Really unique book on life after death. Not going to spoil anything but what I loved about it was the ending. I was afraid the author was going to pul...moreReally unique book on life after death. Not going to spoil anything but what I loved about it was the ending. I was afraid the author was going to pull one of those cheesy Happily Ever After endings, which wouldn't have fit the book at ALL. But no, it was handled beautifully, it left me with a bittersweet feeling inside, and I was nodding when I closed the book, thinking "yes, that's exactly how it should be." I loved it. Highly recommended. (less)
In this sequel to Poison Study (which I loved), Yelena must travel to her homeland to learn how to control her magic, and meet a family she thought lo...moreIn this sequel to Poison Study (which I loved), Yelena must travel to her homeland to learn how to control her magic, and meet a family she thought lost forever.
While I still enjoyed the book immensely, I felt that Magic Study wasn't quite as good as Poison Study. The unique sense of danger was gone, and the poison angle, which made the first book so fascinating, was completly non-existent. Still, it was a very good story, and Yelena still manages to get into one scrape after another. Valek makes an appearence, but not until the second half of the book!
Hopefully, I'll see more of him in the final book, Fire Study, which I'm eagerly awaiting from Amazon. Although the fact that this will probably be the last time I read about him and Yelena (mostly him) makes me a little sad.
This is not a genre I read often. The genres I read often include dragons, faeries, werewolves (I've sworn off vampires for awhile),...moreI adore this book.
This is not a genre I read often. The genres I read often include dragons, faeries, werewolves (I've sworn off vampires for awhile), wizards, magic, flying carpets, kings, queens, and talking pink rabbits. In other words, I'm a big fantasy buff. BUT, then I saw the booktrailer for Perfect Chemistry ...
And was so intrigued and amused, I had to go buy it. I could give a summary, but the trailer does a much better job, so all I'll say is that it was amazing. I thought I would despise the female lead, Brittney, but from the first chapter, she shows she's not the stuck-up ditz I thought she'd be and I really connected with her. Alex, ah Alex. I always had a thing for stoic bad-boys with tragic pasts. And, what can I say, I'm a hopeless romantic after all. The chemistry (pun intended) between them was intense, and made me melt into a big happy puddle of goo.
So to summarize:
Story: A. A classic Romeo and Juliet story, only with gangs and cheerleaders.
Characters: A+. I've read a lot of YA where I couldn't stand the protag, especially if it's a female. Call me old fashioned, but being rude and condescending does not come off as "snarky" or "tough," just smack-worthy. Alex and Brittney never got to the point where I wanted to slap them. They both acted like real, relatable teenagers, each with their own set of problems that they were dealing with in their own way.
Writing: A. No flowery language or stunning descriptions here, but the writing is real and down-to-earth, yet executed in such a way that you really feel what the characters are going through. And the ending left me grinning like an idiot. Overall, I can't say enough good things about this book. So, watch the trailer, and then go out and get this book. You won't be dissapointed.
I loved this book. I loved the heroine; stubborn, tenacious, determined. I loved the world that Snyder created. I loved loved loved the main love inte...moreI loved this book. I loved the heroine; stubborn, tenacious, determined. I loved the world that Snyder created. I loved loved loved the main love interest, Valek. Dark, stoic assassin? Check. Me swooning throughout the whole book because I have a thing for assassins? Check. (Yeah, I know. I need to have my head examined.)
But, the relationship between Yelena and Valek was only part of this wonderful story. The detail put into the poisons was facinating. The entire world was facinating. I literally picked this book up and did not put it down until that evening when I finished it. I'm going to get the next books, Magic Study and Fire Study, as soon as possible. Bravo to Maria Snyder for this wonderful novel. (less)
A very intriguing take on faeries. However, I feel that not a lot happened in the first third of the novel; it was mostly Laurel finding out who and w...moreA very intriguing take on faeries. However, I feel that not a lot happened in the first third of the novel; it was mostly Laurel finding out who and what she is. Though beautifully written, it seemed more of an intro to the next book than a novel in itself. Still, it kept me turning pages, the characters were well developed, and the love triangle inspired many aww moments. I'm anxious to see what will happen in the next book (less)
This is an excellent book. Not only is the concept unique, but the story itself is written so differently that I could not put it down. The author use...moreThis is an excellent book. Not only is the concept unique, but the story itself is written so differently that I could not put it down. The author uses first person to tell the story of young Todd, capturing the diction and language of a adolecent, somewhat redneck boy perfectly with statements like: "The plans are still being planned, the preparayshuns prepared, it will be a party, I guess, tho I'm starting to get some strange pictures about it, all dark and too bright at the same time, but nevertheless I will become a man and picking apples in the swamp is not a job for a man or even an almost-man."
I didn't misspell "preparations" or "though," either. That's how it is in the book.
The dog, Manchee, is easily my favorite part of the story, and sounds exactly like how you'd expect a dog to sound like. ("Todd! Todd! Leaving, Todd? Todd! Can't leave, Todd!" I finally smack him on the rump. "Ow, Todd?") Concerned about sheep and squirrels and poos, yet completely loyal to his boy. I imagine that's how my dog would sound, if he ever learned to talk, god help us.
This is only book one of a series, and the ending leaves you going "What? That's it? Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!" So, I will have to wait until the second book comes out, but you can be sure I'm going to buy it to continue this facinating story of a world where nothing is hidden. Not even your thoughts. (less)
**spoiler alert** 20 BOY SUMMER surprised me. I thought this would be a light read, with lots of boy chasing and gossip and giggling over clothes and...more**spoiler alert** 20 BOY SUMMER surprised me. I thought this would be a light read, with lots of boy chasing and gossip and giggling over clothes and makeup and teenage girl things. And while there are certainly elements of that, dig a bit deeper and there is this raw, aching grief festering just below the surface, as everyone Matt loved tries their best to carry on in their own way. I was tempted to roll my eyes at some of the conversations between Anna and Frankie, especially the nonchalant way they were discussing Anna's virginity, and how this was the perfect time for her to lose it. It was tempting to dislike Frankie, with her shallow, prima donna attitude and her unwillingness to discuss anything but boys, makeup, and sex. But I couldn't, because I knew it was just a fragile cover to deal with the pain of losing Matt.
And that's what Sarah Ockler does so well. Matt's ghost hangs over everything, even when he's not being discussed. This isn't a story about boys and summer love and fun on the beach. Its a story about grief, loss, healing, and moving on. I haven't enjoyed a book like this so much in awhile, and I highly recommend it to anyone. (less)
Picked up a copy of Shiver last night, sat down to read it, and did not get up until 2am, when I finished it. I went in expecting an eerie, bitterswee...morePicked up a copy of Shiver last night, sat down to read it, and did not get up until 2am, when I finished it. I went in expecting an eerie, bittersweet love story and that's exactly what I got. Shiver is told from alternating viewpoints, and you will easily fall in love with the characters of Grace and Sam. The writing is lyrical, the descriptions are breathtaking, and you can acutely feel the longing between the two teens, and their desperate struggle to keep Sam from changing. The ending was pitch perfect, and left me with a deep feeling of satisfaction.
Amazing book. Amazing author. Will definately be putting Shiver on my "favorite books of all time" shelf. (less)
Tithe is a very raw, very dark faerie tale. While not suitable for younger readers (lots of swearing, random torture and violence, and mature themes),...moreTithe is a very raw, very dark faerie tale. While not suitable for younger readers (lots of swearing, random torture and violence, and mature themes), I loved its take on the darker side of faerie. It deals with faerie themes like Changelings and the knowing of one's True Name very well, and Roiben is probably my favorite faery hero of all time. (Kind of like Sephiroth. If you know who Sephiroth is, you'll understand.)
The writing was a teensy bit sporadic and hard to follow at first. I found myself going back and re-reading passages to understand them. All-in-all, though, a great story for older, more mature audiences. By the time I got to its sequel, Ironside, I was hooked on Holly Black.(less)
**spoiler alert** What I liked about Lament: the writing was lyrical, the characters were real, the heroine wasn't a spineless dishrag, and the love i...more**spoiler alert** What I liked about Lament: the writing was lyrical, the characters were real, the heroine wasn't a spineless dishrag, and the love interest was an assassin. (Okay, so I have a thing for assassins.) The faeries were portrayed as feral and dangerous, which is how they're supposed to be, in my humble opinion. And the ending. The ending killed me, in a good way. The author certainly didn't take the easy way out, forcing a sappy, Happily Ever After onto the characters when logic clearly dictated otherwise. The ending is real and bittersweet, and what I respect most about this author's work. I', very much looking forward to the sequel, Ballad, when it comes out. (less)
Loading...
