Gretchen C. Hohmeyer's Blog, page 95

Review: “Shadowed Ground” by Vicki Keire

Shadowed Ground (Chronicles of Nowhere, Vol #2) by Vicki Keire (Click for Goodreads)

2 1/2 stars

Chloe Burke has only two choices left: run or fight.

As she wakes from a poisoned sleep with silver scars across her neck and back, her aunt’s diary may provide the only clues about the creatures of fire that hunt her. Through it, she learns of her own awakening powers, as well as more about Annwyn, the world of her childhood, now burned to ash.

She also learns of the blood sacrifice that will be required of her when she arrives at Gray’s Landing. It’s a sacrifice not everyone survives.

Trapped and hunted, separated from her last living relative and the only home she has ever known, Chloe must rely on the deadly Eliot Gray to guide her through the strange world she suddenly finds herself inhabiting. It’s a world where the Abandoned wear human bodies like cheap suits, where the Landing finds itself threatened by its nearest neighbors, and Chloe and Eliot must watch their every move.

As the world around them becomes increasingly hostile, Chloe and Eliot turn more and more towards each other. As the bonds of trust grow, they must be careful not to tread upon time-honored boundaries: those forbidding Guardians to act on feelings for their Wards. To do so would break the bond, and would leave Chloe unprotected as the pair makes their way to Gray’s Landing, and safety.

Members of the powerful Ravenwood family fall further and further under the Abandoned’s influence until Alexander stands alone. Cass and Miranda must find a way to take legal possession of the Landing amidst corruption and danger in Savannah.

A dangerous road stretches on before them, and Chloe and Eliot must learn to work as a team against the deadly predators that threaten a whole new world. Determined not to let the only home she remembers suffer Annwyn’s fate, Chloe finds herself in a race to reach Gray’s Landing before it is too late.

This review is from an ARC received from NetGalley. Shadowed Ground is now available in ebook format.

There is one important thing everyone needs to know about The Chronicles of Nowhere. If you read the first book, you already know this, but for anyone elses knowledge: The Chronicles of Nowhere are NOT novels. They are serialized stories. This just means that every installment (so far) is only 100 pages or so.

But here’s the thing. I am legitimately confused by this installment. For me, the logical train of thought is: If this book is going to be so short, let’s pack it with action–or, at least, things that move the plot along. Shadowed Ground … didn’t. Perhaps this isn’t the right mind frame for serialized stories, but that was the mentality I went into it with. It was, I guess, the wrong one.

This book is entirely Chloe and Eliot centric. It almost feels as if Alexander and Chloe’s mom are no longer important. However, it got worse when it seemed that Alexander’s and Chloe’s mom’s storylines had the most juice in them, but we never got to see them. Out of 15 chapters, 2 were Alexander and 1 was Chloe’s mom from the viewpoint of a drunk, recently dumped and fired lawyer, if memory serves. These not only had the potential for the most plot juice, but also the most action as well but they were mostly forgotten.

Chloe and Eliot’s story had no real plot juice. First they’re talking. Then he’s trying to teach her how to fight. Then they’re talking. Then they’re driving. Then they’re talking. There’s finally a sword fight over halfway into the book, but by then I’d lost my steam. I understand that Chloe is trying to deal with a lot, but the writing didn’t deal with it well. She spends so much time whining and freaking out that she becomes unlikable. Eliot is a cool character, but I don’t follow his schizo personality switches. They came without warning and seemed really out of place.

I really didn’t want to give this two stars, but I honestly couldn’t justify giving it three. So, it’s two and a half stars is my compromise. This book WAS better than a two star rating, whenever things were really going down or no one was talking (and Chloe wasn’t whining). Honestly, I just became far too frustrated with the lack of movement within the very short story. Keire clearly has the potential to write a really fast paced ride, but this just wasn’t it.

Review: “The Immortal Rules” by Julie Kagawa

The Immortal Rules (The Blood of Eden #1) by Julie Kagawa (Click for Goodreads)

4 1/2 stars

MY VAMPIRE CREATOR TOLD ME THIS:

“Sometime in your life, Allison Sekemoto, you will kill a human being. The question is not if it will happen, but when. Do you understand?”

I didn’t then, not really.

I DO NOW.

Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten.

Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them. The vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself is attacked—and given the ultimate choice. Die…or become one of the monsters.

Faced with her own mortality, Allie becomes what she despises most. To survive, she must learn the rules of being immortal, including the most important: go long enough without human blood, and you will go mad.

Then Allie is forced to flee into the unknown, outside her city walls. There she joins a ragged band of humans who are seeking a legend—a possible cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike.

But it isn’t easy to pass for human. Especially not around Zeke, who might see past the monster inside her. And Allie soon must decide what—and who—is worth dying for.

This review is of an Advanced Review Copy received from NetGalley. You can get your hands on a copy April 24, 2012.

Now, before we begin this review, I should probably admit something. Something that will have all of you screaming blasphemy and what-have-you.

I never read the Iron Fey series.

DON’T KILL ME. I mean to, I swear! Actually, after this book, make that I NEED TO READ NOW.

I went for this book for two reasons: One, it had vampires in it. Traditional sounding vampires, not sparkly ones. Two, I had heard Julie Kagawa has a way with words. Well, let me tell you guys, if you weren’t aware already:

JULIE KAGAWA HAS A WAY WITH WORDS.

I really just can’t get over the way this book read. After Shatter Me and Illuminate, books with any kind of flowery language make me go, “Seriously? Again?” But this book just read so well, and so beautiful, I was sucked in.

Someone told me that this book’s blurb just sounded like it was capitalizing on the two biggest trends in YA today–dystopian and vampires–and really I can’t deny that. After a while, all these dystopian worlds start having a few similar characteristics and that was the same here. However, unlike some other books, I never found myself questioning this one. Kagawa lays out the world so well that there’s no question. You can SEE this world and how the humans got to be where they are, and everything from the cities to the country is very realistic. That’s a big plus in my book. The vampires in this book also try to buck the trend a little bit. They don’t glamorize being undead. They don’t make the vampires into rock stars or sulky-yet-somehow-swoonworthy guys hung up on immortal ideas of love. Allie is a vampire. She struggles with it. She is a human soul inside a demon body trying to rationalize the two. It’s almost not about the fact that she’s a vampire; it’s about the fact that she’s no longer human. All in all, what book isn’t a combination of something that’s been done before? The whole point is to take it, own it and make it your own, and Kagawa did that with some of the best skill I’ve ever seen.

Now, let’s back up to that whole “She is a human soul inside a demon body trying to rationalize the two” thing. You’ll notice that this review is only 4 1/2 stars, and I’ll say without shame that is possibly solely because of personal taste. The first third of this book, or thereabouts, is all about Allie trying to come to turns with what she’s become. She’s learning about being a vampire and dealing with the repercussions. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that, and at times I quite enjoyed it. However, I am–without fail–an impatient reader who always wants something exciting to happen NOW. For me, it felt like the book got off to a slow start because it was focusing on Allie’s personal journey in the beginnings of vampirism and not ACTIONACTIONACTION. I liked it a lot, but the fact that it lasted for more than the first third of the book was too much for me.

But now … the last two-thirds. GUYS. I literally COULD NOT SIT IN MY SEAT. I’m not kidding. I was readingreadingreading and then I had to get up. I have no idea when I get so immersed into this book, but I certainly noticed it when I bounced out of my seat because I could. Not. Sit. I was constantly questioning what she was going to do next, because I was never sure if she was going to give into her vampire side or go with her humanity because THAT is how will the character of Allie was set up. She wasn’t exactly an easy character to love at first, but by the end of the book I was drowning in pity for her. She can have my back anytime. I wasn’t actually sold on too many other members of the cast, except for Caleb of course. No, he’s not the love interest–he is a little boy who acts WAY too much like my little brother.

So, basically, here is The Immortal Rules in a nutshell: Do you love vampires? Then GET THIS. Do you love dystopian and feel like giving vampires a try? Then GET THIS. Looking for a new, exciting book with a kick ass female main character? THEN GET THIS. April 24th, guys. Break down the bookstore door.

Review: "The Immortal Rules" by Julie Kagawa

The Immortal Rules (The Blood of Eden #1) by Julie Kagawa (Click for Goodreads)

4 1/2 stars

MY VAMPIRE CREATOR TOLD ME THIS:

"Sometime in your life, Allison Sekemoto, you will kill a human being. The question is not if it will happen, but when. Do you understand?"

I didn't then, not really.

I DO NOW.

Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten.

Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them. The vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself is attacked—and given the ultimate choice. Die…or become one of the monsters.

Faced with her own mortality, Allie becomes what she despises most. To survive, she must learn the rules of being immortal, including the most important: go long enough without human blood, and you will go mad.

Then Allie is forced to flee into the unknown, outside her city walls. There she joins a ragged band of humans who are seeking a legend—a possible cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike.

But it isn't easy to pass for human. Especially not around Zeke, who might see past the monster inside her. And Allie soon must decide what—and who—is worth dying for.

This review is of an Advanced Review Copy received from NetGalley. You can get your hands on a copy April 24, 2012.

Now, before we begin this review, I should probably admit something. Something that will have all of you screaming blasphemy and what-have-you.

I never read the Iron Fey series.

DON'T KILL ME. I mean to, I swear! Actually, after this book, make that I NEED TO READ NOW.

I went for this book for two reasons: One, it had vampires in it. Traditional sounding vampires, not sparkly ones. Two, I had heard Julie Kagawa has a way with words. Well, let me tell you guys, if you weren't aware already:

JULIE KAGAWA HAS A WAY WITH WORDS.

I really just can't get over the way this book read. After Shatter Me and Illuminate, books with any kind of flowery language make me go, "Seriously? Again?" But this book just read so well, and so beautiful, I was sucked in.

Someone told me that this book's blurb just sounded like it was capitalizing on the two biggest trends in YA today–dystopian and vampires–and really I can't deny that. After a while, all these dystopian worlds start having a few similar characteristics and that was the same here. However, unlike some other books, I never found myself questioning this one. Kagawa lays out the world so well that there's no question. You can SEE this world and how the humans got to be where they are, and everything from the cities to the country is very realistic. That's a big plus in my book. The vampires in this book also try to buck the trend a little bit. They don't glamorize being undead. They don't make the vampires into rock stars or sulky-yet-somehow-swoonworthy guys hung up on immortal ideas of love. Allie is a vampire. She struggles with it. She is a human soul inside a demon body trying to rationalize the two. It's almost not about the fact that she's a vampire; it's about the fact that she's no longer human. All in all, what book isn't a combination of something that's been done before? The whole point is to take it, own it and make it your own, and Kagawa did that with some of the best skill I've ever seen.

Now, let's back up to that whole "She is a human soul inside a demon body trying to rationalize the two" thing. You'll notice that this review is only 4 1/2 stars, and I'll say without shame that is possibly solely because of personal taste. The first third of this book, or thereabouts, is all about Allie trying to come to turns with what she's become. She's learning about being a vampire and dealing with the repercussions. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that, and at times I quite enjoyed it. However, I am–without fail–an impatient reader who always wants something exciting to happen NOW. For me, it felt like the book got off to a slow start because it was focusing on Allie's personal journey in the beginnings of vampirism and not ACTIONACTIONACTION. I liked it a lot, but the fact that it lasted for more than the first third of the book was too much for me.

But now … the last two-thirds. GUYS. I literally COULD NOT SIT IN MY SEAT. I'm not kidding. I was readingreadingreading and then I had to get up. I have no idea when I get so immersed into this book, but I certainly noticed it when I bounced out of my seat because I could. Not. Sit. I was constantly questioning what she was going to do next, because I was never sure if she was going to give into her vampire side or go with her humanity because THAT is how will the character of Allie was set up. She wasn't exactly an easy character to love at first, but by the end of the book I was drowning in pity for her. She can have my back anytime. I wasn't actually sold on too many other members of the cast, except for Caleb of course. No, he's not the love interest–he is a little boy who acts WAY too much like my little brother.

So, basically, here is The Immortal Rules in a nutshell: Do you love vampires? Then GET THIS. Do you love dystopian and feel like giving vampires a try? Then GET THIS. Looking for a new, exciting book with a kick ass female main character? THEN GET THIS. April 24th, guys. Break down the bookstore door.

Waiting on Wednesday: Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff

Waiting on Wednesday is a feature hosted over at Breaking the Spine.

Title: Stormdancer (The Lotus Wars #1) (Click for Goodreads)

Author: Jay Kristoff

Expected Publication: September 1, 2012

Summary from Goodreads: A DYING LAND The Shima Imperium verges on the brink of environmental collapse; decimated by clockwork industrialization and the machine-worshipers of the Lotus Guild. The skies are red as blood, land choked with toxic pollution, wildlife ravaged by mass extinctions.

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

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

But together, the pair will form an indomitable friendship, and rise to challenge the might of an empire.

Why I'm Waiting: One, this cover is a literally work of art. You cannot tell me that isn't gorgeous. Two, I'm a SUCKER for anything related to Japanese-based stuff. Seriously. Like you have no idea. Plus, guys, this sounds SO COOL. September is a FREAKING LONG TIME to wait, but I don't care. Sign me up now!

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books That Were Totally Deceiving

Top Ten Tuesday is a feature hosted by the folks over at The Broke and the Bookish. 

"Totally Deceiving," i.e., the covers or titles that don't fit the book, books that were totally different from the summary, or books you thought were going to be fluff that turned out to be more serious etc etc

1. The Gathering Storm by Robin Bridges

I would like to first direct you to the cover. This book has EVERYTHING in it – vampires, fey, necromancy, zombies, you name it - but the cover has a girl in a snow storm. Yes, Katerina is the main character and all, but that's all they could come up with? Also, I don't feel like the blurb – either click the title for Goodreads or here for my review - covers the book at all.

2. Illuminate by Aimee Agresti

To be fair, the cover gives you more of a hint to what's going on in this book than the book ever does for like 300 pages. However, I actually called out the blurb in my review because it promised us a fast paced, exhilarating ride that never, ever came until the last 30 pages. Of a 500-something page book.

3. Shattered Souls by Mary Lindsey

For the sake of everyone's ears, I'll try not to say too much about this book. I have already ranted so loudly about this book that someone linked to the post on their blog. But basically? Beautiful cover with a horrible, awful, toxic set of relationships in between.

4. The Help by Kathryn Stockett

I know, I know, this isn't a YA novel! But I'm legitametly confused about this cover. Clearly it has deeper meaning that I don't understand, but it's so VERY bright yellow with … birds. Sure, this book screams HI HERE I AM on bookshelves in the bookstore, but otherwise leaves me befuddled. Also, on a purely design standpoint, I have never thought that yellow and purple should go next to each other like that. (In case anyone was curious, yes, I adored this book and yes, I adored the movie.)

5. Chain Reaction by Simone Elkeles

This cover really doesn't cover this book. This IS a scene in the book, but it's the epilogue and it doesn't mean anything except for give you a closing scene. At least Perfect Chemistry tried to portray the book's overall sweetness and Rules of Attraction used the biggest scene of the book. Chain Reaction? Not so much. Of all three of them, I also believe Chain Reaction was the least steamy, which the cover begs you to think isn't true. I reviewed this book ages ago, so the minute details are slippery, but for certain this wasn't the right cover for this book.

6. When It Happens by Susane Colasanti

Now, I understand that as a rule straight YA romance usually has cheesy covers, but I really didn't get this one. There were several pivotal scenes in the book that could have captured the real message of this book that weren't … this. It looks like an optical illusion picture gone wrong. Sure, it's cute, but considering that the book tried to be real instead of cutesy, a cutesy cover image wasn't the way to go.

7. City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

I am putting this one on here solely for the sake of a friend of mine, who won't go near these books because there is a bare-chested man on the front. This is NOT a penny romance, person whose name I'm trying not to say. Every single one of Clare's books are strictly PG-13 and most of that is for language. Plus, they're as funny as all get out. Nevermind the bare-chested man!

8. Spell Bound by Rachel Hawkins

This one is basically here for kicks and giggles, because I need someone to answer a question for me: WHY is there a CAT on the cover? Did I miss this cat? Because I swear I don't remember that cat, but it's ON THE COVER. Anybody?

9. The entire reprint of The Song of the Lioness that was just released

As a Pierce megafan, these covers make me legitimately angry. These covers are just so wrong, especially The Woman Who Rides Like a Man. THAT'S A TWILIGHT MOVIE POSTER, not a cover for a Tamora Pierce book. Even Tamora doesn't like them. Speaking of which…

10. Every Twilight book cover ever.

I'm not even going to put the pictures in – you know what they look like. There's an apple and a ribbon and a chess set and a feather and none of it makes any sense. I understand that it's supposed to have a deeper meaning, but not to me! I also didn't like those books, so also that.

I like giveaways, do you like giveaways?

If the answer to that questions is no … pardon me, come again? WHO DOESN'T LIKE A GIVEAWAY? Personally, I love recieving prizes. That's why, with the blogging powers invested in me, I want to GIVE THINGS AWAY. That's right, I'm finally getting into giveaways. Finally.

Well, not quite yet. See, I need to actually get my hands on the rest of the planned merchandise for you guys. But here's the deal. There's going to be two giveaways in May, and one in June. Yeah, that's all I've got planned for now – I'm not a planning person. But here's why:

My Life is a Notebook will be celebrating 2 years of blogging on May 16th!

I'm so excited! Sure, for at least half that time I wasn't actually a consistent blogger, but SHHH. Anyways, what's the point of this?

LOOK! CYBER BROWNIES!

I'm giving you guys–the people who follow my blog WITHOUT coming here through the giveaway hops–and early and extra chance to enter. You may notice there is a shiny new Facebook like button on the side of this blog. As of today, there are THREE Facebook events listed for the page. Sign up for them early and you get an extra entry into my TWO YEAR CELEBRATION giveaway.

Also, I will give you cyber-brownies.

Are you guys ready to win some free books in May? How about June? How about for the next ever? Because I'm pretty jazzed and I'm giving the books away. Just saying.

Review: "The White Oak" by Kim White

The White Oak (Imperfect Darkness, Book One) by Kim White (Click for Goodreads)

3 stars

In The White Oak, the first book in the Imperfect Darkness series, Cora Alexander falls through a sinkhole and enters the underworld still alive. Her living presence threatens the tyrannical rule of Minos and the infernal judges who have hijacked the afterlife and rebuilt it, trapping human souls in a mechanical, computer-controlled city that lies at the core of the earth. To survive, Cora must rely on her untrustworthy guide, Minotaur, an artificial intelligence built by Minos. She is helped by a mysterious voice, and by Sybil, underworld librarian and author of each person's book of life. Sybil's collection holds the key to humankind's intertwined life stories. When Cora's own book is destroyed, Sybil gives her a magical golden pen and sends her to the underworld city to write her own destiny. Along the way, Cora finds the ghost of her dead brother, Lucas, a genius programmer who alone is capable of finding the chink in Minos's armor. But will he be able to get Cora out alive, or will they both fall victim to the underworld trap?

This book review is of an ARC received from NetGalley. You can buy the ebook April 9, 2012!

Wow, where to start with this book? Let me to just mention that reading this book and Illuminate by Aimee Agresti at the same time was WEIRD. Illuminate, as I said, went very, very slow. The White Oak, on the other hand?

HOLD ON TIGHT.

From page one, this book throws you right into the action. Every page from there on out always has something happening. Now, this is usually my kind of book, but The White Oak made me realize something: this is only my kind of book when it's done right.

My rating of 3 stars may be affected entirely by the way I read. I read FAST. I get bored or I don't understand what's going on, then I skim. This book never stopped moving, and that turned into a problem. I feel like, even in the beginning, I was never grounded into the world. I understood the basics of what was going on, but that was it. The rest of the plot took place an inch or two above my head, with me only understanding what was happening in the moment and not really what was happening in the overall plot. Important facets weren't explained enough, and that really became a problem for me. My first observation about this book, as you saw if you follow me on Goodreads, was, "This reads like a NaNo novel!"

I was also continuously jarred by the book jumping into different points of view. The POV switches always came without warning, and the only clue that we had that they were a switch was that the font went into italics. Personally, I think everything that was explained in the infrequent and random switches could have just as easily been cut or told from Cora's point of view. Actually, when Lucas was describing Cora, I found myself really not liking her–in odd contrast to the passable POV character she was.

So why three stars, then, if I came out feeling like I never got the book? Because of the descriptions. The setting. Seriously, when White slows down and writes a description, she WRITES A DESCRIPTION. Her descriptions of the Underworld and the beings in it were gorgeous, period. This absolutely made the book for me.

And you know what? If you have a better handle on Greek mythology than me, it might make this book a higher rating for you, too. I enjoy reading Greek mythology, but I don't know it like the back of my hand or read it obsessively like, say, Egyptian or Japanese history. I have a feeling that people better acquainted with the myths will have an easier time settling into this book than I did. There were a bunch of allusions being thrown out there that I knew, but not off the top of my head. And I don't Google while I read. It got curiouser as technology and mythology were constantly being juxtaposed, because it kept jarring me every time I tried to remember the actual myth. Mythology lovers might find this cool, but I kept going, "Wait, what?"

All and all, if you enjoy Greek mythology about the underworld, check this one out! It's a rollercoaster ride that barely even stops at the ending. If you're not so mythology oriented, it might not be entirely up your alley, but that's just my opinion. I gave this one a shot, and I'm not disappointed I did!

The second book in this four part series, Sword of Souls, is to be published in July 2012.

Follow Friday #2

It's time for another Feature and Follow Friday, as hosted by Parajunkee's Review and Alison Can Read! What this means is, you see this post, you follow me, you tell me you're a new follower and then I follow you! Everybody wins!

My preferred way to be followed is email!

This week's question: Have you ever bought a book BECAUSE of a bad review?

The only book I can think of that I did this with is Hush, Hush. I got it at an awkward time and still haven't read it, but I'd heard either glowing things, or that the writing was bad and Patch was abusive. At the same time I got it, I was reading Shattered Souls by Mary Lindsey that resulted in this rant about abusive relationships in YA books, so I never ended up reading Hush, Hush because I was so disgusted and didn't want to go through that again so soon. (And maybe that isn't in there. I still don't know how I feel about it because I haven't read it. ) Personally, bad reviews have never affected me, unless there were a lot of them. I know that some people just don't like things, and other people love them!

Review: Illuminate by Aimee Agresti

Illuminate by Aimee Agresti (click for Goodreads)

3 stars

"Who lives in a hotel? Only rock stars and celebrities and maybe these messed up starlets who, like, divorce their parents…"

…and now, straight-A suburban high school student Haven Terra. She moves into Chicago's swanky Lexington Hotel for a prestigious internship shadowing the powerful, alluring, and startlingly young owner, Aurelia Brown. Here, Haven has her first taste of decadence as she meets the city's A-listers, works alongside Aurelia's stunning minions known as the Outfit, and frequents the hotel's exclusive nightclub.

In her old life, Haven was ordinary. But at the Lexington, she's being transformed–and being pursued by Lucian Grove, the guy of her dreams and Aurelia's second-in-command. As Haven begins falling for Lucian, she discovers that the beautiful people on the Lexington's staff are not quite what they seem–and that they have a horrifying plan in store for the hotel's unsuspecting guests. Aurelia and company are in the business of buying souls. Will they succeed in wooing Haven to join them, or will she rise up and fight back in time to save her classmates on prom night at the hotel?

Captivating, romantic, and suspenseful, Illuminate is an exciting saga of a teen's realization of her extraordinary destiny.

Okay, I just want to call this book out RIGHT HERE. Note the words in the last line of the blurb "suspenseful" and "exciting." This book is 534 pages that it doesn't need to be because it is NOT suspenseful or exciting in a lot of places.

Jumping right into the criticism, I just have to let you know this important thing. I picked up this book because I want "YES, BIG BOOK" since I read really fast and always like books I can read for more than a day. The problem is, this book is WAY TOO BIG. Seriously. The pacing in this book is really wacked out, and the editing also strange. If Illuminate had been half the size (or smaller!) it could have been a really awesome read for me, a higher starred one to boot. But this book GOES. SO. SLOW. I literally started skimming.

The fact that I finished this book is actually a fluke, because usually I would have. I'll admit that there was something compulsively keeping me reading. The prose was rather purple-y and overdone–further slowing down the already slow plot–but in some places it really did click and work and be awesome. Flashes of action would crop up and also be awesome, but that's all they were, flashes. Flashes of action is not actual action, people. Now, this point of discussion would naturally lead me to my feelings about the ENDING of this book, but I am getting ahead of myself. I want to pick apart a few things first.

WARNING! MILD SPOILERS BELOW!

Haven: Our main character is supposed to be a protagonist. You know, like PROactive, PROgressive, stuff like that. But the problem is, she isn't. The entirety of the plot–when it does move forward–seems to be happening around her. The reason she starts doing ANYTHING besides falling for Lucian, sleeping and taking photos is because she finds this notebook that tells her everything to do. It's kind of aggravating, especially when Aurelia and everybody start freaking out because Haven's powers are growing and she's effecting the photos but HAVEN ISN'T DOING ANYTHING. She isn't any different, she isn't even trying to be magical. It just … happens. Kinda like everything else in the plot.

What in the world is going on in this book? I'm not kidding! The blurb tells you that Aurelia and crew are stealing souls, but what is Haven's role? What's her job? What kind of lore are we dealing with? I was asking these questions–these IMPORTANT questions–all the way up until about halfway through the book! You don't even find out what the deal is with Haven until later than that. I understand that since this is the first person and Haven is clueless she can't exactly TELL us, but geez. It was quite distracting.

And then when things actually happen… It doesn't seem to FIT. For instance, when Haven finally figures out Lucian. I wanted to shout NO, REALLY? Because this, I had guessed. From about page one. And then when things start rolling and some plot points are explained I went, WAIT WHAT? Because they happened too fast for me to get a handle on them.

However, however, I do admit, I adored a few things…

The character of Dante was awesome. I was upset we got to see him so little in the middle of the book. The Lance/Haven thing was also cute, because they took time to get to know each other, trust each other and THEN fall in love with each other. Major plus in my book. I spent so long on criticism I feel bad I don't want to prattle on too much here, but yeah. Those were two major points for me!

Now … the ending. THERE WILL BE NO SPOILERS HERE, even if it kills me. That would be silly. However, I must saying, things REALLY got rolling here. I actually started laughing out loud for a little bit. It was like, after 500 pages of blah blah blah all of a sudden it went EVERYTHING is GOING TO HAPPEN, THE END. I truly did enjoy the ending, though it ended pretty abruptly after what I was used to.

In a nutshell, this book was … something. It was really slow for ages, then really fast for about 20 pages and then you were at the end. If you are the kind of person who reads books were something NEEDS TO HAPPEN then I would avoid this one. However, if you don't mind slower reading and a slower reveal of plot points then you might find this one enjoyable. Though I did finish this, it really wasn't quite the right fit for me–a fast reader with a short attention span.

Waiting on Wednesday: "The Immortal Rules" by Julie Kagawa

Waiting on Wednesday is a feature hosted by Breaking the Spine.

Title: The Immortal Rules (Blood of Eden #1) (Click for Goodreads)

Author: Julie Kagawa

Expected Publication Date: April 24th, 2012

Summary from Goodreads: In a future world, Vampires reign. Humans are blood cattle. And one girl will search for the key to save humanity.

Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten.

Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them. The vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself is attacked—and given the ultimate choice. Die… or become one of the monsters.

Faced with her own mortality, Allie becomes what she despises most. To survive, she must learn the rules of being immortal, including the most important: go long enough without human blood, and you will go mad.

Then Allie is forced to flee into the unknown, outside her city walls. There she joins a ragged band of humans who are seeking a legend—a possible cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike.

But it isn't easy to pass for human. Especially not around Zeke, who might see past the monster inside her. And Allie soon must decide what—and who—is worth dying for.

Why I'm Waiting: Because my blog is way too much of a small fish for me to be able to get it off NetGalley. Plus, Julie Kagawa is doing vampires. Guys. DID YOU NOT READ THE BLURB? So I got bit by the media vampire. Hard. I'm not ashamed. Plus, this cover is eerily reminiscent of the one that was designed for me for my novel that was up on inkpop-turned-figment. They could be, like, twins. (Except for, you know, the words between the pages. I do not write like Julie Kagawa; not even close.) Several key book blogs I follow who ARE bigger fish than me and got the eGalley have loved it, so I'm sold. Now, the book just needs to COME OUT.

 

EDIT: So, funny thing happened this morning. I checked my inbox and MY REQUEST WAS APPROVED. This Waiting on Wednesday has just turned into a self-fulfilling prophecy. I LOVE EVERYTHING.