by Kay | Mar 4, 2010 | Reviews |
Fallen (Fallen, Book 1) by Lauren Kate
Bookdepository / Amazon US / Amazon UK
Librarything / Goodreads
Rating: 3.5 stars
Pages: 452
Summary: Seventeen-Year-Old Luce is a new student at Sword & Cross, an unwelcoming boarding/reform school in Savannah, Georgia. Luce’s boyfriend died under suspicious circumstances, and now she carries the guilt over his death with her as she navigates the unfriendly halls at Sword & Cross, where every student seems to have an unpleasant—even evil—history.
It’s only when she sees Daniel, a gorgeous fellow student, that Luce feels there’s a reason to be here—though she doesn’t know what it is. And Daniel’s frosty cold demeanor toward her? It’s really a protective device that he’s used again . . . and again. For Daniel is a fallen angel, doomed to fall in love with the same girl every 17 years . . . and watch her die. And Luce is a fellow immortal, cursed to be reincarnated again and again as a mortal girl who has no idea of who she really is.
Thoughts: Although I did enjoy this book, there were certain things that made it feel like a debut novel. Mostly, the pacing. I loved the slow-building tension, and the foreboding environment of the first 3/4 of the novel. But then we are given our climax in a few chapters. It felt a bit rushed.
However, I did enjoy our protagonist Luce (yay for another vegetarian teen star!) and never grew tired of her narration. The secondary characters were also complete gems – you could sense at every introduction that there was a fascinating back story to each.
But as for the romance, I found our main love interest Daniel rather dull. His relationship with Luce is all based on past events that we never got a chance to explore. Luce loves him because… well, she just does. His competition Cam, on the other hand, I found far more appealing – even after the final climax. I am hopeful that he will still be in the running for Luce’s affection in the next book.
Bottom line? If you are looking for some grey and gothic romance, this is the book for you. I very nearly loved it, but was let down in the finale. However, this series has real potential, and I look forward to the next book.
by Kay | Mar 2, 2010 | Reviews |
Moon Called by Patricia Briggs
Series: Mercy Thompson #1
Published by Orbit
Pages: 288
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Source: Purchased myself
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Also in this series: Blood Bound, River MarkedMercy Thompson's life is not exactly normal. Her next-door neighbor is a werewolf. Her former boss is a gremlin. And she's fixing a VW bus for a vampire. But then, Mercy isn't exactly normal herself.
Thoughts: Moon Called was brilliant!
Mercy is fierce yet knows her limits, independent but understanding of Alpha (literally) males, sweet but sexy, funny and, well, just plain wonderful. It is so hard to find a heroine that you can love just for themselves – and Mercy is one of them. Whatever she says or does, I trust her because she is Mercy. Even if she did something I would never, ever do – instead of sitting there chastising her, I understand her. It really is a wonderful feeling to have, especially in a book told in the first person.
Lots and lots of plot. Romance comes very much in the background to this story, even though it is still there. Brilliant universe construction that in no way dragged – I was sucked into the verse without being yanked. Amazing, really.
A triangle is set up in the book – and while at first I was apprehensive – Briggs pulls it off. Neither one of her heroes is perfect, and Mercy is not willing to bounce back and forth between them. I know the triangle becomes more fleshed out in later books, but in Moon Called it was a rather minor role.
Bottom line? Amazing start to what is going to be a great series. I’d highly recommend this to everyone I know. If you are looking for a book to introduce you to Urban Fantasy – this would be a great one to start with!
by Kay | Feb 26, 2010 | Reviews |
Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
Series: Vampire Academy #1
Published by Razorbill
Pages: 331
Genres: Paranormal YA, Young Adult
Source: Purchased myself
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Also in this series: Frostbite, Blood PromiseSt. Vladimir's Academy isn't just any boarding school--it's a hidden place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess. They've been on the run, but now they're being dragged back to St. Vladimir's - the very place where they're most in danger...
Rose and Lissa become enmeshed in forbidden romance, the Academy's ruthless social scene, and unspeakable nighttime rituals. But they must be careful lest the Strigoi - the world's fiercest and most dangerous vampires - make Lissa one of them forever.
Thoughts: This is – truly – a brilliant book. I had thought all the hype around it was over-the-top… I was so wrong.
Vampire Academy is not like most YA novels – hell, like any novel I’ve read. Although there is plenty of teenage realism – mean girls, cliques, and inappropriate kissage – the characters are at the same time very, very different to us. What we consider normal is not what they do – and where we place our priorities also differs from them. It’s odd, to not agree with a character but still understand them.
In fact, there was a lot of that in this book. Our main character, Rose, is exactly what I wasn’t in high school. She flirts with everyone, goes out partying all the time, and makes out with guys she doesn’t even care about – just for the thrill. This reckless edge does settle itself a bit in Vampire Academy, but it is still there even when she is behaving. You could say she is of the “punch first, ask questions later” variety. And even though I don’t personally understand this, I understand her.
It’s weird.
Another really unique feature of Vampire Academy was the relationship between BFFs Lissa and Rose. You get this right from the start as Mead opens with a scene of the two of them. Although I literally swooned over both Dimitri and Christian, the Lissa/Rose bond was by far the strongest in the book.
The vampire universe also had a really nice twist to it. Mead managed to incorporate all sorts of issues – politics, drug abuse, and social class – into the verse without it seeming too contrived. She also managed to work in discussion about mental illness – which was an unexpected surprise. It is something I am very sensitive about, and I really appreciate authors who make an effort to get things right when they include it.
Bottom line? An amazing, addictive read. Mead creates gives a unique twist on vampires, and creates kick-ass characters to boot. Even if you are not a YA fan, go get yourself a copy!
This was the my (and final) read for the brilliant League of Reluctant Adults Mini-Challenge hosted over at Literary Escapism. It’s been really fun – and I plan to do a little a wrap-up post to celebrate. ♥
by Kay | Feb 25, 2010 | Reviews |
Mark of the Demon (Kara Gillian, #1) by Diana Rowland
Bookdepository / Amazon US / Amazon UK
Librarything / Goodreads
Rating: 2 stars
Pages: 370
Summary: Cop and conjurer of demons, she’s a woman in danger of losing control—to a power that could kill….
Why me? Why now? That’s what Beaulac, Louisiana, detective Kara Gillian was asking herself when an angelic creature named Rhyzkahl unexpectedly appeared during a routine summoning. Kara was hoping to use her occult skills to catch a serial killer, but never had she conjured anything like this unearthly beautiful and unspeakably powerful being whose very touch set off exquisite new dimensions of pleasure. But can she enlist his aid in helping her stop a killer who’s already claimed the lives—and souls—of thirteen people? And should she? The Symbol Man is a nightmare that the city thought had ended three years ago. Now he’s back for an encore and leaving every indication on the flesh of his victims that he, too, is well versed in demonic lore.
Kara may be the only cop on Beaulac’s small force able to stop the killer, but it is her first homicide case. Yet with Rhyzkahl haunting her dreams, and a handsome yet disapproving FBI agent dogging her waking footsteps, she may be in way over her head…
Thoughts: This was not the book for me.
Although an interesting mix of paranormal and procedural crime fiction – I could not get into Mark of the Demon. There was, literally, not a single character that I actually liked. There was a lot of show-no-tell when it came to the heroine – we had to sit through her telling people that she “gave a shit” about the victims about 30 times… *groan* Not to mention she was dull as hell. Even the hero – who I can usually appreciate in any circumstance – was pretty boring.
I suppose the ending had one hell of a twist – but, frankly, I was barely paying attention by this point. The Louisiana setting nearly saved the book… but ultimately failed. Despite the constant references to the heat, bugs and Katrina – I felt like this book could have been set anywhere.
Diana Rowland is not a bad writer – but I just don’t think she is a writer for me. I could, however, appreciate well the book was crafted from beginning to end. With some writers *cough*Stephenie Meyer*cough* you can tell that they have no idea where they are going – Rowland is not one of these.
Bottom line? This was not my kind of book. But if you are looking for a twist on your standard crime novel, you might as well give this a shot.
by Kay | Feb 24, 2010 | Reviews |
Red-Headed Stepchild by Jaye Wells
Series: Sabina Kane #1
Published by Orbit
Pages: 304
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Source: Purchased myself
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Also in this series: The Mage in Black, Green-Eyed Demon, Silver-Tongued DevilIn a world where being of mixed blood is a major liability, Sabina doesn't really fit in. And being an assassin - the only profession fit for an outcast - doesn't help matters. But she's never brought her work home. Until now.
Her latest mission is uncomfortably complex and threatens the fragile peace between vampire and mage races. As Sabina scrambles to figure out which side she's on, she uncovers a tangled political web, some nasty facts about her family, and some unexpected new talents. Any of these things could be worryingly life changing, but together they could be fatal...
Sabina Kane: She's down, but she's not out.
Thoughts: I LOVED this book! This is my first five star read this year, and to come from an author I knew nothing about, well, it is a pleasant surprise!
Where to start? Well, RHSC is really pure, action-packed, no-frills urban fantasy. But it is just plain funny! Even though this was a tough book, it was also really hysterical. Jaye Wells has a great sense of humour and here is one scene that I just have to share:
“Why haven’t you exploded yet?” The demon was closer now, only a few feet away. I opened one eye to look at the arrow. Blood bloomed from the site of impact, just over my left breast.
“I—I don’t know.” Holding myself up became difficult as the seconds passed.
“Hmm. I wonder if I should stake you just to be sure.”
“I’d really prefer it if you didn’t,” I said. “I’m sure I’ll ignite any second.”
The book only gets funnier from there. Jaye Wells manages to fit in humour in the most unlikely of places – a lot of it coming from her astounding secondary characters. I was head-over-heels with the demon!cat Giguhl and the mysterious!hot!mage Adam.
The universe is a super complicated one and even though we are tossed straight into the action, it is still an easy verse to get a handle on. She somehow manages to incorporate humour, world-building, appropriate sexual tension, and politics into her faeries, mages, vampires and demons. Wells says she is inspired by Kim Harrison, and while I can see that in her work, I have to say that I much prefer her work over what I have read from Harrison so far.
As for Sabina, well… it took a while for me to warm up to her. She is cold as ice at the beginning of the book, and I wondered if I could like a character who seemed – at least to start with – to be utterly devoid of a concience! But it meant that watching her open up – even a little bit – to new people with different ideas became very satisfying. Although I am still not in love with Sabina, I understand her. I see masses of potential in her and can’t wait for the next book!
by Kay | Feb 23, 2010 | Reviews |
The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler
Bookdepository / Amazon US / Amazon UK
Librarything / Goodreads
Rating: 4.5 stars
Pages: 304
(a slightly vapid) Summary: Six Californians join to discuss Jane Austen’s novels. Over the six months they meet, marriages are tested, affairs begin, unsuitable arrangements become suitable, and love happens. With her finely sighted eye for the frailties of human behavior and her finely tuned ear for the absurdities of social intercourse, Fowler has never been wittier nor her characters more appealing. The result is a delicious dissection of modern relationships.
Dedicated Austenites will delight in unearthing the echoes of Austen that run through the novel, but most readers will simply enjoy the vision and voice that, despite two centuries of separation, unite two great writers of brilliant social comedy.
Thoughts: There are few books I would call elegant – this is one of them.
I was more than pleasantly surprised by the constructed simplicity of The Jane Austen Book Club. I had seen the movie – which was perfectly enjoyable – and had taken a look at the chick-lit cover, and thought I would be in for a very light-hearted read.
While the book is not a tale of doom and destruction, it is far from simplistic. Joy Fowley manages to fit so much character and emotion into the small novel. We see the characters only at the book club meetings, where they discuss a particular Austen novel while the narrator discusses one of the characters from the book club. Joy Fowley revealed characters of such complexity, I was continually astounded. Although I did not love them all, they all became completely real to me.
The narrative style, however, kept the reader as a slightly detached observer. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this style. It allowed me to feel all the emotion without getting bogged down by a single character… kinda genius, actually.
Although tied together by Jane Austen’s books, I was happy to find that you did not need to be an Austen conneisseur – I’ve only read Pride and Prejudice – to enjoy the club’s discussions. So even if you are an Austen sceptic, you can enjoy this book!
Bottom line? This is a wonderful read that deserves a broad readership. Give it to everyone – including your dad. He might not admit it – but he’ll enjoy every second of it!
