Review: Spell Bound by Rachel Hawkins

Title: Spell Bound
Author:: Rachel Hawkins
Genre: YA, Supernatural, Romance, Action, Adventure, 3rd in series
Star Rating: 5/5 stars

Taken from Goodreads, "Just as Sophie Mercer has come to accept her extraordinary magical powers as a demon, the Prodigium Council strips them away. Now Sophie is defenseless, alone, and at the mercy of her sworn enemies—the Brannicks, a family of warrior women who hunt down the Prodigium. Or at least that’s what Sophie thinks, until she makes a surprising discovery. The Brannicks know an epic war is coming, and they believe Sophie is the only one powerful enough to stop the world from ending. But without her magic, Sophie isn’t as confident. Sophie’s bound for one hell of a ride—can she get her powers back before it’s too late?"

'Spell Bound', the third and final book (?*) in the fantastic Hex Hall series, can best be described as a whirlwind.  After the crazy cliffhanger found in 'Demon Glass', should I have expected any less?  As expected, Rachel Hawkins has treated us yet again to another funny, engaging, entertaining romp into Sophie's crazy world.

While it isn't without flaws, I had a great time reading 'Spell Bound' and that to me is one of the most important things that can be said about reading.  Without going into plot details (b/c who am I to spoil it for you!), I can say that you won't be disappointed in terms of entertainment value!

I'm giving this book five stars, but want to point out one thing that 'felt funny' about 'Spell Bound'.  The main issue I had was that this story, 'Spell Bound',  felt more like the third book in a four book series instead of the last novel in a trilogy.  There was a big set up (ie: the last few pages of 'Demon Glass') to what should be a big bang conclusion.  When we finally get to that conclusion, however, it doesn't seem as climatic as it should.  Loose ends are tied up, but not in the big bang sort of way I expected based off the other two books in the series.

The plotting issue nonewithstanding, I enjoyed this book immensely.  I can definitely say that Sophie's story is one that will stick with me and will be a 'go to' series for those looking for good YA reads!  'Spell Bound' gets 5 out of 5 stars.

(On a sidenote, I must petition Rachel Hawkins to continue on with this world she's created.  I'd love more books in this series, even if they don't involve Sophie and her gang!)

*I don't ever really recall this series being toted as a 'trilogy', so I'm not sure if this is the end all/be all of the Hex Hall series.  I know the author mentioned something about 'ending Sophie's story', but there are still so many stories to tell!  For that reason, I have inserted the ?'s, because it just doesn't feel like the end just yet!

What are your thoughts on 'Spell Bound'?  Share them in the comments!  (Spoilers ARE allowed in the comments, so newbies, you have been warned!)

Review: Immortal War by Justin Somper

Title: Immortal War
Author: Justin Somper
Genre: Juvi, YA, sixth in series, action, adventure, romance, supernatural
Star Rating:  5/5 stars

Taken from Goodreads, "A bloody war is raging across the oceans, with the Pirate Federation and the Nocturnals allied against the renegade Vampirates led by Sidorio and a heavily pregnant Lady Lola. Meanwhile, Connor and Grace Tempest each have their own important roles to play- He as a pirate warrior at the heart of the battle, she as a powerful healer working with the war-wounded. As the twins face their greatest challenges yet, old allies and former foes return for the ultimate battle..."

I started this book with trepidation.  I loved the first five books in the 'Vampirates' series and knew full well that this was the last full length adventure I'd get to spend with Grace, Connor, Lorcan, and the rest of the Pirate and Vampirate crew.  Now that I've finished it, it is with a touch of sadness and a whole lotta love that I write this review.  I'm going to keep it short and sweet because I don't want to go into heavy spoiler territory by accident!  (It's just *that* good of a series!)

Justin Somper has crafted an epic finale to the series that started very simply with a book about two fouteen year old twins who were forced down two completely different paths.  'Immortal War' has everything-- action, romance, humor, and very readable battle scenes.  That last one is a huge thing for me-- I usually don't read books with heavy action scenes and if they're in a novel I'm reading, I usually just skim the passages.  I didn't do that with 'Immortal War'.  Better still, with so much happening to so many characters at one time, I still found it easy to understand what was going on where and to whom.

The big finale seemed a fitting send off to the characters I've grown to love.  Most loose ends are tied up.  Some are surprisingly left open making me wonder if we'll be seeing a few more novellas or even a companion series.  (Please, Mr. Somper!!!)  There are a ton of secondary characters who still have stories to tell and I, for one, would love to hear them (*cough*cowboy*cough*).

If you haven't read the 'Vampirates' series, go to your local library and tell the librarian you want to read 'Demons of the Ocean'.  You won't regret it.  And to those who have read the series and are putting this read off till 'next time', make 'next time' today.

I'm very happy I decided to follow Grace and Connor on their journey.  I have to laugh at myself-- I was hesitant to start this series back in the day.  'Vampire pirates? What are these authors going to think up next?', I said to myself.  But the beautiful cover and intriguing concept eventually won me over and the hardcovers now sit proudly on my bookshelf, ready for when I want to dive back into the lives of the Tempest twins.

'Immortal War' gets 5 stars and is available online and in stores.

Review: Rip Tide by Kat Falls

Title: Rip Tide
Author: Kat Falls
Genre: juvi, ya, dystopian, action, adventure, 2nd in series
Perfect for: those who read the original, 'Dark Life'
Star Rating: 4/5 Stars

Taken from Goodreads, "Return to the subsea frontier with Ty and Gemma! The mysteries of the deep are deadlier than ever when Ty'With time running out for his parents, Ty's desperation leads the two teenagers to the underwater underworld...and into an alliance with the outlaws of the Seablite Gang. But one mystery soon leads to another. How has an entire township disappered? Why is the local sealife suddenly so aggressive? And can the Seablite Gang be trusted...or are Ty and Gemma in deeper water than they realize?"


It's only been a few months since my last trip under the sea with Kat Falls and 'Dark Life' and, boy, am I happy I got to return so soon with 'Rip Tide'. 'Rip Tide' is a 'rip roaring adventure'! 


Just like the original, 'Rip Tide' starts with a bang.  Readers are thrust into an undersea adventure that doesn't let up.  The story is paced well and addictive in nature.  This book is truly one that will keep you reading hours on end.  Kat makes a smart decision with 'Rip Tide' and takes the story into a totally new setting.  Because of this choice, 'Rip Tide' is still a very fresh and almost standalone story.  I wouldn't read it before reading 'Dark Life', but it is nice that 'Rip Tide' has its own story, as opposed to just being a 'middle book'.


The banter between the two on again off again leads, Ty and Gemma,  is spot on and the secondary characters are interesting to read.  Gemma has some nice character development. I'm looking forward to seeing what might happen next in the series!


'Rip Tide' is an addictive, action, adventure set in a cool underwater world.  You won't regret reading this series!

Review: Dark Life by Kat Falls

Title: Dark Life 
Author: Kat Falls 
Genre: Juvi, YA, Dystopian, slight romance, action, adventure
Perfect for: readers across the board-- younger YA readers and older YA readers! (first book in series) 
Star Rating: 4/5 stars

Taken from Goodreads, "Dive deep into the vivid underwater world of Dark Life! The oceans rose, swallowing the lowlands. Earthquakes shattered the continents, toppling entire regions into the rising water. Now, humans live packed into stack cities. The only ones with any space of their own are those who live on the ocean floor: the Dark Life. Ty has spent his whole life living deep undersea. When outlaws attack his homestead, he finds himself in a fight to save the only home he has ever known. Joined by Gemma, a girl from Topside, Ty ventures into the frontier's rough underworld and discovers some dark secrets to Dark Life. Secrets that threaten to destroy everything." 


You know the awesome feeling you get when you pick up a book thinking you'll read it to kill a little time, only to then look up and see you've spent half the day sucked into a fantastically, addictive story? That was my experience with 'Dark Life' by Kat Falls. It was recommended that I take a look at the debut novel. I put it off, as juvi fiction is somewhat hit or miss for me and the cover wasn't as appetizing to my palette as I would have liked, but after reading it, I must say, 'Dark Life' rocked. 


As far as cons go, the few I found were pretty minuscule. While the dystopian world is described well, small details about the characters took a while to be mentioned. For example, I didn't know for sure how old the characters were until two-thirds of the way into 'Dark Life' when Ty mentioned how far he was away from getting his own bit of land. I had assumed that they were around 15 because of the voice, but it was a bit annoying not knowing! Another reader I spoke to was unsure of the gender of Ty, the main male character, until a few chapters in. Little details like gender and age can be forgotten so easily, so I understand, but it did bother me a bit! 


While this isn't all together a con, the ending of the novel did feel a bit rushed. I think that came from the fact that so much happened in 'Dark Life' that the slow down was bound to feel abrupt. The ending wasn't bad by any means, it was just quicker than I would have liked. 


Now, on to the good stuff-- and there was plenty! I loved the world Falls set up. It was one of the more unique dystopian worlds I've read. It seems that YA is full of novels set in underground tunnels or dark city streets, but I haven't read one set in an underwater environment like Falls created. She created a world that was simple to understand, but was pretty complex at the same time. 


The story played out like a movie, which might be the reason Disney picked up the film rights prior to the books release. 'Dark Life' is definitely a novel that can be described as an action/adventure. It didn't lag and just when you thought you'd figured something out, something new happened! The story should entertain middle grade readers, as well as older YA readers. 


For those romance readers, there was a very small bit of romance in the novel.  Most of the 'romantic' bits were very first love/school yard romance-esc.  The story was more concentrated on the action and the slight (very slight) bit of romance there was never crossed into 'teen only' territory!


The best thing about this novel? Even though it has a sequel, 'Rip Tide', it has a complete beginning, middle, and end. You're not left on a huge cliff hanger, like many series that have come out in the last year. It could have even been a standalone, if Falls had wanted it to be! 


If you haven't read 'Dark Life', I suggest giving it a try. I think you'll like it! Both 'Dark Life' and 'Rip Tide' are available everywhere books are sold!  'Dark Life' gets 4 out of 5 stars!

Review: Steel by Carrie Vaughn

Title: Steel
Author: Carrie Vaughn
Genre: YA, Juvi, fantasy, action, adventure, coming of age with a twinge of romance
Perfect for: both younger and older readers who are in need of a welcome stand-alone novel
Star Rating: 4/5 stars

Taken from 'Goodreads', "Sixteen-year-old Jill has fought in dozens of fencing tournaments, but she has never held a sharpened blade. When she finds a corroded sword piece on a Caribbean beach, she is instantly intrigued and pockets it as her own personal treasure.

The broken tip holds secrets, though, and it transports Jill through time to the deck of a pirate ship. Stranded in the past and surrounded by strangers, she is forced to sign on as crew. But a pirate's life is bloody and brief, and as Jill learns about the dark magic that brought her there, she forms a desperate scheme to get home—one that risks everything in a duel to the death with a villainous pirate captain."


'Steel' is a little under rated. Stand-alone's are so rare now a days that 'Steel' was a bit of fresh air! It is hard to classify 'Steel'. On one hand, it was great fun reading it, but on the other, I don't feel that I'll need to read it again. The best way to describe this novel? Beach reading! At 304 pages, it's a quick read, perfect for when you need a read that will kill time on a lazy day. Even better, as a stand-alone, you won't find it ending in the middle of any angsty action sequence, but on a very complete note that will leave you (or at least it left me) feeling satisfied!


'Steel's pirate storyline was surprisingly easy to jump into and this is coming from a girl whose only history with pirate novels is 'Vampirates'. Don't expect this to read like a dark dystopian or angsty supernatural read because it won't. 'Steel' definitely falls into the 'light/action/adventure/coming of age' category. The romance is that of young love and is present, but the heart of the story comes from the coming of age elements.  Because of that, this read is suitable for both young and old YA readers.


Why should you read 'Steel'? All in all, Vaughn has crafted an easy to read, entertaining story. I love the sword play elements, as well as the characters. 'Steel' is something you'll want to check out at your local library.  'Steel' gets 4 out of 5 stars.

Review: Veiled Innocence by Krystle Jones

Title: Veiled Innocence
Author: Krystle Jones
Genre: YA, ebook, fantasy, adventure, action, romance
Format: Ebook
Perfect for: those who are in need of a bit of fantasy/adventure
Star Rating: 4/5 Stars

Taken from Goodreads, "Vishka should have died the night her empire fell. Alone and desperate, she makes a pact with a beautiful stranger for the power to avenge her people. But every bargain has its price…

Lianora never placed much stock in the gods; she especially never believed the Accalian lore that spoke of a lost ancient magic, a magic woven from the fabric of people’s souls. So when she discovers the teardrop necklace, she thinks it to be nothing special – until the visions begin, glimpses of a legendary empress’s past and the approach of a great evil. One that may be far closer than she realizes.

What Rowan wants more than anything is freedom. More by force than choice, he serves the crumbling gothic metropolis of Accalia as Black Knight, charged with the protection of the city. When a vicious murder occurs in the dead of night, he never dreams the beautiful woman with dark eyes and flowing, black hair could be a prime suspect. A woman who hasn’t aged for over one thousand years, driven to Accalia in pursuit of an avenging god of death bent on rebuilding his usurped kingdom with the souls of the living.

When Accalia falls prey to a devastating attack, the three unwilling allies are forced together. Now they must figure out how to kill a god. But how do you kill the embodiment of Death?"


There are some ebooks that you read and say, why didn't a publishing house pick this up? For me, 'Veiled Innocence' is one of those books. Krystle Jones has crafted a story full of likable characters, an innovative fantasy world filled with magic, and just the right amount of action to keep everything moving.


There are many characters in this novel. I have to admit that in the beginning, I couldn't see how all of the characters lives would intertwine, but once they did, I was hooked and quite enjoyed watching their relationships grow. Author Krystle Jones spent a lot of time developing her characters, even those that we lost surprisingly early in the book.  I wish we had seen more of certain characters, but with so many introductions to be made, I'm sure Jones was just saving things for the sequel.


I love fantastical worlds, but some are hard to get into, hard to understand. 'Veiled Innocence' had a world that never felt overwhelming and the introduction to the world flowed well. Even the folklore in the story was easy to grasp.


There was an ease to the writing that I liked and found very addictive. A rarity in my experience with ebooks, I found myself not wanting to put this down for the evening and waking up looking forward to continuing the story.


If you are looking for an affordable fantasy/action/romance adventure, 'Veiled Innocence' may be what you need. It's available to purchase via 'Smashwords' for a great price. This is a diamond in the ruff and something you should check out if you e-read'.  (Soon to be available as a paperback via Amazon.)

Review: Radiance by Alyson Noel

Title: Radiance
Author: Alyson Noel
Genre: YA, Juvi, Supernatural, Action, Adventure
Perfect for: those looking for a short read with some sarcastic bite
Star Rating: 4/5 stars

Taken from Goodreads, "Riley has crossed the bridge into the afterlife—a place called Here, where time is always Now. She has picked up life where she left off when she was alive, living with her parents and dog in a nice house in a nice neighborhood. When she’s summoned before The Council, she learns that the afterlife isn’t just an eternity of leisure. She’s been assigned a job, Soul Catcher, and a teacher, Bodhi, a possibly cute, seemingly nerdy boy who’s definitely hiding something. They return to earth together for Riley’s first assignment, a Radiant Boy who’s been haunting a castle in England for centuries. Many Soul Catchers have tried to get him to cross the bridge and failed. But all of that was before he met Riley..."


'Radiance' by Alyson Noel is the beginning of what will be a series starring Riley, a 12 year old ghost. You may remember Riley in Noel's 'Evermore' series. All in all, 'Radiance' was a fun read. At 183 pages, this is also a very quick read. Plot points are laced together well and rapidly. The characters are likable and a bit mysterious, at least in the case of Riley's guide in all things spirit catching, Bodie.


Noel has a unique take on the afterlife and Riley's voice is engaging. She sounds like a twelve year old, albeit a sarcastic twelve year old. I like the character of Bodie. He could really be interesting. 'Radiance' introduces readers to the character, but I'm sure there's a lot more going on with him than meets the eye.


For those listening to the audio version of this, a few words. The voices are done by one women. She embody's the voice of a twelve year old well, but personally, I think I prefer reading the book to listening to the CD's.


If you're looking for a quick read perfect for a pre-teen and up audience, this this is it. 'Radiance' gets 4 out of 5 stars.

Review: The Emerald Atlas by John Stephens

Title: The Emerald Atlas
Author: John Stephens
Genre: Juvi, fantasy, adventure, friendship
Perfect for: Middle school kids who like long fantasy tales
Star Rating: 4/5 stars

Taken from Goodreads, "Kate, Michael, and Emma have been in one orphanage after another for the last ten years, passed along like lost baggage. Yet these unwanted children are more remarkable than they could possibly imagine. Ripped from their parents as babies, they are being protected from a horrible evil of devastating power, an evil they know nothing about.


Until now. Before long, Kate, Michael, and Emma are on a journey to dangerous and secret corners of the world...a journey of allies and enemies, of magic and mayhem. And—if an ancient prophesy is correct—what they do can change history, and it is up to them to set things right."


'The Emerald Atlas' by John Stephens is a fun fantasy adventure that is sure to please readers of Cornelia Funke's 'Inkheart' series, as well as fans of Lemony Snicket's 'Series of Unfortunate Events'. 'The Emerald Atlas' has a great cast of characters and some really great dialogue. And the funny thing? This juvi friendly story was dreamed up by someone who usually works on WB shows like Gilmore Girls or Gossip Girl!


I've found that in-between YA reads, it's always nice to delve into a good juvi fantasy adventure. If you're in need of a Juvi fix, this book just might be what you're looking for. The standout feature of this novel, which is the first in a trilogy, has to be the characters.


We've seen plenty of books that star orphan children, but this set of kids seemed a little different. I found all three siblings unique, likable, and, actually, quite real.  My favorite character of the three is Emma.  She's the youngest of the trio.  She's a tough, spicy girl who you don't want to mess with.  Middle brother, Michael, is obsessed with knowledge, especially that on fantastical things.  And then there is big sister Kate, who at a very young age was entrusted by her mother to keep her siblings safe.  Each child has their own journey to take and that is one thing I really liked about this story.  Because each character had their own thing going on, we got to see a bit of development in each of them, not just one.


This book has some great dialogue.  The lines are fun and have a life of their own.  Stephens did a wonderful job at inserting a touch of everyday humor into his dialogue and story.  One running gag in particular made me laugh out-loud (note to future time travelers-- you may need to explain who you are to the same person a lot depending on the timeline!)


The only thing that bugged me a bit in 'The Emerald Atlas' was that the descriptions were a bit blocky.  That's a big pet peeve of mine because I don't do well with long involved paragraphs about things.  I like them to be broken up with dialogue.  Many time Stephens would use a line of description (instead of dialogue) to describe what people were discussing.  I would have loved for him to just show us, as opposed to telling us what was happening.  Plus, then it would have cut down the page count a bit-- this is quite a long read!


Other than that minor issue, I enjoyed 'The Emerald Atlas'.  No spoilers, but the ending had me grinning from ear to ear.  It was very well done! 'The Emerald Atlas' is a fun, fantasy read that should catch young readers interest quickly and even some older readers (like me!).  I'm looking forward to the next installment of this series!

Review: Tomorrow's Guardian by Richard Denning

Title: Tomorrow's Guardian

Author: Richard Denning

Genre: Juvi, Sci-fi, Action, Adventure

Perfect for: reluctant readers who love time travel tales mixed with a bit of history

Star Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Taken from Goodreads, "When schoolboy Tom Oakley discovers he can transport himself through time, he draws the attention of evil men who seek to bend history to their will. 'Tomorrow's Guardian' is the 1st book of the Hourglass Institute Series. It is a Young Adult Science Fiction adventure."

I have a soft spot for time travel stories. There's just something about them that I've always enjoyed, whether it be traveling through flumes with Bobby Pendragon or traveling through time and space in a TARDIS, I've just always liked them. That being said, I enjoyed reading 'Tomorrow's Guardian' by Richard Denning. It has a good mix of adventure, history, and comradery and should catch the eye of the pickiest readers-- young, pre-teen boys-- while still being a fun read for other sci-fi buffs.

If you're a stickler about writing styles, then I have to warn you. While Denning is a fine writer, it gets a bit 'blocky' in places. For example, there are certain pages that are filled with monologues of text or that have a great deal of description that we really don't need as readers. 


Aside from that minor issue, however, his dialogue was spot on. There are a handful of instances where you will find yourself laughing or at least smirking at the characters interaction, especially when it comes to my personal favorite character- Septimus Mason.

Speaking of Septimus, it's hard to believe that characters so drastically different could work so well together on paper, but they do! Denning has a wide range of ages spread throughout his novel. For example, main character Tom is an 11 year old English boy who wants nothing more than to be normal. Septimus Mason, the Han Solo of the novel, is a quick witted Welshman in his mid twenties (and my favorite character).  Then we have the three heroes taken out of their time, two military men who fought in very different wars and a maid who started a great historical fire. Their ages vary, but even so, they all get along so well on paper! I don't remember a scene where it seemed odd that 11 year old Thomas was hanging around with people who were far older than him. Of course, this could have to do with the fact that Thomas reads older than he is and as he learns more about his destiny, he steps up and takes the lead.

One thing I have to point out is that this novel is written by a European author.  There are some terms and phrases that those outside of Europe may not understand.  If you are like me and watch a lot of BBC shows, then these references shouldn't phase you.  Younger readers or those who don't partake in the fantastic entertainment coming from the BBC might want to keep Google handy for some terms that pop up in this novel.

As opposed to time traveling through made up worlds, the majority of the time travel that takes place in 'Tomorrow's Guardian' is done to historical venues. We see a battle between the Brits and the Zulu's, a sea battle set during World War II, and even the great London fire. I enjoyed the variety of the various historical locations, even if I didn't know a lot about some of the battles witnessed by Thomas and the gang.  Where will Thomas go in future books? We can only imagine!

'Tomorrow's Guardian' is best suited to a reader looking for an action packed time travel adventure. It's not something I'd recommend to older teens unless they are into sci-fi or time travel, but if you're looking for a good read for a pre-teen or tween-- keep this in mind!  The action elements are attention grabbing, the characters are people I'd love to be friends with, and overall, this time travel romp is just plain fun to read!  This book gets 3.5 out of 5 stars from me!

You can grab a copy of 'Tomorrow's Guardian' on Amazon.com.  And don't forget to check out the author interview and fantasy cast posts for this book!  

Review: The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa

Title: The Iron Queen
Author: Julie Kagawa
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Romance, Action, Adventure
Perfect for: Readers who read the original two novels! Not something you want to jump into!
Release Date: February 2011
Star Rating: 3/5 Stars


Taken from Goodreads, "My name is Meghan Chase.  I thought it was over. That my time with the fey, the impossible choices I had to make, the sacrifices of those I loved, was behind me. But a storm is approaching, an army of Iron fey that will drag me back, kicking and screaming. Drag me away from the banished prince who's sworn to stand by my side. Drag me into the core of conflict so powerful, I'm not sure anyone can survive it. This time, there will be no turning back."


I'm going to keep this review short and sweet due to the fact that this series is so very popular and I don't want to accidentally spoil anything before the official release of 'The Iron Queen'. Now, on to the review...


I've made it known from previous reviews on this series that I'm not as crazy about it as the masses. I've enjoyed the previous books in the Iron Fey series, but neither one has grabbed me in the same sense it seems to have grabbed everyone else. Unfortunately, 'The Iron Queen' let me down more so than the other two... It holds some great moments-- some of the best in the series, but I felt as though I was pushing myself through 90% of the novel... What went wrong with this novel? I put blame on two things, mainly the predictable nature of the series in general and the romance suffering from what TV folks call 'Moonlighting syndrome'.


Starting with the latter, I feel like the romance progressed far too quickly in the second installment and in 'The Iron Queen', honestly, any tension the love triangle had is gone. The intrigue of who she really likes or if she'll ever really like Puck might be hinted at, but is never believable. (On a side note, 'Moonlighting Syndrome' comes from an old 80's tv show called Moonlighting that was driven by the characters love/hate relationship. Once the characters fell in love for good, the show's unique quality and sense of intrigue was gone and it was quickly cancelled.) I don't want to go into this more just yet due to the fact that the book isn't released yet, but those looking for the love triangle to get a bit more even, don't expect it to happen.


The other downfall? The fact that I could have predicted most of the plot elements in 'The Iron Queen'. Nothing is wrong with a little predictability, but it was just too much for me when it came to this novel. As readers, a key ingredient to getting sucked into a novel is the sense of adventure that the characters bring to the story and already knowing what they'll do didn't help me get dragged into the story at all. I felt like I was really pushing through it. It was unlike my reading experiences with the first two books.


Earlier in my review, I mentioned that we see the best and the worst of the series in this novel... Well, onto the best, I really loved the last 30 pages. They were everything I wanted in the novel. The intrigue was there, as well as some fantastic character development. If only the entire novel had read like that! After days of thinking, why am I reading this and should I really continue this, the last 30 pages sold me on adding Kagawa's next book in this series to my 'to read' list. Again, I won't go into spoiler territory, so I'm going to keep specifics close at the moment, but this ending blew me a way.


I'm sure I'll be in the minority on this novel. Most will probably love it to no end, which I totally understand. (I love 'Fallen', but understand how others may not see it as I do!) It shall be interesting to see the reception this novel gets when it comes out... I'll be keeping my eye out! 'The Iron Queen' gets 3 out of 5 stars from me and will hit store shelves February 2011!

Review: The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa

Title: The Iron Daughter
Author: Julie Kagawa
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Romance, Action, Adventure
Perfect for: Those who have read the first novel in the series
Star Rating: 3/5 Stars

Taken from Goodreads, "Half Summer faery princess, half human, Meghan has never fit in anywhere. Deserted by the Winter prince she thought loved her, she is prisoner to the Winter faery queen. As war looms between Summer and Winter, Meghan knows that the real danger comes from the Iron fey—ironbound faeries that only she and her absent prince have seen. But no one believes her. Worse, Meghan's own fey powers have been cut off. She's stuck in Faery with only her wits for help. Trusting anyone would be foolish. Trusting a seeming traitor could be deadly. But even as she grows a backbone of iron, Meghan can't help but hear the whispers of longing in her all-too-human heart."


Recently, I reviewed 'The Iron King', the first book in the Iron Fey trilogy. 'The Iron Daughter' is the sophomore effort in the series. It starts off shortly after 'The Iron King' ended and is pretty heavy with Meghan/Ash scenes. Puck has his moments in the story, but I felt he was shunned a bit in this one.


Starting out with the negatives, I felt that Meghan really should have picked up on certain things quicker than she did. For example, she knows Ash will have to play a certain roll in front of his family, friends, and followers, yet Meghan totally falls hook line and sinker for his act. Also, you'd think Meghan would understand a bit more about life in the Unseelie Court after living in it for a while, but even after she's been there for a while, she still seems to get caught in dangerous situations. It's called street smarts, Meghan!!!


The biggest thing that irked me with this novel? While I adore Ash and think he and Meghan are a cute couple, it almost seems like their relationship is happening too quickly. What does Meghan really know about Ash and vice versa? I love the idea about them being together, but would have loved to see their relationship develop over a book or two, as opposed to the whirlwind romance we get in this book and its predecessor.


Positives? The light feel is back again and welcome (even with Meghan worrying all the time about things that she really doesn't need to). Quirky dialog runs through-out the novel, which is always a nice touch! I loved the Exile Court storyline, as well as the real world adventure the troupe faces.


The best things about 'The Iron Daughter'? Iron Horse and Grim. (Puck, too!) They make this novel. At first Iron Horse's incessant ALL CAPS text bugged the heck out of me, but after a short while, as I saw his character grow, I grew to really enjoy his scenes. Along the same lines, Grim was as charming as ever this novel. He's a huge part of why I like this Iron Fey series. And Puck? Well, he's his witty self in this novel. Thank goodness. He helps to lighten the mood when lovebirds Meghan and Ash are lamenting about their various positions.


For those who liked the first book, I think you'll want to read 'The Iron Daughter'. It's a solid read, even with the annoying bits. 'The Iron Daughter' gets 3 stars.  Pick it up at your local bookstore today!

Review: The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

Title: The Iron King
Author: Julie Kagawa
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Romance, Action, Adventure
Perfect for: Readers who are looking for a light fairy tale
Star Rating: 3/5

Taken from Goodreads, "Meghan Chase has a secret destiny—one she could never have imagined…

Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan's life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school…or at home.

When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she's known is about to change.

But she could never have guessed the truth—that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she'll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil no faery creature dare face… and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart."


I had the great honor of winning this book from a fellow blogger. I went into this book with high expectations because of the fan base it has. While this book didn't let me down per se, it didn't live up to expectations.


'The Iron King' is a fun read. Simple as that.  It's lighter than the typical fey stories that have been out in past years (ie: 'Replacement', 'Tithe'). Funny, the book I can most easily compare it to is 'Twilight'. It had that same sort of feel. The story flow is very light, jovial-- even in times when the characters are in mortal danger. I'm not saying this is a bad thing, just different from what I expected.


The romance is cute, even if it's totally predictable. At this point, I've gotten used to having instantaneous romances in my YA fantasy reads and 'The Iron King' is no exception to this trend. The romantic ties between the characters are formed fast. Thankfully, even with those quick love ties, main character Meghan doesn't fall into the trap that other YA heroines fall into. She keeps her cool and direction, even as she begins falling in love with a certain character. She keeps her eye on the mission at hand, while occasionally oogling the males in her party.  (The end has a bit more of oogling, but I can forgive that!)


Pushing the storyline aside, I do enjoy the characters in this series. They all have at least one attribute that I latched onto. Puck, for example, has some great sarcastic lines that verge on snarky. Ash and his incessant need to battle Puck was entertaining, because you know neither one really means to do anything other but injure eachother.   (It helps that he actually does come off as pretty darn hot on paper!)  Meghan's 'go with the flow' attitude about her being part fey was refreshing. And Grim, well, I adore Grim. His Cheshire nature made me adore him instantly. He's the character I wonder about-- what are his intentions and what deals might he be calling in in future novels?


'The Iron King' is one of those reads that you should look at. It is a light story that sucked me in without me even knowing it.  One of those reads where you'll find yourself rooting for the characters and even feeling bad for some of them!


This book gets 3/5 stars from me.  I had to take off a few stars because I felt it was a bit over hyped. Still good, but just not as fantastic as expected.  'The Iron King' is on bookshelves online and in stores now. Take a peek!

Quick Reviews: Various Titles

Some books need long, over done reviews.  Some need short.  These few need short, quick review!

Title: I Am Number Four
Author: Pittacus Lore
Genre: YA, Juvi, Action, Adventure,
Star Rating: 3/5

I think this book was a little over hyped. It reminded me a bit of James Patterson's 'Maximum Ride' series. Lots of action. I like the idea of aliens hiding out on earth with the whole number system, but it wasn't my favorite book. That being said, typically, action titles aren't my favorite titles... I am looking forward to the movie, though.

Title: The Limit
Author Kristen Landon
Genre: Juvi, technology, mystery
Star Rating: 3/5

What a bizarre world. The concept is great and the story is executed well. 'The Limit' is a very quick, simple read. Perfect for the juvi set (especially boys) more so than the YA set.







Title: Dead Beautiful
Author:Yvonne Woon
Genre: YA, Supernatural, Romance, High School
Star Rating: 4/5

I'm a sucker for YA that takes place an unusual academy (think Harry Potter or Knightly Academy sorts of schools). Ignore the cover. 'Dead Beautiful' is a fun read. I quite enjoyed it. The two leads were great, especially bad boy Dante. I recommend taking a peek at this title, though warn you, you might have a few questions towards the end!!!

Title: Infinite Days
Author: Rebecca Maize
Genre: YA, Supernatural, Romance
Star Rating: 3/5

Highly recommended from a friend of mine, I did enjoy this book. I had to mark a few stars off just because the writing (which is executed quite well) took a while to get into. I always felt a bit disconnected to the story. The romance was a bit generic, but the lead character makes up for it. Word to the wise-- if you want the ending to mean anything, don't read the excerpt from the next book directly after. Wait a day or two.  That is my advice to you.

Review: Tigers Curse by Colleen Houck

Title: Tigers Curse
Author: Colleen Houck
Genre: YA, Supernatural, Action, Romance
Perfect for: romantics (who don't mind minor writing issues)
Format: ARC
Release Date: January 2011
Star Rating: 4/5

Kelsey is done with high school and on her own, well sort of. Her job at assisting the Tiger trainer at the circus parked in town has her pretty busy. Strange things begin to happen when she feels drawn to Ren, the Tiger she takes care of. When rich Mr. Kadam offers her a job in taking Ren to a preserve in India, she can't refuse.

Trouble is, Ren isn't just a Tiger. At least, not all the time. As it turns out, he's also a 300 year old Indian prince who was cursed by an evil man in hopes of de-throning him. As Ren and Kelsey try to break the curse that binds him, they feel more and more drawn to each other until they break.

If this sounds familiar, it might be because you've already read it. This book was available as an ebook last year for Kindles, as well as it's sequel. I, sadly, just found this via ARC and now cannot hunt down a copy of said sequel to save my life! And yes, I really want to continue this saga.

The story is pretty original. I mean, how many YA titles take place in India? And star an Indian prince who is cursed to play Tiger almost 23 and a 1/2 hours a day? Not too many. It's a nice change from Vampires, Werewolves, and that whole lot.

The writing has some problems. We are 'told' a lot, as opposed to learning it on our own. There are some big blocky paragraphs of texts that are just never fun. There's also a bit of redundancy sometimes, but the overall story and characters cover for the lack of refinement.

The characters are likable and you really do start rooting for them as you read on in 'Tigers Curse'. The romance between Ren and Kelsey is actually quite cute and (somewhat) more realistic than other supernatural YA novels. (My only complaint about the characters is that I really hate the nickname 'Kells' and the name 'Kelsey' in general, but that's just me. :p)

'Tigers Curse' is one of those reads that grabbed me without me even knowing. I found it hard to put down and I looked for info on a sequel almost immediately after finishing. All signs point to this being a fantastic series and I'm really looking forward to taking the journey with Ren and Kelsey.

I recommend you take a peek at 'Tigers Curse'!

Review: City of Ships by Mary Hoffman

Title: City of Ships, Stravaganza #5
Author: Mary Hoffman
Genre: YA, fantasy, slight romance, adventure
Perfect for: young and old YA readers who have read the past books in this series

Isabel always feels like the runner up when it comes to her and her brother. She's not as smart, athletic, or popular as him. When she falls asleep with mosaic tiles she found in an italian style bag at school and suddenly wakes up in Classe, a Talian town, all that changes. Classe is in danger of being attacked and it seems Isabel is the only one who can save them.

You know those books that stay with you, even when you've closed them for the night? 'City of Ships' by Mary Hoffman is a perfect example of a book that does just that. 'City of Ships' is written drastically different from the other books in the Stravaganza series.

With the number of London based Stravaganti growing, the story is based as equally in Talia as it is the real world. This change, while startling at first, made for an interesting look at the current Stravaganti in London. I couldn't imagine having the power to go from Talia each night and not have it effect regular, daily life. It was nice to see the relationships between those who have traveled to Talia and how those travelers related to those who haven't traveled to Talia. And, I have to say, I always get a kick out of when the old Stavaganti figure out who the 'current' one is (in this case Isabel), leaving the 'current' Stravaganti to figure out why they're so interesting all of a sudden. It still makes me smile. And that little bit of romance between Isabel and another Stravaganti? Loved it.

Isabel wasn't annoying. Quite the opposite, I liked her perspective. She could have come off as whiny, as characters usually do when jealous of a sibling, but she doesn't. She has quite a grown up air to herself, actually.

As always, the characters in Talia are fantastic. Flavia and her son, the rogue pirate Andrea, were engaging characters. I almost suspected some sort of romantic storyline between Isabel and Andrea, but we'll see what happens with that in future books. (Though I doubt anything will now!)

I found the story to be a little less focused on Isabel's 'issue at hand', in this case her feeling second fiddle to her twin brother, but still enjoyed the storyline for this fifth installment of the Stravaganza series. The role her brother did end up playing in the story was unexpected and very different from something typically found in this series. I did find some odd loose ends in this novel. I'd like to see what comes of Flavia's son and Isabeb's pirate friend Andrea. And also, the biggest question on my mind after finishing: what did Luciano's mother want to tell her son? It's probably nothing big or surprising, but I want to know! Seriously, I'm waiting for the day when the Mulholland's travel to Talia to see him, to perhaps see a wedding or at least meet Arianna.

I really enjoyed 'City of Ships'. I loved the friendships, the hints of romance, and Talia in general. This series as a whole is one of those that everyone should read. So, if you haven't picked up this series yet, check it out!!!

'City of Ships' is on store shelves now and available at your favorite online bookshops!

Review: Knightley Academy by Violet Haberdasher

Title: Knightley Academy
Author: Violet Haberdasher
Genre: Juvi, Younger YA readers, fantasy, steampunk, adventure, friendship
Perfect for: those who enjoy the 'Harry Potter' or 'Vampirates' series

Henry Grim is an orphan who for most of his thirteen years has worked as a servant at the local boarding school.  When a loop hole in the system allows Henry and other commoners to take the exam to gain acceptance into the posh and highly exclusive Knightley Academy, Henry does everything he can to pass the test and, to his great surprise, is chosen above all other test takers to attend!

School life isn't all that is cracked up to be, even in a school where 'chivalry' is the basic code, as he and his roommates, fellow outcasts Adam and Rohan, learn that someone is sabotaging their chances of staying at Knightley Academy.  With the help of the headmasters daughter Frankie, Henry, Adam, and Rohan must find out who wants them out before they really are expelled.

The first thing that grabbed me about 'Knightley Academy' was the title.  It's just a great title.  Along with that, the cover is nicely put together and should attract attention.  It caught mine pretty much instantly.  While the page count looks a bit hefty, don't worry.  The text is large and the story moves along in such a way you won't notice anything but the story.

Author Violet Haberdasher has put together a story that should attract anyone who enjoyed Harry Potter.  The style is similar in the fact that this is a fun read about friendship and confidence and is filled with so many possibilities for future storylines.  By no means is this book a stand alone novel.  There will be sequels-- sequels that I am very much looking forward to reading.

The characters are fantastic.  We have Henry, the main character, who is confident and bright, but  has drawn the short end of the straw when it comes to lineage.  A common boy, he is the character that keeps us, the readers, from being confused about this new world.  His voice is easy to read and he's just an overall great character.

Along with Henry, we have Rohan, Adam, and Frankie.  Rohan comes from a proper family, but as he is biologically the son of a dark skinned servant, he is shunned due to his color.  Rohan is the logical one of the group.  Adam, son of a banker, is Jewish and brings a fantastic sense of humor to the tale.  Frankie, daughter of the headmaster, wants to learn many things-- far more than the stitchery and languages her grandmother deems appropriate for girls.

These four heroes make for fantastic friends and a fantastic story that has some steampunk influences and lots of adventure.  While the main storyline in this novel has an ending, it is definitely apparent that this is the beginning of a great series.

If you are or know a Harry Potter or Vampirates fan looking for something new, this is it.  It's fun, adventurous, quirky, and humorous.  Highly recommended!  'Knightly Academy' is available now from your local bookstore and online!

Review: Strange Angels by Lili St. Crow

Title: Strange Angels
Author: Lili St.Crow
Format: ARC
Genre: YA, supernatural, action
Perfect for: Fans of supernatural adventures

Dru’s life wasn’t normal, she knew that. Traveling around with her father and taking care of herself when her father was hunting creatures that most believed to not exist was just how it was since the disappearance of her mother years ago. When Dru’s father goes missing on a hunt, Dru finds herself running from werewulfs, zombies, and other fabled creatures. Along for the ride is Graves, an awkward high school boy who befriends Dru just as these events start, and Crisophe, a mysterious boy who is convinced Dru is much more than a normal girl.

While I can’t say I devoured Strange Angels, I do recommend this book. It has all the elements a good intro novel should have. Strange Angels is very action packed and reads much like a Supernatural episode. Romance is not the main concern throughout this novel but is hinted at. I’m sure as the characters get closer to each other, we’ll see much more in that department.

Strange Angels is the beginning of a series. Strange Angels and it’s sequel, Betrayal, are on bookstore shelves now.

For the visual, here's the official book trailer for Strange Angels:

Review: Witch & Wizard by James Patterson and Gabrielle Charbonnet

Title: Witch & Wizard
Author: James Patterson, Gabrielle Charbonnet
Format: ARC
Genre: Fantasy, Scifi, Adventure
Perfect for: Fans of Maximum Ride

After siblings Whit and Wisty wake up to armed soldiers breaking down their door, they find themselves on a ride that will change their lives forever and possibly one that might change the world. Told from both Whit and Wisty's point of view, Witch & Wizard follows the two as they discover powers within them that they never knew existed, all while trying to survive the all-powerful 'One That Is The One' that seems to want them out of the picture permanently.

When I write anything, I tend to toss the reader into a situation they know nothing about to grab their attention. Patterson and Charbonnet take that idea to a whole new level with 'Witch & Wizard'. From page one, we find ourselves in the middle of events we don't understand. Essentially, we are as clueless as the main characters, learning the ins and outs of this foreign world just as they do. The style drew me in automatically and made this a roller coaster of a read. Much like Pattersons Maximum Ride series, the chapters are short, making it easy to step away for short breaks.

While I enjoyed the story of Whit and Wisty, I did have one problem with 'Witch & Wizard'. While action is great, I would have loved some back story to go off of while reading. Since this is the first in what looks to be a series, I'm sure we'll get more of it later, but it would have been nice if the reader wasn't left in the dark about everything till the final few chapters.

While I'm not over the moon about this fantasy adventure, I think it's worth checking out if you like action packed titles like 'Maximum Ride' or 'Among the Hidden'. 'Witch & Wizard' will keep you on you on your toes, I'm sure!

Review: Graceling by Kristin Cashore

Title: Graceling
Author: Kristin Cashore
Format: Hardcover
Genre: YA/Fantasy/Girl Power/Adventure/Romance
Perfect For: Those suffering the 'Post Twilight Blues'

Graceling, written by a debut author, was a page-turner. Katsa, the niece of one of the Seven Kingdoms, has been Graced with the ability to fight, wound, or kill anyone in any element. It is a Grace her uncle takes full advantage of. When a prince from another kingdom enters Katsa's life making her wonder if there could be more to her life than being the kings thug, everything changes and loads of action, adventure, romance, and girl power ensue.

Graceling had me hooked from start to finish. The world in which the characters live is unique and written so the reader doesn't feel overwhelmed by the universe the author created. The characters are likable and engaging. Cashore did a great job weaving all the elements together, making the transitions between fighting scenes to romantic scenes believable.

A quick word of warning--This is a YA book and does contain some parts that are more suitable for older teens than pre or young teens. The romantic scenes that take place in this book are not vulgar or crude in any way and are probably more innocent than you'd find in current popular teen fiction.

Overall, I really liked Graceling and recommend it to both teens and adults.