Showing posts with label betrayal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label betrayal. Show all posts

Monday, July 14, 2014

Review: TIGER LILY by Jodi Lynn Anderson

Title: Tiger Lily
Author: Jodi Lynn Anderson (@jodilynna)
Published: July 3rd, 2012
Series: N/A
Genre: YA fantasy
Publisher: HarperTeen
POV: 1st person / 3rd person
Pages: 309
Format: Kindle Book
Source: Purchased
Rating: The Royal Library, Top Shelf

Before Peter Pan belonged to Wendy, he belonged to the girl with the crow feather in her hair. . . .

Fifteen-year-old Tiger Lily doesn't believe in love stories or happy endings. Then she meets the alluring teenage Peter Pan in the forbidden woods of Neverland and immediately falls under his spell.

Peter is unlike anyone she's ever known. Impetuous and brave, he both scares and enthralls her. As the leader of the Lost Boys, the most fearsome of Neverland's inhabitants, Peter is an unthinkable match for Tiger Lily. Soon, she is risking everything—her family, her future—to be with him. When she is faced with marriage to a terrible man in her own tribe, she must choose between the life she's always known and running away to an uncertain future with Peter.

With enemies threatening to tear them apart, the lovers seem doomed. But it's the arrival of Wendy Darling, an English girl who's everything Tiger Lily is not, that leads Tiger Lily to discover that the most dangerous enemies can live inside even the most loyal and loving heart.

My Thoughts


When it came to Tiger Lily, my interest level was decidedly zero. For some reason, the summary never caught my attention, and even though I love retellings and Tinker Bell, I'm barely familiar with the tale of Peter Pan and only know the basic information. So, this book really didn't interest me at all1. Yet, I have a weakness for Kindle deals2, so I took a chance on spending two dollars and decided to give it a shot. In the two days it took to read this story, I was captivated, overwhelmed, and completely surprised by how exceptional of a story Tiger Lily proved to be. 

Narrated by Tinker Bell, the story focuses on Tiger Lily, a member of the Sky Eater tribe, and her relationship with Peter Pan of the Lost Boys. There's romance and friendship, fun games and boring chores, deadly pirates and eavesdropping fairies, bitter betrayal and cold jealousy, hungry crocodiles and conniving mermaids, and so much more. The world in this story is so full, brimming with life and characters that demand your attention. I had no idea what to expect, but I definitely was not anticipating such an emotional story that brings up larger issues. Tiger Lily is the type of story that delves into familiar territory, but brings something new to such an old tale. Emotional and evocative, Tiger Lily is a story that you shouldn't miss out on. 

Highlights


There are some small moments where Anderson's words pulled at my emotions. There are truly some lovely and wonderful (and wonderfully sad) lines in this story. Tinker Bell's love for these characters was infectious, and it was easy to adore them too. This isn't just a tale about romance, but of family, friendship, and the great and terrible things we do for the people we love. This book is more about emotion, than anything else, and Anderson brings it all right to surface for her readers to feel. 

Lowlights


Tinker Bell focuses so much Tiger Lily, this story reads like a 3rd person novel. It would have been nice to know more about Tink, to hear a bit more about herself. 

Final Rating


The Royal Library, Top Shelf. This book is so close to 5 stars, but it's not quite there. Regardless, Tiger Lily has earned a spot on my top shelf, and is a story worth reading. I highly recommend it.



1 Even all the fangirling from the lovely Epic Reads ladies didn't convince me. I obviously should have listened to them. Those gals have great bookish taste. LESSON LEARNED.
2 Seriously, it's sad. I see a YA Kindle deal, and I pounce.

Monday, August 20, 2012

Review: Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta

Finnikin of the Rock
(Lumatere Chronicles #1)
Melina Marchetta
February 9th, 2010
399 pages (hardcover)
Candlewick Press
Source - Purchased
"At the age of nine, Finnikin is warned by the gods that he must sacrifice a pound of flesh to save his kingdom. He stands on the rock of the three wonders with his friend Prince Balthazar and Balthazar's cousin, Lucian, and together they mix their blood to safeguard Lumatere.

But all safety is shattered during the five days of the unspeakable, when the king and queen and their children are brutally murdered in the palace. An impostor seizes the throne, a curse binds all who remain inside Lumatere's walls, and those who escape are left to roam the land as exiles, dying by the thousands in fever camps.

Ten years later, Finnikin is summoned to another rock--to meet Evanjalin, a young novice with a startling claim: Balthazar, heir to the throne of Lumatere, is alive. This arrogant young woman claims she'll lead Finnikin and his mentor, Sir Topher, to the prince. Instead, her leadership points them perilously toward home. Does Finnikin dare believe that Lumatere might one day rise united? Evanjalin is not what she seems, and the startling truth will test Finnikin's faith not only in her but in all he knows to be true about himself and his destiny."
Once again, I am the idiot who almost gave up after reading only a few chapters of a Melina Marchetta novel. You'd think I would have learned my lesson by now, right? Thankfully, I dove back into the story (fourth time's the charm), and finally discovered that WOW-factor that I was previously missing. Like all other Marchetta novels, it takes patience and time for the story to bloom into something extraordinary. 

Marchetta skillfully and slowly builds a world rich in unique cultures, religions, and characters in her high fantasy novel, Finnikin of the Rock. There are journey's that sweep across the land, incredible moments of character growth, and the writing in Finnikin of the Rock will sweep you off your feet and drop you into a world filled with danger, surprise, and intrigue1. I tend to use the word "magical" when describing Marchetta's writing style, and this novel is no exception. Quite honestly, if you are not reading Marchetta's novels, then you are missing out on reading extraordinary literature written by one of the most talented YA authors of our time. Marchetta is a skilled storyteller, so don't miss out! 

Highlights: The small surprises and the simpler moments between characters made this story wonderful. The characters eventually became some of my favorites because they are so realistic, flawed, and intriguing. The plot itself continuously surprised me and it gave me some wonderfully thoughtful moments to reflect upon. The included maps were helpful. I wish I could spend more of my time rereading Finnikin of the Rock, flipping through the pages and savoring each moment. This book is that good. 

Lowlights: It was very difficult to get into but it was completely worth the time that it took before I became fully hooked.

Rating: 

1 I'm keeping quiet about aspects of the plot. Trust me when I say that you want to go into this story with only the book jacket information -- it makes everything all the more magical that way.


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Thursday, April 26, 2012

Mini-Review: The Book of Blood and Shadow by Robin Wasserman

The Book of Blood and Shadow
Robin Wasserman
April 10th, 2012
448 pages (hardcover)
Publisher - Random House
Source - Netgalley
...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.
The Book of Blood and Shadow rightly deserves to be referred to as The DaVinci Code for YA literature. It's smart, entertaining, and wonderfully written. Wasserman takes her time to build Nora's character (along with Adriane, Chris, Max, and eventually, Eli). When the story truly begins, you cannot help but to root for Nora and admire her tenacity as she delves deeper into the mystery at hand. Every letter leads to another exciting clue, as well as to more danger for the characters involved. If you love a good mystery with plenty of surprises, then definitely check this novel out. 

Highlights: The Book of Blood and Shadow captivated me from start to finish. Once the mysteries began, the intensity never let up. The best compliment I can pay this story is that everything felt real - the mystery and history, the clues, the emotions, the characters, and the settings. There's fun banter between characters. I enjoyed having a narrator with an exceptional vocabulary. Also, the surprises and twists! 

Lowlights: For the first half, this story feels like a very long book. I wish some parts had been shortened a bit. Also, the summary makes you think that Chris is dead when the book begins - but he's actually alive for quite some time, so I felt like that was misleading and frustrating (since I knew what was coming). 

Rating: 


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Monday, April 23, 2012

The Disenchantments by Nina LaCour

February 16th, 2012
307 pages (hardcover)
Publisher - Dutton
Source - Purchased
Colby & Bev have a long-standing pact: Graduate, hit the road with Bev's band, and then spend the year wandering around Europe. But moments after the tour kicks off, Bev makes a shocking announcement: She's abandoning their plans – and Colby – to go her own way in the fall.

But the show must go on, and The Disenchantments weave through the Pacific Northwest, playing in small towns and dingy venues, while roadie Colby struggles to deal with Bev's already growing distance and the most important question of all: What's next?
"We all want to feel something..."*

Goodbye high school, hello road trip. Colby's excited about putting college on hold and going abroad for the year with his best friend, Bev. So, when Bev changes their plans with a surprising and blunt truth, Colby's stuck with three girls (one of which he is furious at), a VW bus named Melinda, and absolutely no clue where to go after the tour wraps up. Things are even more complicated, since Colby's torn between his anger and his deeper feelings for Bev. As the tensions rise and secrets spill, The Disenchantments takes the characters through the struggles that reside in friendship, individuality, and adulthood.

Nina LaCour's sophomore effort is excellent. Colby's voice strikes a note of authenticity and relatability from the beginning, and you can't help but to feel as angry as he is when Bev changes their plans with minimal notice. As for the Disenchantments, they may be a terrible band, but they're great characters - you've got Bev and her secrets, Meg and her positive attitude, and Alexa's utter sweetness. Colby's relaxed and giving personality melds perfectly with this trio, but it's his journey and his character growth that resonates the most in The Disenchantments.

Highlights: Not only is this story music-orientated, but it's deeper than the light, carefree cover suggests. There's a nice mix to the fun and the serious moments, and I loved every second it took reading this story. The art aspect to the story was great, and I love how the back jacket cover of the novel ties into some of that. Colby, a male main character, was a wonderful narrator1. Even side characters were pretty great, and each seem fully developed.

Lowlights: Maybe a bit more page-time with some side characters. 

Rating: 


* pg. 271
1 We definitely need more male MC's in YA lit


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Monday, April 4, 2011

Divergent by Veronica Roth

May 3rd, 2011
496 pages (hardcover)
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Source: Amazon Vine; Purchased
In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.
DIVERGENT is without a doubt the next best thing in the YA dystopian genre, and perhaps even the best YA novel of 2011. Tris, our narrator, may appear to be a weak tiny girl, but she is one fierce, intelligent, and driven young woman who will inspire. The world Tris lives in is unique and described in the right amount of detail. I loved everything about the world in DIVERGENT, especially the separate factions present in Chicago and the fascinating technology. Roth's portrayal of this different world is compelling and makes you eager to know more. There were so many "wow" moments in this book that I was constantly being surprised. 

The edge-of-your-seat moments may be gripping and exciting, but it's the character relationships drew me in the most. Moments of romance, friendship, tests of loyalty and betrayal fill the pages. The overall storyline is thrilling, and the ending blew me away. This book is easily one of my top favorites now. DIVERGENT is electrifying and bursts to life with every word. Veronica Roth's writing will easily enchant you. 

Highlights: Tris’s voice was realistic. Not many stories capture my attention so completely, and Roth's words spoke to me like so few stories do. It has everything you can ask for, and so much more to surprise you. I look forward to more of Roth's work! Even Roth's villains never come across clichéd - they are normal people who think they're doing the right thing, which makes them more intimidating. The ending is shocking, emotional, and I wish I had book two because I need to know what happens next! 

Lowlights: I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and the only "low" points I found are so minuscule that they aren't worth noting.  

Notes: If you like THE HUNGER GAMES, you'll love this book. I loved THG (despite having a few issues with it), but I love Divergent a bit more. Fighting and violence are largely featured parts of the story, but it's well-suited for the targeted audience (anyone 14+ is mature enough for this book and the content inside).

Update-Audiobook Notes: Emma Galvin is the perfect Tris. She has a nice tone and conveys the strength of Tris and excitement of the story wonderfully. Her "male" voices took a bit of getting used to, but I never had any trouble distinguishing between who was speaking in the story. All in all, this is an excellent audiobook that I would highly recommend. 

Rating:  


Saturday, March 12, 2011

Rival by Sara Bennett Wealer

Release: February 15th, 2011
Pages: 336
Publisher: HarperTeen
Source: Publisher
Brooke: I don't like Kathryn Pease. I could pretend everything's fine between us. I could be nice to her face, then trash her behind her back. But I think it's better to be honest. I don't like Kathryn, and I'm not afraid to admit it. 

Kathryn: I saw a commercial where singers used their voices to shatter glass, but the whole thing is pretty much a myth. The human voice isn't that strong.

Human hatred is. Anybody who doubts that should feel the hate waves coming off of Brooke Dempsey. But I don't shatter; I'm not made of glass. Anyway, the parts that break aren't on the outside.

Brooke and Kathryn used to be best friends . . . until the night when Brooke ruthlessly turned on Kathryn in front of everyone. Suddenly Kathryn was an outcast and Brooke was Queen B. Now, as they prepare to face off one last time, each girl must come to terms with the fact that the person she hates most might just be the best friend she ever had.   
Review: Oh, how I love a good bitter rivalry - and Wealer serves one up with all the right elements. 

Narrated in alternating chapters by shy, quiet Kathryn and Queen B Brooke, the story works its way through senior year along with junior year flashbacks. The transition between past and present worked wonderfully and flawlessly, and gave both girls more depth. They're both gearing up for a big musical competition, and they know it's going to come down to the two of them. The real reason for the rivalry between them is slowly revealed, and while it may have been blown out of proportion, it does have a bit of substance behind it. 

The musical aspect was one of my favorite parts even though I know nothing about the type of music they listen to. But somehow, it was easy to still enjoy that part of Brooke and Kathryn. The fact that these two girls had a hobby they loved so much made them all the more real, because let's face it, we all have one thing we're obsessed with  (hello, my book obsession).

Even through the pranks and mean-girl antics, Rival is strangely heartwarming to read and an easy novel to simply love and enjoy. This novel is truly written perfectly to convey two unique girls and the things that keep them battling against each other. I'd definitely recommend this to anyone who wants a great contemporary story, especially one revolving around friendship. 

Highlights: Wealer skillfully manages to make both characters easy to like, and manages to stay true to what it's like to be in high school and how complex relationships/friendships can be at that age. I found myself enjoying Brooke's character more than Kathryn's, despite some of the cruel things Brooke has done to her. All of the characters have layers to their personalities, and none of them are perfect. Rival's narrator's both have done and continue do things that aren't right, but that's what makes them human. Even the dialog is wonderfully spot-on. 

Lowlights: I disliked some choices the characters made, but those bad choices made them more complex and real, so I can't really call that a "lowlight". 


Rating:   



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Monday, September 20, 2010

Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

Book: Nightshade
Author: Andrea Cremer
Release date: October 19th, 2010
Pages: 464 (hardcover)
Source: Publisher
My Summary:
When Calla Tor finds a stranger named Shay dying in the woods, she makes a crucial split-second decision that could cost her everything - she saves him, despite the fact that by doing so she breaks every important law that she has to obey, including letting him know of the Guardian's existence. But it isn't until Shay shows up at school that life gets a little more complicated. 

Being the alpha female of her pack of guardian wolves, Calla's been promised to marry Ren - the alpha of his pack. The Nightshade's and the Bane's, two packs forming as one once Calla and Ren tie the knot. As Guardian's, it will be their job to protect the Keeper's at all costs. 

But the closer Shay and Ren both get to Calla, the more conflicted she grows. Together, Calla and Ren make the perfect match for the pack. But with Shay, she's discovering more secrets about him, the Keeper's, the Guardian's past, and Calla begins to question everything she's ever known. 

In a story filled with loyalty, betrayal, secrets and love, anything goes. 
Review: All I can say is this: "I want MORE!"

Narrated in first person by Calla, I knew right from the first page I was going to enjoy her character. She's fierce, protective, but still a bit vulnerable and easy to relate with. Her pack was full of intriguing characters like her sweet little bro Ansel, a trustworthy friend in Bryn and plenty of other great secondary characters. Ren and Shay were the big surprises to me, because at first I thought it was obvious who was the better person and the better match for Calla, but by the time I reached halfway through the novel I was genuinely unsure of who the better one was (because they both are pretty great guys).

The werewolf lore is a bit different than normal, and intriguing. Scenes were Calla was a wolf were some of my favorites and the description was just right (not overbearing, but not lacking). Nightshade is packed with romance, jaw-dropping action, mystery and I couldn't get through the novel quick enough. 

In all, I'd say this is a stellar debut by Cremer, and I definitely wish that the second book was in my hands right now. 

Highlights: Calla's strength is definitely one of the best parts. She's totally as awesome as Buffy (The Vampire Slayer). The characters are very unique from one another. But the best thing I can say is the writing is addictive and it's very easy to visualize everything. I read this book on a 5-hour flight with an annoying person kicking my chair the entire time, and Nightshade distracted me and kept me from completely losing my sanity. 

Plus, I really hope they keep the chapter designs in the ARC the same as in the finished copy, because it really is pretty unique. 

Lowlights: The end got a bit predictable. I saw it coming from early on, but it didn't bother me too much. I was having too much fun reading to even care. 

Rating:   



Lea