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

Seraphina Ambuzzador Giveaway!

I have some fun news to share.  I was selected as one of Random Buzzers' summer 2012 Ambuzzadors.  For the next few weeks, I will be spreading the word about Seraphina and Random Buzzers.  If you haven't heard of Random Buzzers, you're probably wondering what in the heck an Ambuzzador is.  I'm about to tell you.  Check out the following definitions to learn more.

Random Buzzers: A fun, interactive site from Random House where you can talk books, meet fellow book worms, meet authors, earn points, and use points to purchase books and swag.

Ambuzzador: A Random Buzzers member selected to promote a book from one of three genres.  The program is on a quarterly basis and is a way to spread the word about upcoming titles and Random Buzzers.

Now that you're caught up on that, you're probably wondering about the book I'm promoting.  I was selected for the Seraphina Ambuzzador team, so I get the chance to share this awesome book with you all!  Keep reading to find out more about Seraphina and why you should read it.

Seraphina by Rachel Hartman

July 10, 2012 from Random House Children's Books

Four decades of peace have done little to ease the mistrust between humans and dragons in the kingdom of Goredd. Folding themselves into human shape, dragons attend court as ambassadors, and lend their rational, mathematical minds to universities as scholars and teachers. As the treaty's anniversary draws near, however, tensions are high.

Seraphina Dombegh has reason to fear both sides. An unusually gifted musician, she joins the court just as a member of the royal family is murdered—in suspiciously draconian fashion. Seraphina is drawn into the investigation, partnering with the captain of the Queen's Guard, the dangerously perceptive Prince Lucian Kiggs. While they begin to uncover hints of a sinister plot to destroy the peace, Seraphina struggles to protect her own secret, the secret behind her musical gift, one so terrible that its discovery could mean her very life.

In her exquisitely written fantasy debut, Rachel Hartman creates a rich, complex, and utterly original world. Seraphina's tortuous journey to self-acceptance is one readers will remember long after they've turned the final page.

 Read my review of Seraphina HERE

Want to join Random Buzzers?  I've included a referral link HERE.

I have more good news.  I was provided with not one, but TWO copies of Seraphina.  That means that one of my lucky readers will have the chance to win an ARC of Seraphina:

The Prize

I have to ship this one, myself, so this one is US only.  I'll let you get to it now.  You know the drill.  Enter via the Rafflecopter widget below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review - Dust Girl

by Sarah Zettel
publisher: Random House Children's Books
date of publication: June 26, 2012
format: digital review copy
pages: 304
source: Netgalley

From Goodreads:

Callie LeRoux lives in Slow Run, Kansas, helping her mother run their small hotel and trying not to think about the father she’s never met. Lately all of her energy is spent battling the constant storms plaguing the Dust Bowl and their effects on her health. Callie is left alone when her mother goes missing in a dust storm. Her only hope comes from a mysterious man offering a few clues about her destiny and the path she must take to find her parents in "the golden hills of the west": California.

Along the way she meets Jack, a young hobo boy who is happy to keep her company — there are dangerous, desperate people at every turn. And there’s also an otherworldly threat to Callie. Warring fae factions, attached to the creative communities of American society, are very much aware of the role this half-mortal, half-fae teenage girl plays in their fate.

Just when you think you've seen every take on faerie books, one comes out of the woodwork that gives you a whole new perspective on the topic. In this case, it's both the setting and the take on faerie lore that really sets this book apart from the others. This book doesn't seem to be getting quite the level of buzz that other summer releases are, but that definitely needs to change. Dust Girl was like a whirlwind with its storyline, character development, and settings. There was so much that piqued my attention that I don't even know where I should start.

I found the main character, Callie, to be a really fun character to follow. Her devotion to her mother and her reactions to the problems that arose made her a compelling character to read about. She shines best in situations that require quick thinking and clever solutions. My favorite example of this lies in how she handled the Hoppers, some unexpected guests she books into the hotel. Watching her deal with all of the issues that arose in that particular episode clued me in that I was in for quite the adventure thanks to Callie. Her friend, Jack, was also an interesting character. For all of the skeletons in his closet and all of his foibles, he really resonated as a character, as well. He was a great complement to Callie and the two played off of each other very well. When it comes to the characters, I have absolutely no complaints.

The premise and setting for Dust Girl were so fresh and unique. Initially, I wasn't sure how well a faerie story set in the Dust Bowl in 1935 was going to work, but it really did, in this case. Sarah Zettel pulled what, at first glance, appear to be incompatible parts for a story into something new and enchanting. While the pacing was a bit awkward at times, things recovered very nicely and the snags were quickly forgotten. Also, I just have to point out the brilliance of the faerie lore Ms. Zettel incorporated into the story. It was a fantastic blend of new and old that really kept me entertained.

Fans of faerie-based fantasy would do well to check out Dust Girl. Even if you have doubts about the appeal of the plot, read it. If you're anything like me, it will win you over and fully capture your attention. The writing in this novel is too strong to pass by without at least a glance. I will most assuredly be looking forward to the next installment in the series. Dust Girl is more than capable of blowing you away like a storm, dust not included.

Buy Dust Girl 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.

Waiting on Wednesday #43

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 link above will take you straight to her post and widget.

I skipped last week, so it's been 3 weeks since I last did a WoW post.  I wasn't quite sure which picks to go with, but I think I've got 3 great ones today.

Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes
(coming December 11, 2012 from Razorbill)

In a land where magic has been forgotten but peace has reigned for centuries, a deadly unrest is simmering. Three kingdoms grapple for power—brutally transforming their subjects’ lives in the process. Amidst betrayals, bargains, and battles, four young people find their fates forever intertwined:

Cleo: A princess raised in luxury must embark on a rough and treacherous journey into enemy territory in search of a magic long thought extinct.

Jonas: Enraged at injustice, a rebel lashes out against the forces of oppression that have kept his country impoverished—and finds himself the leader of a people’s revolution centuries in the making.

Lucia: A girl adopted at birth into a royal family discovers the truth about her past—and the supernatural legacy she is destined to wield.

Magnus: Bred for aggression and trained to conquer, a firstborn son begins to realize that the heart can be more lethal than the sword...

The only outcome that’s certain is that kingdoms will fall. Who will emerge triumphant when all they know has collapsed?

Why I'm Waiting: I adore fantasy and this one sounds absolutely stunning.  I'm very curious about how p.o.v. will be handled and what style narration will be used.

Dark Star by Bethany Frenette

(coming October 23, 2012 from Hyperion)

Audrey Whitticomb has nothing to fear. Her mother is the superhero Morning Star, the most deadly crime-fighter in the Twin Cities, so it’s hard for Audrey not to feel safe. That is, until she’s lured into the sweet night air by something human and not human—something with talons and teeth, and a wide, scarlet smile.

Now Audrey knows the truth: her mom doesn’t fight crime at night. She fights Harrowers—livid, merciless beings who were trapped Beneath eons ago. Yet some have managed to escape. And they want Audrey dead, just because of who she is: one of the Kin.

To survive, Audrey will need to sharpen the powers she has always had. When she gets close to someone, dark corners of the person’s memories become her own, and she sometimes even glimpses the future. If Audrey could only get close to Patrick Tigue, a powerful Harrower masquerading as human, she could use her Knowing to discover the Harrowers’ next move. But Leon, her mother’s bossy, infuriatingly attractive sidekick, has other ideas. Lately, he won’t let Audrey out of his sight.

When an unthinkable betrayal puts Minneapolis in terrible danger, Audrey discovers a wild, untamed power within herself. It may be the key to saving her herself, her family, and her city. Or it may be the force that destroys everything—and everyone—she loves.

Why I'm Waiting: I love the idea of a story about monster-fighters masquerading as super heroes.  I'm dying to get my hands on this one just so I can see what's what. 

The Brides of Rollrock Island by Margo Lanagan

(coming September 11, 2012 from Random House)

On remote Rollrock Island, men go to sea to make their livings—and to catch their wives.

The witch Misskaella knows the way of drawing a girl from the heart of a seal, of luring the beauty out of the beast. And for a price a man may buy himself a lovely sea-wife. He may have and hold and keep her. And he will tell himself that he is her master. But from his first look into those wide, questioning, liquid eyes, he will be just as transformed as she. He will be equally ensnared. And the witch will have her true payment.

Margo Lanagan weaves an extraordinary tale of desire, despair, and transformation. With devastatingly beautiful prose, she reveals characters capable of unspeakable cruelty, but also unspoken love.

Why I'm Waiting: I love love LOVE stories about selkies.  The premise for this particular book sounds utterly fantastic.  I can't wait to read it!

Review - Seraphina

by Rachel Hartman
publisher: Random House Children's Books
date of publication: July 10, 2012
format: digital review copy
pages: 464
source: Netgalley
read it in: 8 days

From Goodreads:

Four decades of peace have done little to ease the mistrust between humans and dragons in the kingdom of Goredd. Folding themselves into human shape, dragons attend court as ambassadors, and lend their rational, mathematical minds to universities as scholars and teachers. As the treaty's anniversary draws near, however, tensions are high.

Seraphina Dombegh has reason to fear both sides. An unusually gifted musician, she joins the court just as a member of the royal family is murdered—in suspiciously draconian fashion. Seraphina is drawn into the investigation, partnering with the captain of the Queen's Guard, the dangerously perceptive Prince Lucian Kiggs. While they begin to uncover hints of a sinister plot to destroy the peace, Seraphina struggles to protect her own secret, the secret behind her musical gift, one so terrible that its discovery could mean her very life.

In her exquisitely written fantasy debut, Rachel Hartman creates a rich, complex, and utterly original world. Seraphina's tortuous journey to self-acceptance is one readers will remember long after they've turned the final page.

Seraphina Dombegh is a girl of extraordinary musical talent who has attained a position at court as the court composer's apprentice.  However, Seraphina has a secret, one that could jeopardize everything from her livelihood to her life, itself.  After a much-loved prince is found murdered in the forest, even more unusual occurrences begin to take place that point toward a plot to undermine the tenuous treaty between dragonkind and the kingdom of Goredd.  With her keen intelligence and finely honed powers of observation, Seraphina is well-placed to discover the culprits.  Can she do so without exposing her true nature... or losing her life?

Seraphina is one of those characters that you can immediately hear speaking in your head.  Her voice is developed very well and she has such a strong personality.  As more of her persona is revealed, you can tell that she is a girl who knows what she's about.  Her responses to the events around her are those of a person who doesn't take injustices lightly and show that she has a keen sense of loyalty.  All of these made her a very compelling character to read.  Kiggs is a bit of a mystery, at first.  I couldn't quite pin him down and didn't know what I thought until several chapters had gone by.  I can honestly say, however, that I enjoyed the build-up that his introduction entailed.  It allowed so much time in which to make a well-informed assessment of him.  It was done in such as way as to give the impression that you're meeting a new acquaintance.

Seraphina has a fantastic (in all sense of the word!) plot that, while a little slow-moving at first, builds into a rousing adventure.  The inclusion of such an in-depth dragon lore was nothing short of brilliant and I found the background development as a whole to be very intriguing.  The world building is nicely done, as well, and I loved all of the descriptions of Goredd and the surrounding countryside.  The pacing did take some getting used to but, in the end, it proved well worth it, as the spectacular nature of the story just can't be denied.  You can tell that Hartman takes great care to craft her words into such a wonderful story.

I had such a great time getting to know both the characters and the world that makes up Seraphina.  This is a book that illustrates the importance of patience, because if you don't give it time and quit too soon, you will miss out on a great story.  The imagery is vivid and the premise is spectacular, ensuring that you're provided with a great reading experience.  The writing is precise and is very successful at conveying the full scope of how this world runs.  If you're looking for a well-written dragon tale, you should definitely try Seraphina.  It's a must-read that will pick you up and positively fly away with you.

Buy Seraphina 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.

DNF - The Book of Blood and Shadow

by Robin Wasserman
publisher: Random House Children's Books
date of publication: April 10, 2012
format: digital review copy
pages: 449
source: Netgalley
read it in: tried for 8 days; did not finish

From Goodreads:

It was like a nightmare, but there was no waking up. When the night began, Nora had two best friends and an embarrassingly storybook one true love. When it ended, she had nothing but blood on her hands and an echoing scream that stopped only when the tranquilizers pierced her veins and left her in the merciful dark.

But the next morning, it was all still true: Chris was dead. His girlfriend Adriane, Nora’s best friend, was catatonic. And Max, Nora’s sweet, smart, soft-spoken Prince Charming, was gone. He was also—according to the police, according to her parents, according to everyone—a murderer.

Desperate to prove his innocence, Nora follows the trail of blood, no matter where it leads. It ultimately brings her to the ancient streets of Prague, where she is drawn into a dark web of secret societies and shadowy conspirators, all driven by a mad desire to possess something that might not even exist. For buried in a centuries-old manuscript is the secret to ultimate knowledge and communion with the divine; it is said that he who controls the Lumen Dei controls the world. Unbeknownst to her, Nora now holds the crucial key to unlocking its secrets. Her night of blood is just one piece in a puzzle that spans continents and centuries. Solving it may be the only way she can save her own life.

I went into The Book of Blood and Shadow with a level of anticipation and enthusiasm that made the prospect of reading the book even better.  However, when I began to read, what I found was a combination of elements that made reading this book difficult.  I had much trouble connecting to the main character, Nora, due to her often disjointed way of thinking.  I did enjoy the historical aspects of the novel... at first.  After a while, however, it became more and more prevalent until I felt as though I was being inundated with it.  It wasn't presented in a way that made it appealing to me, making the going very, very slow.  I read 50% of the book and originally planned to finish.  However, when I was contemplating picking it back up this evening and realized that I was dreading it, I knew that I would be doing both the book and myself a disservice.  It's unfortunate, as I had really wanted to enjoy this book, but it just wasn't happening.

If you feel that you would enjoy The Book of Blood and Shadow, you can purchase it in the following locations:

Amazon / IndieBound / B&N / The Book Depository 

Waiting on Wednesday - February 29, 2012

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 link above will take you straight to her post and widget.

There have been so many fantastic cover reveals in the past week that I wasn't quite sure as to what I wanted to pick for my Waiting on Wednesday post this week.  I decided that this week calls for a 3 part WoW, just so I can fit in as many fantastic books as I possibly can.

Pick number 1 is the follow-up to one of my favorite 2012 debuts.  Lucky for me, its release date has been announced as October 9, 2012, so I won't have a year-long wait on my hands.

The Unfailing Light by Robin Bridges
Coming October 9, 2012 from Random House Children's Books

From Goodreads:

Having had no choice but to use her power has a necromancer to save Russia from dark forces, Katerina Alexandrovna, Duchess of Oldenburg, now wants to forget that she ever used her special powers. She's about to set off to pursue her lifelong dream of attending medical school when she discovers that Russia's arch nemesis--who she thought she'd destroyed--is still alive. So on imperial orders, Katerina remains at her old finishing school. She'll be safe there, because the empress has cast a potent spell to protect it against the vampires and revenants who are bent on toppling the tsar and using Katerina for their own gains. But to Katerina's horror, the spell unleashes a vengeful ghost within the school, a ghost more dangerous than any creature trying to get in.

Why I'm waiting on it: I simply adored The Gathering Storm and am beyond ready to see what other adventures Katerina has in store.

 
My second pick is the third book in a series, the last two of which I devoured voraciously.  With a release date of October 2, my October to-read list grows even further.

Promised by Caragh M. O'Brien
Coming October 2, 2012 from Roaring Brook Press

From Goodreads:

Gaia Stone has challenged the ruthless regime of the Enclave, she's crossed a terrible wasteland to live in Sylum and even adapted to their strange new ways. But now she faces her biggest challenge ever: leading the people of Sylum back to the Enclave in the hopes that they can find a way to peacefully co-exist. The Enclave has grown even more cruel in the time they've been away, and now Gaia has the added burden of feeling responsible for the safety of the former residents of Sylum as well as her own. Gaia's always been strong-minded, but is she willing to pay the price of being a leader? And what if what's at stake is her and Leon's future?

Why I'm waiting on it: I read both Birthmarked and Prized within a 48 hour period.  These books are one of my most favorite dystopian series and I can't wait to read more.

  
My third and final pick is a 2012 debut.  Not only does the plot sound awesome, the cover is absolutely gorgeous!

Defiance by C.J. Redwine
Coming August 28, 2012 from Balzer+Bray

From Goodreads:

Within the walls of Baalboden, beneath the shadow of the city’s brutal leader, Rachel Adams has a secret. While other girls sew dresses, host dinner parties, and obey their male Protectors, Rachel knows how to survive in the wilderness and deftly wield a sword. When her father, Jared, fails to return from a courier mission and is declared dead, the Commander assigns Rachel a new Protector, her father’s apprentice, Logan—the same boy Rachel declared her love for two years ago, and the same boy who handed her heart right back to her. Left with nothing but fierce belief in her father’s survival, Rachel decides to escape and find him herself. But treason against the Commander carries a heavy price, and what awaits her in the Wasteland could destroy her.

At nineteen, Logan McEntire is many things. Orphan. Outcast. Inventor. As apprentice to the city’s top courier, Logan is focused on learning his trade so he can escape the tyranny of Baalboden. But his plan never included being responsible for his mentor’s impulsive daughter. Logan is determined to protect her, but when his escape plan goes wrong and Rachel pays the price, he realizes he has more at stake than disappointing Jared.

As Rachel and Logan battle their way through the Wasteland, stalked by a monster that can’t be killed and an army of assassins out for blood, they discover romance, heartbreak, and a truth that will incite a war decades in the making.

Why I'm waiting on it: That plot description has me completely sold.  I can't wait to get my hands on this book.  It already has a home on my "books I would dance a jig for" list.
  

Review - The Nightmare Garden

by Caitlin Kittredge
publisher: Delacorte BFYR
date of publication: February 14, 2012
format: eGalley
pages: 436
source: Netgalley
Amazon / IndieBound / B&N / The Book Depository

From Goodreads:

Everything Aoife thought she knew about the world was a lie. There is no Necrovirus. And Aoife isn't going to succumb to madness because of a latent strain—she will lose her faculties because she is allergic to iron. Aoife isn't human. She is a changeling—half human and half from the land of Thorn. And time is running out for her.

When Aoife destroyed the Lovecraft engine she released the monsters from the Thorn Lands into the Iron Lands and now she must find a way to seal the gates and reverse the destruction she's ravaged on the world that's about to poison her.

What I Thought 

Having only recently finished The Iron Thorn, I had the benefit of having every detail about the world and storyline in regard to this series fresh in my memory.  Setting out to read the next leg of Aoife's journey toward setting wrongs to right turned out to be even more enjoyable in this, the second novel in The Iron Codex series.  Gone are the pieces of the story's puzzle that didn't manage to grab my full attention in The Iron Thorn.  Instead, The Nightmare Garden is comprised of a fantastic blend of action, adventure, magic, and intrigue, as well as a touch of tragedy.  All of these components made for a wonderfully riveting read that left me wishing I had given up my nail-biting habit, as I didn't quite know what to do with myself at times.  The further development of the world Caitlin Kittredge has created left me reeling from the sheer intricacies of it.

Aoife grows as a character by leaps and bounds in The Nightmare Garden.  She sheds her school girl persona even further until she is left with a steel backbone and much more courage than she had previously possessed.  Being Aoife, however, she is still in possession of an astounding amount of stubbornness, so much stubbornness, in fact, that I was often left unsure as to whether I admired her or was frustrated by her.  In any case, she made for the perfect heroine for this novel, as the storyline had so many twists and caveats as to require a strong character.  Thanks to a combination of wonderfully wrought characters, riveting storyline, and an intriguing and menacing world, readers are sure to find themselves pulled into this action-packed, vivid, and emotional story.

I very much enjoyed the growth that I found within The Nightmare Garden.  That it was able to cast away all of my doubts and ensnare me speaks well of the nature of this ever-growing series.  Caitlin Kittredge's amazing world of iron, gears, and monsters is one which you won't soon forget.  This is a series that I want to fall into and follow until the very end.  With its intensity and spectacular world-building, The Nightmare Garden is a book you won't soon forget.

Obligatory legal statement: This eGalley 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. 

Cover Alert!

There have been some fantastic cover reveals today.  Three upcoming titles all had their covers revealed on various blogs and I couldn't have been more excited.  Think of it as a 1-2-3 punch of awesome, as there is a 2012 debut, a 2nd in series, and a 3rd in series to behold.  Be sure to click on the titles to add these books to your Goodreads shelves and read the descriptions. 

Defiance by C.J. Redwine (coming August 28, 2012 from Balzer+Bray)

Isn't this cover gorgeous!?  The plot description sounds just as amazing as the cover looks.  I'm looking forward to this 2012 debut.

The Unfailing Light (Katerina Trilogy #2) by Robin Bridges (coming October 9, 2012 from Random House Children's Books)

As if the cover wasn't enough, to find out that the sequel to The Gathering Storm comes out this year is the best news I've heard all day!  I had thought I would be waiting until next year.

Promised by Caragh M. O'Brien (coming October 2, 2012 from Roaring Book Press)

I am so in love with this series that I nearly forgot to breathe when I saw Caragh O'Brien's blog post feed on Goodreads.  This cover goes beautifully with the other two in the series and I am sure that the book itself will be as amazing as its predecessors.

Review - The Iron Thorn

by Caitlin Kittredge
publisher: Delacorte BFYR
date of publication: February 22, 2011
format: ebook
pages: 368
source: purchased
Amazon / IndieBound / B&N / The Book Depository

From Goodreads:

In the city of Lovecraft, the Proctors rule and a great Engine turns below the streets, grinding any resistance to their order to dust. The necrovirus is blamed for Lovecraft's epidemic of madness, for the strange and eldritch creatures that roam the streets after dark, and for everything that the city leaders deem Heretical—born of the belief in magic and witchcraft. And for Aoife Grayson, her time is growing shorter by the day.
 
Aoife Grayson's family is unique, in the worst way—every one of them, including her mother and her elder brother Conrad, has gone mad on their 16th birthday. And now, a ward of the state, and one of the only female students at the School of Engines, she is trying to pretend that her fate can be different.

What I Thought

It has taken me a while to actually find the chance to sit down to read The Iron Thorn.  For some reason, I had been under the impression that I had bought it for my Nook previously, so imagine my surprise when I learned that that was not, in fact, the case.  I immediately purchased a copy and hopped to it.  I am glad that I did.  What I found within the pages was an intriguing blend of alternate history, dystopian, supernatural, and steampunk.  That may sound like a lot of threads to weave together, but Ms. Kittredge has successfully created a story with many nuances and great imagination.

Much about The Iron Thorn was enjoyable for me.  For instance, the main character, Aoife (a fine Irish name, by the way), is a spirited, feisty kind of girl who doesn't stand for coddling, which I found very enjoyable for a character.  The creatures and magic included in the story are also fantastic and intriguing.  I couldn't have enjoyed such fantastical elements more.  The only component of the story that I had any sort of problem getting into was the setting.  I failed to have my interest piqued by the city of Lovecraft, which I was disappointed by.  I did, however, enjoy the more rural settings and the Rust Works scene immensely.  I found these two settings to be much more dynamic and imagination-stirring.  As a whole, The Iron Thorn made for an action-packed, gripping read and left me more than ready to read The Nightmare Garden.

If you love danger, intrigue, magic, and the paranormal, you simply must try this book.  With a unique world and dynamic characters, The Iron Thorn is sure to capture your imagination and take it on a wild ride.  If you've been meaning to read it, now is a good time, as The Nightmare Garden hits shelves tomorrow.  The Iron Thorn has earned 4 hoots from me for the aforementioned reasons.  Now, it's time to move on to The Nightmare Garden!

Review - The Demon Lover

by Juliet Dark
publisher: Ballantine Books
date of publication: December 27, 2011
format: eGalley
pages: 371
source: Netgalley
Amazon / Goodreads / B&N

From Goodreads:

I gasped . . . or tried to. My mouth opened, but I couldn’t draw breath. . . . His lips, pearly wet, parted and he blew into my mouth. My lungs expanded beneath his weight. When I exhaled he sucked in my breath and his weight turned from cold marble into warm living flesh.

Since accepting a teaching position at remote Fairwick College in upstate New York, Callie McFay has experienced the same disturbingly erotic dream every night: A mist enters her bedroom, then takes the shape of a virile, seductive stranger who proceeds to ravish her in the most toe-curling, wholly satisfying ways possible. Perhaps these dreams are the result of writing her bestselling book, The Sex Lives of Demon Lovers. After all, Callie’s lifelong passion is the intersection of lurid fairy tales and Gothic literature—which is why she finds herself at Fairwick’s renowned folklore department, living in a once-stately Victorian house that, at first sight, seemed to call her name.

But Callie soon realizes that her dreams are alarmingly real. She has a demon lover—an incubus—and he will seduce her, pleasure her, and eventually suck the very life from her. Then Callie makes another startling discovery: He’s not the only mythical creature in Fairwick. As the tenured witches of the college and the resident fairies in the surrounding woods prepare to cast out the incubus, Callie must accomplish something infinitely more difficult—banishing this demon lover from her heart.

What I Thought

I was quite taken by surprise when I began to read this book.  I went in expecting an adult paranormal romance with an intriguing premise.  What I found was so much more.  The author took the time to fill out her story with such amazing background information and character development in such unexpected ways that I couldn't help but become more intrigued.  The Demon Lover is one of those books that comes out of left field: you expect to enjoy it, but it surprises you in some way in the end that leaves you feeling refreshed and pleased.  

The Demon Lover is just the type of book that I look for when I need a slight break from YA novels.  Before I began reading YA books again, I read quite a number of adult paranormal romance, urban fantasy, and high fantasy novels.  This is just the type of book I would have gravitated toward then.  Filled with intriguing elements such as folklore and mythology, a town established to house varying supernatural creatures, and enough literary terminology to make an English major feel warm and fuzzy, The Demon Lover takes what is already an intriguing premise and runs with it.  I was especially pleased to find mention of a bit of Celtic lore that I have read about before, though the Anglicized version of the name threw me off (leave it to me to know the Irish word before the English one).  The gean-cānach (or Ganconer, as he is known in the book) is such an interesting version of the incubus.  While he isn't entirely recognizable in this book, I did like the changes made to the character that rendered just the right adversary for this book.  It wouldn't have worked quite as well had he been more like folklore describes him when held up next to the other characters at play within the story, which range from witches, faeries, and brownies to lidercs (a Hungarian version of the succubus) to vampires.  This book is a mythological free-for-all that left me very excited to read all of these old stories once again.  I'm sure the main character, Callie, would approve of that, as she is very much a researcher and a huge fan of literature.  For the most part, I adored her and can't wait to read more about her in subsequent installments.

While there is much about The Demon Lover that I loved, there was one issue that I became disappointed by.  About half-way through the book, the plot seems to lag in a way that felt disruptive to the reading experience.  I can see now what was taking shape, but it made for a halting flow for the plot that I wasn't too fond of.  While it gave time for some of the subplots to float to the surface and gain attention for a little while, it just wasn't done as though it were all part of the same book.  The best way I can describe it is to say that it felt almost as though I were reading a book within a book (which actually does take place, oddly enough, although with less fits and starts).  This aspect left me feeling frustrated with my own rating system, as it isn't quite adequate for a situation such as this.

The Demon Lover is a great read for fans of adult paranormal romance.  I wouldn't recommend it for young teen audiences, as it gets quite racy at times, but it also isn't so over-the-top as other novels of its kind.  If you love novels containing lots of mythology and folklore, then you should definitely give this one a chance.  It was vastly entertaining and I couldn't have been more pleased to have been approved to read it.  I think it is safe to stay that I've still got it when it comes to selecting adult novels for myself to read.  The Demon Lover rates as a 3.75 for me, so it earns a 4 hoot distinction.     

Obligatory legal statement: This eGalley 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: Dearly, Departed

by Lia Habel
publisher: Del Rey
date of publication: October 18, 2011
format: hardcover
pages: 470
source: purchased
Amazon / Goodreads / B&N

From Goodreads:

Love can never die.

Love conquers all, so they say. But can Cupid’s arrow pierce the hearts of the living and the dead—or rather, the undead? Can a proper young Victorian lady find true love in the arms of a dashing zombie?

The year is 2195. The place is New Victoria—a high-tech nation modeled on the manners, mores, and fashions of an antique era. A teenager in high society, Nora Dearly is far more interested in military history and her country’s political unrest than in tea parties and debutante balls. But after her beloved parents die, Nora is left at the mercy of her domineering aunt, a social-climbing spendthrift who has squandered the family fortune and now plans to marry her niece off for money. For Nora, no fate could be more horrible—until she’s nearly kidnapped by an army of walking corpses.

But fate is just getting started with Nora. Catapulted from her world of drawing-room civility, she’s suddenly gunning down ravenous zombies alongside mysterious black-clad commandos and confronting “The Laz,” a fatal virus that raises the dead—and hell along with them. Hardly ideal circumstances. Then Nora meets Bram Griswold, a young soldier who is brave, handsome, noble . . . and dead. But as is the case with the rest of his special undead unit, luck and modern science have enabled Bram to hold on to his mind, his manners, and his body parts. And when his bond of trust with Nora turns to tenderness, there’s no turning back. Eventually, they know, the disease will win, separating the star-crossed lovers forever. But until then, beating or not, their hearts will have what they desire.

In Dearly, Departed, romance meets walking-dead thriller, spawning a madly imaginative novel of rip-roaring adventure, spine-tingling suspense, and macabre comedy that forever redefines the concept of undying love.

What I Thought 

From the moment I first read the description of Dearly, Departed, I was taken over by an immense feeling of curiosity.  There are so many elements that I enjoy bound all together in one book, which made me wonder exactly how Lia Habel was going to make it all work together.  Lo and behold, not only does she make it work, but she does so with much humor and finesse.  Not only that, Ms. Habel has taken the narrative style above and beyond the typical two or three narrators one usually sees and has provided us with the perspectives of five different characters, which gives the book so many dimensions and allows the reader more of a glimpse into this strange new world.  Dearly, Departed lived up to my expectations and took me by surprise all at once, which is no small feat for one book.  It isn't every day that one comes across steampunk-zombie-historical-yet-futuristic romance.  Put simply, I am astounded, intrigued, and very, very happy.

The society and setting in which Dearly, Departed takes place is a novel take on Victorian, steampunk, and futuristic elements.  The New Victorians confused me, at first, as I didn't see the steampunk elements within their society.  While they dress and behave in the manner of Victorians, they are very much reliant upon modern technology, meaning everything is digital and computerized.  It wasn't until I started learning more about their sworn enemies, the Punks, that I understood.  "Punks" is short for "steampunks," which is apparent based on their use of steam power and clockwork.  Once this was understood, the world encompassed in this book made much more sense and I was able to appreciate the ways in which the characters behave all the more.  

Nora Dearly, the heroine of our story, at first appears to be the epitome of a well-bred Victorian young lady.  However, there is more to her than that.  Underneath it all, she is a free spirit who wishes for more independence and adventure than she sees in her straight-laced life.  Her friend, Pamela, is closer to what is expected of Nora, though she, too, has dreams and a desire for more, though she doesn't know exactly what that more is.  These two girls made for fantastic narrators and left me unsure as to who I preferred more when it came to taking matters into their own hands.  Both are enjoyable to read about and are lent great narrative voices.  They each have their own distinctive tone and way of thinking, making telling the two apart very easy.  As for Bram, our zombie captain, I was very much surprised.  I wasn't exactly sure what I should expect from him, but he turned out to be a wonderfully engaging character.  While he is the most well-preserved of the zombie troop, it is apparent that he is dead.  There is no escaping that fact due to the descriptions of his skin, eyes, and gait.  I was a little unsure of what I thought of his relationship with Nora, at first, but he presents himself so well that it's very hard not to root for him in the end.  This is all due to the superb writing of Lia Habel, who turned a normally menacing being into a more humanized version that evokes sympathy and warmth.

If you are looking for a new approach to zombie novels, you will be hard-pressed finding something better than Dearly, Departed.  The writing that can be found in this book is descriptive, evocative, and, overall, a breath of fresh air.  There is a certain tongue-in-cheek level of quirkiness mixed with an intriguing sweetness that I couldn't help but fall for.  I think you will, too.