Princess of Thorns By Stacey Jay

27 Thursday Nov 2014

Posted by Molly Mortensen in Book Reviews

Tags

author, book, book reviews, books, characters, Fairies, Fairy tale retelling, fantasy, fiction, literature, novel, plot, Princess of Thorns, Princess of Thorns by Stacey Jay, read, reader, review, Stacey Jay, stories, story, write, writer, writing, YA, young adult

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Fairies, Witches, Fairy tale Retelling

Pages: 400

Point of View: First (Aurora, Niklaas, Ekeeta)

Released: Dec 9, 2014

Series: Standalone

Predictability: 4 out of 5 (Where 1 is George RR Martin (If the characters make a plan or think about the future I know it isn’t going to go that way.) And 5 is Cinder (where I guessed what was going to happen long before it did, but it was still a great book.)

Source: Netgalley

My Rating: 7/10 Stars

My Summary:

Briar Rose wishes something very different for her daughter Aurora than the beauty and grace she was given, but strength and courage. To reclaim their castle from the ogres she will need it. Raised by the fey Aurora trained her whole life to become a warrior.

Niklaas is the Eleventh son of the immortal king. The king had all of his sons cursed by a witch so that they turn into swans on their eighteenth birthday. But Niklaas has found a loophole, he only has to find the princess Aurora and get her to marry him. He has only three weeks left, but he’s a good looking guy and has no doubt he can convince Aurora to marry him, all he has to do is meet her. Unfortunately his magical charm led him to her ‘brother’ instead.

Aurora’s brother has been captured by the ogre queen and she needs an army to rescue him. When she’s saved by a prince who believes she’s her brother she tells him she will only introduce him to her ‘sister’ if he aids her in getting an army.

My Review:

Princess of Thorns starts with back story and prophecy, (I was totally confused and had to read it twice) but it made sense later on. This is actually the only part of the story that is related to a fairy tale.

The Good:

For most of the book the main characters are traveling (I knew this ahead of time and I think it helped me to enjoy it.) but I was never bored. There was enough happening and enough action to keep it interesting.

The world building was solid, if simple. I particularly liked what we saw of the fairy’s culture and the ogres who could suck out human souls. The ogre queen narrated sometimes too and she refereed to herself as we and our, which was a nice touch.

Aurora (Ror) is a unique heroine in that she isn’t described as being beautiful, but rather plain and she can easily pass for a boy. (Okay later she might be described as pretty but I think that’s just because he was falling for her) The mistaken identity was fun and it was handled well. I was afraid that the author would let me down in how he found out she was a girl, but it was perfect! (I may have giggled)

The personalities of the two main characters are fairly standard fantasy. She’s the stubborn rash princess who kicks butt and he’s the arrogant beautiful womanizer, but there’s more to them than that and the author manages to make them likable. (If occasionally annoying) They both have problems of their own and they don’t change once they start falling for each other. (It’s good they didn’t suddenly start being nice to each other, because that would be just weird)

Their relationship was the best part of the book. I loved their banter! Though sometimes they bickered a bit too much. We’d be told about how they’d been getting along for four days and then get to hear their entire argument. But they’re both strong stubborn characters, so it was inevitable that they were going to butt heads.

Though the entire book takes place over the course of three weeks the romance doesn’t feel rushed. If anything it seems like too many obstacles were placed in their path. (I may have mentally shouted at the characters. A bit.)

The Bad: (The part in which I may rant and start a discussion on endings)

The ending. (I’m not saying whether it was happy or not and I’m not talking about loose strings.) The ending was too convenient, too fast, too neat and it was the worst part of the book.

I can’t explain without spoilers so I’m going to give a false example. (Clears throat) The heroes are falling off a mountain that they’ve spent most of the story climbing only to be saved at the last instant by a bird that was barely mentioned before. Where did that come from? Why did they bother climbing the mountain if the bird was there all along? That doesn’t make sense! It was too easy! That was what I was feeling at the end of this book.

Maybe it needed to be a duology instead of a standalone or have another viewpoint, because it felt like the author cheated. I think that the characters should have to do something to earn their ending. It felt handed to them.

Don’t get me wrong it was still a good book, at times a great book, but that’s why I was upset at the ending. I expected more.

Would I recommend this book? Yes. Will I read more by this author? Probably.

How do you feel about endings, do you like to be blindsided or to see it coming? Do you agree with me that there has to be some sort of foresight or something the main characters did to earn the ending?

Indie Book Review: The Empyrean Key By JL Tomlinson

21 Friday Nov 2014

Posted by Molly Mortensen in Book Reviews

≈ 38 Comments

Tags

author, book, book reviews, books, characters, fantasy, fiction, magic, novel, read, reader, review, The Empyrean Key By JL Tomlinson, writer, YA, young adult

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Magic

Pages: 285

Point of View: Third Distant (Jahna, Lilac, Silko, Friziel, Selizardra, Mydra)

Released: August 27, 2014

Series: Ardentia 1

Source: The author contacted me and asked if I would review this book.

My Rating: 6/10 Stars

I guess it’s no surprise that a book that took me TEN DAYS to read would be hard to review. The Empyrean Key had such potential, but I actually almost gave up. (Which I hate doing) I liked the magic and the intrigue in the castle. (and a certain thief 😉 ) But those things weren’t used enough.

My Summary:

Jahna is a Narcean, a race which has the ability to see the future and read people’s minds, but because she’s never lived among her people and her mother won’t teach her, Jahna’s powers are minimal and she has to touch someone to see something.

Due to the king’s failing heath the country is in a crisis. The Narcean Seer to the king believes the queen to be behind the king’s mysterious illness, so he sets things in motion to protect the kingdom, which will change Jahna’s everyday live forever.

My Review:

Most of the book is told by Jahna with occasional paragraphs told by her two friends (It takes a little getting used to, but in the end I liked it) the bookworm Silko and the giant girl who wishes she could be a fighter, Lilac. The other main narrator is Mydra the king’s daughter, but lots of other characters have their own chapter too. (Which surprisingly wasn’t confusing)

Narceans aren’t the only race with special powers, and there are also the Vessels, people chosen by the gods should they wish to return again who can control the elements. (Not sure what they have to do with anything yet though)

The Good:

I liked how the story alternated between Jahna and those in the castle. I actually preferred the intrigue in the castle to Jahna’s quest. (I love political intrigue in books!)

Jahna, Lilac and Silko had a great friendship, which felt very real. (Yes I have weird friends) I loved how they joked with each other.

The world building and powers of this book were the best and most unique aspect of the book. (and why I kept reading) All of the little touches really added to the story, from the implanted stone which helped harness Narcean powers, to the whale like creatures the villagers rode on to go fishing. (And I can’t even mention the best part!)

There is a love interest! (Or at least a flirt) He doesn’t come in until the end of the book and I really wish he was in it more because he’s such an interesting and fun character!

The Bad:

Most of this book is Jahna, Silko, & Lilac’s quest to save the kingdom, but it took too long for things to get started. After a great first chapter the pace slows WAY down and for a good chunk of the beginning of the book nothing really happens. Jahna’s everyday life was rather boring. (Sorry!)

Jahna also came off rather selfish at times. We spent so much time in her normal life, but all she seems to do is sleep in, lay on the beach, and play with her friends. She’s eighteen in a medieval world. Shouldn’t she have a job or at least help her mother out around the house? (Guess not)

Towards the end it started to get good, but then it was over. Where’s the rest?

Will I read the next one? Yes.

I’m afraid that this quest is going to last too long and be too predictable, but I care enough about the characters and want to know how it’s resolved. Also I’m hoping there will be more magic in the next books and maybe even a battle. (Since this is classified as high fantasy.)

Do you often not finish books or is it rare that you give up? (Like a certain stubborn someone)

Top Ten Sequels I Can’t Wait To Get

18 Tuesday Nov 2014

Posted by Molly Mortensen in Top 10 Tuesday

≈ 62 Comments

Tags

A Song of Ice and Fire, Discworld, Grisha, Lunar Chronicles, Magnus Chase, mortal instruments, Percy Jackson, Red Rising, Saga of Recluse, Sequels I Can't Wait To Get, top 10 tuesday, top ten tuesday

Two in a row! I wasn’t sure I could do it, but I manage not to procrastinate two weeks in a row! (Who else is shocked?)

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. They come up with top ten lists that people can blog about every week.

I usually wait until an entire series is released before jumping in, because I hate having to wait to find out what happens next and this way I can just binge read the entire thing! But there have been a few times this year when I actually read a book in a series before they were all out. (A couple of times I was tricked!) And some of these are series I’ve been reading for years and they just keep on going.

1. The Sword of Summer (Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard #1)

Expected Release Date: Oct 8, 2015

Okay so technically it’s book one, but I’m hoping Percy Jackson or Annabeth Chase make at least a cameo appearance. Riordan’s new book features Norse Mythology and stars Annabeth’s cousin Magnus.

He’s living on the streets when his uncle tracks him down and tells him he’s descendant from a Norse god. To prevent the end of the world (Ragnarok) Magnus has to search the nine realms for a weapon.

I mean Rick Riordan and Norse gods (secretly hoping for a Loki appearance) I just know this book is going to rock!

2. Winter & Fairest (The Lunar Chronicles #4 & 3.5)

Expected Release Dates: Fairest: Jan 27, 2015 Winter: Nov 1, 2015

I never expected to love Cinder, I mean cyborg Cinderella? But I do! And finally the last book is almost here! We also get a novella staring the evil queen Levana to tide us over for fall.

Things that need to happen: All of the couples live and are happy, obviously Levana is defeated and the Lunars freed. Cinder becomes queen of the moon and of New Beijing. Don’t want much, do I? Oh, and I want something nice for Iko too, she’s the best!

3. The Young Elites #2

Expected Release Date: ???

It doesn’t have a title yet, but I need it! The epilogue in the first one convinced me that the sequel is going to be even more epic than it’s predecessor!

4. Raising Steam (Discworld, #40)

Release Date: Nov 7, 2013 (Tiffany Aching: Unknown)

(I have a feeling Pratchett is going to make every one of my lists somehow.) Okay technically the next Discworld book that’s going to be released is The Shepherd’s Crown (Tiffany Aching, #5), but I’m not as big a fan of Tiffany as the regular Discworld and I still don’t own Raising Steam! (I’m hoping for Christmas) I’ve owned Thud since it came out, but I’m still saving it so technically that could be on my list too.

5. Six of Crows (The Dregs #1)

Expected Release Date: Oct 8, 2015 sixofcrows

Yes, I know technically this is another first book of a series, but it’s in the Grisha universe, so I say it’s a sequel.

A crew of dangerous felonious misfits face impossible odds when they are pulled together to break into one of the most guarded places in the world. We have new setting, Kerch which is the opposite of Ravka and the center for all world trade. Also there will be a Grisha in the Dregs and the magic will be expanded upon.

My least favorite part of Shadow and Bone was the two “main characters” so I have high hopes for this novel, since it sounds like it’s staring people more like Sturmhound.

6. The Copper Gauntlet (Magisterium #2) / Lady Midnight (The Dark Artifices #1)

Expected Release Dates: Copper Gauntlet: 2015 Lady Midnight: Sept 2015

I loved the Iron Trial and I have high hopes for where the story’s going to go next! Since nothing’s been released about Copper Gauntlet, I’ll group it with Lady Midnight, which takes place five years after Mortal Instruments (See it is a sequel) and stars Emma Carstairs.

There are mysterious killings in the city and Emma is determined to investigate, because they are strangely similar to her parents deaths, but not only humans are being killed downworlders are too. After the fairy queen makes a deal, the shadow hunters stop whose doing this and they’re release Mark Blackthorn the stakes are higher than ever, because if they fail it means war. And they only have two weeks!

I don’t expect this to be as good as Mortal Instruments or Infernal Devices, but I’m hoping to see more of Tessa and Jem! I don’t like the sounds of her falling in love with her parabotai, I know it’s forbidden, and maybe she’ll convince me, but it’s not really doing it for me. I liked Mark much better!

7. Cyador’s Heirs & Heritage of Cyador (The Saga of Recluce #17 & #18)

Release Dates: May 20, 2014 & Nov 18, 2014

I know none of you have heard of these books, but I love Modesitte’s epic fantasys. (The Corean Chronicles is my favorite, followed by Recluse)

The novels in the Recluse Saga are written out of chronological order, but in pairs (can’t spell duologys) and I wait until both are out to read them. This story line takes place after Cyador fell, so sixth? chronologically. Another coming of age story with a young male protagonist who wields both chaos and order powers, but I know Modesitte will make it awesome!

8. Golden Son (Red Rising Trilogy #2)

Expected Release Date: Jan 6, 2015

I really liked the start of Red Rising and I expect Golden Son to be more like that. I have a feeling we’ll finally get to see the space battle I expected from the first one. My main problem with Red Rising was the main character, Darrow and I’m hoping that he matured through everything the first book put him through. ‘Now a part of the elite, Darrow tries to bring down their society from the inside.’ doesn’t tell me much, but the first novel was nothing like I expected, so I’m trying to go into this one without expectations.

9. Siren’s Fury (Storm Siren #2)

Expected Release Date: Jun 2, 2015

After that ending I needed more, but I’m not too eager to read this after the blurb. First it reveals something that was the main reason I wanted to read the book to find out. Then it tells us that the bad guy stole Nym’s powers. So the whole book is a quest for her to get new powers? I’m not so sure I care. The cover’s pretty though.

10. The Winds of Winter (A Song of Ice and Fire #6)

Expected Release Date: This Decade?

The first book came out in 1996 (That’s almost 20 years ago!) I want them to be good, but come on! I NEED to find out what happens already! It’s supposed to start with two epic battles and tying up all of thee to be continued-ness in the very beginning.

Honorable Mentions: Sequels I want, but there is literally no information on them yet.

Griever’s Mark 2 (My review of the first one) I loved this book and I NEED to find out what happens next!

Faerie Revolutions 2 (The Last Changeling) Another good book that left me wanting more.

The Shadow Ravens 2 (Cipher) I look forward to seeing what the other two authors will do with this interesting world.

Do you read series as they’re published or like me do you wait until they’re all released? What sequel is at the top of your for must have now list?

The Bane Chronicles By Cassandra Clare Mini Reviews

13 Thursday Nov 2014

Posted by Molly Mortensen in Book Reviews

≈ 33 Comments

Tags

author, Bane Chronicles, book, book reviews, books, characters, Downworlders, fantasy, fiction, literature, Magnus, Magnus Bane, mortal instruments, novel, plot, read, reader, review, Shadow Hunters, stories, story, write, writer, writing, YA, young adult

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Demons, Magic

Other Authors: Maureen Johnson, Sarah Rees Brennan, & Cassandra Jean

Pages: 528 (11 short stories)

Point of View: Third (Magnus Bane)

Released: November 11, 2014

Predictability: 4 out of 5 Stars (Where 1 is George RR Martin (If the characters make a plan or think about the future I know it isn’t going to go that way.) And 5 is Cinder (where I guessed what was going to happen long before it did, but it was still a great book.)

My Summary:

Magnus Bane is a warlock, meaning his father was a demon, so he processes magical powers and doesn’t age. His true age is a mystery, because he always lies about it. He’s the best character in the Shadow Hunter universe (Not opinion, fact) and we finally get to discover more of his history in this collection of short stories.

My Review:

These stories had such potential, the world of Mortal Instruments, and one of the best characters, Magnus Bane. A bisexual warlock with crazy fashion sense, what’s not to like? I feel these stories would’ve been more successful as a novel, with a part at the beginning dedicated to his early life.

Because they’re shorts I’m rating them out of five stars where 3 is just okay, four is good, and 5 is made me giggle repeatedly.

Book 1: What Really Happened in Peru (***)

In the latest Mortal Instruments books we’ve been teased with the story of why Magnus was kicked out of Peru. This short story is actually a series of short stories. It would’ve been better as one story and mentioning some of the other events, because as it was none of the stories were very good. I chuckled a couple of times and I enjoyed Magnus’ warlock friends, but it was disappointing overall. (And in the end we never find out why he was kicked out of Peru!)

Book 2: The Runaway Queen (***)

The problem with tales based on history, like the Titanic or in this case Marie Antoinette, is I know how it’s going to end. It feels like one of Magnus’ stories, “That time I was in a hot air balloon with Marie Antoinette.” Sounds like it would be a fun story, no? Surprisingly it wasn’t. Too much time was spent on the set up and culture of the time, which had little to do with the actual story. There weren’t any interesting side characters aside from Axel and we don’t get to see much of him.

Book 3: Vampires, Scones, and Edmund Herondale (****)

Set in London for the first meeting of the accords, (or one of the first) we meet Camille and Edmund Herondale. (This story really needed to be told from Edmund’s point of view as well, so it wouldn’t feel like he fell in love so quickly and his personality changed so drastically.) The characters were the best part of this story. Even the people we barely meet were great, like the mermaid in her tank who liked scones. On a very annoying side note, every instance of “fl” was replaced by “noindent” in the original eBook… (I’m so glad they fixed that)

Book 4: The Midnight Heir (****)

Tessa, Will and Jem return for this short story, set 25 years after Magnus last saw them. We first meet James Herondale, who is 17, drunk, and seemingly suicidal. It was good, but it felt more like a set up or a teaser for a book than a short story. I want to know what happens next! (Why would you leave Magnus, it was just getting good?!) Apparently the fourth series in the Mortal Instruments will feature some of these characters.

Book 5: The Rise of the Hotel Dumort (***)

Set in the late 1920s in New York where Magnus owns a speakeasy. No chuckles or good characters, but this was the first short story in this collection that felt like a proper complete story. (The best part was the tease about Magnus’ father. I wish one of these stories explored that further.)

Book 6: Saving Raphael Santiago (****)

Magnus decides to become a private detective and his first case is to find the missing son of Mrs. Santiago. Anyone who’s read Mortal Instruments knows what happened, but it was fun to see a younger Raphael.

Book 7: The Fall of the Hotel Dumort (***)

Magnus has been away from New York for two years. When he returns he finds a group of vampires in his apartment, but they look strange, almost sick. It turns out it isn’t just that small group but almost all of the Vampires in New York and they aren’t only sick they’re feeding often and leaving the bodies out in the street. We meet a couple of Magnus’ werewolf friends who are trying to keep things under wraps, but they’ve about had it. Predictable story and nothing special, easily skipped. (I hated the end.)

Book 8: What to Buy the Shadowhunter Who Has Everything: (And Who You’re Not Officially Dating Anyway) (*****)

Alec is turning eighteen and Magnus wonders if and what he should get him for a birthday present. This story feels like the first Mortal Instruments books, witty, funny and just plain fun. I enjoyed seeing Magnus and Isabelle becoming friends. Also, I loved the slime demon.

Book 9: The Last Stand of the New York Institute (****)

Set in the 1980s when the circle is starting out, and the clave still believes them when they say they’re only killing downworlders who have broken the accords. When the circle comes to New York, Magnus vows to protect his friends and his city. We meet the young members of the circle Lucian, Stephan Herondale, and the Lightwoods. It’s nice to see another part of the history of the Mortal Instruments. I wish it had included more about the Uprising, but there’s only so much time in a short story. I enjoyed the ending with Jocelyn bringing a young Clary to Magnus and Tessa.

Book 10: The Course of True Love (and First Dates) (****)

This is the story of Magnus’ first date with Alec. I chuckled several times, it was fun watching the two meet and interact in all their awkwardness. Alec is a mysterious character in the main Mortal Instruments books, and it was nice to get to know him better, especially through Magnus’ eyes. I liked Magnus’ friend Catarina, a female warlock and nurse. She’s not in these stories nearly enough.

Bonus 11: The Voicemail of Magnus Bane (only available in omnibus of all shorts) (***)

This story is all of the voicemails left for Magnus after City of Lost Souls. It was amusing but all of the characters acted like they were drunk dialing. Many of them said things which seemed out of character or things they’d only think. Isabelle’s were the best, because she doesn’t really ever have a filter.

Verdict: I needed a quick fun read and these stories were just that. Nothing special, but still entertaining. The best part was definitely the cameos from other characters in the series, before this I never really understood what Magnus saw in Alec.

I realize I just did a short story review last week, but my reading slump continues. I’m not 81% into the book I started 10 days ago…

What’s your opinion on an expanded universe? Clare keeps writing more and more Shadow Hunter books, but she’s getting quite a bit of negativity saying she’s just doing it for the money.

I’d say as long as the books are good there’s no reason not to continue a series, though it seems like there’s always a point when a long series goes down hill. At least she’s using different main characters. I feel that the second half of Mortal Instruments wasn’t as good, but I loved the Infernal devices. I’m not sure how I feel about the short stories. I liked them, but I wouldn’t have paid $3 a piece for them. (I hear she’s writing another set of short stories this year about training to become a shadow hunter.)

Top Ten Characters I Wish Would Get Their OWN Book

11 Tuesday Nov 2014

Posted by Molly Mortensen in Top 10 Tuesday

≈ 78 Comments

Tags

asimov, Characters I Wish Would Get Their OWN Book, Daneel, Darkling, Discworld, Grisha, Harry Potter, Hunger Games, Infernal Devices, Jem, minor characters, nicci, Nico, Peeta, Percy Jackson, sherlock holmes, Sirius Black, Skulduggery Pleasant, Sword of Truth, top 10 tuesday, Top Ten Characters I Wish Would Get Their OWN Book, top ten tuesday, Vetinari

I finally did it! I finished a Top Ten Tuesday post on time! (I’ve been trying since July 15th)

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. They come up with top ten lists that people can blog about every week.

I found this on Pintrest while I was looking for art to use for the character pictures and it was just too perfect! (Like half my list are the villains!)

Click on the art to go to the artist’s webpage. I own NOTHING.

1. Nico di Angelo (Percy Jackson) (Sequel or retelling)

“Nico didn’t like to be touched, but somehow this brief contact with his father felt reassuring – the same way the Chapel of Bones was reassuring. Like death, his father’s presence was cold and often callous, but it was real – brutally honest, inescapably dependable.” Blood of Olympus

Nico is the son of Hades and as such he has powers over the Dead. He appears younger than the main characters, but he’s actually over seventy years old. (It’s complicated.) He’s a complex character who’s (whose?) suffered numerous hardships and his fatal flaw is holding grudges.

Nico is one of the most interesting characters in Percy Jackson & The Heroes of Olympus, but until Blood of Olympus he never even got a Point of View! I’d like to hear more for him, he could have his own book or even series!

2. Sirius Black (Harry Potter) (Prequel)

“We’ve all got both light and dark inside us. What matters is the part we choose to act on. That’s who we really are.” Order of the Phoenix

Although a pureblooded wizard whose entire family has been in Slytherin, Sirius is a Griffindor. There he made good friends and proved himself quite the jokster, as well as expert wizard. His mother wrote him off after this and he’s had a complicated home life, but his new family was always there for him. (Trying not to spoil anything for those who didn’t read the book yet)

Okay so basically I just want a book about the Marauders, but Sirius would be the best narrator for it. The logical choice would be James, but I think Sirius is more interesting.

3.Havelock Vetinari (Discworld) (Prequel or retelling)

“I believe you find life such a problem because you think there are good people and bad people. You’re wrong, of course. There are, always and only, the bad people, but some of them are on opposite sides.” Guards Guards

Lord Vetinari is the Patrician (benevolent dictator) of the city-state of Ankh Morpork and though there are numerous people with magic and armies, he’s proved that manipulation and intellect can get you further. “One Man, One Vote,” in which Vetinari is the Man, and has the Vote. A previous member of the assassin’s guild. He’s involved in all of the attempts to get him out of office, to insure that they fail. He may be unpopular, but he makes sure that life in the city is better with him than without him. He knows everything going on in the city or at least everyone thinks he does.

Almost every character in Discworld character’s gotten their own book, except Vetinari! (He finally got a small pov in Night Watch, but it wasn’t enough) I want to see how he took over the city at least! His life story would be wonderful!

4. The Darkling (Grisha) (Prequel)

“The problem with wanting is that it makes us weak” Shadow and Bone

The Darkling is the only one with the power over darkness. He leads the Grisha. He’s ambitious and older than he appears, but much mystery surrounds him.

I want to know his history! (and get inside that lovely brain)

5. Jem (Infernal Devices)(Sequel) I would put Magnus, but he sort of just got one. (I would’ve preferred a novel to short stories though.)

“I know you feel inhuman, as if you are set apart, away from life and love, but… I promise you, the right man won’t care.” Clockwork Angel

Jem is a shadowhunter and orphan living in the London institute in the 1970s. His Parabotai is Will Herondale. Despite his dark past he always sees the good in people.

I’d like to find out what happens to him next. So often the nice guy/ friend character doesn’t get his happily ever after.

6. Peeta (Hunger Games) (Retelling)

“Well, there is this one girl. I’ve had a crush on her ever since I can remember. But I’m pretty sure she didn’t know I was alive until the reaping.” Hunger Games

Peeta works is his family bakery. He’s the strong silent sweet type of guy.

I’d like at least a short story where we got to get inside Peeta’s head during the games.

daneel_olivaw_by_landylachs-d5zepv1 7. R. Daneel Olivaw (Asimov’s Robot books) (Retelling)

“Aimless extension of knowledge, however, which is what I think you really mean by the term curiosity, is merely inefficiency. I am designed to avoid inefficiency.” Caves of Steel

A robot created to look exactly like his creator, Daneel teams up with a detective to solve his creator’s murder.

He doesn’t grow old so his life story could be quite long and I always wondered what he was thinking as he learned to act more like a human.

8. Nicci (Sword of Truth) (Prequel & Retelling)

“She was probably the most powerful sorceress ever to have drawn a breath.” –Richard Rahl, Phantom

Supporter of the Imperial Order she has nicknames such as “Death’s Mistress” and the “Slave Queen”. She learns much from Richard when she captures him.

I liked Nicci better than Kahlan. I know I’m probably the only one, but she just has more depth.

9. Sherlock Holmes (Retelling)

(Yes I know, I took great pains to find art that looked like how I pictured every character, but I couldn’t resist Benedict! #sorrynotsorry)

“What you do in this world is a matter of no consequence. The question is what can you make people believe you have done.” A Study In Scarlet

The genius detective. (Do I really need to say more?)

I want to be inside his head! But there’s probably a reason we never were.

10. Skulduggery Pleasant (Prequel)

“I am a rational man, but haven’t you heard? i’m also insane. It gives me a unique perspective on things.” Death Bringer

Witty, condicending, sarcastic genius. Pleasant was “killed” years ago, but somehow came back to life, though he was then only a skeleton. He works as a detective for the Wizard’s Sanctuary and is wildly feared if not respected.

Like Sherlock Holmes, though he’s the title character he never narrates.

What character do you wish had their own novel? Any of these? Someone else in any of these books? Someone else entirely?

BookBlogWriMo Week 2

10 Monday Nov 2014

Posted by Molly Mortensen in Random Bookishness

≈ 35 Comments

Tags

advice for new bloggers, author, book, bookblogwrimo, books, characters, fantasy, most popular posts, NaNoWriMo, novel, rating system, read, reader, review process, science fiction, scifi, writer, YA, young adult

Sponsored by Bookbumblings, BookBlogWriMo is an alternative to NaNoWriMo (A writing competition every November. The goal is to write 50,000 words in a month.) where there are blogging prompts for each day. I’m of course cheating and doing one post a week instead.

Sorry for the late post, the writing was working! (so of course I forgot the rest of the world) I’ve figured out the problem I was having with my plot! *does a happy dance*

Blogging Toolkit

I don’t really use anything to help me with my blogging. I do love the WordPress app on my phone! (Although it doesn’t show everyone’s posts) It’s handy to have everyone’s comments come right in and then I don’t have to subscribe for replies. I’ve given up trying to comment back on it though, because it’s rather unreliable. (So if you’ve seen my like your review and then come back later to comment it’s because I read it on my phone.)

Blogging Workflow

I try to plan ahead, but it rarely works. So every week I realize I was supposed to post something the next day, go into a panic, then spend forever writing something up. I really should schedule posts, but wordpress doesn’t like me so my posts never post themselves.

I am a compulsive editor I read my post like 3 times before I post it, then I always notice another typo, so I have to edit it.

Memes

I’ve never done a blogging Meme, but I’ve tried (and failed) to do Top Ten Tuesday a couple of times. This week is different though! I’ve completed my top ten post ahead of time and tomorrow will be my first ever Top Ten Tuesday! (Now I just have to figure out how I do the link up thing)

Advice for New Bloggers

1. Relax and try not to stress

2. Just be yourself

3. Comment on other blogger’s posts. It starts conversation, you make friends, and more people find out about you.

4. Add pretty pictures

Review Process

I make notes on random things while reading and then it’s always an effort to find them all when it’s time to write my review. The moment I finish a book I write the review (occasionally the next day) because if I wait I’ll forget what I wanted to say. (and though I procrastinate other things I never put that off, because I know it won’t happen if I do)

Ratings System

My ratings are out of 10 Stars (Because 5 aren’t enough)

10 Stars – I am obsessed with this book, I adore it, and must own it now! I will read it again and again.

9 Stars – An awesome book, just short of perfection! I still feel the need to own it even though I’ve read it.

8 Stars – A great book! I want to buy it, but I’ll wait for the used book store to have it.

7 Stars – A really good book. I might buy it, but I might not.

6 Stars – A good book, and I’m glad I read it, but I probably won’t read it again.

5 Stars – Well I finished it. It was okay, not for me.

4 Stars – This is a bad book, I can’t believe I read the whole thing.

3 Stars – I didn’t finish this book it was so bad, but I read enough to know how bad it was.

2 Stars – I am haunted by this book. It’s so awful I still have bad dreams about it.

1 Star – This is not a book, it is a collection of words that someone is trying to pass off as a book. It never should’ve been published.

How do you rate books? What is your blogging process/ system?

Fallen Souls By Linda Foster Mini Review

06 Thursday Nov 2014

Posted by Molly Mortensen in Book Reviews

≈ 30 Comments

Tags

Angels, author, book, book reviews, books, characters, Demons, Fallen Souls, fantasy, fiction, Linda Foster, Linda Foster Fallen Souls, magic, Netgalley, novel, Novella, read, reader, Realm of the Claimed, review, romance, Short Stories, Soul Bound, writer, YA, young adult

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Demons & Angels

Pages: 60 (Novella)

Point of View: Third (Ash, Grace & Kali)

Released: April 8, 2014

Predictability: 3 out of 5 (If I hadn’t read the blurb) 5 out of 5 with the blurb.

Source: Netgalley

There are Two Short Stories in this Novella, Condemned and Fallen.

I read this novella, because it takes place before a book called Soul Bound, which sounded really good to me. I thought it would be a good way to get to know the author’s writing style so I could decide whether to read Soul Bound or not. (See more about that book at the end of this post.)

Condemned stars a teenage boy named Ash and his sister Grace. It’s about a deal with a demon. (and I love Supernatural so that sounded really cool) I don’t want to say more, because the synopsis details to whole short story and I think knowing everything that was going to happen really hurt my enjoyment of this book.

The Good:

It was fast paced and a quick read. I liked Ash, he was a relatable main character who really cared about his sister.

The Not So Good:

Maybe I just had my hopes set to high after reading the blurb for the novel that this is a prequel to, because though the story had promise it had issues.

I hate to harp on the whole show don’t tell thing, but the start of this novella is a case where everything is told and it really isn’t as good. It feels like reading a story instead of being in one. There were also a couple of little info dumps that could’ve been handed better.

After spending so much time in a hospital the little errors there really stood out to me, but they probably wouldn’t to anyone else. I just hated to read about a hospital, one thing that wasn’t in the blurb.

There were quite a few missing/wrong word errors in this story, but it was too fast paced for me to mark them like I usually do. (Yes I always feel the need to highlight these things in my Kindle. I might be a bit OCD.)

Verdict: Quick paced, good story (if you don’t read the blurb) but nothing special.
6/10 stars

The second story Fallen is about Angels in heaven. An angel named Adrian is planning to take over heaven and kill all humans. (I’m not really an angel sort of girl, I was promised demons, I like demons, angels not so much.)

I didn’t really care about Kali, the main character. She was super righteous, but also kind of wishy-washy about Adrian. One minute she can’t believe he’d would do such a thing and the next she admits it sounds like something he might do. I just didn’t feel anything for her.

Also there were a couple of times where the story didn’t make logical sense, but I think maybe things just needed to explained. (I’m trying to give the author credit here)

Verdict: A fine story, but I couldn’t connect to the main character. (and I’m not an angel fan)
5/10 stars

Do I plan to read the main book? Maybe.

What’s your take on Short stories, like them or hate them? I like using short stories to try out new authors, but it didn’t really work this time since the shorts were both just okay.

I wanted a glimpse at a cool world and it’s characters, but what we were shown of the world didn’t blow me away and though I cared about Ash I couldn’t connect with Kali and I think she’s going to be the main character.

Soul Bound By Linda Foster (The book that sounded so good I read this novella.)

Released: April 6, 2015

Pages: 400

Join Ash and Kali, and a cast of dark characters, as they fight for the fallen angels of the world, the right to choose their own path, and the one thing they never thought they’d find – true love.

That’s the only part of the synopsis that doesn’t RUIN the short stories, but I doubt I would’ve wanted to read it based on just that. (Since there’s no mention of the demons and this sounds like an angels story.)

I edited out the parts that really spoil the short stories. Still if you want to read them (and of course you do after my glowing review) you might not want to read on.

~~~SPOILERS BELOW!~~~

A fight is brewing, and it’s bigger than anyone suspects. Kali has been forced to work for the Dark Lord for thousands of years as a demon. Now she’s found a way out, and she means to take it.

Unfortunately, she’s been saddled with Ash, a boy who sold his soul to the devil. And a boy she’s quickly falling for. Now, much to her surprise, she finds that the Dark Lord wants this boy for reasons unknown, and is trying to take him from her. He’s throwing every demon he has in her way.

As Kali fights for her life — and Ash’s — she discovers that she’s fighting for more than just herself. All the other fallen angels are at risk as well, and the apocalypse is on the line.

I mean doesn’t that sound good?

NaNoWriMo & BookBlogWriMo

03 Monday Nov 2014

Posted by Molly Mortensen in Random Bookishness

≈ 44 Comments

Tags

author, book, bookblogwrimo, books, characters, fantasy, history of blog, NaNoWriMo, novel, read, reader, science fiction, scifi, writer, YA, young adult

No, I’m not talking gibberish. NaNoWriMo is a writing competition that takes place in November where writers try to write 50,000 words over the course of the month. See my post from last year all about it here.

I think I set a record with worst NaNo start ever. I wrote 248 words so far… My writing just isn’t working right now, and I know myself better than to force the writing, because when it’s not working I can’t write anything good, but I haven’t written in a few months and I want to. (Sorry for the babble)

I wish you luck if you’re doing NaNoWriMo this year. Try not stress out about it and just have fun writing. Don’t worry about word count, or even pay attention to it. Trying too hard last year only caused me to develop more writing bad habits, something I didn’t need, and I never wound up doing anything with my story anyway.

I don’t know if I’m going to keep trying with NaNo or just forget it and try to write every day on my own. I am going to participate in BookBlogWriMo though. It’s a spinoff of NaNo that just started this year and is hosted by Bookbumblings with blogging prompts for writing every day.

I’m just going to post once a week-ish (Yes, I’m cheating) since I don’t have enough to say about most of these topics for a whole post.

History of the Blog

I was always creating websites as a kid, but my interests waned quickly. (I had many embarrassing sites starting from the age of 14. Pokemon, Digimon, and whatever else I was currently into.)

When I started this blog it was mostly to placate my sister who insisted I make one. (She forced me onto Facebook too) I made my first post on Wednesday July 23^rd 2013 to celebrate finishing my rough draft.

At first I just talked about my book occasionally, and then I posted writing tips for a few months. Then in April of this year I wrote my first book review and really loved it. It was so much more fun and easier to write, (Some of those writing tip posts would take me all week to do) and from then on I only wrote book reviews. 🙂

How You Read

All the ways! I never thought I’d like my Kindle, but he’s just so handy. I still prefer the real thing though. I always start the book taking notes for my reviews, then I forget once I get into it. I tune out the world and hear nothing while I read. (My mom hears everything, it’s just scary.) I rarely use real bookmarks, I just grab random objects that are on hand. (Which can make it rather awkward when I go to read in public and I’ve got a feminine pad bookmark…)

Where You Read

Wherever I can. The couch or my bed are my favorite spots, but I always carry a book for waiting rooms.

Why You Blog

For fun, to make friends. (Free books are a bonus)

Where You Blog

WordPress for now, but I’m debating on getting a .com

Favorite Childhood Book

I really liked the Alex Mack books, Goosebumps, and the first Narnia, but I think my favorite was the Hobbit.

Blog’s First Design

I’ve made quite a few headers for this blog, but they were pretty much the same as what I have now. This was my first one. (Yeah, it’s pretty bad.) I was trying to draw my characters, but I’m not good at coloring things on a computer. Then I added all of the stuff to the side in July in an attempt to spiffy things up around here.

Are you doing NaNoWriMo or BookBlogWriMo? What’s the history behind your blog? I always enjoy hearing about how everyone got started.

Also: The Last Changeling comes out on November 8th~! Since it was my first ARC I didn’t realize I was supposed to wait and post my review closer to when the book was released, so be sure to check it out.