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!

 

 

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Recent Reviews

Magic Burns by Ilona AndrewsAurelia by Anne OsterlundUprooted by Naomi NovikShadow Study by Maria V. SnyderThis Shattered World by Amie Kaufman, Meagan SpoonerUnited We Spy by Ally CarterAll Fall Down by Ally CarterEve and Adam by Katherine Applegate, Michael GrantHex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

Review: Betrayals by Lili St. Crow

Review: Betrayals by Lili St. CrowBetrayals by Lilith St. Crow
Series: Strange Angels #2
Published by Quercus Books, Razorbill
Pages: 308
Genres: Paranormal YA, Young Adult
Source: Purchased myself
Add to Goodreads
Rating:
Also in this series: Strange Angels

Poor Dru Anderson. Her parents are long gone, her best friend is a werewolf, and she’s just learned that the blood flowing through her veins isn’t entirely human. (So what else is new?)

Now Dru is stuck at a secret New England School for other teens like her, and there’s a big problem— she’s the only girl in the place. A school full of cute boys wouldn’t be so bad, but Dru’s killer instinct says that one of them wants her dead. And with all eyes on her, discovering a traitor within the Order could mean a lot more than social suicide. . .

Can Dru survive long enough to find out who has betrayed her trust — and maybe even her heart?

Thoughts: I have such mixed feelings about the Strange Angels series. Don’t get me wrong, I love the books. Dru is probably the most depressing teenager ever, but her stubbornness and strength are really inspiring. I love how she is still grieving her father’s death from the first book – and her mother’s death as a child. I love the universe, filled with werewolves, dhampirs and vampires constantly at each other’s throats.

St. Crow’s universe is violent and gothic, and utterly immersive. I read this book in a single day – I just couldn’t put it down.  We learn so much more about the dangers Dru is facing – from enemies she didn’t even know she had. We also find out a lot more about her troubling new powers, how Graves is dealing with his new transformation and we get a bit of Christophe’s fascinating background.

But I have some trouble with the love triangle. When it comes to the whole Graves/Dru/Christophe thing, I have a feeling that I’m on the losing side of the love triangle a.k.a. the “I don’t want to see Dru with either of them” side.

Okay, sure, if I had to choose: Team Christophe all the way. But that’s because I find him hot – seriously hot – and not because I think he is right for Dru. As for Graves, I really have trouble seeing him as anything more than just a friend. A totally awesome friend, but just a friend.

Unfortunately the non-epic romance and the shortage of Christophe meant Betrayals lost the edge that Strange Angels had. Nevertheless, I can’t wait to read Jealousy (which has an epically terrible cover) and hope to get some bloody answers in it!

Bottom line? Filled with supernatural violence, a grieving teen, and a serious ammount of political intrigue – Betrayals is a great book. And hopefully you’ll find yourself choosing sides in the romance – I’m sure the book is more enjoyable when you aren’t trying to fasten a chastity belt onto the heroine.

Waiting on Wednesday – The Spirit Thief by Rachel Aaron

“Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted over at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that are being eagerly anticipated.

The Spirit Thief (The Legend of Eli Monpress) by Rachel Aaron

Goodreads – October 1st 2010 by Orbit

Eli Monpress is talented. He’s charming. And he’s a thief.

But not just any thief. He’s the greatest thief of the age – and he’s also a wizard. And with the help of his partners – a swordsman with the most powerful magic sword in the world but no magical ability of his own, and a demonseed who can step through shadows and punch through walls – he’s going to put his plan into effect.

The first step is to increase the size of the bounty on his head, so he’ll need to steal some big things. But he’ll start small for now. He’ll just steal something that no one will miss – at least for a while.

Like a king.

Despite the not-so-hot cover, I am really looking forward to this book! Thievery, magic and a bit of political intrigue – sounds like exactly my kind of novel.

June 2010 Releases: Books I can’t wait to read!

It’s June!  Which means, besides the ludicrous heat and sticky hands on the tube, some of the books I’ve been lusting after are finally coming out.  There are a few more comprehensive lists out there.  Check out Tez Says for a list of June ReleasesAll Things Urban Fantasy for UF releases, and Fiendishly Bookish for a list of PNR/UF releases.But these six books are the ones I will definetaly be getting my hands on. All of them are from new – or new to me – authors that I am curious about.  Also, see the shift in YA themes?  Some how YA paranormal is no longer content with silly old vampires – it’s moving underwater and into the woods!

Sea by Heidi R. Kling (US/UK: June 10th)
Forgive my Fins by Tera Lynn Childs (US/UK: June 1st)
 
13 to Life by Shannon Delany (US: June 22nd UK: August)
Raised by Wolves by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (US: June 8th – UK: Sept. 2nd)
Shadow Bound by Erin Kellison (US: June 29th – UK: July 20th)
Everlasting by Angie Frazier (US/UK: June 1st)

What are you reading on Monday? – (May 31st, 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:

  • Graceling by Kristin Cashore – Really wonderful book!  Great for fans of Maria V. Snyder.  I’m just over half way through and already can’t wait to get my hands on Fire.
Finished this Week:
Reviews posted this week:
Up next on the TBR pile:

I also wanted to say thank you to all you DBD followers, the blog just got it’s 100th last night!  Thank you all for letting me indulge in my insanity.  ♥ ♥

In My Mailbox (May 30th, 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!

Since I missed out last week, my book stash is slightly larger this week… or maybe I have to just admit that I have failed my New Year’s resolution to be less impulsive with my book-buying madness!

I also got 3 more Richelle Mead novels. I think I am only missing one of the Succubus books and then I’ll have them all (GOD, I need more reading time!).  A disturbing amount of them are signed – five, or maybe six? – because my book stores seem to keep a stack of them in the back room.  Seriously, they never run out.  It’s bizarre.
  • Succubus Dreams by Richelle Mead (signed)
  • Succubus Shadows by Richelle Mead – Anyone else annoyed by how tall this book is?  It’s completely mismatched with the rest of the series!  *le sigh*
  • Spirit Bound by Richelle Mead
Anyhow, I was very happy with my books this week!  How about everyone else?  ♥