCH a lovable character, despite the fact that he's a dog. I think he is so lovable because he's a dog. I liked seeing life through his eyes, experiencing life in a dog's body. And it's a very honest book view. Enzo doesn't sugarcoat life or shy away from embarrassing topics. His perspective is refreshing; it's one that more people should adopt. It's a shame that the other characters in this book aren't more like Enzo. They are more like real people - pushy, greedy Americans who refuse to see that their way isn't necessarily the best way. That part aggravated me to no end.

The only part that I didn't like about this book is the constant racing analogies. Enzo's owner is a car racer, so Enzo is a racing aficionado, so to speak. Throughout the book, he relates life to racing. At first, it was clever and amusing, but after several chapters, I got sick of it. I couldn't keep up with the racing lingo, and I had to resort to skimming the pages to get to the end of the wordy comparisons. I would have finished the book a lot faster if I hadn't been struggling to understand every other chapter.

Rating:

Book Review: Dead Until Dark

Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris

I bought and read this book and wrote the review for Book of the Month over at Ashley's Bookshelf. If you read the book and write a review today, you can be entered into the giveaway!

I have never watched True Blood on HBO and I was a little skeptical about this book. A romance between a human girl and a vampire guy, one of whom can read minds, but curiously can't read the mind of his/her significant other. Sound familiar?! I don't know who had the idea first, and I don't particularly care. I just wasn't sure if I wanted to read the same plot again.

But I read it anyway. And let me tell you, this is NOT the same plot. What I said above, that is the ONLY similarity between Dead Until Dark and Twilight. This one takes place in Louisiana, so it is written in a Southern style tone. It was difficult for me to get used to the tone and the language, but once I did, it was much easier to read.

Quick summary: Sookie Stackhouse is a waitress in a small town. She minds her own business and sticks to herself, mostly to hide the fact that she can hear people's thoughts. When Bill Compton comes to town, Sookie is delighted to discover 2 things: a, he is a vampire, and b, she can't hear his thoughts. She willingly dates him, based on the mental silence when they are together. But when girls start dying, specifically girls who date vampires, she has to decide whether love is enough to sacrifice her safety, and her dreams.

Age recommendation: 18+

The whole time I was reading this book, I was so torn between thinking that Bill is a jerk, and thinking that he is the man of every girl's dreams. I guess every main male character is like that. They can't be relatable unless they act like jerks occasionally. However, speaking of relatable, Sookie was such a flimsy character until the second half of the book. She was tough and independent, and she wasn't physically affected by Bill's looks or sexiness. I didn't really bond with her until she began to battle internally over love and dreams. Should she give up the distant dream of having her own family, just to stay with Bill? On the other hand, she had never even wanted that dream until she realized that she wouldn't be able to have it with Bill... I guess the bottom line is that yes, I am going to keep reading this series because I love vampires and I love series.

Rating:

Book Review: The Host

The Host by Stephenie Meyer

"Science fiction for people who don't like science fiction." (Source)
Several people recommended this book to me after it came out. Regardless of the fact that some of them were Twi-haters, I was very wary. Without getting into a Twilight debate, I'll just say that the saga was poorly written and poorly edited. Hence, I had very low expectations for The Host. And I don't even like science fiction! It just happened to be on sale at B0rders for club members, and I needed a book for the plane ride 2 weeks ago, so I bought it anyway.

Quick summary: There are aliens taking over the Earth, inserting themselves into human bodies and essentially taking over their minds. Most humans, after being taken over, simply give up their minds and go to sleep, forever. But when Melanie's body is taken over, she refuses to give up. She holds on to her mind, refusing to let the alien take complete control. As Melanie bombards the alien with memories and thoughts of her family, the alien starts to love them as her own family. 2 minds in 1 body can never work.

My age recommendation: 17+

From the first chapter, the first page, I was hooked. This book was so thrilling! It held my interest from start to finish; I never wanted to stop reading. As the author's website claims, this really IS "science fiction for people who don't like science fiction." (source) It was easy to understand, exciting, and even had a little love triangle thrown in. There were no mushy parts, the descriptions weren't droll, and the dialogue was intriguing. I loved the internal battle between Melanie and Wanderer, as well as Wanderer's motivation for her decisions. Sometimes, altruistic characters seem underdeveloped, or overdone, but she was consistent enough that she was just as relatable as Melanie, the main human character. Also, technically-speaking, SM's editor finally did her job. The story flowed without disruptions or disconnections, and there were no grammar errors (that I could find).

Rating:

Book Review: The Constant Princess

The Constant Princess by Philippa Gregory

It's been a couple weeks since I read this book, but I have been putting off the review. For no good reason. Anyway, I bought this book because I love PG's books! I've read several, and I was also interested in reading more about Katherine of Aragon. I know that PG often gets criticized for embellishing details or throwing in fictional bits, but isn't that the point of historical fiction?? It's what I love about her writing!

Quick summary: This book follows Katherine of Aragon from a young child of 3 years, growing up knowing that she is already betrothed to the Prince of Wales. Split between first person and third person, most of the book is from her point of view. She is careful to always watch what she says and constantly present herself as a princess, and later as a Queen. No matter what her English family throws at her, and despite the betrayals and manipulations of her own Spanish family, she must play along with their plans and still try to stay true to her own dreams.

My age recommendation: 16+

Honestly, it took me a few chapters to get into the book. When Katherine finally moved to England and developed a relationship with her new husband, I got hooked. I was devastated when Arthur died, even though I knew it was coming. The period when Katherine was a penniless princess-in-waiting was hard to get through, but I was rewarded for my persistence, as was Katherine, when she married Harry and started a new life.

Rating:

Book Review: City of Bones

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

The first time I read this book was actually almost a year ago. I had bought the book because I was going to be meeting the author (although it fell through and never happened) and I wanted to be able to truthfully say that I had read the book. I was unsure at first, because it mixes so many fantasy items and theories, such as angels, vampires, demons, warlocks, and fairies. But it was written in a style that is easy to read and humorous as well. It can be hard to keep all the characters straight, at first, but they are all developed enough that you begin to really know them.

Quick summary: Clary is a regular girl who suddenly starts seeing people out of nowhere. At the same time, her mother disappears and random demons start attacking her. (It's hard to believe that everything can go wrong all at once for this 16 year old girl, but I know the feeling.) Jace, one of the people who basically appeared out of nowhere, takes Clary to his "home" so she can recover from the demon attacks and they can try to find her mom. Almost instantly, her life is turned upside down and she is introduced to a whole new world, one filled with Shadowhunters and Downworlders. She has to team up with Jace and his family to find her mom, discover the truth about herself, and still try to overcome normal teenage drama.

My age recommendation: 13+

About halfway through the book, I was hooked. I devoured it quickly and rushed to the bookstore to get the next in the trilogy, City of Ash. Once I finished that, I immediately started on the last one, City of Glass. Basically, there is no point to read CoB if you are not going to read the rest of the trilogy. It's like the HP series, everything builds up and builds up to finally reach the main climax in the last book. It's like 1 big book split into several smaller ones. (That's what I love about series in general).

Rating:


PS - I forgot to mention that I wrote this review for Ashley's Bookshelf. She is doing a giveaway, but I thought it'd be cool to see other people's reviews of this book! So, if you read the book and write a review before July 31, then you can be entered into the giveaway!