Home / 5 stars
Showing posts with label 5 stars. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 5 stars. Show all posts

Sunday, April 2, 2017

Review: Avenged by Amy Tintera

Review: Avenged by Amy Tintera


Avenged by Amy Tintera
Book Two of the Ruined series
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication Date: May 2, 2017
Rating: 5 stars
Source: eARC from Edelweiss

Summary (from Goodreads):

In the sequel to Ruined, the romance of The Selection and the epic stakes of Red Queen come together in a story of revenge, adventure, and unexpected love.

Emelina Flores has come home to Ruina. After rescuing her sister Olivia from imprisonment in rival kingdom Lera, Em and Olivia together vow to rebuild Ruina to its former glory. 

But their fight has only begun. Olivia is determined to destroy everyone who acts against Ruina, but Em isn’t as sure. Ever since Em posed as Prince Casimir’s betrothed in Lera, she’s started to see another side to this war. And now that Cas has taken the throne, Em believes a truce is within reach. But Olivia suspects that Em’s romantic feelings for Cas are just coloring her judgement.

Em is determined to bring peace to her home. But when winning the war could mean betraying her family, Em faces an impossible choice between loyalty and love. Em must stay one step ahead of her enemies—and her blood—before she’s the next victim in this battle for sovereignty.

What I Liked:

I thought Ruined was great, but Avenged? Probably even better. I really didn't think I would like this book better than Ruined (mostly because I loved Ruined, but also because YA sequels tend to tank). I was pleasantly surprised! This sequel had no trace of sequel slump!

Also? Ignore those comparisons (The Selection, Red Queen). Both of those series are not really comparable to this series. And the romance in this series isn't as messy and as confusing as the romances in those two series.

Before I begin my review, everyone should check out my emoji review on Twitter! I did one for Ruined in March 2016, and there's my one for Avenged in April 2017. 



This sequel starts not too long after Ruined finished. Olivia and Em are back in Ruina with the Ruined, but it's obviously not home like it used to be. What's more, Olivia as become ruthless and cold, and enjoys killing for fun. Em is a fighter, but she's a politician. Olivia proposes a diarchy, in which Olivia and Em are equal queens of Ruina. Meanwhile, Cas is struggling to keep hold of his kingdom, with his cousin trying to take him out of the picture. He is poisoned and leaves the fortress, only to be found by Em. Olivia and the Ruined don't want Cas with them, so Cas leaves after he recovers. But betrayal follows Em, Olivia, and the Ruined, and an ally turns on them. Cas and Em both want a truce between Lera and Ruina, but everyone must consider the kingdom of Olso, and Cas's homicidal cousin Jovita. It's kill or be killed, but identifying enemies and danger might not be as easy as Cas and Em think.

From the start, this book has a tense and yet adventurous tone to it. There is constant action from all ends - with Em/Olivia, with Cas, coming from the warriors, and Olso. I'll admit that the first 10% of the book was a little slow COMPARED to the rest of the book - but none of this book is really slow. I love how the plot is both action and plotting/scheming. Both war and politics.

This book is told entirely in third-person, but limited to Em's, Olivia's, Aren's, and Cas's POV. Em and Olivia are both in the same space for the first half of the book (in Ruina), with Aren. Aren is like their second in command - he is an old friend of Em's (no, there is no love triangle there), and the second most powerful Ruined (behind Olivia). Cas, on the other hand, is in the fortress, trying to garner the support of his advisers, who are turning to his cousin Jovita with each passing day. Until, of course, he is poisoned, and flees the fortress.

I liked Em a lot in Ruined, and I liked her in this book. She has a strong sense of duty and puts her people first. At first, this irritated me slightly because I thought her sense of duty would come between her and Cas. But then I thought, would I put my happiness aside for my people's safety, if I were queen? Yes, yes I would. And THEN I thought to myself, what if things worked out such that Em wouldn't even have to put her happiness over her people... 

Anyway, Em has all of my respect. She isn't Ruined like Olivia - she's useless (that's the term for a non-Ruined person of Ruined parentage), and she doesn't have the Ruined's support. But she is incredibly smart and astute, and good with tactics and strategies. She is physically strong and capable (girl can wield a sword!), but she is also intelligently strong. Em impressed me many times in this sequel. I also liked her resolve in terms of her feelings for Cas - she never wavered in her affection of him, not even when she pushed him away (briefly, and for good reason). Em is a strong and kickbutt heroine, but she is also kind and sweet (especially compared to Olivia, who is bloodthirsty and cold).

Cas is tied with Em as my favorite character of this series. Of all of the characters, he undergoes the most character development in this book. He struggles to retain hold of his kingship, and when he is poisoned, he pretty much gives up as his loyal guards and friends get him out of the fortress. When Em finds him, he is weak, defeated, and not motivated to go back. By the end of the book, he recovers his spine and plays a pivotal role in the now fully-fledged war. Cas becomes more of a king than he ever had been, at any point yet. Cas is so honorable and reasonable and kind, but he is also intelligent and fierce. He is definitely a man I'd love to have in my life. 

Olivia is such an interesting character. She is ruthless and deadly, and laughs in the face of death - death brought on by her. She enjoys killing innocents and slowly torturing people, and yes, that is all kinds of messed up. Olivia is an incredibly powerful Ruined, and she knows it. We get to read from her POV throughout the book, and we can see how she thinks and her reasoning for everything. She is a bit insane and very dangerous and unhinged, but she is also a very interesting character.

I adored Aren in this book! By the way, he is not in love with Em (and Em isn't in love with him) - their relationship is strictly a long-time platonic friendship. Which, yay! Their friendship is very strong and healthy. Aren grows a lot in this book too, in good and bad ways. He is a good man, and I'm happy about the direction of his character development. I'm also happy to see him develop feelings for a certain lady (again, not Em). Him and his lady are so cute together!

Okay, I'll talk about the romance. There is NO love triangle. None. Trust me on this. You'll start to see something that might appear to be a problem for Em, but it is resolved very swiftly and efficiently. There are only feelings involved between Cas and Em. Cas and Em don't share any pagetime in the first 20% of the book, but then they are reunited (when Em finds Cas half-dead from the poison). They are adorable together; they always seem to find their back to each other. This isn't one of those sequels in which the couple spends the entire book apart. Their reunion happens fairly early in the story. Yes, they separate again, but then they reunite again, and again, and again, and basically there were enough Cas/Em scenes and interactions (romantic and non-romantic) to keep me satisfied. Their relationship gets kicked up a notch. It's all Cas and Em (neither have feelings for anyone else and have no intention of not being together). There are other romances (Aren and his lady, for example). I am a fan of those other romance!

I already talked about how I liked the story's tense and adventurous tone. The pacing is not slow but not incredibly fast, and it worked for this story. There was constantly action or some wrench in plans, or something like that. I was never bored, and I couldn't seem to read fast enough. What's more, this book's story seemed to build and build until the climax, and even then, the story kept building. Tintera does a really good job of setting up everything for the finale in book three.

Totally worth pointing out that this book is full of diverse characters! There is an LGBT couple, and many Ruined are dark-skinned, like Aren. Good on Tintera for including many variations of diverse representation, and in (what I think was) a fairly natural, non-forced way. 

There is a cliffhanger, unfortunately, and it is somewhat similar to that of Ruined's. Like the ending of Ruined, it isn't horrible and crushing and heartbreaking, but it's a cliffhanger nonetheless. I am so anxious for Em, and for Aren, and Iria, and Cas! Olivia is like a ticking time bomb... I can't wait to see how everything goes down, in book three!

What I Did Not Like:

Nothing really major to complain about. Of course I would have loved less of a cliffhanger, and more Cas/Em scenes, but I don't mind the cliffhanger too much, and I have a feeling we'll get more Cas/Em scenes in book three.

Would I Recommend It:

I highly recommend this sequel! It is even better than its predecessor - full of action, scheming, betrayal, and tender romance. So much swoon in this book (Cas/Em swoon, that is). Plus, I really liked how this book is told (Cas/Em/Aren/Olivia third-person POVs). Usually so many POVs would be annoying for me, but I think so many really works for this story, and the author employs this method of storytelling well. 

Did I mention swoony tender romance and no love triangle? Because, well, yeah. Cas is kingly, book boyfriend material, y'all. Em is queen material. (She is a queen!)

Rating:

4.5 stars -> rounded up to 5 stars. This is only the third book of 2017 that I've given a 5-star rating (out of 48 books read for the year so far)! I absolutely loved Ruined but I think I loved this one even more, even with a few aspects that I wasn't sure would be resolved or worked out in this book (but they were!). A job really well done by Tintera. If you were hesitant to start this series, I highly recommend you go ahead and pick up Ruined, or make this a top-priority series to binge-read in 2018, when book three publishes!

Author Website | Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Was this review helpful? Please let me know in the comments section!

Thursday, March 23, 2017

Review: Letters to the Lost by Brigid Kemmerer


Letters to the Lost by Brigid Kemmerer
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Publication Date: April 4, 2017
Rating: 5 stars
Source: eARC from NetGalley

Summary (from Goodreads):

Juliet Young always writes letters to her mother, a world-traveling photojournalist. Even after her mother's death, she leaves letters at her grave. It's the only way Juliet can cope.

Declan Murphy isn't the sort of guy you want to cross. In the midst of his court-ordered community service at the local cemetery, he's trying to escape the demons of his past.

When Declan reads a haunting letter left beside a grave, he can't resist writing back. Soon, he's opening up to a perfect stranger, and their connection is immediate. But neither Declan nor Juliet knows that they're not actually strangers. When life at school interferes with their secret life of letters, sparks will fly as Juliet and Declan discover truths that might tear them apart.

What I Liked:

I've read all six of Kemmerer's previous novels (and some of the novellas too), and for the most part, I enjoyed all of what I read. Kemmerer has a way of writing broken teens who are trying to find their way. But I think Kemmerer is at her best, with this book. This, to me, is her best work. This book split me open and made my heart hurt - in the best of ways. I wouldn't say that I get emotional over books, but this one made me feel some feels. 

This is Juliet Young's and Declan Murphy's stories, which becomes one story. Juliet's mother died in a hit-and-run car crash, and she has been grieving ever since. Juliet used to write letters to her mom since her mother was often overseas, as a photographer in war zones and such. And so Juliet continues to write letters to her mom, but leaves them at the grave site. Declan Murphy has community service, which involves mowing and lawn of the cemetery. He finds one of the letters at a grave site, reads it, and writes back. An exchange of letters occurs, and then it becomes emails. Juliet and Declan have no idea that they are reaching out to each other and helping each other through their grief and pain. But in real life, Juliet misjudges Declan, and Declan misjudges Juliet. Both are not the other's biggest fans; but when one finds out that the other is the letter writer, will it matter?

I sat down with this book with the intention of reading only half of the book, and saving the other half for the next day. I started reading really late into the night (after 9 PM) and had no intention of finishing. But hours went by, my family went to bed, and I didn't even notice. I was so engrossed in this book, and I couldn't stop reading, and the next thing I know, I've finished it. It was that wonderful, and heartbreaking, and thought-provoking. 

Usually when there is a YA book with dual, first-person POVs, I adore one of them, and feel so-so about the other (I don't have this problem with adult books, which is a relief). With this book, I liked both characters a lot. I think I liked Declan more, and I really connected him more (for some reason - it's not like I have a stepparent or a father in prison or a shred of the problems he has). 

Declan is so misjudged, and by everyone. Everyone labels him as a thug and a criminal, and when someone says something bad about him, no one comes to his defense. If he is anywhere near a bad situation, it gets blamed on him. He and his stepfather practically hate each other, and his mother is so passive and doesn't even talk to him. His sister is dead, his father is in jail, and he has to work off ninety hours of community service for one very bad decision. But... Declan isn't a bad guy. He has an attitude and he doesn't hide his anger, but he isn't a terrible person. He has a strong sense of morals and he is very intelligent, But again, misjudged. Even - and especially - by our heroine, Juliet.

Juliet is overwhelmed with grief. Her mother's death is still fresh, and even the thought of getting rid of her mother's cameras makes Juliet break down in tears, or panic. Juliet hasn't had an easy year, but she isn't alone. She misjudges Declan badly, and slowly, she starts to realize that. Juliet is a good girl, though at first she is a little judgmental (towards Declan). In general she isn't... but to him, she was. She was to the point where she was afraid of him, which I thought was silly. 

To me, it's a testament to Kemmerer's talent as a writer, how she can characterize these two teens so well, and bring about those fears and angers and pain so well, such that the reader is incredibly aware of them. There wasn't a chapter that went by that I didn't distinctly feel Declan's fury and his hurt, or Juliet's panic and grief. Such good writing, in terms of the development of these two characters.

The letter-writing aspect of the story was so wonderful. At first it was odd - Juliet was furious to find out that someone wrote on her private letter to her dead mother. But then the letter-writing turned into something more meaningful and necessary. Both characters had a lot of pain and hurt to work through, and the anonymous letter-writing really helped. Imagine being able to lay out your big problems, your little problems, your crappy day, to someone who knows exactly nothing about you. Someone who knows nothing, and yet everything. Letter-writing isn't new in YA (P.S. I Like You by Kasie West, Tell Me Three Things by Julie Buxbaum...), but it's a concept that I adore so much.

This is YA contemporary with a lot of "tough issues" explored. Declan's relationship with his stepfather, with his mother, Juliet's relationship with her father, Declan's crime and his community service, his anger, Juliet's grief, Juliet's judgment of Declan... there is a lot to unload and handle, in this book. The most meaningful (or one of them) was Kemmerer's message about misjudging people - someone like Declan will get blamed and beat down because people already expect him to be a bad person, a thug and a criminal, but that isn't fair and it isn't right.

There is romance and it's both there and it's not. Letter-writing Declan and letter-writing Juliet definitely fall for each other through letters - their connection is very powerful. In-person Declan and in-person Juliet have more of a slow-burn, hate-to-love romance. They bicker and fight nearly every time they see each other, and they constantly snipe at each other and misjudge each other. But their relationship changes a lot. There is a lot of chemistry between them, but it's often off the page. I liked the romance, despite the "physical" side of the romance not really being there.

There were a lot of wonderful secondary characters in this book! Rev, Declan's best friend, who has a heartbreaking past but a positive outlook on life. He is an amazing friend and I loved their bromance. He's one of my favorites, and I can't wait to read his story next. Rowan, Juliet's best friend, who is so supportive and such a good best friend. Then there is "Melonhead" (his name is Frank), who is Declan's community service supervisor. He actually plays a huge and very positive role in Declan's life, and I'm glad he is in the story. Same with Rev's parents. Positive role models - not like Declan's mother and stepfather. Ugh, to both of them. 

The ending is perfect! Things work out well for Declan in many areas of his life. It's not like all of his problems are fixed overnight, but he takes a lot of baby steps in the right direction. Same with Juliet. And of course, same for the two of them, in terms of togetherness. Although, I have to say, we need an epilogue, or a loooooot of cameo appearances in Rev's book. There is a distinct lack of physical swoon that needs to be made up for, in Rev's book!

What I Did Not Like:

The only thing I wanted more of was the thing I just mentioned - more physical swoon. I shared a snippet of this book on my latest Swoon Thursday post, and notice how it isn't a kissy swoon! Yeah, there could have been more kissy scenes. A lot more.

Would I Recommend It:

YA contemporary fan or not (I'm not one), I recommend this book. It is such a meaningful and thought-provoking book. Also, I can't remember the last time I got that swept up in a story, to the point where I unintentionally finish it or stay up really late without being aware. (I stay up late reading books all the time but it's always intentional). There are a lot of tough topics explored in this book, but it's not overwhelmingly heavy. This is an excellent story that is powerful beyond it being a YA contemporary story about two teens who meet in more than one way.

Rating:

4.5 stars -> rounded up to 5 stars (a rare 5 stars from me!). I am incredibly excited to read Rev's book next year! So far I'm seven for seven with Kemmerer's books and I have yet to be really disappointed. While I certainly do recommend her Elemental series, I recommend this book even more so! 


Was this review helpful? Please let me know in the comments section!

Sunday, January 22, 2017

Review: The Valiant by Lesley Livingston


The Valiant by Lesley Livingston
Publisher: Razorbill
Publication Date: February 14, 2017
Rating: 5 stars
Source: eARC from Edelweiss/ARC

Summary (from Goodreads):

Lost to history, the story of the female gladiator has never been told. Until now.

Fallon is the daughter of a proud Celtic king and the younger sister of the legendary warrior Sorcha. When Fallon was just a child, Sorcha was killed while defending their home from the armies of Julius Caesar.

On the eve of her seventeenth birthday, Fallon is excited to follow in her sister's footsteps and earn her place in her father's war band. She never gets the chance.

Fallon is captured by ruthless brigands who sell her to an elite training school for female gladiators owned by none other than Julius Caesar himself. In a cruel twist of fate, the man who destroyed Fallon's family might be her only hope of survival. 

Now, Fallon must overcome vicious rivalries, deadly fights in and out of the arena, and perhaps the most dangerous threat of all: her irresistible feelings for Cai, a young Roman soldier and her sworn enemy.

A richly imagined fantasy for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Cinda Williams Chima, "The Valiant" recounts Fallon s gripping journey from fierce Celtic princess to legendary gladiator and darling of the Roman empire."

What I Liked:

This book was incredible. I've not read any book - Young Adult or Adult - featuring female gladiators, so I was immediately intrigued, upon reading the premise. Discovering this book was truly a blessing, because this book was every bit as ferocious and kickbutt as the synopsis and the hype promised. I'm honestly stunned.

Fallon is the second daughter of the Celt king of the Cantii tribe of Prydain (Britain). Her older sister Sorcha was captured and killed by Romans years ago, and Fallon has grown up hating the Romans and desiring vengeance. Fallon is a fierce fighter, and wants to be a warrior of her father's war band. But she is captured by slavers, who take her to Rome and sell her to a woman who trains female gladiators. The Ludus Achillea  is filled with girls Fallon's age, who have been trained to be gladiators to serve Julius Caesar. Fallon must train to be deadly and vicious, in order to survive fighting in an arena, like all of the the other female gladiators of Ludus Achillea. Fallon must put aside her thirst for vengeance against Rome in order to survive and fighter for her freedom.

The first thing I want to say is that this book is nothing like Sarah J. Maas's (note the last line of the synopsis on Goodreads, also copied above). Maas's heroines (any of them, in any series) pale in comparison to Fallon and her fellow gladiators. I've always thought Maas's heroines were weak, and they definitely appear so, compared to the highly skilled ladies of this novel. I'm only bringing up Maas and her characters because of the synopsis above - don't let that "comparison" trick you. This book is nothing like Maas's, and for the better.

From the start, I liked Fallon, and was cheering for her. She is turning seventeen, and she is going to make a bid to her father to be a part of his war band, like her sister had years ago. But she is captured, dragged across lands and seas, sold, and then trained to be an even better fighter than she was. Fallon never loses her intense, defiant spirit. She was made and destined to be a gladiator, with her intelligence, defiance, persistence, and skill. Fallon isn't a merciless killer, and she is not without honor. I liked how human she was, how much she had to learn, and how far she had to become, in order to be a noticeable gladiator. 

She grows so much, emotionally and mentally as well. Being captured and taken from her beloved home and loved ones strikes an incredible amount of anger in Fallon's heart (as it should). But Fallon begins to realize that the world is so much larger than her Cantii tribe, and that there is more to Rome than she ever thought. I loved seeing Fallon mature as the story progressed. The book takes place over months, possibly a year or more, so it's a long time for a lot of character development (and Livingston delivers).

The world-building of this story is so beautifully written. I felt like I was in the ancient times, especially throughout Fallon's journey from Prydain to Rome. The descriptions of Rome, the markets, the warriors, the clothing - everything seemed incredibly realistic to the time period. It's clear that Livingston did her research very well. 

I am such a fan of the sisterhood and female friendships of this book. From the start, we know that Fallon deeply misses her sister Sorcha, and has mourned her death for years. Fallon is captured and chained to another captive, Elka, and while they don't hit it off at first, Elka and Fallon become friends during the journey. They are sold together to Lady Achillea, and train together. Their friendship, along with others, is powerful. It was especially encouraging to see this strong relationship, when not all of the female gladiators were intent on being part of the "sisterhood" of the Ludus Achillea. There are ruthless rivalries, and Fallon finds herself amidst several almost immediately upon entering the ludus.

I looove the romance! It's amazing, the journey Fallon is taken through, and not just her journey to becoming a gladiator. She doesn't expect to fall for a Roman decurion, and pretty much resists the attraction and feelings of affections that bloom, at first. It's somewhat of a hate-to-love romance, at least on Fallon's end. I think Caius Varro was intrigued by Fallon from the start, even when she tried to kill him. I loved their dynamic. Caius never tries to dominate or own Fallon, and he sees her as his equal. The progression of their feelings and whatnot is somewhat slow and subtle, and I loved it. Things do get a little heated but I also liked how the romance was not at the forefront at any point in the book. No love triangle!

Caius is probably my second or third favorite character of the book. He is an extremely skilled, extremely powerful Roman officer, and he is often at the academy, reporting for Caesar. He seems arrogant at first, but as the pair fall for each other, Fallon can see that he has her best interests at heart. He is a good man and an excellent match for her, in terms of personality and temperament. Did I mention that I'm a little in love with him? Swoooon.

The story builds to an epic showdown in which we finally get to see Fallon's skills and training be tested, as a true gladiator. She is fighting for Caesar, and the stakes are very high for her. The ending of the book gets very fast-paced and very thrilling. The whole book is well-paced and extremely engrossing, but the last quarter picks up speed.

The ending is perfect! There are elements that are extremely wonderful, and elements that are purposefully open-ended. I love that some things are hinted at, and you kind of have to imagine what life will be like in the future, for Fallon and ____ and _____, etc. But I also love that some things are very concrete ad permanent. I'm especially thrilled about something developments. I love that this book is a standalone, because it ends really neatly, and while I wouldn't mind seeing more from this world, I'm glad Fallon's story ends here!

What I Did Not Like:

I really can't think of anything worth mentioning, that I didn't like! You can probably tell how much I enjoyed the book. It swept me off my feet!

Would I Recommend It:

Historical fiction fan or not, I highly recommend this book! I don't tend to give super high ratings like this one often, but when I do, it's usually for an amazing book that is a new favorite. Female gladiators kicking butt should be enough to reel anyone in, but throw in the politics and intrigue of Julius Caesar and ancient Rome, some incredible world-building, an engrossing plot, a swoony (and forbidden) romance, and a fantastic ending, and you've got a winner. 

Rating:

4.5 stars -> rounded up to 5 stars. That did not take long! Only twenty-three days into the new year and I've handed out my first five-star rating. Granted, this is the thirteenth book I've read for the year already. Honestly, I would have been so disappointed had I not enjoyed this book, and I'm glad it turned out to be every bit as sensational as everyone said. The hype is strong with this one, and rightfully so!


Was this review helpful? Please let me know in the comments section!

Thursday, December 15, 2016

Review: Heartstone by Elle Katharine White

Review: Heartstone by Elle Katharine White


Heartstone by Elle Katharine White
Publisher: Harper Voyager
Publication Date: January 17, 2017
Rating: 5 stars
Source: eARC from Edelweiss

Summary (from Goodreads):

A debut historical fantasy that recasts Jane Austen’s beloved Pride & Prejudice in an imaginative world of wyverns, dragons, and the warriors who fight alongside them against the monsters that threaten the kingdom: gryphons, direwolves, lamias, banshees, and lindworms.

They say a Rider in possession of a good blade must be in want of a monster to slay—and Merybourne Manor has plenty of monsters.

Passionate, headstrong Aliza Bentaine knows this all too well; she’s already lost one sister to the invading gryphons. So when Lord Merybourne hires a band of Riders to hunt down the horde, Aliza is relieved her home will soon be safe again.

Her relief is short-lived. With the arrival of the haughty and handsome dragonrider, Alastair Daired, Aliza expects a battle; what she doesn’t expect is a romantic clash of wills, pitting words and wit against the pride of an ancient house. Nor does she anticipate the mystery that follows them from Merybourne Manor, its roots running deep as the foundations of the kingdom itself, where something old and dreadful slumbers . . . something far more sinister than gryphons.

It’s a war Aliza is ill-prepared to wage, on a battlefield she’s never known before: one spanning kingdoms, class lines, and the curious nature of her own heart.

Elle Katharine White infuses elements of Austen’s beloved novel with her own brand of magic, crafting a modern epic fantasy that conjures a familiar yet wondrously unique new world.

What I Liked:

I love Pride and Prejudice, and I love fantasy, so I had high hopes that I would enjoy this book. I'd only seen one other review for the book when I started it, so it was fairly fresh and "untainted" to me. I am so pleased that I LOVED this book! I've been feeling kind of meh about the books I've been reading - they've been good (some were not-so-good), but I haven't felt gushy-passionate about most of them. This book though! This is one to gush about for ages.

Aliza Bentaine lives in Merybourne Manor with her three sisters and parents. The Manor has been attacked by gryphons several times recently - including one attack that claimed the life of her youngest sister. Lord Merybourne hires Riders to hunt down the gryphon, and so they arrive. Aliza's older beautiful sister takes a liking to one of the Riders, and that romance blossoms. But one of the Riders, Alastair Daired, is as haughty as he is handsome, and doesn't like anyone. But he's the finest of the Riders, with an impressive lineage and impeccable instincts. The Riders rid Merybourne Manor of the gryphons, but something ancient is awakening. Gryphons at Merybourne Manor were just the start of a war that has been brewing, unbeknownst to all.

I. Looooved. This book. I feel like I can't even write a proper review because all I want to do is gush and squeal and direct everyone to Amazon and Barnes and Noble and Chapters Indigo to buy a copy for yourself. This is adult fantasy, with an intense and sweeping story, fascinating world-building, really likable characters, and a swoony, subtle romance. Squee! This is everything I love, all in one package. And with a beautiful cover to boot!

This book is told from Aliza's first-person perspective. Aliza is the equivalent of "Elizabeth", in Pride and Prejudice. Aliza is softhearted and kind, and she isn't bold or fierce. Yet she would do anything for her family and those she loves, something that she proves over and over, as the story goes on. Aliza is somewhat of an artist, and an herbmaster, and everyone likes her. She isn't as beautiful as her sister, so she likes to think that she is more in the shadows, but she's very likable and sweet.

I liked Aliza, and I loved Daired. He's the equivalent of Darcy, and oh my goodness what a fine grouchy, haughty male protagonist he was. White captured the essence of Darcy perfectly. Daired seems like a haughty Rider that keeps to himself, and he doesn't seem very nice at first. But as the story goes on, we see that he isn't so bad, like he appeared to be. Daired is extremely selfless and noble, even when it appears that he is being selfish. He thinks of others first all the time; Aliza seriously misjudges him at first. But the author set up the story that way, so who could blame her. Daired was never completely awful to Aliza, not in a cruel way, or intentionally. He's so Darcy-esque and I adore him!

The secondary characters are quite likable as well. Aliza has three sisters (one older, two younger), and each are incredibly different. Anjey is the older, beautiful Bentaine girl who falls for one of the Riders (not Daired). She is sweet and sunshine-y. Leyda is restless and always looking for an adventure. Mari is reserved and quiet, never attending balls because she is stuck in a book. The Riders are mysterious at first, but I liked them. Brysney is the one who falls for Anjey, and he is such a charming guy. His sister, Charis, is another Rider; she is a fierce warrior. There are several other Riders whose names I've forgotten - their roles aren't as important in the book. The dragons are very important - Akarra is Daired's, and she plays a significant role in the book. 

Dragons and gryphons aren't the only magical creatures in this story's world. There is a haunted forest, an ancient and deadly creature, the Silent King (you do not want to mess with him)... so many secrets unfold, and it all starts with gryphons attacking Merybourne Manor. The author paints the setting well, and crafts the world-building expertly. I love the world that she has created here. I could vividly picture and imagine what was happening.

It felt like one big epic, or a large story that did rise to a climax, but there were other smaller climaxes throughout the book. An interesting thing about this story was that there were little stories that arose with conflicts, but those subplots were resolved, but then they showed up again. For example, Aliza received a marriage proposal from a nobleman. She refused, but then her friend ended up having to marry him. Further into the story, Aliza goes to visit the friend, and she and Daired meet again (after months, because he and the other Riders left Merybourne Manor). I liked how the subplot resolved itself (Aliza didn't marry that strange man, her friend did) but then showed up again (Aliza went to visit her friend, and met Daired there, which was a surprise, but very necessary for the story to move forward). 

Of course, this novel is a standalone, so it was bound to feel like one big story with little stories happening too. I love standalone novels! This one was magnificent. I loved the tone of the writing too - it's a light tone, despite the seriousness of the plot. I wouldn't necessarily say humorous, but definitely light. There is a lot of fun, especially with the dragons, with gnomes, with forges and massive castle-like mansions. Aliza had her own adventure, in this story!

The romance was wonderful! Very subtle, but also very swoony. If you're familiar with Pride and Prejudice, then you sort of know what to expect... the author does follow the romance of Pride and Prejudice to an extent, but I'd say the romance of this book is very much its own. I shipped grouchy Daired and sweet Aliza so hard. They were perfectly for each other! Daired was constantly (unintentionally) doing things that ended up irritating Aliza, and she didn't exactly hide her irritation sometimes. While she isn't a fierce warrior, she is definitely headstrong, and the two of them go toe-to-toe and are a good match. 

I should also mention that there is NO love triangle. I know in Pride and Prejudice, there is Mr. Wickham... there is a character that is "Mr. Wickham", in this book, but Aliza barely knows him at all. They interact exactly two times, and there isn't anything between them. Aliza never had a particular good feeling about him, and with good reason. Nothing remotely triangular about this story's romance!

Things started out "simple" (with the Riders coming to hunt the gryphons), but the story got complex and intense as the story went on. The ending is a whirlwind of action and emotions, and I was completely sucked in and hanging on for dear life. I love how the author chose to wrap things up. It was a neat, tidy ending that was very satisfying, with just a hint of bittersweet (nothing to do with the two main characters). I will definitely be rereading this book in the future!

What I Did Not Like:

Hmmm, the romance addict in me would have loved to see more between Daired and Aliza! But for an adult fantasy fiction that draws inspiration from Pride and Prejudice, obviously this book wouldn't be like that. Which is totally okay!

Would I Recommend It:

I definitely recommend this book, to anyone adult fiction fans, fantasy fans, Pride and Prejudice fans. This story was light and entertaining, yet complex and dense and so well-written. I've read a number of adult fiction novels this year (not adult romance, mind), but I think this one is my favorite.

Rating:

4.5 stars -> rounded up to 5 stars. Yup, I'm giving a book five stars. I adored this book! I am looking forward to reading more fantasy by this author. Especially if she will be writing more retellings!


Was this review helpful? Please let me know in the comments section!

Saturday, August 6, 2016

Review: The Forgetting by Sharon Cameron


The Forgetting by Sharon Cameron
Publisher: Scholastic
Publication Date: September 13, 2016
Rating: 5 stars
Source: ARC received from trade

Summary (from Goodreads):

What isn't written, isn't remembered. Even your crimes.

Nadia lives in the city of Canaan, where life is safe and structured, hemmed in by white stone walls and no memory of what came before. But every twelve years the city descends into the bloody chaos of the Forgetting, a day of no remorse, when each person's memories – of parents, children, love, life, and self – are lost. Unless they have been written.

In Canaan, your book is your truth and your identity, and Nadia knows exactly who hasn't written the truth. Because Nadia is the only person in Canaan who has never forgotten.

But when Nadia begins to use her memories to solve the mysteries of Canaan, she discovers truths about herself and Gray, the handsome glassblower, that will change her world forever. As the anarchy of the Forgetting approaches, Nadia and Gray must stop an unseen enemy that threatens both their city and their own existence – before the people can forget the truth. And before Gray can forget her.

What I Liked:

OH MY GOODNESS! I don't even know how I'm going to write a coherent review of this book! I'm no stranger to Cameron's books - I've been following her publications as they publish - and I feel like they get better and better as she writes more and more. This is quite possibly my favorite Cameron book! By rating, it must be (I've given her other three books four stars each), and I think I indeed like this one the most!

Every twelve years, the Forgetting occurs, in which one day, people forget everything. And so everyone must keep a book on them at all times, and write down everything, so that when the Forgetting occurs every twelve years, each person will know their lives by their memories. But Nadia the dyer's daughter remembers everything. She remembers when the last Forgetting occurred, when she was a little girl. She remembers the chaos that fell on Canaan. She remembers her life and she remembers that her book, after the Forgetting, was taken, and a forgery was left in its place. Now, on the eve of the next Forgetting, Nadia is determined to understand the Forgetting, and make this one different. She wants to know why Canaan is walled and no one is allowed out, why the Forgetting occurs, why her father left and her mother and sisters. She and Gray the glassblower's son uncover a history of truths that are nothing like what is told to the people of Canaan. Nadia only has so much time before everyone - including Gray - forgets everything.

What an incredible book! I'm going to be honest - I knew very little about this book before reading it. I didn't even read the synopsis. I saw that it was a Cameron book and I added it to my to-be-read list without a second thought. I loved The Dark Unwinding, A Spark Unseen, and Rook, and I knew I would like this book too. And I loved it!

Nadia is so different from the YA heroines of late! She's so quiet - literally. She just doesn't say much. When she and Gray first interact, you can see how it sometimes frustrates Gray, how Nadia is so tight-lipped. I love this quality of Nadia's. She has many secrets (because she remembers), and if she tells the wrong person, or misspeaks, she and her family would be in danger. Nadia is such a kickbutt girl, but not in a high-action way. She's a quiet rebel, who likes to climb the wall and go to the other side, and is never in bed before curfew. Nadia is inquisitive and intelligent, clever and determined. But she is subtle and quiet, a force you don't see coming until it's upon you. Nadia's character growth is subtle, but you can see the difference in her from start to finish. 

Gray is someone Nadia did not expect to catch her climbing back from the other side of the wall. He demands that she take him with her next time, or he'll turn her in. There is something about Gray that doesn't add up to Nadia. He's always had a way of getting everyone to love him, and Nadia is determined not to be one of those people. Gray is charming and funny, charismatic and just as stubborn as Nadia. He's also just as clever, and protective in a way that isn't over the top. Add Gray to the list of Cameron heroes I adore. All three of them are the perfect book boyfriends.

When I said I knew nothing about this book before reading it, I meant that! I only knew that it had a vibe similar to that of The Purge - or so I thought. This book is not fantasy or paranormal or whatever I thought it was - it's science fiction! I love science fiction! YA does not see nearly enough science fiction, in my opinion. 

I don't want to spoil things but guys, the science fiction aspect of the book (i.e. basically, the book) is SO cool. It's comes as a plot twist, hence why I don't want to spoil much, but it's awesome and a little mind-blowing. All of the answers are right in front of our faces and we don't know it! Neither did Nadia and Gray. Epic!

I love how Cameron weaves this story. There are so many sub-stories that tie back in to the main story, and everything meets at the climax. This book is told from Nadia's POV, in first person, but you get a clear sense of the subplots in this book. Nadia's older sister's dalliance, Nadia's crazy mother, Nadia's father's behavior, Rose's significance... there are so many little seeds that Cameron plants everywhere, that spring forth towards the climax of the book. Brilliant!

Have I said anything about the romance yet? In classic Cameron fashion, the romance is sweet and subtle, and yet powerful and strong. The romance was more present in this book than her other three - meaning, it has more of a presence, it impacts the story more. I didn't mind this! Gray and Nadia are great together. It's somewhat hate-to-love, with lots of banter (kind of? Nadia doesn't talk a ton, yet somehow, there is back-and-forth between her and Gray and it is great). And then the romance is also a tiny bit steamier than in Cameron's other books. Still not super steamy, but more so than her other books. I love the romance in this book!

Relationships are so important in this book, and not just the romance (which was lovely!). Nadia has two sisters, an older and a younger. The older sister suspects that Nadia is not her sister, since the last Forgetting jumbled everything (as they usually do). Nadia has a hard time connecting with that sister, even though she knows the truth (the sister doesn't). But Nadia has such a wonderful relationship with her younger sister. It's very positive and sisterly, and I loved seeing them interact! Nadia barely has one parent (her mother is a little lost in the brain), so her parental relationships aren't great. But Gray has a beautiful relationship with his parents. You'd have to read the book to see what I mean! It's very special and heart-warming.

The last one hundred pages or so seemed like truth after truth, reveal after reveal. I could not read fast enough! There was so much happening (not overwhelmingly so though), and several heartbreaking events occurred, and I was sure Cameron was going to break my heart. But then she didn't! I love how this book ended. It is an amazing ending and I could not have asked for more!

What I Did Not Like:

I don't think I have anything to say here!

Would I Recommend It:

I feel like I could gush about this book for days! And knowing me, I probably will. I highly recommend this book to science fiction fans, but I feel like anyone who likes YA books with a lot of depth would enjoy this story. Cameron has such great writing, and all of her stories are so perfectly woven and fashioned. I recommend all four books of Cameron's!

Rating:

5 stars. I rarely dish out the 5-star rating, but I couldn't not give this book 5 stars. How amazing was this? Very amazing! Definitely one of the most impressive YA books for the year.

Author Website | Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Was this review helpful? Please let me know in the comments section!

Saturday, May 28, 2016

Review: A Promise of Fire by Amanda Bouchet

Review: A Promise of Fire by Amanda Bouchet


A Promise of Fire by Amanda Bouchet
Book One of the Kingmaker Chronicles
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Publication Date: August 2, 2016
Rating: 5 stars
Source: eARC from NetGalley

***Warning: this is an adult book, and for the eyes of mature readers***

Summary (from Goodreads):

Catalia "Cat" Fisa is a powerful clairvoyant known as the Kingmaker. This smart-mouthed soothsayer has no interest in her powers and would much rather fly under the radar, far from the clutches of her homicidal mother. But when an ambitious warlord captures her, she may not have a choice…

Griffin is intent on bringing peace to his newly conquered realm in the magic-deprived south. When he discovers Cat is the Kingmaker, he abducts her. But Cat will do everything in her power to avoid her dangerous destiny and battle her captor at every turn. Although up for the battle, Griffin would prefer for Cat to help his people willingly, and he's ready to do whatever it takes to coax her…even if that means falling in love with her.

What I Liked:

OH MY GOODNESS HOW I LOVED THIS BOOK! I had a feeling I would enjoy it, but I really really liked it. This is EXACTLY my type of romance novel! Fantasy romance is definitely a favorite of mine, and I'm really excited that Sourcebooks Casablanca's first fantasy romance novel was a real hit for me.

Cat has been part of the circus for months, as a soothsayer. She's actually really powerful, able to discern lie from truth, to turn in invisible, and numerous other things, but she is hiding in the circus. Until one day, a warlord finds her, figures out what she is (the Kingmaker), and abducts her. Cat fights him at every turn, even if she's starting to feel some kinship towards the other three warriors with the warlord. Even if she's starting to feel the stirrings of powerful attraction between her and the warlord. Beta Sinta - or Griffin - may need her as the Kingmaker, but he isn't her enemy. Cat realizes that the Sintans are not as cruel as they seem, but Griffin is as stubborn as she is.

Gosh I loved this book. It's been so long since I've read a good fantasy romance. If you like this one, try The Winter King by C.L. Wilson. Or if you liked The Winter King, try this book. Both books have AMAZING hate-to-love romances, between two very powerful people.

The tone of this book is hilarious! The book is written in first-person, solely via Cat's perspective. Nope, we never get in Griffin's head. Cat's voice is so fun! She is funny, stubborn, spitfire-y, honest, and refreshing. She's extremely clever and strategic, and she's powerful. She wields her magic well.

Griffin is a warlord - specifically, Beta Sinta. Beta meaning second, and Sinta being where he is from. The Sintans have recently dominated lots of territory. So Griffin - Beta Sinta - is the second in commend, after his sister, Alpha Sinta. Griffin is equally as stubborn as Cat, equally as intelligent, very fierce and protective and SUCH an alpha. I wish I had my own Griffin. He's very dominant and likes being in control... too bad Cat is basically a female version of him. He is a fiiiiine specimen, that's for sure. I have a visual image of him in my head and holy guacamole! *fans self more*

They are seriously perfect together! Their relationship starts out really hostilely - as one would expect, since Griffin kidnaps Cat. He needs her to help his sister (Alpha Sinta), because the newly crowned Sinta royal family are not experienced in ruling. They used to be a warlord family. Cat and Griffin have so much animosity and tension between them! Cat is constantly spitting fire at him (figuratively speaking), and defying him, and punching him. Griffin is constantly ordering her around and keeping her close to him. And yet, both of them instinctively act to protect each other, in dangerous situations along the way to Sinta City. This "hate" thing and banter go on for more than half the book, which was SO fun. Hate-to-love romances are my favorite!

I can't remember when they share their first kiss but *fans self*. Whew! Griffin initiated that, and Cat turned invisible for several days after that kiss (she was embarrassed). There are so many subtly steamy scenes before any kissing happens, which is really well done by the author. There is lots of kissing in the second half of the book. The sex doesn't come until three-fourths of the book, maybe a little after, but the author definitely knows how to right some steamy scenes, and ramp up the intensity. So much tension!

I like how complex the authors makes the characters. Cat has a complicated history, one that Griffin is not fully aware of. Cat's mother is actually insanely and heartless. We don't get all the information about Cat's past all at once. I like how there is a slow reveal, gradually happening throughout the story. Everything is not revealed to Griffin by the end of the story, so I hope the author will address this in future books. 

This book is an awesome fantasy book! The world-building is so well-written, in my opinion. Initially, I thought it was set in a contemporary world with some fantasy elements, but nope. Purely fantasy world, totally created and very well crafted. There are Greek mythology references left and right, and there is a dragon!

Girl power is strong in this book. Cat is physically tough, but mentally and emotionally so as well. She isn't always emotionally tough - she has to work through some heavy stuff, especially before she lets Griffin in. I liked seeing Cat's progression in development. 

I can't imagine not having convinced anyone of my love for this book by now! I am so pleased with this story and I can't wait to read the next book. Initially I was concerned about how the ending felt incomplete, BUT I learned from the author herself that this series is NOT a companion series (which is typical of romance series), and will continue to follow Griffin and Cat over the next two books. While this book did not end with a cliffhanger, I do have questions and it looks like they will be answered in the two future books. Hurray!

What I Did Not Like:

Originally, when I wrote this review, I mentioned how the ending felt incomplete, because I was expecting a showdown between Cat and her mother, and between Cat and Griffin (when Griffin finds out certain things about Cat). But, the author said that the series will continue Cat and Griffin's story, so the ending is no longer a complaint of mine!

Would I Recommend It:

I HIGHLY recommend this book. If you read adult romance novels, do yourself a favor and do NOT miss this book. Do it for Griffin! Sexy warlord! The banter! The hate-to-love dreaminess! The conflict, the overarching plot, the strong characters. And how about that kickbutt cover? So much to love!

Rating:

4.5 stars -> rounded up to 5 stars. This is easily a new favorite romance novel! If I compare it to The Winter King by C.L. Wilson, then you KNOW it must be good (I am so in love with The Winter King! And now, A Promise of Fire). I cannot wait to read the next book in this series!


Was this review helpful? Please let me know in the comments section!
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)