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
Review – Fallen by Lauren Kate
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.
Waiting on Wednesday – Mind Games by Carolyn Crane
“Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted over at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that are being eagerly anticipated.
Mind Games by Carolyn Crane
Urban Fantasy – March 23rd 2010 by SpectraWhile the citizens of Midcity are being terrorized by paranormal crime, Justine Jones is battling the paralyzing hypochondria that’s ruining her life. She’d do anything to break free.
She gets her chance when Packard, a handsome mastermind with strange powers, peers into her soul and invites her to join his psychological hit squad.
At first, Justine enjoys being part of the glamorous, thrilling world of neurotic vigilantes who battle Midcity’s depraved and paranormal criminals, though as a crimefighter, she’s far more like Monk than Anita Blake.
She also enjoys the unexpected affection that blossoms between her and Packard. But little by little, Justine begins to uncover strange secrets: like why Packard hasn’t set foot outside the Mongolian Delites restaurant for eight years. And the truth about the disillusionists. Soon their affection is destroyed in an angry inferno.
Things become more complicated when Justine falls for her most dangerous target, a dashing crime boss with a penchant for opera and paranoia about brain hemorrhages. Is he a ruthless criminal or her soulmate? How will she keep Midcity from sliding into a bloodbath?
Review: Moon Called by Patricia Briggs
Moon Called by Patricia BriggsSeries: Mercy Thompson #1
Published by Orbit
Pages: 288
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Source: Purchased myself
Add to Goodreads
Rating:
Also in this series: Blood Bound, River Marked
Mercy 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.
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!
LotR Readalong: The Two Towers Intro
Somehow, March has begun without my permission. While that means my exams are looming near, it also means the start of The Two Towers with the Lord of the Rings Readalong! Teresa, over at Shelf Love, has kicked off the month with some opening questions.
Where are you in the trilogy right now? What do you think of the books so far?
I’m afraid I’m still in the Fellowship of the Rings – I was set back by The Hobbit taking a month and a half to finish! I have absolutely loved Tolkien’s descriptive writing – but I’m still not too keen on Frodo yet. He just seems slightly too pompous at the moment, but I think that will change after Rivendell.
I am, however, completely in love with Merry! (And Aragorn, of course, but I have always loved him – even when I only read the first half of FotR when I was 9, I remembered the tortured!rugged!Strider and fell in love.) Merry is just so cheery and smart – a know-it-all with a tongue-in-cheek manner. Totally adorable.
What’s your past experience with The Two Towers?
Does the movie count? Because I have never read a sentence of TTT!
What about the movie? If you’ve seen it, what did you think of it, and how much do you think it will color your experience with the book?
I am looking forward to reading the Tolkien version of Faramir, although I am afraid I will be disappointed. I know a lot of people took issue with Faramir’s portrayal in the film – what with him almost giving in to the ring, and everything – but I loved it. Faramir was such a highlight for me when I first saw TTT, and again when I saw RotK (I still cry every time during that scene)… so I admit that, although I am kind excited to start TTT, I am also a bit nervous!
The films have – I admit – coloured how I read the book. But in a rather positive way, I think. If I get to a bit where I prefer the interpretation a-la-Peter Jackson, I just hold on to the thought of the movie while I read. But if Tolkien describes something that differs to Jackson – and I prefer the Tolkien version – I can pretty easily forget about the film! It is rather handy, actually.
I’m also listening to the extended soundtrack while reading – it is glorious and sends me straight to Middle Earth! I really need to press on with FotR – I hope to finish it by the end of the week, and start immediately on TTT.
What are you reading on Monday? – (Mar. 1st, 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!
Books I am currently reading:
- The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien – Loved the Shire, but have gotten a bit bogged down by Tom Bombadil! About my journey so far through FotR.
- Blood Bound by Patricia Briggs – The second book in the Mercy Series. I am loving it so far!
