Review-Splintered

There has been SO much hype about this book in the blogging community, and pretty much every review I've read has been positive (spare one or two) so I was pretty excited to read it.  Back in 10th grade I read Alice's Adventures In Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass and I have to tell you, they didn't amaze me (actually, they kind of confused me) but that's okay, because I did enjoy them well enough.  Now, I've always been a fan of things that are slightly twisted when it comes to books and movies/tv shows, so this book just called to me.  I wasn't disappointed at all.  I sped through the book in two days, and I was IMMENSELY pleased with the words that had been printed on the page.  Based on my one reading of the original story, along with watching the movies (by Tim Burton and Disney) I wasn't as lost as one could be if you had on idea what happened in the book to begin with, but the author took that classic tale and twisted it all around until it was almost unrecognizable.  There were all of the main points of the original book, along with a main character that is all her own (in terms of style, mind, and power), TWO scrumptious boys (although I only ever rooted for one), and a world so twisted Tim Burton would be proud (actually, I can see him working on this if it ever turned into a movie).  Admittedly I was overwhelmed in some parts by just slightly too much detail, but overall the effect just pulled me deeper into the world, and the ending left me feeling very pleased.  Personally I think there COULD be another book that comes after this one, but I am perfectly content with this novel as a stand alone work.  Regardless of what happens with this novel in terms of series, I hope to see A. G. Howard continue her writing career, because she has great talent for telling a story.

Out January 1, 2013

5/5 dust spirits

*Thanks to Abram books for the ARC in return for an honest review.

Review-Through The Ever Night

I first read Under the Never Sky in 2011, before it came out, and I recently did a reread with Epic Reads, but when I couldn't get a copy of the sequel I was devastated but I talked to the lovely Veronica Rossi and she was kind enough to send me an early finished copy.  I would have finished this book yesterday, but it was Christmas and there was stuff to do, so I finished it as fast as I could today.  I loved the first book and I was really looking forward to this one, and I wasn't disappointed.  Rossi kept up with the dual POV, one of the things I just loved to death about the first book, and the romance was still there.  The transformation in the characters was really noticeable, not just from the first book to this one, but just within this book.  And of course Rossi had the obligatory (it's not really, but I've seen a pattern) part that makes you scream and go "HOW COULD YOU DO THAT!?" (I did that more than once).  90% if not 100% of all the characters that made it out of book one alive showed up in book two, along with some new characters that I enjoyed.  There were even some changes in characters from book one that I NEVER thought I would see.  So much changed in this book that I can't wait to see how it all turns out.  The only thing I regret with reading this book so fast is that now I'll have to wait even longer to read the final book in the trilogy.  With the way this one ended I'm sure the last one is going to be AMAZING, and I wish with all of my heart it was coming out tomorrow instead of next next year (2014).  Veronica has done it again, a lush world an amazing romance and stakes that are even higher than they were in the first book, this sequel is all I wanted and more.

Out January 8, 2013

5/5 dust spirits

Review-A Million Suns

I read Across the Universe when it first came out, and I really loved it, and then I won an ARC of this book from the author, but I never actually got around to reading it until now.  That was stupid because this book was just as good as the first one.  I was a little confused to start off with, because it had been over a year since I read the first installment.  Once I got back in the swing of things though it was easy to fall back into the story and the world.  Again Beth managed to surprise me with where her plot went, and although I did see SOME of the twists coming I still ended up going "wow" a couple of times.  This is really the only space-y story I'm familiar with at the moment (in terms of YA) and since I've always been a huge Star Trek fan it's really great to see those elements in a book that has gotten a lot of attention and that a lot of people have picked up and read.  It really made me happy that Beth managed to bring the "murder mystery" element into book two, because I really did like that part of book one.  I also enjoyed the fact she stayed with the dual POV, because that brings more to the story as well, especially because the characters are so different in their jobs.  After having finished this book I have high hopes for the last one, and with it coming out shortly I will have to pick it up and see how it ends.  Beth has done another WONDERFUL job writing a book, and I can't wait to see what happens in the end because if it's anything like the two it will blow me away.  Beth is a talented writer and I hope to read more of her books after this trilogy has finished.

4.5/5 dust spirits

Review-The Darkest Minds

When I first heard about this book I was really excited because, I mean, how good did it sound!? I'll answer that, REALLY good!  And EVERYONE is talking about how great it was so when I picked it up I was a little...confused.  I liked the first chapter (I've always been a fan of plagues) but as it went on I found myself both confused and bored.  So all of the kids alive have powers, which is cool, but we're just thrust into the world and the main character, Ruby, doesn't want to use her powers, nor do we know what she can actually do for sure until about 300 pages in. Too long if you ask me.  It also pissed me off that she was one of a small percentage of the kids that ended up living, but she was all like "I have these supernatural powers, poor me!" No, not poor you, poor all the kids who died!  The other thing that bugged me (and does a lot of the time when books have plagues) is that THERE IS NO VIRUS THAT PICKS OUT AGE GROUPS AND INFECTS EVERYONE!  Now that being said I did enjoy the fact that Ruby was a strong character in the sense that she didn't lean on a guy for help (although she did start out a little whiny).  I also enjoyed the boy, Liam, because he sounds very yummy, and I wouldn't mind a boy like him.  The ending did really pick it up, and made the book a read that was worth the time it took to read, but I personally can't say I see what everyone else saw in it.  I MAY read the sequel, but it's not one that I will hurry to pick up or scramble to get an ARC of, but if I have the time I may decide to see where it goes from here.  This book wasn't really one for me, but please don't let that stop you from picking it up and giving it a shot. Just because it didn't work for me doesn't mean you won't love it.

3.5/5 dust spirits

Review-Ask the Passengers

When I first heard about this book I was really excited about it, because it sounded REALLY good.  So I bought it when it came out, but I was so busy it got pushed aside while I read ARCs and whatnot.  Then I decided, why not read it, it's right there in front of me and it's so short.  And I did.  First off, I just LOVED the whole idea of sending love to the passengers up in the planes, and I loved even more that you got to see inside the planes and see how it effected the passengers.  The subject matter was one of those things that could be hard for some, being about a girl trying to figure out who she is (sexual orientation is a large part of this book).  There had been SO many amazing things said about this book, and the cover was so beautiful, but to be honest I wasn't blown away by it.  No, that doesn't mean I hate it, on the contrary, I really did enjoy it, I just didn't fall madly in love with it.  I think it was a combination of two things.  One, I am not a lesbian (although I have no problem with them whatsoever) and two, the place where it was set was a small town where they were very closed minded, and despite knowing there are towns out there like that (and it being important for people to know that it's okay to be gay) the city I live in is VERY open to those of all sexual orientation so it't hard for me to see myself in a town like that.  I'm not saying I didn't know they existed, cause I did, but a book where the whole town was pretty much anti-gay just made me want to scream.  All of this being said I think it's a good book and everyone should read it, because it takes a look at small towns and their views, and about how maybe it wouldn't hurt any of us to send a little more love out, regardless of what we receive.  So while not being all I expected it to be it was still a really good addition to the YA genre, and looks at things some authors shy away from, so for all of that I say good work A. S. King, and I will need to read your other two books soon.

4/5 dust spirits

Review-Falling Kingdoms

This book was pitched as ideal for Game of Thrones (which I have never read) and Graceling (which I wasn't awestruck by like most people) fans but it sounded good and it was on of the Breathless Reads books, so I thought, why not ask for it?  It took me some time to get to it with school and all, and at first I wasn't sure about it because of the multiple POV that it bounced between.  The chapters were labeled by the kingdom the characters lived in, but as the characters moved around the kingdoms changed for all of them, which was jarring at first. Now that I'm finished with the book though I can say I did enjoy it more than I expected to.  I will admit I haven't read a lot of high fantasy, maybe 5 at most that I'm aware of, and it can be a little confusing to delve into a world that is so rich but different from ours.  The world was amazing, I was pleased with all of the characters most of the time, and with two male and two female narrators it will easily appeal to both sexes.  In the market today I feel like the spotlight is placed on romance in novels, which, don't get me wrong I love, but it's not out there.  I'm also under the impression dystopian is the new vampire novel, so some really great novels that don't fit that bill get pushed off to the side.  This book will probably turn into something huge, and I'm very pleased with that, because it's something that can be enjoyed by all (preferably by those 16 or older). I also wanted to say that despite the high fantasy element there were so many REAL things in this book, mostly the feelings.  There was SO much hate between the people in the three kingdoms, it was sickening at times.  Some may see this as a bad thing, but to me it was good for two reasons. One, books that make you feel things, especially ones that aren't set in real life are really rare, and so they should be celebrated.  And two, if you look at it, put things in modern times (and get rid of the magic) what is happening in the book is the same thing that's happening all around the world today.  Sometimes it takes fiction to help you see what is right in front of you on Earth, and even if that's no the point if even one person, like me, sees it that way, it could help change things.  The other small thing that bugged me was that there were modern swear words used, not many, I only counted three, but since it was pointed out to me by a bookseller I've been looking, and they stood out and rubbed me the wrong way when they popped up. But besides that I can't think of a reason why I didn't love this book, and I can't wait to see what happens next! I also highly hope there will be more than two books in the series.

Out December 11, 2012

4.5/5 dust spirits

Antigoddess Cover Reveal

I haven't done very many cover reveals, and I know my blog isn't HUGE or anything, but when Kendare Blake (Anna Dressed in Blood and Girl of Nightmares) PERSONALLY asked me to help her reveal the cover to her next book it wasn't possible for me to say no.  I've read both of Kendare's books and I really REALLY enjoyed them.  Actually, I just gave Anna to a friend of mine as an early Christmas gift.  So, first a synopsis? 

Old Gods never die…

Or so Athena thought. But then the feathers started sprouting beneath her skin, invading her lungs like a strange cancer, and Hermes showed up with a fever eating away his flesh. So much for living a quiet eternity in perpetual health.

Desperately seeking the cause of their slow, miserable deaths, Athena and Hermes travel the world, gathering allies and discovering enemies both new and old. Their search leads them to Cassandra—an ordinary girl who was once an extraordinary prophetess, protected and loved by a god.

These days, Cassandra doesn’t involve herself in the business of gods—in fact, she doesn’t even know they exist. But she could be the key in a war that is only just beginning.

Because Hera, the queen of the gods, has aligned herself with other of the ancient Olympians, who are killing off rivals in an attempt to prolong their own lives. But these anti-gods have become corrupted in their desperation to survive, horrific caricatures of their former glory. Athena will need every advantage she can get, because immortals don’t just flicker out.

Every one of them dies in their own way. Some choke on feathers. Others become monsters. All of them rage against their last breath.

The Goddess War is about to begin.

How awesome does that sound? AWESOME, right? Right! So now how about the cover? I think it's time!

How great is that cover!?  I LOVE the feather (and it's part of the story! I see what you did there Tor Teen!) and the blood!  And the eyes!  I wonder what Kendare thinks? What's that Kendare?

"Hmm. It appears I've stumbled into the cover for ANTIGODDESS, by ME. Huh. Hey, check out that blurb. "Stephen King ought to start looking over his shoulder." Ha ha, yeah. I wish. Geez, it's pretty dark in here. And chilly. And I get the distinct feeling that I'm not safe, which is bad, because I can't move very fast in these trees, and DAMMIT. Just stepped in the water. At least I won't die of thirst. Hang on. Is there blood in this water? Who the heck put blood in this water!? And phth! Get this huge feather out of my nose. Though I have to admit, it looks nice. It's bright, and sort of innocent, and hopeful. I feel suddenly safe.

What was that? In the trees? Are those....eyes? Eyes of what? Gods? Owls? Godlike owls? Sonofabitch! AAARGH!"

Oh Kendare, you're so silly. Those owls aren't going to kill you! Or...wait, maybe they are...oh crap!

Now that we've been eaten alive by godlike owls (actually, are we still alive? Kendare? are you there? I think she's hiding! Let's hope so!) I think those of you who managed to survive (I do hope you are all still alive) should get a prize!  Unfortunately I don't have a copy of Antigoddess (although I wish I did) but what I DO have access to is Kendare's books!  So, because I love you ALL so much, and I want Kendare's cover to be ALL over the Internet I'll make you a deal.  For every time you share the cover you'll get a point, and for every point you get you get one entry into the contest.  Just leave a link to where you shared the cover in the comments below (along with an email address).  The contest will run until December 10, 2012 and since I am SO nice I will open it to international entries, but I can't guarantee I will get them out until AFTER Christmas because the post office in December is like a loony bin...only not as orderly. (The winner can pick either of Kendare's books, so go share that cover!)