Review - Sweet Evil

by Wendy Higgins
publisher: HarperTeen
date of publication: May 1, 2012
format: paperback
pages: 453
source: purchased

From Goodreads:

Embrace the Forbidden

What if there were teens whose lives literally depended on being bad influences?

This is the reality for sons and daughters of fallen angels.

Tenderhearted Southern girl Anna Whitt was born with the sixth sense to see and feel emotions of other people. She's aware of a struggle within herself, an inexplicable pull toward danger, but Anna, the ultimate good girl, has always had the advantage of her angel side to balance the darkness within. It isn't until she turns sixteen and meets the alluring Kaidan Rowe that she discovers her terrifying heritage and her willpower is put to the test. He's the boy your daddy warned you about. If only someone had warned Anna.

Forced to face her destiny, will Anna embrace her halo or her horns?

Sweet Evil is a book that I have heard much about since it was released late this past spring.  Though it is a theme that I have seen often in books, the premise of Sweet Evil was enough to pique my interest and led me to buy a copy soon after its release.  I had some worries going into the book that I would find more about the story objectionable than I would find to be enjoyable.  Fortunately, Sweet Evil delivered with an entertaining story and some surprisingly steamy moments.

Anna Whitt turned out to be a surprisingly enjoyable character.  While at first I feared she would prove to be a Mary Sue type of character, she surprised me with some unexpected layers that gave her character a nice amount of depth.  Her friendship with Jay reminded me a lot of a friend of mine and made me smile, which was a very nice touch.  It was Kaidan, however, that left me with "meh" feelings.  There comes a point when the bad boy character becomes just too much to handle.  While his character brought an important element to the story, I just fail to find the bad boy type all that appealing.

The hidden world in which Anna finds herself immersed is an immensely intriguing one.  On the surface she lives in a small town just outside Atlanta.  Beyond the visual scope of everyday humans, however, lies a much darker world inhabited by frightening beings bent on leading humanity astray.  Where there is dark there is light, however, and I found the ways in which the light were included to be very appealing.  When you include the background for both sides, you have an engaging book that makes for a great reading session.

Even though I am not as much of a Kaidan fan as others who have read and enjoyed this book, I found Sweet Evil to be a fun weekend read all the same.  With such a good main character, a sinister hidden world, and a classic conflict, Sweet Evil makes for a very nice reading experience.  I, for one, plan to continue with this series and look forward to finding out what will happen next.

Buy Sweet Evil at the Following Locations:

Amazon / IndieBound / B&N / The Book Depository

Review - Crewel

by Gennifer Albin
publisher: Farrar, Straus & Giroux
date of publication: October 16, 2012
format: digital review copy
pages: 368
source: the author

From Goodreads:

Incapable. Awkward. Artless.

That’s what the other girls whisper behind her back. But sixteen year-old Adelice Lewys has a secret: she wants to fail.

Gifted with the ability to weave time with matter, she’s exactly what the Guild is looking for, and in the world of Arras, being chosen as a Spinster is everything a girl could want. It means privilege, eternal beauty, and being something other than a secretary. It also means the power to embroider the very fabric of life. But if controlling what people eat, where they live and how many children they have is the price of having it all, Adelice isn’t interested.

Not that her feelings matter, because she slipped and wove a moment at testing, and they’re coming for her—tonight.

Now she has one hour to eat her mom’s overcooked pot roast. One hour to listen to her sister’s academy gossip and laugh at her Dad’s stupid jokes. One hour to pretend everything’s okay. And one hour to escape.

Because once you become a Spinster, there’s no turning back.

Prepare yourselves, because when it comes to this book, I'm barely going to be able to contain myself.  You know I'm not usually one to outright gush, but Crewel is a book that deserves copious amounts of it.  When I got the chance to read it this spring, I'm pretty sure I may have hurt my husband's ears in my excitement.  When I actually read it, however, I was rendered speechless.  How do I even begin to describe all that is spectacular about Crewel?  I'll do my best, but please pardon me if I use too many exclamation marks.

First, I simply must get this off my chest: Adelice is a freaking awesome character!  Even though it gets her in trouble, her sardonic sense of humor and biting retorts make her a character that keeps you on your toes.  Also, I have to give it up for kick-ass redheads!  Ahem.  One moment while I put on my "I'm a proud, nerdy redhead," shirt.  Moving on!  Adelice is a compelling character in so many ways besides those I already mentioned.  From her refusal to be bought by the trappings of Spinster life to her determination to help those around her, Adelice is a character you can't help but connect with.  Just wait until you learn about her abilities.  That is seriously some mind-bending stuff.

When it comes to world-building, Gennifer Albin amazes me.  From the setting to the politics to the people, Arras is so far beyond imagining.  The construct of this world is intricately woven (you know I had to go there) and has so much to reveal to readers.  The make-up of society is also very well done and becomes very alarming at times.  As for the people, let me just say that the commonalities between many of the people involved serve to highlight just how special Adelice is while they each still maintain their own personal spark that makes them recognizable when it comes to personality.  I found much to appreciate all through this book and I can't wait to find out even more.

Crewel remains one of my favorite reads of 2012.  With its fabulous characters, amazing setting, and harrowing challenges, Crewel is a story more than capable of keeping its readers ensnared and entertained.  If you're looking for a dystopia with a little something fresh and new, you should definitely check out Crewel.  This is simply an amazing book that I imagine I will be recommending for a long time to come.  Expect to see it on my top 10 list this year!

Buy Crewel at the Following Locations:

Amazon / IndieBound / B&N / The Book Depository

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

Special Note
Be sure to come back to Starting the Next Chapter on Friday for a guest post from Gennifer Albin.  It's all part of the Crewel Blog Tour, so stop by for a great post and even a giveaway!

 

Review - Stormdancer

by Jay Kristoff
publisher: Thomas Dunne Books
date of publication: September 18, 2012
format: digital review copy
pages: 322
source: Netgalley

From Goodreads:

A DYING LAND
The Shima Imperium verges on the brink of environmental collapse; an island nation once rich in tradition and myth, now decimated by clockwork industrialization and the machine-worshipers of the Lotus Guild. The skies are red as blood, the land is choked with toxic pollution, and the great spirit animals that once roamed its wilds have departed forever.

AN IMPOSSIBLE QUEST
The hunters of Shima’s imperial court are charged by their Shōgun to capture a thunder tiger—a legendary creature, half-eagle, half-tiger. But any fool knows the beasts 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 talent that if discovered, 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.

As with most books that come with much hype, people seem to either love or hate Stormdancer.  I knew that my personal tastes in books made for a high likelihood that I would be of the former group, but you just never know.  I should trust my intuition more often, however, as I thoroughly enjoyed Stormdancer for many different reasons.  I've seen the lauds and the complaints, but I have some of my own perspective that best explains why I had such a great time reading this book.  I just hope I can fully capture my thoughts in this review space.

Stormdancer is comprised of a cast of characters that I found to be utterly fantastic.  From Yukiko, the determined girl with a bitter past to Buruu, the grumpy, wise-cracking griffin (known as thunder tigers in the book), it is impossible to not be absorbed into the tale.  Each character has their own distinct personality, voice, and motive, all of which serve to fully form them within the reader's mind.  There is enough humor, emotion, and passion to keep a reader fully entertained.  These characters are more than capable of taking you along on their journeys.

When it comes to the way in which Stormdancer is written, there seems to be much difference of opinion between readers.  I can't speak for others, but I can share my observations and what I came away from the book with.  The way in which the story is laid down and the characters speak may be a bit difficult to grasp, at first, but I did notice that soon a certain rhythm began to emerge that made a lot of sense due to the type of story being told.  The way in which Yukiko and Buruu communicate is fascinating and I had a nice little pondering session to myself wondering whether Buruu actually understood the words being said by those around him or whether the two were speaking their own language, as it were.  I know what I think, but in the end, it is up to you to decide.  The setting is so completely vivid that I could easily picture every inch of this desolate country in my mind.  The descriptions given for the damage done to the land is conveyed very, very well.  It is difficult not to be affected by such a thought.

To sum it up, Stormdancer is one of those books that, when you put it down, makes you say, "Whoa."  I won't tell you how many surprises Jay Kristoff has embedded in Stormdancer, nor will I tell you at what part of the books these surprises occur.  Suffice it to say that I absolutely didn't see it coming, which is always so much fun.  If I'm not able to guess what will happen by the half-way point, I'm a very happy reader.  If you want a book full of action, awesome characters, writing that is almost lyrical in its narration, and one bad-ass griffin, then you definitely NEED this book.  Go.  Pick up Stormdancer.  You know you wanna.

Buy Stormdancer at the Following Locations:

Amazon / IndieBound / B&N / The Book Depository

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

 

Review - Cold Fury

by T.M. Goeglein
publisher: Putnam Juvenile
date of publication: July 24, 2012
format: ARC
pages: 313
source: from the publisher via LibraryThing Early Reviewers

From Goodreads:

Jason Bourne meets The Sopranos in this breathtaking adventure

Sara Jane Rispoli is a normal sixteen-year-old coping with school and a budding romance--until her parents and brother are kidnapped and she discovers her family is deeply embedded in the Chicago Outfit (aka the mob).

Now on the run from a masked assassin, rogue cops and her turncoat uncle, Sara Jane is chased and attacked at every turn, fighting back with cold fury as she searches for her family. It's a quest that takes her through concealed doors and forgotten speakeasies--a city hiding in plain sight. Though armed with a .45 and 96K in cash, an old tattered notebook might be her best defense--hidden in its pages the secret to "ultimate power." It's why she's being pursued, why her family was taken, and could be the key to saving all of their lives.

Action packed, with fresh, cinematic writing, Cold Fury is a riveting and imaginative adventure readers will devour.

  
Upon first meeting Sara Jane Rispoli, one might think they aren't going to be treated to such a gutsy character.  Such a misconception is not bound to remain for long, however, as Sara Jane's past is recounted, revealing a girl tougher than anyone around her can possibly know.  In this action-packed thriller, perseverance is everything as one teenage girl takes on a shadowy band of corrupt authority figures, a jealous uncle, and quite possibly the eeriest villain I've encountered in a book this year.  I can only say that I was wrong to think that Cold Fury would be a slow, convoluted book.  It turned out to be anything but!

If I were to sum up Sara Jane in one word, that word would be "backbone."  Beneath her quiet exterior lies a fiery core that is capable of more than Sara Jane herself even realizes.  As she takes on all those who would seize or harm her, the full extent of not only her strength, but her intellect shines through, making her a very intriguing character to follow.  She isn't perfect by any means, but her strength makes her a compelling character, nonetheless.  Such an intelligent, determined, and loyal main character is one well worth reading about.

The pacing of Cold Fury worried me in the beginning as I slowly waded through the narrative of Sara Jane's early years.  However, things soon picked up and the information learned during that narrative proved to be very useful in understanding all that was going on throughout the rest of the book.  In addition to pacing, Cold Fury has some exemplary settings.  The numerous Capone doors (a really clever means of escape) and the unpredictable streets of Chicago made for such a fantastic backdrop.  Each one fit the actions and tones of the story perfectly.  I couldn't wait to see where Sara Jane would find herself next.

Cold Fury is one of the more action-filled books I've read this year and I'm very glad to have had the chance to read it.  It made for a perfect change of pace from my typical fantasy/dystopian/supernatural reading habits, a very important thing for someone in a bit of a reading rut.  If you have a fascination for spy or mob movies, you should definitely check out Cold Fury.  With its imposing main character, action, and unique settings, you're sure to find something you like in the pages of Cold Fury.  Trust me when I say that you won't be bored.

Buy Cold Fury at the Following Locations

Amazon / IndieBound / B&N / The Book Depository

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

Review - The Dark Unwinding

by Sharon Cameron
publisher: Scholastic
date of publication: September 1, 2012
format: hardcover
pages: 318
source: from the publisher for review

From Goodreads:

A spine-tingling tale of steampunk and spies, intrigue and heart-racing romance!

When Katharine Tulman's inheritance is called into question by the rumor that her eccentric uncle is squandering away the family fortune, she is sent to his estate to have him committed to an asylum. But instead of a lunatic, Katharine discovers a genius inventor with his own set of rules, who employs a village of nine hundred people rescued from the workhouses of London.

Katharine is now torn between protecting her own inheritance and preserving the peculiar community she grows to care for deeply. And her choices are made even more complicated by a handsome apprentice, a secretive student, and fears for her own sanity.

As the mysteries of the estate begin to unravel, it is clear that not only is her uncle's world at stake, but also the state of England as Katharine knows it. With twists and turns at every corner, this heart-racing adventure will captivate readers with its intrigue, thrills, and romance.

Sometimes, one finds oneself in a state of stasis when it comes to hobbies and interests.  When it comes to reading, very few of the books you pick up will capture your interest enough to perk up your curiosity and imagination.  I have been in such a state lately and have definitely needed some truly engaging and wonderful books to pick me up.  One of those books is the mysterious and dream-like The Dark Unwinding by Sharon Cameron.  Upon meeting Katharine and learning of her purpose, I was intrigued and just had to know what would happen next.  A book that picks you up out of reading doldrums is a book that must be absorbed and appreciated.

Katharine Tulman is a prime example of the ways in which first looks can be deceiving.  At first, she gives the air of being a no-nonsense young girl born into privileged society.  However, you find out very quickly that though she is born of high society, she is a lonely, misused young woman who desperately wishes to carve a place in the world for herself.  It is her time spent at Stranwyne Keep and her actions there that fully sheds the light on who Katherine Tulman really is.  Her relationship with Tully, her eccentric, sweet, erratic, and genius uncle, is a lovely thing to see bloom.  Her contentions with Tully's assistant, Lane, add a different spark to the mix, which adds another layer to the story.  All in all, the character development in The Dark Unwinding is superb.  They take on a life of their own within the pages of Ms. Cameron's work.

The settings for The Dark Unwinding hold both steampunk and Gothic elements that give the story a wonderfully eerie feeling, all the while catching you up in the spirit of innovation.  Stranwyne Keep is the perfect backdrop for Katharine's examination of the working of her own mind, while Tully's workshop is a whimsical world where anything is possible.  As a reader, I wanted to take a stroll about the grounds of Stranwyne Keep and examine the amazing clockwork creations of Mr. Tully.  As a novice writer, I hope that I can inject that much life into my settings someday.  It was all very wonderfully enthralling.

I am very grateful to have had the chance to read The Dark Unwinding, for it came at a time that I was in need of a beautifully wrought book that I could escape into.  You can, indeed, escape into The Dark Unwinding, where you will wander alongside Katharine and experience the mystery and foreboding she experiences, as well as the discoveries and joys she finds.  If you love historical fiction with fantastic settings and well-developed characters, The Dark Unwinding should definitely be on the top of your list.

Buy The Dark Unwinding at the Following Locations:

Amazon / IndieBound / B&N / The Book Depository

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 - Glitch

by Heather Anastasiu
publisher: St. Martin's Press
date of publication: August 7, 2012
format: digital review copy
pages: 371
source: Netgalley

From Goodreads:

In the Community, there is no more pain or war. Implanted computer chips have wiped humanity clean of destructive emotions, and thoughts are replaced by a feed from the Link network.

When Zoe starts to malfunction (or “glitch”), she suddenly begins having her own thoughts, feelings, and identity. Any anomalies must be immediately reported and repaired, but Zoe has a secret so dark it will mean certain deactivation if she is caught: her glitches have given her uncontrollable telekinetic powers.

As Zoe struggles to control her abilities and stay hidden, she meets other glitchers including Max, who can disguise his appearance, and Adrien, who has visions of the future. Both boys introduce Zoe to feelings that are entirely new. Together, this growing band of glitchers must find a way to free themselves from the controlling hands of the Community before they’re caught and deactivated, or worse.

In this action-packed debut, Glitch begins an exciting new young adult trilogy.

I'm not even sure where to start with this review.  Glitch left me a confused, frustrated mess as I did my best to finish the entire book.  I did so, but upon finishing I realized that very few things struck me as enjoyable.  Some of the quirks and occurrences gave me much pause and I debated whether or not I wanted to continue.  So much was uncomfortable to read and I couldn't help but wonder why such a thing would be included, especially since the main character never really realized the severity of the situation.  She didn't seem to learn from it, so why?  I still don't know the answer to that question, but perhaps someone with different insight than me can share their opinion with me.

I was not at all impressed with the main character, Zoe.  She just rubbed me the wrong way from the beginning.  If she's not freaking out about the spores found above ground, she's allowing herself to be treated like a possession by her wannabe boyfriend, Max.  He practically marked his "territory" and acted like a huge horse's behind.  I know Zoe is inexperienced in real human emotion, but you would think such behavior would frighten even the most naive girl.  As if that wasn't enough, she didn't seem to take anything away from the experience.  What was the point of including a verbally abusive, possessive ahole if she isn't going to realize the situation and impart a warning.  She just goes along with Max's constant bursts of anger.  It all left me with a sour taste in my mouth.  Adrien was the only character with even a shred of common sense, but one character just isn't enough to carry the whole plot, especially when that character is a supporting one.

I had several more questions in regard to the logistics of the plot.  For instance, the citizens of the Community are supposed to be continually wired in to an internet-like network that keeps them complacent.  This whole thing starts because Zoe is becoming more and more prone to disconnecting and acting "anomalous."  What I wonder is just how does she manage to fly under the radar when she gives herself away in many ways throughout the story?  It just didn't seem very consistent with the idea behind the plot.  The only piece that truly evoked interest in me were the powers that began to manifest when Zoe glitched more and more.  That part was actually kind of fun and lead to the one moment that I actually liked her.

Overall, I just wasn't a fan of Glitch.  It just didn't manage to suspend disbelief, which is a fatal flaw in any book.  If you don't often get hung up on small details, you may enjoy this book provided you don't mind the character's personality and behaviors.  As for myself, I wasn't very enthusiastic about it and don't yet know if I will continue with the series.  If the second book continues in the same vein as the last 2 or 3 chapters, I would consider it, but I just can't deal with a repeat experience.

Buy Glitch at the Following Locations:

Amazon / IndieBound / B&N / The Book Depository

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

Review - So Close to You

by Rachel Carter
publisher: HarperTeen
date of publication: July 10, 2012
format: ARC
pages: 320
source: Around the World ARC Tours

From Goodreads:

Lydia Bentley has heard stories about the Montauk Project all her life: stories about the strange things that took place at the abandoned military base near her home and the people who've disappeared over the years. Stories about people like her own great-grandfather.

When Lydia stumbles into a portal that transports her to a dangerous and strange new reality, she discovers that all the stories she's ever heard about the Montauk Project are true, and that she's in the middle of one of the most dangerous experiments in history.

Alongside a darkly mysterious boy she is wary to trust, Lydia begins to unravel the secrets surrounding the Project. But the truths behind these secrets force her to question all her choices--and if Lydia chooses wrong, she might not save her family but destroy them . . . and herself.

I seem to be going through a time travel phase at the moment.  So Close to You is set in one place at two very different points in history: 2012, where Lydia is a high school student with a conspiracy theorist grandfather; and 1944, a year in the thick of WWII to which Lydia unwittingly travels and where she finds herself in the midst of a dangerous conspiracy.  So Close to You is a novel with clean, simple writing and an interesting plot.  With its vibrant characters and a phenomenal setting, this book completely drew me in.  Even with a few hitches, I came to enjoy So Close to You very much.

Aside from her descending into the creepy, dark underground bunker (if this were a horror movie, she would be toast), I liked Lydia pretty well.  There were some points at which her stubbornness frustrated me simply due to her refusal to consider the consequences of meddling with history.  I don't know exactly how I would react if in a similar situation, but I can say that I hope I would maintain enough common sense to be very careful of what I do.  I actually enjoyed her great aunt, Mary (a teenage girl at the time Lydia visits), even more.  She is a kind yet spunky girl with a bubbly personality and little to no guile.  As for Wes, I found him to be an enigmatic character, but I wasn't fully convinced as to why he became a love interest for Lydia.  I definitely want to find out more.

My favorite aspect of So Close to You was the setting.  The depiction of 1944 Montauk was so vivid and lively that picturing Lydia's surroundings became a pleasure.  If you need a frame of reference for the fashions mentioned in the book, The Notebook would serve as an excellent example.  Everything from the description of the town to the clothing to the social functions were fantastic.  I wanted to dive right in, myself just so I could see every single detail for myself.

Though So Close to You started out a little bit slow for me, it certainly didn't remain that way.  The premise is intriguing, the plot contains just the right amount of tension in all the right places, and the descriptions are well-rendered.  Even with their peculiar moments, the characters were portrayed fantastically and I came to enjoy learning about them.  If you enjoy time travel novels, this one is well worth trying.  It's a fun, quick read that will leave you begging for more.  There is a bit of a cliff-hanger at the end, but your curiosity will be piqued.  I know mine was!   

Buy So Close to You in the Following Locations:

Amazon / IndieBound / B&N / The Book Depository

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

Review - Black City

by Elizabeth Richards
publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons BFYR
date of publication: November 13, 2012
format: ARC
pages: 373
source: Around the World ARC Tours

From Goodreads:

A dark and tender post-apocalyptic love story set in the aftermath of a bloody war. In a city where humans and Darklings are now separated by a high wall and tensions between the two races still simmer after a terrible war, sixteen-year-olds Ash Fisher, a half-blood Darkling, and Natalie Buchanan, a human and the daughter of the Emissary, meet and do the unthinkable--they fall in love. Bonded by a mysterious connection that causes Ash's long-dormant heart to beat, Ash and Natalie first deny and then struggle to fight their forbidden feelings for each other, knowing if they're caught, they'll be executed--but their feelings are too strong. When Ash and Natalie then find themselves at the center of a deadly conspiracy that threatens to pull the humans and Darklings back into war, they must make hard choices that could result in both their deaths.

I wasn't sure what exactly I would be in for with Black City.  First and foremost, I was beyond curious to find out just what a Darkling was as portrayed in this story.  Second, I wanted to know what the war had been waged for and who the different factions were.  When the story opened with a clandestine meeting in the shadows for nefarious purposes, I was even more fascinated.  It is at this point that I learned what a Darkling is.  From then on, I was as hooked as a Haze addict. 

The book opens with Ash, so I will start with his character.  At first, you get the impression that he's a dangerous, immoral character.  After all, he deals Darkling venom (Haze) to addicted humans, which is disconcerting and beyond what I was expecting.  However, as more of his characteristics come to light, you find out that there is something more behind the mask.  As his situation, past, and inner thoughts are revealed, he becomes a more sympathetic character.  I eventually came to enjoy him a lot.  Natalie is also a character that takes a little observation to fully understand.  Her past is tragic and the scars she bears both inside and out mark her as a girl who has been through a lot.  As she begins to wake up and see the real state of things, she becomes a remarkable, admirable character willing to fight for the right thing. 

The premise for Black City is simply fascinating.  There is a truly heinous despot behind the atrocities in Black City and the results of his reign of terror are frightening.  However, I would have loved to know a little more about the reasons for the war.  Knowing more about the catalyst would have made an already great story all the better.  The setting is absolutely perfect for this story: gritty, dark, and bleak.  It serves very well to highlight the slivers of hope that begin to emerge from the ashes of a terrible situation.  It is a fantastic setting for a great storyline.

Black City was very difficult to put down.  The story flows so well that it is very easy to lose track of time and, before you know it, 100 pages will have gone by.  Filled with romance, gritty surroundings, and top notch characters, Black City is an engaging read that will keep you on the edge of your seat.  The intensity of the conflict situations can't be beat.  This is definitely a series to watch.

Buy Black City at the Following Locations:

Amazon / IndieBound / B&N / The Book Depository

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

Release Day Spotlight: Seraphina

Happy release day to Seraphina by Rachel Hartman.  This dragon-based fantasy is a must-read that I enjoyed very much (see my review HERE).  Don't forget, I'm giving away the ARC copy that Random Buzzers provided in my Ambuzzador kit (enter the giveaway HERE).  Now, check out this awesome book trailer.  I especially love the scales!




Fantasy fans take notice.  Seraphina is a book you won't want to miss out on for long.  This take on dragons is nothing short of amazing.

  Click to add Seraphina on Goodreads

Review - Venom

by Fiona Paul
publisher: Philomel
date of publication: October 30, 2012
format: ARC
pages: 432
source: Around the World ARC Tours

From Goodreads:

Cassandra Caravello is one of Renaissance Venice’s lucky elite: with elegant gowns, sparkling jewels, her own lady’s maid, and a wealthy fiancé, she has everything a girl could desire. Yet ever since her parents’ death, Cassandra has felt trapped, alone in a city of water, where the dark and labyrinthine canals whisper of escape.

When Cass stumbles upon a murdered woman—practically in her own backyard—she’s drawn into a dangerous world of courtesans, killers, and secret societies. Soon, she finds herself falling for Falco, a mysterious artist with a mischievous grin... and a spectacular skill for trouble. Can Cassandra find the murderer, before he finds her? And will she stay true to her fiancé, or succumb to her uncontrollable feelings for Falco?

Beauty, love, romance, and mystery weave together in a stunning novel that’s as seductive and surprising as the city of Venice itself.

Venom is one of those books that captures your attention immediately and compels you to check out its description. It's rare for me to read pure historical fiction without any supernatural elements these days, but Venom brought me back to a well-loved genre that hasn't received enough of my attention recently. As I delved into the book, the pages seemed to fly by. To call Venom captivating would be a gross understatement. There is so much to discover between its covers and I enjoyed every minute.

Cassandra was a vastly appealing character for many reasons. At first, she is a naïve, sheltered girl with very little experience with the less opulent side of Venice. However, as she gets to know the flirtatious and mysterious Falco, she begins to see her sheltered life as a cage that she longs to escape. Her loyalty to her late friend and her dedication to seeding justice make her a fiery character that I very much enjoyed getting to know. Falco, too, is a great character that I enjoyed immensely. His mischievous nature makes him just a fun character to read, all around.

Venom is best described by one word: lush. Everything from the background to the writing is surprisingly sensuous. I was pleasantly surprised to see Venice portrayed so well through the overall writing. The descriptions are so well rendered as to make you sink right in until you feel as though you are floating along the canals, yourself. The pace takes a few chapters to build, but it is more than worth the wait. Once the background was established and the plot was underway, I was thrilled enough to forget all about the slow start. That's the sure sign that the author has done something right.

As a lusciously detailed mystery and thriller, Venom has earned every bit of anticipation it has drawn. Fiona Paul has written a beautiful yet dangerous tale of murder, secrets, and darkness. Filled to the brim with chilling moments, Venom is a book that makes for a great read, especially on a stormy evening, as I found out. If you enjoy a good historical romance with a mystery involved, then Venom is the book for you. Prepare yourself for a thrilling, vivid reading experience.

Preorder Venom at the Following Locations:

Amazon /  IndieBound  /  B&N /  The Book Depository

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

Review - This is Not a Test

by Courtney Summers
publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
date of publication: June 19, 2012
format: ARC
pages: 320
source: LibraryThing Early Reviewers

From Goodreads:

It’s the end of the world. Six students have taken cover in Cortege High but shelter is little comfort when the dead outside won’t stop pounding on the doors. One bite is all it takes to kill a person and bring them back as a monstrous version of their former self.

To Sloane Price, that doesn’t sound so bad. Six months ago, her world collapsed and since then, she’s failed to find a reason to keep going. Now seems like the perfect time to give up. As Sloane eagerly waits for the barricades to fall, she’s forced to witness the apocalypse through the eyes of five people who actually want to live.

But as the days crawl by, the motivations for survival change in startling ways and soon the group’s fate is determined less and less by what’s happening outside and more and more by the unpredictable and violent bids for life—and death—inside.

When everything is gone, what do you hold on to?

This is Not a Test is an emotionally wrought twist on zombie novels. Though they are present within the story, the emphasis lies not on the zombies, themselves, but on the effects a cataclysmic event like a zombie apocalypse has on different people. The six teens we meet in This is Not a Test are a study in loss, grief, terror, and bravery. Each kid's reaction brought something different to the story, which made This is Not a Test such an engrossing read.

Sloane, the main character and narrator, is such a heartbreaking character. As the layers of who she is and what she has been through are peeled back, a complicated and truly damaged girl is revealed. I will admit that I found her motivation a bit difficult to understand, at first. While I don't agree with her rationalizations for wanting to give up, I can see how what she has been through causes death make sense to her. Her interactions with the other people in her group are actually somewhat heartening. Though she doesn't hold much value for her own life, she does respect the lives of her companions and seeks to make sure she doesn't put them at risk. Considering the behavior of a character such as Trace, it's even more surprising. While she isn't necessarily a character you can fully understand and like, she is definitely a fascinating one to get to know.

The setting for This is Not a Test couldn't have been more perfect. The outside world is a bleak, dangerous place and the inside world that the six teens inhabit has a level of safety that is tenuous, at best. I definitely appreciated that while the high school provided several of the things that the group needed, it wasn't safe enough to lull them all into complacency. However, the fact that so much of the story takes place in the high school definitely makes for some slow pacing, at times. While the group deals with its dramas and interpersonal struggles, the plot lagged at some points throughout the book. This was usually remedied rather quickly, however, so it didn't become too much of a problem.

This is Not a Test turned out to be so much more than I expected. I went in expecting nonstop attempts to fight off the zombie horde. What I found was a moving look at the human experience and what it means to different people. I think the question posed in the plot description lays it all out best: “When everything is gone, what do you hold onto?” The answer to that question is different for each character and different for each reader, as well. It brought a level of personal feeling into the story that came as a big surprise. This is Not a Test is truly an engrossing, though-provoking take on the zombie apocalypse theme.

Buy This is Not a Test at the Following Locations:

Amazon /  IndieBound  /  B&N  /  The Book Depository

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

Review - Lies Beneath

by Anne Greenwood Brown
publisher: Delacorte BFYR
date of publication: June 12, 2012
format: digital review copy
pages: 303
source: Netgalley

From Goodreads

Calder White lives in the cold, clear waters of Lake Superior, the only brother in a family of murderous mermaids. To survive, Calder and his sisters prey on humans, killing them to absorb their energy. But this summer the underwater clan targets Jason Hancock out of pure revenge. They blame Hancock for their mother's death and have been waiting a long time for him to return to his family's homestead on the lake. Hancock has a fear of water, so to lure him in, Calder sets out to seduce Hancock's daughter, Lily. Easy enough—especially as Calder has lots of practice using his irresistable good looks and charm on ususpecting girls. Only this time Calder screws everything up: he falls for Lily—just as Lily starts to suspect that there's more to the monsters-in-the-lake legends than she ever imagined. And just as his sisters are losing patience with him.

Just when I thought that I wouldn't find a mermaid novel that I enjoyed 100% of the time, along came Lies Beneath to change my mind. Though there have been many mermaid books in recent months, Lies Beneath managed to introduce a story that I became fully immersed in. With a look at the dark side of mermaids, Lies Beneath gave me chills and made me sit up and take notice all at once. With a main character in the midst of a transformation and villains who are quite literally cold-blooded, this book drew me in hook, line, and sinker.

Calder White came as a complete surprise. At first, he is not someone you would want to encounter. The homicidal tendencies of mermaids is first introduced through him and, I have to say, he is very successful at establishing the lore present in this world. As the story continues, however, it is revealed that there is more to Calder White than meets the eye. He is all at once both less and more than his sisters, which was a really great aspect to his character. Following along as he attains some humanity is fascinating and, at times, moving. Lily Hancock, the catalyst which brings about the changes Calder goes through is both naive and stubborn. At times, I couldn't decide whether to cheer her on or yell at her for some of her decisions. All in all, the entire array of characters present in Lies Beneath made for a truly interesting reading experience.

The pacing is what you might expect from a story of this time. As it takes place in a sleepy town and centers around a plot that requires calculation and a steady build-up, the pace moves along at just the right clip. I didn't feel as though I was being rushed along, nor did I feel bogged down by too many details. The writing was very easy to keep up with. The descriptions of everything from the settings to the people were capable of making these elements easily imagined. I especially enjoyed the descriptions of Calder's journeys underneath the water. They made the story come to life bit by bit until I had a full understanding of everything that was going on in this intriguing world.

Lies Beneath would make for an excellent beach read. Its intriguing premise and entertaining characters make it a great pick for a day of reading whether on vacation or at home. It ended in such a way that left me content and satisfied, which is a definite mark in its favor. These aren't the mermaids you may remember from childhood fairy tales. What you get here is a glimpse at what came before there were things such as Disney's The Little Mermaid. If you enjoy books that incorporate different folklore, then Lies Beneath is definitely one you need to check out.

Buy Lies Beneath at the Following Locations

Amazon /  IndieBound  /  B&N  /  The Book Depository

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

Review - Monument 14

by Emmy Laybourne
publisher: Feiwel and Friends
date of publication: June 5, 2012
format: ARC
pages: 294
source: from the publisher; Fierce Reads campaign

From Goodreads:

Your mother hollers that you’re going to miss the bus. She can see it coming down the street. You don’t stop and hug her and tell her you love her. You don’t thank her for being a good, kind, patient mother. Of course not—you launch yourself down the stairs and make a run for the corner.

Only, if it’s the last time you’ll ever see your mother, you sort of start to wish you’d stopped and did those things. Maybe even missed the bus.But the bus was barreling down our street, so I ran.

Fourteen kids. One superstore. A million things that go wrong.

In Emmy Laybourne’s action-packed debut novel, six high school kids (some popular, some not), two eighth graders (one a tech genius), and six little kids trapped together in a chain superstore build a refuge for themselves inside. While outside, a series of escalating disasters, beginning with a monster hailstorm and ending with a chemical weapons spill, seems to be tearing the world—as they know it—apart.

 

From the very first page, Monument 14 succeeds in instilling a sense of foreboding.  The opening words are the epitome of words left unsaid and, upon reading them, you just know that there is a lot of heartbreak on the way.  What ensues is a chain reaction of events that will rock the characters in the story to their very cores and leave you, the reader, shell-shocked beyond belief.  From cover to cover, Monument 14 delivers with trials, tribulations, emotions, and enough action to keep you on the edge of your seat.

The cast of characters that make up Monument 14 are as varied in temperament as they are in age.  From the 5 year old twins to the 18 year old high school seniors, attitudes differ, emotions run amok, and conflicts arise.  Shy, gawky Dean, the narrator and our guide through life in the Greenway in apocalyptic Monument, Colorado, is as flawed as he is endearing.  You can't help but feel for the guy but, at the same time, he does mess up.  A lot.  Unlike characters from other books, however, Dean's mistakes aren't simply a nuisance to the reader.  They add an edge to all of the other things going on in the story and make reading about the situation all the more intense.  Dean's reactions to the various occurrences are nothing short of fascinating and I my attention was definitely held by both his point of view and the events as shown through his eyes.

I don't know what it is about apocalyptic settings that I find to be so intriguing, but the setting for Monument 14 especially delivered for me.  The storyline was captivating and the pace was brisk enough to add a higher level of urgency to the book's atmosphere.  It was so easy to get a sense of who everyone was thanks to the dialog and the descriptions of both the kids' surroundings and the events that take place are vivid.  It almost felt like I was right there alongside them, trying to figure out how to get the pizza oven to work properly and keep the little kids out of trouble (as if I don't get enough of that in my day-to-day life; ha!).

Monument 14 is one of those books that refuses to let you out of its grasp.  I found myself staying awake until the sun started to appear in the horizon because I simply could not stop reading.  I expect I could have finished it in 12 hours if I hadn't needed sleep.  It was that enthralling.  If you're in need of a book with lots of action and the complexities of human reaction, look no further.  Emmy Laybourne's debut, simply put, knocked my socks off.  I'm going to be anxiously awaiting the next book.  I just can't get enough!

Buy Monument 14 at the Following Locations:

Amazon/  IndieBound  /  B&N  /  The Book Depository

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.

Fantastically Awesome Book Trailer - Struck

Have you all seen this trailer?  Now this is the way a book trailer should be!  I just finished reading Struck and, let me tell you, it is every bit as awesome as the trailer leads you to believe.




Check out Struck on May 8th.  It's part of the new Fierce Reads campaign, which promises to bring us some wickedly awesome titles!