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:

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 Edelweiss. No monetary compensation was received in exchange for this fair and unbiased review.

 

Not Just a Feyse

Over my almost three years as a book blogger, I've read all kinds of YA. Despite pushing beyond my own reading comfort zone on occasion, I gravitate to those stories involving the paranormal or the supernatural, in other words, books that often involve creatures or magic of some kind.

When I began diving into YA, I thought, knowing that I loved vampires and magic, that reading novels involving the fey, fairies, sprites, forest-dwelling magical creatures, and the like, would be right up my alley.

(click on a book's cover to be taken to its Goodreads page)

Turns out, I was mostly wrong.

I started with books like Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr, Tithe by Holly Black, and Need by Carrie Jones. All three are fey books, but pretty different from each other as well. While there were good things about each, none of them really grabbed me and I was quite surprised with my reaction to them. It wasn't just that I came away not really feeling the books, but I was honestly put off.

But I kept trying. I read Wings by Aprilynne Pike, which was a nice read but the fey aspect was removed enough from the traditional fairy scenario that it didn't feel like a fey book to me as much as the others, more like fey-lite. Glimmerglass by Jenna Black came after that, but again, they fey did not do it for me.

Still, I kept trying, choosing next The Iron King by Julie Kagawa. And here is where things changed: I loved it. Absolutely adored it. Now, I know that the fey being the focus of these books does not make all things equal (as there are a lot of factors that go into whether or not I like and enjoy a book), but here is the odd part: after reading and loving The Iron King, I have read two more books that center on the fey and really enjoyed them both.

The first was The Poison Eaters and Other Stories by Holly Black, a book of short stories. Not every story focuses on the fey, but of the ones that did, I loved them way more than I liked Tithe. Same author, different reaction.

Next I read Brenna Yovanoff's The Replacement. Not only did this novel have much the same feel to me as Holly Black's work, but I was enthralled. Was this change of opinion due to reading a fey book that I loved? Maybe. But does that mean that a book like The Replacement gets the highest rating that I can give a novel? No.

After examining my experience with these books, here is what I have determined: I like well-written, action-packed, fantastical stories that involve the fey. But if the fey are too twisty, too dark, or just too much in general, I can't love the book. I can't love something that either grosses or creeps me out too much. The Replacement is the only fey book of that type that has come close.

So what does this mean going forward? Well, I'm not ruling out fey novels. I'm going to try to be open and hope I pick one up that really captures my interest and attention, but I'm also going to do a little research before diving in to give myself the best chance of an enjoyable read.

What do you think of YA fey novels? Have you read any that I mentioned? Got any recommendations?

Review - Taken at Dusk

by C.C. Hunter
publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
date of publication: April 10, 2012
format: paperback
pages: 380
source: purchased

From Goodreads:

Step into Shadow Falls, a camp for teens with supernatural powers.  Here friendship thrives, love takes you by surprise, and our hearts possess the greatest magic of all.

Kylie Galen wants the truth so badly she can taste it. The truth about who her real family is, the truth about which boy she’s meant to be with—and the truth about what her emerging powers mean.  But she’s about to discover that some secrets can change your life forever…and not always for the better.

Just when she and Lucas are finally getting close, she learns that his pack has forbidden them from being together.  Was it a mistake to pick him over Derek? And it’s not just romance troubling Kylie. An amnesia-stricken ghost is haunting her, delivering the frightful warning, someone lives and someone dies. As Kylie races to unravel the mystery and protect those she loves, she finally unlocks the truth about her supernatural identity, which is far different—and more astonishing—than she ever imagined.

I really liked the first two books in this series, Born at Midnight and Awake at Dawn, but Taken at Dusk hit all the right chords. I absolutely loved it and would have picked up the next book immediately if I had had it on hand. Alas, I must wait, but while I do, I'm going to tell you about all the things that made Taken at Dusk such a great read. This series just keeps getting better and better. I'm looking forward to seeing where it will go next.

Kylie continues to intrigue me as she discovers more and more about herself. I especially admire her determination to do right by the ghosts who seek her help. Her interactions with Miranda and Della run the gamut from easy jokes to heartfelt conversations, all of which provide hilarity and touching moments. Her moments with Lucas are, as always, quite intense, though I would love if she would just pick one guy already. I'm a wee bit impatient, you see. Also, as I learn more about Kylie's past, I feel for her. I am not afraid to admit that I was in tears by the end of the book. That's right. I cried.

Since the book takes place in the same setting as the first two books in the series, there's not much I can say to build upon that aspect. However, I will say that the writing in Taken at Dusk was, simply put, awesome. The story built up very well and contained just the right amount of twists and turns. I've already mentioned the ending that made me cry. It is but one of several poignant moments throughout the book.

I'm very much at risk of going all fangirly over this series. I can barely imagine how it can get any better than Taken at Dusk, but I am definitely open to surprises. As Kylie's story progresses, I am looking forward to finding out the entirety of her past. C.C. Hunter hasn't left me wanting yet when it comes to her stories. What I am waiting for is the next book, Whispers at Moonrise, but I have the feeling that it's well worth it.

Buy Taken at Dusk at the Following Locations:

Amazon /  IndieBound  /  B&N  /  The Book Depository

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.

Review - Awake at Dawn

by C.C. Hunter
publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
date of publication: October 11, 2011
format: paperback
pages: 383
source: gift from a friend
read it in: 3 days

From Goodreads:

Step into the world of Shadow Falls, a camp that helps teens tap into their special…talents. Once you visit, you’ll never forget it—and you’ll never, ever be the same.

From the moment Kylie Galen arrived at Shadow Falls Camp, she’s had one burning question: What am I? Surrounded by vampires, werewolves, shape-shifters, fairies and witches, Kylie longs to figure out her own supernatural identity…and what her burgeoning powers mean. And now she’ll need them more than ever, because she’s being haunted by a new spirit who insists that someone Kylie knows—and loves—will die before the end of the summer. If only she only knew who she was supposed to save. And how…

But giving Kylie the most trouble is her aching heart. Gorgeous werewolf Lucas left camp with another girl, but he’s still visiting Kylie in her dreams. And Derek, a sexy half Fae who’s always been there for her when she needed him, is pushing to get more serious—and growing impatient, especially when Lucas returns. Kylie knows she needs to decide between the boys, and it’s tearing her up inside.

Yet romance will have to wait, because something from the dark side of the supernatural world is hiding in Shadow Falls. It’s about to threaten everything she holds dear…and bring her closer to her destiny.

Kylie and the gang are back with a whole new set of challenges to face as a mysterious threat menaces Kylie from the shadows.  As if that weren't enough, Kylie is receiving cryptic warnings from a ghostly woman covered in blood.  What's a girl to do when she's in danger, worried about an endangered loved one yet unknown, and has the biggest mess of a love life ever?  It's up to Kylie to figure it all out before it's too late.  Prepare to follow along as Kylie takes on an increasingly dangerous supernatural world.

Since not much time has passed between Born at Midnight and Awake at Dawn, Kylie hasn't really changed all that much yet.  As she begins to learn more about her characteristics, however, that won't be the case for long.  In many ways, Kylie is still the same stubborn girl that we saw before.  However, her approach to some very unusual occurrences is a clue that she is coming into her own at a rapid rate.  She develops some truly kick-ass characteristics that left me shocked and scrambling to come up with an explanation that fits, which is not as easy as it may seem, at first.  Where I liked the changes in Kylie, however, I found myself increasingly annoyed by Derek.  He becomes much more insecure and jealous in Awake at Dawn, which is just not becoming at all.  I came to prefer Lucas much more this time around and am definitely leaning toward that particular pairing at the moment.  He was a much more appealing male counterpart for Kylie this time.  I guess we shall see if that remains true in Taken at Dusk.

I really enjoyed the direction the plot took with Awake at Dawn.  It had every bit as much mystery and tension as Born at Midnight, all the while developing in its own unique way.  There was no repetition here, which I was very glad of.  Instead, the storyline is so fresh that there was no way for me to completely guess what would happen based upon the last book.  The pacing was wonderfully rendered and I was, once again, picked up and carried away along with the characters the plot revolves around.

Awake at Dawn is an excellent continuation to what promises to be a truly fun series.  Though I lost my patience with a couple of the characters, I still enjoyed the interaction between the varying members of the entire cast of characters, as well as the descriptions provided of both their physical appearances and their personalities.  I was fascinated enough with the story that I promptly bought book 3 in the series, Taken at Dusk, as well as preordered book 4.  This speaks volumes as to how much I've enjoyed this series, so far.  I hope for more great things to come. 

Buy Awake at Dawn at the Following Locations:

Amazon / IndieBound / B&N / The Book Depository

Review - Born at Midnight

by C.C. Hunter
publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
date of publication: March 29, 2011
format: paperback
pages: 398
source: purchased
read it in: 2 days

From Goodreads:

Don’t miss this spectacular new series that will steal your heart and haunt your dreams, Welcome to Shadow Falls camp, nestled deep in the woods of a town called Fallen…

One night Kylie Galen finds herself at the wrong party, with the wrong people, and it changes her life forever. Her mother ships her off to Shadow Falls—a camp for troubled teens, and within hours of arriving, it becomes painfully clear that her fellow campers aren’t just “troubled.” Here at Shadow Falls, vampires, werewolves, shapshifters, witches and fairies train side by side—learning to harness their powers, control their magic and live in the normal world.

Kylie’s never felt normal, but surely she doesn’t belong here with a bunch of paranormal freaks either. Or does she? They insist Kylie is one of them, and that she was brought here for a reason. As if life wasn’t complicated enough, enter Derek and Lucas. Derek’s a half-fae who’s determined to be her boyfriend, and Lucas is a smokin’ hot werewolf with whom Kylie shares a secret past. Both Derek and Lucas couldn’t be more different, but they both have a powerful hold on her heart.

Even though Kylie feels deeply uncertain about everything, one thing is becoming painfully clear—Shadow Falls is exactly where she belongs…

Kylie is in a tough situation.  Stuck in the middle of warring parents and caught in the wrong place at the wrong time, she is sent away for the summer to what she is told is a camp for troubled teens.  What she finds, however, is that these teens aren't troubled in the typical sense of the word... and neither is Kylie.  Born at Midnight is the story of one girl's discovery of who (and what) she really is, all set in the lush world of Shadow Falls.  Prepare yourself for an adventure.

What can I say about Kylie?  She's a strong-willed character dealing with several problems that any girl would be stressed out by.  She's sassy, bright and, most of all, STUBBORN.  Her state of denial is a bit hard to deal with, at times, but her point of view is at least understandable.  Watching her learn about and interact with her new world made for a very interesting story and I enjoyed her interactions with her peers very much from a reader's stand-point.  Over all, she was a fun heroine to get to know and I can already tell that she's in for a lot of growth as the series progresses.

I had so much fun with the plot of Born at Midnight.  Not only does it include so many of my favorite fantasy characters, it has scads of romance and mystery, as well.  There is witty banter galore, which is always appreciated, and the interaction between characters was riveting.  The story's progression was at times bogged down by Kylie's excessive stubbornness, but when all is said and done, I had so much fun reading this book.  I loved the story and couldn't wait to move on to the next book in the series.

I have had Born at Midnight sitting on my shelf for quite some time now and, thanks to much encouragement from a dear friend, I finally worked it into my reading pile.  I have no qualms whatsoever against saying she was absolutely right.  Born at Midnight is a vastly entertaining story with some of my favorite figures from the fantasy genre.  In addition to that, there is a measure of mystery that piques your curiosity from the start.  This is an exceedingly fun book that just begs to become your latest summer read. 

Buy Born at Midnight at the Following Locations:

Amazon / IndieBound / B&N / The Book Depository

Review - Kill Me Softly

by Sarah Cross
publisher: Egmont USA
date of publication: April 10, 2012
format: digital review copy
pages: 331
source: Netgalley
read it in: 3 days

From Goodreads:

Mirabelle's past is shrouded in secrecy, from her parents' tragic deaths to her guardians' half-truths about why she can't return to her birthplace, Beau Rivage. Desperate to see the town, Mira runs away a week before her sixteenth birthday—and discovers a world she never could have imagined.

In Beau Rivage, nothing is what it seems—the strangely pale girl with a morbid interest in apples, the obnoxious playboy who's a beast to everyone he meets, and the chivalrous guy who has a thing for damsels in distress. Here, fairy tales come to life, curses are awakened, and ancient stories are played out again and again.

But fairy tales aren't pretty things, and they don't always end in happily ever after. Mira has a role to play, a fairy tale destiny to embrace or resist. As she struggles to take control of her fate, Mira is drawn into the lives of two brothers with fairy tale curses of their own... brothers who share a dark secret. And she'll find that love, just like fairy tales, can have sharp edges and hidden thorns.

I am a huge fan of fairytales and fairytale re-tellings, so when I heard about Kill Me Softly, I knew I had to read it as soon as I possibly could.  The depiction of the darker side of fairytales is something that I greatly appreciate, so I was all the more enthusiastic about this book due to the darkness alluded to in the description.  While there was a sinister undertone that would have made the Brother's Grimm proud, Kill Me Softly definitely brought more to the table, some great, some not so good.  While the plot was a great aspect of the book, some of the characters provided me with some difficulty while reading.  As a result, the story ran both hot and cold at various points throughout the book.

Mira was, quite possibly, one of the most difficult parts of the story for me.  While I understand that no one is perfect and, thus, Mira is not perfect, her sheer stubbornness and ridiculously bad case of naivete drove me absolutely bonkers.  Her reaction to her surroundings and situation did not always strike me as viable, which made my reading experience very frustrating.  Even though Blue is supposed to be the more obnoxious character, I much preferred him and wish more of the story had been from his point-of-view.  Though it comes down to personal preferences in the end, my reaction to the main character in this story is one of frustration and disappointment.

The plot is where my true appreciation lies.  I love the idea of a world hidden in plain view where fairytale figures walk the streets and destiny is appointed by fairies.  The concept of fairytale curses that each have a distinct characteristic is even more fascinating and I was left with even more appreciation for the ways in which the plot was developed.  The pacing was somewhat choppy, but the progression of the plot was a good one.  Overall, plot is definitely the strongest suit for Kill Me Softly.

In spite of my ambivalence, Kill Me Softly was an intriguing read that does a great job at providing a new way to view traditional fairytales.  A fairytale re-telling that brings something new to the table is something to be sought and given its fair share of attention.  Even though I didn't enjoy the main character as much as I had hoped, the story that makes up the book is an imaginative and entertaining one.  If you appreciate traditional fairytales, you will want to take a look at Kill Me Softly.  Thanks to its incorporation of these tales in such a new and unique way, Kill Me Softly is an entertaining read that will leave you pondering new ways in which you can view fairytales.

Buy Kill Me Softly at the Following Locations:

Amazon / IndieBound / B&N / The Book Depository

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 - 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. 

Review - The Gathering Storm

by Robin Bridges
publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
date of publication: January 10, 2012
format: eGalley
pages: 395
source: Netgalley
Amazon / IndieBound / B&N / The Book Depository

From Goodreads:

St. Petersburg, Russia, 1888. As she attends a whirl of glittering balls, royal debutante Katerina Alexandrovna, Duchess of Oldenburg, tries to hide a dark secret: she can raise the dead. No one knows. Not her family. Not the girls at her finishing school. Not the tsar or anyone in her aristocratic circle. Katerina considers her talent a curse, not a gift. But when she uses her special skill to protect a member of the Imperial Family, she finds herself caught in a web of intrigue.

An evil presence is growing within Europe's royal bloodlines—and those aligned with the darkness threaten to topple the tsar. Suddenly Katerina's strength as a necromancer attracts attention from unwelcome sources . . . including two young men—George Alexandrovich, the tsar's standoffish middle son, who needs Katerina's help to safeguard Russia, even if he's repelled by her secret, and the dashing Prince Danilo, heir to the throne of Montenegro, to whom Katerina feels inexplicably drawn.

The time has come for Katerina to embrace her power, but which side will she choose—and to whom will she give her heart?

What I Thought

The Gathering Storm is one of those historically-based novels that just really draws you in and makes you want to learn more about the time period it is based upon.  When you add supernatural elements to such a book that gives you a new lens with which to view that period through, you have an especially interesting read.  Everything from the setting to the characters were attention-grabbing and absorbing.  There is so much to say about this book that I am worried I will miss something important.  However, I will definitely do my best to cover all of the best attributes of the book.

The setting was quite possibly my most favorite aspect of this book.  I haven't often had the chance of reading novels set in Russia (I know, I'm an English major who has never read Tolstoy or Dostoyevsky; shame on me!), but after reading The Gathering Storm, I definitely want to change that.  Tsarist Russia is interesting, to say the least, and I found myself intrigued by the ways in which court life were portrayed in The Gathering Storm.  From previous history classes I have taken, I had learned a little about the influence of French customs upon the Russian court, but to see it put to action added an entirely different nuance to it.  Not only that, but Ms. Bridges did such a great job of describing everything from the housing to the schools to the outdoors that I almost felt as though I was walking alongside Katerina throughout the book.  The descriptions of lush and glittering balls juxtaposed against the dark and mysterious shadows that exist alongside the light made for an epic read that I was sorry to see come to an end.

Another fantastic aspect of The Gathering Storm is its characters.  In many ways, Katerina is ahead of her times.  She isn't content to go with the status quo and fall in line with what is expected of young women in 1880s Russia.  She has dreams of becoming a doctor that make her less than willing to settle with her prescribed role.  In other ways, however, she is a contradiction to these dreams in that she still thinks she needs to be saved from time-to-time, which reflects the mindsets of other young ladies of her time.  Katerina, however, shows much promise.  I think she has great things ahead of her in the next installment and beyond.  She is much too dynamic as a character to not progress.  Grand Duke George, on the other hand, remains as much of a mystery to me now as he was when first introduced into the story.  I am intrigued as to where his character is going, however, so I will be looking forward to seeing what else he has to offer in later books.  In any case, from the good characters to the bad to those in between, there is much to discover in The Gathering Storm that will leave your head spinning and eager for more. 

I adored the storyline almost as much as the setting.  Threats to the Tsar, rampant murders in the court, and the supernatural creatures that surround it all make The Gathering Storm the spectacular and riveting story that it is.  Though there are vampires in this book, they are vampires as you have likely never experienced before.  There are many different species of vampire in this book that made for an especially interesting journey through eastern European folklore.  As if all of that weren't enough, there are also additions such as necromancers, wizards, and faeries hidden right in the midst of the Russian court.  With such vivid and intriguing subjects, it is hard not to find yourself caught up in the wonder of this story.

Fans of historical fiction and paranormal romance alike will find The Gathering Storm to be a force to be reckoned with.  I didn't want to put this one down, although I didn't want it to end, either.  Robin Bridges has given us another fantastic contribution to the beginning 2012 with this book.  I can't wait to see what she has for us in the future.

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 - Dragonswood

by Janet Lee Carey
publisher: Dial BFYR
date of publication: January 5, 2011
format: ARC
pages: 386
source: LibraryThing Early Reviewers
Amazon / Goodreads / B&N

From Goodreads:

Wilde Island is in an uproar after the recent death of its king. The uneasy pact between dragons, fairies, and humans is fraying, and a bloodthirsty witch hunter with a hidden agenda whips villages into frenzies with wild accusations. Tess, a blacksmith’s daughter from a tiny hamlet near the mysterious Dragonswood, finds herself caught in the crosshairs of fate when she is accused of witchery and has to flee for her life along with her two best friends.

Not even Tess’s power to see the future can help the girls as they set off on their desperate journey, but she keeps having visions of a man wielding a sword. And when she finally meets him, Tess has no idea how to handle the magnetic attraction she feels for him, or the elusive call she hears from the heart of the Dragonswood.

In this epic romance, an ancient prophecy comes true in a way neither dragon, fairy, nor human would have predicted.

What I Thought

There is nothing quite like high fantasy to get the imagination jump-started.  Dragonswood is a prime example of all that is great about the genre.  Filled with such things as adventure, fantasy creatures, and magic, Dragonswood takes you on a soaring flight into a world where both the remarkable and the dangerous are everyday occurences.  By injecting the fictional Wilde Island into the post-Arthurian Britain, Janet Lee Carey has created a stirring backdrop for a story as harrowing and fantastic as one could ask for.

Everything from the characters to the setting grabbed my attention with this book.  For starters, Tess is an amazing heroine to read about.  Though she succumbs to extreme circumstances and betrays her friends, she proves to be a loyal, strong friend that will stop at nothing to right a wrong and keep her dearest friends alive.  From their escape from Harrowton to their journey into the dangerous and mystical Dragonswood, the girls are in good hands with Tess, who is a born survivor.  When she learns more about herself, she becomes all the more fascinating.  I don't know if she is featured in the companion novel yet, but I certainly hope she will be. 

The fantasy elements were especially entertaining to me.  It doesn't get much better than capricious faeries and talking dragons.  I loved that the dragons were able to hold such an important role in the story, as well as their status as lords.  It all made for a more riveting story.  The lore injected into the story with regard to both dragons and faeries made it all the better.  I was sad when the book ended simply because I wanted to read more! 

If you want a rousing YA high fantasy for your TBR list, I would definitely recommend Dragonswood.  This was my first experience reading a work by Janet Lee Carey and I can safely say that it won't be my last.  Fans of strong characters and vivid settings will want to read this in a heartbeat.  I give Dragonswood 5 hoots and can't wait to buy a finished copy for my shelves.

Obligatory legal statement: This ARC 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.

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.    

Waiting on Wednesday - December 14, 2011

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event from Jill at Breaking the Spine. To participate, simply share that book(s) you are eagerly awaiting the release of and report back to Breaking the Spine with the link to your post. Clicking the link above will take you straight to her post and widget.

I have another two picks this week.  The first is by someone who has become one of my favorite YA novelists since I started this crazy adventure in book blogging.  In fact, one of her books was the first novel that I read upon my return to reading YA and can definitely be credited with my newly found enthusiasm for this particular area.  The book in question is the beginning of an entirely new series that I can't wait to dig into.  That book is The Immortal Rules, book 1 in the upcoming Blood of Eden series, by Julie Kagawa.  The Immortal Rules will be released in hardcover by Harlequin Teen on April 24, 2012.

From Goodreads:

You will kill. The only question is when.

In the dark days since the insidious Red Lung virus decimated the human population, vampires have risen to rule the crumbling cities and suburbs. Uncontested Princes hold sway over diminished ranks of humans: their "pets." In exchange for their labor, loyalty and of course, their blood, these pets are registered, given food and shelter, permitted to survive.

Unregistered humans cling to fringes, scavenging for survival. Allison Sekemoto and her fellow Unregistereds are hunted, not only by vampires, but by rabids, the unholy result of Red Lung-infected vampires feeding on unwary humans. One night, Allie is attacked by a pack of rabids, saved by an unlikely hero...and turned vampire.

Uncomfortable in her undead skin, Allie falls in with a ragtag crew of humans seeking a cure, or cures: for Rabidism and for Vampirism. She's passing for human...for now. But the hunger is growing and will not be denied. Not for friendship—not even for love.

 My next pick is a new YA fantasy novel that revolves around the world of faeries.  Faerie novels are always welcome in my home, so imagine my excitement when I found out about the book in question.  The Treachery of Beautiful Things by Ruth Frances Long will be released on August 16, 2012 by Dial Books.

From Goodreads:

The trees swallowed her brother whole. And Jenny was there to see it. Years later, when she returns to the woods where Tom was taken to say good-bye at last, she finds herself lured into a world where stunning beauty masks the most treacherous of evils, and strange and dangerous creatures await—creatures who seem to consider her the threat. Among them is Jack, mercurial and magnetic, with allegiances that shift as much as his moods. Determined to find her brother, with or without Jack’s help, Jenny struggles to navigate a faerie world where nothing is what it seems, no one is who they say, and she’s faced with a choice between salvation or sacrifice—and not just her own. 

Review - The Faerie Ring

by Kiki Hamilton
publisher: Tor Teen
date of publication: September 27, 2011
format: hardcover
pages: 352
source: purchased
Amazon / Goodreads / B&N

From Goodreads:

Debut novelist Kiki Hamilton takes readers from the gritty slums and glittering ballrooms of Victorian London to the beguiling but menacing Otherworld of the Fey in this spellbinding tale of romance, suspense, and danger.

The year is 1871, and Tiki has been making a home for herself and her family of orphans in a deserted hideaway adjoining Charing Cross Station in central London. Their only means of survival is by picking pockets. One December night, Tiki steals a ring, and sets off a chain of events that could lead to all-out war with the Fey. For the ring belongs to Queen Victoria, and it binds the rulers of England and the realm of Faerie to peace. With the ring missing, a rebel group of faeries hopes to break the treaty with dark magic and blood—Tiki’s blood.

Unbeknownst to Tiki, she is being watched—and protected—by Rieker, a fellow thief who suspects she is involved in the disappearance of the ring. Rieker has secrets of his own, and Tiki is not all that she appears to be. Her very existence haunts Prince Leopold, the Queen’s son, who is driven to know more about the mysterious mark that encircles her wrist.

Prince, pauper, and thief—all must work together to secure the treaty… 

What I Thought

If you are a regular reader of my blog, you'll already know that I'm a sucker for Victorian settings and faeries as a premise in books.  Luckily for me, The Faerie Ring combines those two elements and takes off on a rousing adventure containing everything from pick-pocketing to romance.  Part Oliver Twist, part A Fairy Story, The Faerie Ring will whisk you away into a fantastic, magical world where things aren't always what they seem and danger comes with a pretty face.

I was greatly enamored with the plot that makes up The Faerie Ring.  It flows very, very well and the ways in which characters and settings are both described and incorporated into the story are superb.  The premise of the book, a sort of mystical espionage centering around a magical ring whose importance to Tiki's world is paramount, is both fresh and imaginative.  I was left feeling very satisfied with the story I had just been treated to and can not wait to see where things will go from here.

Our main character, Tiki, is a wonderful heroine to read about.  She possesses so many traits that make her so very interesting.  Not only is she loving, loyal, and ambitious, she is also mysterious, stubborn, and suspicious.  When combined, these characteristics paint a picture of a girl who is likeable, though not perfect.  She comes across in a very realistic fashion thanks to her imperfections and quirks.  I really enjoyed that about her.  As for Rieker, I was left very surprised as to his true identity and demeanor.  He made for an excellent foil to our heroine and I very much enjoyed their interactions.  Characterization is definitely another aspect of this book that did not disappoint.

The setting that Kiki Hamilton has described in this book is so very vivid that one isn't hard-pressed to imagine the scene within one's mind.  From the streets of London to the ballroom of Buckingham Palace, each and every location visited within The Faerie Ring is well-described and well-rendered.  The world-building that takes place in this book is definitely a crowd-pleaser and I can't express enough just how engrossed I became in these settings.

The Faerie Ring is a spectacular read that left me wanting for nothing.  I simply couldn't get enough of this story and was left excited for the next installment.  Though I don't know what will happen next, I do know this: at the hands of Kiki Hamilton, this series is going to be fantastic.  For those who are fans of faeries, you will definitely want to pick this book up.  I urge you to do so as soon as you possibly can.  Trust me when I say that you won't want to miss out any longer.

 

The Mythology Behind Kersten Hamilton's Goblin Wars Series, Plus a Giveaway!

Today I have something special for all of my readers here at Starting the Next Chapter.  It is November 22, meaning that the latest installment in Kersten Hamilton's Goblin Wars series, In the Forests of the Night, has just hit store shelves!  I recently received an email from Kersten Hamilton who has been so kind of offer up a special prize for one lucky STNC reader.  More about that later, though.  First up, I have written a little something regarding the mythology behind the characters and places in the Goblin Wars books.  Having long been a mythology and folklore buff, especially when it comes to mythology of the Irish persuasion, I thought I would prepare a little glossary of some of the names and terms found within the series for all of you so that you will have a better idea of just what the inspiration of Tyger Tyger and In the Forests of the Night is.  Remember to keep reading, as there will be a giveaway announcement at the end of the post!

photo from The Ireland Newsletter

Finn MacCumhaill - pronounced Finn MacCool; hero of the Fenian cycle of Irish lore; legendary chieftain in charge of the Fianna Éireann, a band of warriors renowned for their hunting and battle prowess and whose purpose was to protect the Ard Rí na Éireann (high king of Ireland); said to possess gifts such as poetry, second sight, and healing; often portrayed as a giant and is associated with the creation of the Giants' Causeway in Northern Ireland, which he is said to have created in order to aid other giants in making the crossing between Ireland and Scotland


Mag Mell - "plain of joy;" believed to be a paradise that plays home to the dead; described as either an idyllic island or a grand place found at the bottom of the ocean; believed to be ruled by Mannanan mac Lir, a sea god associated with the Tuatha dé Danann; also known as Tir na n-Og ("land of youth")

photo from Mike's Blog

Phooka -  Irish goblins known for their shape-shifting capabilities that are often believed to take on the form of a goat, dog, or bull; also known for being vicious tricksters with destructive ways; it was believed that to leave a crop unharvested after Samhain (pronounced "sow-wen" and the basis for what is now known as Halloween) was to lose the crop altogether, as it was then believed to belong to the phookas; to attempt to cut a phooka's crop was to invite the death of one's cattle





Fear Doirich - "dark man;" the druid known for having turned Finn MacCumhaill's future wife, Sabdh, into a deer; though Finn spared her (having been alerted to her human status by his once-human hounds) and returned her to her human state, Fear Doirich turned her once again into a deer, after which she vanished; she gave birth to their son, Oisin, during this time, who Finn was later reunited with after seven years


Fir Bolg - "bag men;" known in Irish mythology as one of the races to have inhabited Ireland prior to the arrival of the Tuatha dé Danann; fought in the battle of Mag Tuired against the Tuatha dé Danann, where they were defeated and granted possession of either Connacht or the Aran Islands


Amergin - name of two famous Irish poets; one was a druid, bard, and judge, the other, a warrior poet; credited with having supernatural talent; the first Amergin is that who is credited with the creation of "The Song of Amergin," one of Ireland's most prized poems; the second Amergin is described as having a honeyed tongue and was the chief bard of Ulster (Northern Ireland)

photo from Sluagh

Sluagh - a flock of evil spirits said to have been barred entrance into the afterlife; often described as dark birds that fly from the west in an attempt to capture the souls of the newly dead; thought to be the Irish version of the Wild Hunt








What do you think?  Pretty interesting stuff, huh?  There is so much more to learn about Irish mythology and folklore.  I highly recommend seeing what is out there!  You're probably wondering what the big giveaway is, though, so why don't we move along with things?  Kersten Hamilton has offered up something special for one lucky reader.  I will be hosting a giveaway for Kersten, for which the prize is one, brand new copy of her book 1 of the Goblin Wars series, Tyger Tyger.

Very generous, no?  This is another US only giveaway, as Kersten will be taking care of the purchase of the book.  What do you have to do?  Simply enter via the handy Rafflecopter widget below the page break.  I have given you several chances to earn entries, so good luck to all of those who will be vying for this prize!  However, be sure to enter your GFC name in the main entry box, otherwise I have no way of verifying readership. 

P.S. Don't forget to check out my reviews of both books.  Comment on one or both and earn extra entries into the giveaway!  You can find my review of Tyger Tyger HERE and my review of In the Forests of the Night HERE.

Special Note

For a limited time, you can get the ebook format of Tyger Tyger for $2.99 from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Apple.  Step lively, all you ereader aficionados!  Make sure you don't miss out on this one, because it will be gone after November 29th!