I think the best word to describe this book is mind blowing. This is my second book by David Estes I've read, the first one being Angel Evolution, whi...moreI think the best word to describe this book is mind blowing. This is my second book by David Estes I've read, the first one being Angel Evolution, which I thought was good, but not ah-may-zing. However, The Moon Dwellers pretty much blew me away.
The best part about this book is probably the protagonist, Adele, and the kick-ass action in the plot. The book was definitely exciting from the start, and although Adele had some inner vulnerabilities, she remained an amazingly strong character throughout the book. I was amazed at her abilities to think and react quickly, as well has her willingness to sacrifice her own well-being for those that she cares about. Sure, these are the normal warrior girl archetype traits. However, I feel that Estes is able to show the reader through many, many examples.
The world building and dystopic setting were also well written. Unlike many of the current dystopian novels out there today, David tells you why and how the world became this way, and in a fairly realistic way, considering the corrupt powerful politicians in Congress today and the rapidly developing technology. The poor villages, caverns, and sub-chapters are also beautifully described, sometimes invoking pity, and sometimes invoking horror and a bit of hate towards some of the Sun Dwellers. My only complaint about this is that I wanted to see more of the Star Dwellers. I know that the Star Dwellers are poorer than the Moon Dwellers, but I haven't "seen" it yet. However, considering the sequel is titled The Star Dwellers, we will definitely be seeing more of it in the next book!
David's methods of implying suspense also added to the story. Many times in the novel, he adds phrases like "big mistake". Although these few words make it obvious something bad is going to happen, it kept me guessing and wanting to continue on and find out what happens. I also enjoyed the development or significance of the relationships between characters such as Roc and Tristan, Adele and her family, Cole and Tawni, Tawni and Adele... the list goes on and on. The only problem I had was the insta-love-ishk relationship between Adele and Tristan. I was hoping for more development when they finally met, but there wasn't much. Hopefully, there will be a little more in the next book.
Finally, I admire how David was able to invoke many, many emotions in me. As I said before, the Moon and Star Dweller's poverty but strong will to survive moved me, as well as (view spoiler)[ unfortunate departure of some characters :c (hide spoiler)]
I'll end my gushing for now - but the bottom line is, read this book! It was engaging and a little emotional for me, and I can't wait for more! (Now, if you will Mr. Estes, please hurry and release The Star Dwellers...)(less)
Disclaimer: The fact that I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review has not affected my rating....moreRating Clarification: 4 / 5
Disclaimer: The fact that I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review has not affected my rating. This review expresses my honest opinions.
As a mostly-YA reader, I think it’s safe to say my stereotypical view of vampires and shapeshifters are of Robert Pattison and Taylor Lautner, or of Sam from Shiver, who personally I find creepy because he sneaks up as a wolf to watch nearly naked female crushes.
Um, yeah. Just kidding. NO.
In Lash however, shapeshifters aren’t just werewolves anymore – sure, they’re probably still super strong and amazingly beautiful, but now there are were snakes. I think that’s suffice to say that Lash is a pretty unique book.
*Slight Spoilers Ahead*
Let me tell you that if you’re offended by drugs and sex, or are looking for a light read, this book is definitely not for you. Tryst had to go through so, so much in order to finally get to a more hopeful position, which, in my opinion, is a pretty positive ending, although it’s not fairy-tale happy. Most of the people Tryst care about either (view spoiler)[end up dead, end up betraying Tryst in the end, also eventually leading to death or just end up hating him. (hide spoiler)]
Throughout his struggle, there’s a lot of sex (not really “making love”), rape, alcohol, violence, and death. It’s almost as if the author first gives Tryst a glimmer of hope or happiness, than makes him miserable again. There’s one chapter that particularly stood out to me – (view spoiler)[Tryst’s brother finds a wife and decides to return home for a visit. Then, after a few weeks, Tryst and is father are sent his brother’s head stuffed with cow meat. (hide spoiler)]. Not only was the image completely gross and horrific – it also showed that Tryst’s family had a very small chance of living a peaceful life. It made me so sad that someone so close to Tryst had to go through that, and that Tryst and the rest of his family had to go through that trouble as well. However, Tryst obviously perseveres, and his internal strength as well as his loyalty towards his family is heartwarming, although sometimes futile.
The side characters definitely added to the story. There were probably three types of them in this story – the ones that always support Tryst and warm your heart, the ones that are downright mean and that your root for Tryst to go kill them, and the ones that make you sad because of their betrayals or misunderstandings. Each was essential to the story and invoked emotions inside of me. They were probably also the main aspect of the plot, since it’s basically Tryst trying to find means of love, trust, and supporting his family. There’s also a mystery factor in some of the characters, since I always wonder what’s going on in their heads. Take Danial and Devlin for example – they’re definitely complex characters who both care and hate each other. Hopefully, in the next book I’ll be able to see more of them!
Overall, Lash is a gritty, dark, and image / emotion evoking book, full of struggle, emotion, and most of all, hope. This book is not for the easily squeamish – however, if you’re looking for a dark urban fantasy book, I would highly recommend this one.(less)
If you want to see more of my reviews, check out my blog @ Moosubi Reviews! Also check back on August 11 for my tour stop including a repost of this r...moreIf you want to see more of my reviews, check out my blog @ Moosubi Reviews! Also check back on August 11 for my tour stop including a repost of this review & an international giveaway for a copy of this book!
Before I start my review, I want to point out what literally my face looked like when I was reading the last pages of the book.
Wait. What. Just. Happened. *mind blown*
Dragon’s Teeth is a perfect testimony as to why I sometimes venture into the more “Adult” side of fiction – although there’s more death, violence, and only a bit more explicit content, there’s so much more action and twists I wouldn’t expect.
This book is split into three parts – the present, where Detective Cyrus is hired to find the biological parents of a businessman named Benji MacDowell, scenes from 37 years ago that gives a lot more back story, and the present again, where a lot of truth and twists are revealed. Usually I find this format pretty frustrating, especially since a lot of content in the middle may have been skipped. However, in this case, I think this format particularly suits Dragon’s Teeth, and isn’t too confusing because of a different set of characters and setting. It also helped develop a lot of characters and implant a certain ending that I definitely didn’t expect.
The ending, which I keep on mentioning, is actually one of the biggest reasons why I rated this book so highly. I definitely didn’t see it coming, and after looking back, there were slight clues that could have led to it. The eventual loss at the end was also pretty sad for me, since the character really grew on to me, with his personality and huge sacrifices. It was as if once the truth came out, all the pieces of the puzzle came together, and practically exploded in my head. Maybe I’m exaggerating, but as I’m writing this review right now, that was how I felt.
The plot for me was a little slow in the beginning, but it definitely picked up near the middle / late portion of the first part. The mystery and science part of the book was well integrated, and it showed great signs of a dystopic world, which is always a must for me in dystopic fiction, although it's often forgotten. In the second part, there was a lot of action and emotion as well as sympathy on my part. Since it rewinds to thirty-seven years ago, you're introduced to a mostly new set of characters, although I felt I really connected to them as they developed and eventually connected to the "present" of the story.
Overall, The Dragon's Tooth is a fast-paced, cyberpunk novel that may start off slow, but will definitely pick up and shock you in the end. I would highly recommend it to sci-fi fans! (less)
Still not sure what I feel about this book. Sure, the plot had some action, drama, and incest romance (maybe?). It had its moments, es...more2.5 - 3 Stars….?
Still not sure what I feel about this book. Sure, the plot had some action, drama, and incest romance (maybe?). It had its moments, especially with some action scenes. But then again, why do I have so many problems with it?
Problem 1: The constant switching of POV. This has been pointed out many times before – although the majority of the book is supposed to be told from Clary’s POV, sometimes she switches to Jace, and sometimes to Simon and Maia. I didn’t see the point in this, and sometimes it made me feel confused. It just didn’t seem necessary.
Problem 2: Clary. Clary. CLARY. She wasn’t as strong of a heroine I hoped she would be. Sure, she draws some runes that makes Jace/Alec “fearless”. But she doesn’t kick butt or fight like I expected her to, as a Shadowhunter. Moreover, there’s no explanations as to how runes work, how they can be created, why in the world such an unexperienced Shadowhunter can create them, etc. But back to the point, it doesn’t seem like she does anything. And for Pete’s sake, she (view spoiler)[uses Simon because she can’t have Jace. Boohoo. Then she feels bad for herself when Simon breaks up with her because he knows Clary doesn’t love him. Boohoo again. (hide spoiler)].
Problem 3: None of the “main” characters seem to be able to die. Who dies? (view spoiler)[The Inquisitor and Malik (who in case you have forgotten, is some other random Shadowhunter who tried to chase down Jace but was “under orders”) (hide spoiler)]. Not (view spoiler)[Simon or Maia. Honestly, when Clare made Simon bask in the sunlight, I was sure that Simon wouldn’t die. Why? Jace “brought him back to life” after all the blood was drained out of him (hide spoiler)]. Why even bother putting your characters in mortal danger if they’re just going to come back to life again?
Problem 4: The stupidity of some characters/the predictability of most of the book. For example, in the Seelie Court, after being told countless times, Clary still eats the Fae's food. Really? REALLY? And after reading some of the book, I knew that was going to happen. (I could go on about the infinite number of times I felt this way, or I can stop and make my review much shorter than it would be)
So yeah. But honestly, I know I'm going to read the next book, as I always do. Why? Maybe I'm curious. Maybe inside, I want more of The Mortal Instrumentsor pain. I recommend this book for strong fans of TMI or City of Bones(less)
If there was one word that could describe this book, it would be:
Fun!
I know that might be inconsiderate, considering the pain the characters went through during the story, but the likable characters, creepy ghouls, fantasy, and actions just made my reading experience a bunch of fun! ^__^ The most enjoyable part of this book, for me, was probably the great combination of fantasy and action! The fighting scenes were written remarkably, and kind of reminded me of a comic book! They were pretty graphic and kept me on my seat. The book was just filled with these fantastic scenes, especially at the end, and I just loved it! The fantasy aspect worked well with this aspect, since the six characters' "powers" definitely worked well with each other, and they were well described & entertaining. Again, this book's scenes kind of remind me of a comic book since the Setti seem like a great group of superheroes!
The plot was a bit slow moving in the beginning, although the mystery definitely picked up after a few chapters. There are also some twists and turns as the plot starts moving faster, eventually whirl-winding into a bunch of excitement! My only complaint is that at some parts of the plot, it seemed like the events went by too fast, or were skimmed over. There were some battles for example, that I felt could have been more described in depth. Of course, this comes hand-in-hand with the action I loved - with the lovable amount of action described in the book, I probably expected that in every scene, which might have been a bit unrealistic. Still, the plot overall was pretty exciting!
The characters were probably the biggest downfall for me. I'm not sure if I'm being too picky, but especially at the beginning of the book, I found that the characters were a bit lacking. They seemed like the typical high school students, and their personalities were a bit undeveloped. Eventually you get to see their relationships grow, which I liked, although I still felt that the characters still weren't very complex. The plot mostly made up for this since I devoured the action, but if you're the type of reader that values characters over plot, this book might not be a favorite, but still enjoyable.
Overall, Rising is an exciting and enjoyable book, full of excitement and fun! The action scenes and fantasy elements were portrayed fantastically, and I definitely recommend it to paranormal romance or YA fantasy fans! I will definitely be reading the next book, Resistance!
Source: Review copy provided by author - thanks!(less)
This review will be more like a gush - because honestly, I think Reflection is worth gushing about.
Jessica Roberts has a talent of making you bond wit...moreThis review will be more like a gush - because honestly, I think Reflection is worth gushing about.
Jessica Roberts has a talent of making you bond with the characters, multiplying the angst you feel for them (especially Heather) after the tragedy is revealed. I connected with almost all the characters (with the exception of Stacey) - Heather was similar to me - from a small town, shy, nerdy, not really in the in-clique, hoping to start anew, while Nick is the classic mysterious (gorgeous!) guy - that of course, Heather later pines for. The supporting characters also added so much more - Damian, Meat (he's funny :D), Liz, Creed, and even Emily! - because they show the ups and deep friendships you make in college, or life in general, and how they affect you so.
I especially loved how Heather and Nick's relationship developed - no insta-love (thank goodness!) Their jokes, encounters (scaling an apartment! Haha c:), and friendship eventually developed into something more - which although a little cliche, was written well. Heather's emotions and feelings were especially portrayed realistically - of course she didn't jump into Nick's arms immediately - she had to think, for her own and Creed's sake.
And the ending - (view spoiler)[so tragic ;____; I was full on crying, especially after reading that teaser of Reaction(hide spoiler)].
Now to sulk because Reaction doesn't come out until the Fall of 2012...(less)
Disclaimer: The fact that I was provided a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review has not affected my rating.
I'm not sure if I have a...moreDisclaimer: The fact that I was provided a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review has not affected my rating.
I'm not sure if I have anything to complain about in this book. I suppose I keep trying to compare it to other sci-fi books I've read, but the only two that are similar to The Discovery of Socket Greeny are Ender's Game and The Annihilation of Foreverland (which happens to be another of Bertauski's works that I loved :D)
Onto the more substantial things. I loved the plot - it was rich in details and imagery, moved quickly, had lots and lots of action, kept me on the edge of my seat... I could go on and on. I especially like the combination of concepts Bertauski perfectly blended together - time travel (or slicing, in this case), clones (duplicates), dystopia (Paladin and the duplicates have dystopic elements, as well as the future - I'll talk about that later) and gaming (in this case, it's "Virtualmode", where your consciousness is put into a second character). Even alone, these elements could have made an amazing story, but Bertauski was able to put them together to make his story stand out and amaze me!
Another thing I liked was that the dystopic society presented in the book serves it purpose - it warns us about what could happen if we advance our technology enough & it happens to take over. I think in this book, it specifically applies to clones, or duplicates in this case. For example, clones in real life do get depressed when they find out they're just carbon copies. This is similar to both the duplicates' thoughts and (view spoiler)[Broak's attitude when it came to genetic engineering (hide spoiler)].
Finally, the relationships between the characters also spoke out to me. One that specifically grabbed me at the end was (view spoiler)[Spindle's relationship with Broak. I understand that Socket almost died because of Broak twice, but I do pity/sympathize with Broak concerning his feelings about being created and (somewhat) jealousy over Socket. (hide spoiler)] Socket also has a complicated but well-portrayed relationship with his mother. On one hand, his mother must work late, discipline Socket, and keep secrets from him. However, on the other hand, she still deeply cares about him. Moreover, this is clearlyshown - (view spoiler)[when Pike is being too harsh on Socket, she stands up for him, and during his trial, his mother also protects him (hide spoiler)]
Other factors I loved (but will not go into detail in, my review is already horrendously long) - the technology mentioned, Socket's voice (it's rare to find a male voice that sounds real), Socket's friendship with Streety, Socket's relationship with Chute, Socket's relationship with Spindle & Pivot, portrayal of Broak,... the list goes on and on.
Overall, PICK THIS ONE UP :D I really enjoyed it - it's a great and short sci-fi read!(less)
Disclaimer: The fact that I was provided a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review has not affected my rating.
4.5 Stars!
I'm not quite...moreDisclaimer: The fact that I was provided a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review has not affected my rating.
4.5 Stars!
I'm not quite sure how to describe Blood Faerie without sounding completely crazy or like a blubbering idiot. But one thing's for sure - it's an amazing and engaging read, right from the first word.
I found the world of the Fae to be very captivating. The idea of having four elements - fire, stone, water, and air - as well as fae blessed with the Path of the Azuri was intriguing, as well as somewhat intricate and fascinating. Along with the rituals described and the idea of "bonding" with true druids, Blood Faerie was a fantasy-tical (fantastical?) read c:
The characterization was also well written. Each main / secondary character had a distinct personality, with his or her own strengths and weaknesses. The only character that doesn't seem to have a flaw is Quinton Munor - but the way in which he is portrayed doesn't make him seem like he's flawless. Moreover, I loved Quinton & Eilidh's relationship! It definitely wasn't insta-love (Thank goodness! That's a plus about reading in a mix between YA & Adult fiction) - and I found the development in their relationship somewhat amusing and definitely endearing.
And as I said before, from the start, Blood Faerie is a definite page-turner! Combined with my love of murder mysteries, the action and exciting urban fantasy of this read made this a near perfect read for me c:(less)
Disclaimer: The fact that I received a free copy of this book has not affected my rating. This r...moreFor more reviews, check out my blog @ Moosubi Reviews!
Disclaimer: The fact that I received a free copy of this book has not affected my rating. This review reflects my honest opinions.
As a huge fan of mythology, I am probably a little biased towards this book. Basically, any good use of mythology in a book automatically rates highly in my head. It's just a factor that I love exploring, and The Gods Among Us explores it perfectly. That being said, one can probably tell that my favorite part of this book is its mythology! I loved learning about the various gods and houses, as well as the concept of the four elements and their alliances! The world that the author describes and explores is simply enthralling and definitely brings back good memories of when I was even more fascinated with mythology than I am now.
Another plus for me was Othello! Even though Pallas may not necessarily enjoyed his company, I loved reading about him and his thoughts! I would love to have a cat like him(: He was a clever and interesting character, poking fun into the story. In a way, however, Othello also seems complex - on one hand, he's the pet of Mulciber's daughter, the very house that's hunting Pallas down. He also definitely seems annoyed at her at times. However, on the other hand he does care for her deeply, considering all the things that Othello teaches her! Definitely a clever cat.
The relationships between the characters was also well developed. I liked seeing the loyalties form between Lucy & Casey with Pallas, the "Old Man" and Pallas, Elena and Pallas, etc., as well as older relationships maybe being repaired or strengthened. Elena, in particular, was an interesting side character, regarding her attitude towards Lord "Bore-us-loads" and her family. However, even though The Gods Among Us is set in a mythical world, these relationships are definitely present today, which is another plus for me!
My only complaint is probably regarding the plot. Don't get me wrong - the plot's definitely interesting and moves at a reasonable pace. There were a few plot holes regarding the summary on the back of the book vs. the plot (I think I saw this in another review, but I wanted to point on that Pallas is not friendless, and she didn't accidentally rescue Othello). Moreover, compared to the other wonderful aspects in the book, I felt the plot was a bit lacking action, which I probably always look in a book, but was rather focused on world building and relationship development. Again, don't get me wrong - it wasn't bad per se, but thinking back on it, due to my personal tastes, I felt it was a bit lacking.
Overall, The Gods Among Us is a great magical and mythical read! I can't wait to read the next book (I'm actually trying to track down a paperback copy right now since I love this series so much, although the only ones I found are $50 including shipping!) to find out more about Pallas and her heritage, as well as the fate of the Houses. I would recommend this book to fans of mythology or something along the lines of high fantasy - the world is amazingly vivid and will definitely appeal to you.(less)
Disclaimer: The fact that the author has provided me a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review has not affected my rating. This review...moreDisclaimer: The fact that the author has provided me a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review has not affected my rating. This review expresses my honest opinions.
Wow. Just wow.
I'm not sure what to say about Flag of Bones other than that it definitely exceeded my expectations. Before reading this book, the Disney cartoon version of Captain Hook or Jack Sparrow were my only two images of pirates.
Yarr Matey!
That being said, it's probably pretty obvious that my view of pirates has dramatically changed.
The most determining factor in this review is Captain Jalen. He is such a pained and strong character, being forced to choose between emotions and law or duty. His actual family is kidnapped, so the only "family" he has is a crew that may not be totally loyal to him anymore. Nevertheless, he persevered and continues to act as a leader, rarely showing a sign of weakness.
Jalen's treatment of his crew and outsiders is also interesting. You would think that after his family is kidnapped, his best friend betrays him, a crew member tries to commit mutiny three times, and that he's the Empire's number one wanted enemy, that he would treat others from the Empire or even outsiders coldly or indifferently. It is definitely not so, and I admire Jalen for at.
The supporting characters are also well developed and complex. Coram constantly struggles with conflict over his blood relation to a traitor and eternal loyalty towards Jalen. He is also kind and wholly and eternally loyal towards Jalen, distinguishing him many steps higher than most of the crew. Marek is also a complex character, and I enjoyed reading his story, but for the sake of spoilers, I will not elaborate. My only complaint regarding characters is that the mystery if Delphe seems to disappear. It's obvious that he's involved in Jalen's fate and the plot. Hopefully his role will be explored more in the next book.
The world and customs are also well described and developed. Being familiar with these sailor laws per se, I wasn't too confused, although it might be for someone else. I also actually liked the writing style, although I'm not sure if it will appeal to other readers, especially fans of the YA genre.
Overall, Flag of Bones is a great and cryptic read, giving you an insight on a beautifully complex world. I would recommend this book to people to people who don't mind cryptic riding.(less)
Disclaimer: The fact that I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review has not affected my rating. This review expresses my ho...moreDisclaimer: The fact that I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review has not affected my rating. This review expresses my honest opinions.
If you look at my recent ratings on Goodreads, lately I’ve been handing out lots of overall ratings of 5’s or 4’s. I feel like I’m just reading so many quality books right now, they all deserve these ratings. Luckily, In Leah’s Wake is one of those books, that I feel definitely deserves a rating of 5 stars.
The plot is definitely not slow, although I didn’t find that there were much surprises in there either. I wouldn’t say it was predictable though either –the book is amazingly realistic, so something like this happens almost all the time in real life. However, I found that the characters were what truly brought the book out.
Usually, I criticize authors about using too many POVs – then it feels like there are too many characters, and that none are fully developed. Apparently, Terri Guiliano Long can. She uses a total of 5 POVs – Leah, Justine (younger sister), Will (father), Zoe (mother), and Jerry (policeman). Being a teenage YA reader, obviously I connect much more towards Leah (18) and Justine (12, I think). However, I also felt for the adults, Zoe especially. Their pain definitely seemed realistic to me, and it was all just raw emotion, and I was probably on the verge of tears (sorry, emotional teenager here…). If you’re looking for a book with solid, emotional and real characters, than this book’s definitely for you – most books only have a few, and this book has at least five.
Although I found all the characters intriguing, I actually found Justine the most interesting. She definitely admires her older sister, despite all the wrongdoings she might have committed. In fact, she even goes to the point of drinking and smoking in middle school. I’m from a neighborhood where almost all the teenagers want a 4.0, so it might be a tad different for me, but I think almost everyone can agree that smoking and drinking in middle school is not a good thing, although it is realistic. I’m not saying this book is inappropriate (well, except for younger readers, but not for more older readers) – I’m saying that Justine has so much pain, and so much real emotion, it’s almost painful. (view spoiler)[There’s also a point where she develops anorexia so she can become “model-thin” and beautiful, like her sister. I definitely felt for her then, almost wanting to scream at her to stop… (hide spoiler)]
The relationships between the characters are also amazing. The Tylers seemed a bit fickle – at one point they could seem like a “normal”, loving family, and the next, screaming at each other. They did all love each other – in fact, they say so and do so all the time – it’s just that no family’s perfect, and sometimes in the wrong situations and conditions, everything turns for the worse.
Overall, In Leah’s Wake is simply an amazing book, with complex characters and relationships, blended in with lots of emotion. I definitely recommend this for parents and teenagers alike – both parties can learn something about the other and maybe about themselves. (On a cautionary note, if sex, drugs, smoking, drinking, etc. offend you, this book’s not for you. Personally, I found those elements to be realistic in their lives, so I didn’t mind, but if you do, I suggest something without as much, like Courtney Summer’s works.)(less)
Check out my tour stop for an international giveaway of this wonderful book @ Moosubi Reviews (:
So when I started the book, realizing it was about som...moreCheck out my tour stop for an international giveaway of this wonderful book @ Moosubi Reviews (:
So when I started the book, realizing it was about something along the lines of vampires, like a lot of people I imagined something along the lines of this well-known book:
> *Image Courtesy of Wikipedia*
And of course, my interpretation of Max, along with the other male immortals came out something along the lines of this:
*Image Courtesy of jmercurio44 @ Blingee.com*
Anyways, onto the review! It's needless to say that it definitely wasn't what I expected, otherwise I wouldn't have gave it a rating of 4. Although the vampires are quite stunning (and maybe sparkly), they definitely weren't passive. They were vicious, had lots of emotions, and were definitely fighters.
Let's start off with the heroine, Leah. By all means, she should have been a character I hated. She was pretty stubborn, let her desires overwhelm her, and, let's face it, didn't do much during the first half of the book but make out and lust for Max. But again, I didn't hate her. She's definitely a flawed and confused character. On one hand, she's controlled by the unreconcilable desire to attack humans in order to satisfy her hunger. On the other hand, she doesn't want to kill them or be seen as a monster. Of course, she's already realized she's a monster, and there's nothing she can do to stop it. It's kind of like reading a book about a drug addict. They definitely want to stop, but they aren't capable of doing so. Nevertheless, they have to try, and sometimes, their efforts are utterly heartbreaking.
This wasn't exactly Leah's scenario, but it definitely held some similarities. She shows remorse whenever she drinks, sometimes even breaking down and running away from the coven. Her emotion was very strong, and definitely seemed real. The author was able to show many sides of her throughout the story, and I was definitely able to connect to her. Eventually, she does grow stronger, and I liked seeing her journey in order to become a better person.
I also liked the author's portrayal on vampires. As I mentioned before, based on the past vampire books I've read (which, I admit, is limited to three novels, all of which I didn't enjoy), my picture of vampires is less than perfect. By portraying them as less-than-perfect, even as criminals, I definitely had a wake-up call. This filled the plot with suspense, some intense romance, and a lot of intrigue on my part. Moreover, I liked how the author also featured the Brotherhood's POV, which gave me an insight to the supposed antagonists, as well as another perspective on the immortals. This eventually tangles itself into the plot line in an interesting way, but also developing the characters in an original way!
My only complaint is regarding Leah & Max's relationship, which definitely shows signs of insta-love. I get that Leah had a lust filled, intense desire for passion and warmth, but it seems a little unrealistic that Max would go from a die-hard, loyal family member of the coven, to willing to do anything for Leah, even if it means betraying the coven, in a couple of weeks. However, Max is still another interesting character that's willing to make a lot of sacrifices, so I would say that The Fire of Dawn is still worth the read!
Overall, The Fire of Dawn is a refreshing read with a more original take on vampires, and definitely worth your time! I would recommend this to people who may have given up on the vampire sub-genre of PNR / UF - The Fire of Dawn definitely presents a new take and a realm of possibilities for those previously extra-sparkly creatures.(less)
If you want to see more of my reviews, check out my blog @ Moosubi Reviews!
Sometimes I'd like to think of myself as a teenage detective. Of course, th...moreIf you want to see more of my reviews, check out my blog @ Moosubi Reviews!
Sometimes I'd like to think of myself as a teenage detective. Of course, that's not very probable, seeing as how I'm pretty awkward when it comes to talking to people I don't know well, and am not very good at snooping. Hartley (Hart for short) on the other hand, is a hilarious heroine who is probably the next (hilarious!) Nancy Drew.
I loved so many things about this book, including the mystery. It was written in a more light-hearted way than a lot of adult crime novels I've read in the past, although the concept of murder is still pretty serious. I liked how the author gave a clue and a question at the same time, always making me guess what would happen next. The culprit definitely wasn't clear from the start, and there weren't any obvious suspects to blame. The suspense kept me reading, until I realized this short, hilarious, and mysterious treat ended.
Hartley was an amazing heroine! She definitely had a backbone and was willing to stand up for herself. I liked how she wasn't stereotypical - how many times has YA casted the main character as the quiet and shy but beautiful outcast? Her point of view and characterization were refreshing, and so many quotes (almost) made me laugh out loud (well, I was sneakily reading in SAT class sooo...).
(Slight Spoilers Ahead)
Another thing about Hartley that made me love her was her relationships with Josh, Chase, and Sam. There wasn't an instantaneous "OMG, I have an inexplainable attraction to Chase because he's the dark and mysterious bad boy who's sex in a pair of jeans". It was "Chase, I need to see your tapes so I can go freaking solve this murder". (Well, those weren't her exact thoughts and words, but you get the point). Sam was a pretty solid side character, the classic best friend I'm probably never going to get tired of. Plus, it helps that she has a pretty good sense of humor too! As for Josh, I practically applauded when Hartley broke it off with him for good. I know, Chase might have been the expected love interest in the end. But honestly, I'm sick and tired of girls giving they boyfriends second chances when guys clearly just wanted sex and have previously promised the girls they wouldn't cheat. Maybe I'm being unforgiving? I'm not exactly sure about that, but I know I'm sure that Hartley made the right choice.
(End Slight Spoilers)
Overall, Deadly Cool is a hilarious read, with a great mystery and some charismatic characters! I can't wait to read Social Suicide and see what happens next! I would recommend this book to people looking for a light contemporary / mystery read with great characters!
(On a side note, Hartley lives in the Bay Area! When she mentioned SJ & Oakridge Mall, inside I was like Yeesssssss!)(less)
Disclaimer: The fact that I received a free copy of this book has not affected my rating. These are my hones...moreCheck out my interview with Christie here!
Disclaimer: The fact that I received a free copy of this book has not affected my rating. These are my honest opinions. Also, my review may contain mild spoilers.
By all definitions, this should have been a book I hated. But somehow, I didn't. I'm not sure why - but one thing is for sure - I loved this book.
I'm not quite sure what I was expecting out of this book. A lot of my GR friends & fellow reviewers had loved it - but of course, this didn't mean I would too. Anyways, it had elements that in almost every other review, I tell people - I hate the fact that the author used this because it wasn't well done and cliche - but again, somehow this didn't turn me off.
Element 1: Insta-love. Five dead-gorgeous guys lusted and chased after Rayla after seeing her (I know its for power, but still). Five. Under most circumstances, I would find it hard to believe - and believe me, I did a little in the beginning. However, I felt after how the story played out, there was more to Rayla & Zach's as well as Rayla & Luke's relationships. It did seem like they really cared about each other, despite the fact there was a lot of lust. But it did feel like they cared a lot about each other!
Element 2: The Triangle Trap. Especially since Luke wasn't as developed until the last 20 or so percent of the book, I shouldn't really have felt that he had a developed relationship with Rayla. I'm still not sure if he does - but somehow, he grew to me, the same way I felt Zach grew to Rayla although he had much more screentime. This is partly because the author knows a lot about how to rack up my emotions - just as how Rayla seemed angry towards Zach, I could feel almost the same amount of annoyance towards him. Kudos to you, Christie!
Element 3: The familiar hot-guy-lone-magical-powered-girl concepts. When I looked at the summary of this book & was considering whether or not I was going to review it, I seriously had some doubts. Five gorgeous guys? And one seemingly unknowing magical-powered girl? It's a very, very common theme in YA PNR or UF nowadays, so one would suppose I would have grown tired of it. I suppose this book, however, had that zing factor - something, just something, made it stand out and become special.
Overall, if you love PNR or UF, read Five - somehow, I feel it's different & more intriguing than most books.(less)
Disclaimer: The fact that the author provided me a copy of Eden's Root in exchange for an honest review has not affected my review.
As a huge fan of dy...moreDisclaimer: The fact that the author provided me a copy of Eden's Root in exchange for an honest review has not affected my review.
As a huge fan of dystopian fiction, I may be a little biased in my review. I love so many things about the genre - the characters' needs to survive, their strength through thick and thin, companionships throughout the story, and worlds in which they reside. Eden's Root is no exception. Many of the characters, even the younger ones like Kiara or Zoe, supported each other throughout the book, especially Fi. They literally formed a large Family, and I admired how they always stuck to each other and survived no matter what (view spoiler)[with the exception of Maggie D: (hide spoiler)].
The plot was also engaging. Well-written and with a good dose of action, I couldn't stop reading, despite the length of the book. In a way, the book reminds me of Life as We Knew It, but with more soldiers and a bit darker.
The only problems I had were minor and probably may be solved by reading the sequel, Seeds of War. I found that most of the characters were relatively underdeveloped. (view spoiler)[The family eventually adds up to more than 15 people, and out of those, I felt only Maggie, Fi, Sean, and maybe Asher were developed more thoroughly (hide spoiler)]. Moreover, Fi seemed almost flawless - she was only 14 when she became leader but is smart, pretty (view spoiler)[at least according to Asher ;D (hide spoiler)], kind, and knowledgeable about fighting techniques and the sciences.
Overall, if you love dystopias, adventure, or YA in general, Eden's Root is a must-read for you c:(less)
Disclaimer: The fact that I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review has not affected my rating.
Kings & Queens was, in a...moreDisclaimer: The fact that I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review has not affected my rating.
Kings & Queens was, in a word, a different book. When I think of YA mystery, I think of urban-fantasy-evil-witch mysteries, I-think-I-am-secretly-a-billionaire-heir-because-I’m-adopted mysteries, or popular-girl-whodunnit mysteries. Instead, Kings & Queens is a lot more focused on real life crime and murders.
Vail is able to manipulate both characters and readers’ minds. I not only suspected innocent characters but also thought some completely evil characters were innocent. Moreover, there are some side plots that I never thought could be related to the main plot! She keeps the suspense and suspicion rising throughout the novel, while implying small amounts of crude humor.
All the characters seemed distinguished and had their own strengths and weaknesses. One of the unique things is that Vail uses many POVs (Majesty, Derek, Warren, Preston, Majesty’s mother, Alec, etc.), but is still able to also develop these characters fully. My one complaint is concerning Majesty. She has this sort-of love triangle thing going on, which was kind of confusing and strange, in a way. At one point, she seems to love Derek, and is jealous of him and Cynthia, then switches to being infatuated with Alec and being jealous of him and A, while Derek falls in love with Majesty. Moreover, when Majesty discovers the truth about Derek, at one point she claims to hate him, but then desperately tries to save his life.
Somehow, Vail also seemed to incorporate high school and some serious crime, again, making it a unique book. It’s because of this that I think Kings & Queens has some adult crossover appeal (which also leads up to Sapphire Reign, its adult-targeted sequel).
Overall, Kings & Queens is a suspense filled book that is definitely engaging and unique! It also has some crossover appeal towards adults, and is great for YA readers, mature readers, and adults alike.(less)
Disclaimer: The fact that I was provided a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review has not affected my rating.
When you think of angels...moreDisclaimer: The fact that I was provided a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review has not affected my rating.
When you think of angels in YA Urban Fantasy or Paranormal Romance, what do you think of? Fallen? Halo? Hush, Hush? Even Unearthly? Regardless of the quality, most people think of the romance between those heavenly creatures and humans, whether it be between Nora and Patch, Cam/Daniel and Luce, or Tucker and Clara. Don’t Call Me Angel is a wake up call – not all angels are nice and non-violent – but deadly instead.
What I liked most about this book was the amount of action and non-passiveness the protagonist was engaged in. If you’re expecting romance, don’t expect any (apart from the occasional lust, I suppose). Instead, expect (very) graphic violence and raw emotions.
I also liked Brewster’s concept of falling angels, souls, and entering Hell. It’s one that I’ve thought of before, but never seen used as amazingly in literature. It’s actually depressing, but I suppose with this type of book it’s supposed to be depressing.
The characters were also distinguished and added more emotion and intrigue to the story. Especially Alder – I felt that his relationship with Six was somewhat more than a friendship but not quite love. It confused me (in a good way!) but also added more emotion in the end. Luke also has an interesting character – hopefully his part in the plot will develop more in the next book.
The pictures also added a visual aid for the book. I’m not quite sure how, but it did make my reading experience more enjoyable and unique. Even the cover adds to the Six’s characterization!
Overall, Don’t Call Me Angel presents a new spin on Hell and angels, and is a strong debut from Brewster by progressively building suspense and presenting so much emotion! I can’t wait for Possession, the next book in the Forsaken series!(less)
Disclaimer: The fact that I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review has not affected my rating.
As of June 23, I think Indie...moreDisclaimer: The fact that I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review has not affected my rating.
As of June 23, I think Indie Chick-lit is infinitely greater than most published chick-lit…
The Heart’s Discovery is yet another touching and made-me-sob book! It was heartwarming, cute, fuzzy, warm… all that good stuff that should be in every chick-lit book!
The relationship between Anji and Gabe was definitely cute and fuzzy. It goes along the cliché (but enjoyable – it’s my guilty pleasure!) road: Girl Meets Boy -> Girl thinks Boy is hot/gorgeous/mysterious/whatever -> Boy thinks girl is weird or is completely obsessed with her -> Some embarrassing or life scarring thing happens -> Girl and Boy eventually fall in love but don’t dare to confess to each other -> Girl and Boy confess and get into a “perfect” relationship -> Something drastic happens -> Girl and Boy fight -> Something drastic happens -> Girl and Boy make up. It’s cliché – but I suppose at that time, I was looking for romance and a cute read.
The supporting characters really brought out the book. Evie has so much pain, and her portrayal is amazingly realistic! One of the reasons I’m looking forward to the next book is because I hope to see more development with her. I also liked Damian – he’s such a complex character. To be honest, I can’t tell if he actually liked Anji – but to me, that shows how complex he is. However, my one complaint is that after he leaves, his presence almost completely disappears. I was hoping that his presence on Anji would be a little stronger.
My other complaint is that Anji seemed to (almost) completely forget about Quito. After she leaves, she mentions the place and its festival only a handful of times.. I was half hoping this book would be about moving on, which it was, just not in the way I had expected it.
And one last thing – the main reason why I degraded this book from 5 to 4 in overall is because of the second book’s preview. Gabe’s depression didn’t seem realistic, seeing as how he mourned before. Moreover, I couldn’t believe his thoughts at the end. I really hope that he doesn’t change his mind about Anji…
Overall, however, The Heart’s Discovery is quite a sweet and charming chick-lit treat c: I recommend it to teenagers who like romance, haha c:(less)
Disclaimer: The fact that I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review has not affected my rating.
Just based off the time peri...moreDisclaimer: The fact that I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review has not affected my rating.
Just based off the time period and genre itself, Shadowland already stands out as a unique book. It further distinguishes itself by telling not the story of Arthur, who we all know from "The Sword and The Stone" and other stories, but Usher (whose identity I will keep hidden for the sake of the story).
Simply put, Shadowland is well written, exciting, adventurous, and a good read! I found all the protagonists to be likable and somewhat realistic, to an extent. I was also a fan of the relationships between Usher and his brother, Cal, Meryn, and Samel, even though he's more of a minor character. The most outstanding factor is their undying loyalty towards each other - they would risk everything to go into battle, even though they're clearly the underdogs, and their king is young and inexperienced.
The incorporation of magic was also well done - it wasn't too overbearing and it was captured in glimpses, but also essential towards the story. This is a treat for someone like me, who always hopes magic will exist (: Usher / Uther's role in the future was also well-played - it's actually one of the biggest things I love about this story!
Overall, Shadowland is a great read for those who love Arthurian stories and adventure. There's actually not a smidget of romance, with the exception of a few mentions of a wife, so it's great for guys to read too :D(less)
If you want to see more of my reviews, check out my blog @ Moosubi Reviews!
Disclaimer: The fact that I received a free copy of this book in exchange f...moreIf you want to see more of my reviews, check out my blog @ Moosubi Reviews!
Disclaimer: The fact that I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review has not affected my rating. This review expresses my honest opinions.
Rating Clarification: 4 / 5
After reading Lash , a weresnake novel by the same author that I may be referencing throughout the review, I prepared myself for another dark, gritty, and graphic book. To my relief (well, kind of), there wasn’t as much alcohol or violence in this book than in Lash. Nevertheless, I definitely enjoyed this novel!
One of the reasons why this novel was so different from what I expected is because of the change in the protagonist. While Lash’s protagonist was a male were-snake named Tryst, Promise Me’s heroine is a human woman named Sar who happened to save a vampire from death. However, Sar was no less brave or strong – she kicked butt! She showed everyone that no one should underestimate a woman – especially one that can shoot a gun and isn’t afraid to use it. Throughout the book, she stands up for herself as well as for others, and definitely wasn’t afraid to speak her mind. I admired her for her constant tenacity, as well as her openness about her emotions. She’s just overall a great character!
The side characters also added to the story. I especially loved Theo – it would be great to have an older brother or friend like him! His small banter with Sar was pretty entertaining, and the actions of what he would do to protect Sar or to support Danial demonstrated true loyalty. The small tidbits about other characters such as Cia or the rest of the werefoxes felt like it brought me closer to Sar, as well as her new life and family.
The plot however, is what is probably this book’s downfall. Although the characters were great, the plot probably dragged out and was fairly predictable. It wasn’t that bad per se – it’s just that it wasn’t as intricate as Hall’s characters were.
Overall, Promise Me is a pretty well written urban fantasy book, with a strong heroine supported by some amazing side characters. If you’re looking for a plot with twists and turns, or grittiness, I would suggest Lash instead – the plot is more engaging. However, if you value character development and are looking for an adult novel, this book would be for you.
(On a side note, if you’ve read Hall’s other novel Lash, you’ll see some re-occurrences of characters. Doesn’t the name “Danial” speak out to you?)(less)
If you want to see more of my reviews, check out my blog @ Moosubi Reviews!
Rating Clarification: 3.5 / 5 Stars
Disclaimer: The fact that I received a f...moreIf you want to see more of my reviews, check out my blog @ Moosubi Reviews!
Rating Clarification: 3.5 / 5 Stars
Disclaimer: The fact that I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review had not affected my rating. This review reflects my honest opinions.
Have you ever read one of those books that have this addicting quality to it? That you start reading, thinking that you’ll stop after this one chapter, but keep reading anyways, and soon, you’re at the end, wanting more? For me, Dark Houses was that type of book.
Now that I think back on it, I’m not quite sure why Dark Houses was that type of book. Was it because of the action? Probably – there definitely was a lot of the action. Was it because of the characters? Maybe – the heroine was definitely strong, but probably the classic warrior type. Anyways, I’m exactly sure why Dark Houses ended up to be a favorite of mine, but eventually it did.
The best part of the book for me was definitely its plot. There was nonstop action, whether the nomads were roaming the forest, scouting, fighting, exploring the city… you get the point. Sure, there were moments where it might have been a tad romantic or teasing, but this book (thankfully) did not focus on romance, but on the action, and on the mission the characters were supposed to complete. I admit that especially at the end, the plot was a bit predictable, but I enjoyed the book nevertheless.
The characters, although a bit typical for this type of novel, had personality and probably worth exploring. I actually found is surprising that when (view spoiler)[Darton died, I definitely felt a loss in the characters, and a little in myself (hide spoiler)]. This is actually pretty unusual for me – I only remember a handful of times when I feel sad over such a thing. Still, I felt like the characters, specifically, the nomads, were able to attach themselves to me very quickly.
I also liked how there was no love triangle. In more typical YA books, the author would turn this book into more romance-orientated, by giving Connell and Logan more-than-friend roles. Connell’s friendly relationship with Caylen definitely impressed me, and I’m glad that there is such loyalty between them, as well as among the rest of the nomads.
Overall, Dark Houses is a great adventure book, that kept me from the first page until the last. If you love action and are sick of romance orientated or triangle trap involving books, definitely check Dark Houses out – it will definitely appel to you(: (less)
Simply put, this book was beautiful. I’ve always been curious about the idea of dreams and nightmares, as well as being a...moreRating Clarification: 4.5 / 5
Simply put, this book was beautiful. I’ve always been curious about the idea of dreams and nightmares, as well as being an avid fan of fantasy. Combined with Lois Lowry’s emotional and fluid language, this book definitely seemed like a dream.
Gossamer is told in mainly two ways – the first in “Littlest’s” journey and growth, and the second from the viewpoints of a boy who was taken away from his mother, a lonely surrogate grandmother, and a mother struggling for redemption. While the book wasn’t very long, I felt that I really got to know the characters and their stories. Through their dreams and stories, I felt like I knew about the boy’s pain, the grandmother’s loneliness and hope, as well as the mother’s struggle. As for the “dreammakers”, they were really like dreams – each represented a curiosity of a sort, each embodying an emotion that I enjoyed.
Back when I read The Giver in seventh grade, I wasn’t the biggest fan of the book, mostly because I was forced to read it and the ending just seemed so depressing to me. I suppose that’s why I didn’t really appreciate Lois Lowry’s language – it flows and seems like poetry. Throughout the book, Lowry was able to combine happiness with sadness, love with hate, and dreams with nightmares. Both sides of the story were touching, and just full of emotion.
Overall, Gossamer was a quick and beautiful read, great for fantasy readers of all ages. I especially recommend this to younger readers, since the language is fairly simple but enjoyable, but also older fantasy fans who are curious about the idea of dreams.(less)
If you want to see more of my reviews, check out my blog @ Moosubi Reviews! Visit on August 5 for my stop in the Orangeberry Summer Splash for a chanc...moreIf you want to see more of my reviews, check out my blog @ Moosubi Reviews! Visit on August 5 for my stop in the Orangeberry Summer Splash for a chance to win a Kindle Fire!
Disclaimer: The fact that I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review has not affected my rating this review expresses my honest opinions.
This is probably the type of book that would specifically appeal to readers like me. Before I read this book, I was quite obsessed with a medieval video game (which, by the way, happens to involve assassins) and pretty sick of the insta-love, mushy gushy YA PNR a lot of publishers spew nowadays. Thankfully, The Waiting Game was like a breath of fresh air.
I loved Shade! I know, he’s (mostly) ruthless, pretty mean, calculating, and definitely violent. But that’s what one would expect out of an assassin! He had his moments of heroism, as well as a lot of action. I also was fond of his cockiness – his search for a “worthy rival” is a theme throughout the book, and it was something that entertained and appealed to me. My only complaint (or, I suppose, more like a question) is that Shade seems like a godly, invincible opponent. I suppose as a Dark Elf, he has magic at his disposal, and as a world-class assassin, he definitely has skill. There was probably once battle in the book where Shade was even wounded, and even then he was greatly outnumbered. There’s no doubt he’s strong, although I’m curious about his power.
The action sequences were amazing in one word. I’m not really a world class gamer, although I would like to think of myself as a video game lover, but I was pretty impressed by the battles and their imagery. I could definitely imagine Shade doing handsprings and quietly slipping his blades out. To go along with them, my review copy also had illustrations that went perfectly along with the plot. They were a bit creepy, definitely dark, and portrayed the signature sneer Shade garnished excellently.
I also found the world Shade lived in to be extraordinary. There were so many types of creatures or men, as well as different worlds that each lived in or felt comfortable. I especially loved learning about the different types of creatures, like the “snake man”, Doulim (hope I spelled that right…), and Elves. Their magic and abilities were mystifying, and I can’t wait to see more of it in the next book!
Overall, The Waiting Game is a high action fantasy book that is recommended for readers wanting action and an intense plot. I might also recommend this to people who play action video games – although my skill is limited, I found that the scenes described might appeal to people who play fighting games similar to Shade’s battles.(less)
If you want to see more of my reviews, check out my blog @ Moosubi Reviews!
Disclaimer: The fact that I received a free copy of this book in exchange f...moreIf you want to see more of my reviews, check out my blog @ Moosubi Reviews!
Disclaimer: The fact that I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review has not affected my rating. This review expresses my honest opinions.
Rating Clarification: 4.5 / 5 Stars
The first thing I have to say about this book is that I thought it was amazing. However, I also have to say that this book isn't door everybody - it's pretty information heavy, focuses a lot of legal issues, and contains some "mature" content. Nevertheless, because Blackstone & Brenwen: The Mirror & The Meretrix is now one of my favorites because it combines two things I love into an intricate story: crime / legal issues & fairy tales / mythology.
I think one of the biggest pluses about this story for me was that it reminds me of my one of my all time favorite games, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney. In both the video game and the story, there is a young, confident, inexperienced and talented lawyer who defends underdogs in court in order to either prove them innocent or lessen their punishment in some way. In order to do so, they examine crime scenes or places of interest, as well as cross examining the testimonies of witnesses. Combined with my endless marathons of Detective Conan, Criminal Minds, Suits, White Collar, and NCIS, I think it's safe to assume that I'm a huge fan of crime or legal dramas, as well as novels such as The Mirror & The Meretrix that deal with such issues.
On the other side, you also have numerous retellings of those (now not-so) sweet fairy tales you remember. Sure, there's some angels, centaurs, and mythology mixed in (which, by the way, I also love, so another plus!) involved, but most of the story is centered around around fairy tales. One may be upset to see the oh-so-sweet fairy tales twisted into such malicious matters, but I, for omelet, was interested in how the author was able to turn the tales of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, Little Red Riding Hood, and many more into one epic tale. Overall, seeing glimpses of many tales blended into an intense story was certainly a treat for me, especially one involving legal drama.
I also thought that the characters were well developed, with distinct but certainly likable personalities. All of them were reasonably confident, fiercely loyal to each other, and bring special "skills" per se to the table. Each of their POVs also brought different insights, adding more plot layers. My only complaint is that sometimes, due to the multiple POVs, I figured out what was going to happen or who was responsible for whatever because one character in one POV already found a clue that connects to another, eventually leading to the solution. Of course, since the beginning, the author already gives you a basic idea of who the culprit is, so I suppose it's inevitable, although I admit that the author does a good job weaving an intricate story from a seemingly basic case.
Overall, The Mirror & The Meretrix is an amazing and complicated read, filled with suspense and lots of mysterious fun! I can't wait to read its sequel(: I would recommend this book to people looking for more of a heavy read, since the novel is a bit information heavy. However, if you're a fan of crime or legal fiction, or are a fan of fairy tales (but not a traditionalist), this book will definitely be a treat for you.(less)
If you want to see more of my reviews, check out my blog @ Moosubi Reviews!
Disclaimer: The fact that I received a free copy of this book in exchange f...moreIf you want to see more of my reviews, check out my blog @ Moosubi Reviews!
Disclaimer: The fact that I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review has not affected my rating. This review expresses my honest opinion.
Judging based off the writing style, I probably started off by thinking The Rising was more of a happy-go-lucky and carefree book, with elements of a fairy tale-ish mix of middle grade and YA fantasy. Obviously, I was wrong - The Rising is not only much a more serious, detailed, and richer book, but also deals with much darker sides, symbols, and elements.
What was most intriguing in my opinion was Lila and her behavior. In one word, her emotions were intense, and I really felt for her. Even as a princess, she had to go through a lot, including her family's losses, being kidnapped, feeling jealous over her own parent, and so much more. Her growth and sacrifices were extraordinary - I loved seeing her transformation from an ignorant, selfish girl into a more mature and experienced young woman. Her interactions with the demon were also interesting, but also conflicted, although sometimes I felt that I could understand her feelings of envy and feeling lost. I just hope that I'm the next book, Lila will finally be able to find fulfillment and happiness.
Simian was also a great character. Being forced to take his responsibilities seriously and having to protect his sister and kingdom. I also liked seeing his growth and admired his bravery, self sacrifices, and quick thinking. His thinking and willingness to sacrifice at the end (I don't want to give away too much) was also admirable, as well as his loyalty to his kins and kingdom. Altogether, the characters in The Rising were magnificent, always demonstrating loyalty and bravery.
Without rambling too much, I'll summarize by saying that pretty much all the characters were pretty well portrayed. I felt that there weren't really any unnecessary characters and that each played an important part in the story. The plot and concept of the Light Bringers were also pretty interesting. There was lots of action, a pretty rich plot, and definitely enough to keep me entertained.
Overall, The Rising is a pretty solid and adventurous fantasy, with detailed characters and rich plot and fantasy elements. I highly recommend this for fantasy fans!(less)
If you want to see more of my reviews, check out my blog @ Moosubi Reviews!
Disclaimer: The fact that I received a free copy of this book as part of a...moreIf you want to see more of my reviews, check out my blog @ Moosubi Reviews!
Disclaimer: The fact that I received a free copy of this book as part of a promotion and of Harlequin Teen Panel has not affected my rating. This review expresses my honest opinion.
I'm struggling to rate this book. It's definitely a realistic and emotional book, which always rates highly for me. On the other hand, the plot was kind of repetitive, and a little cliche, and sometimes I felt a little annoyed at the protagonist. For now, I'm deciding on a rating of 4.
As a piece of contemporary realistic fiction, Saving June would definitely "rate" as a 4.5 or even a 5. I found that the Scotts' reactions to June's death was pretty realistic, and just had so much emotion! I especially felt that the unjustness and cruelty Harper felt was realistically portrayed, as well as her mother's and aunt's reactions and actions.
Other than the grief portrayed in the novel, Laney's friendship with Harper is also realistic. I liked how their bond was still strong, but definitely not perfect, since many other YA novels make the mistake of portraying friendships as much more perfect than they actually are. Best friends do have arguments from time to time, and sometimes there are just things that even your best friend can't understand.
On a side note, some parents might also complain about the amount of drugs, alcohol, swearing, and smoking this novel has, but again, to make a realistic novel realistic, especially one dealing with grief and characters like Jake, you probably need to include drugs and drinking.
Unfortunately, when I think about characters and plot, my rating goes down. Jake, although sometimes sweet, could really be an ass. As for Harper, sometimes I found her meltdowns or rants to be overdramatic and unnecessary, even though she was still reeling from June's death. The plot was also pretty repetitive -
Jake and Harper talk or do something -> Jake and Harper kind of have a moment -> Harper asks a personal question or says/does something offensive to Jake -> Jake gets mad or ignores Harper -> Next morning, they ignore what happens and pretend to be normal
The cycle was extremely repetitive, with the exception of some variations like Truth or Dare, make out scenes, an overly hormone filled band member, etc. I felt that these fights were kind of unnecessary and predictable. Moreover, in terms of originality, it definitely isn't the first time someone wrote a novel about a sister being killed, a road trip, or a guy that has strange tastes in art or music. Maybe by now I'm tired with it? I'm not totally sure...
However, despite those faults, I still found that the emotion portrayed and the realisticness of the novel overrides some of the plot and cliche-ness of the novel. I recommend this for people looking for a realistic novel with emotion, instead of "something new". (less)
This book wasn't what I expected. As a debut indie novel with a beautiful cover and a blurb and title tha...moreRating Clarification: 4.5 Stars
Wow. Just wow.
This book wasn't what I expected. As a debut indie novel with a beautiful cover and a blurb and title that sounds strangely familiar to a combination of Vampire Academy and Variant, I definitely wasn't expecting much. Boy, I was surprised - this book wasn't even about vampires!
To clarify, this book is about Zhamvy, a group of flesh eaters more like zombies than vampires. That itself made the book stand out - how often do you have a PNR about zombies? And believe me, these zombies aren't the creepy I'm-going-to-eat-your-brains-for-dinneeeerrr type of zombies, they're the type that I could swoon for, for eternity.
For me, the thing that attracted me the most was the addiction I had towards this book and its readability. When I wasn't swooning for one of the characters, I was engaged in the action, or pondering along with Phoenix. The plot moved pretty quickly and was well balanced, and most of the characters were pretty likable. My one complaint was that they were kind of one dimensional, not really complicated. Maybe I was hoping for a twist? Well, I suppose I can't have everything...
The biggest factor, however, was probably the fact that the book reminds me a lot about an anime / manga known as Vampire Knight. I suppose if I hadn't read the manga and watched the anime before, I wouldn't have liked this book as much. I suppose it's supposed to be the opposite, but if it wasn't for Vampire Knight, I might not have sympathized with Phoenix as much (she whines a lot in my opinion, but I suppose her other personality traits make up for it). Don't get me wrong - Taste and Vampire Knight have a lot of different things going on in terms of storyline and love triangles - it just reminded me a lot of the anime, so I suppose I was a little soft in that area :/
Overall, if you're a fan of the anime Vampire Knight, Twilight, or YA paranormal romance in general, Taste will definitely suit your tastes (I'm not saying it's like Twilight, because it definitely isn't - it will, however appeal to your tastes). Even if you don't usually like YA PNR, I feel like this is the type of book I'm supposed to hate, but don't, so give it a try if you're on the fence(:(less)
If you want to see more of my reviews, check out my blog @ Moosubi Reviews!
Disclaimer: The fact that I received a free copy of this book...moreRating: 4 / 5
If you want to see more of my reviews, check out my blog @ Moosubi Reviews!
Disclaimer: The fact that I received a free copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review has not affected my opinion. This review expresses my honest opinions.
As a reader, what do you look for in books? An escape from reality? Some action to entertain your weekend? A new swoon-worthy guy to crush on? I would say Speechless is more of a “feel-good” book – the characters were likable, the plot was interesting, and I felt like their was a happy ending and some words that I could really learn from. Although different and not as emotionally wrenching as Harrington’s debut, Saving June, I still definitely enjoyed Speechless.
I admired Chelsea, the heroine. She keeps quiet for such a long time, despite a lot of provocation and some tough situations. She really stuck to her promise, and although originally, I thought her vow was a bit unrealistic and uncalled for, her silence was a deafening presence (in a good way!) on the story. From my perspective, it also took a lot of strength to take that vow and keep it for such a long time, and to reach out to others despite her past and other wrongdoings.
There’s also a specific moment when Chelsea finally stops her silence that I’m literally like this:
This scene, among others, is why I consider this book to be a “feel good” book. Sure, it’s not the most original, and it may have been used a million times in other contemporary novels or movies. But still, it just makes me feel so happy and proud of the characters! If you like those types of books or scenes, then Speechless would definitely be for you.
But what really brought it together for me were the last sentences. Personally, if I were Chelsea, I would definitely end up hating Kristen. I would hate anyone who treated me like that. “It’s easier to hate than to love, and to love takes a lot of strength.” Maybe I can improve on that? Nonetheless, I did feel like I learned something.
Overall, Speechless is great for a quick-ish weekend read for contemporary readers or people who like “feel good” books. I felt like the romance was sweet, the heroine was great, and most of all, the last few lines really put it all together.(less)
If you want to see more of my reviews, check out my blog @ Moosubi Reviews!
Disclaimer: The fact that I received a free co...moreRating Clarification: 3.5 / 5
If you want to see more of my reviews, check out my blog @ Moosubi Reviews!
Disclaimer: The fact that I received a free copy of this book through NetGalley from the publisher has not affected my rating. This review expresses my honest opinions.
Whenever I read fiction that involves religion, it’s usually either as an element in fantasy (like in The Girl of Fire and Thorns) or as a presence, when a character chooses between a religious family or religion, or a true love (like in Burned). That being said Since You Left Me was definitely a different read for me – it focuses on a Jewish lifestyle where the character isn’t a 100% believer and more on family.
Sanskrit is definitely a unique but interesting character. For one, take a look at his name. San. Skrit. (Yes the language.) And instead of starting out as a devout follower of his religion, he starts out as a rebel who only goes to a Jewish school for money, and as someone who is trying to find hope and a place in this messed up world. He’s pretty entertaining too – I loved his witty remarks and unique responses to certain situations. His emotions were pretty realistic to – I know that if my mother had done the same thing as his, I would have done the same thing (and maybe even worse). In a way, I could relate to him.
His family issues also made the book pretty unique. Among his family, various elements in their issues include a guru (yes, a real life guru), yoga lessons, pregnant women, Thai food, and chiropractors. The various events in the plot line were pretty interesting and sometimes made me laugh!
My main issue with this book, however, is that the initial issue of Sanskrit’s big lie kind of disappeared towards the middle, when he was dealing with his family. It popped up a few times with Herschel and the Initials, but that’s about it :/ Moreover, I was hoping to see more of some of the characters at school, like Barry, Herschel, and Luke, although they were only rarely seen.
On a side note, this book is not for everyone. There’s almost no romance, other than some reminiscing of a second grade crush, and there are some parts of this contemporary that are slightly unrealistic and out of the ordinary. The ending, although sweet, seemed a little rush and maybe a little random. Still, I enjoyed it!
Overall, Since You Left Me is a unique and quirky contemporary, that’s great for a few laughs here and there. If you’re looking for a book that’s not mainstream, but may be a little crude, this book’s definitely for you! (less)
If you want to see more of my reviews, check out my blog @ Moosubi Reviews!
Disclaimer: The fact that I received a free re...moreRating Clarification: 3.5 / 5
If you want to see more of my reviews, check out my blog @ Moosubi Reviews!
Disclaimer: The fact that I received a free review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley (thanks!) has not affected my rating. This review expresses my honest opinion.
Confessions of an Angry Girl is not a book for everyone. It will appeal to a lot of teenage readers, as well as some YA contemporary lovers. Obviously, it appealed to me, but whether or not you like it or not depends on this: Mean Girls.
This book seriously reminded me of Mean Girls. As a former Tumblr addict (I still may be one now…), I was faced with countless Mean Girl GIFs, and as a high school student, I’ve watched it countless times at sleepovers and bus rides to marching band competitions, so it’s safe to say that I know quite a lot about that movie. There was some classic high school drama (To give or not to give my virginity…), blonde (and bitchy…) cheerleaders, and cute guys for our lovable and geeky heroine to crush on, but who also happen to be dating the alpha girl. But that’s not all – the mean girl’s name is Regina and there’s the classic three-member mean girl squad (Regina, Lena, and Susan).
That being said, this book isn’t totally like Mean Girls, although the two definitely share similar qualities. For one, the heroine isn’t the new girl, and she does start out with some friends and a decent possible love interest. Rose is also a completely different heroine – instead of the bold infiltrator of the Plastics in Mean Girls, Rose is much more quiet (well, most of the time) and supportive of her maybe-friends, and probably has a bit more of a morale. I actually admired Rose a lot - even when Tracy ditched her countless times, Rose still stood by her whenever she needed her. Moreover, she was strong enough to stand up to more popular people, even when it was clearly the more unpopular choice, and her efforts were mostly ignored. Still, her emotions were realistic enough – when Peter tells her upsetting news, I would have reacted the same way she had, or maybe even worse. I understood her pent-up emotions, urges to just scream, and feelings of loneliness, and there are situations in the book where I found myself in the same situation as Rose. Her character is pretty realistic, overall.
The plot moves quickly and is quite entertaining, although it’s quite cliché. This element is probably the biggest reason why I found myself thinking of Mean Girls (well, other than the reason than the name “Regina”.) But again, it was pretty entertaining, so I enjoyed it, although not all people would. Therefore, as I will state again, I recommend thinking about this book as a novelized version of a high school drama – classic blonde cheerleader stereotype, alcohol and smoking parties, mean-girl’s-cute-and-nice-boyfriend stereotype, etc. If that doesn’t appeal to you, than this book probably wouldn’t appeal to you.
Overall, Confessions of an Angry Girl is an entertaining weekend-distraction type of book for me, kind of like brain candy. I would recommend this book to people who obviously like high-school-drama types of books, because then this book would appeal to you. (less)
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