Review: Starcrossed by Josephine Agelini (Starcrossed #1)

Title: Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini

Release date: May 31st 2011 by HarperTeen 

Source: Purchased

Format: Paperback

Age group: Young adult

Genre: Contemporary/Mythology

Reviewer: Arianne

Grade rate: A

How do you defy destiny? Helen Hamilton has spent her entire sixteen years trying to hide how different she is—no easy task on an island as small and sheltered as Nantucket. And it's getting harder. Nightmares of a desperate desert journey have Helen waking parched, only to find her sheets damaged by dirt and dust. At school she's haunted by hallucinations of three women weeping tears of blood . . . and when Helen first crosses paths with Lucas Delos, she has no way of knowing they're destined to play the leading roles in a tragedy the Fates insist on repeating throughout history. As Helen unlocks the secrets of her ancestry, she realizes that some myths are more than just legend. But even demigod powers might not be enough to defy the forces that are both drawing her and Lucas together—and trying to tear them apart.

Starcrossed is a story that I've loved for a long time. Not only is it the most intriguing and well-executed take on the defining romance of Greek mythology (that of Paris and Helen of Troy, and the Trojan War that followed) I've ever read, but it's also a hugely entertaining read that makes you smile long after you've finished reading.

Helen's always known she's different, but when she sees the scorchingly hot Lucas Delos for the first time and immediately tries to kill him in front of the whole school, she suddenly realizes there's more to it than just feeling like the odd one out: she's destined to restart an aeons-old conflict that will not only tear apart the gods, but her family and the meaning of her life as she knows it, too. The war almost destroyed the gods and their mortal heroes the first time around, but the Furies love patterns; they're the ancient Greek version of catty cheerleaders and they've scented blood.

Thrust into a dangerous world of Scions, demigods, curses and treachery, Helen faces a decision she always thought she'd know the answer to - but choosing between the love of her life and the survival of the human race may not be entirely hers after all. Everything she does seems to bring the threat of war closer, and no matter how hard she tries to resist loving Lucas, there's a part of her that just can't let him go.

This book may be slow to start, but it's definitely worth the wait. The writing style takes getting used to - it's intense, tightly packed and overwhelms the content from time to time - but if you can get through the first quarter, you'll be totally hooked. Starcrossed is all about story and its plot pulls no punches. There are twists and turns everywhere you look!

The importance of family is a theme that plays a huge role in Starcrossed. From the tight-knit but sometimes lonely existence lived by Helen and her father to the chaotic, clamouring warmth of the extended Delos family, there's a sense that although this book focuses on mythology, if you took that element away, there would still be great characters and dynamic relationships to build the story around. Lucas was my favourite character, but Ariadne comes in at a close second - and not just because we share a similar name! She's the feistiest character and stands out from the crowd. There was no shortage of action and danger in Starcrossed, but sometimes I found myself wishing for even more big family scenes. Josephine Angelini really understands what it means to belong, illustrating beautifully the strength and bonds within the Delos tribe. 

If I had to find one fault with the book, it would be that the minor characters are somewhat underdeveloped. Helen's hgih school companions just don't have the depth they need, and they don't hold the readers attention. I really liked Claire, Helen's best friend, but it is true that she probably doesn't have the complexity or realism she deserves.

In short: Starcrossed is a well-written, well-researched story that brilliantly reinvents Greek mythology for a modern young adult audience. It sets a high standard for the contemporary-mythological genre of YA. A book that's been close to my heart since the day I first read it.

Review: The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski (The Winner’s Trilogy)

Title: The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski

Published: March 4^th, 2014 by Farrar Straus Giroux

Source: ARC (thanks Macmillan

Format: Paperback

Genre: Fantasy | Romance

Age group: Young adult

Grade rate: A

Winning what you want may cost you everything you love
As a general’s daughter in a vast empire that revels in war and enslaves those it conquers, seventeen-year-old Kestrel has two choices: she can join the military or get married. But Kestrel has other intentions.
One day, she is startled to find a kindred spirit in a young slave up for auction. Arin’s eyes seem to defy everything and everyone. Following her instinct, Kestrel buys him—with unexpected consequences. It’s not long before she has to hide her growing love for Arin.
But he, too, has a secret, and Kestrel quickly learns that the price she paid for a fellow human is much higher than she ever could have imagined.
Set in a richly imagined new world, The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski is a story of deadly games where everything is at stake, and the gamble is whether you will keep your head or lose your heart.

Review

The Winner’s Curse is the first book I read by Marie Rutkiski and it will certainly not be the last.  In this book I found a real gem, reminiscent, at least to me, of Maas’ Throne of Glass and Carson’s Girl of Fire and Thorns.   

World building is really important when writing fantasy and it was expertly done in Winner’s Curse. The differences between the Herrani and the Valorian’s culture are marked, even if at their core they are more similar that they believe possible.  The plot is intricate and scattered with the political unrest that only conquest can bring and also with military strategy.  Rutkoski’s writing is exquisite, it’s full of imaginary, and it’s lyrical and poetic. 

The characterization is remarkable.  The story is told from the third point of view, from Kestrel and Arin’s perspectives. Kestrel is from the Valorian nobility and she lives in the conquered land or Herrani.  All that society expects of her is to make a choice between marriage and the military career.  Either option relinquishes her independence and her music, two of the things that she holds dear, and she wants to rebel against it.  Kestrel tries to be fair to the person behind the titles, to grant love to who deserves it, regardless of where they came from.  She is a brilliant strategist and loyal to her father (her only family) and her country, even when her heart dictates otherwise.

Arin is harder to know, at least on the first part of the book. However, he shines on the second part of the book and tries his hardest to make Kastrel happy and secure, regardless of her new circumstances.  He is also brilliant and has a big responsibility over his shoulders at a very young age.  I’m eager to know (given the ending) how this couple will survive what’s to come.  From my end, it looks like a hopeless relationship, but I hope it turns out to be an epic love story.

The ending of The Winner’s Curse was torturous.  It is a subtle cliffhanger, just enough to make me sit at the edge of my seat for the many months that will take to its sequel to be published. An outstanding book, with awesome characters and an even more amazing writing, The Winner’s Curse is a clear winner (pun intended.)

Quotes (from the ARC):

“The pointy-chinned woman snickered. “Looks like someone’s suffering the Winner’s Curse. The Winner’s Curse is when you come out on top of the bid, but only by paying a steep price.”

”His eyes met hers. They were the color of the winter sea-the water far below Kestrel’s feet when she had looked down and imagined what it would be like to drown.”

“Arin smiled. It was a true smile, which let her know that all the others he had given her were not. ”Thank you,” he said. 

Kestrel felt herself blush. She focused on the keys and played something, anything. A simple pattern to distract herself from the fact that she wasn’t someone who easily blushed, particularly for no clear reason.”

About the cover: This is one of the most stunning covers I have ever seen.  The grace of the captured movement, the delicacy of her hand holding the ‘R’, the beautiful font and colors.  Gorgeous. 

Review: Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare (The Infernal Device #1)

Title: Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

Published: August 31^st, 2010 by Simon & Schuster

Source: Purchased for Audible

Format: Audiobook narrated by Jennifer Ehle

Genre: Steampunk | Paranormal | Romance

Age group: Young adult

Grade rate: A

In a time when Shadowhunters are barely winning the fight against the forces of darkness, one battle will change the course of history forever. Welcome to the Infernal Devices trilogy, a stunning and dangerous prequel to the New York Times bestselling Mortal Instruments series. The year is 1878. Tessa Gray descends into London’s dark supernatural underworld in search of her missing brother. She soon discovers that her only allies are the demon-slaying Shadowhunters—including Will and Jem, the mysterious boys she is attracted to. Soon they find themselves up against the Pandemonium Club, a secret organization of vampires, demons, warlocks, and humans. Equipped with a magical army of unstoppable clockwork creatures, the Club is out to rule the British Empire, and only Tessa and her allies can stop them...

Review

Let me start by explaining why I took so long to start this series.  I was mad. There, I said it.  Why was I mad?  Well, I loved Cassandra Clare’s Mortal Instruments, that is until she turned it from a trilogy to a series of six books.  I was happy with the ending of City of Glass and so disappointed when I realized that it was not the ending of the series.  Anyway, I decided to read (listen) to Clockwork Angel, and I Ioved it!

I think in many ways I enjoyed Clockwork Angel even better than the Mortal Instruments.  I love steampunk and this book has plenty of it, from angels to robots and nice doohickeys. 

I think what made the book for me were the characters.  Tessa, is a mystery for sure.  She doesn’t know what she is, but she has a really neat power.  Tessa is very pragmatic and tries to take this new world and her new circumstances in stride.  She is loyal, smart, and not afraid to voice her opinion.  Will and Jem are Shadowhunters, blood brothers and best friends; and yet so different.  Will is very handsome, strong, stubborn, loyal, intelligent, and devious and tries very hard to push everyone away.  Jem is so sweet, calm, composed, resigned, yet strong, loyal and the default peace maker. Can you smell the love triangle coming?  I can from a mile away!

There is no shortage of amazing supporting characters: strong Charlotte, scatter minded Henry, bitter Jessamine, lovely Sophie, the always grand Magnus, and much more.  Our evil figure here (well, the main one at least) is The Magister and we really don’t know too much about his throughout the story.

Cassandra Claire is a genius in many levels.  Her writing is so good, it takes serious talent to invent a world full of new and old beings, of mythology, stories, culture and make you not only understand what it all means, but learn to love it.  The plot of the Clockwork Angel is very intricate, full of mystery and betrayal.  It is one of the things that makes the story so interesting and addictive. 

I already had the chance to listen to Clockwork Prince and it is, if at all possible, even better.  I can’t wait to read the last book in the series, and I will.  Soon.

About the audiobook: I really like the narrator of the book, the pace and voices.

About the cover:  The cover of the Clockwork Angel is beautiful.  We can see Will in all his handsomeness and with light coming out of his runes.  In the background we see clockwork and the city of London.  On the forefront is Tessa’s angel.  As I said, beautiful.

Review: The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson (Rithmatist #1)

Review: The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson

Published: Mary 14^th, 2013 by Tor Teen

Source: Finished copy from BEA

Format: Hardcover

Genre: Steampunk

Age group: Young adult

Reviewer: ‘B’

Grade rate: A++

 More than anything, Joel wants to be a Rithmatist. Chosen by the Master in a mysterious inception ceremony, Rithmatists have the power to infuse life into two-dimensional figures known as Chalklings. Rithmatists are humanity’s only defense against the Wild Chalklings — merciless creatures that leave mangled corpses in their wake. Having nearly overrun the territory of Nebrask, the Wild Chalklings now threaten all of the American Isles. As the son of a lowly chalkmaker at Armedius Academy, Joel can only watch as Rithmatist students study the magical art that he would do anything to practice. Then students start disappearing — kidnapped from their rooms at night, leaving trails of blood. Assigned to help the professor who is investigating the crimes, Joel and his friend Melody find themselves on the trail of an unexpected discovery — one that will change Rithmatics — and their world — forever. Bestselling author Brandon Sanderson brings his unique brand of epic storytelling to the teen audience with an engrossing tale of danger and suspense—the first of a series. With his trademark skills in world-building, Sanderson has created a magic system that is so inventive and detailed that that readers who appreciate games of strategy and tactics just may want to bring Rithmatics to life in our world.

Review

The Rithmatist was sheer bad-assery because it’s everything an artist would love, their art coming to life.

The story is told from a third person POV, which I like because it allowed me to learn how diverse the characters were.  The main characters are Joel, Melody and Professor Fitch.  Joel is very studious and has very few friends.  He wanted to be a Rithmatist, but couldn’t because he missed his inception ceremony. He is very caring towards the people he loves.  Melody had a tragic life (which by the way is her favorite word.)  She doesn’t want to be a Rithmatist since there are four in her family already.  She very open and strong headed and she doesn’t care what others think about her. Professor Fitch is very closed and cautions and worries about keeping everyone safe.

The story is very interesting and it’s a major page turner.  The plot is fantastic and full of mystery.  World building is very well done, this is my first steampunk and it will not be the last. The writing is very descriptive and it explains everything really well.  I love all the clockwork things, especially the horse.

Overall, I loved the Rithmatist and I can’t wait for the next book, even if I still have to wait a whole year. (NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!)

Some quotes for you:

“... everyone knows that ice cream is worth the trouble of being cold. Like all things virtuous, you have to suffer to gain the reward.”

“Well, that’s because they’re wrong and I’m right. No more reading for you. Let’s go get some ice cream.”

“I don’t know if the kitchen has any,” Joel said. “It’s hard to get in the summers, and—”

“Not from the kitchen, stupid,” Melody said, rolling her eyes. “From the parlor out on Knight Street.”

“Oh. I’ve … never been there.”

“What! That’s a tragedy.”

“Melody, everything is a tragedy to you.”

“Not having ice cream,” she proclaimed, “is the culmination of all disasters! That’s it. No more discussion. We’re going. Follow.”

'B' is my almost 14 y/o son

Leave B some comment love!

Waiting on Wednesday: In a Handful of Dust by Mindy McGinnis (Not a Drop to Drink #2)

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine in which we have the opportunity to let others know about books that we are eagerly waiting for.

Title: In a Handful of Dust by Mindy McGinnis

Published by: Katherine Tegen Books

Release date: September 23rd, 2014

The only thing bigger than the world is fear.Lucy’s life by the pond has always been full. She has water and friends, laughter and the love of her adoptive mother, Lynn, who has made sure that Lucy’s childhood was very different from her own. Yet it seems Lucy’s future is settled already—a house, a man, children, and a water source—and anything beyond their life by the pond is beyond reach.When disease burns through their community, the once life-saving water of the pond might be the source of what’s killing them now. Rumors of desalinization plants in California have lingered in Lynn’s mind, and the prospect of a “normal” life for Lucy sets the two of them on an epic journey west to face new dangers: hunger, mountains, deserts, betrayal, and the perils of a world so vast that Lucy fears she could be lost forever, only to disappear in a handful of dust.In this companion to Not a Drop to Drink, Mindy McGinnis thrillingly combines the heart-swelling hope of a journey, the challenges of establishing your own place in the world, and the gripping physical danger of nature in a futuristic frontier.

Why I want to read it: I loved Not a Drop to Drink (see my review here)!  Color me surprised, I didn't know it was the first of a series though.  I was pleasantly surprised when I saw the cover for it's sequel.  I can't wait to see what happens to Lucy and Lynn next :)

What are you waiting for this week?

Review: Fire & Flood by Victoria Scott (Fire & Flood #1)

Title: Fire & Flood by Victoria Scott

Publisher: Scholastic

Release date: February 25^th, 2014

Source: ARC

Format: Paperback

Genre: ?

Age group: Young adult

Grade rate: A

A modern day thrill ride, where a teen girl and her animal companion must participate in a breathtaking race to save her brother's life—and her own.
Tella Holloway is losing it. Her brother is sick, and when a dozen doctors can't determine what's wrong, her parents decide to move to Montana for the fresh air. She's lost her friends, her parents are driving her crazy, her brother is dying—and she's helpless to change anything.Until she receives mysterious instructions on how to become a Contender in the Brimstone Bleed. It's an epic race across jungle, desert, ocean, and mountain that could win her the prize she desperately desires: the Cure for her brother's illness. But all the Contenders are after the Cure for people they love, and there's no guarantee that Tella (or any of them) will survive the race.The jungle is terrifying, the clock is ticking, and Tella knows she can't trust the allies she makes. And one big question emerges: Why have so many fallen sick in the first place?

My Review

Wow, that was a wild ride! It is not secret that I love Scott’s Collector’s series (*waves at Dante*) and this new series is just as amazing, but in a very different way.  I loved Fire & Flood!

Let me first start by telling you that this book can be best described as a mix between “The Hunger Games” (the ‘game’ part) and Pokemon.  You’re probably shaking your head in confusion right about now, but have no fear, ‘cause I would never lead you astray.  Let me explain a little bit more:  There is a game being played with the ultimate prize, The Cure, and the Contenders can only be helped by their engineered animal companions.  The plot, as you can see, it’s incredibly good.  It is full of action, mystery, trilling adventure, and even romance.  That’s why I couldn’t figure out what genre did it fall under (you might have noticed the question mark above.)

On to the characters.  Tella is awesome!  She’s completely ignorant (as most of the Contenders are) about what the heck is going on.  Even though she is uncertain and afraid, she has compassion, loyalty, empathy and not only a desire to live, but to see his brother well.  Her family tried to keep this from happening, but it seems there’s like a pact of silence going on. Being on Tella’s mind is a trip!  She is snarky, cynical, and very girly; even if she can be that way during the Bleed.

Guy (appropriate name, right?), is good at survival and many other things, except talking that is. Gosh! It felt like talking to Guy was like talking to my oldest son, like forcing the words out with a spoon. BUT, when he does talk, you better listen.  He became the default leader of an unlikely group of allies. Guy knows a lot more than anyone else, and thankfully he is sharing that knowledge with Tella. I can’t wait to see how Tella and Guy’s relationship develops next.

I won’t go over all the characters because it will take a while and you will know them soon enough, because I assume that this glorious recommendation will have you running to the store to buy the book.  I will, however, tell you that there are a lot of them, good, and bad; crazy and sane; amazing and horrible.  The bullies are atrocious, cruel and I’m sure we haven’t seen the last of them.

The animals (called Pandoras), are so different. They intend to protect, defend and help their Contenders.  The trick is that the Contenders don’t know what they can do or what they are capable off. You would think that would be it more fun, but indeed, it’s quite frustrating.  Madox, I’m a big fan of yours!  We have quite a diversity of animals and things they can do.  Scott has a BIG imagination.

The writing, like always is easy to read, intense, funny and snarky. In summary: Fire & Flood is a trilling book full of awesomeness. I cannot wait for the second book and conclusion to this duology!

Some quotes for you:

“I lean my head back and reinspect my reflection, try to see things in a new light. With curls trimmed close to my head and a roguish green-and-blue feather dangling over my right shoulder, I decide I just might seem like someone who would enter a daring race – and win.”

“…It gets cooler at night, and for some reason, my skin is doing something funky that worsens in the evening…It freaks me out to no end, but I can’t tell what the issue is.  I think maybe I’m allergic to walking this much.”

“Okay, I’m going to ask it”, Ransom says. “How much friggin’ farther do you think base camp is from here?”

“Forever,” Levi answers, one hand on his ram’s curled horn. “It’s forever from here. That’s what it feels like anyway.”

About the cover: I guess the title, Fire & Flood, mean the first two environments (desert and rain forest) in the race.  The feather might be the one Tella wears on her hair, but is not the right color. The cover though, does little for me. 

Waiting on Wednesday: The Dark World by Cara Lynn Shultz (Dark World #1)

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine in which we have the opportunity to let others know about books that we are eagerly waiting for.

Title: The Dark World by Cara Lynn Shultz

Published by: Harlequin Teen

Release date: May 27th, 2014

Paige Kelly is used to weird--in fact, she probably corners the market on weird, considering that her best friend, Dottie, has been dead since the 1950s. But when a fire demon attacks Paige in detention, she has to admit that things have gotten out of her league. Luckily, the cute new boy in school, Logan Bradley, is a practiced demon slayer-and he isn't fazed by Paige's propensity to chat with the dead. Suddenly, Paige is smack in the middle of a centuries-old battle between warlocks and demons, learning to fight with a magic sword so that she can defend herself. And if she makes one wrong move, she'll be pulled into the Dark World, an alternate version of our world that's overrun by demons-and she might never make it home.

Why I want to read it: I really enjoyed Shultz's Spellbound (I haven't read Spellcaster yet).  I also like the premise of the book and the cover is awesome too. 

What are you waiting for this week? 

Cover Reveal: Sacrifice by Brigid Kemmerer

Hi there gorgeous people!  I'm so excited to participate in the cover reveal for the conclusion of Brigid Kemmerer's Elemental series.  And without further ado, here is the cover for Sacrifice:

One misstep and they lose it all. For the last time.  

Michael Merrick is used to pressure. 

He’s the only parent his three brothers have had for years. His power to control Earth could kill someone if he miscalculates. Now an Elemental Guide has it out for his family, and he’s all that stands in the way. 

His girlfriend, Hannah, gets that. She’s got a kid of her own, and a job as a firefighter that could end her life without a moment’s notice. 

But there are people who have had enough of Michael’s defiance, his family’s “bad luck.” Before he knows it, Michael’s enemies have turned into the Merricks’ enemies, and they’re armed for war.

They’re not interested in surrender. But Michael isn’t the white flag type anyway. There will be blood on the ground tonight…

Where to find it: Goodreads 

Elemental Series: Amazon | B&N | TBD | iBooks | IndieBound 

About Brigid:

Brigid Kemmerer was born in Omaha, Nebraska, though her parents quickly moved her all over the United States, from the desert in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to the lakeside in Cleveland, Ohio, and several stops in between, eventually settling near Annapolis, Maryland. Brigid started writing in high school, and her first real “novel” was about four vampire brothers causing a ruckus in the suburbs. Those four brothers are the same boys living in the pages of The Elemental Series, so Brigid likes to say she’s had four teenage boys taking up space in her head for the last seventeen years. (Though sometimes that just makes her sound nuts.)

Brigid writes anywhere she can find a place to sit down (and she’s embarrassed to say a great many pages of The Elemental Series were written while sitting on the floor in the basement of a hotel while she was attending a writers’ conference). Most writers enjoy peace and quiet while writing, but Brigid prefers pandemonium. A good thing, considering she has three boys in the house, ranging in age from an infant to a teenager.

Where to find Brigid: Website | Facebook | Twitter 

This is my favorite cover in the series for sure!  What do you think?

Review: The Diviners by Libba Bray (The Diviners #1)

Title: The Diviners by Libba Bray

Release date: September 18th 2012 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers 

Source: Library

Format: Paperback

Age group: Young adult

Genre: Historical fiction

Reviewer: Arianne

Grade rate: D-

Evie O’Neill has been exiled from her boring old hometown and shipped off to the bustling streets of New York City—and she is pos-i-tute-ly ecstatic. It’s 1926, and New York is filled with speakeasies, Ziegfeld girls, and rakish pickpockets. The only catch is that she has to live with her uncle Will and his unhealthy obsession with the occult. Evie worries he’ll discover her darkest secret: a supernatural power that has only brought her trouble so far. But when the police find a murdered girl branded with a cryptic symbol and Will is called to the scene, Evie realizes her gift could help catch a serial killer. As Evie jumps headlong into a dance with a murderer, other stories unfold in the city that never sleeps. A young man named Memphis is caught between two worlds. A chorus girl named Theta is running from her past. A student named Jericho hides a shocking secret. And unknown to all, something dark and evil has awakened.

Review 

I've tried to like Libba Bray's writing. I really have. I've re ad a couple of her books now, but after The Diviners, I can't say I'd be willing to give any of them another try. 

I love complex books as much as the next person, and I've never shied away from reading long books (and this book is LONG, at over six hundred pages and weighing a literal ton). Reading The Diviners, however, it's apparent that Bray set out and sat down to write a Great American Novel. Her ambition is admirable but unfortunately in her drive to write something that will be remembered as a whole, she forgets about the little things. Like having a good plot. And good characters.

Maybe I'm the only one, but when I was about a quarter of the way through this book, I could see how well Bray had showcased her writing and knowledge, but I suddenly realized how stereotypical her characters were. She squeezes every female character into the image of a Roaring Twenties flapper even though elementary school kids know that it represents about 1% of the population at the time (and don't even get me started on the boys in this book!). Evie is shallow and narrow-minded. She cares about image too much and people's feelings too little. It's funny, you can almost see her fitting the modern stereotype of teenage girls, too - instead of obsessing over Instagram filters or wondering how she's going to watch the next episode of Jersey Shore and get a facial at the same time, however, all she can think about is impressing her friends and drinking dizzy water and, well, getting dizzy from it. She's nothing but a socialite, and while that may be indicative of the social class Bray has put her in, I just wished there was something more in that empty head of hers -something that would have helped me like her. Even her 'emotional' backstory fails to elicit a response from the reader, and I was disappointed by that.

The background characters, too, are vacant and vapid. There are so many of them, in fact, that they all just start to blur together. I couldn't tell any of Evie's friends apart. I wanted to like the lead characters of the subplots featured in the book - Memphis and Theta in particular - but by the time you've finally shaken off Evie's boundless talent for irritating all who read her, this isn't the kind of book that puts you in the mood for forgiveness. 

I can't deny that Bray has fabulous command of American history - she captures the era of The Diviners as though she witnessed it herself. I may not have enjoyed the rest of the book, but this I could understand; history seems so real through the lens of this book. (Though if I hear another sentence including the word 'pos-i-tute-ly!' I think I might throw this book at the wall and leave it there.)

There are the beginnings of a good plot, too, with a strong, creepy tone and mysteriously spooky undercurrents - I have to admit that Naughty John is a hideously horrifying villain - but it too is swallowed up by the all-consuming presence that is the book's mammoth narrative, making it hard to follow and even harder to enjoy. Worse still, this book is the start of a series, so as a reader you know that any detail could be of vital importance - and Libba Bray certainly spends enough time jumping around from scene to scene and random character to random character to confirm this suspicion. I just didn't have the energy or the patience for the stop-start flow of the narrative. 

In short: stronger readers than I have quailed under the almighty failings of The Diviners, and now I know why. There are parts of the book that glimmer with brilliance, but others that seem pointless and irritating. It's not a series I'm personally keen to finish, but if you like Libba Bray, it's definitely for you.

Waiting on Wednesday: The Shadow Prince by Bree Despain (Into the Dark #1)

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine in which we have the opportunity to let others know about books that we are eagerly waiting for.

Title: The Shadow Prince by Bree Despain 

Published by: Egmont

Release date: March 11th, 2014

Haden Lord, the disgraced prince of the Underrealm, has been sent to the mortal world to entice a girl into returning with him to the land of the dead. Posing as a student at Olympus Hills High—a haven for children of the rich and famous—Haden must single out the one girl rumored to be able to restore immortality to his race.Daphne Raines has dreams much bigger than her tiny southern Utah town, so when her rock star dad suddenly reappears, offering her full tuition to Olympus Hills High’s prestigious music program, she sees an opportunity to catch the break she needs to make it as a singer. But upon moving into her estranged father’s mansion in California, and attending her glamorous new school, Daphne soon realizes she isn’t the only student in Olympus who doesn’t quite belong.Haden and Daphne—destined for each other—know nothing of the true stakes their fated courtship entails. As war between the gods brews, the teenagers’ lives collide. But Daphne won’t be wooed easily and when it seems their prophesied link could happen, Haden realizes something he never intended—he’s fallen in love. Now to save themselves, Haden and Daphne must rewrite their destinies. But as their destinies change, so do the fates of both their worlds.

Why I want to read it: I love mythology and just by reading the blurb, it sounds like the Persephone/Hades myth (which I'm partial to.) I read the first book of Despain's Dark Divine series and I enjoyed it. Also, this cover is gorgeous. 

What are you waiting for this week?

Short Reviews: Novellas

Title: Night of Cake & Puppets (Daughter of Smoke & Bone 2.5) by Laini Taylor

Published: November 26^th, 2013 by Little, Brown Books

Source: Purchased

Format: eBook

Genre: Contemporary romance

Age group: Young adult

Grade rate: A

In Night of Cake & Puppets, Taylor brings to life a night only hinted at in the Daughter of Smoke & Bone trilogy—the magical first date of fan-favorites Zuzana and Mik. Told in alternating perspectives, it’s the perfect love story for fans of the series and new readers alike. Petite though she may be, Zuzana is not known for timidity. Her best friend, Karou, calls her “rabid fairy,” her “voodoo eyes” are said to freeze blood, and even her older brother fears her wrath. But when it comes to the simple matter of talking to Mik, or “Violin Boy,” her courage deserts her. Now, enough is enough. Zuzana is determined to meet him, and she has a fistful of magic and a plan. It’s a wonderfully elaborate treasure hunt of a plan that will take Mik all over Prague on a cold winter’s night before finally leading him to the treasure: herself! Violin Boy’s not going to know what hit him. 

My Review

As you know I LOVE this series.  I think Night of Cake & Puppets was just awesome!  It shows an unexpected side of Zuzana.  Only she would think of such a complicated plan to get Mik to notice her.  Who would have thought that Zuzana could be shy?  Mik is such a sweetheart, I think I would fall for him too :) This was a night to remember, that’s for sure. 

A must read for fans of the Daughter of Smoke & Bone series. 

Title: Shattered Mountain by Rae Carson (Fire and Thorns 0.6)

Published: March 26^th, 2013 by Greenwillow Books

Source: Purchased

Format: eBook

Genre: Fantasy

Age group: Young adult

Grade rate: A

On the outskirts of Joya d'Arena, small villages fight for survival against the onslaught of sorcerers and raiders. Mara's village has been safe--so far--but Mara decides to escape anyway. Escape from her harsh, abusive father. Escape with her first love. But when their plans fall on the same day that the animagi burn the village to the ground, Mara faces losses that could destroy her. She's a survivor, though. She is going to make it through the mountains, and she is going to protect the refugees following her. Because there's a rumored safe haven . . . and some say they have found the Chosen One. Told from Mara's point-of-view, The Shattered Mountain is an alternate perspective of the beginning of the acclaimed The Girl of Fire and Thorns.

My Review

The Girl of Fire and Thorns series is another of my absolute favorites. This little gem brings us Mara’s story and how she became part of the revolution and escaped an Inverno attack.  Mara had a very difficult upbringing under the thumb of a dominant and cruel father.  She also was part of a great love story, which unfortunately didn’t end well.  She is very strong and resilient and determined to do what’s right, regardless of the consequences.  I really good addition to the world of the Fire and Thorns series. 

Title: The King’s Guard by Rae Carson (Fire and Thorns 0.7)

Published: July 30^th, 2013 by Greenwillow Books

Source: Purchased

Format: eBook

Genre: Fantasy

Age group: Young adult

Grade rate: A

At fifteen years old, Hector is the youngest squire in the most elite military force in the country. And his first day is disastrous. Everyone assumes the only reason he was recruited is his close personal association with King Alejandro, not because he's really earned it. But Alejandro needs Hector for a secret mission, one that gives him the chance to prove to everyone—including himself—that he is worthy to be a Royal Guard. Hector must break into the ancient Fortress of Wind to retrieve something so important that the kingdom's future depends on it. What Hector finds in the fortress will stretch his bond of friendship with his king near to breaking. And it will prepare him to become the fearsome warrior and lord commander Elisa will never let go. 

My Review

Besides Elisa, Hector is my favorite character of the series.  In The King’s Guard we get to meet a young Hector, but also young Alejandro and his former wife. It was a great adventure that displayed Hector’s growth, strength of character, loyalty and leadership.  I really enjoyed this one, being in Hector’s mind is fascinating! 

The complicated politics of the Joya d’Arena take precedent here, as well as Alejandro’s lack of direction and decisiveness.  We also learn a big and surprising secret.  Another must read for fans of the series (like me!).

Title: Bittersweet Love by Jennifer L. Armentrout (The Dark Elements 0.5)

Published: December 1^st, 2013 by Harlequin Teen

Source: Purchased

Format: eBook

Genre: Paranormal | Romance

Age group: Young adult

Grade rate: A

Dez wasn't just Jasmine's crush. A gargoyle Warden like Jas, he helped her come to terms with her destiny—fending off demons and maintaining balance between good and evil. He was her everything...right until the moment he disappeared without a trace. It didn't help that Jas's father had just announced that she and Dez would one day be mated. Hard not to take that personally. And now he's back, three years older, ten times hotter, ready to pick up exactly where they left off. But Jas isn't taking that risk again. Dez has seven days to meet all her conditions and earn back her trust. Seven days filled with terrifying danger and sweet temptation. Seven days to win her heart—or shatter it all over again...

My Review

I’m starting to think that Jennifer Armentrout is incapable of writing a bad book!  I haven’t read everything she’s ever written, but everything that I have is amazing. Bittersweet Love is not the exception.  This novella is an introduction to the Dark Elements series and the word of gargoyles (great idea, right?)  As such, it is an informative story, full of explanations about their world and how unjust it is for the females. 

I adored Dez, he is so sweet and protective of Jasmine and truly loves her.  I’m very happy that she was able to see part Dez’s apparent betrayal (otherwise, I would keep him for myself!)  Great introduction to the series, I can’t wait to read White Hot Kiss.

Have you read any of these?  Are you a follower of these series?  Do you enjoy novellas?  What do you like about them?

The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson (Remnant Trilogy #1)

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine in which we have the opportunity to let others know about books that we are eagerly waiting for.

Title: The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson

Published by: Henry Holt

Release date: July 15th, 2014

In a society steeped in tradition, Princess Lia’s life follows a preordained course. As First Daughter, she is expected to have the revered gift of sight—but she doesn’t—and she knows her parents are perpetrating a sham when they arrange her marriage to secure an alliance with a neighboring kingdom—to a prince she has never met.On the morning of her wedding, Lia flees to a distant village. She settles into a new life, hopeful when two mysterious and handsome strangers arrive—and unaware that one is the jilted prince and the other an assasin sent to kill her. Deception abounds, and Lia finds herself on the brink of unlocking perilous secrets—even as she finds herself falling in love.

Why I want to read it - This is one of the most beautiful covers ever!!! Sorry for the explosion, I just had to get that out my chest.  The only book I've heard by Pearson is the first of the Jenna Fox Chronicles and I found it to be very thought provoking.  The Kiss of Deception doesn't only sounds good, but it comes highly recommended by it's publicist's at Macmillan.  I cannot wait for this one!

What are you waiting for this week? 

Blog Tour, Guest Post and Giveaway: Landry Park by Bethany Hagen

Hi there gorgeous people!  I'm excited to be part of the Landry Park blog tour and to have author Bethany Hagen as a guest in the blog today.  You can find more information and the rest of the tour at the Merp Squad website, here. 

About the Book

Title: Landry Park 
Author: Bethany Hagen (Landry Park #1)
Published by: Dial
Release date: February 4th, 2014
Pages: 374

In a fragmented future United States ruled by the lavish gentry, seventeen-year-old Madeline Landry dreams of going to the university. Unfortunately, gentry decorum and her domineering father won't allow that. Madeline must marry, like a good Landry woman, and run the family estate. But her world is turned upside down when she discovers the devastating consequences her lifestyle is having on those less fortunate. As Madeline begins to question everything she has ever learned, she finds herself increasingly drawn to handsome, beguiling David Dana. Soon, rumors of war and rebellion start to spread, and Madeline finds herself and David at the center of it all. Ultimately, she must make a choice between duty - her family and the estate she loves dearly - and desire.

Find it here: Goodreads | Amazon 

Guest Post

Does Love Really Conquer All?

I think we live in kind of a cynical time, which is the natural outcome of decades of highly commercialized romance: Valentine's Days and formulaic rom coms and seventeen different wedding dress shows and the like.  We tend to be suspicious of anything that smacks of the saccharine, and we tend to embrace things that underscore the dark or ironic elements of romance.  But love isn't the same thing as romance, and I think it's good not to throw the baby out with the bathwater when it comes to narratives of love and romance.

In Landry Park, there are many different kinds of love at work.  Firstly, Madeline Landry loves her house and her land.  Her estate is her anchor and her center, and all of her decisions about the future are made with the estate in the front of her mind.  We have the love that Alexander Landry bears for his daughter--a stern, demanding kind of love--and the love that Madeline bears for her father, which is riddled with doubt and confusion and distance.  And then Madeline meets David Dana, a person who challenges her, who puzzles her, who seems to adore and scorn her, and a romantic love blossoms.  

All these different kinds of love push Madeline to step outside of her normal bounds of behavior and thinking, they all exert pressure on her to act, and to that end, it's love that compels her to make a decision about where she stands.  Not necessarily romantic love, but the deep love she feels for her family and for her house, and for the promise of deep love with David, is the force that eventually leads her to conquer.  

So does love conquer all?  Yes and no.  Love isn't an all-consuming force that takes over our bodies and make us do the hard things.  Love urges us, nudges us, to make difficult decisions, and it's up to us whether or not we choose to.  And some of the most wonderful books out there right now--Code Name Verity, The Daughter of Smoke and Bone series, the Divergent series--they demonstrate this principle beautifully.  

Love can help us conquer all.

About the Author

Librarian by day, Bethany Hagen is the author of the forthcoming LANDRY PARK, set to be released from Dial February 4th, 2014. She lives in Kansas City with her husband and two children.

Website | Blog | Twitter | Goodreads

Giveaway

The giveaway is for one finished copy, bookmarks, & stickers. US Only. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of Merp Squad Blog Tours and a copy of this book was provided to me by the author. Although payment may have been received by Mero Squad Blog 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*