Golden Son By Pierce Brown (Spoiler free review!)

Tags

author, book, book reviews, books, characters, dystopian, fiction, golden son, golden son by pierce brown, literature, novel, Pierce Brown, plot, read, reader, Red Rising, review, sci-fi, science fiction, scifi, stories, story, who dies in golden son, write, writer, writing, YA, young adult

Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Dystopian, Spaceships

Pages: 464

Point of View: First (Darrow)

Released: January 6, 2015

Series: Red Rising Trilogy #2

Predictability: 1 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

Warning: Violence

My Rating: 8/10 Stars

Usually it’s hard for me to review a sequel, because I don’t want to spoil the first book for those who haven’t read it, but with Golden Son that wasn’t a problem at all. So even if you haven’t read Red Rising you don’t have to worry about spoilers here. (click to read my review of Red Rising)

My Summary: (Stuff about the world learned in Red Rising)

In a world where one’s color determines one’s status, Darrow was born the lowest, a Red. The Reds were lied to, told they were living a horrible life for the betterment of mankind, working to terraform Mars for their descendants, but really Mars has been colonized for years.

Darrow was approached by the Sons of Ares, a group of Reds who want to change the system. They changed Darrow from a Red into a Gold, the highest ruling class, and snuck him into their elite institute.

Golden Sun Summary:

Darrow’s been out of the Institute for two years now. A year ago he joined the academy where they train for the military.

The book opens on his final exam for the academy. He’s playing a similar game as before, only this time with warships in space.

My Review:

With such a large cast it’s hard to remember them all, but the author did a good job of reminding me.

Like the first, this book has copious slang, (Yikes he’s got me talking like him now.) but it isn’t as annoying as it was in Red Rising. (Or I’ve finally gotten it all figured out.)

And Darrow is still holding things back. We’re in his head, but we never know all he does. I suppose that’s one way to write an intelligent character, but it’s so annoying.

The Good:

Golden Son starts with a bang. One thing I wanted from the first book was a starship battle and the space battles are some of the best I’ve read! I can tell that the author put a lot of thought into the types of ships and tactics that would be used in space. (I so want a companion book about all the ships, with pictures!)

More excellent world building! I liked the techy Blues and the way they communicate with the ship and each other. As well as the culture and history of the huge obsidian warriors.

I enjoyed the new characters as well as the old. It’s so hard not to have favorites and this is the kind of book I hate to get attached to anyone, but I can’t help it!

There’s also more levity. It’s by no means a comedy, but I did laugh out loud on the plane. (I have no clue if I got weird looks because that would require stopping)

And like the first book absolutely nothing is predictable. Unlike Game of Thrones good thing do happen, but there is no knowing when.

I had a book hangover for a week when I finished! Just wow. I need more!! I almost wish I’d waited to read the last two together or stopped before the cliffhanger ending. Talk about to be continued! Why does he do this to us?!

The Bad:

This is at times a dark an emotional book, which isn’t usually my cup of tea. Darrow is more mature in the sequel, but he’s still the same guy. (Moody and way too moral for what he’s trying to do) But the plot and story telling is so strong that it doesn’t matter that I don’t really care for the main character!

I highly recommend this series! Even though I realize it isn’t for everyone.

Who dies in Golden Son? Click here. Obviously SPOILERS! I so wish I knew this ahead of time so I wouldn’t have been so tense while reading.

Can top notch world building and plot make up for a lackluster or unlikable main character? Usually my enjoyment of a book rests largely on the protagonist, but if the world and plot totally rock I can still love the book. If I don’t like the main there does need to be some good minor characters though.

Demons at Deadnight by A&E Kirk

Tags

author, book, book reviews, books, characters, Demons at Deadnight, Divinicus Nex, fantasy, fiction, Hex Boys, literature, novel, plot, read, reader, review, stories, story, write, writer, writing, YA, young adult

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Demons, Powers

Pages: 404

Point of View: First (Aurora)

Released: January 5, 2012

Series: Divinicus Nex Chronicles

Predictability: 5 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: Choosy Bookworm (I found a new place to find free to review books!)

Warning: Some icky-ness and one character wears flip-flops. (This warning is for Jess. 🙂 )

My Rating: 7/10 Stars

My Summary:

Aurora can see demons, and sense when they’re near. They’ve never bothered her before, but now the demons have stopped ignoring her. After an incident that left Aurora scared, her family moved back to Gossamer Falls. Aurora hasn’t been here since she was eight, but she vaguely remembers her old friends. When she meets them again, they’ve grown up into six cute young men with secrets of their own.

My Review:

I realize this sounds like a female harem, (and yes of course all six of the guys are extremely good looking) but it’s not and although more than one of the boys flirts with Aurora only one of them might like like her. (This is a reference to a funny conversation in the book where the boys actually discussed this.)

I liked her interactions with Ayden (the like like boy) but I’m not a fan of the shivers went down my spine, I got hot when he touched me style of romance. (So I skimmed those parts)

The Good:

While not perfect, Demons at Deadnight was a cute, fun, lighter book, and I really enjoyed it. Aurora had a great voice, but I’m always a fan of funny sarcastic protagonists.

The book alternates between demon attacks and Hex Boys scenes. (What the boys are called by their fellow high schoolers) Both the action and the boys’ scenes were well done and shockingly I found myself preferring scenes with the boys. (I know, what’s wrong we me preferring non actions scenes?) It’s just that the interactions and joking between the characters was so well done.

I image it was hard to create six unique teenage boys and have them all feel different and stand out while not becoming clichés, but the authors did it. Their arguing and joking felt authentic and they came off like real guys. (Which is always good in a male character.)

I LOVED Aurora’s family. So often in young adult the family is nonexistent or horrible, but her family really felt real and while it wasn’t perfect, it was nice. I liked all of her annoying little siblings and her overprotective parents. Since so much of what Aurora does is to protect her family, it was really important for us to fall for her family and I so did. (I actually teared up at a sweet father daughter moment)

Everything was described well, and I could picture the characters, school and houses perfectly. The world building was simple, but I liked it and though the powers were nothing special, they managed to make them unique. (And look really cool)

Most of my questions were answered with enough lose threads to make me want to read the sequel. I liked how the secrets were handled. The characters didn’t just confess everything, which makes sense, because in real life people wouldn’t. When they realized Aurora had to know some things they explained only what they felt she needed to know, still holding back their personal secrets. (Which also prevented information overload.)

The Bad:

Yes, Aurora occasionally acts stupid. Demons are trying to kill you, so you run from your protectors? But at the time her actions made sense being inside her head, because she wasn’t sure who she could trust.

The characters were so clueless! I figured out their secrets from the get go and they should’ve figured out Aurora’s too, but they never did. (I realize it’s probably realistic for someone to assume people don’t have powers, but come on! How many times do you have to have hints of them before you get it!)

 Will I read the next one? Yes.

How do you feel about perfectly attractive characters? 

I prefer not all of the characters looking like gods, but that’s me. I might be the oddball here (what else is new) but, I’d rather flawed or quirky characters.

Angelfall and World After by Susan Ee

Tags

Angelfall, Angels, Angels and demons, author, book, book reviews, books, characters, End of Days, fantasy, fiction, literature, novel, plot, read, reader, review, stories, story, Susan Ee, World After, write, writer, writing, YA, young adult

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy or Science Fiction, Apocalypse, Angels & Demons

Pages: 283

Point of View: First (Penryn)

Released: May 21, 2011

Series: Penryn & the End of Days

Predictability: 3 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: Kindle freebie

My Rating: 8/10 Stars

My summary:

Two months ago the world ended. Angels came out of the sky, comets struck the earth, and tsunamis and storms destroyed large portions of the cities. Penryn is a survivor, not only does she take care of her seven year old paralyzed sister, but her schizophrenic mother.

Penryn witnesses a battle between angels which leaves one wingless. When her sister’s kidnapped she aides the wingless angel to discover where the others could have taken the little girl.

My Review:

Penryn’s had a rough life being the adult of the family at only seventeen after her father left. As a child her mother forced her to go to every sort of self defense class after an accident left her sister paralyzed. (Which I thought was a great way for Penryn to kick butt!)

I know Penryn loves her mother, because she’s her mother, but I hated seeing such an abusive relationship! We don’t get to see the abuse, but we’re told about it happening in the past. (It’s not like her mom’s better now. If anything she’s more scary crazy.) I couldn’t like her mom because of this and I wanted to, because she was scary crazy to the bad guys too!

The Good:

The world is the one we know, albeit a bit more rubble. Still the author manages to create a unique post apocalyptic world.

I loved the two main characters! Their relationship was wonderful, from uncertain allies to unlikely friends. Their banter was great! I love when a book manages to be dark and funny at the same time!

Angelfall was face paced and nicely plotted. I never knew what was coming next and I gobbled it up. (I needed this book! Thank you to everyone who recommended it!)

The Bad:

I had so many questions about the angels and where they came from, why they’re here, but we aren’t really given any answers! I need answers!

There was quite a lot of violence and general grossness in this book. Most of the parts I didn’t like were more of a personal taste thing. The ending was fine. I was disturbed and not totally happy about everything, but it worked. (Note: I am easily grossed out so it might not bother you.)

---

 

WORLD AFTER ~ No spoilers!

Pages: 438

Released: Nov 19, 2013

My Rating: 7/10 Stars

I like it when a sequel picks up right where the last one left off (That way it feels like I didn’t miss anything) and World After picks up literally the next second. She’s quick to remind about what happened previously without getting boring.

The book was fine, but I’d probably have liked it better if I hadn’t just read Angelfall. (Angelfall great, World After just good)

The Good:

The BEST parts of these books are the Penryn and Raffe moments. We still get a few excellent moments between the two, but for the most part Raffe isn’t in the book. (Which was so sad!)

I cracked up at one part towards the end. It was perfection! (I’m not going to spoil the joke, but if you’re not liking this book as much you should still keep reading, it’s worth it.)

A few of my questions were finally answered! (Even if these answers raised even more questions)

The Bad:

Penryn alone isn’t nearly as fun and I was annoyed with her a little bit. (I am with most main characters at some point though)

I felt like too much time was spent on unimportant things and the whole book could’ve been greatly reduced. (Okay, I just wanted the parts without Raffe. The beginning needed reduced so we got more time with him!)

---

 

 

Okay, where’s the third book? I kind of have to know what happens next!!! End of Days will be released on May 12, 2015. (At least I didn’t have to wait two years!)

 

 

Unrelated question this week, but something I’ve been curious about. How young is too young for the protagonist of a book? Do you have a cut off age? If so, how young of a character will you read?

I’m debating on how young my main character should be. (Pabkins sister was nice enough to point out that it depends on what my target audience. I’m thinking young adult. Even though there’s no romance, it’s written more mature, and I just can’t get the page count down enough for middle grade. She was originally going to be 10-11, but I’m thinking 12-13 might be better?)

Princess of Thorns By Stacey Jay

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

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

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: 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) 

The Bane Chronicles By Cassandra Clare Mini Reviews

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.)

BookBlogWriMo Week 2

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

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

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.

The Griever’s Mark by Katherine Hurley

Tags

author, book, book reviews, books, characters, Cipher, fantasy, fiction, Griever's Mark, Katherine Hurley, magic, Netgalley, novel, read, reader, review, romance, The Griever's Mark, The Griever’s Mark by Katherine Hurley, The Griever’s Mark Katherine Hurley, writer, YA, young adult

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Magic

Pages: 333

Point of View: First Present (Astarti & Logan)

Released: November 11, 2014

Predictability: 3 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: 9/10 Stars

My Summary: 

Astarti was abandoned by her mother, and left with the Griever’s Mark, which is placed on those about to die or unwanted children. She was taken in by Belos, who is known by many names, the deal maker, the deceiver, the liar. He makes deals with people offering them power in exchange for them accepting his Leach, which in turn feeds his magic. When Astarti was young he Leached her and now she has no choice but to do as he says. Through the Leach he can always find her and even take over her mind and control her.

Belos and his seven are Earthmakers, another people with great powers, but after being banished by his people he’s learned the magic of humans as well, Drifting. Drifters and Earthmakers hate one another and they all fear Belos.

Astarti is sent to convince someone to make a deal with Belos when she meets a young warden Earthmaker. She knows she should kill him, but she can’t bring herself to. She hates belonging to Belos, but thinks escape is impossible. Is this young warden her enemy or could he help her somehow?

My Review:

I LOVED this book! I seriously think it could (should) be the next hugely popular young adult fantasy! Sorry I’m a little late with this review it took me a bit to get my thoughts in order. (Coherency is good in a review)

The Good:

The magic was awesome! And so unique! There are two kinds of magical people; Earthmakers and Drifters. Earthmakers have control over the elements and can travel over a distance within the life force of trees. Drifters can form weapons and energy, traveling through the drift, a web created by living creatures.

I draw my thoughts into myself and ease along my mooring, the glowing thread of energy that connects my physical body to the energy world of the Drift. Though every living thing has a mooring, and every living thing is part of the Drift, only Drifters can travel along their mooring to actually enter the Drift. Or to draw power from it.

The world building was excellent and expertly done. It starts with a medieval kingdom, but the entire world is fleshed out with different peoples and cultures. I particularly liked the floating islands of the Earthmakers.

From the first page I could tell how well written this book was and I thought Astarti had a great voice. She’s been abused, but she was still tough and proud. She’s never had anyone be truly nice to her before, but that doesn’t stop her from being a good person.

One thing Belos has taught me is that you collect information where you can and you don’t let anyone know that you know it.

Logan was also an awesome character. He had enough personality and spunk to go along with his mysterious tortured past. He’s rash and emotional and unlike most Earthmakers, but that’s what I liked about him. All of the minor characters were well done too too especially Belos and the Drifter King. (He has a long name starting with H and I can’t remember it.)

Griever’s mark has nice action scenes, from swords and spears to the magical battles. (and even a siege) I could picture the fighting perfectly and I didn’t have the desire to skim over anything.

The pacing was intense towards the end, though it’s all pretty fast paced, but I even forgot to eat I was so engrossed in the story. (and that’s saying something. Molly eats like a hobbit.)

The romance was well done, and I’m totally rooting for these two. I like them both and I really felt it. Their relationship went at just the right speed to be believable! This book made me have feelings! I swear I almost teared up!

The Bad:

It ends to be continued! Why?! I need more NOW! The next book comes out in the spring of 2015. (Which I know isn’t too long in the book world, but I can’t wait!)

Have you found any good indie authors? (Indie = not published by a company, but just the individual)