Review: Iron’s Prophesy by Julie Kagawa (Iron Fey #4.5)

Title: Iron’s Prophesy by Julie Kagawa

Published: September 1^st, 2012 by Harlequin Teen

Source: Purchased for Kindle

Format: eBook

Challenge(s): eBook Challenge

Grade rate: A

Meghan Chase is finally getting used to being the Iron Queen, ruler of the Iron Fey. Her life may be strange, but with former Winter prince Ash by her side at last, she wouldn’t have it any other way.

But when they travel to the Summer and Winter courts’ gathering for Elysium, the oracle from Meghan’s past returns with a dire prophecy: “What you carry will either unite the courts, or it will destroy them.” Now Meghan faces a devastating choice that may determine the future of all fey—and her and Ash’s unborn child…

A novella from the bestselling Iron Fey series.

My Review

This will be a short review, appropriate for a short novella.  I see Iron’s Prophesy as an introduction to Ms. Kagawa’s new series, Call of the Forgotten, Ethan’s Chase story.  As with all the books of the Iron Fey series, I really enjoyed this installment.

What can I say?  If you’ve read my blog before you know that I adore Ash.  He is one of the most romantic and awesome characters that I’ve ever read about and I could never get enough of him, ever.  But moving on, I really enjoyed this short adventuret.  It had all the required elements: fey, monsters, an impossible quest, a big party, a loving couple, a prophesy, and so much more.  Most importantly, it has my favorite characters: Ash, Meghan, Grimalkin and Puck.  Yes! Puck’s back and better than ever!  Although I LOVE Ash, I really missed Puck too :)

The Oracle shows Meghan a future that is full of tragedy and involves an event between Ethan and her unborn child, which triggers the end of the Nevernever.  Talking about heavy!  Of course, Meghan and Ash know that the future is not written in stone and decide to have their child anyway (of course they did!)

I know that with this short novella, Ash and Meghan’s story is now over, but I do hope we get to see a bit of them in the new series.  (*pretty please*)

Here are some of fun quotes:

“No, I’m not homesick. I might miss my kin, but my home is Mag Tuiredh, or wherever you wish to rule from…My home…is with you” – Ash

“Uh, guys? Puck glanced over his shoulder at us. Not to be rude and all, but this thing is starting to eye me like I’m a big tasty mouse.  I hope you two are planning to join the party soon” – Puck

Review and Giveaway: Wish I Could Have Said Goodbye by Shari A. Brady

Title: Wish I Could Have Said Goodbye by Shari A. Brady

Published: June 11^th, 2012 by Createspace

Source: Provided to me for free for blog tour and honest review

Format: PDF

Challenge(s): eBook

Grade rate: A-

Before my older sister Francesca died, I worked at the bakery and wrote songs, but now I write lists. Lists like ten reasons why it's my fault Francesca's dead, or five reasons why I should try and win Howie back, or one reason why I need to stop lying to everyone, including myself.

Wish I Could Have Said Goodbye is an extraordinary novel about one family's struggle to make sense of their world after losing a family member to addiction. Through sixteen-year-old Carmella's eyes, we witness the courage and strength it takes to overcome the consequences of grief, guilt and co-dependency. With conviction and determination, Carmella shows us what can happen when we're open to love, feel the pain of our loss, and find the courage to accept the truth of our lives.

My Review

I love this book!  It’s filled with the pain of loss, but also with the light of re-discovery and first love.

Carmella (Mello) unexpectedly lost her sister and best friend Francesca to a drug/alcohol overdose.  She feels guilty because she knew that Francesca needed help and she didn’t  know how to help her.  Deep down Carmella is a good person, loyal, artsy, and with a lot to give; the problem is that she is afraid:  Afraid of disappointing her parents and ‘rocking the boat’; afraid of first love and heartache; afraid of trusting anyone.  This leads to her making less than good choices, like lying and hiding. 

Howie is a great character.  He hasn’t had an easy life either, but he has learned to cope with it and make lemonade with all the lemons thrown his way. He is upbeat, positive, a great friend, considerate, romantic and much more.  I simply adored him and the fact that he was (and is) able to rise above it all and know when he needs help and how to help others.

Carmella’s parents are infuriating.  I know that for some people religion (and the support of the church community) is enough to overcome most problems/issues; but obviously this approach doesn’t work for everyone.  Even though many people try to tell Carmella and her parents that she needed to talk to someone, they kept insisting that everything was dandy.  Her parents were trying to keep her safe, but at the same time they kept comparing Mello to Francesca, taking away her freedom, and pushing their choices at her; in short, they were making her life miserable.

I liked Anna and Jeremy fine enough and I love Ms. Sparacini (I love baking too and she is a lady after my own heart :)  The characters were well developed and easy to associate with.

The plot is somewhat similar to The Sky is Everywhere, which is one of my all-time favorite books.  However, Wish I Could Have Said Goodbye is distinctive enough and I really enjoy the use of lists such as this one:

“What loves means

1. Risk.

2. Being honest with yourself and the person you love.

3. Accepting someone for who they are.

4. Courage to reveal your true self to people.

5. Total truth.”

The writing is beautiful and able to convey such strong feelings, like despair, guilt, love, fear, and denial. I wish that the book was longer and I feel like there were some loose ends, I want to know what happens next!!  Can we get another book?  Or maybe Anna and Jeremy’s story? (*hint*)

About the cover:  I don’t particularly like the cover and it doesn’t do any justice to this great book.

You can find it here: Barnes & Noble | Amazon

Shari A. Brady is a native Chicagoan and previously had so many careers she’s lost count.  A graduate of Loyola University’s Business School and University of Chicago’s Creative Writing program, she’s finally a full-time writer, a dream she’s carried with her since she was twelve.  She lives in suburban Chicago with her awesome husband, two of the best kids ever, and their shelter dog, Betty Queen Elizabeth.  This is her first novel and her last career. 

Website  http://www.sharibrady.com/

Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/ShariABradyAuthor

Twitter https://twitter.com/sharibrady

Good Reads  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6426270.Shari_A_Brady

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*Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of Innovative Online Book Tours and a copy of this book was provided to me by the author. Although payment may have been received by Innovative Online Book Tours, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review. There was no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, publisher, publicist, or readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning Use of Endorcements and Testimonials in Advertising*

 

Review: A Halflings Rescue by Heather Burch (Halflings #1.5)

Title: A Halflings Rescue by Heather Burch

Published: July 2^nd, 2012 by Zondervan

Source: Free for Kindle

Format: eBook

Challenge(s): eBook

Grade rate: A

In this free illustrated short story from the popular Halflings series by Heather Burch, Nikki and the Halflings team intercept important information regarding the kidnapping of Hollywood's hottest teen celebrity, Mandy Mosen. Will they be able come to the young starlet's aide in time, or is Mandy's fifteen minutes of fame about to end? Includes a bonus first chapter from Guardian, the next full novel in the Halflings series!

My Review

This will be a short review, as this is a very short (but good) story. 

I think the synopsis makes a pretty good job of summing up what the story is about.  The Halflings find out that a hot actress and many of her famous friends have been invaded in her home by villains asking for ransom money.  With a little prompting Will agrees to let them help the teenagers. 

They all go and rescue the teens trapped in the basement and then take the attackers one by one, saving the day!  I love the pictures in the story and with my new Kindle Fire I was able to really enjoy them.

I can’t wait to get started with Guardian, book #2 of the series.

Did you read Halflings?  Do your like books about angels?  Which one is your favorite?

Review: Predestined by Abbi Glines (Existence Trilogy #2)

Title: Predestined by Abbi Glines

Published: March 29^th, 2012

Source: Purchased

Format: eBook (Kindle)

Challenge(s): eBook

Grade rate: B+

You would think after helping save her boyfriend from an eternity in Hell that things would go back to normal. Well, as normal as life can be when you can see souls and your boyfriend is Death. But for Pagan Moore, things are just getting weirder.

The high school quarterback and reigning heartthrob, Leif Montgomery, is missing. While the town is in a frenzy of worry, Pagan is a nervous wreck for other reasons. Apparently good ‘ol Leif isn’t your average teenage boy. He isn’t even human. According to Death, Leif doesn’t have a soul. The quarterback may have skipped town but he’s still showing up in Pagan’s dreams... uninvited.

Dank has known from the beginning Leif wasn’t human. But he hadn’t worried about a simple soulless creature. Now, he realizes he made a grave mistake. Pagan’s soul has been marked since birth as a restitution, to a spirit so dark not even Death walks near it. Dank knows saving Pagan’s soul won’t be easy but Pagan is his. And he’s already proven he’ll defy Heaven to keep her. If Hell wants a piece of him too, then bring it on.

My Review

I really enjoyed Existence (review here) and was eagerly waiting for Predestined, I have to say it did not disappoint.

The book starts about two months after the end of Existence.   Dank and Pagan are doing great together, but then we learn that Leif has been present throughout Pagan’s life, taking care of her and making sure she was safe.  It seems like an impossible situation, and this book contains a lot of background information about Pagan’s childhood.  I feel sad for Leif, because although he is a bit misguided, he does care for Pagan. I have to say that I don't know anything about Voodoo and I felt a little uncomfortable by it.

Dank and Pagan’s relationship keeps growing and, as you might know, I’m a sucker for romance. I love each of their scenes together, and their total surrender of each other.  Some unanticipated events took place in this installment, some were really sad (I’m not trying to be cryptic, just spoiler free). 

The plot was original and unexpected, but with a happy outcome (or so I hope).  The writing is easy to read, and with a good pace.  Overall, I enjoyed Predestined and I will definitely read book #3, Ceaseless, due to be published in September of this year.


Have you read this series?  Would you be able to fall in love with 'Death'?