Short Reviews: Vampire Academy Graphic Novel and Almost a Scandal

Title: Vampire Academy Graphic Novel by Richelle Mead, Leigh Dragoon and Emma Vieceli

Published: August 23^rd, 2011 by Razorbill

Source: Purchased

Format: Paperback

Age group: Young Adult

Genre: Graphic novel, paranormal

Grade rate: A

After two years on the run, best friends Rose and Lissa are caught and returned to St. Vladimir’s Academy, a private high school for vampires and half-bloods. It’s filled with intrigue, danger—and even romance. Enter their dark, fascinating world through a new series of 144-page full-color graphic novels. The entire first Vampire Academy novel has been adapted for book one by Leigh Dragoon and overseen by Richelle Mead, while the beautiful art of acclaimed British illustrator Emma Vieceli brings the story to life.

My Review

Vampire Academy is one of my favorite YA series. Ever. Therefore, you can imagine my reaction to the graphic novel.

I won’t go in depth on the review of the actual story, as it’s not a new one for many of Mead’s fans.  I did like the graphic novel because it gave faces to these amazing characters, especially Rose, Dimitri, Lissa and Christian.  The essence of the characters remains, thankfully, the same. Likewise, the graphic novel gives the reader a summarized version of the full novel and in my opinion the adaptation was really good.  It is interesting to see what the Strigoi look like; I always thought they look more… human.

VA Graphic Novel is a short and entertaining read and a must for VA fans.  How awesome is this cover?

I’m very excited to introduce Damaris to you!  She is the daughter of a dear friend, a teenager (in high school) and fellow book lover.  This is her first review at Reading with ABC.

Title: Almost a Scandal by Elizabeth Essex (The Reckless Brides #1)

Published: July 31^st, 2012 by St. Martin’s

Source: Purchased

Format: Paperback

Age group: Adult

Genre: Historical romance

Grade rate: B

Bold, brazen, and beautiful, the Reckless Brides refuse to play by society’s rules of courtship. But—come hell or high water—they  always get their man… For generations, the Kents have served proudly with the British Royal Navy. So when her younger brother refuses to report for duty, Sally Kent slips into a uniform and takes his place—at least until he comes to his senses. Boldly climbing aboard the Audacious, Sally is as able-bodied as any sailor there. But one man is making her feel tantalizingly aware of the full-bodied woman beneath her navy blues… Dedicated to his ship, sworn to his duty—and distractingly gorgeous—Lieutenant David Colyear sees through Sally’s charade, and he’s furious. But he must admit she’s the best midshipman on board—and a woman who tempts him like no other. With his own secrets to hide and his career at stake, Col agrees to keep her on. But can the passion they hide survive the perils of a battle at sea? Soon, their love and devotion will be put to the test… 

Damaris’ Review

I have to say this book intrigued me in every way possible. You might think it an older version of Mulan but it is in no way so. The story behind it called out to my attention in a quick second. I must say it was worth the purchase this book will be a keeper and I will recommended. It will keep you on your toes because you don't quite know what it is to come. You know her intentions but it is not as easy to make out what is to come next. I will say the ending of it was not my favorite I wanted to see the interaction between Col and Sal's family I wanted that and the very end needed a bit more...it felt to me as if she wanted to finish the book as soon as possible went it came to the last page or so. Over all I rate it a four start.

Guest Review: The Pledge by Kimberly Derting

As you might have noticed from the dire cry for help on the sidebar on my blog, I am taking graduate classes for a certificate and needless to say, it is a LOT of work.  Oh, I am reading all right, but not what I really want to read (I can’t wait for Christmas break!)  Jezebel from Jez’s Bookcase has been kind enough to volunteer to do guest reviews and posts for Reading with ABC. 

From Jez’s blog :” I'm a girl from a small, small country (north of Thailand, south of Singapore. You guess) who's simply addicted to books. I enjoy reading books of all genres quietly (which means no background music). Learning to draw and play decent music at the same time.”  Now without further ado, here is Jez’s review of The Pledge by Kimberly Derting:

Title: The Pledge by Kimberly Derting
Published: November 15th 2011 by Margaret K. McElderry
Source: Courtesy of  Simon and Schuster Galley Grab program
Grade Rate: B (my interpretation of Jez's four star rating)


In the violent country of Ludania, the language you speak determines what class you are, and there are harsh punishments if you forget your place—looking a member of a higher class in the eye can result in immediate execution. Seventeen-year-old Charlaina (Charlie for short) can understand all languages, a dangerous ability she’s been hiding her whole life. Her only place of release is the drug-filled underground club scene, where people go to shake off the oppressive rules of the world they live in. There, she meets a beautiful and mysterious boy who speaks a language she’s never heard, and her secret is almost exposed. Through a series of violent upheavals, it becomes clear that Charlie herself is the key to forcing out the oppressive power structure of her kingdom….

Jez's Review

I love The Pledge. Love. It. A little dystopian and a little fantasy. The idea that languages can separate you into classes and you can't change which class you're born into is quite interesting. Harsh, I know. Too bad Derting didn't create new languages like what Christopher Paolini did in Eragon.

The novel is well paced, there wasn't a page lacking of suspense and thrill. Language flowing and descriptive. It's told in Charlie's voice and the all-knowing narrator, since some of the moments crucial for understanding the plot doesn't happen to Charlie. I couldn't flip through (or rather, click through) the pages fast enough.

Charlie strikes me as a very protective sister, and she has a very strong and clear voice. She's brave with very few flaws. She's in love with the prince, but I don't find the immediate irresistible draw to a stranger convincing. And I don't get why the prince likes her so much, even when he barely knows her. Perhaps a few more scenes from Derting could explain the romance. Charlie just wasn't as lively as Katniss Everdeen in the The Hunger Games (my review here). Angelina is just lovable, and honestly, I like her a little(just a little) more than the older sister. I would like to see Charlie's magical power develop in the sequel, since her power is so limited in The Pledge.

The ending is sort of a closure for The Pledge, but written in a way that you're sure that there will be a sequel. Precise and gripping, I just can't wait for the next novel in the trilogy(yes, you heard me right : it's a trilogy!).

Overall, The Pledge is a decent novel. However, I read the novel because of it's plot instead of the characters.

The cover is so dang gorgeous! Black, my sort of cover! Just the image of Charlie wasn't the one I imagined and there's no mention of a dress with hood made out of black silk.

Thank you Jez!

Feature and Follow Friday #6 AND Cry for Help!

Feature and Follow Friday is an awesome blog-hop hosted by Parajunkee's View and Alison Can Read

This weeks features are Jake @ Teen Fiction Centre and Steph @ StephLikesBooks and the question is:

How has your reading habits changed since you were a teen? or If you are still a teen what new genres are you in love with currently?



I’ve always love reading.  My mom says that I read entire books by myself when I was in Kindergarten, so I started at an early age.  I moved from the age-appropriate reads of my elementary school years, to required reading, to choosing my own reading material.  In my late teens and early twenties I started reading romance and some mystery/thrillers (when I had time, you know how it is when you’re in college.)  I read anything from Harlequin romance to Julie Garwood, Lavyrle Spenser, Catherine Coulter and more.  I guess I rediscovered YA when the first Harry Potter movie was about to come out, I think the first four books were already published by then and I read them back-to-back.  Since then I have concentrated mostly in YA literature.  Within the genre like contemporary, historical, fantasy, paranormal, and dystopian (I’ll give anything a try as long is not preachy or horror.)  And of course I can read a lot faster now and in Spanish and English.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

I am taking advantage of the Feature and Follow Friday traffic to make an announcement and a cry for help:

I start classes for a graduate certificate in a few weeks and for the next year I will not have as much time to read to leisure.  I expect that I will be lucky if I can read one book a week, therefore I need HELP.  If you are interested in being a reviewer (even if you can do it periodically) or guest blogger at ‘Reading with ABC’ please leave me a comment here with your email and I will contact you.  Thank you so much!