Gretchen C. Hohmeyer's Blog, page 87
July 30, 2012
Cover Reveal: Options by Abbi Glines
I’m really excited to be bringing to you guys today the cover reveal of Abbi Glines’ new book Options. It’s the first in a new YA urban fantasy trilogy. Fans of The Vincent Boys, Sea Breeze, Existence series and more, REJOICE! This book sounds AWESOME. Don’t believe me? Check this out:
Two paths.
Two completely different roads.
Each one standing before me.
Each one holding a different destiny.
In life you’re just supposed to choose one path.
In life you’re not given the chance at choosing one specific future.
Until now.
Until me.
Why am I different? I don’t know. But I’m going to see those roads and walk down each one. When it’s over I’ll know which one to choose because I’ll know my – options.
Now you’re really excited, right? Right? You should be. GET READY FOR THE COVER!
*****
****
***
**
*
THIS. LOOKS. AWESOME. Don’t you agree? Tell me what you think about it in the comments! Don’t forget to add Options to your Goodreads to-read list! Click HERE to do so! You can also check out Abbi’s other titles on her website.
Alpha Recap – So many goodies you don’t want to miss out!
Hey all! I am finally back from Pennsylvania, and I CANNOT WAIT to tell you all about my last couple of days. For those of you who missed my post about the writing workshop I was just attending, it’s HERE. If you bear with this post, you will find live tweeted writing advice, a video of Tamora Pierce reading for Battle Magic AND a giveaway of a signed book!
In recap, for the past almost two weeks I spent days being lectured to by three amazing authors and one fantastic editor: Kij Johnson, Tamora Pierce, Catherynne Valente and John Joseph Adams. I also spent time writing and hanging out with 19 other fantastic writers in training, all between the ages of 14 and 20. It is like all the awesome in the world, packed into one.
Our first lecturer was Tamora Pierce, who is like the Alpha Writer-in-Residence. She is there every year, though the three other spots rotate. This year, she chose to live with us in the dorm and hang out the WHOLE TIME. I nearly died of happiness. Tammy was one author with whom I managed to get in some live tweeting, so here are all those tweets for those who missed it:
This was hardly all the live tweeting I did for her or just Alphaness and general, and if you want to check out the rest find the hashtag #alpha2012.
Tammy was fantastic, both in her lectures and in hanging out in general. At a Barnes and Noble reading, she also read from her yet-to-be-released book Battle Magic. Because I’m the best, I got a video of this for you guys. ^.^ Check out my youtube channel for more!
Kij Johnson was the second author guest we had. She was also the last person I got a large amount of live tweeting in on. Let’s just get that out of the way…
Like the other author guests, Kij was absolutely amazing. Her lecture about the levels a story should have with themes, motifs and symbols really
got me thinking about my own writing. In some ways it was really hard to hear, but in others I think it was good to know that I have things I need to work on. We also got to hear Kij read her short stories Ponies and 27 Monkeys. She also signed my copy of her novel, Fudoki!
Cat Valente also lectured with serious levels of awesome. Her first lecture took place after some craziness: she had just flown in from Budapest! Talk about some serious jet lag, but she soldiered through it. During her second lecture, I was actually prevented from live tweeting because I was taking SPEED NOTES. She had this animated power point like thing that took us through all the levels of structure in a story and, well… I ran out of ways to bullet my notes trying to keep up with her diagram. She also read from her novel Deathless and signed my copy of The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making!
John Joseph Adams was our last guest. This was a really awesome
contrast, because JJA isn’t a writer, but an editor! He’s been called “The King of Anthologies” and also edits the online scifi/fantasy magazine “Lightspeed.” After a lot of lectures about the actual craft of writing, hearing about the world of writing and publishing–especially since the goal of Alpha is to submit something at the end!–was a great new topic and just as helpful. He also read a story, one not of his writing, from his latest anthology.
After all this time at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg campus, our merry band of writers moved on to a Doubletree hotel in Pittsburgh for a literary scifi/fantasy convention called Confluence. Though I did not actually attend many panels in lieu of spending time with all my new friends, the entire workshop did get its own hour Q&A with the Confluence guest of honor, Seanan McGuire (some of you may know her as author Mira Grant). Though I didn’t get any pictures or live tweet this, it was absolutely fantastic. Seanan is a GREAT person who is really funny and amazing to talk to. She also signed my copy of her novel Discount Armageddon!
My time at Alpha was amazing. Words cannot adequately describe it, and its entire purpose was to teach me to be a better writer. The friends I made there are awesome, and the things I learned I’ll keep forever. If YOU are a young writer in between the ages of 14-19, I BEG you to apply there next year. The deadline is March 1st.
Out of all this, I did manage to snag you guys something! A SIGNED copy of The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Cathrynne Valente! Don’t miss out! Click HERE to enter! Giveaway is US only.
Alpha Recap – So many goodies you do want to miss out!
Hey all! I am finally back from Pennsylvania, and I CANNOT WAIT to tell you all about my last couple of days. For those of you who missed my post about the writing workshop I was just attending, it’s HERE. If you bear with this post, you will find live tweeted writing advice, a video of Tamora Pierce reading for Battle Magic AND a giveaway of a signed book!
In recap, for the past almost two weeks I spent days being lectured to by three amazing authors and one fantastic editor: Kij Johnson, Tamora Pierce, Catherynne Valente and John Joseph Adams. I also spent time writing and hanging out with 19 other fantastic writers in training, all between the ages of 14 and 20. It is like all the awesome in the world, packed into one.
Our first lecturer was Tamora Pierce, who is like the Alpha Writer-in-Residence. She is there every year, though the three other spots rotate. This year, she chose to live with us in the dorm and hang out the WHOLE TIME. I nearly died of happiness. Tammy was one author with whom I managed to get in some live tweeting, so here are all those tweets for those who missed it:
This was hardly all the live tweeting I did for her or just Alphaness and general, and if you want to check out the rest find the hashtag #alpha2012.
Tammy was fantastic, both in her lectures and in hanging out in general. At a Barnes and Noble reading, she also read from her yet-to-be-released book Battle Magic. Because I’m the best, I got a video of this for you guys. ^.^ Check out my youtube channel for more!
Kij Johnson was the second author guest we had. She was also the last person I got a large amount of live tweeting in on. Let’s just get that out of the way…
Like the other author guests, Kij was absolutely amazing. Her lecture about the levels a story should have with themes, motifs and symbols really got me thinking about my own writing. In some ways it was really hard to hear, but in others I think it was good to know that I have things I need to work on. We also got to hear Kij read her short stories Ponies and 27 Monkeys. She also signed my copy of her novel, Fudoki!
Cat Valente also lectured with serious levels of awesome. Her first lecture took place after some craziness: she had just flown in from Budapest! Talk about some serious jet lag, but she soldiered through it. During her second lecture, I was actually prevented from live tweeting because I was taking SPEED NOTES. She had this animated power point like thing that took us through all the levels of structure in a story and, well… I ran out of ways to bullet my notes trying to keep up with her diagram. She also read from her novel Deathless and signed my copy of The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making!
John Joseph Adams was our last guest. This was a really awesome contrast, because JJA isn’t a writer, but an editor! He’s been called “The King of Anthologies” and also edits the online scifi/fantasy magazine “Lightspeed.” After a lot of lectures about the actual craft of writing, hearing about the world of writing and publishing–especially since the goal of Alpha is to submit something at the end!–was a great new topic and just as helpful. He also read a story, one not of his writing, from his latest anthology.
After all this time at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg campus, our merry band of writers moved on to a Doubletree hotel in Pittsburgh for a literary scifi/fantasy convention called Confluence. Though I did not actually attend many panels in lieu of spending time with all my new friends, the entire workshop did get its own hour Q&A with the Confluence guest of honor, Seanan McGuire (some of you may know her as author Mira Grant). Though I didn’t get any pictures or live tweet this, it was absolutely fantastic. Seanan is a GREAT person who is really funny and amazing to talk to. She also signed my copy of her novel Discount Armageddon!
My time at Alpha was amazing. Words cannot adequately describe it, and its entire purpose was to teach me to be a better writer. The friends I made there are awesome, and the things I learned I’ll keep forever. If YOU are a young writer in between the ages of 14-19, I BEG you to apply there next year. The deadline is March 1st.
Out of all this, I did manage to snag you guys something! A SIGNED copy of The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Cathrynne Valente! Don’t miss out! Click HERE to enter! Giveaway is US only.
July 27, 2012
ARC Review: “Defiance” by CJ Redwine
Defiance (Defiance #1) by CJ Redwine
Within the walls of Baalboden, beneath the shadow of the city’s brutal leader, Rachel Adams has a secret. While other girls sew dresses and obey their male Protectors, Rachel knows how to survive in the wilderness and deftly wield a sword. When her father, Jared, fails to return from a courier mission and is declared dead, the Commander assigns Rachel a new Protector, her father’s apprentice, Logan–the same boy Rachel declared her love for two years ago, and the same one who handed her heart right back to her. Left with nothing but a fierce belief in her father’s survival, Rachel decides to escape and find him herself. But treason against the Commander carries a heavy price, and what awaits her in the Wasteland could destroy her.
At nineteen, Logan McEntire is many things. Orphan. Outcast. Inventor. As apprentice to the city’s top courier, Logan is focused on learning his trade so he can escape the tyranny of Baalboden. But his plan never included being responsible for his mentor’s impulsive daughter. Logan is determined to protect her, but when his escape plan goes wrong and Rachel pays the price, he realizes he has more at stake than disappointing Jared.
As Rachel and Logan battle their way through the Wasteland, stalked by a monster that can’t be killed and an army of assassins out for blood, they discover romance, heartbreak, and a truth that will incite a war decades in the making.
4 stars
A big thank you to Edelweiss and Balzer + Bray for this ARC! You can get a copy for yourself on August 28th, 2012.
You know those books that you hype up through the skyline in your mind because they sounds so flipping fantastically awesome?
This was one of those for me. And it was not entirely a good thing.
I was salivating over Defiance because of how flipping fantastic the cover and the synopsis looked. The premise looked unique and it seemed action packed. Both of those things were entirely correct when I read the book. What got me, however, was the characters.
The romance was expected right from the get go, but in the end it was what docked and entire star from the book. I had hoped that this book would focus less on romance and more on action, and that the fact that Rachel and Logan had that past would prevent an insta-love scenario. Both of these things were incorrect. From the first pages, the romance was very much a focal point of the story. I couldn’t understand how such a big deal could be made about how Logan had turned her down and everything, yet they were clearly both in love with each other from the get go. I won’t drone on about this too much because I know you guys are sick and tired of me picking apart romance, but nothing in that made sense to me.
However, despite the romance, I certainly got the action I was looking for. The Commander of Baalboden is CREEPY and EVIL as all get out, and once things get started they don’t stop. Redwine also had no problem hurting or killing off characters to prove a point, which kept the stakes high on every page.
The setting was just as unique as I’d hoped, and Redwine didn’t spend much time infodumping yet I felt I had a handle on how things worked. The Cursed Ones were really interesting, as was the sort of Frontier outpost I was imagining coupled with the advanced technology Logan and others had. I also enjoyed how this unique setting was just that – a setting. Sometimes I feel like authors take too much time away from the story getting you into the world, but Redwine did none of that. Defiance was all about the characters and the plot.
Despite the fact that I wanted more from the characters of Rachel and Logan, they worked well enough that I really enjoyed the ride – especially when they were apart. The end hinted at a possible coming love triangle which made me groan, but it also left the book in a really crazy place that leaves room for LITERALLY ANYTHING to happen. I’m really excited to see what Redwine will do with the plot, and I’m even willing to deal with more Rachel/Logan focal points as long as the action keeps up the pace it set in this one!
July 26, 2012
ARC Review: “Confessions of an Angry Girl” by Louise Rozett
Confessions of an Angry Girl (Confessions #1) by Louise Rozett
Rose Zarelli, self-proclaimed word geek and angry girl, has some CONFESSIONS to make… #1: I’m livid all the time. Why? My dad died. My mom barely talks. My brother abandoned us. I think I’m allowed to be irate, don’t you?
#2: I make people furious regularly. Want an example? I kissed Jamie Forta, a badass guy who “might” be dating a cheerleader. She is now enraged and out for blood. Mine.
#3: High school might as well be Mars. My best friend has been replaced by an alien, and I see red all the time. (Mars is red and “seeing red” means being angry-get it?)
Here are some other vocab words that describe my life: Inadequate. Insufferable. Intolerable.
(Don’t know what they mean? Look them up yourself.) (Sorry. That was rude.)
3 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and HarlequinTeen for allowing me to read this ARC! You guys can grab a copy August 28th, 2012!
When this book popped up on NetGalley, I had my reservations. I don’t usually read contemporary because I’m very cynical about them. Still, I read that synopsis right there and just HAD to request it, because the narrator felt like she had SO MUCH INTENSITY coming off of her words.
So imagine my surprise when Rose ended up being nothing like I thought she would be. In the beginning, Rose is HARDLY very angry. She’s very quiet and submissive, content to let her friends and others walk all over her. That annoyed me in itself, because I just hate when characters bow their heads and let everybody use them as punching bags. She comes off more whiny and know-it-all-ish than anything.
As the book went on, Rose’s character got better. However, for the most part the huge supporting cast was a whole bunch of clichés. I wasn’t even sure why some of those characters, like Robert, even existed. You had your cheerleaders and you had your cliché high school jocks and jerks. Not much uniqueness in that scenario.
I think my biggest problem with this book was that I was never sure what the plot of the book was. Usually there is some sort of goal laid out or something, but the book just keeps rolling on and on with no real endgame in mind. Sure, that meant I had no idea what was going to happen, but I also never felt like I knew what the point was of anything going on.
So why all the way up with 3 1/2 stars, then? Because of Rose. No, she was never what I thought she was going to be, but she was…something else. Honestly, Rose could have been me at fourteen. The things she said, the way she said them–I literally remembered saying and thinking those things at that age. (Hey, it was only four years ago, I’m not that old yet!) I really, deeply connected with her, and that made the whole book for me.
Still, I also take issue with that ending. Just when things are really revving up to be good and Rose is coming into her own like whoa (and things are getting interesting with Jamie, for real!), Rozett goes and ENDS IT ON THAT CLIFFHANGER. I died a little bit inside. There are cliffhangers, and then there are cliffhangers. I really wanted to see Regina–the “cheer-witch” who was making Rose’s life horrible–get what was coming to her. Next book, maybe?
Overall, I liked Confessions of an Angry Girl. I didn’t desperately love it, but it was a fun way to pass a few hours, remembering my own freshman years. I know contemporaries are touted for their romance elements, but I’d call this one more of a coming of age than anything else. Personally, that was where the writing really shone for me.
The next book in this series, Confessions of an Almost Girlfriend, is scheduled to be released in 2013.
July 25, 2012
Waiting on Wednesday #18
Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine
Title: The Unnaturalists
Author: Tiffany Trent
ETA: August 14, 2012
Summary from Goodreads: In an alternate London where magical creatures are preserved in a museum, two teens find themselves caught in a web of intrigue, deception, and danger.
Vespa Nyx wants nothing more than to spend the rest of her life cataloging Unnatural creatures in her father’s museum, but as she gets older, the requirement to become a lady and find a husband is looming large. Syrus Reed’s Tinker family has always served and revered the Unnaturals from afar, but when his family is captured to be refinery slaves, he finds that his fate may be bound up with Vespa’s—and with the Unnaturals.
As the danger grows, Vespa and Syrus find themselves in a tightening web of deception and intrigue. At stake may be the fate of New London—and the world.
Why I’m Waiting: When Tamora Pierce tells you to read a book because it’s amazing, you don’t exactly brush that aside. She mentioned this one, along with Seraphina and Cinder in one of her lectures, and I instantly added it to the to-read pile. This also looks SO AMAZINGLY COOL, I would have read it even if she didn’t think it was amazing. I mean, steampunk and a female heroine Tamora Pierce approves of? YES PLEASE!
July 24, 2012
Top Ten Most Vivid Worlds/Settings In Books
Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish
This week’s Top Ten Tuesday is actually pretty straight forward. This is a YA blog, and I could say some profound things about world building in YA, but instead I’m going to focus on GOOD world building this time around. Ready? Here we go!
1. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
If you haven’t picked this up now, I don’t know what’s wrong with you. I believe I said that in my 5 star review. This world is as fantastically built as Game of Thrones, without all the things I don’t like about Game of Thrones, all the way through the characters and the dialogue. EVERYTHING about this book is amazingly awesome.
2. Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
Though I made many comments about the characterization in this novel in my review, the world absolutely knocked me off my feet. Russian magic? With clothing that’s describes like costumes you just HAVE to own? FANTASTIC images that pop off the page? This has it ALL. I recommend this to all those looking for a unique read.
Don’t really think I have to explain this to most folks. I mean, is there anyone left on the planet that reads YA but hasn’t read this? Well, for you guys, best dystopian novel out there, hands down.
4. The Girl of Fire of Thorns by Rae Carson
I basically bought this book for a unique world, and I wasn’t disappointed. The characters were awesome and at the end Carson dropped a BOMB OF FANTASTIC on the whole plot line. I loved every little bit of this, and it was one of the first books I reviewed!
If you missed my review of this, you missed a whole heck of a lot of CAPS. It was just as beautiful as the book’s cover. From the dragons to the city to the notion that love does not depend on gender, Incarnate was a work of art that everyone should read.
6. Hawksong by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes
This one I was reminded of because I’m currently hosting a giveaway for this entire series, but basically it’s a fantasy world made up of shapeshifters that is amazingly awesome.
7. The City’s Son by Tom Pollock
You guys have no idea how much I could link to this review, but it’s not out yet. If memory serves, it’ll be up next week or the week after, since this book doesn’t come out til September. The important thing, though, is that this was the most amazing description of urban fantasy I’d ever read.
Japanese based world with huge country and DRAGONS. Seriously, what else do you need? Nothing, it’s nothing. The characters were also just as unique as the setting, which was awesome.
9. Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
How many times have I talked about this book? I know it’s a lot, so I’m not going to stay very long here…
10. Graceling by Kristin Cashore
Talk about a fantastic world building and a unique concept. I didn’t really like the following two books, but this one was pretty fantastic.
July 23, 2012
Review: “Wrecked” by Anna Davies + GIVEAWAY
Wrecked by Anna Davies
Ever since the death of her parents, Miranda has lived on Whym Island, taking comfort in the local folklore, which claims a mysterious sea witch controls the fate of all on the island and in its surrounding waters. Sometimes it’s just easier to believe things are out of your control.
But then a terrible boating accident takes the lives of several of her friends, and Miranda is rescued by a mysterious boy who haunts her dreams. Consumed by guilt from the accident, she finds refuge in late-night swims—and meets Christian, a boy who seems eerily familiar, but who is full of mystery: He won’t tell her where he is from, or why they can only meet at the beach. But Miranda falls for him anyway…and discovers that Christian’s secrets, though meant to protect her, may bring her nothing but harm.
3 stars
Wrecked was one of those books that left me with a twisted gut, and I’m not sure if that’s a good thing.
It was, certainly, not what I expected. If you’re looking for a novel with a distinct focus on mermaids, look elsewhere. This one was more of a contemporary drama that happened to have mermaids in it. There’s nothing wrong with that, of course, but it was not what I’d thought I’d signed up for.
Personally, the pace of the plot was much slower than I like to read. I prefer novels that GOGOGO. The whole first couple of chapters, especially, are full of clunky back story that I don’t really think had much bearing on the story. After all, the synopsis TELLS you that her friends die, so why drag it out? I don’t want to sound like a horrible person, but still: if they’re going to die, KILL THEM. Don’t tell me what they all were like in kindergarten. There’s time for that later, when I feel like I care.
Miranda as a main character infuriated me. The way that her pain was written was gut wrenching and almost made me cry, but her actions didn’t DO anything. Her grandmother just told her to do things and she bowed her head and backed down. My gut twisted further with outrage and annoyance at these times. I kept bashing my head against the cover, begging her to snap out of it. But she didn’t. Ever. To this moment, I’m not sure if it was in character with all the pain she was feeling or out of it.
The romance in this book wasn’t as prevalent as I thought it would be. Of course it’s insta-love and all that, but it was really more of a short blip in the book rather than a focus. I’ll cap my rant on insta-love because you guys don’t want to hear it for the umpteenth time, but still. I do not like insta-love. I do have to say, though, that I adored Miranda’s honest ruminations about her relationship with her boyfriend Fletch, who was left in a coma after tha accident. That, at least, was real teenager thoughts that I connected with.
All in all, this was one of those books that I didn’t love or hate, mostly because it wasn’t my taste. It moves slowly and focuses a lot on Miranda’s emotions. That’s beautiful done, for sure, but … what can I say, I’m an action girl. 
I would certainly recommend this book to those people who like emotional books, but–again–the mermaid factor in this one is very small. If you’re a contemporary YA lover who’s looking to dip their toes into the latest mermaid fad, then this is for you!
AND I’M HERE TO HELP YOU.
I actually have TWO copies of Wrecked to giveaway. You excited? You should be. Click HERE to enter! This giveaway is US only and goes til 11:59 PM of July 31st.
July 21, 2012
Stacking the Shelves #4
Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga’s Reviews.
Hey guys! This week, sadly, I can’t vlog, because I am at the awesome Alpha Young Writer’s Camp (information about that HERE). HOWEVER, I did get a ton more books this week, because I am CRAZY STUPID. My list goes a little something like this (and all links go to Goodreads):
Bought:
Ironside by Holly Black ~ The Vincent Boys by Abbi Glines ~ Team Human by Justine Larbalestier and Sarah Rees Brennan
In case you missed it, I picked up Ironside and Team Human because I was at a Holly Black, Cassandra Clare and Sarah Rees Brennan signing on Sunday. You can read about that HERE if you like!
For Review:
Demon Catchers of Milan by Kat Beyer ~ Reflection by Jessica Roberts ~ Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff
Demon Catchers of Milan and Stormdancer are both from NetGalley, of a sort. Stormdancer was a request from St. Martin’s Press. Reflection is going to be a blog tour, as hosted by YA Bound tours, so you won’t want to miss that one!
Given (Or, Stolen from Tamora Pierce’s Bookshelf):
Rogue Angel: Bone Conjurer by Alex Archer ~ Sword of the Deceiver by Sarah Zettel
Tamora Pierce brought BAGS of books for us to play with, and these are the two that I stole!
What was your book haul this week?
July 20, 2012
Review: “Shadow and Bone” by Leigh Bardugo
Shadow and Bone (The Grisha Trilogy #1) by Leigh Bardugo
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.
4 stars
I should probably tell you that Shadow and Bone was one of my most anticipated debut of the year. I mean seriously, that blurb? I bent over BACKWARDS to get myself a copy of it.
I couldn’t have been more excited for the world, and I was right. The mythology, the society–everything. It was just so utterly fantastic. I admit, at times I wasn’t entirely following what was going on, but that was okay because I was able to get just enough information to take a stab at what they actually meant. I wish I could be more articulate about the world, but I’ve been trying here and I just lapse into nonsensical LOVE SO MUCH. Basically: If you pick up this book because you want to see a new world, you will NOT be disappointed.
Alina, the main character, isn’t a bad narrator. She had some realistic responses, even though she feels a bit petulant at times. By biggest hang up with her, though, was the romance. (If you know me, this is the point where you roll your eyes and go “Of course you did, you are NEVER happy with YA romance, dear sweet creator of chocolate.”) Alina seems to be legitimately hung up on her childhood friend Mal in the beginning, but then she goes “Whoops I’m in love with the Darkling now!” Stupidly in love, too. Then she goes, “Whoops I never really trusted the Darkling at all I love you Mal!” Unfortunately, I’ve learned to glaze my eyes over when this sort of thing happens in YA now.
Plus, with this world, I was willing to give Bardugo a million and three chances.
The book began with a good amount of action that slipped in the middle and then jumped up back at the end. To be fair, the entire middle was spent trying to explain Shadow and Bone’s world and the magic and I drank it all in. Every description was spectacular, down to the Grisha’s robes which I now want to own. NOW PLEASE.
It was also at the end that other things started slipping. Big, spectacular moments that could have been dragged out for dramatic purposes were clipped over and several plot devices at the end didn’t seem to fit. For the whole last fourth, I wanted to yell NO NO SLOW DOWN, GIMME MORE. I guess several things couldn’t be completely explained because the novel was written in the first person, but still. Too many plot points twisted out of Alina’s sight for me to understand them clearly.
All and all, I found Shadow and Bone to be a solid debut novel. Bardugo has crafted a unique world that I want to fall into over and over again. Though almost too many things were left unexplained, I still cannot wait for the second book to come out. I recommend Shadow and Bone to any fans of YA fantasy, especially those looking a new and unique world. Despite my griping about the romance, it certainly isn’t a large focus point of the novel–which is a selling point for me, a detriment for others, but there you have it.
Bottom line? READ THIS.
The second book in the Grisha Trilogy, Seige and Storm, is expected to be released in 2013.
