Tag Archives: rating: 5 stars

Book Review: Pretty Girl-13 by Liz Coley

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pretty girl-13Info:
Title: Pretty Girl-13
Author: Liz Coley
Release Date: March 19, 2013
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Source: Amazon Vine
Series? No
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Psychological, Mystery
Page Count: 352
Rating: [5/5 stars]

Summary:

Reminiscent of the Elizabeth Smart case, Pretty Girl-13 is a disturbing and powerful psychological mystery about a girl who must piece together the story of her kidnapping and captivity.

Angie Chapman was thirteen years old when she ventured into the woods alone on a Girl Scouts camping trip. Now she’s returned home…only to find that it’s three years later and she’s sixteen-or at least that’s what everyone tells her.

What happened to the past three years of her life?

Angie doesn’t know.

But there are people who do — people who could tell Angie every detail of her forgotten time, if only they weren’t locked inside her mind. With a tremendous amount of courage, Angie embarks on a journey to discover the fragments of her personality, otherwise known as her “alters.” As she unearths more and more about her past, she discovers a terrifying secret and must decide: When you remember things you wish you could forget, do you destroy the parts of yourself that are responsible?

Liz Coley’s alarming and fascinating psychological mystery is a disturbing – and ultimately empowering page-turner about accepting our whole selves, and the healing power of courage, hope, and love. (summary from goodreads)

My Review:
PRETTY GIRL-13 is a book that flew under my radar. I don’t usually read contemporary fiction, because I like something supernatural or magical to spice up a world. But once I read the first few pages of the book, I couldn’t finish it fast enough. I devoured PRETTY GIRL-13 in one sitting, blocking out everything around me and getting annoyed every time I needed to take a break.

The book starts with Angie returning home from a camping trip. Or so she thinks. When she greets her parents, she’s shocked by their reaction. They claim she has been missing for the last three years, and that she’s now 16. But the last thing Angie remembers is her Girl Scouts camping trip; she thinks she is 13.

From there, PRETTY GIRL-13 takes off. I usually try not to spoil the plot when I review a book, but in this case, I REALLY don’t want to say anything more. I went into the book blind, which I think is the best way to read it. If you’re debating reading this book, try to avoid spoiling yourself.

I can say that this is a dark psychological mystery. The author goes into some dark topics that you usually don’t see in a young adult novel. Angie’s story is chilling, terrifying, and emotional. At the same time, it’s inspirational and hopeful, because Angie is not a victim. She is a survivor. And let me tell you, she survives a lot.

Looking back, there are some aspects I could critique, but I’m not going there. I was fully immersed in the book while reading. When I finished, I felt empty, because there weren’t any more pages to turn. I read upwards of 100 books a year, and very few leave me with a physical reaction. I already know PRETTY GIRL-13 is going to be one of my favorite books of 2013, and it’s only April.

It is a fast read, so if you’re in doubt, give it a try. And while I read it in the space of a few hours, it’s a book that has stayed with me in the two weeks it’s taken me to write this review. Oh, lastly I do have to say that the prologue threw me for a loop, since it’s written in second-person POV, but almost all of the book in third-person. You’ll see why the prologue is different when you learn Angie’s story.

Socialize with the author:
Liz Coley:
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– leeanna

Book Review: The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

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the immortal rulesTitle: The Immortal Rules
Author: Julie Kagawa
Release Date: April 24, 2012
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Source: Library
Series? Blood of Eden #1
Series Reviews:
Blood of Eden #2: The Eternity Cure
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal, Dystopian
Page Count: 485
Rating: [5/5 stars]

Summary:

To survive in a ruined world, she must embrace the darkness…

Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a walled-in city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten. Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them—the vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself dies and becomes one of the monsters.

Forced to flee her city, Allie must pass for human as she joins a ragged group of pilgrims seeking a legend—a place that might have a cure for the disease that killed off most of civilization and created the rabids, the bloodthirsty creatures who threaten human and vampire alike. And soon Allie will have to decide what and who is worth dying for…again. (summary from goodreads)

My Review:
THE IMMORTAL RULES has some of my favorite things: vampires, a dystopian society, and a kick-butt main character. It was one of THE books of 2012, and I’ve actually read the book twice in less than a year, first in June 2012 and now in April 2013. Both times I loved it, and didn’t want it to end.

As a human, Allison Sekemoto struggles to survive in a world where most humans are nothing more than sacks of walking blood. Vampires rule what’s left of America, doling out supplies in exchange for required blood “donations.” Allie, fiercely independent and unwilling to Register with the vampires, ekes out a miserable existence. Unregistered humans don’t officially exist, so they don’t get food tickets or housing. Searching for food and protecting her gang are her only priorities, although she does know how to do one thing most humans don’t: read.

The world Julie Kagawa has created is a harsh one, and I loved it. The world-building is well-done, with enough details to immerse me in the story without overloading me on backstory. At the beginning of THE IMMORTAL RULES, Allie is a prickly character. But she’s that way because of her life, which is a day-to-day struggle. Besides the vampire overlords, Allie faces danger from rival gangs, rabids, and starvation.

When Allie’s offered a second chance at life after being attacked by rabids, you almost wonder why she would even take it. This quote is one of my favorites from the book: “But in reality, when faced with death and the great unknown that came after, my survival instinct snatched wildly at whatever lifeline was offered. I didn’t want to die. Even if it meant becoming something I loathed, my nature was, first and always, to survive (Chapter 4).”

I think all readers can identify with the desire to survive. And once Allie becomes a vampire, the very thing she hates the most, she ironically becomes more human. When she isn’t concerned with survival, her humanity returns, which I thought was an interesting dichotomy.

After being separated from her vampire mentor, Kanin (who is a very interesting character, and I can’t wait to see more of him), Allie encounters a group of humans searching for Eden. Pretending to be a human, Allie travels with the group, inevitably falling for Zeke. Though I’m not usually a fan of romance, I didn’t mind their relationship. It wasn’t quite of the dreaded insta-love variety. Zeke is a pretty good guy, but he hates vampires, which leads to some difficult situations.

THE IMMORTAL RULES is a long book; there’s a lot I’m not mentioning in this review. But I never felt like I was slogging through the pages to finish. The author’s writing is easy to read and flows nicely. I can’t believe I haven’t read her Iron Fey series yet, but it’s definitely moved up the list after reading THE IMMORTAL RULES.

I definitely recommend it if you like vampires or dystopias, because it’s a great combination of both. I reread it in preparation for book two of the series, THE ETERNITY CURE, and I’m glad I did.

Socialize with the author:
Julie Kagawa:
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– leeanna

Book Review: Black Feathers (Black Dawn #1) by Joseph D’Lacey

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black feathersInfo:
Title: Black Feathers
Author: Joseph D’Lacey
Release Date: March 26, 2013
Publisher: Angry Robot
Source: Publisher
Series? Black Dawn #1
Genre: Post-Apocalyptic, Fantasy, Eco-Fantasy, Dark Fantasy
Extra: Author Interview
Page Count: 426
Rating: [5/5 stars]

Summary:

Black Feathers is a modern fantasy set in two epochs: the Black Dawn, a time of environmental apocalypse, and generations into the future in its aftermath, the Bright Day.

In each era, a child undertakes a perilous journey to find a dark messiah known as The Crowman. In their hands lies the fate of the planet as they attempt to discover whether The Crowman is our saviour… or the final incarnation of evil. (summary from goodreads)

My Review:

     “When the final days came, it was said that Satan walked the Earth in the guise of a crow. Those who feared him called him Scarecrow or sometimes Black Jack. I know him as the Crowman.

     [...]

     This you must understand: The Crowman is no more evil than you or I (p. 7, ARC).”

Thus starts BLACK FEATHERS by Joseph D’Lacey. A book that’s impossible to put into words — in a very good way. Who is the Crowman? Is he good or is he evil? Why is his story so important? Is he responsible for the Black Dawn, the environmental apocalypse? Or is he the savior of humankind?

Gordon Black is born at the dawn of the end of the world. When the Earth starts to change, with natural disasters, food shortages, and riots reshaping the landscape, Gordon is thrust into a life he’s not ready for. The only clues he has are the black bird feathers he’s collected his whole life, and letters from his parents telling him to find the Crowman.

Generations after the Black Dawn, a young girl named Megan Maurice is called upon by the Crowman to walk the Black Feathered Path. Megan lives in a world with no technology or electricity, and the journey she takes in learning the Crowman’s history is one that will test her in every way.

The stories of Gordon and Megan are woven together in BLACK FEATHERS, with the enigmatic figure of the Crowman connecting them across generations. Although both are teenagers at the start, I wouldn’t classify the book as Young Adult. Sure, it’s something teens should read, to get a new view into the post-apocalyptic genre. But take some caution — there are a few gritty, painful-to-read scenes, but they do serve a purpose and aren’t there for gratuitous violence.

Usually I prefer one character over another, but in this book, I liked Gordon and Megan equally. They both undergo a lot of trials on their respective journeys, and I’m curious to see what they will learn about themselves in the second book of the duology, THE BOOK OF THE CROWMAN (2014). As it is, they grow quite a bit between the start and finish of BLACK FEATHERS.

BLACK FEATHERS does start off slowly, but if you stick with it, the book is worth it. Give yourself an hour or so to get immersed in the story. The writing in the novel is descriptive, with lots of scene setting. Because the Earth is such an important part, most of it is set outside, in the woods and countryside. Something I like about Angry Robot as a publisher is that they don’t localize their books. So because this book is set in England and by a British author, they stuck with British English instead of Americanizing things. It provides some extra authenticity and adds to the feel of the book.

The ending of BLACK FEATHERS did leave me with a lot of questions, but I’m okay with that. At least I’ll only have to wait one year to find out the conclusion to the story. I’m very eager to learn more about Gordon and Megan, and to find out the truth about the Crowman. Throughout BLACK FEATHERS, you’re not sure if he’s good or bad. He’s this shadowy, mysterious figure — is he a just a story, or is he real? The way the book is written, it’s like you’re reading a legend or watching a prophecy unfold.

I had a difficult time figuring out just what to say about BLACK FEATHERS. In the end, all I can say is: Read it. If, like me, you feel like you’ve read every post-apocalyptic book out there, you haven’t. BLACK FEATHERS is something different, with a new take on the end of the world. In an interview I did with the author, he described it as “eco-fantasy,” which I think sums it up perfectly.

Socialize with the author:
Joseph D’Lacey:
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– leeanna

Book Review: Shadow on the Crown by Patricia Bracewell

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shadow on the crownInfo:
Title: Shadow on the Crown
Author: Patricia Bracewell
Release Date: February 7, 2013
Publisher: Viking Adult
Source: Viking Adult/NetGalley
Series? First in trilogy
Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction
Page Count: 416
Rating: [5/5 stars]

Summary:

A rich tale of power and forbidden love revolving around a young medieval queen

In 1002, fifteen­-year-old Emma of Normandy crosses the Narrow Sea to wed the much older King Athelred of England, whom she meets for the first time at the church door. Thrust into an unfamiliar and treacherous court, with a husband who mistrusts her, stepsons who resent her and a bewitching rival who covets her crown, Emma must defend herself against her enemies and secure her status as queen by bearing a son.

Determined to outmaneuver her adversaries, Emma forges alliances with influential men at court and wins the affection of the English people. But her growing love for a man who is not her husband and the imminent threat of a Viking invasion jeopardize both her crown and her life.

Based on real events recorded in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, Shadow on the Crown introduces readers to a fascinating, overlooked period of history and an unforgettable heroine whose quest to find her place in the world will resonate with modern readers. (summary from goodreads)

My Review:
I had a hard time reviewing SHADOW ON THE CROWN, but not because it was a bad book. Quite the opposite: the book sunk its claws into me, and I couldn’t stop reading until I reached the last page. It’s now been a month since I read it, yet I still think about it every so often.

SHADOW ON THE CROWN is the story of Emma of Normandy. I had never heard of her before, but I was instantly captivated by her character. The author’s writing is raw and honest, and there were plenty of times I felt absolutely horrible for Emma. Women in that time (~1000 A.D.) were treated like chattel, even queens, and it was sobering to read.

I had never read anything about this period of history before, and though the author admits she made some changes here and there for the sake of the narrative, she more than succeeded in getting me interested in the time. That’s what I want historical fiction to do for me, so A+ there.

I was a bit worried at the beginning of SHADOW ON THE CROWN. There’s a helpful glossary of terms and a cast of characters; the sons of Æthelred all have similar names. So I was worried that I would get them mixed up, but each had his own personality, and I could easily tell them apart.

Aside from Emma’s viewpoint, there are three others: Æthelred, the King; Athelstan, his son; and Elgiva, daughter of one of the King’s chief rivals. This gives a more complete picture of events. The plot, by the way, is well done, with lots of intricate English politics and Viking badassery.

I liked Elgiva’s narration the best after Emma’s, because of her ambition. I’d liken her to a modern woman, in that she didn’t listen to her father and brother when they tried to control her. She was out for herself.

My only complaint is I wish it had been clearer that SHADOW ON THE CROWN is the first book in a trilogy. When I was about three quarters of the way through it, I was trying to figure out how all the various storylines would tie up, only to realize most of them wouldn’t.

I can’t believe SHADOW ON THE CROWN is a debut! I’ll definitely be on the lookout for the rest of the trilogy, because the author made Emma and her story so fascinating to me. This isn’t a “girl meets her prince and lives happily ever after” historical fiction. It’s gritty, dark, and realistic, and I LOVED it.

Highly recommended.

Socialize with the author:
Patricia Bracewell:
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– leeanna

Blog Tour Book Review: The Cadet of Tildor by Alex Lidell (and giveaway!)

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Today I am one of the stops on the blog tour for The Cadet of Tildor by Alex Lidell. The tour is hosted by AToMR Tours. Check out the rest of the blog tour stops here.

the cadet of tildorInfo:
Title: The Cadet of Tildor
Author: Alex Lidell
Release Date: January 10, 2013
Publisher: Dial
Source: Publisher for blog tour
Series? No
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Page Count: 400

Summary:

There is a new king on the throne of Tildor. Currents of political unrest sweep the country as two warring crime families seek power, angling to exploit the young Crown’s inexperience. At the Academy of Tildor, the training ground for elite soldiers, Cadet Renee de Winter struggles to keep up with her male peers. But when her mentor, a notorious commander recalled from active duty to teach at the Academy, is kidnapped to fight in illegal gladiator games, Renee and her best friend Alec find themselves thrust into a world rife with crime, sorting through a maze of political intrigue, and struggling to resolve what they want, what is legal, and what is right. (summary from goodreads)

My Review:
I’m going to start this review off in an unusual way: I’m going to list all the things that aren’t in The Cadet of Tildor.

No:
Love triangles.
Romance.
Swooning girls.
Weak, 2D characters.
“I’m so special, everything is going to go just my way” heroine.

Instead, what do we have?
A kick ass main character named Renee.
Fighting. Lots of fighting.
A politically heavy storyline.
An engaging cast of side characters.

If you’ve read any of my reviews, you know that I was jumping up and down for joy after making those lists. The Cadet of Tildor is full of things I want in books, and it more than delivered on my excitement. I walked around with my nose in this book for a whole day, until I finished it. I even tried to paint my nails while reading, which didn’t really work. (The nails waited until after I finished).

I loved Renee. On notice that she may be cut from the Academy because she’s not a strong enough fighter, she pours all her energy into trying to become stronger. On the way, she makes some stupid mistakes, and while characters making stupid mistakes usually bothers me, here, Renee learned from them. And in her situation, I probably would have done the same thing. I empathized with Renee’s struggle to succeed in a male-dominated world, and to follow her dreams.

The Cadet of Tildor is dark, gritty fantasy for the young adult audience. Although Renee is sixteen, she acts beyond her age, and I think this book would also appeal to older readers.

Sometimes, it’s hard to figure out who you’re supposed to like and who you’re supposed to hate. Renee starts out almost hero-worshipping Commander Savoy, the leader of one of the most successful fighting units. But he turns out to be, well, sort of a jerk, and Renee alternates beyond thinking that he’s helping her and that he’s trying to break her.

The Cadet of Tildor isn’t told solely from Renee’s point of view, which helps us get into the other character’s heads, particularly Savoy, and get a bigger picture of the story. At the heart of it is loyalty, and doing what is legally right versus doing what is morally right.

Think about this. In Tildor, mages are required to submit to registration. If they do not, they are arrested and executed. If, as a cadet, you came across an unregistered mage, say one who is the Healer for their village, responsible for the health of everyone in that village, would you arrest them or let them go? I’m using an assignment of Renee’s, but it gives a great picture of the moral dilemmas Renee struggles through during the book.

I enjoyed thinking through those moral struggles myself, and learning along with Renee that everything isn’t black and white. Over the course of The Cadet of Tildor Renee grows immensely, as do the other characters. Every character, from Renee’s best friend to a thug that attacks her on the street has their own personality and their own backstory, and it all comes together richly to make a great book.

Rating: 5 owls

Socialize with the author:
Alex Lidell:
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Giveaway:
hosted by author, Alex Lidell
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Check out the rest of the stops on the tour:

– leeanna

Review: Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff

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stormdancerInfo:
Title: Stormdancer
Author: Jay Kristoff
Release Date: September 18, 2012
Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books
Source: Amazon Vine
Series? The Lotus War #1
Genre: YA, Steampunk, Fantasy, Dystopian, Asian Lit, Mythology
Page Count: 336

Summary:

A DYING LAND
The Shima Imperium verges on the brink of environmental collapse; an island nation once rich in tradition and myth, now decimated by clockwork industrialization and the machine-worshipers of the Lotus Guild. The skies are red as blood, the land is choked with toxic pollution, and the great spirit animals that once roamed its wilds have departed forever.

AN IMPOSSIBLE QUEST
The hunters of Shima’s imperial court are charged by their Shōgun to capture a thunder tiger—a legendary creature, half-eagle, half-tiger. But any fool knows the beasts have been extinct for more than a century, and the price of failing the Shōgun is death.

A SIXTEEN YEAR OLD GIRL
Yukiko is a child of the Fox clan, possessed of a talent that if discovered, would see her executed by the Lotus Guild. Accompanying her father on the Shōgun’s hunt, she finds herself stranded: a young woman alone in Shima’s last wilderness, with only a furious, crippled thunder tiger for company. Even though she can hear his thoughts, even though she saved his life, all she knows for certain is he’d rather see her dead than help her.

But together, the pair will form an indomitable friendship, and rise to challenge the might of an empire. (summary from goodreads)

My Review:
In trying to write this review, I’ve been stumped on how to express the awesomeness and badassery that is Stormdancer. Not since I read Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo earlier this year have I been so blown away by a book. I literally felt empty when I finished Stormdancer — I didn’t want to leave the world that Jay Kristoff created.

Stormdancer is a book that will have wide appeal to teens and adults. While Yukiko, the main character, is a teenager, she is usually quite mature. She deals with many of the issues teens face: a difficult parent, falling in love for the first time, and finding one’s self, in ways that I could believe. A lot of the time with young adult novels, the protagonists annoy me because I can’t remember acting like them when I was a teenager. Not so here.

A lot of Yukiko’s maturity comes from the world she lives in. Shima is a country destroyed by greed. The main crop, blood lotus, kills the land. There are barely any animals left alive, and the skies are blood red from pollution. And Shima’s leader, the Shogun, is a few liters of chi short of a full tank.

The worldbuilding is amazing. I loved that Stormdancer is set in Japan, as most fantasy and steampunk novels are set in Europe, especially England. I also loved that Jay’s writing is so detailed — he describes everything, down to the type of clothing, weapons, and tattoos that people have. That level of detail isn’t for everyone, so you may want to read an excerpt first, but it’s something I enjoy. I always want to know as much as possible about a new world, so I can really immerse myself in it.

At first, I did get bogged down with the details, and on trying to remember everything. After a few pages of focusing, I just let the narrative wash over me, and everything clicked into place. Very rarely did I have to flip back to find out what something was. There’s also a handy glossary included, in case you do need to look up what a term means.

The creativity in Stormdancer is astounding, as are the character relationships. I have to mention Buruu, the griffin (thunder tiger). He makes my list for favorite animal companions in fantasy books. I’m not going to say a lot about why I like him so much, because the explanation would have too many spoilers, but he’s great. I want my own Buruu.

The plot is complex. Unlike a lot of young adult books, the story is told in third person point-of-view, which lets the reader get a clearer picture of everything going on. Happily, Stormdancer doesn’t end on a cliffhanger, but there are plenty of open storylines left for the next book in the series.

Rating: 5 owls

Socialize with the author:
Jay Kristoff:
Website
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Twitter @misterkristoff

– leeanna

Video Review: Libriomancer by Jim C. Hines

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libriomancerInfo:
Title: Libriomancer
Author: Jim C. Hines
Release Date: August 7, 2012
Publisher: DAW
Source: Library
Series? Magic Ex Libris #1
Genre: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Paranormal Fantasy
Page Count: 308

Summary:

Isaac Vainio is a Libriomancer, a member of the secret organization founded five centuries ago by Johannes Gutenberg. Libriomancers are gifted with the ability to magically reach into books and draw forth objects. When Isaac is attacked by vampires that leaked from the pages of books into our world, he barely manages to escape. To his horror he discovers that vampires have been attacking other magic-users as well, and Gutenberg has been kidnapped.

With the help of a motorcycle-riding dryad who packs a pair of oak cudgels, Isaac finds himself hunting the unknown dark power that has been manipulating humans and vampires alike. And his search will uncover dangerous secrets about Libriomancy, Gutenberg, and the history of magic. . . . (summary from goodreads)

My Review:

YouTube link.

This is my first ever video, so please let me know what you think.

Rating: 5 owls

Socialize with the author:
Jim C. Hines:
Website
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Twitter @jimchines

– leeanna

Blog Tour Review: Hollowed by Kelley York (and giveaway!)

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Today I am one of the stops for Kelley York’s new book, Hollowed. I am happy to be participating, as Hollowed is a great book, and Kelley is a great author to work with. I wish her tons of success with this release, and I can’t wait for her to finish the next book in the series.

Read on for my review and a giveaway!

hollowedInfo:
Title: Hollowed
Author: Kelley York
Release Date: August 15, 2012
Publisher: Self-Published
Source: From author for blog tour
Series? Half Light Saga #1
Genre: YA, Paranormal
Page Count: 237 (estimated)

Summary:

All 18-year-old Briar Greyson wanted was to figure out this whole living-away-from-your-parents thing. Apartment, steady job, cool roommate? Check. Noah, her adorable (albeit elusive) boyfriend? Check. Everything in the life of Briar was pretty good.

Then she and her roommate are attacked on their way home one night. Briar wasn’t supposed to survive.

Instead, according to the two guys who saved her, she’s turning into the things that attacked her: a vampire. Totally crazy and Not Okay. Now Noah’s secrets are coming to light, and he wants Briar dead. Then there are the vampires who attacked Briar to lure out her sister.

Her sister…who died years ago.

(Didn’t she?)

The city’s body count is rising, and Briar wants to help put a stop to it. But first, she has to figure out who the real enemy is: the vampires, the boy she loves, or the sister she thought she’d lost. (summary from goodreads)

My Review:
You guys!

I cannot quit flailing over how much I loved Hollowed! I really wish it was in paperback, because it’s a book I’m going to want to reread.

what I looked like while reading

what I looked like while reading

Okay, now that that’s out of my system, I’ll try to be serious.

Briar is a great character. Actually, every character in Hollowed is richly developed, even the supporting characters, and I’d like to read more about every single one of them. You’ll see what I mean when you meet Cole, Oliver, Algonquin (I almost asked Kelley how I could get my own Algonquin!), and Fred.

I felt like I’d known Briar forever. Sarcastic and courageous, she has a voice that readers of paranormal/urban fantasy will recognize, although she’s entirely her own character. And Hollowed is much more than just a paranormal book — there are elements of mystery, thriller, and romance.

If you’ve read any of my reviews before, you’ll know I love a kick ass female character. Briar is one of those, even though she may not be the most physically adept. She’s loyal and brave, always wanting to help others, even if it may land her in danger. I empathized with her struggle to remain true to herself after being changed into a vampire, even when her sort-of-boyfriend thinks she’s now a monster.

The vampires and other creatures in Hollowed aren’t the invincible, nothing-can-kill-me type. They can go out in the sunlight, but it gives them headaches. They can heal from most deadly injuries, but it hurts a whole lot and makes them reallllly hungry for blood. And the change into a vampire? It’s a miserable process.

I haven’t really touched on the plot, but rest assured, the story is fantastic. Kelley really knows how to weave a story that builds and builds, until you can’t wait to find out what happens next. I couldn’t read fast enough to find out all the twists and turns, but at the same time, I didn’t want Hollowed to end. I was immersed in Briar’s world, and I can’t wait to read more stories from the Half Light universe.

Rating: 5 owls

Socialize with the author:
Kelley York:
Website
Twitter @elixing

Giveaway:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Check out the other stops for more reviews, guest posts, interviews, and other fun things.

Review: Cinder by Marissa Meyer

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cinderInfo:
Title: Cinder
Author: Marissa Meyer
Release Date: January 3, 2012
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Source: Library
Series? Lunar Chronicles #1
Genre: YA, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Fairytale Retelling
Page Count: 387

Summary:

Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . .

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future. (summary from goodreads)

My Review:
Stars, I loved this book. I couldn’t put Cinder down until I finished it, and now I’m anxiously awaiting the next three books in the series.

Cinder is a retelling of Cinderella, complete with androids, cyborgs, space travel, an evil queen, a good prince, and a deathly plague. There are no love triangles, vampires, werewolves, or any of that sort of thing.

Cinder is a refreshing protagonist. She works as a mechanic, and has a reputation as being one of the best. It’s the reason Kai, the prince of New Beijing, comes to her to have his android fixed. I liked that there was a reason for them to meet, and that it wasn’t a chance encounter that started off their relationship. I also liked that Cinder wasn’t in love with Kai right away.

A few parts of the story were predictable, but overall, I enjoyed how the author fit everything together. Another plus is that the book doesn’t end on a total cliffhanger. There are plenty of questions to be resolved in the series, but at least we get a few answers at the end of Cinder.

The worldbuilding is pretty cool, as well. The humans that live on the Moon, the Lunars, have evolved differently than the humans on Earth. The Lunars have a magical power, a glamour, that allows them to manipulate minds.

Cinder herself is a cyborg, with over 30% of her body made of metal parts. Being a cyborg makes her a second class citizen, the ward of her legal guardian. It’s a twist on the Cinderella story, because Cinder’s stepmother has a reason — albeit misguided — to dislike her.

There’s a lot to like in Cinder, and a lot to keep your attention. I can’t wait until it comes out in paperback. I also can’t wait for the next book, Scarlet!

Rating: 5 owls

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Marissa Meyer:
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Review: Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

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Info:
Title: Shadow and Bone
Author: Leigh Bardugo
Release Date: June 5, 2012
Publisher: Holt Children’s/Macmillan
Source: Amazon Vine
Series? The Grisha Trilogy #1
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Page Count: 368

Summary:

Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, a swath of near impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. Now its fate may rest on the shoulders of one lonely refugee.

Alina Starkov has never been good at anything. But when her regiment is attacked on the Fold and her best friend is brutally injured, Alina reveals a dormant power that saves his life—a power that could be the key to setting her war-ravaged country free. Wrenched from everything she knows, Alina is whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling.

Yet nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. With darkness looming and an entire kingdom depending on her untamed power, Alina will have to confront the secrets of the Grisha…and the secrets of her heart. (summary from goodreads)

My Thoughts:
I really enjoyed “Shadow and Bone.” It was one of my Waiting on Wednesday picks before I got it early. I tweeted the author a few times while reading, because I was so excited and loving the book.

I already wrote one review for Amazon Vine, but I wanted to say a bit more about the book. Instead of writing another full fledged review, I’m putting down some random thoughts.

I know I’ll reread it in the future, as there are some things I undoubtedly missed in my rush to find out the whole story. And I know I’ll want a refresher when Book 2: Siege and Storm comes out.

The short version of my first review? I think “Shadow and Bone” is awesome.

I did have a few minor complaints, but they didn’t detract from my enjoyment, so I didn’t rate down for them. Of course, I could have missed the answers to any of these, as I was reading pretty quickly.

–One: I would have liked a description of a kefta, because the garment figures prominently into the story. I think they’re something like coats or robes, and decorated with insignias and embroidery based on rank, but what do they look like as a full garment?

–Two: How old are Alina and Mal? I understand they don’t know how exactly how old they are because they are orphans, but I couldn’t get a rough estimate of their age. I’m guessing somewhere around sixteen or seventeen?

–Three: Why has Ravka been at war for over a hundred years? Who are they fighting? Why has it gone on so long? Is it all due to the existence of the Shadow Fold?

Nothing too big, and like I said, I could have missed the answers to my questions, or they could be answered in coming books.

I read an interview where Leigh describes the book as “Tsarpunk.” I think the Russian influence is one of my favorite things about “Shadow and Bone,” because a lot of fantasy books stick with a medieval European-type of world. I happen to like Russian history, and I hope more authors venture outside the European zone.

The same interview promises some steampunk elements in Book 2. I can’t wait.

Rating: 5 owls

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Leigh Bardugo:
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