Review: The Gathering Dark by Leigh Bardugo

Series: Grisha Trilogy #1
Genre: Fantasy
Format: Paperback
Published: June 7, 2012
Publisher: Indigo
My Rating: 5/5 Stars

The Shadow Fold, a swathe of impenetrable darkness, crawling with monsters that feast on human flesh, is slowly destroying the once-great nation of Ravka.
Alina, a pale, lonely orphan, discovers a unique power that thrusts her into the lavish world of the kingdom’s magical elite—the Grisha. Could she be the key to unravelling the dark fabric of the Shadow Fold and setting Ravka free?
The Darkling, a creature of seductive charm and terrifying power, leader of the Grisha. If Alina is to fulfil her destiny, she must discover how to unlock her gift and face up to her dangerous attraction to him.
But what of Mal, Alina’s childhood best friend? As Alina contemplates her dazzling new future, why can’t she ever quite forget him?
Glorious. Epic. Irresistible. Romance. - Summary from Goodreads

My Review

Most people will know this book as Shadow and Bone. I know this book as one freaking fantastic fantasy novel. Alina's story and the world of Ravka have been playing in my mind ever since I put down the book. If you want a creative fantasy world with top-notch story telling, look no further than this author's debut novel.

The idea of the Grisha themselves kept me glued to the pages. Magic wielding soldiers with their own orders and rankings with the power to summon elements like wind, the power to heal or hurt human beings, or the power to make weapons and mystical technology. Each order has their place in the world and the world is really captivating. Ravka is a cold and dismal place, but you can't help thinking of the hope the people could have. The architecture and setting described is (not surprisingly) Russian inspired, but I thought Leigh Bardugo was masterful at setting the scene. The movie based on this book is in serious talks with DreamWorks and producer David Heyman. From reading the book, I strongly feel as though it will be an extremely visually driven movie, as the book is quite setting focused. Win, win all around!

The characters in this book so very likeable! Alina as a personality really isn't anything special and for some strange reason, I like that. Sometimes it's hard to root for a kick-ass heroine who seems like she doesn't need any help. Alina is the underdog at first, but definitely one that quickly learns how to bite back. Mal, Alina's childhood friend is her anchor. He is her past, present, and a possible future for her until Alina gets caught up in the Grisha web. I think the real winner of a character is The Darkling. He is just so serious, demanding, and mysterious! He is the most powerful man in the whole land, so much power that it has extended his life, making it impossible to know his age. 

Overall, this is an extremely exciting book! It's perfect for those who love epic fantasy, as well as those who like a magic-centred world. It is simply gorgeously written and quite possibly my favorite book of 2012 (yet). I can't possibly wait for the next book set to be published in June of next year.

Find The Gathering Dark:

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Review: Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake

Series: Anna #1

Genre: Paranormal, Horror

Format: Paperback

Published: July 5, 2012, first published August 30, 2011

Publisher: Orchard Books

My Rating: 4/5 Stars

Just your average boy-meets-girl, girl-kills-people story...
Cas Lowood has inherited an unusual vocation: He kills the dead.
So did his father before him, until his gruesome murder by a ghost he sought to kill. Now, armed with his father’s mysterious and deadly athame, Cas travels the country with his kitchen-witch mother and their spirit-sniffing cat. Together they follow legends and local lore, trying to keep up with the murderous dead—keeping pesky things like the future and friends at bay.
When they arrive in a new town in search of a ghost the locals call Anna Dressed in Blood, Cas doesn’t expect anything outside of the ordinary: move, hunt, kill. What he finds instead is a girl entangled in curses and rage, a ghost like he’s never faced before. She still wears the dress she wore on the day of her brutal murder in 1958: once white, but now stained red and dripping blood. Since her death, Anna has killed any and every person who has dared to step into the deserted Victorian she used to call home.
And she, for whatever reason, spares his life. -Summary from Goodreads

My Review 

Cas Lowood never stays anywhere for long. He and his mother routinely blow in and out of towns for the family business: ghost killing. It doesn't leave much time for making friends, but when Cas is researching the gruesome ghost of Anna Dressed in Blood, a ghost known for ripping people up, he needs all the help he can get! He is determined to discover why Anna spares his life despite being just as gruesome as she was rumoured to be.

As far as this book goes, it's pretty darn creepy and mysterious. On my paperback there is a warning against younger readers due to some graphic content and I think that that warning is entirely warranted. In this world, ghosts are excessively gross and Anna rips people limb from limb. And I like it that way. It's original. I loved Cas and the premise of a male YA main character who was actually pretty darn bad-ass. 

I liked the characters in general, even if the supporting characters are at times clichéd  Cas meets Carmel, the typical popular girl at school who turns out to be a bit more complicated than that. And Thomas, the nerdy boy with the ability to read minds who happens to have a pretty big thing for Carmel. It's a fairly standard set of sidekicks, but the real icing on the cake is Anna herself. She's scary, yet fragile and there's something innocent lurking behind her evil eyes that makes you want to know more. It had really me turning the pages to find out what happened to her to make her that way.

So, if you're looking for a creepy read, then look no further than Anna Dressed in Blood. It's a refreshing male perspective to the YA genre. And with Halloween approaching, this would be a great series to pick up! It's got blood and guts with some mystery and romance thrown in. What else could you want from a ghost story?

Find Anna Dressed in Blood:

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Find Kendare Blake:

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Review: Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

Series: Throne of Glass #1
Genre: Fantasy
Format: Paperback
Published: August 2, 2013
Publisher: Bloomsbury
My Rating: 5/5 Stars

After serving out a year of hard labor in the salt mines of Endovier for her crimes, 18-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien is dragged before the Crown Prince. Prince Dorian offers her her freedom on one condition: she must act as his champion in a competition to find a new royal assassin. Her opponents are men-thieves and assassins and warriors from across the empire, each sponsored by a member of the king's council. If she beats her opponents in a series of eliminations, she'll serve the kingdom for three years and then be granted her freedom. Celaena finds her training sessions with the captain of the guard, Westfall, challenging and exhilarating. But she's bored stiff by court life. Things get a little more interesting when the prince starts to show interest in her... but it's the gruff Captain Westfall who seems to understand her best. Then one of the other contestants turns up dead... quickly followed by another. Can Celaena figure out who the killer is before she becomes a victim? As the young assassin investigates, her search leads her to discover a greater destiny than she could possibly have imagined. - Summary from Goodreads

My Review

The prickly and deadly Celeana is given a reprieve from her sentence of manual labor. She's lucky to have even survived the salt mines, therefore a test of her skill shouldn't be so difficult. Or is it? This fantasy novel was one of my most anticipated book releases of the year, yet I'm posting this a very long time after finishing it. Regardless of my serious slothfulness towards my blog, I really think this book has done it. It's a gem, guys.

I had no issues with the pacing or the plot itself. It had me glued to its pages. In between her elimination trials and physical training, Celaena found herself in court life befriending the prince and devouring books and I not once found myself bored. I think that's because of the fantastic mystery of the dead criminals. Her adversary would-be champions keep ending up dead and Celaena has to figure out who is killing them. If she attracts too much attention, she could end up the next target. The mystery is creepy, gruesome, and all around an amazing plot.

In addition to the plot, the characters themselves bring life to this story. Chaol is by far my favorite. He's the young Captain Westfall, best friend to the prince and often the serious one in the room. In contrast, Prince Dorian is vastly misunderstood and hilarious. He's also completely enamoured of Celeana, who undertakes a serious personality transformation. Other reviewers have said that Celaena has some issues. I totally agree. But it is not without purpose. Over the course of the book, Celaena goes from having practically no soul to becoming a puppy-loving, dress wearing softie who knew how to survive. I think the girl was there all along, she just was icey to protect herself. Don't get me wrong, though. By the end of the book she was just as frustrating as ever, I'm just a sucker for main characters who are flawed.

As a fantasy book, there will obviously be some amount of world building. Throne of Glass has the perfect amount of myth, legend, and mystery in its fantasy world. It doesn't confuse the reader or overwhelm the plot one bit. In fact, I'm intrigued. I want to know more about the group of assassins Celaena was a part of and the history in the queen long since dead.

Throne of Glass has got it going on in all the right places for a fantasy reader. Assassins, criminals, princes, hot guards, magic, pretty dresses, and even a friggin puppy. I honestly dare you to dislike this book! I am on the edge of my seat waiting for the next one.

Find Throne of Glass:

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Find Sarah J. Maas:

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Review: Crewel by Gennifer Albin

Series: Crewel World #1
Genre: Dystopian, Fantasy
Format: e-galley provided by publisher
Published: October 16, 2012 (US), October 18, 2012 (UK)
Publisher: Faber & Faber
My Rating: 5/5 Stars

Incapable. Awkward. Artless.
That’s what the other girls whisper behind her back. But sixteen year-old Adelice Lewys has a secret: she wants to fail.
Gifted with the ability to weave time with matter, she’s exactly what the Guild is looking for, and in the world of Arras, being chosen as a Spinster is everything a girl could want. It means privilege, eternal beauty, and being something other than a secretary. It also means the power to embroider the very fabric of life. But if controlling what people eat, where they live and how many children they have is the price of having it all, Adelice isn’t interested.
Not that her feelings matter, because she slipped and wove a moment at testing, and they’re coming for her—tonight.
Now she has one hour to eat her mom’s overcooked pot roast. One hour to listen to her sister’s academy gossip and laugh at her Dad’s stupid jokes. One hour to pretend everything’s okay. And one hour to escape.
Because once you become a Spinster, there’s no turning back. - Summary from Goodreads

In a world run by Spinsters who maintain the very fabric of society, every girl dreams of being one. Every girl except Adelice. She knows that they are not what they seem. Her world falls apart when she realizes that she cannot escape her fate with them. This book will fly by you with a fiery heroine and a seriously jawdropping world. 

Right away, I knew that the plot and worldbuilding were the center of this book and the characters came second. However, as I read on, I was pleasantly surprised by the quiet complexity of the supporting characters. Adelice meets two guys, Jost, the quiet worker in the walls of the Spinsters, and Erik, the manipulative assistant of a powerful Spinster. Yes, you guessed it, there is a love triangle. I wasn’t in love with the romantic aspect of this book, but I was glad to discover there was something more to these two characters.

What did grip me in this book was the society itself and Adelice’s scheming to escape them. This society is downright appalling in a really good way. To keep the peace, they go to extreme measures rivaling the monstrosity of the society in The Giver. I was bowled over by Gennifer Albin’s worldbuilding. I wish I had thought of this world myself!

Based on the worldbuilding alone, this book is the best dystopian release of 2012. Not everyone will fall in love with it, but I think those who do will fall hard. I am so eagerly waiting the second book. The ending of Crewel took my breath away and I have to know what happens next! I recommend this book if you are obsessed with the worldbuilding in dystopian books and often find yourself underwhelmed with it. Go read this book!

Find Crewel: 

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Find Gennifer Albin:

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Review: The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead

Series: Bloodlines #2
Genre: Paranormal
Format: Paperback, published June 12, 2012
Publisher: Razorbill
My Rating: 3/5 Stars

Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets—and human lives.
Sydney would love to go to college, but instead, she’s been sent into hiding at a posh boarding school in Palm Springs, California–tasked with protecting Moroi princess Jill Dragomir from assassins who want to throw the Moroi court into civil war. Formerly in disgrace, Sydney is now praised for her loyalty and obedience, and held up as the model of an exemplary Alchemist.
But the closer she grows to Jill, Eddie, and especially Adrian, the more she finds herself questioning her age–old Alchemist beliefs, her idea of family, and the sense of what it means to truly belong. Her world becomes even more complicated when magical experiments show Sydney may hold the key to prevent becoming Strigoi—the fiercest vampires, the ones who don’t die. But it’s her fear of being just that—special, magical, powerful—that scares her more than anything. Equally daunting is her new romance with Brayden, a cute, brainy guy who seems to be her match in every way. Yet, as perfect as he seems, Sydney finds herself being drawn to someone else—someone forbidden to her.
When a shocking secret threatens to tear the vampire world apart, Sydney’s loyalties are suddenly tested more than ever before. She wonders how she's supposed to strike a balance between the principles and dogmas she's been taught, and what her instincts are now telling her.
Should she trust the Alchemists—or her heart? - Summary from Goodreads

My Review:

Once again, I expected to love this second addition to The Vampire Academy spinoff series, Bloodlines, despite being disappointed by the first. Sadly, I was once again disappointed. My feelings for this book are all over the map and this is one of the most difficult and perhaps incoherent reviews I've ever written. I realize that I'm certainly a minority in the YA blogging community for not going gaga for this series. I guess I can't get past the premise of this series to enjoy the heart of this story.

Putting vampires into a Californian high school and expecting a teenage human girl to run the entire operation of babysitting some princess is kind of an asinine premise. I'm sorry. Had to say it. The first half of The Golden Lily was about Sydney babysitting an annoying Jill, watching an annoying love square unfold, and then going on a few dates with this weird guy who is like Sydney but with a whats-it. The plot was laid out early with extremely obvious foreshadowing, but nothing was done with it until the last bit of the book. I had to force myself to finish and for some crazy reason I was glad to have done so (for Adrian).

That was my reaction to the book, scribbled down along with a few potty words, until I read reviews after having finished. I was too blinded by my annoyance to really see the point of this book. It does what nearly every second book in a series does, have little plot and function as a bridge between the first and third. But this bridge, this fantastically subtle bridge, is the relationship of Sydney and Adrian. There is really something great going on there. Something mature and unlike YA insta-love. And it makes me want to read more. (I never thought I'd say that about this series again.)

Yeah, I wasn't crazy about it, but now after having finished, I appreciate its subplot immensely. I recommend The Golden Lily if you are one of those screaming teary-eyed girls who want to ravish Adrian whole. But, you've probably already read it if you are one of them. So, if you haven't picked up this series then I say 'meh' to you. Do it with caution, but only if you enjoyed The Vampire Academy series.

Find The Golden Lily:

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Find Richelle Mead:

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Review: Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Series: Lux #1

Genre: Science Fiction, Romance
Format: ebook, Published May 8, 2012
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Rating: 4/5 stars

Starting over sucks.
When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I'd pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring.... until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.
And then he opened his mouth.
Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something...unexpected happens.

The hot alien living next door marks me.
You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon's touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I'm getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades.

If I don't kill him first, that is. - Summary from Goodreads

My Review

This book is a whole lotta snarky dialogue and spiffy sci fi. It's like I Am Number Four and Twilight had a baby and it is far more attractive than its parents. Katy is a normal girl, a book blogger, and high school student who moves in next door to aliens. Just being around their extra-terrestrial powers marks her and makes her visible to their rival aliens who would use her to get to Daemon and his sister Dee. Not to mention, humans who find out about the aliens often end up disappearing.

The characters in this book are its bread and butter. My favourite character is most definitely Dee. She's such a loveable and bubbly person, but you know she's a lot more complicated than that. The main character, Katy, is also one of the most relatable characters I've read in awhile. It's refreshing to read a main character and not think 'No, dummy! What are you doing!?'. Daemon is something different all together. He reminds me of that boy on the playground who is so mean because he's got a big fat crush on you. His sass and angst doesn't really bother me like it does some people, in fact I think it adds fuel to the fire in a really good way. 

The world building in this book was pretty darn spot-on. I can't wait to read more about these Luxen aliens made of light. I really enjoyed the writing in this book. This may be my first Jennifer Armentrout book, but it won't be my last. This book was so entertaining and easy to read! I didn't give it five stars because most of the main plot was rather predictable after a while. That being said, it didn't stop me from wanting to keep reading it! If you're looking for a saucy YA romance book, this is definitely one for you! Highly recommended.

Review: Fated by Alyson Noel

Series: The Soul Seekers #1
Genre: Paranormal, Romance
Format: Paperback, Published May 24, 2012
Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books
Rating: 3/5 Stars

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Immortals comes a breathtaking new saga brimming with magic, mystery, and an intoxicating love story that will steal your heart away. Meet The Soul Seekers.
Strange things are happening to Daire Santos. Crows mock her, glowing people stalk her, time stops without warning, and a beautiful boy with unearthly blue eyes haunts all her dreams. Fearing for her daughter’s sanity, Daire’s mother sends her to live with the grandmother she’s never met. A woman who recognizes the visions for what they truly are—the call to her destiny as a Soul Seeker—one who can navigate the worlds between the living and dead.
There on the dusty plains of Enchantment, New Mexico, Daire sets out to harness her mystical powers. But it’s when she meets Dace, the boy from her dreams, that her whole world is shaken to its core. Now Daire is forced to discover if Dace is the one guy she's meant to be with...or if he’s allied with the enemy she's destined to destroy.

My Review

I originally picked up this book because the premise seemed interesting and I hoped for a scenic setting in the Southwest. I'd read another book by this author and it really wasn't my favorite, but I'm glad to report that I enjoyed this book much better! Daire, who is used to travelling the world on movie sets with her celebrity makeup artist mother, begins to have some pretty freaky visions. Other than putting her straight into a mental institution, Daire's mom decides it might be less traumatising to ship her off to her grandmother in New Mexico. Long lost grandmother then tells Daire that she hails from a long line of Soul Seekers, who have the ability to see visions and visit other realms. And of course, Daire meets a boy. But can he be trusted? His identical twin certainly can't be.

This book started out rather quickly. The scene was set and I got a good feeling for each of the characters, even if Daire was a bit annoying until you got to know her. The characters in general were fairly basic. Not bad. My one gripe is that if you're going to have a blind character, would it be so hard to actually have them be blind? It's kind of a cop-out that she can just 'sense' everything in the world without her vision. Like Daredevil. If she had actually been blind, I think it would be more interesting.

After the first part of the book, I felt like there were pacing issues. It became slow suddenly when Daire was transported to New Mexico. There was an entire chapter about her 10 hour drive and her zoning out at a gas station. Yep. I'm still not sure how that was relevant to the story. When she arrived at Paloma's (the grandmother) house, it returned to normal and we got to learn more about her visions. Daire had to piece together who she was, but then all of a sudden she wasn't confused any more and she knew she had to go after the bad guys. I had to flip back in the book to see if I'd missed something, but it turns out I didn't. Her powers and knowledge of the bad guys practically came out of nowhere just because Paloma said so.

It was a bit unfortunate how the writing would win me over from my previous Noel book experience and then become awkward again. I didn't like how characters would talk for an entire page. It didn't make for natural dialogue in my opinion and it should be used sparingly. Needless to say, I found a few problems with this book, but for some reason it makes me want to read more. I know, I know-- you're probably confused. The premise just kind of sucks me in and I want to know a bit more. I want to know more about Dace and Cade and the spirit world. Plus, I actually want to find out what a Soul Seeker actually is. I've read this whole book and I still am not entirely sure. Read this at your own risk if you like Paranormal or Native American stories. Who knows, you just might enjoy it.

Find Alyson Noel: 

Website | Twitter | Goodreads Page

Find Fated: 

Goodreads | Amazon UK | Book Depository

Review: City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare

Series: The Mortal Instruments #5
Genre: Paranormal, Urban Fantasy
Format: Paperback
Published May 8, 2012 by
The author: Tumblr // Twitter
The book: Goodreads // Amazon UK
My Rating: 5/5 Stars

Jace is now a servant of evil, bound for all eternity to Sebastian. Only a small band of Shadowhunters believe he can be saved. To do this they must defy the Clave. And they must act without Clary. For Clary is playing a dangerous game utterly alone. The price of losing is not just her own life, but Jace's soul. Clary is willing to do anything for Jace, but can she still trust him? Or is he truly lost? What price is too high to pay, even for love? - Summary from Goodreads

My Review

I have always enjoyed The Mortal Instruments Series. It consistently continues to be a favorite of mine, even after the very slight let down of City of Fallen Angels (#4), a controversial topic in the fandom. City of Lost Souls, however, is definitely a return to excellence within this snarky paranormal world. It recaptures the spirit of the series and reaffirms Cassandra Clare's decision to create a six book series out of a trilogy. This fifth instalment will have you wishing there will be more than six books!

Let me get to my one and only gripe first. I still don't know what to call him. Sebastian? Jonathan? I have no clue. If I had my way, it would be Jonathan, as that is actually his name rather than one name he took on for a couple weeks, but he's still constantly referred to as Sebastian! It doesn't make sense to me. While he is basically evil in corporeal form, he was actually well written in this book. I wavered multiple times on whether he might actually be concerned for Clary.

Now that that's all out of the way, let me talk about characters that didn't confuse me. In fact, I love them. Clary has grown into such a brave main character! Yes, she's obsessed with Jace, and in this book she takes risks and really holds her own. Since the beginning of the series, Isabelle in my opinion, has gone from being rather vapid to being one of the most complicated characters. What I love about this book is that every character has their own complications and side plots that weave together brilliantly. Just brilliantly.

Overall, this is an instalment to the series that in my opinion validates Cassandra Clare's decision to expand on the trilogy. The ending wasn't a cliffhanger, but the story was so good it makes me want to jump straight into the final instalment! If you were a bit *meh* with City of Fallen Angels, I definitely suggest reading City of Lost Souls. It's got everything you would want from this series!

Review: Redemption by Veronique Launier

Series: Hearts of Stone #1
Genre: Paranormal, Romance
To be published September 8, 2012 by Flux
Find the author: Website // Twitter
Find it:  Goodreads // Amazon UK
Rating: 3/5 Stars

Guillaume: For five hundred years I've existed as a gargoyle. Perched atop an old Montreal church, I've watched idly as humanity wanders by. With the witch Marguerite gone, there is no one left to protect, nothing to care about. I never planned to feel again. But then a girl released me from my stone restraints, allowing me to return as a seventeen-year-old human boy. I must find out all I can about this girl's power . . .
Aude: Getting attacked twice in as many days is strange in itself, but even stranger is the intriguing guy I keep running into. There's something so familiar about him, like a primal drum rhythm from my dreams. But spending time together only raises more questions--about my heritage, a native Mohawk prophecy . . . and an unearthly magic threatening our city... - Summary from Goodreads

My Review

When I discovered this book, I was super excited at the prospect of a paranormal romance involving gargoyles. I know we've all read vampires and werewolves, so it was nice to read something new. Redemption is an original addition to the world of Young Adult paranormal romance, even if it lacks a bit of finesse. 

This book alternates between Aude and Guillame's point of view, and I'm not certain if I enjoyed that. Looking back I think it's the best way to tell the story in order to get Guillame's back story, but I don't think I enjoyed the alternating POVs as much as other books I've read. Their voices weren't as distinct as I would have liked. On the other hand, I absolutely love this author's ability to set a scene. My favourite aspect of this book was the setting of Montreal and Veronique does an amazing job at making me want to visit! 

While I enjoyed reading this book, I feel like parts of it were underdeveloped, as if it just needed some oomph. I really wanted to like the characters, but I felt pretty apathetic about the side characters like Guillaume's companions. Perhaps they just needed some more memorable scenes or background stories. They have so much potential!

I'd recommend this book to anyone curious about a paranormal romance with gargoyles and like an alternating point of view. It's a fresh take on paranormal romance, albeit not gracefully executed. I'm not entirely convinced that I'll continue with the series. 

Review: Night of the Purple Moon by Scott Cramer

Genre: Dystopian, Post-Apocalyptic
Format: eBook
Published March 25, 2012 by Train Renoir Publishing
Find the author: Blog // Twitter // Facebook
Find the book: Goodreads // Amazon
Rating: 4/5 Stars

Space germs wipe out virtually everyone who has passed through puberty.
Abby Leigh is looking forward to watching the moon turn purple. For months, astronomers have been predicting that Earth will pass through the tail of a comet. They say that people will see colorful sunsets and, best of all, a purple moon.
But nobody has predicted the lightning-fast epidemic that sweeps across the planet on the night of the purple moon. The comet brings space dust with it that contains germs that attack human hormones. Older teens and adults die within hours of exposure.
On a small island off the coast of Maine, Abby must help her brother and baby sister survive in this new world, but all the while she has a ticking time bomb inside of her -- adolescence. - Summary from Goodreads

My Review

This book is one of those crazy 'what if' moments I knew I just had to read. What if virtually all adults in the world died overnight? What would humanity look like then? Night of the Purple Moon will answer all of these post-apocalyptic curiosities in an extremely haunting and realistic way. Be prepared to not be able to look away from the world Scott Cramer has created.

The characters are the very heart of this book, as the story is very character driven. At the ages of 13 and 12, the main characters Abby and Jordan along with their baby sister are suddenly forced into this mature role of caring for younger children on the island and finding efficient means of survival. You can plainly still read their innocence, but with each passing chapter you watch them grow up and the reader becomes genuinely invested in the success of the children. That's definitely my favorite part of this book.

Some readers may have trouble with the graphicness of this story. While the characters aren't exposed to much violence, they very often discover the aftermath of the new world. If you are vehemently against dead bodies, you may want to skip this one. It was a bit off-putting at first, but I'm glad I read something out of the norm for me in that sense. It's just plain realistic that those sort of things happen in a post-apocalyptic sort of situation.

The gruesome aspects of this book, partnered with its shorter length really create a great story. The writing style and plot get straight to the point. Not everything needs to be a 500 page novel. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys this genre. It may only take you a day or two to read, but it will stay with you much longer than that once you've put it down.

Enter a *GIVEAWAY* to win one of five copies of Night of the Purple Moon and read my interview with Scott Cramer!

Review: A Witch in Love by Ruth Warburton

Series: Winter Trilogy #2

Genre: Paranormal, Romance

Format: Paperback

Published July 5, 2012 by Hodder Children's Books

More about the author: Website // Twitter // Bio

Find the book: Goodreads // Amazon UK

Rating: 5/5 Stars

Anna still finds it hard to believe that Seth loves her and has vowed to suppress her powers, no matter what. But magic - like love - is uncontrollable and soon, Anna is being hunted. Abe wants Anna to embrace her power, while Seth is pushing Anna to accept that his feelings are real. She finally does ... a moment too late. Suddenly, it's like the Salem witch trials all over again: burnings, torture and faceless judgements. In the face of the ultimate betrayal, who will save her?
The second novel in the Winter trilogy, this follows the critically acclaimed debut A WITCH IN WINTER. - Summary from Amazon

My Review

A Witch in Love is an amazing follow up to A Witch in Winter, a book that had me begging for more. I had high expectations for this second installation and I'm glad to say they were blown away! After the ending of the first book, Anna has sworn off using her magic for good. With Anna being hunted down, however, how long will she be able to keep her magic at bay? Well, she'll try to. In a book full of magic and sweet romance, this book has the 'wow' factor.

Anna is such a relate-able main character with her common sense and stubbornness; I found I only liked her more in this book. Her determination to discover things about her past and bring along her best friend and one of my favourite characters ever, Emmaline, really moved the plot along. The other, and perhaps most important relationship in this story, is the romance with Seth. It was such a refreshing romance to read. It just seems so realistic to read their ups and downs and to read a non-obsessive YA romance.

The secret world of the witches in London was a fascinating addition to Anna's magical world. Readers will definitely develop a love-hate relationship with the wider witch world when their knowledge of them from the first book is added to the knowledge gained in the second. This is also due to the introduction of another antagonistic group of people who really did give me the chills.

Readers who love witches and romance will definitely love this book series. I found this second book to be unputdownable. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book and to find out what else we will discover about Anna's world.

Review: Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore

Series: Graceling Realm #3

Genre: Fantasy
Format: Hardcover
Released: May 1, 2012 by Dial
Find the author: Blog // Twitter // Bio
Find the book: Goodreads // Amazon UK
Rating: 5/5 Stars

Eight years after Graceling, Bitterblue is now queen of Monsea. But the influence of her father, a violent psychopath with mind-altering abilities, lives on. Her advisors, who have run things since Leck died, believe in a forward-thinking plan: Pardon all who committed terrible acts under Leck’s reign, and forget anything bad ever happened. But when Bitterblue begins sneaking outside the castle—disguised and alone—to walk the streets of her own city, she starts realizing that the kingdom has been under the thirty-five-year spell of a madman, and the only way to move forward is to revisit the past.

Two thieves, who only steal what has already been stolen, change her life forever. They hold a key to the truth of Leck’s reign. And one of them, with an extreme skill called a Grace that he hasn’t yet identified, holds a key to her heart. - Summary from Goodreads

My Review

I confess. I waited to get a copy of this book from the US to match the other cover art I had from the previous Graceling Realm books. I'm glad I did because the cover art is gorgeous, but I shouldn't have waited so long to read this beautiful story! Bitterblue is a mysterious and strangely elegant sequel to Graceling and companion to Fire and an excellent contribution to fantasy.

Queen Bitterblue herself was one of the pride and glories of this novel. She's been a queen since she was a child and does not want to be sheltered any more. She wants to expose the atrocities caused to her kingdom by her father even if it is something so terrible it causes emotional friction between herself and her advisers. When those old men aren't looking, she sneaks out of the castle in disguise to see the kingdom for herself and meets some really excellent side characters like the adorable Teddy and charming Saf- though I still maintain one of the best gems of this tale is Bitterblue's kooky librarian, Death. Characters from the previous books make appearances in Bitterblue like the ever amazing duo of Po and Katsa. Each character adds a layer to this tale that helps Bitterblue discover the kingdom and herself.

I absolutely loved the mood of this book. While this book isn't chock full of action scenes, it is full of intrigue and discovery. Interpretations, hidden secrets, and messages written in secret code will certainly keep you on your toes. The world is as excellent as ever, even if Monsea is a bit grimy from its horrible past. The uncoverings of Leck's gruesome habits really are just that- gruesome. This book isn't for the faint of heart, though the horrible bits are really just history and not actually occurring in the book's present day. I recommend this book and series to readers who love fantasy, mystery, and a bit of romance. I couldn't put this down and you won't be able to either!

Review: For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund

Genre: Science Fiction, Post-Apocalyptic
Format: E-book
Released: June 12, 2012 by Balzer + Bray
More about the author: Website // Twitter // Bio
Find the book: Goodreads // Amazon UK

It's been several generations since a genetic experiment gone wrong caused the Reduction, decimating humanity and giving rise to a Luddite nobility who outlawed most technology.

Elliot North has always known her place in this world. Four years ago Elliot refused to run away with her childhood sweetheart, the servant Kai, choosing duty to her family's estate over love. Since then the world has changed: a new class of Post-Reductionists is jumpstarting the wheel of progress, and Elliot's estate is foundering, forcing her to rent land to the mysterious Cloud Fleet, a group of shipbuilders that includes renowned explorer Captain Malakai Wentforth--an almost unrecognizable Kai. And while Elliot wonders if this could be their second chance, Kai seems determined to show Elliot exactly what she gave up when she let him go.

But Elliot soon discovers her old friend carries a secret--one that could change their society . . . or bring it to its knees. And again, she's faced with a choice: cling to what she's been raised to believe, or cast her lot with the only boy she's ever loved, even if she's lost him forever.

Inspired by Jane Austen's "Persuasion", "For Darkness Shows the Stars" is a breathtaking romance about opening your mind to the future and your heart to the one person you know can break it. - Summary from Goodreads

With this book, for some reason, I had a preconceived idea of what this book was about. Upon hearing it was a Science Fiction/Post Apocalyptic retelling of Jane Austen's Persuasion, I thought I was sure I knew what I was getting into. I was initially caught off guard by a mood and setting of the book I wasn't expecting to read. This at first had me reading this book much slower than it ought to have been read until I gave it a second chance. I'm glad I did! This book is a gorgeous Post Apocalyptic, yet refined retelling of a story you thought you knew.

I was initially not excited about the Austen-era propriety in the book, as I don't usually associate it with Science Fiction. By the midway point I decided that it fit tone of the story and provided a really great contrast between technology and the ways of the stingy Luddites who want nothing to do with the technology that previously destroyed the human population. The world itself was absolutely gorgeous. Diana Peterfreund just has a way of describing the setting and setting up the mood of a story!

The characters of this book were so deeply written and rather heart-wrenching at times. The relationship of Elliot and Kai was written really well. It wasn't too lovey-dovey, but rather thoughtful and powerful, crossing the boundaries of their society. The social boundaries in this book are much deeper than upper and lower class. The Reduction was an event in the book's past where humans experiments with genetic enhancement went horribly wrong and all who survived became 'Reduced' to the mental capacity of a young child. I loved this controversial subject and I think it's horrifyingly believable!

I would recommend this book to people who have a taste for unique worlds and love the artful language. It's definitely a unique but well-executed contribution to the post apocalyptic genre. I'm now intrigued and want to read more from this author who has published other YA books. After doing a bit of digging, I still haven't firmly established this but I believe For Darkness Shows the Stars is a stand alone book.

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Review: Passion by Lauren Kate

Series: Fallen #3
Genre: Paranormal, Romance
Format: Audiobook
Released: June 23, 2011 by Listening Library
Find the author: Website // Twitter // Goodreads Page
Find the book: Goodreads // Amazon UK // Audible

Luce would die for Daniel.

And she has. Over and over again. Throughout time, Luce and Daniel have found each other, only to be painfully torn apart: Luce dead, Daniel left broken and alone. But perhaps it doesn't need to be that way....

Luce is certain that something - or someone - in a past life can help her in her present one. So she begins the most important journey of this lifetime...going back eternities to witness firsthand her romances with Daniel...and finally unlock the key to making their love last.

Cam and the legions of angels and Outcasts are desperate to catch Luce, but none are as frantic as Daniel. He chases Luce through their shared pasts, terrified of what might happen if she rewrites history. Because their romance for the ages could go up in flames...forever.

Sweeping across centuries, PASSION is the third novel in the unforgettably epic FALLEN series. - Summary from Goodreads

Passion is the story in the Fallen series that everyone wants to know about, but may not necessarily love reading. Luce is determined to visit her past lives and understand the curse of their love. Flinging herself into each life after another, Luce discovers that she and Daniel do indeed have a special love rather than a cursing forcing them and it took an entire excursion across time to see it.

Luce grew on me a bit in this installation of the series. She was much more proactive than usual and stubborn in an admirable way. Not very many new side-characters were introduced, as the previous ones show up in her past lives or chase after her into the past. So, nothing too interesting there. The interesting part was learning all of the different lives Luce has lived and died loving Daniel. While I was intrigued at first to learn of the incarnations of Luce, it became rather old (and predictable since she inevitably dies in each life) after awhile.

I feel that this book would have been better suited as a novella. We just have Luce and Daniel's 'epic' love thrown in our face a good dozen times to reiterate the power of their love. It was entertaining, I suppose. I liked it for learning about their past, but it was too long and repetitive. I maintain that it could have been a novella, but I do recommend reading it if you are invested in the Fallen series. The background information you've been craving doesn't disappoint. The ending of Passion promises a very gripping fourth book that I will probably read.

*Audio Review*- As usual, the narrator delivers. Justine Eyre is a consistently fabulous audiobook reader and enhances the experience of listening to the book.

Rating: 3/5 Stars

Review: The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

Series: The Iron Fey #1

Genre: Urban Fantasy
Format: Paperback
Published January 21, 2011 by Mira Books
Originally published February 1, 2010 by Harlequin Teen
More about the author: Website // Twitter // Blog
Find the book: Goodreads // Amazon UK

Meghan Chase has a secret destiny; one she could never have imagined.

Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan's life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school or at home.

When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she's known is about to change.

But she could never have guessed the truth - that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she'll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil no faery creature dare face; and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart. - from Goodreads

My Review

After reading Julie's Immortal Rules, I knew I had to try out her other books. I don't really care for faeries, so I hadn't really read a book about them before. I wasn't really surprised to have been converted by this author. Julie Kagawa's faery world is a lot more menacing and wondrous than I would have believed with faeries straight out of your nightmares and beautiful world-building harking back to Lewis Carroll with a dash of modernity like Cassandra Clare's urban fantasy. Yeah. Ponder that.

The characters in this book are a mixture of a recreated and original cast. Readers may recognize the names of Puck, Oberon, Titania, and Queen Mab but all have been remolded for this plot. The main character, Meg has a close relationship with her little brother and is forced to travel into Neverwhere to save him from faery kidnappers. I really enjoyed her little brother and the supporting characters Ash, Puck, and Grim. Meg just wasn't my favourite, though she did grow on me over time.

Julie Kagawa just has a way with words. Having read her published works out of order, I can tell that she has grown over the years. The Iron King wasn't as fabulous as The Immortal Rules, but I did enjoy it immensely. I'll be continuing the series and hopefully soon! I recommend this book to fantasy and urban fantasy lovers everywhere.

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Review: Glitch by Heather Anastasiu

Genre: Science Fiction, Dystopian
Format: E-galley provided via NetGalley by publisher for review
To be published August 7, 2012 by St. Martin's Press
Find the author: Website // Twitter
Find the book: Goodreads // Amazon UK
Rating: 3/5 stars

In the Community, there is no more pain or war. Implanted computer chips have wiped humanity clean of destructive emotions, and thoughts are replaced by a feed from the Link network.
When Zoe starts to malfunction (or “glitch”), she suddenly begins having her own thoughts, feelings, and identity. Any anomalies must be immediately reported and repaired, but Zoe has a secret so dark it will mean certain deactivation if she is caught: her glitches have given her uncontrollable telekinetic powers.
As Zoe struggles to control her abilities and stay hidden, she meets other glitchers including Max, who can disguise his appearance, and Adrien, who has visions of the future. Both boys introduce Zoe to feelings that are entirely new. Together, this growing band of glitchers must find a way to free themselves from the controlling hands of the Community before they’re caught and deactivated, or worse.
In this action-packed debut, Glitch begins an exciting new young adult trilogy. - Summary from Goodreads

This science fiction and dystopian premise got my attention pretty quickly and I knew I had to read it, the pretty cover aside. The premise of people having software and programming to control them just seems perfectly creepy and intriguing. If some of the faults are overlooked, the world building is executed with some satisfaction and acceptable writing, but the characters seemed a tad hallow.

I wasn't disappointed with the world building per se, I just saw quite a few things that needed a firmer place. One of the interesting things that go along with glitchers (those who aren't controlled by the system) are there special powers. I wish this was explored more and that the protagonist knew what she was doing with them for most of the book, rather than coming on at the most convenient moment ever in the climax.

Zoe as a protagonist didn't work for me as the story moved on. I felt that she relied on the two main males in the story to progress the plot, as they always reported back to her the goings-on and she rarely took matters into her own hands. While not every story has to have a bad-ass heroine, I feel that protagonists should move the plot along rather than sit on the sidelines. That being said, I will note that there actually was quite a bit of action in the book, it just was brought to Zoe rather than her seeking it out. 

Protagonists aside, Glitch turned out to be an okay read, but I didn't get into it like I wanted to. I wish I had more to say about the writing, but it wasn't anything remarkably good or bad. I'd recommend it to readers who would like to dabble in Science Fiction, but perhaps not for dedicated readers of the genre who would drive themselves mad with some of the holes in the world. This book is meant to be the first in a trilogy and I'm undecided whether I'll continue the series.

Review: Hallowed by Cynthia Hand

Series: Unearthly Series, Book #2

Genre: Paranormal, Romance
Format: Paperback
Published January 2, 2012 by Egmont Books
Find Cynthia Hand: Twitter // Website // Goodreads
Find the book: Goodreads // Amazon UK

For months Clara Gardner trained to face the fire from her visions, but she wasn't prepared for the choice she had to make that day. And in the aftermath, she discovered that nothing about being part angel is as straightforward as she thought.
Now, torn between her love for Tucker and her complicated feelings about the roles she and Christian seem destined to play in a world that is both dangerous and beautiful, Clara struggles with a shocking revelation: Someone she loves will die in a matter of months. With her future uncertain, the only thing Clara knows for sure is that the fire was just the beginning.
In this compelling sequel to "Unearthly," Cynthia Hand captures the joy of first love, the anguish of loss, and the confusion of becoming who you are.

Hallowed is a beautifully powerful sequel to Unearthly. Clara has troubled herself over the events of the last book concerning her angelic purpose. It didn't go to plan, but now there's an even more troubling vision clouding Clara's mind lately. A funeral, only months away, tells Clara that someone she loves dearly will leave this life forever. She will have to face some secrets about the angelic world she lives in and face emotional distress no one her age should have to face.


This book was a very emotional and revealing follow up to Unearthly and I enjoyed Clara immensely. While she's a worry-wart for pretty much the entire book, it's not without reason and I think it shows maturity, the thing Clara gains most of all in this book. The supporting characters become much more complicated and interesting than in the first book. I find myself intrigued by Jeffrey's angst and happy that Clara and Christian get to spend more time together (even if Clara doesn't want to). I couldn't get enough of the love triangle. It's so much more fabulous than the first book. Some more fabulous things include the addition of new mentor-type characters for Clara that come with some really interesting backgrounds. 


In addition to the characters, the plot was just fantastic. After mind-blowing revelations, romantic tension, and a prom scene that actually didn't make me want to throw up, I am seriously craving the third book! If you love love triangles, angel mythology, and serious secret reveals, then you will love this series. I hope to see more clashes between the good and bad angels in the third instalment! 

Rating: 5/5 Stars