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
In My Mailbox (July 11th, 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.
I looove my books this week! I went a bit YA-mad at Foyles as everything was 10% off and it was to be my last trip there for many months. *sigh* Which is probably a good thing, considering this gives them a chance to refresh the stock. *snickers* I also had some great luck at charity shops, so I managed to get a lot of books without feeling guilty over their prices. Which is a lovely thing…
From the top:
- Dancing with Werewolves by Carole Nelson Douglas
- Dragon Rider by Cornelia Funke
- Coram Boy by Jamila Gavin
- Light Beneath the Ferns by Anne Spollen – Read the 1st paragraph and HAD to buy it – very creepy yet awesome.
- The Fallen 1: The Fallen and Leviathan by Thomas E Sniegoski – Yay! for the lovely new edition!
- The Eternal Kiss (Anthology) by Trisha Telep (Editor)
- The Devil’s Kiss by Sarwat Chadda
- Beauty by Robin McKinley – After reading Angie‘s post about McKinley for Books We Love, I knew I had to give her a read. Might as well start with one of my very favourite tales!
- The Moth Diaries by Rachel Klein
- The Tortilla Curtain by T.C. Boyle
- Angelology by Danielle Trussoni
So… how was your week? ♥
Review: Rogue by Rachel Vincent
Rogue by Rachel VincentSeries: Shifters #2
Published by MIRA
Pages: 394
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Source: Purchased myself
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Rating:
Also in this series: Stray, Pride
Okay, so cats don't always land on their feet.
I know that better than most. Since rejoining the Pride, I ve made big decisions and even bigger mistakes: the kind paid for with innocent lives. As the first and only female enforcer, I have plenty to prove to my father, the Pride, and myself. And with murdered toms turning up in our territory, I m working harder than ever, though I always find the energy for a little after-hours recreation with Marc, my partner both on- and off-duty.
But not all of my mistakes are behind me. We re beginning to suspect that the dead are connected to a rash of missing human women and that they can all be laid at my feet--two or four, take your pick. And one horrible indiscretion may yet cost me more than I can bear...
Thoughts: It’s been over a year since I read the first of Rachel Vincent’s werecat series, but I remember the book as clear as day. The werecats series is probably one of the most inventive UF verses out there – packed with catty violence and some rather terrifying villains. But that’s not why I remember it with such detail – mostly, I just remember hating the hell out of the main character Faythe.
Well, character-wise, Rogue is certainly a huge improvement. Faythe thinks out her actions a bit more than she used to. And although she still manages to grate on my nerves, her gradual transition from a five-year-old into a mature adult is realistic and in character. So, YAY! At this rate, I might actually like her by book five.
But on the other hand, Rogue was a let-down from Stray. One of the reasons I decided to stick with this series was because of the amazing action. Stray is packed with bloody, terrifying scenes described with more finesse than anything I’ve ever read. Rogue, however, was a series of conversations. Sure, important character-driven conversations – but still. Even though a lot was revealed, not all that much happened.
Bottom line? A solid sequel to Stray. If you are looking for kick-ass UF, Vincent’s werecat series has it in spades. But don’t expect to actually like anyone.
Waiting on Wednesday: Mercy by Rebecca Lim
“Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted over at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that are being eagerly anticipated.
An electric combination of angels, mystery and romance, MERCY is the first book in a major new paranormal series. Mercy by Rebecca Lim
Goodreads – October 28th 2010 by HarperCollins Children’s BooksThere’s something very wrong with me. I can’t remember who I am or how old I am, or even how I got here. All I know is that when I wake up, I could be any one. It is always this way. There’s nothing I can keep with me that will stay. It’s made me adaptable. I must always re-establish ties. I must tread carefully or give myself away. I must survive.
Mercy doesn’t realise it yet, but as she journeys into the darkest places of the human soul, she discovers that she is one of the celestial host exiled with fallen angel, Lucifer. Now she must atone for taking his side. To find her own way back to heaven, Mercy must help a series of humans in crisis and keep the unwary from getting caught up in the games that angels play. Ultimately she must choose between her immortal companion, Lucifer, and a human boy who risks everything for her love.
I am completely in love with this summary. Instead of all that he’s-obviously-perfect-he’s-an-angel business, Mercy’s “immortal companion” is Lucifer. Doesn’t that sound like the ultimate angsty romance? And then there is the whole human/angel species divide to overcome with her other suitor… I just really can’t wait for this one!
Monday Reading (July 5th, 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!
- Old Magic by Marianne Curley – I loved the first half, and only liked the second half. Alas, time-travel is really not my thing.
Currently Reading:
- Ill Wind by Rachel Caine – Really well written, but I can’t say I’m in love with these new characters. I am just reminding myself about how apathetic I was about the first book in the Morganville Vampires series – and how much I grew to love them in the rest of the series!
Review: Seven Sorcerers by Caro King
Seven Sorcerers by Caro KingSeries: Seven Sorcerers #1
Published by Simon and Schuster on 2012-05-01
Pages: 352
Genres: Middle Grade
Source: Purchased myself
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Rating:
The Bogeyman is all too real in this fantasy Publishers Weekly calls “energetic and absorbing.”Nin Redstone wakes up to discover that her brother has vanished—and she’s the only one who remembers him. But when Bogeyman Skerridge comes for her, too, Nin realizes the true danger her brother, Toby, is in. To save him, she and her new friend Jonas must travel to a mysterious and magical land called the Drift. Located just next to our world, the Drift is being slowly destroyed by a terrible plague. The Seven Sorcerers who ruled there might have been able to prevent the devastation, but even they have succumbed. In a race to rescue Toby and get home before the plague makes it impossible, can Nin and Jonas avoid the tombfolk, mud men, and various creatures who want to stop them? And what is the secret of the Seven Sorcerers?
Seven Sorcerers is that first real Middle-Grade novel I have read since, well, I was in middle grade. And I am so glad I got such an amazing reintroduction to the MG section of the bookstore! Seven Sorcerers is filled with rollicking adventure, humorous villains, entertaining sidekicks and some epic I’m-doing-this-out-of-love sacrifice. It kept me entertained for hours – and I was genuinely sad when it ended.
Seven Sorcerers takes a new spin on the magical and mystical. There are bogeymen and vampires, and all sorts of other nasties. Our little heroine, Nim, is spunky and full of character – even as her entire life is stolen from her, she still plucks up the courage to try to do something about it. OK, maybe she’s not your average 12-year-old, but with King? I totally bought it.
When I think about Seven Sorcerers, the only comparison I can come up with is Harry Potter. Now, I am a big HP fan – so a book has to be pretty brilliant for me to compare it to JK Rowling’s works! But both King and Rowling write first-and-foremost about a universe, and then the characters inside it. And like Rowling, I get the feeling that King knows every last inch of her verse.
I can’t wait to get started on the sequel Shadow Spell! Also, I wanted to give a shout-out to the artist for the novel. There are some gorgeous illustrations at the start of the book that really set the tone of the novel. Beautiful work!
Bottom line? This Middle Grade book is one for all ages. If you are looking for an adventurous novel you can’t put down, look no further!