Chiara Cilli's Blog, page 17
November 6, 2013
October 22, 2013
October 15, 2013
Review on Live a thousand lives :D
"First book of The MSA Trilogy (Matt Stanton's Agency) set in Pescara, tells the story of the young and enterprising Cristina Cabrisi, twenty-one with the dream of becoming a writer and a passion for make up. Despite Cris has long been an "unofficial history" with her friend Federico, this doesn't block her to look around herself. In fact, when at a party organized by the father of her friend Giovanna, she meets the gaze of Matt Staton aka "Ice Eyes", her attentions are all for him.
Matt Staton, beautiful breath-taking, is a man older than her to whom she feels immediately attracted and the thing seems to be mutual, because the two are reunited, after having just met, to exchange effusions in a bedroom (but really ? :/ ). And it is precisely at this point that Matt makes her a very good job offer: secretary? Mmm not. Employee? Mmm not. Waitress in a restaurant? But maybe not. Hear hear ... the proposed work is to become an escort for his escort agency. She at first refuses to be swayed by the persuasive techniques of Matt, who so obviously reach the goal of having among his Jewels! For the dear "Ice Eyes" Cris is the perfect predator. It is precisely at this point in the novel that I started to turn up my nose. Let me explain now why: after the first date , Matt assures her (and is also very very convincing ) about not being more interested her to sign a contract and be interested only in her, but such assurances do not follow the facts because at the same time is deceiving procuring her first assignment as escort ( but what kind of man are you dear Matt? ) And even if she is indignantly, she accepts in order to win the challenge. She finds herself in a menage a trois with two strangers. She cries ( in the arms of another, Stefano, enemy of Matt and I hope to know something more on him later ), she seems repentant , but she back home with Matt and despite being angry ( and so she said ), not fails to go away because she needs him desperately ( I mean who needs a man? Ahhh when they say that love is blind ...) and they have sex all night. As if that was not enough the next morning she hears him saying she's a bitch and after a short, very short, fight she forgives him ( things like crazy!). Now it's done, she works for him.
Now... it will be well I'm not a fan of the erotic genre (I still have to finish the 50 shades, you would not believe it?) but alas this novel I excited me at various times. The writing looks pretty smooth, although I found the heavy continuous succession of terms (from now on I will use the word mephistophelian like bread) ... as well as the fact that especially in the early chapters of the story never seems to come to the point. On the contrary, I really appreciated the fact that despite the many hot scenes, the author will never fall into the vulgar (good Chiara!)
I would have appreciated even know Matt's PoV to know what whipped in his sick head. What more, the final open enough that leaves you with the curiosity to learn more ... in fact expect the next book to be able to think again about the dear Ice Eyes! It's a novel that I highly recommend to lovers of the genre!"
September 27, 2013
Review on Mille e un libro ♥
"Although I'm not a reader nor particular admirer of erotic novels, I must say that reading Sudden Storm proved to be pleasant; I never thought to say it, since it was a kind of literature from which I kept well away after read last year, driven by my insane curiosity, 50 ShadesTrilogy that had me bored to death and also annoyed to the point that I did not even have wanted to make a review. Or maybe it's just because they are essentially fast for this type of books that I liked Sudden Storm, because, not accustomed to read it, I'm not addicted and then I found it nice and pleasant.
The writing is very smooth, direct and engaging and, despite numerous scenes "hot" never falls into vulgarity, which I enjoyed very much, and the pages run almost without realizing it, also because once you start you will be involved in the events of Cristina and you can not help but continue reading to know what will happen. A small flaw in the writing is that it is often repetitive, they are used over and over again the same verbs or adjectives, and in the long run a little tired; also struggling a little action to take off at the beginning, especially in the first two big chapters, and it seems that the author turns around to things without ever getting to the point.
The narrative is in first person, everything we are told from the point of view of Cristina, and to the present, and this is a choice that I haven't enjoyed, since I do not like this writing and I would have preferred a third-person narrative that would allow us to better know the thoughts of the other protagonist of this book, that is Matt. All I know are the emotions, doubts, thoughts of Cristina and see the behavior of Matt only through her eyes, never really know what goes on in the head of him.
Speaking of the characters, well, I'll tell you, Cristina was quite unpleasant, especially because she is awfully presumptuous, opportunist (she attended her friend Joan because she is rich, not because she is really her friend...), and is a girl that flirts and gets up for anything male breaths. For goodness sake, rather than the usual fake God-fearing that at the first good opportunity becomes perverse proving the usual character inconsistent, it is surely better that Cristina is a maneater, it shows immediately and is consistent from beginning to end, but her constant flitting from flower to flower, her continuous think of Federico, while she desires Matt and at the same time does not mind also Stefano (a friend / enemy of Matt of which we still know little about) is a bit absurd. Cristina is a predator, she can not resist the chance to topple a man, has substantially power over men, but this aspect is sometimes a bit forced. Matt, however, is an attractive man, charismatic and with a dark charm, which hides many mysteries and that, despite the ice appearance, doesn't hesitate to show his emotions and reveal his feelings to Cristina. We can say that in Sudden Storm there is almost a reversal of traditional roles, where prey is the woman and the man the hunter, since that is where Cristina to be the dominant predator and Matt her conquest.
As I said before, Sudden Storm was a reading on the whole quite satisfactory, has been able to get interested and intrigued, despite some small failure and antipathy I felt for the main character and, as the final was amazing as well as, of course, open, I was curious to know how to continue the story of Christina and Matt and now I wait for the sequel."
September 23, 2013
Review by Michele Vitale :)
"I must say that at first, my first impression of the novel was of absolute ... disinterest, almost. I was struck by the wonderful cover but I had not even notice the plot (at first). Then, later discovering it, I realized that this was a story that I had never thought to find out, much less analyze. Tanzania? Lions? Shapeshifters? This does not interest me that much, and yet ... And yet I changed my mind!
It's amazing, but you can not even imagine how eagerly and in what way I devoured one page after another. If I believed that Tanzania and the lions shapeshifters didn't interest me, well, I have completely changed my mind!
Chiara can, in an incredible way, engage the reader to the point that he stays glued to the book for a time undefined ... I swear! It happened to me!
The story of Jamila (female character who I loved all the time) and of her two friends Daren and Kenan, took me right now, filling my brain of ideas, hopes and questions (of the series "making movies in my head" ). This led me to turn the page, one after the other, until I discovered the whole story.
The determination of the characters, the story of the clan and the motives for the three friends to behave in a certain way, just continue to arouse interest and at one point I almost screamed aloud: "Come on! No, it can not be! And, but ... come on!"And tell you that it does not happen with all the books I read ...
I must say that Chiara was incredibly clever to mix all the elements of the story (which takes place in the United States as in Tanzania) in a well-balanced way so as not to "annoy" the reader ... How, however, happened to me with other novels, in which the authors by dividing the story halfway between different categories of characters ended up with reversing everything, moving from what it actually was (is) the main character in an element in the background. Chiara instead succeeds very well to combine everything - places, spaces and times of the novel - allowing the reader to not be disappointed and achieve specific expectations (which, as I have already said, do not let me down).
The sweetness, love (sometimes aggressive, natural and logical in a half-lion) and the friendship between the main characters are well defined through correct descriptions, able to make the reader almost feeling what Jamila, Daren and Kenan feel actually.
At the beginning of the novel, the three seem to be good friends, but everything changes when a group of poachers arrives. Unlike what you may think (and from what I thought of it myself!) Chiara manages to unsettle the reader, continue doing the story in any other way that does nothing but accentuate even more the desire of the reader to discover "how it ends. "
It is useless to try bluntly, Chiara made me really excited about it... "The Lion's Promise" literally thrilled me... And the thrill of adventure, love, friendship, truth, lies, pride, respect, hate, pain, sacrifice and ambition invested me like a river in flood, dragging me into the clutches of lions ...
A novel not to be missed, a great novel to be saved in your library and read every time you want to feel strong emotions ... mixed with the joys of love and the sweetness of this deep feeling ..."
★★★★
September 20, 2013
Review on Il sogno di una lettrice ♥
"I met Chiara through her first book "Fire's awakening", needless to say that I liked a lot the story of the beautiful Queen Morwen, and I look forward to the sequel.
Now the young author returns with "The Lion's Promise" a fantasy novel, self-contained.
We are in Tanzania, specifically in the Ngorongoro crater, Jamila, Daren and Kenan are shape-shifting lions (they can take the shape of a lion, and human) of 12 years old, so puppies. They live with their families, and their herd.
They're best friends, even if Daren is in love with Jamila, daughter of the leader of the pack, but she seems to have eyes only for Kenan.
The three friends spend their days between adventures, until they attract the attention of a bunch of poachers. And Kenan is kidnapped. Since that day, many things change especially the three main characters, who grow and mature.
After this first set of parentheses, let's go forward nine years. And from there the story goes, full of action and plot twists.
Daren has never stopped looking for his friend, and Jamila hopes to be able to embrace him again.
Daren's feelings have not changed, continues to love Jamila, but he is afraid that she can love only Kenan. But it is not so, Jamila has changed and with her also her feelings.
Kenan is no longer the boy who knew, and in fact when he back to Tanzania, the two friends notice his change.
We finally have a new setting, Tanzania, and I must say that the descriptions are detailed enough, in fact it seemed to be among the vegetation, and the small lake in Africa. I did well this breath of fresh air.
The characters are all well-characterized, what at first I did not like, it is the character of Will, I thought him as the dog of his father and Kenan, but then in the end redeemed himself to my eyes. I had never heard of shapeshifting lions, so Chiara was very original, choosing something new, when Young adult fantasy books always speak of the usual figures. I must say that I expected this originality by the author, also "Fire's Awakening" is equally original.
The writing style is simple and direct, in the previous book I had already fascinated, but I saw an improvement. Never far away are poetic descriptions that make you fall in love with this magical place, and its shape-shifter.
A story that thrills, not only with its action, but also with its own feelings, which is not only passionate, but leaves room for love for the family and for the herd.
I wish it had been deepened the epilogue, especially because it is a self-contained book, but that's okay!
Once again, the author has managed to win me over, I already miss Tanzania.
If you need a nice fantasy, with a new setting, with new figures, this is the book for you, a reading that will thrill you with its originality and its history."
Review on La Biblioteca di Drusie!
"I finally completed this reading and I would say that I have chosen the perfect time since we are talking about hot and Africa.
I should point out that the interruption had absolutely nothing to do with the novel, but with my mood at that time a little swinging, then with the advance of summer has returned the desire to move forward. Once I got I picked up in a breath at the end.
Chiara Cilli take us in Tanzania, in the heart of Africa, and does so with great accuracy and skill. I found the descriptions very precise and this has conveyed in the novel a great deal of credibility and reality.
The story may fall within the category urban fantasy and young adult, but I admit that I have found substantial elements of originality. No girls sent somewhere with no friends, no bestfriend already ready to help, no parents affected by natural disasters virtually absent.
Despite the synopsis says a lot and then I knew what to expect, I was really happy of a few choices. Especially by Jamila.
More than the history of the Emerald, the novel focuses on the sentimental, but, even though there are signs of a triangle, in fact, the author has made sure that the feelings of her character were clear (at least to her). This also avoids that terrible thing that many protagonists have: a foot in both camps.
Then you can agree or not her choices depending on the direction of your sympathies, but she remains consistent and that I appreciated it.
On the timing of the final, I had some doubts. Not at the level of narrative, but just like minutes occupied by the moves of the characters, but I avoided thinking about it too much and make a frank and complete.
Another thing that I was not so convinced was the ease with which the head poacher believes in the existence of shapeshifting and Emerald.
Characters: Jamila is the protagonist. She's the daughter of the pack leader and this makes her a strong girl anyway. She's sure of her feelings and determined to rescue the one she loves. At times someone tries to get her to be the princess to protect, but she does not fit. I liked it, even in her moments of reflection in which alternating fear and the need to fight.
Daren ... an adorable character! Loyal, sincere, honest to those considering a brother even at the cost of hurting himself. At first it seems a fool, the equivalent of the loser in all the other novels, but when he grows it becomes a strong and gorgeous boy.
Kenan's what I liked least. Not because he is a bad character, or for my taste, but because at times I found it vaguely incoherent. Cite examples would tell you spoilers and would prefer to avoid them, but at times he is bad for what he does, he seems that reflects and 'grow', but a moment later comes back. It is not that he can not do it, but I have the impression that something is missing in the middle so, motivation or explanation for his behavior.
The other characters are all pretty marginal.
Style: A well-written and engaging tale. Maybe there's a little ingenuity in the dialogues, but overall it gave me the impression of a mature and complete style. As I said they are not quite sure of the timing of the final, but does not detract from the enjoyment of the novel. She would not do bad to do a bit more attention also to the plot (the power of the Emerald, the legend and the like) as well as feelings, but you can also read a beautiful love story.
Final overall: A warm, sweet, adventurous and romantic book that warmed my heart and that I read in the most suitable season (ok, get the summer heat is not the best, but well, you get the point). An ending that left me with a discreet smile and the desire to read even a few more lion (maybe Malik, who knows me knows I have a soft spot for this name) and learn more about the powers of the Emerald and legend that surrounds it."
★★★★
September 17, 2013
Review on Dreaming Land ♥
"Unfortunately I could not find the first volume of this fantasy saga, but I'm happy that Chiara Cilli has given me the opportunity to read the second.
Reading I did not feel much the weight of not knowing what had happened in the first novel, because everything was explained properly, so I enjoyed page after page without feeling the weight of my ignorance. Even if curiosity is strong and I definitely want to read the first book.
I really like the setting, although there I'm not much used to. I usually stretch out for urban fantasy, but I was not disappointed by the fantasy realm in which this novel is set.
The protagonist wakes up in a cell after being captured by the enemy. At least I think I understand this, because it happened in the first novel. The poor Prince, carried by the soldiers at the presence of the king who holds him captive, becomes aware of a truth that leaves him disconcerted and plunges into an abyss of despair. And as if that were not enough, Galadir must endure the constant sight of a woman who hates and who took possession of the body of the woman he loves. It is a succession of mixed feelings. The love and the hate that Galadir test towards two different people, but which have the same appearance. The contempt that is mixed with desire and twists that, personally, have kept me glued to the pages until the end.
Having always had a soft spot for male protagonists, this time I was fascinated. I can always put myself in the male lead and never in the female. I'm a hopeless case, I admit. But this time they were both protagonists to get me and make me part of the novel. They are both strong, they possess the characteristics that cause conflicting emotions in the reader. And the contrast between the emotions I think it's the strong point of this story. The victims are the characters and the reader. In addition to the sadness caused by some harrowing scenes, when it gets to the end I felt a sense of completeness. That feeling I get when a book I liked. The plot is really well structured and the writing style is very fluid, even if sought. I really like this kind of writing, because it is not trivial or incorrect, but it is not even slow.
I recommend this novel?
Of course I do, I'm sure that will not leave you disappointed. I let myself catapulted into a world populated by witches, goddesses, gods and human beings - even if lower than in strength and power - most of the time prove to be morally superior, just because they possess the humanity that is now unfortunately often underestimated. Get involved by the Prince and the Goddess of Death. The latter turned out to be my favorite character and I hope to read soon followed - and also the first novel - of this story."
Review on Sognando Leggendo ♥
"It is with great enthusiasm that after a year, I come back to tell you about The Queen of the Underworld series by Chiara Cilli. Deadly Imprisonment is the 2nd book that narrates the adventures of the world of Penthànweald, all the kingdoms that are part of, its inhabitants and its creatures, and special characters.
We had left Morwen and Galadir in a rather intricate. Morwen, the Heir, the Queen of the Underworld weakened by the search of the precious Golden Crystal was attacked. Her body and her mind, were taken into possession by Deshre, the Goddess of Death.
Galadir, the Prince of Thera, the Land of Men, in turn, was captured and imprisoned. And now will be conducted in the presence of one who, after many vicissitudes and adventures together, it was able to conquer the whole of him: body, soul and heart. There will be many questions that Galadir will try to find the right answers and will try to convince himself that his beloved is still alive.
At the end of the reading, I found myself pleasantly satisfied, from the title itself. Deadly Imprisonment is widely recommended for the lavishness descriptive of all those brutal and horrible moments that Prince Galadir will be forced to endure. His physical strength and also his soul will be put in front of hard tests.
This new chapter will be almost for a whole focused on the vicissitudes that will address Galadir, who reluctantly finds himself become a sort of "gladiator in the arena." Challenges and bloody battles between incredible warriors and horrific creatures. And in all this, Deshre will be his executioner. She'll torment and torture him, taking him always close to die, to start again the next moment on, every time, all over again.
A rousing adventure in which I happily discovered the talent, the creativity and passion that the author is able to express through her personal style, widely rich in detail and a touch of originality in creating her own fantasy world. Get to know new places and many interesting characters like Maithon, the King of Vivar, the Dark Land, and the small Virk, a mysterious boy who surely meet again in the next episode of this series.
The Prince Galadir will reveal himself to be a warrior worthy of his reputation. Tenacious and courageous. A man with a strong and unyielding character. He won't ever bend to the yoke of those who want to submit not only him, but all his people. Deshre fully reflect the evil role in the history. It will be consistent in her wickedness and cruelty from start to finish. And what about the beautiful Morwen? ... Hey! You do not want you ruining the ending of the story, right? Discover it for yourself and you will not be dissatisfied. Happy reading and hope that the next adventure is not too late to arrive. True, Chiara?"
