Review: The Assassin's Curse by Curse by Cassandra Rose Clarke

Series: The Assassin's Curse #1
Genre: Fantasy, Action
Format: e-galley provided by publisher, Published October 2, 2012
Publisher: Strange Chemistry
Rating: 4/5 Stars
Goodreads

Ananna of the Tanarau abandons ship when her parents try to marry her off to an allying pirate clan: she wants to captain her own boat, not serve as second-in-command to her handsome yet clueless fiance. But her escape has dire consequences when she learns the scorned clan has sent an assassin after her.

And when the assassin, Naji, finally catches up with her, things get even worse. Ananna inadvertently triggers a nasty curse — with a life-altering result. Now Ananna and Naji are forced to become uneasy allies as they work together to break the curse and return their lives back to normal. Or at least as normal as the lives of a pirate and an assassin can be.

My Review

Ananna of the Tanarau is the daughter of a pirate. She dreams of commanding her own ship and crew one day, not being sold off as a bride to the handsome Tarin of the Harari and she plans to do something about it. Jumping ship and running away on a camel, Ananna seriously angers her would-be future family who send an assassin after her. The assassin, Naji, has to change his orders when a curse that had been placed on him is activated as Ananna saves his life.

I adored the world building in this book. There is serious chemistry when the world of a raised-at-sea pirate ends up stuck with a magic wielding and highly trained assassin. All of these aspects of this world seamlessly weave together to make a fascinating scene that I couldn't get enough of. The two unlikely and fabulous characters of Naji and Ananna are the heart and soul of this book. Neither of them are physically beautiful people, as Ananna isn't described as pretty and Naji is facially scarred. For some reason I found this seriously refreshing and along with Ananna's well-written pirate dialect, the characters were realistic and three dimensional. There is commonality and great plot between Naji and Ananna as they are both rather cut-throat and kick-ass.

The writing in The Assassin's Curse is done really well. The dialects that could easily be awkward are used perfectly and the action is written so thrillingly. What kept me from giving this book five stars, however, is the lack of pacing consistency. At times, the book would slow down from the action-driven plot. Those who revel in character development, however, won't be disappointed.

Deserts. Sea. Adventure. Magic. Pirates. Assassins. What a perfect book to warm yourself up with this autumn if you're into that sort of thing (but who wouldn't be?). I was hooked at the summary, and I think you will be too! This adventurous book ended on a pretty sizeable cliffhanger, so I will eagerly await the next book!

Find Cassandra Rose Clarke: Website | Blog | Twitter

Find Strange Chemistry: Website | Facebook | Twitter

Review: The Power of Six by Pittacus Lore

Series: Lorien Legacies #2
Genre: Science Fiction, Action
Format: Paperback, Published August 23, 2011
Publisher: HarperCollins
Rating: 2/5 Stars

I've seen him on the news. Followed the stories about what happened in Ohio. John Smith, out there, on the run. To the world, he's a mystery. But to me . . . he's one of us.
Nine of us came here, but sometimes I wonder if time has changed us—if we all still believe in our mission. How can I know? There are six of us left. We're hiding, blending in, avoiding contact with one another . . . but our Legacies are developing, and soon we'll be equipped to fight. Is John Number Four, and is his appearance the sign I've been waiting for? And what about Number Five and Six? Could one of them be the raven-haired girl with the stormy eyes from my dreams? The girl with powers that are beyond anything I could ever imagine? The girl who may be strong enough to bring the six of us together?
They caught Number One in Malaysia.
Number Two in England.
And Number Three in Kenya.
They tried to catch Number Four in Ohio—and failed.
I am Number Seven. One of six still alive.
And I'm ready to fight.

My Review

This second book in the trilogy shifts its focus away from John, or Number Four, who was the main character from the first book. The Power of Six introduces us to a new point of view, Marina. She's Number Seven and hiding out in a convent in Spain. I didn't like the new characters as much as the first book, and I started to dislike characters that I really enjoyed in I Am Number Four. To me, this book was kind of a let down.

As I read this book, I truly did not understand why Marina’s story was alternating in and out of this book until the very, very end when the two storylines collide. I felt like skimming through her chapters about being an undertrained alien living in a convent. It’s as exciting as it sounds (which is not at all). 

John, Sam, and Six are pretty much on the run this entire book. For people who don’t want to get caught, they do some pretty stupid things. Only when they use Six's power to turn invisible do they actually accomplish things when the plot needs to move on. I cringed every time they did something brash. I won't give anything away, but I seriously wanted to smack John upside the head on several occasions. I really think he's changed since the first book and I’m gonna say it. I hated the love ‘square’. John loves Sarah, but has a big fat one for Six even though he knows Sam likes her. And Six conveniently has crushes on both John and Sam. Can I pull my hair out?

I give it two stars because, for some miracle, I actually finished. And I quite liked the end. It was the action and intelligent problem solving that I read the book for. Unfortunately it was the last few pages of the book, and I just don’t think it’s enough for me to read the Rise of Nine. I wish more worldbuilding was invested into this second installment. I wanted to learn more about the Lorien than we did in the first book. At least we find out what’s in the chests, but it’s not enough to have me continue the series.

Find Pittacus Lore:

Website | Goodreads Author Page

Find The Power of Six: 

Goodreads | Amazon UK | Book Depository

Review: Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Genre: Dystopian, Action
Format: Paperback
Published May 1, 2012 by HarperCollins Children's Books
More about the author: Blog // Twitter // Goodreads
Goodreads // Amazon UK

One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.
Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.
New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth's much-anticipated second book of the dystopian Divergent series is another intoxicating thrill ride of a story, rich with hallmark twists, heartbreaks, romance, and powerful insights about human nature.

My Review

This book is the second book in a series. While there are no spoilers for Insurgent (#2), there will probably be spoilers for Divergent (#1).

Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

I've been putting off writing this review for too long! I needed plenty of time to digest my thoughts, but it's been long enough. Insurgent is a fabulously fast-paced and action-packed addition to the Divergent trilogy. It begins just seconds after the first book, Divergent, has ended. The blood-pumping action and vivid world building will not disappoint a single reader. There were, however, other things beyond the action and glimpses into the other factions that led me to not enjoy this book as much as the first one.

Tris is a completely different person. While I understand that the horrific and gruesome events at the end of Divergent would affect anyone, Tris has changed by the beginning of the second book. In Insurgent, she's much more impulsive and rash, and more often than not, she's lost the ability to be cool and calculated. It's her extreme death wish that causes turbulence in her relationship with Tobias (Four). He wants her to calm down and think things through and believes her insane selflessness is actually selfish. And I agree. If she had been killed, nearly all hope would be lost! But Tris doesn't think like that when she thinks everything has gone to the dogs. I am by no means implying that this character change isn't believable or written well, I just found it annoying.

The writing in this book is absolutely superb! Veronica Roth manages to weave in so much more world building  than in Divergent, while upping the pace dramatically. The pacing was so quick and intense, it felt like there was a gun pointed to the reader's head. Perhaps that's also why you feel like you can't stop reading! I adored discovering new things about the other factions that we hadn't seen much of before. In Insurgent, Tris visits all of the faction compounds and the reader gets a better sense of what each one is about. Well done, there.

Overall, this book is extremely action-packed. Bullets will fly when you read this book. However, I got distracted at times by Tris not thinking like she used to and acting too impulsively. With that being said, I truly cannot wait to get my hands on the third book (whatever it may be called!). Insurgent ends with a huge bang and will leave everyone gasping for answers straight away. I recommend this book to any action junkie, especially if you like unique dystopias.

Review: Legend by Marie Lu

Genre: Dystopian, Action
Format: Audiobook
Released November 29, 2011 by Penguin Audio
Originally published by Putnam Juvenile
More about the author: Website // Bio
Goodreads // Amazon UK

What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic’s wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic’s highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country’s most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.
From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths—until the day June’s brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family’s survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias’s death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.
Full of nonstop action, suspense, and romance, this novel is sure to move readers as much as it thrills.

I honestly didn't know what I was getting myself into when I borrowed this audiobook from the library. I'd read some good reviews and knew it was a dystopian book, but I had no idea how amazing this book actually is! The book summary doesn't really do the book enough justice.

I personally enjoyed having the story alternate between the views of June and Day. They are both rather similar characters set in completely different situations, and that stark contrast between privileged prodigy and wanted criminal (Robin Hood style) really added something to this story. I liked reading all sides of the spectrum. The only trouble is that sometimes, they are so similar they can be indistinguishable (this is not a problem with the audiobook as there are alternating male and female narrators). I really enjoyed it when they were together and it's when they start really working together toward a common goal that the book becomes seriously action packed.

The plot, while quicker in the end, is actually comparatively quick throughout the book. There isn't a shortness of action with illegal street fights and mastermind crimes just like in the action movies. The world building itself brings the edge of action to the book. The dystopian society, The Republic, is at war with the other half of the former United States. It's this constant strain of war that had led to this incredibly detailed militaristic country of which June was raised around and Day was raised against. I hope we learn more in the books to come.

Overall, this book was action-packed, fast, and pretty heart-felt at times. I'd recommend it to a reader interested in militaristic dystopian societies and a lot of book action. I enjoyed it, and if you don't mind multiple narrators, you will too!

*Audio Review*: I thought the two narrators, one male, one female, was really helpful (though, to be honest there isn't any other way). It was read at a good pace and I liked the female voice. The male voice was a little boring to me.