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1492635790
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| 3.75
| 1,181
| Nov 01, 2016
| Nov 01, 2016
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Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales Quick & Dirty: A secret friendship leads to a deadly obsession. Opening Sentence: Is thing on? Excerpt: No The Review Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales Quick & Dirty: A secret friendship leads to a deadly obsession. Opening Sentence: Is thing on? Excerpt: No The Review: It isn’t always easy for me to read paranormal stories. For one thing, the images stay in my mind and it may or may not lead to extra fuel for my already crazy imagination. Sometimes, those images stay in my mind past bedtime, and those nights aren’t always fun. But I was pretty excited to begin reading Cyn Balog’s Unnatural Deeds. Balog’s paranormal stories are always intense, and I was ready for a heart stopper. Unnatural Deeds is a story about “Secrets, obsession, and murder.” Victoria Zell is a wallflower. She doesn’t socialize that much, she keeps to herself, and the only friend she mostly talks about is Andrew, her boyfriend. Until one day when Zachary Zimmerman starts at her school. He talks to her, and in turn allows Vic to open up. He invites her to lunch, allowing Vic to learn more about him. A friendship begins and develops, causing an unhealthy relationship with some unhealthy habits. But Vic doesn’t relent, she becomes obsessed, in the most dangerous ways. Vic is an interesting main character. I do not have a lot of experience to many suspense-driven stories, but she is one complex character. She thinks about Andrew, a lot. She relays pretty much everything to him. Yet, once Z comes into the picture, she slowly obsesses about him. It is more than a simple fascination, or even a bout of lust. And it isn’t simple, because Z reciprocates many of the same feelings that Vic has begun to feel. It goes beyond this realm of love of first sight because Vic takes it to this place of eerie feelings, and it makes things uncomfortable. Z is charismatic and alluring. Looking back through the pages, he has spun his own spell on Vic. He has gotten her to open up about certain things and do things that are definitely out of her comfort zone, all without really talking about himself. It is easy to see what Vic adores about him. Without stating spoilers, or anything to give hints, the premise of the story is very straightforward. As a reader, I felt I was reading a story about two teenagers developing a relationship. Hearts fly about, and everything is great. But as you begin to get invested, Balog slowly throws in details to completely throw you off at the end. Basically, the rug was pulled from under my feet. Balog’s writing is seamless, allowing for her plot points and secret details to be woven throughout the story. The ending (THE ENDING) was something that I did not see. And after rereading the last chapter, things slowly click into place about Vic, Andrew, and Z. Unnatural Deeds is a great read for fans of suspense. I urge you to pick it up today! Notable Scene: I expected Mrs. Reese to launch lasers from her eyeballs and incinerate him. But her face softened. “You are Zachary Zimmerman?” “Call me Z.” He proceeded to fill her in on the mundane details of his life, which for some reason, I found fascinating. Z moved here from Arizona, liked baseball. As he spoke, I realized he didn’t sound like you at all. His voice was too loud, too sure, like a radio announcer. Still, he had successfully diverted the wrath of Reese. And for that, I was grateful. I thought that was the end of my story with Z. It was a short story, hardly worth reading. But I was wrong. Two seconds after Mrs. Reese turned toward the front of the room, as if she hadn’t just yelled at me for talking in class, he leaned across the aisle, still chewing nosily on the gum, and whispered, “You should come with me.” I’d like to say that was when it began, but no. That was when it was cemented. I was a goner the second I looked into those eyes. FTC Advisory: Sourcebooks Fire provided me with a copy of Unnatural Deeds. No goody bags, sponsorship, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review. ...more |
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Apr 02, 2017
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0062275356
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| 3.53
| 723
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| Dec 29, 2015
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it was ok
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Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales Quick & Dirty: A difficult subject overshadowed by too many elements. Opening Sentence: PJ: Tell us in your own wor Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales Quick & Dirty: A difficult subject overshadowed by too many elements. Opening Sentence: PJ: Tell us in your own words what happened that night. Excerpt: No The Review: There is something to be said about a sensitive topic in the Young Adult genre. There are many conversations to be had about the formidable years in high school, and the stories set during these years. For the most part, we readers, in this age group or not, relate. Alexis Bass’ What’s Broken Between Us pushes the envelope between safe and not, going on the brink of a reader’s comfort level. What’s Broken Between Us is about Amanda – a young girl, attempting to blend in with the high school. But unfortunately, that is next to impossible, for Amanda lives in the shadow of her brother’s, Jonathan, actions. A night spun out of control leads to a fatality that is not easily forgiven. A year later, Jonathan has served his sentence and is finally out, and ready to move beyond his past. Amanda was someone that wasn’t so easy for me to relate to. Amanda had so much inner turmoil to sift through. Her actions didn’t always portray what she felt, and at times I didn’t understand why certain things were done the way it happened. Henry, for me, was a bit easy to get to know. His vulnerability was an open book, easy to grasp and comprehend. While it seemed he became the instigator or the interrogator, I could follow his thoughts and see what he wanted to know. Grief is a strong thing, and closure isn’t always something easily obtained. Death is always a touchy subject, especially when it is caused by someone else, in such a manner. I am a lot older than Amanda, Jonathan, and Henry, and putting myself in their shoes – bringing myself back to that age – it made me feel uncomfortable. In the end, I couldn’t completely relate and get into What’s Broken Between Us. There were too many details and plot points to sort through. One thing would lead to another and it catapulted the scene into another dramatic event. Unfortunately, What’s Broken Between Us was not for me. Notable Scene: It’s all wrong, and I wonder if Graham can sense it too. A boy taking me out – all night, to be exact – wouldn’t have gotten away without a few threats from my older brother. Jonathan stands there silently, leaning against the banister at the bottom of the stairs, watching as Standard Dad continues to take pictures and Mumsy instructs me on how to stand. I watch him right back. The forlorness seems to start at his toes, hitting his knees, then his hips, then his shoulders, finally presenting itself on his face. I wonder if he’s thinking about Grace. How at least he was able to give her the ultimate Garfield High experience, invites to the best parties, front-row seats at the football games, before he took away all the rest. “Amanda, smile,” Mumsy says. And I do, because this is supposed to be a happy occasion, and I don’t want to ruin it. FTC Advisory: HarperCollins provided me with a copy of What’s Broken Between Us. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review. ...more |
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4.05
| 7,992
| Sep 22, 2015
| Sep 22, 2015
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Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales Quick & Dirty: While I admire Hurtzler and his work, I wasn’t a huge fan of What We Saw. Opening Sentence: This vid Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales Quick & Dirty: While I admire Hurtzler and his work, I wasn’t a huge fan of What We Saw. Opening Sentence: This video doesn’t show you everything. The Review: I have contemplated what I was planning to say for my review of What We Saw by Aaron Hurtzler. I started this book about 5 different times. Each time, I would get to a different point of the story and would experience a plethora of emotions. My review for What We Saw will be a bit different than what I would normally write. While I admire Hurtzler and his work, I wasn’t a huge fan of What We Saw. Let me explain why. What We Saw is about a town and the culture surrounding it. It is about a party that got out of hand and the and the effects of that. Kate doesn’t have a clear recollection of what happens that night, and attempts to piece together everything that is unfolding before her while trying to gather the bits and pieces of her own memories. What We Saw is real, in your face, and peels off the band aid from the harsh truth. Hurtzler discusses everything about what happens when a small community faces a sexual assault. Reading about the events from everybody’s point-of-view was hard to digest. While I felt What We Saw was realistic, at times I felt it was a bit too much. Since I had a hard time connecting to the story, I had a hard time relating to the characters. Kate was a light element of the story. Her diligence and tenacity kept the story without too much emotion. I was able to look at the story in a black and white way versus the ugly shades of grey that I was experiencing. While I didn’t fully connect to the story, that didn’t stop me from appreciating Hurtzler’s craft. His writing style is a testament of why I was so emotionally affected by What We Saw. His words, his characters, his story…they were all too realistic. I would often, at times, get lost in the story because of how everything was pieced together. Hurtzler’s pacing and fluidity was also a great addition to his story telling. I am a fan of Hurtzler, regardless if What We Saw and I connected. I appreciate his thoughts on this subject and hope that you would too. Notable Scene: He clicks to a closer-up of the bare limestone at the base of the reservoir. I catch my breath as the outlines of a hundred different fossilized organisms pop into sharp focus on the screen. It’s beautiful. The floodwaters that carried away Miss Candy’s studio and my dad’s job left behind the outline of an ancient world, evidence of the way things used to be. “Remember,” Mr. Johnston says, “nothing is exactly as it appears. The closer you look, the more you see.” There are still ten minutes of class to go, but something outside the window catches my eye. A hawk circles the trees at the back of the parking lot. She soars out of sight over the school, then appears again and perches on a nest lodged at the highest branches of the tallest oak. Is that what Stacey is always staring at? Nothing is exactly as it appears. The closer you look, the more you see. FTC Advisory: HarperCollins provided me with a copy of What We Saw. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review. ...more |
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1429963360
| 9781429963367
| 1429963360
| 3.51
| 17,569
| Jul 26, 2010
| Aug 03, 2010
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Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales Quick & Dirty: This is what would have happened if Pride and Prejudice had magic. Opening Sentence: The Ellsworths Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales Quick & Dirty: This is what would have happened if Pride and Prejudice had magic. Opening Sentence: The Ellsworths of Long Parkmead had the regard of their neighbours in every respect. The Review: For the most part, if you are a fan of the classics, you may have already read Pride and Prejudice. And if you are a fan of P and P, then you may have probably wondered, “What if Austen wrote it with a bit of fantasy?” Well, Mary Robinette Kowal’s Shades of Milk and Honey is just that. What can be categorized as magical realism, is simply a great retelling of a loved classic. Jane lives a life filled with courtseys, afternoon tea, and glamour – and not in the sense you’re thinking of. Jane can alter her surroundings with magical glamour. In the Regency era, and in Long Parkmead, families such as the Ellsworths, hire glamour masters, such as Mr. Vincent to alter their homes, the experiences within, and to the hosts themselves. Jane is complex and interesting, and I enjoyed her. I just wish I didn’t automatically think to compare her to Austen’s Jane. While I think that Shades of Milk and Honey has many Austen qualities, I wish it wasn’t compared to it. Jane has many qualities of Austen leading females. The story itself comes from a regency era, bringing in personality, manners, and swoon. The writing style is fluid, and relatable, but most of the time I was comparing and trying to piece together which character of Kowal’s is just like Austen’s. And that is unfair, in my opinion. Most of Kowal’s writing builds up the plot and the setting. I didn’t feel that the story didn’t actually begin until about a third of the way through (or even about half way). I didn’t comprehend the magic aspect, which was truly a glamour of what others experience visually, until later on. While I feel the premise has great and unique potential, there was something that was lacking. This missing link prevented me from truly connecting to the characters and to the story. One last thing. I was not expecting the ending. It threw me off, and maybe that was due to not being able to connect. I thought the story would align closer to Pride and Prejudice, but that was my fault. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series. I feel that I missed something, and it is not Kowal’s fault. There are often times when I don’t relate to a story due to different elements, and often times due to my personal preferences. Notable Scene: Jane thought of Mr. Dunkirk and of the happy hours in Beth’s company, which had afforded Jane time to closely judge his character and to find it in every way as good and honest as it had appeared from a distance. She had not hitherto allowed herself to cope, but if Melody’s affections had truly transferred to Captain Livingston, that would remove the most immediate obstacle to AMr. Dunkirk. It left her plainness and her awkward carriage, but to a man such as him, might these things be overlooked in favour of her talent? But these were idle fancies, not suitable for voicing even to herself, much less to her father, howsoever much she honoured him for his concern on her behalf. Jane said merely, “There is no one to speak of.” Her father broke off his study of the shrubbery and turned to her. Jane kept her composure under his gaze, knowing that she had told nothing but the truth. The small hope in her heart was nothing of which she could speak. FTC Advisory: I purchased this copy of Shades of Milk and Honey. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review. ...more |
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Jan 10, 2017
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0062410113
| 9780062410115
| 0062410113
| 3.25
| 717
| Jul 26, 2016
| Jul 26, 2016
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Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales Quick & Dirty: What the Dead Want is filled with an eerie, yet extremely interesting world. Opening Sentence: Her m Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales Quick & Dirty: What the Dead Want is filled with an eerie, yet extremely interesting world. Opening Sentence: Her mother had said the house was built by ancestors. The Review: I am not always a fan of scary/supernatural stories, but I will occasionally pick one up and hope it doesn’t scare me senseless. Norah Olson’s What the Dead Want was the right amount of intrigue and spooky. I enjoyed the story, and without being scared throughout the whole way through, I was able to understand the topic that Olson relayed. And I loved that about What the Dead Want. What the Dead Want follows Gretchen, a 16 year-old New Yorker who is into photography. After the sudden disappearance of her mom several years ago, it is only her dad and her. Gretchen inherits a pre-Civil War mansion on her mother’s family’s estate, and her Aunt Esther has convinced her to come visit. But once she arrives at the estate, and stays at the mansion, unexplained things begin to happen. I enjoyed Gretchen as a character. It was interesting to get to know her and understand the family dynamic and spiritual occurrences. I am glad that there wasn’t a huge romance in What the Dead Want, for it would have distracted me a bit further from the plot. Gretchen had a good sense of self, never straying from what she knew and what she believed in. What the Dead Want is filled with an eerie, yet extremely interesting world. Family secrets, spirits in limbo, and uncovering the past pretty much fills up the pages of this story. I was presently surprised at being fascinated and thoroughly engaged with this story. There were a few images that were written so well, it gave me goosebumps. But while I felt the story was a good story, there were a few things I could not connect with. I felt there was a disconnect between the timeline fluidity and the premise of the story. There was a lot going on, at certain times, making it a bit hard to focus on the soul of the story. There were so many historical elements that it felt like the integrity of the details were sometimes compromised due to playing catch up with the pacing. Notable Scene: It was the pain of this that stopped Gretchen’s curiosity about where Mona might be. Whether she was wandering the city or wandering the afterlife, Mona had no plans to come back to her, even in pictures. If she was alive it seemed that she didn’t want to be found, and if she was dead she was dead. Dead people don’t walk the streets or go to work or kiss their husbands good-bye on the subway platform. They do not tuck you in bed anymore, or take you out to brunch, or show you secret pictures from their fabulous pasts. Her mother had been playing her whole life at communing with the spirit world. It had been an aesthetic fascination. But Gretchen was left behind to content with the reality of her absence. With the reality of her nonexistence. Every day. From now on. Mona was gone. And she needed to accept it. Her camera had provided all the proof she needed. After that she stopped looking for signs. FTC Advisory: Katherine Tegen Books/HarperCollins provided me with a copy of What the Dead Want. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review. ...more |
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Jan 10, 2017
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0062380877
| 9780062380876
| 0062380877
| 4.03
| 106,062
| Jun 05, 2016
| Jul 05, 2016
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it was amazing
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Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales Quick & Dirty: In a city divided, violence has begun to create monsters and monsters elites. Opening Sentence: The Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales Quick & Dirty: In a city divided, violence has begun to create monsters and monsters elites. Opening Sentence: The night Kate Harker decided to burn down the school chapel, she wasn’t angry or drunk. The Review: I have been a fan of Victoria Schwab for a long time. With each story, I get something new and refreshing. She constantly keeps on my toes, excited with the next adventure I’ll be on. With This Savage Song, Schwab brings a bit of darkness and paranormal to the table. It’s not exactly a Romeo and Juliet tale, but there are warring sides, a friendship, and death. Oh, so much death. This Savage Song follows the story of Kate Harker and August Flynn. Their city is divided and controlled by their families, warring for domination. Monsters have power, and lure everywhere, giving fealty to each side. And like the monsters, Kate and August both want acceptance and acknowledgement from their fathers, and they will do whatever it takes to gain recognition. Kate attends school closer to her father, and August becomes a spy at Kate’s school. Kate discovers August’s secret, as a spy, and it may be at a time that is too late. Kate is the daughter of a Harker, a man more looked upon as evil, conniving, and controlling. Kate took a bit of energy to like in the beginning. She has bravado, and proverbial balls of steel. While she isn’t physically a monster, I could deem her as one. Her personality has flaws, but Schwab made me second guess how much I accepted her and her actions and outlook on life. August, I felt, was written to be easily accepted as the likable character. It was easy to align myself with him. While August has a very dangerous power, Schwab wrote him to be the easiest character to love. Tricky, that Schawb. I enjoyed who August was, and especially his power. Who else can cause death with a use of an instrument? Brilliant. This Savage Song is told in a dual point-of-view style. It makes it a bit easier to understand each faction, each character, and the events as they take place. While I don’t normally prefer alternating POV styles, I thought it worked really well for this story. It allowed me to delve deeper into the minds of the character, and get really invested in the different acts and beats of the story. This Savage Song was written so nicely. The pacing flowed so well, making it easy to truly get lost in the book and have time pass by so quickly. Schwab’s writing always surprises me, improving with each story, making brilliant characters and wonderful settings. Her imagination is magic. Notable Scene: The sounds in 3B stopped abruptly. The footsteps stilled. The TV went dead. And then, a bolt slid free, the door opened, and a man peered out into the hall, too thin in a half-buttoned shirt. Behind his back, his shadow coiled. Behind his shadow, the room was a maze of towering paper and books, half-collapsed boxes, bags of trash, clothing, food-some of it rotten. “Mr. Osinger,” said August. “May I come in?” When Albert Osinger met August’s eyes, he knew. Somehow, they always knew. The man paled, then slammed the door in August’s face. Or tried. August caught the wood with his hand, facing it inward, and Osinger, in a panic, turned and ran, toppling a stack of books, pulling over a shelf of canned food as he scrambled to get away. As if there were anywhere to run. August sighed and stepped inside, closing the door behind him. FTC Advisory: Greenwillow Books/HarperCollins provided me with a copy of This Savage Song. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review. ...more |
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Jan 10, 2017
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0373212402
| 9780373212408
| 0373212402
| 3.69
| 3,988
| Oct 25, 2016
| Oct 25, 2016
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it was amazing
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Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales Quick & Dirty: Perfect for fans of teenage angst and love. Opening Sentence: Mom left on a Tuesday. Excerpt: Yes The Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales Quick & Dirty: Perfect for fans of teenage angst and love. Opening Sentence: Mom left on a Tuesday. Excerpt: Yes The Review: When I was first told about If I Fix You, someone told me it was a coming of age story whose timeline was catapulted on a roller coaster. If I Fix You by Abigail Johnson is more than just a story. There was something between me, as the reader, and everything about this book – the story, the characters, and all the emotions that Abigail has made me feel. I have not connected to a story, or anyone, in such a meaningful way as I have with Abigail. If I Fix You is about Jill Whitaker. Everything begins as Jill’s mom walks out, on a post-it no less, and upends her and her dad’s life. There are questions and reasons why Jill’s mom left, and some of those answers are kept secret with Jill. And while Jill has an aptness to fix things, her life isn’t something that she can manage to fix. Slowly, she attempts to move on and ease away the hurt, despite distractions, unfathomable dreams, and unreachable hope. Jill is from a broken home, clinging to the little bit of happiness she has left. She has a real voice, showing real emotions. Jill has a damaged heart, hurting from everything between her mom, her dad, and even Sean. Her denial with life and penchant to lose herself with the cars is endearing and heartbreaking all at the same time. I have developed a soft heart for Jill. All I wanted to do was console her, but another part of me became her. I once had been heartbroken and lost my dreams, and those emotions rushed back as I read about Jill’s life. It’s a real lesson to have to like what is on the outside as much as what is on the inside. Jill had to bring herself away from her inner turmoil to fix herself. While Jill stands to be a commandeering main character, Sean and Daniel steal the show. There is an unrequited love triangle here, and it wasn’t easy to read. Sean’s relationship and history with Jill was difficult to read. Johnson did such a great job making sure to grab your heart and just squeeze. Daniel is the guy next door who isn’t anything else but a broken boy that you’d want to fix. See? Heartstrings! Johnson’s writing in If I Fix You makes me realize that in our very imperfect lives, we are not meant to be perfect, but instead we are meant to be whole. Jill’s problems, while they may not be exactly the same, can mimic any one of ours. Jill allows me to accept and love, taking me through the spectrum from broken to acceptance and then to contentment. I cried. I felt emotions. And while I didn’t relate to every single thing, Johnson made me feel like I did. Abigail Johnson’s If I Fix You is perfect for fans of teenage angst and love. You will go from happy to sad and back again. You will begin this story and not want to stop. And best of all? You will become a fan of Abigail Johnson. Notable Scene: In the blink of an eye, Sean changed. The stiffness in his posture relaxed, the shape of his mouth lifted, even his eyes seemed to change. It wasn’t until that change washed over him that I realized how much he’d been holding back, how I’d been missing him even when I saw him almost every day. He flashed a dimple and held his arms open. If I still loved him, in that moment, I’d have known exactly why. “Sweaty hug on it?” My eyes darted from his arms to his eyes and back again. He was asking me to accept more than a ride. A lot more. It was starting to feel like too much, but I wouldn’t know if I didn’t try. I stepped into him, my cheek pressing against his damp T-shirt. “Wow, you sweat a lot for a girl.” My heart was steady as I smiled into Sean’s chest, silently thanking him for saying the exact right thing to keep the moment light and easy. When he seemed reluctant to let go, I stayed in his arms a second longer, relieved that hugging him didn’t hurt. Not much anyway. FTC Advisory: Harlequin Teen provided me with a copy of If I Fix You. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review. ...more |
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Oct 23, 2016
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1419719092
| 9781419719097
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| 3.37
| 9,447
| Jan 10, 2017
| Jan 10, 2017
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really liked it
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Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales Quick & Dirty: Mystery, intrigue, and thrilling describe this wonderful reinvented classic. Opening Sentence: At ho Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales Quick & Dirty: Mystery, intrigue, and thrilling describe this wonderful reinvented classic. Opening Sentence: At home, I have a poster on my wall of a rose that’s bleeding. The Review: RoseBlood by AG Howard is a wonderful reinvention of a classic tale. I have adored The Phantom of the Opera since I was younger, and I have not yet read anything quite like RoseBlood! Howard does an amazing job recreating this world and these characters. There is definitely a peculiar twist to Howard’s version, but I definitely enjoyed it. Mystery, intrigue, and thrilling describe the words of RoseBlood. Rune Germain has a talent that is both musical and surreal. But while most find it beautiful and remarkable, Rune does not. She finds it horrific at times, more of a burden than a gift. Friends, musical transformations, and dreams are a part of her new life in France, and Rune slowly loses touch of reality itself. A new romance begins, most definitely putting her in the middle of danger. Rune is definitely filled with an uncanny perplexity. She is not a standard main character. It is like she has an animosity towards her talents, when I feel it is more fear. Her past has haunted her for some time now, preventing her to forgive herself and simply put everything behind her. At times it made her less appealing to me, but it was a personality quirk that I accepted. I didn’t completely understand Thorn. I didn’t connect with him the way others may have, but I did appreciate how Howard built him into this enigma. Thorn was on a path, knowing only his father and the values in which he was raised. To me, Thorn became a rift between who he was and who he wanted to be. It was fascinating reading him, to clearly see the moment that he knew his life changed forever. There’s a twist to this story that I won’t spoil, but will say shocked me. I didn’t realize what was happening in the story until I was knee deep into obsession. It was great to feel that way about a story that took me by surprise. It was great to know that an author made me get lost in her own words in a world that she reinvented. You have to make sure to add RoseBlood to your list of books to read. AG Howard is amazing, and you will not regret it! Notable Scene: Thorn often wondered if he had the strength to refuse his father’s will, now that he knew. But this had evolved to something beyond Erik’s web of persuasion. Thorn owed him his life and purpose, and would do most anything to hear pride and praise on the strains of Erik’s beautiful voice—no matter how maniacal or horrific the request. He wanted to be the son Erik needed. The man behind the masks was his father in all the ways that counted. And family counted above all else. So, of course Thorn would take him to Rune, as soon as Erik had digested her song’s energy and could make the trip. They would be silent in their observance; she’d never know they were there. A slight detour from their relaxed Sunday routine of resting in their rooms wouldn’t hurt. Thorn told himself this, in hopes to stifle the truth: that he himself wanted to see her again, and that later, when he and Father returned home, he would pick up his violin. After two years of sleep, his muse had reawakened. Tonight, he would serenade Rune in her dreams once more. FTC Advisory: Amulet Books provided me with a copy of RoseBlood. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review. ...more |
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Sep 14, 2016
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1250095255
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| 1250095255
| 3.98
| 646,486
| Sep 29, 2016
| Jan 31, 2017
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it was amazing
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Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales Quick & Dirty: Dark, intriguing YA story that sucked me in to a colorful, yet, deary world. This was a wonderful r Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales Quick & Dirty: Dark, intriguing YA story that sucked me in to a colorful, yet, deary world. This was a wonderful read that I highly recommend for fans of YA fantasy. Opening Sentence: It took seven years to get the letter right. The Review: I’m just going to start off this review by saying I loved Caraval. This novel did walk a fine line on the dark side (which I love). I was instantly hooked by all the things unsaid and couldn’t wait to find out how events would unravel as the story progressed. Unfortunately, I had to put the book down because of life and I all I could think about was the story until I could get back to it. Scarlet and her sister Donatella lead a sheltered life. Their father only gives them a modicum of freedom. Scarlet and Tella live their lives in fear of their next beating and their father is ruthless when it comes to punishment. Scarlet thinks she has their situation solved when her father has arranged a marriage for her. She believes that her father will send her and Tella away to wherever her future husband lives. Scarlet has always been fascinated with a magical event called Caraval. She has written to them year after year to see if Caraval would come to her island since her father won’t let her travel to visit the event. But this year, she writes to tell them not to bother since she will never be able to see it anyways, she is about to be married. Three tickets arrive with an invitation to Caraval which starts in three days. Scarlet won’t chance it with her marriage just barely two weeks away. She also doesn’t want to piss of her abusive father because she knows what he will do if they “disappear.” The story that follows is fascinating, descriptive and splendid! I devoured this book as quickly as I could and it ended up being a fast read for me since I was so invested in the story. I got swept up into the intrigue and kept trying to guess what was going to happen next. This world is magical and crazy and I couldn’t believe some of the things that happened. I had my suspicions about some things but overall I was strangely pleased how the events played out. I started off the novel not liking Tella at all. I thought she was a spoiled, selfish brat until I realized that was far from the truth. Scarlet is the sad, overprotective, broken sister whose only hope is to take her sister when she gets married anticipating a better life for the both of them. When Tella “disappears” all Scarlet can think about is finding Tella quickly and going back home in time to grovel before her wedding. Caraval uses lies, fear and pleasure in order to change the people playing the game, so Scarlet will not be the same person she was when the game ends. I loved the spark between Scarlet and Julian. I was a bit surprised at the romance considering she couldn’t be sure if she trusted him or not. Scarlet can see emotions in color so there are some very colorful, descriptive writings inside the novel. Caraval is quite a strange place that I would say reminds me a bit of Alice in Wonderland and Labyrinth. Overall, Caraval is a young adult novel that is quite on the dark side of things so I wouldn’t recommend for those really young readers. I thought Caraval could have been a standalone and it really could have been but then there was a teaser for the sequel. My gut told me “I knew it!” and I am already eagerly anticipating the sequel! Notable Scene: She ran her hands over the material of her dress to make sure it wasn’t just a trick of the mirror or the light. Or maybe in her frozen state she’d only thought the dress had been drab before. But deep down Scarlett knew there was only one explanation. Legend had given her an enchanted gown. Magic like this was only supposed to live in stories, but this dress was very real, leaving Scarlett unsure what to think. The child inside her loved it; the grown-up Scarlett wasn’t sure she felt quite comfortable in it—whether it was magical or not. Her father would never have let her wear something so eye-catching, and even though he wasn’t there, attention was still not a thing she craved. Scarlett was a pretty girl, though she often liked to hide it. She’d inherited her mother’s thick dark hair, which complemented her olive skin. Her face was more of an oval than Tella’s, with a petite nose and hazel eyes so large she always felt they gave away too much. For a moment she almost wished for the drab beige frock. No one noticed girls in ugly clothes. Maybe if she thought about it, the dress would shift again. But even as she visualized a simpler cut and a plainer color, the cherry gown remained vibrant and tight, clinging to curves she’d rather have concealed. Julian’s cryptic words came to mind—I can see why he sent you tickets—and Scarlett wondered if she’d found a way to escape her father’s deadly games on Trisda, only to become a well-costumed piece on a new game board. FTC Advisory: Flatiron Books/Macmillan provided me with a copy of Caraval. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review. ...more |
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| 219,295
| Nov 08, 2016
| Nov 08, 2016
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it was amazing
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Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales Quick & Dirty: Opening Sentence: My immediate priority is air. Excerpt: Yes The Review: When I first read Alice’s Adv Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales Quick & Dirty: Opening Sentence: My immediate priority is air. Excerpt: Yes The Review: When I first read Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, I fell in love with the Queen of Hearts. I always wondered what made her foul-tempered and an angry antagonist. I knew that she had a story, and I was happy that Marissa Meyer told her story in Heartless. There are many books about fantasy and about retellings, each claiming to be an adventure worth the read. But Marissa does not steer us wrong! Marissa’s latest fantasy is amazing and FANTASTIC. Heartless is a spectacular story of a young lady before she became the Queen of Hearts. I was in a young adult funk before I read Heartless, and boy did Marissa bring me out of the dark depths and bring excitement! It is often said that The Queen had one way to settle differences and difficulties, and that was with a forceful, “Off with his head!” In Meyer’s Heartless, we meet Lady Catherine Pinkerton, a very different young lady. All she wanted in life was to become the best baker in Heart, to live in joy and pastries. Yet, Catherine was favored by the King of Hearts, and was urged by her mother to become the next queen. At a royal ball, Cath meets the court joker, Jest. For once in her life, she feels an attraction. Definitely not one to be swayed by her own dreams and goals, Cath and Jest develop a secret romance. Determined and hopelessly falling in love, Cath attempts to define her own destiny. But it is Wonderland after all, so anything goes. I am in love with Cath. She is the opposite of the Queen of Hearts. Cath has hope, love, and everything good in Heart, yet she shows strength and bravery at every turn of the page. Determination and love drives her, finding ways to belong to Jest. She is a bit young and reckless, but doesn’t love make us all blind? The pull to please her King and parents is strong. Being Lady Catherine is not for the weak. She has sacrifices that only she has experienced, giving up a bit of herself in every way imaginable. What I enjoyed about Cath is how she represents many different young girls. Through the pressures from Cath’s mother, and her family, Cath discovers herself and what she can endure. And while Cath is the main character, each supporting character plays important roles, important to the story line. Jest alone will crush your heart, for his story will demand center stage. He isn’t someone I was expecting, but I believe to be crucial to the demise of Cath’s persona and the rise of the Queen of Heart’s coldness. It is interesting to see each character and the role that they play. Marissa’s world is wonderful. I cannot fangirl enough over the amount of details that she put in Heartless. It is definitely a reinvention of Wonderland as Heart. She has gone above and beyond creating a story with intricate details to paint vivid imagery perfect for such a tale. She has allowed me, the reader, to fully immerse myself into this reinvented world of magic and whimsy. What I love most about Heartless is that Cath represents similarities to Alice and definitive opposites of the Queen of Hearts. Heartless‘ plot picks up quickly, and doesn’t slow down. Marissa has reinvented this unique world with a fantastic culture that I cannot get enough of. I could not put this book down. I thoroughly enjoyed Heartless! The characters are so enthralling, the back story, the plot, and the ascension from Cath to Queen of Hearts. There is something about how Marissa’s story developed through the pages, being so different, yet her writing was familiar. It was another story to listen to, and Marissa is the master storyteller. This is a standalone, and that breaks my heart the most. I definitely recommend this book to anyone. You will soon fall in love with Cath, Jest, and the other magical characters in Heart. And who knows, maybe you will think differently next time you see the Queen of Hearts. Notable Scene: “Of all those ladies and all those gentlemen, you were the only one who twirled.” “You saaw that?” “In that gown, it would have been difficult not to.” She wrinkled her nose. “My mother chose it. She thought it would be my engagement ball. I honestly had no idea.” “I see that now.” He squinted at her and opened his mouth once to speak, but closed it again. Catherine swallowed. “You shouldn’t be here.” “I’m not entirely sure that’s true.” He lowered himself on the branch, like a cat ready to spring. “Lady Pinkerton, have you ever been to a real tea party?” “Oh, countless.” “No, my lady, not like at the castle today. I mean, a real one.” The question crystallized between them as Catherine shifted through all the parties, galas, gatherings she’d attended over the years, and she couldn’t fathom what he meant. “I…I supposed I’m not sure.” He smiled, a little mischievously. “Would you like to?” FTC Advisory: Feiwel & Friends/Macmillan provided me with a copy of Heartless. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review. ...more |
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Feb 05, 2016
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0062349902
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| 2.93
| 1,584
| Sep 01, 2015
| Sep 01, 2015
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it was ok
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Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales Quick & Dirty: A contemporary story about exploration, acceptance, and teenage angst. Opening Sentence: You get use Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales Quick & Dirty: A contemporary story about exploration, acceptance, and teenage angst. Opening Sentence: You get used to it, divorce. The Review: I am absolutely pleased that the young adult book world has begun to publish diverse stories. And I’m not talking about ethnicity. I’m talking about love in all the places. Carrie Mesrobian’s Cut Both Ways was an anticipated read for me. I was excited to read about a story about exploration and acceptance. There was a good amount of social buzz around Cut Both Ways. I wanted to give Mesrobian and Will’s story the chance it deserved. Will is a young man at seventeen. He’s never been kissed, and is beginning to explore who he is, sexually. A drunken night has changed his world, with a drunken night and a kiss. A choice reveals itself between Angus, a best friend who reveals his feelings, and a girlfriend Personally, I did not connect to Will nor this story. I felt that Will did not have an appealing personality. His arrogance made it hard for me to connect with the character and take his actions seriously. I couldn’t put myself in his shoes and relate to his concerns. And because of that, I wasn’t able to understand him. What I originally thought was a story about exploration and questioning wasn’t it at all. I appreciated where Mesrobian was going with the basic plot, and the bedrock of each character. There were a few things that I was uncomfortable with, and I didn’t appreciate. I do applaud what Mesrobian set out to do. The premise that a young man examines his life, questions between two options, and explores his sexuality. It’s a topic that is relevant towards today’s youth, and it’s something that I appreciate. Notable Scene: Her fingers skate underneath my arms, along my collarbone. All I can think is the kind of insane I WANT TO FUCK shouting-feeling. I realize I need to act like someone who cares about what she’s saying. Respond. I clear my throat a little. “Why’s your aunt in Lakeville?” “She’s got a guy friend out there. They’re canning peaches.” “What?” She laughs. “I’m serious. Her boyfriend is kind of into that. If he’s actually her boyfriend now. I’m not sure about that.” Her nails slip and scratch around my collarbone. I breathe. Control myself. I’m worried she can sense it, all of my I WANT TO FUCK feelings. “Take your shirt off,” she says, her mouth at my neck. I freeze. I do exactly what she says. She laughs. And I think I might die of it, the happy. Her here. This bed finally feeling comfortable. Her skin touching my skin. Even the shouting feeling is okay. All of it. FTC Advisory: Harper Collins provided me with a copy of Cut Both Ways. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review. ...more |
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Jan 23, 2016
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Kindle Edition
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162779235X
| 9781627792356
| 162779235X
| 3.91
| 16,792
| Oct 13, 2015
| Oct 13, 2015
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it was amazing
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Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales Quick & Dirty: An exceptional retelling of a classic, First & Then. Opening Sentence: My college essay was titled “ Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales Quick & Dirty: An exceptional retelling of a classic, First & Then. Opening Sentence: My college essay was titled “School Lunches, TS High, and Me,” and it was every bit as terrible as you’d expect. The Review: I have been a fan of Emma Mills since she her early days of YouTube. Throughout the years, I gravitated towards her videos. I always felt she had something substantial to say, whether it is through a funny anecdote or through a witty song. When MacMillan told me that she was going to be published with a young adult novel, First & Then, I was ecstatic! And when I read the synopsis? It blew me away. Who wouldn’t want to read a Pride and Prejudice retelling from one of my favorite people? First & Then follows the lives of Devon, her cousin Foster, and star running back, Ezra. Like many in high school, Devon is unsure of the direction of her future. She is sure of a few things, and one is her best friend Cas. But like in high school, things can change overnight. Now Devon finds solace with the last person she least expected. Cue romance theme music. Devon is someone that I related to. I saw myself in her, in her goals and hopes. Her voice is well written, allowing for quick-wit humor and and a very loyal personality. Foster is adorable. He is my favorite. He is the guy you will always want to root for – no matter what. Ezra is the bright light with a courageous heart. I thoroughly enjoyed the relationships formed between the characters. It was a good example that they had something alive and vibrant. The voices were wonderful, the pacing was superb, and I loved everything that happened with the pages of this story. Mills was passionate about this story, and it definitely showed. It was easy to bring myself in this world, put myself in the shoes of every character. And that’s a huge testament to Mills as an author. It was refreshing to read a story that made me feel good from beginning to end. I laughed, I cried, and I definitely swooned. It was easy to become involved, to be invested. Mills made it simple to just read each page and enjoy. Notable Scene: He grinned. “I love you.” I got into the car, half wanting to tell him not to say stuff like that and half wanting to say it back. “Drive safe for real, okay?” he said before I could reply. “Well, I was going to give it a go blindfolded, but I guess I could wait on that. For you.” I knew that was just as stupid as Cas’s As long as you save me a dance. And I knew that sometimes around Cas my voice turned strange, too, some sort of gravel jumped into it, trying to sound cool and sexy and cavalier but really sounding just as idiotic as Cas had talking to Lindsay. But I couldn’t help it. He rapped the roof of the car. “Night, Devon.” And then he shut the door, moved onto the curb, and watched me pull away. FTC Advisory: Henry Holt & Co./Macmillan provided me with a copy of First & Then. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review. ...more |
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Jan 23, 2016
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| 4.06
| 8,602
| Sep 01, 2015
| Sep 01, 2015
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really liked it
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Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales Quick & Dirty: Parallel worlds, parallel characters allow for an exciting series of events. Opening Sentence: Lily Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales Quick & Dirty: Parallel worlds, parallel characters allow for an exciting series of events. Opening Sentence: Lily lay floating on a raft of pain. The Review: Josephine Angelini’s Firewalker doesn’t follow many standards when it comes to fantasy, or even science fiction. While Firewalker is mostly categorized as fantasy, there are many elements of science, or even science fiction. After devouring Trial by Fire, the first in the Worldwalker series, I couldn’t wait. In Firewalker, Lily is back in her own world. Luckily, Rowan is there to heal her from the effects of his own world. Eventually, Lily and Lilian continue to converse between worlds, which allow Lily to see how others view her. But Lily finds herself wanting to learn and know more from Lillian — to prevent from following down the same path. Decisions catapult a series of events that bring the two worlds together. And in the end, it will leave your heart pumping. There are relationships between characters that I could do without. I am not a huge fan of angst, or anything that relates to it. Personal taste prevents me from enjoying that aspect of Firewalker. All of the characters have a connection, that allows for the story to be more personal. It allowed me to connect with more than one character, while valuing them individually. It did take me a bit of time to refamiliarize myself with the characters. Naturally, I was worried about reaching a stalemate with the characters, but I felt a renewed fondness for a few, and a surprising excitement for others. With everything that has gone on (without revealing spoilers), it took a bit to separate one world versus the other. Details of fantasy overrule the elements of science. Where I felt that one was taking over, Angelini eventually melds the two together to bring an interesting and unique element to the story. The characters grow, but in Firewalker, I really got a chance to get to know Lilian. The world building in Firewalker is wonderful. Not only do we have a parallel universe, we also have elements of a present-day setting as well as a fantasy setting. It isn’t too often where I run into something similar. It allowed for comparisons, giving me the chance to truly favor one thing over the other. It helped me connect to the characters, their cause, and the series of events that take place. There are many revelations in the plot that make for an intense story. It seemed like the intensity grew with each chapter. Angelini did a great job pacing the story, never rushing a scene, or causing the momentum to slow down. I will say that there were a few elements that I’d rather do without, but overall I enjoyed Firewalker. Notable Scene: “What the hell just happened?” Tristan shouted. Great trenches were dug in the snow, and deep tracks led into the darkness. “Lily, are you okay?” Una said. Lily realized she’d collapsed, and Una and Juliet were trying to lift her off the ground. Una looked up at Tristan, Breakfast, and Samantha, standing over them. “Holy shit, did you see that?” she asked, breathless. Juliet frowned, but said nothing. “I saw it,” Breakfast said. “They were glowing.” Tristan crouched down next to Lily, his face grim. “Where have you really been for the past two and a half months?” FTC Advisory: Feiwel & Friends/Macmillan provided me with a copy of Firewalker. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review. ...more |
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Jan 23, 2016
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0399171053
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| 3.88
| 521
| Nov 27, 2013
| Jun 02, 2015
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it was ok
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Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales Quick & Dirty: A SciFi mystery that disproves that there is something perfect about altered genetic engineering. Op Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales Quick & Dirty: A SciFi mystery that disproves that there is something perfect about altered genetic engineering. Opening Sentence: I was five years old when I found out that my older brother wasn’t just my brother. The Review: Deadly Design by Debra Dockter is about Kyle and Connor, genetically engineered twins. But everything begins at the Genesis Innovations Laboratory, where the twins, along with others, were conceived. There are differences, and similarities of course, but along with that, there are inconsistencies. After an event that catapults the dynamic of this utopia, questions reveal themselves without any answers in sight. Kyle isn’t someone that I connected to. He was a bit too immature for my tastes. He constantly complained and felt things inadequate. His inner monologue wasn’t something that I could relate to. I couldn’t connect with the idea that he complained about a perfect brother when he himself was also manufactured. While I didn’t have an ecstatic cosmic pull towards Deadly Design, I also didn’t dislike it. For me, it was just another story. There were too many things going on, with more events than details, and things that didn’t exactly seem plausible, even for science fiction. The premise was promising, but the delivery wasn’t there. Deadly Design didn’t have much of a world-building element, but more of a dialogue-driven momentum. There were a few highs and lows with the pacing, but overall Deadly Design wasn’t for me. I was definitely grabbed by the byline that Deadly Design is an “If I Stay meets Maze Runner” story. That seems to be a lot of hype, but I was willing to give it a try. About halfway through, I didn’t feel the same emotions that I felt with If I Stay, nor did I feel the rush as Maze Runner. But it really is unfair to attempt to compare those stories with this one. Notable Scene: “One fucking shot,” Connor says. “You missed one fucking shot. And everything changed. But who gives a shit about one shot? I just wish… I wish you’d taken another one. I bet you’d have made it.” Maybe I would have. But it’s too late now. Connor gestures toward the screen. “Doesn’t this shit give you nightmares?” I look at the brown and gray images of bony zombies frozen in grotesque positions, and I have to smile because I’m really fond of them, of killing them, anyway. “I suppose we could play for a while and see if it gives you nightmares.” “Really?” Connor grins and jumps on the bed as I plug in the controller. “I’ve never played, so…” I roll my eyes like teaching him is going to be a royal pain. And I hope it will be. I hope he’s not a natural at aiming guns and placing bombs and building barriers. I hope he sucks. I hope he dies a hundred times, and I hope he loves, because we’re too old to build towers and knock them down. FTC Advisory: Penguin provided me with a copy of Deadly Design. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review. ...more |
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Jan 10, 2016
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1595145931
| 9781595145932
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| 4.07
| 35,495
| Nov 27, 2013
| Dec 03, 2013
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liked it
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Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales Quick & Dirty: An exhilarating follow up, filled with adventure, magic, and bravado. Opening Sentence: Death cast a Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales Quick & Dirty: An exhilarating follow up, filled with adventure, magic, and bravado. Opening Sentence: Death cast a long shadow across the barren miles of Paelsia. The Review: It isn’t common when a young adult fantasy book transcends the expectations and finds itself alongside the word “saga.” Morgan Rhodes’ Rebel Spring has brought the Falling Kingdoms series into the saga genre. Not only does Rhodes bring a captivating story, but she has developed this world so intricate and entwined that each character has become an integral part of my literary world. Auranos has been defeated, and young Cleo has been dethroned. Limeros, Paelsia, and Auranos has been united as a singular country called Mytica. Three nations brought together by power, but eventually will also be destroyed by power. Rebel Spring has more point of views than Falling Kingdoms. It was a bit confusing at first, given that there were more than 5. After a while, I had to stop focusing on a person, and instead just followed each nation. Regardless of a victory, each nation and person are still fighting for the throne. Cleo has become a prisoner in her own home. It was interesting to see her character develop. At times, her path was predictable, and others I was surprised. Her persona is familiar, gathering traits from other heroines that I know. I wasn’t sure about Magnus in Falling Kingdoms, and I am still unsure of his character now. It was like he was written to be hated, but with an inward desire to be loved. I struggled a bit with his affection for his sister. It felt strong and aggressive, and I wasn’t too comfortable with it. Lucia and Jonas weren’t the strong side characters that I needed them to be. It is a bit unfair to fault them, for there are so many characters in the young adult world that demand attention. There were points of attitude and personality traits that I do not prefer, but I feel that they needed to be these people for this point in the story. Rebel Spring, its characters, this world… I am obsessed with them, regardless of my nit-picking. There was action around every corner, inclusive of greed, power, and gore. There is a story to be heard, and Rhodes has my attention. I wish that the constant change of voices slowed down, but I don’t normally like reading more than one voice per story. Notable Scene: “Stop!” Cleo shouted, the word escaping her before she even realized it. She trembled from head to foot, her heart pounding so hard that it rocked her entire frame. “Don’t do this! Please, don’t! He didn’t lie. He – he was telling the truth! We were together one single time. I did give my chastity to him knowingly and without reservation!” The guard holding the dagger froze, the edge of the blade pressed to Aron’s pink, squirming tongue. “Well, now,” King Gaius said softly, but Cleo had never heard more menace in anyone’s voice. “That certainly changes things, doesn’t it?” FTC Advisory: Razorbill/Penguin provided me with a copy of Rebel Spring. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review. ...more |
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Jan 02, 2016
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1101623209
| 9781101623206
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| 4.22
| 28,060
| Dec 09, 2014
| Dec 09, 2014
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really liked it
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Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales Quick & Dirty: An established fantasy saga with a world reinvented over and over. Opening Sentence: The young man w Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales Quick & Dirty: An established fantasy saga with a world reinvented over and over. Opening Sentence: The young man woke up surrounded by fire and chaos. The Review: Gathering Darkness by Morgan Rhodes has become an intriguing read. The third book in the Falling Kingdoms series has catapulted several degrees toward epic. Not only has Rhodes reinvented the environment, but I feel she has also brought an extra dimension towards the characters and the story. There are a few surprises that I wasn’t expecting, and I feel with all of the books that I have read recently, I didn’t think it was possible. But Rhodes knows who her audience is, and she knows what we, the readers, want. In Gathering Darkness, Mytica has seen death and miracles, but within the castle walls, Prince Magnus has seen more than others. King Gaius sets out to rule Mytica, with power and magic of the Kindred. With these four elemental crystals, Gaius will be godlike. But he is not the only one to seek their powers. The Rebels, the Kraeshians, the Watchers, and others all seek the powers for their own purposes. From Magnus to Cleo, Jonas to Cleo, and now with Ashur and Amara, Rhodes has brought many different voices into the mix. But where I normally would have been confused with the constant switches from one point of view to another, she has actually managed to tell the tale seamlessly. Each character, each voice, has brought a different challenge, uncovered an integral piece to a secret, and have brought forth a deathly wrath of something or someone surprising. Magnus has surprised me with his actions. No matter what has been dealt his way, he has pleasantly acted in an appealing way. Cleo is playing the game, and I feel she is waist deep into danger. I am constantly at the edge of my seat preparing myself for what is to come with her. Lucia, Jonas, and the others have brought so many interesting clues, pieces, and other important things into this epic saga that I cannot get enough. Rhodes has written Mytica to be this wonderful and vast world. She has reinvented this world with each quest, battle, and scene. Regardless if we have already known the kingdoms, with each chapter, there is something new. With each page, I find myself wanting to know more. I was surprised with Gathering Darkness. I felt that the Falling Kingdoms series may not have been for me. I felt that maybe, there were too many elements to hold my attention and focus. But I was proven wrong by Rhodes. She has shown me that with the blink of an eye, the story will end and I will be yearning for more. Notable Scene: “You will carry out my orders without hesitation. i shall give you a gift in return for all you’ve done and will do for me, my beautiful boy. Do you understand and agree to this?” He could feel her scrutinizing him for signs of dissent. If he flinched, she would strengthen her spell even more. More pain, more torture. He would lose that much more of himself. Already the need to obey her was a snake wrapped around his throat squeezing until he could barely breathe. He held on to an image of a beautiful girl with raven-colored hair and sky-blue eyes, the girl he’d once pledged to protect with his very life. He believed in her. She would give him the strength to survive this. “Yes, my queen. I understand completely.” FTC Advisory: Razorbill/Penguin provided me with a copy of Gathering Darkness. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review. ...more |
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Jan 02, 2016
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Paperback
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1595147071
| 9781595147073
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| 4.30
| 22,999
| Dec 15, 2015
| Dec 15, 2015
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really liked it
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Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales Quick & Dirty: A dangerous race for power will Opening Sentence: The pitch-black monster reached toward the young b Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales Quick & Dirty: A dangerous race for power will Opening Sentence: The pitch-black monster reached toward the young boy with horrible, long-fingered hands, pressing him down into his bed, smothering him. The Review: Frozen Tides by Morgan Rhodes is filled with action-filled adventure, power-hungry characters, and danger around every corner. In fact, I feel that Frozen Tides is the most action-packed story that I have read in some time. This series continues to surprise me. Rhodes continues to elevate the amount of greed, power, and danger with each book, that I’m a bit afraid for the next two books. Mytica is upon the final hours, filling itself with darkness and great power. Sides have changed allowing foes to become friends, friends to perish, and evil kings continue to be evil. Cleo must refocus on her goals to gain her rightful place on the throne. Magnus has to make a decision and gather strength to begin his rule over his people. Lucia aligns her powers and goals with the Fire god. Jonas has escaped death, only to find himself as a pawn. King Gaius, despite betrayal and abandonment, will do whatever it takes to regain control. Within each voice of Frozen Tides, there is a story to be told. With each person in Mytica, there is another piece of a puzzle that is revealed. I felt attached to a few of the characters, became sympathetic to some, loyal to others, and truly despise a handful. Frozen Tides completely rewrites my opinion. Forcing tables to be turned aligning my allegiances elsewhere. Without giving too much, I want to say that Magnus steals the show in Frozen Tides. There are a few surprising twists that I didn’t see coming. Despite emotions and passionate vendettas, each character begins to alter their ultimate motives. Cleo realigns her own goals, regardless of specific events. And most surprising of all is Lucia’s journey. I originally thought she would continue a certain path, only for something to happen and alter it. I savored this book from the first page, and to the last. Rhodes has written an intricate plot that is constantly revolving, filled with a compelling narrative, complete with vivid and intelligent world-building. And what I have loved the most is the depth of characterization that speaks volumes. Rhodes is a brilliant writer, very evident by the words on the page. Frozen Tides is written with quality prose. Reinvention without a heavy reliance of repetition has added to my obsession for the series. The Falling Kingdoms is definitely an epic saga for the young adult crowd. Notable Scene: She bit her bottom lip. “Now, um, what’s going on? I couldn’t get a helpful word from anyone around here. What about you? Anything?” “Yes, I learned plenty.” He told her about Bruno, about the king’s departure, and that Magnus and Cleo were in Limeros, soon to be joined by Nerissa. Lysandra swore under her breath. “So, what now? Should we get on a ship and try to go after the king?” He shook his head. “Too late for that. But luckily we’ve got something just as important to do instead.” Her gaze dropped to his shoulder. “Find someone who can heal your wound?” Jonas knew he couldn’t hide his feverish face and weakness from her, so he didn’t bother trying anymore. Whether they could find someone skilled enough to help him in time, though – that was the question. “If we can find a proper healer, then yes.” He set his chin and looked into her light brown eyes with determination. “And then we’re going to Limeros to rescue a princess and kill a prince.” FTC Advisory: Razorbill/Penguin provided me with a copy of Frozen Tides. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Jan 02, 2016
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Hardcover
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0062231715
| 9780062231710
| 0062231715
| 3.30
| 1,686
| Nov 10, 2015
| Nov 10, 2015
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liked it
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Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales Quick & Dirty: A romantic tale about Leonardo Da Vinci, his life, and his muse. Opening Sentence: I beg your pardon Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales Quick & Dirty: A romantic tale about Leonardo Da Vinci, his life, and his muse. Opening Sentence: I beg your pardon, I am a mountain tiger. The Review: L.M. Elliot’s Da Vinci’s Tiger is about Leonardo Da Vinci, his life, and his muse. I love historical fiction, so when I was asked to review Da Vinci’s Tiger, it was almost a win-win situation. The synopsis had me intrigued, promising me a romance revolving around a great artist and some of the reasons behind his beautiful work. In a society ruled by men, Ginerva yearns to embrace herself in art movement of Renaissance Florence. But her life is laid out before her, arranged in a marriage from one wealthy family to another. Ginerva is limited, restricted, frowned upon to give in to the call of her poetry. Da Vinci’s Tiger feels like a historical retelling of Da Vinci’s actual life. The amount of detail, imagery, and historical references are wonderful. To me, it felt like reading a biography. The setting grabbed me, and definitely enjoyed the tale through the characters. Elliot tells the tale of Da Vinci’s Tiger revolving around Ginevra de’ Benci, Leonardo Da Vinci, Bernardo Bembo, and Lorenzo de’ Medici. And this is where I began to start feeling a little disconnect. I didn’t completely connect to Ginerva. I didn’t feel that she was a character filled with the strength needed to compete with Da Vinci and his art. While she was his muse, I didn’t fully see how. As for the others, it seemed that there was a higher emphasis on the historical accuracy that it lacked the emotional pull to bring a scene or moment together. I didn’t think anyone in particular stood out, which became a bit of a disappointment for me since this was about Da Vinci. Often, I feel that character disconnects are based on my taste versus what the author is trying to relay. The writing was well done, and I felt it was that more than anything that kept me reading the story. The pacing was on par with what I thought this book needed. And overall, Da Vinci’s Tiger was just okay. Notable Scene: I was giddy. A night of music, high art, and philosophic debate among Florence’s most renowned and beautiful. A night I’d hear about all sorts of exotic things – like Venice, a city that lived on stilts in the sea. And the chance to share one of my own poems! Lord, which one should I bring? I ran upstairs and lifted the heavy lid of my wedding chest, the traditional Florentine cassone, painted with a scene to encourage a bride in her marital duties. Some were romantic scenes, but most were historical or biblical, representing women’s submission to the rule of husbands. For my chest, Uncle Bartolomeo had commissioned one of the most popular choices – the abduction of the Sabine women by Roman soldiers. I hated it. As I always did when I opened the chest, I simply closed my eyes to the scene. That day I near fell into it, rummaging for the poems hidden at its very bottom. FTC Advisory: Katherine Tegen Books/HarperTeen provided me with a copy of Da Vinci’s Tiger. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review. ...more |
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Dec 01, 2015
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Hardcover
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0062036890
| 9780062036896
| 0062036890
| 2.94
| 571
| Jul 07, 2015
| Jul 07, 2015
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it was ok
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Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales Quick & Dirty: A young girl sets out to write a modern classic, but in her journey to gain more experiences, learn Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales Quick & Dirty: A young girl sets out to write a modern classic, but in her journey to gain more experiences, learn a few lessons along the way. Opening Sentence: AMERICA, I, AMERICA is a play about freedom and being an American girl, and it’s the first thing I ever wrote. The Review: Don’t Ever Change by M. Beth Bloom is about Eva, a young girl determined to write a modern classic. A classic to appeal to peers in her own generation. But Eva quickly realizes that in order to write a modern classic, it would probably be best to have gone through a few experiences. And in hopes to experience life, she gets a job as a summer camp counselor, she reevaluates her current friendships, and she builds new ones with people that surprise her. Eva’s life transitions from high school to college, where she decides to become a Writing, Literature & Publishing major. But her lack of adventures leads her towards a summer day camp for girls and Foster, who also works at the camp. To further step out of the box, she attends a graduation party, which leads her to Elliot. Elliot has a lot of swoony band moments that solidifies the budding friendship. It was a little difficult for me to connect to Bloom’s Eva. To be fair, I’m in a different place now than where Eva is. Eva is young and filled with bright, vivid dreams. She speaks to the reader in an honest and poignant way. She shares her hopes, dreams, and ambitions. But along the way, there is a moment that she begins to grow. I feel that it’s difficult for any woman in her shoes, in the in-between, and more so when there is so much added self-pressure. Bloom’s voice for Eva and the other characters were straightforward, and Eva can come out to sound pretentious. It felt that at times I didn’t appreciate everything she had to say, let alone her actions. I felt disconnected from her and couldn’t understand her actions for certain things. There was a turning point, where Eva decides to change her ways. Don’t Ever Change is a good book. It had many different plot points and turning points for a coming-of-age young adult novel. But my personal preferences just didn’t get me to completely connect to the story. Notable Scene: “You bought me a soda?” I say. “I know the bartender,” Elliot says. “It was free.” “I only want it if it you bought it,” I joke. “If it took some effort.” “Well, I tried pretty hard not to spill,” he says, and sticks out his tongue playfully. The cold of the ice has turned his tongue hot pink. “Do you want to go and actually watch the band?” I say. “You know, see the music play?” “You can’t see music,” Elliot says, like it’s his deep personal philosophy. “What was the better one then?” I ask. “You were saying you had a better one. . . .” “Oh yeah. It’s by A. A. Milne—know him?” “The guy who wrote Pooh,” I say. “C’mon, it wasn’t that bad,” Elliot says. “Okay, what’s the quote?” “So Christopher Robin asks what day it is and Piglet says, ‘It’s today,’ and then Pooh says”—here Elliot leans down, his face close to mine—“Pooh says, ‘Today. My favorite day.’” “Is this a real date?” I ask, my eyes right beneath his, my nose just below his nose. “It’s a little date,” he says. He chomps on another cube of ice. “A half date.” “Still half to ask me,” I say, pretty pleased I left my bedroom for once in my whole life. FTC Advisory: HarperTeen provided me with a copy of Don’t Ever Change. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Oct 26, 2015
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Unknown Binding
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0062327186
| 9780062327185
| 0062327186
| 3.89
| 90,250
| Sep 15, 2015
| Sep 15, 2015
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it was amazing
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Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales Quick & Dirty: Not only does Murphy write a strong character, but a heroine for everyone to look up to. Opening Sen Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales Quick & Dirty: Not only does Murphy write a strong character, but a heroine for everyone to look up to. Opening Sentence: All the best things in my life have started with a Dolly Parton song. The Review: When I first heard about Dumplin’ by Julie Murphy, there was a lot of positive buzz around the book blogosphere. I’ve never read anything like Dumplin’s synopsis. It sounded amazing, and I was intrigued. Dumplin’ had all of this potential in my eyes, that it made me hesitant. Then I read Dumplin’. And wow! The hype was correct, and well deserved. Never have I connected to a story, or anyone, in such a deep manner. Dumplin’ by Julie Murphy is about Willowdean Dickson, a young girl in a small town, where everyone associated her alongside her former beauty queen mom. But Willow doesn’t look like the other girls that her momma coaches for the pageants, and she’s comfortable enough that she doesn’t mind. Willow lives her life, accepting that she may not get the chances that other girls have. So when Private School Bo pays attention to her, it’s a surprise to her, and me. Doubt clouds her mind, and she becomes something that she is not – unsure of herself. Usually, the heroine is pretty, or will embark on a journey and become the epitome of beauty. From what I’ve recently read, the heroine would have long luscious locks of hair, with mesmerizing eyes, and a fit or slender body. But Murphy’s Willow is not a part of that norm. And I love that about Dumplin’. Willow is comfortable in her own skin, and has a tenacity that makes her stand out from everyone else. She has a quick wit, a wonderful personality, and understands things that others may not. Murphy created Willow to have a real voice. A voice that represents a larger percentage of the population than everyone realizes. Willow’s voice isn’t always strong and loud, but it’s something that needs to be heard. Everyone has a story, even females who don’t normally look like everyone else. Willow’s upbringing may not be my own, but I connected to her so deeply. Insecurities and emotions from high school were drudged up, and originally, I wasn’t sure what was going on. Reading Murphy’s words brought me to this uncanny time warp, and I don’t think I’ve experienced that before. Dumplin’ by Julie Murphy is a wonderful read, and Willowdean is a heroine for every one of all ages. Notable Scene: “Bo.” His voice was dry, but his lips curled into a smile. “My name’s Bo.” He took my hand and a flash of memories I’d never made jolted through my head. Us holding hands in a movie. Or walking down the street. Or in a car. Then he let go. That night when I replayed our introductions over and over in my head, I realized that he didn’t flinch when I called myself fat. And I liked that. The word fat makes people uncomfortable. But when you see me, the first thing you notice is my body. And my body is fat. It’s like how I notice some girls have big boobs or shiny hair or knobby knees. Those things are okay to say. But the word fat, the one that best describes me, makes lips frown and cheeks lose their color. But that’s me. I’m fat. It’s not a cuss word. It’s not an insult. At least it’s not when I say it. So I always figure why not get it out of the way? FTC Advisory: Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins provided me with a copy of Dumplin’. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review. ...more |
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Oct 07, 2015
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