Review: Beautiful Creatures

by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl
publisher: Little, Brown & Co.
date of publication: December 1, 2009/September 14, 2010
format: paperback
pages: 592
source: purchased
Amazon / Goodreads / B&N

From Goodreads:

Lena Duchannes is unlike anyone the small Southern town of Gatlin has ever seen, and she's struggling to conceal her power, and a curse that has haunted her family for generations. But even within the overgrown gardens, murky swamps and crumbling graveyards of the forgotten South, a secret cannot stay hidden forever.

Ethan Wate, who has been counting the months until he can escape from Gatlin, is haunted by dreams of a beautiful girl he has never met. When Lena moves into the town's oldest and most infamous plantation, Ethan is inexplicably drawn to her and determined to uncover the connection between them.

In a town with no surprises, one secret could change everything.

What I Thought

This book has been sitting on my shelves for five months, yet I had not gotten around to reading it until very recently. I quickly found out what I had been missing out on. I could kick myself for not reading it sooner! Beautiful Creatures has many of the characteristics that I love in a book, and then some. It has a great plot, absorbing characters, frightening villains, magic, mystery, and a great Southern setting. What's not to love?

I immediately felt a connection with the two primary characters, Ethan and Lena. They had great chemistry and moving back stories, which made it extremely easy to become invested in what happened to them throughout the book. Ethan undergoes a personal renaissance when he meets Lena, while Lena learns to put herself out there a little more when she meets Ethan. They seem to bring out the best qualities in each other, which is always nice to see. The other characters were a lot of fun to read, too. From Link, Ethan's affable best friend, to Amma, the Wate family's housekeeper/mother figure, there are a lot of vivid characters to follow and learn about. I was especially intrigued by Macon and wanted to learn more about him. There definitely isn't a shortage of strong characters in this book, which is part of what makes it so absorbing.

The setting is very easy for me to relate to, as it is set in the southern U.S., namely South Carolina. While I am a Tennessean, there are many social traits and language patterns present in this story that I was able to immediately recognize. It was very easy to picture Gatlin in my head, as it sounds not unlike a combination of my hometown and the town I lived in for the first 8 years of my adult life. It came to be a little eerie at times, but was most definitely something I could relate to. In addition, some of the more Gothic settings (Ravenwood Manor, for instance), were absolutely sublime. There was so much atmosphere in this town that it felt much like stepping into the book itself at times.

Finally, the overall plot was a definite bonus. There is a great deal of lore to go along with the Casters (supernatural figures who are somewhat like witches), which went a long way toward making the book what it is. There is a lot of information, but I found that it is both fascinating and presented in such a way that it wasn't hard to keep up. The idea of the existence of supernaturals such as Casters, Incubi, and Succubi hidden under the surface of a sleepy Southern town is an intriguing one. I simply couldn't get enough and sped through the book as a result.

I feel as though I have been gushing, but I truly did enjoy everything about this book. It had such a hook on me that I promptly picked up the second installment and finished it within two days. I absolutely can not wait until the release of the third book in the series. Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl are a force to be reckoned with and I can not sing the praises of this book enough. I give Beautiful Creatures 5 hoots.

Waiting on Wednesday: September 28, 2011

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event from Jill at Breaking the Spine. To participate, simply share that book(s) you are eagerly awaiting the release of and report back to Breaking the Spine with the link to your post. Clicking the image above will take you straight to her post and widget. (Special note: The nifty button above comes from Lindsay at The Violet Hour. Isn't it pretty?)

I've been on a huge Caster Chronicles binge over the last few days, so it's not surprising that the book I'm waiting for the most is Beautiful Chaos by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl. I have completely fallen for this series and am definitely ready for more!

From Goodreads:

Ethan Wate thought he was getting used to the strange, impossible events happening in Gatlin, his small Southern town. But now that Ethan and Lena have returned home, strange and impossible have taken on new meanings. Swarms of locusts, record-breaking heat, and devastating storms ravage Gatlin as Ethan and Lena struggle to understand the impact of Lena's Claiming. Even Lena's family of powerful Supernaturals is affected - and their abilities begin to dangerously misfire. As time passes, one question becomes clear: What - or who - will need to be sacrificed to save Gatlin?

For Ethan, the chaos is a frightening but welcome distraction. He's being haunted in his dreams again, but this time it isn't by Lena - and whatever is haunting him is following him out of his dreams and into his everyday life. Even worse, Ethan is gradually losing pieces of himself - forgetting names, phone numbers, even memories. He doesn't know why, and most days he's too afraid to ask.

Sometimes there isn't just one answer or one choice. Sometimes there's no going back. And this time there won't be a happy ending.

Review: Daughter of Smoke & Bone

by Laini Taylor
publisher: Little, Brown & Co.
date of publication: September 27, 2011
format: hardcover
pages: 420
source: from the publisher for review
Amazon / Goodreads / B&N

From Goodreads:

Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.

In a dark and dusty shop, a devil's supply of human teeth grown dangerously low.

And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherwordly war.

Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she's prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands"; she speaks many languages--not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she's about to find out.

When one of the strangers--beautiful, haunted Akiva--fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?

What I Thought

What can I say about Daughter of Smoke and Bone? Words such as "mysterious," "riveting," and "poignant" come to mind, but that is really only the tip of the proverbial iceberg. Everything from the tone of the novel to the plot line stood out. You might even say that it stood on a hill top and shouted its presence. This book was a gripping, entrancing ride through a world so imaginative that I was left staggered when I finally put it down.

I was very much intrigued by the characters that Laini Taylor created for this book. From Karou, her blue-haired, artistically gifted 17 year old girl to Akiva, the brooding, violent, heart-broken seraphim, each character had so much life breathed into them that I wouldn't have been at all surprised to learn that they really exist, much like the existence of the characters in Karou's sketchbook in her own world. Yes, the characters themselves have a lot going for them in the department of substance and creativity. At first, however, I thought that the relationship between Karou and Akiva was too rushed and contrived. However, once the book moved further along, things began to make much more sense, thus setting it apart from similar moves found in other novels of this variety. I found this to be very refreshing and wrought with emotion as things progressed and more and more was revealed.

The primary setting for this story is absolutely superb. I have never before read a book set in Prague, so this one has been a unique experience for me. The descriptions given for Prague lend to it a dark and mysterious yet beautiful and enchanting quality that can't be denied. Places such as the portal to Brimstone's lair, Poison Kitchen, and the bridge each have a distinct feel to them, which really emphasizing just how multifaceted the city is. I had a great time getting lost in Karou's world no matter where her travels took her. The backdrops are probably my favorite aspects of this book. I simply could not get enough of the settings the different parts of the story took place in.

For me, the plot has its high points and its low points. Amongst the high points are things such as the details regarding the war between the seraphim and the chimaera factions; the fantastic creatures to be found in their world, Eretz; the revelation of Karou's origins; and the purpose for the teeth that Brimstone so diligently collects. The low points are much fewer and slightly less tangible, however. I found that as the book progressed and the flashback sequences got more and more detailed that my attention wavered somewhat. It is difficult to put my finger on the reason for this. It felt somewhat like the tone and the pacing changed at this point, which tripped me up as I read, so to speak. The part in question is beautiful and well-written. It just felt almost as though I had picked up a different book and started reading at that point. As I said, the writing was not bad in the least, just somewhat different in comparison to the parts that came before.

This book has weight, and I am glad to say that I enjoyed it very much. I would not hesitate to recommend it to my friends and my more bookish family members. I can not wait to see what else is to come from this series and am already awaiting news on the second book. I give Daughter of Smoke and Bone 4 hoots and urge you all to read it very soon.

Obligatory legal statement: This book was provided to me free of charge by the publisher. No monetary compensation was received in exchange for this fair and unbiased review.

Review: Wonderstruck

by Brian Selznick
publisher: Scholastic
date of publication: September 13, 2011
format: ARC
pages: 637
source: from the publisher for review
Amazon / Goodreads / B&N

From Goodreads:

Set fifty years apart, two independent stories—Ben's told in words and Rose's in pictures—weave back and forth with mesmerizing symmetry. How they unfold and ultimately intertwine will surprise you, challenge you, and leave you breathless with wonder.

Ever since his mom died, Ben feels lost.
At home with her father, Rose feels alone.

He is searching for someone, but he is not sure who.
She is searching for something, but she is not sure what.

When Ben finds a mysterious clue hidden in his mom's room,
When a tempting opportunity presents itself to Rose

Both children risk everything to find what's missing.

With over 460 pages of original drawings and playing with the form he invented in his trailblazing debut novel, The Invention of Hugo Cabret, Brian Selznick once again sails into uncharted territory and takes readers on an awe-inspiring journey. Rich, complex, affecting and beautiful, Wonderstruck is a stunning achievement from a uniquely gifted artist and visionary.

What I Thought

Wonderstruck is a middle grade novel that really succeeded in grabbing my attention from the very first time I read the book's description. Then, I got my first glimpse of the illustrations and was even more eager to read the book. The only question that remained was in regard to how well the story itself would stack up. It wasn't long until my question was answered.

The manner in which the story is told is fairly straightforward. The tale revolves around two characters: a boy named Ben and a girl named Rose. The two are separated by the span of 50 years, yet they seem to have a lot in common. Each is looking for something that is missing and is willing to go the extra mile to find it. The distinction comes with how their stories are told. Ben's tale is conveyed via words, whereas Rose's story is told through the medium of drawings. This method makes for an excellent way of avoiding monotonous repetition while drawing comparisons between the two characters. The pictures contain enough detail that gleaning information is not problematic in the least. They also provide the eye with a lot to look at, which is pleasing as more and more is discovered. The prose in conjunction with these illustrations make for a whimsical, pleasurable reading experience, one which I hope to share with my daughter once she is old enough to have an interest in words in addition to pictures.

The story itself is especially touching. These children have been saddled with much difficulty and sadness in their lives. To watch their journeys unfold as they search for what they each need to find what is missing is both suspenseful and emotional. I was able to become completely invested in both characters, at times making outward showings of surprise and other such emotions. Selznick's storytelling prowess is very well executed in this book. I couldn't have been more pleased.

Wonderstruck is a wonderful story for people of all ages. It is a book I can definitely see myself saving for my daughter to read on her own someday. I highly recommend this inventive tale and give this book 5 hoots for its touching story and stunning illustrations. If you haven't already, pick up this book and read it!

Obligatory legal statement: This ARC was provided to me free of charge by the publisher. No monetary compensation was received in exchange for this fair and unbiased review.

In My Mailbox - September 25, 2011

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme from The Story Siren where you can share your new acquisitions. They can come from anywhere: through the mail, via the library, purchased from a store, or downloaded as ebooks. It's up to you!

I'm back with the vlog magic this week, though I probably would have been better off not talking so much. Behold! You can just hear the beginning edge of my spectacular sinusitis-induced impression of Marge Simpson! Oh, well. I missed putting a vlog together last week, so here I am. I have quite a few to share this week, so sit back, grab a drink, and take a gander at what I have to share this week!

For Review

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater


Bought

Dark Mirror by M.J. Putney
Dark Passage by M.J. Putney
Glimmerglass by Jenna Black
Matched by Ally Condie
Zombie Queen of Newbury High by Amanda Ashby
Bleeding Violet by Dia Reeves
Strange Angels by Lili St. Crow
Tyger Tyger by Kersten Hamilton
The Vespertine by Saundra Mitchell
All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin


Ebook

Dear Bully edited by Megan Kelley Hall & Carrie Jones

Review: All These Things I've Done

by Gabrielle Zevin
publisher: Farrar, Straus & Giroux
date published: September 6, 2011
format: ARC
pages: 354
source: from the publisher for review
Amazon / Goodreads / B&N

From Goodreads:

In 2083, chocolate and coffee are illegal, paper is hard to find, water is carefully rationed, and New York City is rife with crime and poverty. And yet, for Anya Balanchine, the sixteen-year-old daughter of the city's most notorious (and dead) crime boss, life is fairly routine. It consists of going to school, taking care of her siblings and her dying grandmother, trying to avoid falling in love with the new assistant D.A.'s son, and avoiding her loser ex-boyfriend. That is until her ex is accidently poisoned by the chocolate her family manufactures and the police think she's to blame. Suddenly, Anya finds herself thrust unwillingly into the spotlight--at school, in the news, and most importantly, within her mafia family.

What I Thought

I always love a good dystopian novel, so when I heard this book described as being one, I knew that I wanted to read it. It wasn't quite what I expected. This book is not as stark as other dystopian novels (i.e. no near-post-apocalyptic or even post-apocalyptic setting). Instead, it takes place at a time when society has begun to break down; corruption runs rampant; there are shortages of important resources; disease outbreaks are the norm; high crime rates are expected; and harsh strictures are set in place by the governing body. However, it is an interesting story that reads well and presents some interesting questions. I'm not even sure I would call it dystopian, but I'll go with it for lack of a better term.

I immediately developed a liking for the main character, Anya. Though she comes from a crime syndicate family (they're in the chocolate business, chocolate being a banned substance in this version of America), she has her own personal code that leads her to carefully consider her actions (well, most of the time, anyway). Her temper does get her into some dicey situations at times, but she is mainly concerned with the welfare of her family. That is one of the things that I liked most about her. When push comes to shove, she is the type of girl that is going to speak up in the best interest of her family and friends. This includes Win, Anya's friend and love interest in this story. He was another likeable character, though I didn't find him as absorbing as Anya. He is, however, very sweet and a nice complement to Anya's tough-as-nails personality. He does an excellent job of bringing out the softer side of Anya, which was just what was needed to keep her character from stagnating. I very much enjoyed their interplay and found them to be fun to read about.

I found the plot to be enjoyable, overall. There were a few things that put me in mind of movies I've seen and other books I've read so far as themes are concerned, which was a little distracting for me, as I tend to start searching out such things as if I were participating in an Easter egg hunt. I can definitely see the role these hints had to play, but for me, personally, due to the aforementioned reason. I did enjoy the progression of the story. I was made to react in all the right places by Zevin's writing, which I definitely have an appreciation for. I couldn't get enough of it and was able to read it relatively quickly due to my keen interest.

The world in which All These Things I've Done is set seems more reminiscent of our own than one might first expect. There are some key differences of note, however. Things such as new clothing is scare, there is a ration on goods such as paper, and, of course, there are bans on substances such as chocolate and caffeine, which have been subjected to a Prohibition-era-like laws. I loved this aspect of the book, as well. It is always enjoyable to see bits of history appropriated into a fresh story, as it helps keep the knowledge of these events alive. It serves as a great possible answer to what-if scenarios such as bannings and heavy rationing. This was probably my absolute favorite aspect of the entire novel.

All These Things I've Done is a well-written glimpse into our possible future. When combined with its characters, plot line, and setting, this book delivered on most counts for me. I am eagerly awaiting the second book in the Birthright series and can't wait to see what Gabrielle Zevin has in store with future installments. I give this book 4 hoots.

Obligatory legal statement: This ARC was provided to me free of charge by the publisher. No monetary compensation was received in exchange for this fair and unbiased review

Review: The Night Circus

by Erin Morgenstern
publisher: Doubleday
date published: September 13, 2011
format: ARC
pages: 387
source: from the publisher for review
Amazon / Goodreads / B&N

From Goodreads:

The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not. Within the black-and-white striped canvas tents is an utterly unique experience full of breathtaking amazements. It is called Le Cirque des Rêves, and it is only open at night.

But behind the scenes, a fierce competition is underway—a duel between two young magicians, Celia and Marco, who have been trained since childhood expressly for this purpose by their mercurial instructors. Unbeknownst to them, this is a game in which only one can be left standing, and the circus is but the stage for a remarkable battle of imagination and will. Despite themselves, however, Celia and Marco tumble headfirst into love—a deep, magical love that makes the lights flicker and the room grow warm whenever they so much as brush hands.

True love or not, the game must play out, and the fates of everyone involved, from the cast of extraordinary circus per­formers to the patrons, hang in the balance, suspended as precariously as the daring acrobats overhead.

Written in rich, seductive prose, this spell-casting novel is a feast for the senses and the heart.

What I Thought

I had been excited about The Night Circus ever since I first saw it on Goodreads. I was absolutely thrilled to receive it for review and was definitely looking forward to getting started. Though life got in the way and delayed the reading of this book, I discovered that it was very much worth the wait. This incredible, magical novel was worth every moment I spent reading it.

The prose that comprises The Night Circus is, simply put, lovely. The plot line, which is non-linear and concentrates on varying characters, is constructed in such a way that a veritable picture of the events taking place is painted for the reader. These two things combined left me in awe for much of the book and, at times, even brought tears to my eyes with their beauty.

The characters that make up this story are astounding in their complexities. From Celia and Marco, the star-crossed magicians at the heart of the circus, to Poppet and Widget, the twins born the night of the circus's opening, each character is as rich and compelling as the last. Though there are no definitive villains (Hector and Alexander, while having questionable morals, are not strictly bad), there is a decisive theme of the negative repercussions that come from the vast manipulations enacted by the four magicians involved. However, there is also a lot of good in the majority of the characters that form the circus. Together, they make up an enchanting tale that explores the realms of possibility and the lengths the human heart will go to for love.

As for the backdrop of The Night Circus, I simply could not get enough. No matter where the circus visited, it was as its own world, a world filled with fantastic, beautiful things. Though the circus is described as being made up of the colors black and white, it is truly composed of not only many shades of gray, but also of many colors, though they may not be readily apparent to the naked eye. Much like white light is composed of many colors, so are the people and emotions behind the circus. It is an imaginative, transfixing world where anything is possible. You will be hard-pressed not to become enamored.

I can not even begin to describe how much I enjoyed this book. You know you have found something special when the description of an unusual forest can evoke tears. There is much emotion and wonder to be found here, and I must enthusiastically encourage all of you to pick up this book. I give The Night Circus 5 hoots, the highest rating I can give. However, in reality, it deserves even more than that.

Obligatory legal statement: This ARC was provided to me free of charge by the publisher. No monetary compensation was received in exchange for this fair and unbiased review.

Waiting on Wednesday: September 21, 2011

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event from Jill at Breaking the Spine. To participate, simply share that book(s) you are eagerly awaiting the release of and report back to Breaking the Spine with the link to your post. Clicking the image above will take you straight to her post and widget. (Special note: The nifty button above comes from Lindsay at The Violet Hour. Isn't it pretty?)

This week, the book I am most looking forward to is Everneath by Brodi Ashton, which comes out on January 3, 2012. This one is interesting to me, as the synopsis sounds a lot like the story of Persephone and Hades. I love mythology and folklore, so this book sounds right up my alley.

From Goodreads:

Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath, where immortals Feed on the emotions of despairing humans. Now she's returned- to her old life, her family, her friends- before being banished back to the underworld... this time forever.

She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can't find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.

Nikki longs to spend these months reconnecting with her boyfriend, Jack, the one person she loves more than anything. But there's a problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who first enticed her to the Everneath, has followed Nikki to the mortal world. And he'll do whatever it takes to bring her back- this time as his queen.

As Nikki's time grows short and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she's forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole's...

Review: Blood Magic

by Tessa Gratton
publisher: Random House BFYR
date published: May 24, 2011
format: hardcover
pages: 405
source: won in a giveaway
Amazon / Goodreads / B&N

From Goodreads:

It starts off simply.

Draw a circle ... place a dead leaf in the center ... sprinkle some salt ... recite a little Latin ... add a drop of blood ...

Maybe that last part isn't exactly simple. Yet somehow it feels right to Silla Kennicott. And nothing in her life has felt remotely right since her parents' horrific deaths. She's willing to do anything to uncover the truth about her family—even try a few spells from the mysterious book that arrived on her doorstep ... and spill some blood.

The book isn't the only recent arrival in Silla's life. There's Nick Pardee, the new guy next door who may have seen Silla casting a spell. She's not sure what he saw and is afraid to find out. But as they spend more time together, Silla realizes this may not be Nick's first encounter with Blood Magic. Brought together by a combination of fate and chemistry, Silla and Nick can't deny their attraction. And they can't ignore the dark presence lurking nearby—waiting to reclaim the book and all its power.

Tessa Gratton's intoxicating first novel will keep pulses racing, minds reeling, and pages turning right up to the very last drop of blood.

What I Thought

I wasn't entirely sure about what I should expect from Blood Magic. Upon hearing the title for the first time, my thoughts immediately ran toward, "I'll bet it's a vampire novel." Thankfully, this simply isn't the case. Instead, it is an interesting twist on the standard type of magic books that are typically encountered. Through the implementation of themes such as blood and possession, Blood Magic builds upon what one would usually find in a book about magical individuals and takes it to a whole new level.

I really enjoyed the characters that this book centered around. The story is told from dual points of view, which is rapidly becoming a favored structure for me. Silla and Nick are two teens with lives full of secrets. Little do they know, they have more in common than they might think. Though Silla is just beginning to explore blood magic and Nick has all but forgotten his capabilities, the two quickly become entangled in the practice and grow ever more attached to each other. The relationship isn't too easy, however. There are roadblocks in the form of Silla's trauma-induced fragile state of mind and Nick's suppressed childhood memories. These hurdles make for an excellent common ground between the two, however, and make the development of their relationship more believable. Throw in a villain who puts the "bad" in "bad guy," and you have a well-rounded cast of characters. Just wait until you see what this villain can do. It will knock your socks off.

The setting for this book was perfect. The idea of these events going down in a wood-enshrouded cemetery at the onset of autumn is a very appealing one. In my opinion, autumn is the optimal season for books such as this to take place in. It definitely added to the creepiness factor and made for a better backdrop. The cemetery itself was the cherry on the sundae. Gratton's descriptions of this setting were very well executed and I had no trouble whatsoever in picturing it for myself.

There was only one thing that I found to be less appealing. I tried to maintain an open mind throughout the book, but I found myself becoming very uncomfortable during some of Silla's more distraught uses of blood magic. That she had to procure blood to perform the magic is a given. That part didn't really bother me. However, the incidents in which Silla practically relished the blood letting were very difficult for me to get through. It brought back painful memories of a once friend that were very hard to work through and made me very sad.

Overall, Blood Magic was an excellent new direction in which to take the subject of magic. Filled with complex characters, a seriously creepy villain, and themes that bear serious thought, Blood Magic is the start to what promises to be an excellent series. I can't wait until the next installment hits shelves. I give Blood Magic 4 hoots.

In My Mailbox - September 18, 2011

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme from The Story Siren where you can share your new acquisitions. They can come from anywhere: through the mail, via the library, purchased from a store, or downloaded as ebooks. It's up to you!

Things are starting to settle down now, book-wise.  I reigned myself in a lot better than I had been in previous weeks.  There are also some excellent Nook deals you should check out.  However, I don't have a vlog ready for today.  I'm just too exhausted to put forth the effort.  My child is kicking my butt, sad to say.  I hope to be back with another vlog post next week.  For now, enjoy some jpg images.

Won

Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma - Thanks Sash&Em!

Gifts

 

Fateful by Claudia Gray

Enthralled: Paranormal Diversions by Melissa Marr, Kelley Armstrong, et. al.

Frost by Marianna Baer

Thanks to my hubby for these books!

Bought

Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

For Review

Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor - Thanks Little, Brown & Co.!

Ebooks

The Demon Trapper's Daughter by Jana Oliver - $2.99 for the Nook

The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

Between by Cyndi Tefft

Blue Bloods by Melissa de la Cruz - $2.69 for the Nook

The Luxe by Anna Godbersen - $2.99 for the Nook