Showing posts with label fantasy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fantasy. Show all posts

Thursday, May 26, 2016

It's Not You, It's Me: The Marked Girl by Lindsey Klingele


The Marked Girl by Lindsey Klingele
Once upon a time, in a land far, far away (Los Angeles)…
When Cedric, crowned prince of Caelum, and his fellow royal friends (including his betrothed, Kat) find themselves stranded in modern-day L.A. via a magical portal and an evil traitor named Malquin, all they want to do is get home to Caelum—soon. Then they meet Liv, a filmmaker foster girl who just wants to get out of the system and on with her life. As she and Cedric bond, they’ll discover that she’s more connected to his world than they ever could’ve imagined…and that finding home is no easy task…

”add

Publishes in US:  June 7th 2016 by Harper Collins
Genre: ya fantasy
Source: Harper teen via Edelweiss
Disclaimer: I received this book as an ARC (advanced review copy). I am not paid for this review, and my opinions in this review are mine, and are not effected by the book being free.
Series? yes Marked Girl #1 no info on 2nd

Buy it: Amazon IndieBound Book Depository Barnes and Noble

Author stalk away: ~site ~twitter ~facebook ~blog



     I have done this several times on my blog. Books that just don't work for me. I know my reading style pretty well, and I can tell whether I will like the book or not accurately about 80-90% of the time. If I finish a book, then there are aspects of that book that I enjoyed. I never talk about the author in a negative way, I only say what doesn't work for me. Normally if I finish a book, I give it at least 3 stars, meaning that I liked it.

stopped at: chapter 6

   The cover as well as the theme of location via magic portal drew me to this one.

   this one's told in third person and it goes back from Liv to Cedric. I think I misunderstood in the synopsis because I was expecting it to be a normal girl all the sudden plopped into a fantasy world rather than the characters from the fantasy dropped into real life.

    Liv is into film and directing and we start the book with her working on a project and it also through quite a few people at me from her end. And then when Cedric comes into it we get another cast of characters throw into the mix and I was just a little confused and I wish that I would have read it right because I would prefer the other way around.

  That isn't to say that the writing is poor or the characters are poorly constructed, it's personal on my end.

Positive Reviews:
Helena Reads
Bookmark Lit

My question to you, my lovely readers:
Where do you want portal?

Monday, May 23, 2016

Review: Endure by Sara B. Larson


 Endure (Defy #3) by Sara B. Larson

At last, Alexa and King Damian are engaged to be married. But their lives are far from safe. The kingdom of Antion is under siege, and Rylan is a prisoner of the enemy. Even worse, Alexa remains at the mercy of the evil Dansiian Rafe, who controls her mind and can force Alexa to kill or harm Damian at any moment. Despite this, Alexa is determined to rescue Rylan, which soon leads her far from Damian and deep into enemy territory.
When she arrives, what awaits her is deadlier than anything she could have ever imagined: an army of black sorcerers and a horrifying plot to destroy the world as Alexa knows it. Will she be able to gather the strength to free herself, protect the love of her life, and save the land? Will there ever be true peace?
Acclaimed author Sara B. Larson has woven a stunning, romantic, and evocative finale to the Defy trilogy that is sure to leave readers breathless until the very last page.


”add

Publishes in US:  December 29th 2015 by Scholastic Press
Genre: ya fantasy
Source: library
Series? Yes Defy #3
My review: #1 Defy #2 Ignite

Buy it: Amazon IndieBound Book Depository Barnes and Noble

Author stalk away: Website | Twitter | Goodreads Facebook


    This one gave a recap in a very neat way King Damian was thinking of how his mom would tell the story of what had happened in the last two books so that helped to catch me up a little bit and also was a neat way of approaching the recap issue. 

     we get to see more of the romance between Alexa and Damien and I'm so glad that they're out in the open. there's some pretty steamy scenes between them but nothing that would cause me to think it was turning into more of a new adult novel or anything.

     We also get to see a lot of the other characters and we lose some of them in the wartime and others stick by Damian's side. he has to make a lot of tough decisions and he also has to come to grips with the fact that Alexa is part of his guard and she wants to fight for the country and she wants to play her part in helping to save her friends and people who are loyal. but she also has to realize that she is going to be the queen and she has to figure out a way to balance that. 

    The series finale brings the answers, action, and conclusion that I wanted. There were people that I wish didn't die, but I can understand why and see the foreshadowing. They all died doing something they believed in, and had already promised to give their life if needed for that cause,


Bottom Line: Good series ending.

My question to you, my lovely readers:
Do you think you would cover up if you had scars on your face?

Monday, May 9, 2016

Review: The Glittering Court by Richelle Mead

The Glittering Court (The Glittering Court, #1)
The Glittering Court (The Glittering Court #1) by Richelle Mead
Big and sweeping, spanning from the refined palaces of Osfrid to the gold dust and untamed forests of Adoria, The Glittering Court tells the story of Adelaide, an Osfridian countess who poses as her servant to escape an arranged marriage and start a new life in Adoria, the New World. But to do that, she must join the Glittering Court.
Both a school and a business venture, the Glittering Court is designed to transform impoverished girls into upper-class ladies who appear destined for powerful and wealthy marriages in the New World. Adelaide naturally excels in her training, and even makes a few friends: the fiery former laundress Tamsin and the beautiful Sirminican refugee Mira. She manages to keep her true identity hidden from all but one: the intriguing Cedric Thorn, son of the wealthy proprietor of the Glittering Court.
When Adelaide discovers that Cedric is hiding a dangerous secret of his own, together they hatch a scheme to make the best of Adelaide’s deception. Complications soon arise—first as they cross the treacherous seas from Osfrid to Adoria, and then when Adelaide catches the attention of a powerful governor.
But no complication will prove quite as daunting as the potent attraction simmering between Adelaide and Cedric. An attraction that, if acted on, would scandalize the Glittering Court and make them both outcasts in wild, vastly uncharted lands…

”add

Publishes in US: April 5th 2016 by Razorbill
Genre: ya fantasy
Source: bought
Series? The Glittering Court #1 no info on next books releases
Each book in the trilogy is self-standing and told from the point of view of one of three girls as they travel to and experience life in the New World, becoming enmeshed in her own adventures and romantic intrigues while also playing a role in her friends’ stories—often in ways that aren’t obvious until the series is complete.

My other Richelle Reviews:
#1 Storm Born #2 Thorn Queen  #3 Iron Crowned #4 Shadow Heir
Bloodlines series
Vampire Academy series
Soundless
Gameboard of the Gods 
1- Succubus Blues 2- Succubus on Top 3- Succubus Dreams 4- Succubus Heat 5- Succubus Shadows 6 Succubus Revealed

Buy it: Amazon IndieBound Book Depository Barnes and Noble

Author stalk away: site twitter facebook blog


   I want to read the glittering court because I love everything that made is written so far that I've tried and hoped this wouldn't be an exception.

    We begin the book in the head lady Witmore Countess of Rothford and her family has landed on pretty hard times. she is about to have to marry a cousin that she is really not looking forward to being with and a life of being a lady married to someone she barely knows.

    As part of the marriage she has to get rid of half of her staff and she hears a man named Cedric telling Ada the staff was about to be let go about the glittering Court which is a school that prepares women usually servants or people who have fallen on hard times and this land to go to another country where a lot of men have earned their riches but want to marry women back home but are outnumbered three-to-one. The lady is very interested in this prospect of education and a new place to live rather than being saddled with an age-old title in a marriage she doesn't want to be in.

   I got swept up in her character, the decisions she made, the friendships that she formed, the strength in adversity that she demonstrated. I liked the fledgling romance but I had a hard time committing fully because I didn't know if it was just attraction or if there was any way that it could work out. I did keep hope alive, and I liked how it ended up working out. Even though there were some elements that seemed to come together too easily, and then others that seemed so transparent that I wished they would open their eyes.

   I did like how her strength carried through, and even though her circumstances changed from many extremes, she found ways to be herself.

    The comparisons to The Selection and The Jewel are valid, and there are the similarities of the women all in running for a change in social status. It stood on its own with the elements of the new world, and the adventure aspect.

    I liked the book and will definitely read more. I imagine that the next will focus on Tamsin or Mira, and I liked the friendship and the intrigue of the others.


Bottom Line: Enjoyable and readable.

My question to you, my lovely readers:
Could you leave behind nobility to start over in new land?

Thursday, May 5, 2016

Short and Tweet Review: Ignite by Sara B. Larson

Ignite (Defy, #2)

Ignite (Defy #2) by Sara B. Larson

Murder, abductions, and forbidden romance abound in this thrilling sequel to Sara B. Larson's acclaimed YA debut, DEFY.
Alexa remains by the newly crowned King Damian’s side as his guard, ever committed to helping him rebuild Antion and reclaim the hope of Antion's people, despite continuing to harbor a secret love for him. However, when another threat to Damian and his kingdom emerges, and blame is cast on their newly forged allies from Blevon, Alexa knows things are not what they seem. With the fate of her nation hanging in the balance once again, will Alexa be able to protect her king and uncover the true enemy—before it's too late?
Publishes in US: december 30th 2014 by Scholastic Press
Genre: ya fantast
Source: library
Series? yes
My review of #1 Defy
is already out

Buy it: AMAZON B&N The King's English (Signed/personalized copy)

Author stalk away: Website | Twitter | Goodreads Facebook

 

Karen at For What It's Worth and Mary at The Book Swarm occasionally post twitter-style reviews. Karen calls hers Short and Tweet, and I am going to borrow that review style here.

    I wanted to read Ignite because I enjoyed the first one, the strong main character in Alexa. I didn't really remember much from the first book besides that, but this one drew me in well. It gave enough recall in a natural way so that details came back. 

my tweet (longer) review
   
    Alexa is still guarding the king, the man she loves, but pretending like that's not an issue. I love how this continued and the romance arch was great.  And it was a new dynamic since everyone knows that Alex is Alexa now.  I got caught up in the book again and will def be continuing. There are so many challenges they had to overcome and mysteries to solve in this one. A good amount was solved and there was def enough questions and things that I will definitely continue. 


My question to you, my lovely readers:
Ever thought about or joined the service?

Thursday, April 14, 2016

Review: Riders by Veronica Rossi


Riders (Riders #1) by Veronica Rossi
Nothing but death can keep eighteen-year-old Gideon Blake from achieving his goal of becoming a U.S. Army Ranger. As it turns out, it does.
While recovering from the accident that most definitely killed him, Gideon finds himself with strange new powers and a bizarre cuff he can’t remove. His death has brought to life his real destiny. He has become War, one of the legendary four horsemen of the apocalypse.
Over the coming weeks, he and the other horsemen—Conquest, Famine, and Death—are brought together by a beautiful but frustratingly secretive girl to help save humanity from an ancient evil on the emergence.
They fail.
Now—bound, bloodied, and drugged—Gideon is interrogated by the authorities about his role in a battle that has become an international incident. If he stands any chance of saving his friends and the girl he’s fallen for—not to mention all of humankind—he needs to convince the skeptical government officials the world is in imminent danger.
But will anyone believe him?
GR
Publishes in US: February 16th 2016 by Tor Teen
Genre: YA fantasy
Source: library
Disclaimer: I received this book as an ARC (advanced review copy). I am not paid for this review, and my opinions in this review are mine, and are not effected by the book being free.
Series? Riders #1
Expected publication: 2017 by Tor

My reviews of 
Under the Never Sky
Through the Ever Night
Into the Still Blue 

Buy it: Amazon IndieBound Book Depository Barnes and Noble

Author stalk away: ~site   twitter   facebook  blog 

 

    I wanted to read riders because I like Rossi previous book series a whole lot the romance and action and pretty much does everything about it so I definitely wanted to give her new series a try. I liked the fact we have male narrator because that is pretty rare, and I also had a lot of respect for the fact that he was following in his father's footsteps and not just joining the Army, but training for the elite unit.

   First chapter starts after getting in had died and I guess already done some of the apocalypse horse rider stuff because he was being interrogated and he was frantic to get out and do something about the chaos outside of those walls. And I think again to tell the story to the people questioning him we go back in time a little bit and get to see him as he's just joining the Army and trying to get into the elite Rangers unit.

   But man was this book SLOW for me. There were several times I thought about putting it down because it was a back and forth timeline, there were a LOT of characters, and we start out even more confused than Gideon. But I wanted to love it, and I thought the premise was good. It just wasn't what I expected.

   One of the most important character development or story arcs I think was when Gideon was really struggling with himself with the question of "am I good?"
he was the horseman war and war generally brings about suffering and death and just the name of the four horsemen is death famine and conquest. it really doesn't paint a pretty picture if you think about it. but Gideon had some things in his past already that made him wonder would I have heard this person more if I haven't stopped or wrestling with scenarios like that.

   Glad I got through this one, but will not continue. 

Bottom Line: Too slow, but wanted to enjoy.

My question to you, my lovely readers:
Which horseman would you pick?

Thursday, March 17, 2016

Review: The Mirror King by Jodi Meadows


The Mirror King (The Orphan Queen #2) by Jodi Meadows
Wilhelmina has a hundred enemies.
HER FRIENDS HAVE TURNED. After her identity is revealed during the Inundation, Princess Wilhelmina is kept prisoner by the Indigo Kingdom, with the Ospreys lost somewhere in the devastated city. When the Ospreys’ leader emerges at the worst possible moment, leaving Wil’s biggest ally on his deathbed, she must become Black Knife to set things right.
HER MAGIC IS UNCONTROLLABLE. Wil’s power is to animate, not to give true life, but in the wraithland she commanded a cloud of wraith mist to save herself, and later ordered it solid. Now there is a living boy made of wraith—destructive and deadly, and willing to do anything for her.
HER HEART IS TORN. Though she’s ready for her crown, declaring herself queen means war. Caught between what she wants and what is right, Wilhelmina realizes the throne might not even matter. Everyone thought the wraith was years off, but already it’s destroying Indigo Kingdom villages. If she can’t protect both kingdoms, soon there won’t be a land to rule.
In this stunning conclusion to THE ORPHAN QUEEN, Jodi Meadows follows Wilhelmina’s breathtaking and brave journey from orphaned criminal on the streets to magic-wielding queen.
”add
Publishes in US:  April 5th 2016 by Katherine Tegen Books
Genre: ya fantasy
Source: Harper teen via Edelweiss
Disclaimer: I received this book as an ARC (advanced review copy). I am not paid for this review, and my opinions in this review are mine, and are not effected by the book being free.
Series? Yes.  The Orphan Queen #2
The Hidden Prince (The Orphan Queen, #0.1) Published June 2nd 2015 by Epic Reads Impulse
The Glowing Knight (The Orphan Queen, #0.2) Expected publication: September 1st 2015
The Burning Hand (The Orphan Queen, #0.3) Published December 1st 2015)
The Black Knife (The Orphan Queen, #0.4) Published March 1st 2016)

My review of Orphan Queen

Buy it: Amazon, B&N, IndieboundBook Depository
Author stalk away: ~site ~twitter ~facebook           


    I wanted to read  Mirror King because I enjoyed Orphan Queen. I liked Wil's character and even though I had a bit of hard time with the politic end of the story (my fault in fantasy not the writer's). 

   Mirror King started right where are orphan Queen left off. it started right into the action after the Prince was shot. I was able to remember dinner things as she describes what's going on but there was still a lot that I didn't remember because you know how book amnesia goes.

   Wilhelmina, our main character was torn, she'd just learned that the Prince and the black hand, the one that she'd partnered with as vigilante. Now she is out in the open since she used magic to help remove the arrow and had wraigth boy under her command.

   Honestly I ended up not liking this one as much. I feel like it focused even more so on the politics than the last one and that sort of fantasy writing just doesn't keep my attention as well.

    The plot did take some surprising turns and I think there are just wasn't as much romance in this one it was more fighting and the action and trying to figure out what to do with the magic users and trying to fight off the wraight.

    I skimmed through quite a bit of it because I still wanted to know what happened regardless of not being as into some of the plot details. I still like Wil a lot. she was smart strong and she tried to do what she saw in her eyes as right and she was still fighting for her kingdom and for them to live free of threats and free from the wraight.

   At about 80% the book it really picked up and got my attention. I liked how it wrapped up and finished the story lines. 

Bottom Line: Not as good for me as first, but liked the ending a lot.

My question to you, my lovely readers:
Ever caught between what she wants and what is right

Monday, March 14, 2016

Review: The Girl at Midnight by Melissa Grey


The Girl at Midnight (The Girl at Midnight #1) by Melissa Grey

Beneath the streets of New York City live the Avicen, an ancient race of people with feathers for hair and magic running through their veins. Age-old enchantments keep them hidden from humans. All but one. Echo is a runaway pickpocket who survives by selling stolen treasures on the black market, and the Avicen are the only family she's ever known.
Echo is clever and daring, and at times she can be brash, but above all else she's fiercely loyal. So when a centuries-old war crests on the borders of her home, she decides it's time to act.
Legend has it that there is a way to end the conflict once and for all: find the Firebird, a mythical entity believed to possess power the likes of which the world has never seen. It will be no easy task, though if life as a thief has taught Echo anything, it's how to hunt down what she wants . . . and how to take it.
But some jobs aren't as straightforward as they seem. And this one might just set the world on fire.

”add

Publishes in US: April 28th 2015 by Delacorte Press
Genre: ya fantasy
Source: library
Disclaimer: I received this book as an ARC (advanced review copy). I am not paid for this review, and my opinions in this review are mine, and are not effected by the book being free.
Series? Yes
 #2 Expected publication: July 12th 2016 by Delacorte Press
Expected publication: 2017

Buy it:AMAZON (US/CA)
BARNES & NOBLE
KOBO
INDIEBOUND
POWELL’S

Author stalk away: ~site ~twitter ~blog


    I want to read the girl at midnight because I follow several good reviews of it and finally had time in my library had it available.

    The book is in third person which is not what I'm used to.. It's told from echo a human and Caius who is a drakharin.
Echo is definitely an interesting character she basically grew up in the library and she was taken under the wings of a pretty powerful avi cen it's a race of people who are similar to birds they have feathers and plumage, that sort of thing. The two races have been at war for a very long time. Caius as well as an Avicen have been looking for the Firebird which is prophesied to bring an end to the war.

    The world building was good, off had a lot of detail but it didn't drown me in it right.at the beginning. It let me get a sense of Echo as a character and them figure out even more about the fantasy which I like.

    Echo is pretty much a master thief and sneak because of how she grew up. She steals food and not only sneaks into the library, she has her own bedroom there.

    The Avicen world in unseen Echo describes part of it as under the new York train station. Echo is human but The Ala brought her into th their world when she found five year old Echo alone and homeless at the library. Because of her upbringing she uses a magic dust that gets her in the inbetween and lets her quickly travel around the world.and also a gate to Avicen world.

    Echo is popular with the Avicen kids because she gives them attention and often candy comes egg that attention. I love seeing characters who treat children well and respect and notice them.
 
 I like that friendship is a theme on this one as well. Her and ivy have been friends since echo arrived.

     the middle of the story slowed down a lot and I think part of it for me at least was because it started introducing too many points of view. I told you chu had you are in but I just kinda lost track of the voices and the different circumstances and wish it would have just kept to one or maybe two. I got through it though because I like the beginning and the setup and I hope that the ending of this one would bring someone closer instead of being a cliffhanger cuz I'm not sure when or if I would have a chance to continue on with the series.

    It did pick back up and I was satisfied with the ending and the wrap up that it gave me.


Bottom Line: Beginning and very end was good. Liked Echo, but too many POV for me.

My question to you, my lovely readers:


Thursday, February 25, 2016

Review: Titans by Victoria Scott



Titans by Victoria Scott
From Victoria Scott, author of FIRE & FLOOD, comes a thrilling story of impossible odds.
Ever since the Titans first appeared in her Detroit neighborhood, Astrid Sullivan’s world has revolved around the mechanical horses. She and her best friend have spent countless hours watching them and their jockeys practice on the track. It’s not just the thrill of the race. It’s the engineering of the horses and the way they’re programmed to seem so lifelike. The Titans are everything that fascinates Astrid, and nothing she’ll ever touch.
She hates them a little, too. Her dad lost everything betting on the Titans. And the races are a reminder of the gap between the rich jockeys who can afford the expensive machines to ride, and the working class friends and neighbors of Astrid’s who wager on them.
But when Astrid’s offered a chance to enter an early model Titan in this year’s derby, well, she decides to risk it all. Because for a girl from the wrong side of the tracks, it’s more than a chance at fame or money. Betting on herself is the only way she can see to hang on to everyone in the world she cares about.
”add

Publishes in US: February 23rd 2016 by Scholastic Press
Genre: ya fantasy
Source: earc from Scholastic via Edelweiss
Disclaimer: I received this book as an ARC (advanced review copy). I am not paid for this review, and my opinions in this review are mine, and are not effected by the book being free.

My review of Scott's other YA series (amazing)
Fire and Flood series reviews
Fire and Flood
Salt and Stone 

Buy it:




Author stalk away: ~site ~twitter ~facebook ~blog


    I wanted to read Titans because I loved Victoria Scott's first series and wanted more of her writing, characters and world building.

    Astrid is the main character and she is smart and driven and very interested in the Titan races. it's something she loves because of the horses which are a blend of animal and machine from what I understand that about 10% through. she loves The mechanics, the how and why to things so the build and the computer coding to get the animals to race and be good at what they're doing is right up her alley. it's also something that she hates because she is in a lower class family and it feels like the Titan races are where the rich get richer and poor bet all they have on the races. not only her grandfather has lost catastrophically his way of life, his home where she and her family were staying, he lost everything to betting when Astrid was young, leaving them on the streets. They were slung okay once Astrid's dad found a job at a factory but on top of it all 'dad has just lost his job.

    There is the family dynamics and friendship and it was complex but fascinating to read about. As far as family dynamics go, Astrid's dad is pretty overbearing and he is bitter about not having work and it creates a rift in the family at times. Astrid has 2 sisters Dani and Zara. they all three are pretty different Dani is dating a guy and she is pretty obsessed with him and she uses barbs like he would never let them lose their house or lose their job that he would protect them against their dad. Zara is the younger sister and she depends a lot on Astrid. their mom is both present and absent if that makes any sense. she holds the family together and she make them dinner and keeps house running and listens to them but when things get tough she kind of disappears into garden which is her main hobby. as far as friendship Astrid's best friend is Magnolia and I guess that's the case in some aspects of opposites attract because magnolia is very fashion and accessory oriented but their friendship still makes it because they share an interest in watching the Titan practices and races and they have been next door neighbors for forever so that was also a glue that holds them together. Along with the fact that Magnolia's dad used to work with Astrid dad and they have both lost their job and are looking for new ones now, there is a lot that holds then together, and they know they have someone who gets it.

    I also appreciated that there wasn't romance in this one. Astrid gets more focused on her family, friendship, and the help (from Rags and his friend) that comes from the most unexpected places. Most of all, she gets used to her unique Titan, and wanting to win the races, and therefore help her family and discover a lot about herself. Now, while I love a good romance, it is refreshing to have one without it. There is enough going on with the characters and the action of the Titans.

    I really enjoyed watching Astrid bond with the Titan aka Padlock and realize its limits as well as hers. She wants to believe that it's just a machine and that there's no cognizance or emotions or feelings but the more she's around him the more she begins to question that. There's one moment on their first run where she completely forgets what she's doing and how to do it and they're barely dodge a tree and what she finally gets her wits about her and gets down she says she swears she sees the Titan looking at her with an expression of you're an idiot. The companionship, understanding, and respect that they formed was wonderful to watch. Astrid and Padlock had a one up relationship, they would joke and play around, but then they shared a seriousness and a vision of winning, and of the thrill of the race.

    I really appreciated how Rags, Barney, and Lottie all took in Astrid and Magnolia. They offered their technical help, as well as helping them to learn to be a part of the world. Lottie is a woman that has money, but she has class, and she ended up helping them to have that as well, learning courtesy, etiquette, and also showing them when to ignore what she's taught them and to have inner strength.

   I devoured this one, the alternating action and then the character building, and the family dynamic changing and evolving throughout the story. Realizing when to accept help and when to support and encourage each other.

   I also loved the ending. It all came together well, wrapped up well, and I was happy with it. Some things were sad, others happy, and others hopeful. I love Scott, and will read any future books.


Bottom Line: Couldn't put it down, loved the characters, action, and sense of family and friendship.

My question to you, my lovely readers:
Do you like horses? Would you ride a mechanical one?