Monday, February 25, 2013

Review - Ironskin by Tina Connolly

by Tina Connolly
publisher: Tor
date of publication: October 2, 2012
format: hardcover
pages: 304
source: publisher
series: Ironskin

From Goodreads:
Jane Eliot wears an iron mask.

It’s the only way to contain the fey curse that scars her cheek. The Great War is five years gone, but its scattered victims remain—the ironskin.

When a carefully worded listing appears for a governess to assist with a "delicate situation"—a child born during the Great War—Jane is certain the child is fey-cursed, and that she can help.

Teaching the unruly Dorie to suppress her curse is hard enough; she certainly didn’t expect to fall for the girl’s father, the enigmatic artist Edward Rochart. But her blossoming crush is stifled by her own scars, and by his parade of women. Ugly women, who enter his closed studio...and come out as beautiful as the fey.

Jane knows Rochart cannot love her, just as she knows that she must wear iron for the rest of her life. But what if neither of these things is true? Step by step Jane unlocks the secrets of her new life—and discovers just how far she will go to become whole again.



Anyone who knows me knows that I have long been fascinated by tales of faeries and mythological creatures.  Those same people will also know that Jane Eyre is one of my favorite books of all time.  When I learned of Ironskin and that it combines two of my favorite literary things, I knew I just had to get my hands on it.  Jane Eyre retold with the twist of faeries?  What could be better?  While I did see many of the elements that gave evidence to its characteristics as a Jane Eyre variation, Ironskin didn't quite turn out as I had thought it would.  It also didn't have as much of the steampunk element as I would have liked.  While it succeeded with an eerie plot surrounding the nature and dangers of faeries in the world the story is set in, Ironskin's incorporation of the story of Jane Eyre left a lot to be desired and proved to be my least favorite element of the book.

When compared to the basis of her inspiration, Jane Eliot is, at first, nearly unrecognizable as a version of Jane Eyre.  In fact, I would hazard to say that the only consistent characteristic the two share is their initials.  Where Jane Eyre is a young woman who deals with the traumatic nature of her past with a reserved nature and no-nonsense personality, Jane Eliot's personality is supposedly comprised largely of rage enhanced by a fae curse.  You will notice I say "supposedly," for Jane Eliot struck me more as an irritable character than an enraged one.  Even during descriptions of her rage burning hot behind her mask, her thoughts were more along the lines of being perturbed.  She wound up being less believable as a character because of it and I just couldn't connect with her at all due to the number of inconsistencies.  Edward Rochart is more recognizable as a counterpart of Edward Rochester, complete with eccentricities and sardonic sense of humor.  His presence in the story, however, was too little to distract from Jane's flaws as a character.  Instead, I found myself more fascinated by the butler (at least, I suppose that is what you would call her) that answered the door upon Jane's arrival than by the other two (precisely why I won't say, as that would be a spoiler, but there is more than meets the eye with her).  Character-wise, Ironskin just didn't capture my complete interest and I found myself wanting for some truly engaging protagonists.

The world-building is the one area that I truly found myself intrigued by.  There is just enough of the Gothic present to provide the settings with that sense of foreboding one would expect of a story about a world brought to the bring of destruction by homicidal faeries with horrific methods of warfare.  From Mr. Rochart's manor home to the dark wood just at its boundaries, there is a distinct sense of danger around every corner, which makes for the perfect setting to read about in a story such as this.  The woods themselves had enough presence to become a character in its own right, which always makes for some entertaining reading.  My only complaint is that they weren't incorporated into the story more than they were.  I think I would have enjoyed Ironskin even more if that were the case.

Though Ironskin fell short in its capacity as a re-telling of Jane Eyre, it still proved to have many entertaining qualities.  My best advice would be to approach this book as though it had nothing to do with Jane Eyre.  If you've read Jane Eyre as many times as I have this tactic may not work, but you might find yourself enjoying the story more.  This is where reading variations and re-tellings proves challenging, for if they veer too far from the original, it is very easy to become hung up on all those little details.  However, I can say that Ironskin still has much to recommend it.  Its world-building is fantastic and the background concerning faeries is truly eerie and, at times, frightening.  If you enjoy novels involving faeries, Ironskin is worth checking out.  If you are more interested in its qualities as a Jane Eyre variation or re-telling, however, proceed with caution.  It pays to be more open-minded.



Buy Ironskin at the Following Locations:



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



 

Friday, February 22, 2013

Thanks For 2 Wonderful Years!

It's hard to believe, but today marks the 2 year anniversary of the day Starting the Next Chapter went live. Since then, a grand total of 246 reviews have been posted, as well as 17 interviews, 11 guest posts, and 26 blog tour stops.  I've read 242 books, gone to countless author events, gained 3 co-bloggers, made some truly great friends, and welcomed more books than I really want to think about at the moment (the number would probably frighten me).  Even though it has been a hard 5 months for me, many of you have stayed with me, and for that I thank you from the bottom of my heart.  Whatever happens in the months to come, I hope to continue providing you, my dear readers, with honest reviews, fun blog tour stops, and lots of entertaining content.  This is for you, dear readers!




Thursday, February 21, 2013

Review - Sapphire Blue by Kerstin Gier

by Kerstin Gier
publisher: Henry Holt & Co.
date of publication: October 30, 2012
format: ARC
pages: 368
source: publisher
series: Ruby Red Trilogy

From Goodreads:
Gwen’s life has been a rollercoaster since she discovered she was the Ruby, the final member of the secret time-traveling Circle of Twelve. In between searching through history for the other time-travelers and asking for a bit of their blood (gross!), she’s been trying to figure out what all the mysteries and prophecies surrounding the Circle really mean.

At least Gwen has plenty of help. Her best friend Lesley follows every lead diligently on the Internet. James the ghost teaches Gwen how to fit in at an eighteenth century party. And Xemerius, the gargoyle demon who has been following Gwen since he caught her kissing Gideon in a church, offers advice on everything. Oh, yes. And of course there is Gideon, the Diamond. One minute he’s very warm indeed; the next he’s freezing cold. Gwen’s not sure what’s going on there, but she’s pretty much destined to find out.



Picking up where Ruby Red left off, Sapphire Blue at first suggests that things are going to progress in much the same manner as before.  Gone, however, is some of Gwen's carefree spirit.  She has been through a lot and it really starts to show in Sapphire Blue.  What I as a reader am not so sure about, however, is whether or not I like where things are going.  There are certain themes that I simply can't enjoy that are starting to crop up in the series that I sincerely hope don't come to fruition.  I don't think I could take it.  I will share those concerns with you as well as the things I enjoyed today.

Gwen.  What do I say about Gwen?  While she still has much of what made her such a great main character in Ruby Red, she is starting to fall victim to that most dreaded theme in YA:  the so-called bad boy.  More often than not, bad boy is code for jackass, which is unfortunately the case for Gideon.  This is probably one case where I would welcome a love triangle just in hopes that Gwen might come to her senses and kick Gideon to the curb.  Unless she falls for that pesky little gargoyle, however, that isn't likely to be the case.  While Gideon has his moments where he isn't completely heinous, there are also points that made me want to reach through the book and slap him on the back of the head a la NCIS.  When you spend more time outraged by the love interest than the villains, you know there's a problem.  Other than her penchant for questionable love interests, however, I enjoyed Gwen's reactions to the experiences she had.  Each trip into the past provided a lot of entertainment and really played up the sparkle of her personality.  I sincerely hope this doesn't go away in the next book, as it is definitely a favorite.

Just when I thought I couldn't enjoy the settings more, Gier pulls off scenes that are beyond all those that came before.  I was especially impressed with Gwen and Gideon's trip back in time to a party that occurred during the Rococo period (at least, I'm pretty sure that's the right one; it's been a few weeks).  As just one example of the vibrancy of Gier's world-building, let me just say that picturing this time period I am only vaguely familiar with was a breeze thanks to the great care taken in describing everything from the dress to the architecture.  That this was accomplished without an overload in information is simply great.

I am still holding out hope for the final installment in this series.  Though I remain not sold on the romance aspect of this story, the world-building and intrigue manage to make up for it.  If you enjoy a good time travel narrative, this series is definitely worth your attention.  With such vivid imagery and just the right amount of tension, Sapphire Blue was able to resist the sophomore slump and leads me to believe that there is still much to look forward to in Emerald Green.  So long as I don't feel compelled to rant and the world building remains as well-done as before, I will be a very happy reader.



Buy Sapphire Blue at the Following Locations:



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



Sunday, February 17, 2013

Gabriel Stone and the Divinity of Valta Blog Tour



Welcome to another great blog tour stop at StNC, brought to you today by Month9Books!  Today I have the pleasure of presenting a character interview with the namesake of Gabriel Stone and the Divinity of Valta, Gabriel!  This MG debut premiered on February 5, 2013, and is authored by Shannon Duffy.  I hope you'll find yourself caught up in a new read and discover a new author.  Enjoy!



Marla: Hi, Gabriel. Welcome to Starting the Next Chapter! My first question for you is: What is your favorite thing about sharing your story with all of the readers out there?

Gabriel: Hey. Well, there're so many awesome parts of what happened to me and my friends in Valta, but I'm not gonna lie, some of the animals in Valta were really cool. It was fun to talk about that stuff. And, well, I like that people are gonna see how cool my friends are and how we stuck together no matter what...even when things got real crazy.


Marla: What is your best school subject? Which one do you hate the most and why?

Gabriel: Hmmm. Does gym count? Cause I totally like gym the best. Especially soccer! And well, if gym doesn't count, then I think I'll go with history. I like learning about war stuff and things that happened a long time ago. And yeah, I hate math. To be honest I think it sucks. There, I said it. And I just hate it. Math doesn't need a reason.


Marla: Not going to argue with you there. What did you think when you first found the crystal?

Gabriel: Well, first I thought I was gonna drown under the stupid ice, but then thankfully Brent managed to pull me out. And I knew right away it was something really cool or magical cause what kind of rock glows, lets off heat, and hums? I felt like I hit the jackpot and found something really epic...and I was right.


Marla: What has been the hardest thing about your mom's disappearance?

Gabriel: It felt pretty bad, I'm not gonna lie. I mean, I had been bugging my mom to hang out with me at night a lot cause I was kinda freaked out about the dark, so I figured that I was a pain in the butt and maybe that's why she took off. But if you read my story, you'll find out more about that.


Marla: Who has been your best supporter through everything?

Gabriel: Brent and Piper, my two best friends. They're pretty cool about everything and I know we always have each other's back....unlike dudes like Cedric--but again, I hope you read my story and you can find out more about that loser. Oh! And my dog Zigzag is pretty awesome too.


Marla: How would you describe Valta for those who haven't read the book yet?

Gabriel: Valta is beyond sick--if the Divinities are with the empress anyway. It's really bright with the golden dust, and there are lots of cool creatures like flying tigers and talking monkeys. But, the only thing is, you have to be careful cause as many friendly creatures that they have there, they're probably even more dangerous ones--like gruocks, death mongers, shape-shifters, and ghosts....seriously not the kind of things you want to run into in a dark alley or...a dark, creepy Valtan forest.


Marla: This last question is just for fun. What is the strangest thing you've come across in Valta?

Gabriel: This is a funny question cause strange and Valta when Duke Malgor is being a jerk kind of go together. He makes everything sort of strange. But one really weird thing was when me and Brent and Piper got to the Tandem Wood, we found out that the way to get in there was a lot freakier than anything I could have ever imagined. I think it was called the Unseen Boundary or something weird--and it needed magic to get through. Totally epic!


About the Author

Shannon Duffy grew up on the beautiful east coast of Canada, and now lives in Ontario, Canada with her husband and son, Gabriel. She’s mom to one boy, and several pets. Shannon loves writing, reading, working out, soccer, and the sport of champions: shopping. 


GABRIEL STONE AND THE WRATH OF THE SOLARIAN, Book 2 in the Gabriel Stone series will be available from Month9Books in February 2014!


About the Book

January 1, 2013 from Month9Books
Add it on Goodreads
Gabriel Stone is a twelve-year-old boy still reeling from the unsolved disappearance of his mother. With a dad who’s hard to relate to, and mounting pressures at school, Gabriel lets off steam by hiking in the place where his mother was last seen. There, Gabe and friends find a crystal that proves not only beautiful, but magical beyond their wildest dreams. Only, magic and beauty come with a price: in order to return home, they must save the dying world of Valta.






Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Review - Prophecy by Ellen Oh

by Ellen Oh
publisher: HarperTeen
date of publication: January 2, 2013
format: digital review copy
pages: 320
source: Edelweiss
series: The Dragon King Chronicles

From Goodreads:
The greatest warrior in all of the Seven Kingdoms... is a girl with yellow eyes.

Kira’s the only female in the king’s army, and the prince’s bodyguard. She’s a demon slayer and an outcast, hated by nearly everyone in her home city of Hansong. And, she’s their only hope...

Murdered kings and discovered traitors point to a demon invasion, sending Kira on the run with the young prince. He may be the savior predicted in the Dragon King Prophecy, but the missing treasure of myth may be the true key. With only the guidance of the cryptic prophecy, Kira must battle demon soldiers, evil shaman, and the Demon Lord himself to find what was once lost and raise a prince into a king.

Intrigue and mystery, ancient lore and action-packed fantasy come together in this heart-stopping first book in a trilogy.


Prophecy came as a somewhat unexpected surprise due to the varied opinions I had been hearing prior to reading it for myself.  Some complaints gave me cause for concern, so I started the book with trepidation, only to find that I was a reader who would likely be one of those to enjoy it.  Ellen Oh's tale of good vs. evil set in a land full of Korean-inspired traits and headed by an extraordinary girl is one that I found to be more than enjoyable.  A book that piques even my firmly non-YA-reading husband's interest and keeps me reading until I finish it within 12 hours is definitely a book to be noted.

Kira is truly a fascinating main character to read about from the very beginning.  Oh doesn't hold anything back and immediately shows you what it is that Kira is faced with from chapter one.  As the story progresses, it becomes readily apparent that Kira isn't just a kick-ass warrior, however.  An especially startling thing is that she isn't respected for her skills, nor is she particularly self-assured.  Instead, shades of a typical 16 year old girl can easily be seen as she struggles with self identity, self esteem, and the need for friends.  It all makes for a fascinating character with plenty of room to grow into her own.  I must say, though, that I dearly hope the same can be said for her young cousin and charge, the crown prince.  His high level of neediness, impulsiveness, and penchant for hero worship combined to make for a secondary character that was a bit too much to take at times. 

I really came to enjoy the world in which Prophecy is set.  From its cities to its countryside, Prophecy is made up of a fantastic array of environments and political situations.  The addition to mysterious legends of saviors, prophecies, magic, and demons round everything out nicely into the arresting story it has become.  As the true nature of the world in which Kira lives comes to light, readers are sure to sit up and take notice. 

The temptation to read Prophecy from cover to cover is definitely there, so potential readers, make note.  Keep the refreshments handy and prepare for a long night if you start reading late, for chances are you will get swept away in Prophecy's spell.  Those looking for an action-packed fantasy with a female protagonist would do well to take a look at Prophecy.  The series overall shows a lot of promise with this thrilling and engaging opener.  Give it a try and see what I mean.  Hopefully you will enjoy it as much as I did.

 
Buy Prophecy at the Following Locations:


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



Monday, February 11, 2013

Triple Threat Tour - A Guest Post by Yalena Black



Welcome once again to the Triple Threat Blog Tour.  Today's stop on Starting the Next Chapter comes to you courtesy Yelena Black, author of Dance of Shadows, coming tomorrow to bookstores near you.  Yelena is here today to talk to you about her decision to center her story around sisters.  I hope you all will enjoy and look forward to Dance of Shadows as much as I have.



The bond between siblings is undeniable. Although I don’t have a sister, I do have an older brother … and often times he is my refuge and companion when my parents are acting crazy and I don’t what to do, or when something bad—or extremely wonderful—happens in my life. We have a special connection, and I wanted to write about a character who also had that kind of connection with her older sister.

In Dance of Shadows, Vanessa’s older sister Margaret is also a dancer—and she goes missing from the New York Ballet Academy, the very same school that Vanessa is about to attend. For Vanessa, Margaret was the person she always looked up to: she was a caring, kind sister and a talented dancer. She and Margaret were extraordinarily close, so when Margaret disappeared, it broke Vanessa’s heart.

Vanessa doesn’t want to believe that Margaret is dead, and so finding out what happened to her sister gives Vanessa a drive, and raises the stakes for her—she must find out what happened to Margaret because she cares about like her no one else does in the entire world.

In my own life, I have seen friends come and go, relationships begin and end … but family is always there, for better or for worse. This is true in Vanessa’s case as well, and it is why I wanted to include sisters in my story.



About the Author


Yelena Black is a recent MFA graduate of Columbia University. She currently resides in New York City and is a full-time writer. She has a keen interest in dance and all things devilish.








About the Book

February 12, 2013 from Bloomsbury USA Children's Books
Add it on Goodreads

Dancing with someone is an act of trust. Elegant and intimate; you're close enough to kiss, close enough to feel your partner's heartbeat. But for Vanessa, dance is deadly – and she must be very careful who she trusts . . .

Vanessa Adler attends an elite ballet school – the same one her older sister, Margaret, attended before she disappeared. Vanessa feels she can never live up to her sister's shining reputation. But Vanessa, with her glorious red hair and fair skin, has a kind of power when she dances – she loses herself in the music, breathes different air, and the world around her turns to flames . . .

Soon she attracts the attention of three men: gorgeous Zep, mysterious Justin, and the great, enigmatic choreographer Josef Zhalkovsky. When Josef asks Vanessa to dance the lead in the Firebird, she has little idea of the danger that lies ahead – and the burning forces about to be unleashed .


Thursday, February 7, 2013

Triple Threat Tour - An Interview with Megan Miranda


Welcome to Starting the Next Chapter's first post on the Triple Threat Blog Tour.  Today, I have the pleasure of hosting an interview with Megan Miranda, author of Hysteria and last year's Fracture.  Without further ado, I hope you all will join me in welcoming Megan to StNC.


Marla: Hi, Megan, and welcome to Starting the Next Chapter! For readers new to your books, how would you describe Hysteria in 140 words or less?
Megan: 16-year-old Mallory can’t be charged for the death of her boyfriend because it’s ruled self-defense. She can’t remember exactly what happened, but that doesn’t change the way people look at her. She’s sent away to her father’s old boarding school for the chance of a fresh start, but her past follows her—as does something else. Someone, or something—or both—is stalking her. There’s the voice she hears at night… and the mark on her body… and someone has definitely been in her room. The only person who seems to want to have anything to do with her is an old friend, Reid, and she’s not so sure that’s such a great idea. When another classmate turns up dead, Mallory has to figure out what happened both nights to prove her innocence. That is, if she is innocent.

Marla: What do you find to be the most compelling thing about Mallory?
Megan: The thing I admire most about her—and why I found her a compelling character to write—is that she doesn’t let the horrible things that have happened (and that she has been a part of), ruin her faith in people.

Marla: Where were your favorite writing spots while writing Hysteria?
Megan: Honestly, I wrote the majority of Hysteria from my bed J Occasional editing happened at the kitchen counter, but mostly it was written at night while my kids were sleeping. I’m partial to writing upstairs at night, because it’s warmer.

Marla: What is your most recent favorite read?
Megan: Gone Girl. After reading it, I didn’t want to read anything else because I felt like nothing would live up to it. It’s also the type of book that gives you writer envy. I know a lot of people either love or hate the book, and I am firmly in the LOVE category.

Marla: What authors have been your biggest inspirations in writing?
Megan: Michael Crichton, for the way he wove science and story together, Edgar Allan Poe, for the way he could evoke a mood, and John Green, for his characters.

Marla: Last question: If you were Mallory, how would you handle the predicament she is in?
Megan: At 16, I don’t think I was nearly as resilient as Mallory. I’d probably have been much more passive, hoping things would work out on their own (which they probably wouldn’t have), hoping time would provide some sort of clarity (except she’s definitely running out of time, so that would not have been a good move). Like Mallory, though, I probably would’ve kept the things that were happening—the things she wasn’t sure were real—to myself.



About the Author

Megan is a scientist - turned - teacher - turned - stay-at-home-mom - turned - writer. She is not nearly as indecisive as she sounds. She lives near Charlotte, North Carolina, where she volunteers as an MIT Educational Counselor, does the mom thing by day, and writes by night.

Her first novel, FRACTURE, was published in January 2012 by Walker/Bloomsbury. HYSTERIA, a YA psychological thriller, will be published in February 2013. VENGEANCE, a companion/sequel to FRACTURE, will follow in 2014.



About the Book

February 5, 2013 from Walker Children's
Add it on Goodreads
Mallory killed her boyfriend, Brian. She can't remember the details of that night but everyone knows it was self-defense, so she isn't charged. But Mallory still feels Brian's presence in her life. Is it all in her head? Or is it something more? In desperate need of a fresh start, Mallory is sent to Monroe, a fancy prep school where no one knows her . . . or anything about her past.But the feeling follows her, as do her secrets. Then, one of her new classmates turns up dead. As suspicion falls on Mallory, she must find a way to remember the details of both deadly nights so she can prove her innocence-to herself and others. In another riveting tale of life and death, Megan Miranda's masterful storytelling brings readers along for a ride to the edge of sanity and back again.



Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Wings of Tavea Blog Tour - A Review


Welcome to day 3 of the Wings of Tavea blog tour.  Having had the pleasure of participating in the tour for Wings of Arian, I am pleased to be back again to review the next installment in Devri Walls' epic story of fantasy, adventure, and romance.  If you haven't checked this series out yet, it's a must.



by Devri Walls
publisher: Stonehouse Ink
date of publication: December 11, 2012
format: digital review copy
pages: 450
source: from the author/tour company

From Goodreads:

Kiora is rapidly learning that evil and lies come in shades of black and white and swirling greys, but nothing could have prepared her for the shock of leaving Meros.

Kiora and her protector Emane step through the pass into a world they never knew existed but were always meant to save, only to find it far worse than they could have ever imagined. Good has been forced into hiding for its own survival, while the rest of the land bows to the Shadow, a force that pushes any remaining thoughts of Dralazar from Kiora’s mind. This land is full of new creatures, each more dangerous than the last. Her visions have taken on a deadly twist, and magic, or what comes of it, was never so real. And then there is Alcander: a Tavean, their guide, and an entirely different kind of trouble.




Wings of Arian introduced us to a young girl coming into her powers in a land that had long been devoid of evil... or so she thought.  Now Kiora is in for a real shock as she learns just what is really out there.  In Wings of Tavea, you're in for an even bigger whirlwind than ever before.  If you thought you had seen it all in Wings of Arian, well, you haven't seen anything yet.

Kiora continues to grow so much as the series progresses.  As she comes into her own in both her powers and her knowledge, Kiora becomes an even more formidable character.  Emane is every bit as interesting as he was in the previous installment and I had very little to complain about with him.  It is the introduction of Alcander that really puts a new twist on everything as an entirely new dynamic is introduced to the group.  Even though he's a grump, it's hard not to enjoy this new cog in the machine.

The world of Wings of Arian was an idyllic world with evil lurking where few can see it.  The other side of the gate, however, is the exact opposite.  It is a land teeming with evil with good hiding where few can find it.  It makes for such a stark, imposing landscape, a landscape that creates a wonderful feeling of foreboding.  I became so immersed in the story thanks to this land as I waited with bated breath to see what Kiora and company would do and what would become of them.

I've had such a great time getting to know Ms. Walls' writing.  Being a fan of fantasy, Wings of Arian was just what this reader needed.  Filled with danger, humor, and a nice amount of romance, this book was a pleasure to read.  If you, too, enjoy the fantasy genre, Devri Walls is a good author to check out.  This series is bound to continue delivering with each and every new book.



Buy Wings of Tavea at the Following Locations:



The Giveaway

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Obligatory legal statement: This digital review copy was provided to me free of charge by the author via Xpresso Book Tours. No monetary compensation was received in exchange for this fair and unbiased review.


Monday, February 4, 2013

Review - God Save the Queen by Kate Locke

by Kate Locke
publisher: Orbit
date of publication: July 3, 2012
format: ARC
pages: 354
source: LibraryThing Early Reviewers

From Goodreads:
Queen Victoria rules with an immortal fist.

The undead matriarch of a Britain where the Aristocracy is made up of werewolves and vampires, where goblins live underground and mothers know better than to let their children out after dark. A world where being nobility means being infected with the Plague (side-effects include undeath), Hysteria is the popular affliction of the day, and leeches are considered a delicacy. And a world where technology lives side by side with magic. The year is 2012 and Pax Britannia still reigns.

Xandra Vardan is a member of the elite Royal Guard, and it is her duty to protect the Aristocracy. But when her sister goes missing, Xandra will set out on a path that undermines everything she believed in and uncover a conspiracy that threatens to topple the empire. And she is the key-the prize in a very dangerous struggle.

 

Having been a fan of other works by Kate Locke (in the persona of Kady Cross), I was very much looking forward to God Save the Queen in spite of my continuing disinterest in vampire stories (the burn out continues).  In many ways, God Save the Queen was as I expected.  In the areas of world building and plot, this book was right up my alley.  There were, however, things that just didn't work for me.  Both sides of the coin will be covered in this review and I will tell you all about why I was left on the fence about continuing with this series.

Xandra Vardan as a main character left me feeling conflicted.  On the one hand, she's spunky, determined, and capable of much butt-kicking.  What's not to love, you may ask?  For me, the dislike comes in due to Xandra's voice.  I get that the story takes place in London, thus there is bound to be some English slang used.  However, for much of the book it just felt like overkill.  When it gets to the point that one feels intense exasperation every time the main character speaks, that says something.  So far as the remaining cast of characters goes, however, I very much enjoyed the variety (vampires, werewolves, goblins, and humans) and the wide array of personalities.  It definitely helped make up for a not-so-appealing MC.

The world building is probably the most well-done aspect of this book.  While I hesitate to dub God Save the Queen full-on steampunk, it definitely had lovely flourishes of steampunk goodness.  Instead, it has a distinctly urban fantasy feel that worked great with the high level of action and the background for how this world came to be.  I especially enjoyed the sublevels of London where the goblins hold court.  Overall, this is a gritty, dangerous world where you can never quite guess what will happen next.

While I didn't hate God Save the Queen, I also failed to completely win me over.  After following this first installment of Xandra's story, I am unsure as to whether or not I can bring myself to pick up the second book.  While I liked where the story was headed at the very end, I just can't tell if it will continue along the same vein.  I will continue to keep an ear out for others' opinions and decide as I hear more about where things are headed and whether or not the copious use of slang subsides.



Buy God Save the Queen at the Following Locations:


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



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