Hi there! I’m Kay: an opinionated book blogger enamoured with the world of novels. Reader of Speculative Fiction (the posh word for Sci-Fi/Fantasy) and Young Adult novels. Believer in the many uses of the towel, the science of deduction and other fandom in-jokes.
This blog has been closed since early 2016. To the publishers and writers: thanks for all the support over the years. To my readers and fellow bloggers: keep in touch!
Recent Reviews
Waiting on Wednesday – Kiss of Death by Rachel Caine
“Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted over at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that are being eagerly anticipated.
Kiss Of Death by Rachel CaineParanormal Young Adult – Morganville Vampires, #8
May 3rd 2010 by Allison & Busby (UK) and Signet (US)Vampire musician Michael Glass has attracted the attention of a big- time producer who wants to cut a demo and play some gigs-which means Michael will have to enter the human world. For this, he’s been assigned escorts that include both a dangerous immortal as well as Michael’s all-too-human friends. And with that mix of personalities, this is going to be a road trip from hell…
I am eagerly awaiting my next Morganville fix. If you haven’t read any of Caine’s kick-ass series, you really should start now! I’d say it is the best YA series on sale… although the Vampire Academy series comes pretty close!
What are you reading on Monday? – (Mar. 22nd, 2010)
It’s Monday! What are you reading this week? is a weekly event now hosted by One Persons Journey Through a World Of Books where we discuss our week of reading!
Currently reading:
- All The Things We Didn’t Say by Sara Shepard – Not really enjoying this, but the writing is pretty decent.
Books I’ve finished this week:
- Shiver by Maggie Steifvater – Absolutely adored this book and can not wait for Linger to come out!
- The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien – FINALLY finished this! Once I got out of Moria it was pretty smooth sailing.
- Magic Under Glass by Jaclyn Dolamore – This lovely little book is my March read for the Debut Author Challenge. Really need to get to it!
In My Mailbox (Mar. 21st, 2010)
In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren (inspired by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie) and explores the content of your mailbox!
Only bought three books this week – a fact that my wallet is rather happy about! But they are three books that I have really been lusting after. So, yay!
First up, the UK edition of Some Girls Bite by Chloe Neill, the first book in her Chicagoland Vampires Series. I absolutely loved Neill’s YA novel, Firespell, and can not wait to get started on this one. The UK edition only came out this month – so if you haven’t seen it at your local bookshop before, it should be there now!
I also got my first graphic novel – ever – this week, Mercy Thompson: Homecoming by Patricia Briggs and illustrated by Francis Tsai. It’s set before we meet Mercy in Moon Called. I am kinda nervous about reading a graphic novel, as my previous attempts have failed rather miserably. I find that I usually end up skipping ahead to the action and miss all the very-important!character building. *sighs*
Last but not least, the second book in the Georgiana Kincaid series – Succubus Nights by Richelle Mead (Succubus on top in the US). I loved the first book Succubus Blues and really can not wait to get started on this one. The love interest Seth is, quite possibly, my favourite leading man ever. Which is kind of incredible. I need to see if he lives up to my own expectations!
So, a pretty great week. How was yours?
Review – Untamed (House of Night, Book 4) by P.C. and Kristin Cast
Untamed (House of Night, Book 4) by P.C. and Kristin Cast
Bookdepository / Amazon UK / Amazon US
Librarything / Goodreads
A word of WARNING: Although I do read the HoN books – I don’t actually think I could recommend them. They are filled with immature characters who aren’t all that bright and are my definition of the anti-role model. For some reason, I read them despite the fact I occasionally want to set them on fire.
Rating: 3 stars
Pages: 411
Summary: Life sucks when your friends are pissed at you. Just ask Zoey Redbird – she’s become an expert on suckiness. In one week she has gone from having three boyfriends to having none, and from having a close group of friends who trusted and supported her, to being an outcast. Speaking of friends, the only two Zoey has left are undead and unMarked. And Neferet has declared war on humans, which Zoey knows in her heart is wrong. But will anyone listen to her? Zoey’s adventures at vampyre finishing school take a wild and dangerous turn as loyalties are tested, shocking true intentions come to light, and an ancient evil is awakened in PC and Kristin Cast’s spellbinding fourth House of Night novel.
Review: Untamed is a huge improvement from the car-wreck that was Chosen. For once, Zoey starts out with zero boyfriends – and zero friends, for that matter. A lot of the book is spent with Zoey trying to make amends – not sure whether or not she succeeds, to be honest – and introducing the new Big Bad.
On that front, Big!Bad!Kalona gets an intresting introduction in Untamed – but he will unfortunately become a real pain in the later books. One thing I did like was the character Stark – who has definitely become my front runner on the future-boyfriends-of-Zoey front. He’s an archer that can never miss, and he’s the only character in the book with a dog. *hugs* Aphrodite is as enjoyable as always – uber-bitch with a secret good streak – and gosh, don’t I wish the latter HoN books were in her POV…
Bottom line? Big improvement from Chosen, Untamed was really quite enjoyable. If you’ve made it this far, it’s a must.
Waiting on Wednesday – The Sorcerer of Sainte Felice by Ann Finnin
“Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted over at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that are being eagerly anticipated.
The Sorcerer of Sainte Felice by Ann Finnin
Young Adult/Fantasy – June 1st 2010 by Flux – GoodreadsI was only an apprentice. I swear it. By all the angels in Heaven.
Fourteen-year-old Michael de Lorraine has been condemned to death by the Holy Office for sorcery. But just as the flames threaten to consume him, Michael is saved by Abbot Francis and granted refuge at the Benedictine monastery of Sainte Felice. Michael learns that this strange and wonderful place, famous for its healing wine, harbors renegade monk-sorcerers, enchanted gargoyles, and a closely guarded secret: Abbot Francis is the great Seratois, exiled Grand Master of the Fratres Illuminati.
As the church intensifies its cruel efforts at justice, Abbot Francis and the brotherhood are in grave danger. Michael will do anything to protect his mentor, but are his powers great enough to save the monastery from the merciless, bloodthirsty Inquisition?
Blending together magic, miracles, and historical details of life in fifteenth-century France, this unique fantasy offers a vibrant portrayal of one boy’s journey of faith.
This looks like a really interesting historical young adult novel. It has a bit of magic and a bit of the Inquisition – kinda awesome, huh? I know absolutely nothing about the author and am really curious to see what she comes up with!