[Review] The Bluestocking Duchess by Julia Justiss

Title: The Bluestocking Duchess
Series: Heirs in Waiting #1
Author: Julia Justiss
Genre: fiction, romance, historical, regency
Format: ebook
Publication Date: February 23 2021
Published By: Harlequin Romance
Source: NetGalley

Synopsis from Publisher

Her good friend...

Is suddenly a duke’s heir! Miss Jocelyn Sudderfeld is working at Edge Hall, indulging her love of translating ancient texts with her librarian father—and evading the need to marry! She’s always enjoyed a teasing friendship with estate manager Mr. Alex Cheverton. Until he unexpectedly becomes the duke’s heir. Now his first duty is to marry a suitable debutante, not consort with an earnest bluestocking like her… So where does that leave their friendship?

About Lexi Post

Julia Justiss grew up breathing the scent of sea air near the colonial town of Annapolis, Maryland, a fact responsible for two of her life-long passions: sailors and history! By age twelve she was a junior tour guide for Historic Annapolis, conducting visitors on walking tours through the city that was a hotbed of revolutionary fervor. (Annapolis hosted its own tea party, dispensing with the cargo aboard the "Peggy Stewart," and was briefly capital of the United States.) She also took tourists through Annapolis's other big attraction, the United States Naval Academy. After so many years of observing future naval officers at P-rade and chapel, it seemed almost inevitable that she eventually married one.

But long before embarking on romantic adventures of her own, she read about them, transporting herself to such favorite venues as ancient Egypt, World War II submarine patrols, the Old South and, of course, Regency England. Soon she was keeping notebooks for jotting down story ideas. From plotting adventures for her first favorite heroine Nancy Drew she went on to write poetry in high school and college, then worked as a business journalist doing speeches, sales promotion material and newsletter articles. After her marriage to a naval lieutenant took her overseas, she wrote the newsletter for the American Embassy in Tunis, Tunisia and traveled extensively throughout Europe. Before leaving Tunis, she fulfilled her first goal: completing a Regency novel.

Children intervened, and not until her husband left the Navy to return to his Texas homeland did she sit down to pen a second novel. The reply to her fan mail letter to a Regency author led her to Romance Writers of America. From the very first meeting, she knew she'd found a home among fellow writers--doubtless the largest group of people outside a mental institution who talk back to the voices in their heads.

Her second goal was achieved the day before her birthday in May, 1998 when Margaret Marbury of Harlequin Historicals offered to buy that second book, the Golden-Heart-Award winning novel that became THE WEDDING GAMBLE. Since then, she has gone on to write fourteen novels, three novellas and an on-line serial, along the way winning or finalling for historical awards from The Golden Quill, the National Reader’s Choice, Romantic Times, and All About Romance’s Favorite Book of the Year.

Julia now inhabits an English Georgian-style house she and her husband built in the East Texas countryside where, if she closes her eyes and ignores the summer thermometer, she can almost imagine she inhabits the landscape of "Pride and Prejudice." In between travelling to visit her three children (a naval officer son stationed in Washington, DC, a textiles and design major daughter who cheers for University of Texas at Austin, and a mechanical engineering major son also at UT Austin) keeping up with her science teacher husband and juggling a part-time day job as a high school French teacher, she pursues her first and dearest love--crafting stories.

To relax, she enjoys watching movies, reading (historical fiction, mystery, suspense) and puttering about in the garden trying to kill off more weeds than flowers.

My Thoughts:
I have to admit in advance that I am not the hugest fan for romance novels, unless they are really well done. Thanks to the popularity of Bridgerton on Netflix, and the books by Julia Quinn (which I have already devoured The Duke and I) I have started to delve into some more historical (especially regency) romance novels. But, if you are looking for another Bridgerton type novel, this is not really for you.

While Bridgerton focuses more on the social season, the ton, extravagant social gatherings and gorgeous dresses, this novel focuses on Miss Jocelyn Sudderfeld and her relationship with her father, brother, and her dear friend who is the estate manager for Edge Hall, where she lives and works. Although there are a couple references to the ton and social events, etc. it is not the basis of this novel. So if that is what you are looking for, then this is not the book for you, and it really wasn't quite the book for me either, even though I did enjoy it somewhat.

The language often felt awkward, but I understand that is because the author is trying to seat us firmly in the place and time of the novel. But I found this took me out of the novel multiple times to look up words like bluestocking (an intellectual, well-read woman), hoyden (a rude, ill-bred, boisterous and noisy girl), and several others as well as forcing me to re-read several passages multiple times for understanding. At least I know some new words now! Not sure where I would use them however.

The story is very predictable, as I personally find most romance novels tend to be. I know a lot of people love that part of romance novels, but that is one of the main things that stops me from reading them a majority of the time. If I already know how it's going to go then where is the entertainment? In this case it's even more predictable because the very short summary, and the title, both give away the main exciting part, that Alex ends up becoming the Duke's heir!

The one thing I really liked was the character of Jocelyn. She has a secret she has been hiding for a very long time, and the discovery of this secret would ruin her whole family's life. She is a true intellectual. Even though everyone knows she helps her brother and father with translations by transcribing what they dictate, what they don't know is that she often comes up with translations and interpretations herself. If the secret was ever to be discovered that a woman helped on these projects they would be fired, evicted, and previous work would be rejected and ridiculed. This is the main reason why Jocelyn feels she cannot form an attachment with any man, as he would never understand her need to be part of this work, and even continue on her own later down the road once her father retired and her brother married.

I welcomed the addition of Lord Dansbury about halfway through the book as it was a nice break from the boring back and forth of Jocelyn having feelings for Alex, but knowing they couldn't be together because of her work and his rank, and Alex feeling a pull to Jocelyn, but being stopped by his rank. He knew he would be expected to marry a high ranking female with a large dowry, which of course Jocelyn did not have. Things had been so slow and boring during the second quarter of the book! Lord Dansbury was quite dashing for a somewhat older gentleman, and he seemed willing to wait for Jocelyn to finish her project to marry her, and they had so many things in common. I actually almost found myself rooting for him, even though I knew how things had to end (typical romance novel). 

Overall the story was pretty good. The second half more than made up for the first half. I really liked the way most of the story was wrapped up, but the very ending was a little too conveniently happily ever after, especially for the character involved. It didn't fit the way their character had been described throughout the novel, so it left a bad taste in my mouth, like the character was changed just for that happily ever after. Even a typical romance reader would find this disconcerting I think. Let me know what you thought if you read it.

I would have rated it a 3.5/5 if my blog or Goodreads allowed for it, but I didn't like it enough to bump it up to a 4.

The Pros:

• The character of Miss Jocelyn Sudderfeld was very well done.
• The addition of Lord Dansbury added to the story. I actually wish there was more of him.

The Cons:

• The back and forth between Jocelyn and Alex was often annoying and repetitive.
• The too happily ever after ending irked me.

[Review] Star-Crossed Dragons by Chris Cannon

Title: Star-Crossed Dragons
Series: N/A
Author: Chris Cannon
Genre: YA, fantasy, dragons, magic
Format: ebook from the publisher on NetGalley
Publication Date: February 1, 2021
Published By: Entangled Teen
Source: ebook from the publisher on NetGalley

Synopsis from Publisher

Ice-princess, Sara Sinclair, is the most un-Blue Blue Dragon of her Clan. And now her parents signed a marriage contract to an absolute asshat. Sara has no interest in being one half of a snobby Blue power couple. In fact, all she can dream about is biting her obnoxious fiancé’s head off and burying him in the garden. Since that can’t happen, her future seems like a lost cause, until she meets Ian, a fire-breathing Red Dragon—who is everything her fiancé is not.

Now Sara’s jumped from the frying pan into the fire because dating outside of your Clan is against Directorate law. Ian could be thrown in jail or executed without a trial. But now that she knows what love feels like, she can’t imagine being with anyone else.

Talk about a rock and a hard place…

About Chris Cannon

Chris Cannon is the award-winning author of the Going Down In Flames series, the Crossroads Chronicles, the Boyfriend Chronicles, and the Dating Dilemma series. She lives in Southern Illinois with her husband and several furry beasts.
She believes coffee is the Elixir of Life. Most evenings after work, you can find her sucking down caffeine and writing fire-breathing paranormal adventures or romantic comedies.

My Thoughts:
Star-Crossed Dragons tells the story of Sara Sinclair, a well off member of the blue dragon clan. She has been promised to another high ranking blue dragon clan member, and she is struggling with the idea of this union and her role in the blue dragon clan as a whole. She runs into Ian, a member of the red dragon clan, while she is fleeing her intended. Ian is like no one she has ever met before. She likes that he actually listens to her and involves her in things, unlike Ferrin, her intended, who believes the role of blue dragon women is only to bear children and support their husband.

The story starts off very strong. The world building is fantastic and I was quickly pulled into the world of the dragon clans. I loved how every color dragon had their specialty and their role in society. I think I would have been a black or green dragon. I would have loved even more about their difference and how their society came to be. However, I was often caught wondering why the clans were kept so separate. Why can't they have relationships outside their own color?

I felt there were explanations missing for many things, like the directorate. Why were they formed. Why did the rest of the dragon society allow it. Why do the rest of the dragons not fight against the amount of power and fortune the blue dragons hoard? What was the punishment for being out past curfew? Why was there a curfew? What is the extent of their powers?

The writing was pretty basic throughout the majority of the book, and for some reason it got worse as the book progressed. The first half was wonderful, but the second half dragged in places, but then the epilogue raced through so much where I would have liked more details. The pacing was just awkward overall.

I also felt like parts of the book were missing that dangerous feeling that I felt it should have had. Sara and Ian are doing things that could get them killed. Yet even though it's mentioned, the danger isn't really felt. I don't feel them being careful, sneaking around. There should have been more people that were curious about their actions. There should have been that rush of the directorate coming after them, the actual chase, but I just never felt it. The ending was just too slow, too basic, too much back and forth, should we, shouldn't we. Just not enough drama/action! It just seems too much happily ever after with not enough fight/suffering. Too easy.

I was also left wondering what happened to the characters left behind. I would have liked a little focus on their reactions, maybe how they handled the directorate questioning them (because I am assuming that would have to happen). Maybe there will be another book? Hopefully?

Overall I enjoyed the story, it was a light easy read, and I would be interested in reading more from this world.

The Pros:

• The world building is fantastic.
• Ian was my favorite character.
• Sara's attitude and her always wanting to shift and bite off Ferrin's head.

The Cons:

• The writing is basic, almost feels like a rough draft, especially nearing the end.
  
• The back and forth, should I, shouldn't I gets tiring fast.
• Sadly seems to be a one off, I would like to read more in this world.

[Review] Ward Against Death by Melanie Ward

Title: Ward Against Death
Series: Chronicles of a Reluctant Necromancer (Book 1)
Author: Melanie Card
Genre: YA, fantasy, necromancers
Format: E-book, 306 pages
Publication Date: August 2, 2011
Published By: Entangled Publishing
Source: Received from publisher for tour

 Synopsis from Publisher

Twenty-year-old Ward de’Ath expected this to be a simple job—bring a nobleman’s daughter back from the dead for fifteen minutes, let her family say good-bye, and launch his fledgling career as a necromancer. Goddess knows he can’t be a surgeon—the Quayestri already branded him a criminal for trying—so bringing people back from the dead it is.

But when Ward wakes the beautiful Celia Carlyle, he gets more than he bargained for. Insistent that she’s been murdered, Celia begs Ward to keep her alive and help her find justice. By the time she drags him out her bedroom window and into the sewers, Ward can’t bring himself to break his damned physician’s Oath and desert her.

However, nothing is as it seems—including Celia. One second, she’s treating Ward like sewage, the next she’s kissing him. And for a nobleman’s daughter, she sure has a lot of enemies. If he could just convince his heart to give up on the infuriating beauty, he might get out of this alive…

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11796405-ward-against-death

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Against-Death-Chronicles-Reluctant-Necromancer/dp/1620612984/ref=la_B0058P2KRS_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1354564666&sr=1-2

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ward-against-death-melanie-card/1103944555?ean=9781620612989

The Book Depository: http://www.bookdepository.com/Ward-Against-Death-Melanie-Card/9781620612989

Add book 2 Ward Against Darkness(Chronicles of a Reluctant Necromancer #2) coming out in June 2013! 

The last thing Ward de'Ath wants is more trouble. On the run from both the law and the criminal underworld, Ward and Celia flee Brawenal City only to stumble into the mansion of a powerful evil necromancer. And when Ward discovers the man possesses a dangerous grimoire, his duty leaves him no choice. He can't allow the necromancer to keep the grimoire. But the mansion is filled with monsters--human and undead--and Ward has no way of telling who's friend or foe. The only person he can trust is Celia who dominates more of his thoughts and feelings everyday. But there are still laws in the way of anything but friendship. She's still dead and he's still alive . . . for now.

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16000437-ward-against-darkness

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Against-Darkness-Chronicles-Reluctant-Necromancer/dp/1620612887/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1354567587&sr=1-4

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ward-against-darkness-melanie-card/1112164467?ean=9781620612880 The Book Depository: http://www.bookdepository.com/Ward-Against-Darkness-Melanie-Card/9781620612880

About Melanie Card

I have always been drawn to storytelling. In fact, I can't remember a time when I wasn't telling a story in my head or on paper. In grade school, we had journal writing time which I turned into story telling time, weaving tales of magic and adventure that mimicked the fairy tales and myths that I loved to read. It was there, with the help of two very special teachers, that I nurtured this love and started my journey as a writer.

I write fantasy, paranormal romance, and everything in between, seasoned with a good dash of adventure and mystery. Join me on my tales of magic, adventure, and romance.

Where you can find her:
Website: http://melaniecard.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/melaniecard
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/melanie.card.37?fref=ts
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4970892.Melanie_Card

Giveaway Information:

A Ward Against Death Prize Pack including:

A Signed copy of Ward Against Death

A Mug

A tote bag

9 copies of the eBook of Ward Against Death

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

12/31 K-Books  http://k-booksxo.blogspot.com  Ch 1 part 1

1/1  Tynga's Reviews http://www.tyngasreviews.com/  Review

1/1  Fiktshun   http://www.fiktshun.com/  Ch 1 part 2

1/3  Always YA At Heart   http://www.alwaysyaatheart.com/ Review

1/4  Bibliophilia Please   http://bibliophiliaplease.blogspot.com/   Ch 1 part 3

1/7  Refracted Light   www.refractedlightreviews.com  Q&A with Celila and Ward

1/8  Chapter by Chapter   www.chapter-by-chapter.com   Ch 1 part 4

1/9  Book Briefs   http://bookbriefs.blogspot.com/   Ch 1 part 5

1/10  Rants & Scribbles   http://rantsnscribbles.blogspot.com   Review

1/11  My Life With Books   http://www.jenkjovus.com/   Ch 1 part 6

My Thoughts
Melanie Care tells a vivid and realistically fantastical tale about a young man who would much rather be a surgeon than a necromancer as he has been forced to become by his family (and a mistake he made before the story takes place that get's him thrown out of school as a physician). After a wake gone a little awry Ward is forced to run for his life, while trying to help Celia prove who it was that killed her.

The Pros:

• I loved the title of this novel, very suitable to the story being told
• Melanie Card is a great writer and her world building is very solid and realistic
• The back and forth bickering relationship at the beginning of the novel was fabulous
• Ward is a solid character who sticks by his Oath, as much as he wants to run away
• Celia is also a solid character who is feisty and very suspicious of everyone, which makes perfect sense given her assassin lifestyle

The Cons:

• I wasn't exactly excited about the story and often found myself being forced to turn the page
• The seemingly forced romance became tiresome towards the end, chemistry was lacking

Overall a mostly enjoyable unique read that I recommend you check out if this type of story interests you.

[Review] Until Next Time by Amy Lignor

Title: Until Next Time
Series:  The Angel Chronicles
Author:  Amy Lignor
Genre:  ya, angels, fantasy, religious
Format:  E-Book, 225 pages
Publication Date:  February 1, 2012
Published By:  Tribute Books
Source:  Received from publisher for review.

Synopsis from Publisher

How does a girl choose between the one who steals her heart and the one who owns her soul?

Matt and Emily were created for a specific job. Raised and trained as the ultimate angel/warrior team, they are sent down to save, defend, judge and forgive, depending on the 'life' they've been assigned. What they don't realize is that the power of human emotions, such as love, anger, passion and fear can take over even the best of souls, causing them to make mistakes and follow paths that lead to confusion and heartache.

When the reason for their training is finally revealed, the angel/warrior team find themselves thrust into a world they know nothing about. Matt takes over the life of Daniel, a young man with a great deal of baggage. Emily becomes Liz, a girl living in a remote village who relies on nothing more than her own strength to survive. A violent storm erupts one night, and framed in the window of Liz's establishment is a frightening face. Let in by the soul of a Good Samaritan, the two visitors bring with them a past full of secrets that could literally change an angel's path and a warrior's plans.

From murder to redemption, this angel/warrior team must find a way to keep the faith they have in each other in a world that's ripping them apart. 

 About the Author

Amy Lignor began her career at Grey House Publishing in northwest Connecticut where she was the Editor-in-Chief of numerous educational and business directories.

Now she is a published author of several works of fiction. The Billy the Kid historical The Heart of a Legend; the thriller, Mind Made; and the adventure novel, Tallent & Lowery 13.

She is also the owner of The Write Companion, a company that offers help and support to writers through a full range of editorial services from proofreading and copyediting to ghostwriting and research. As the daughter of a research librarian, she is also an active book reviewer.

Currently, she lives with her daughter, mother and a rambunctious German Shepherd named Reuben, in the beautiful state of New Mexico. (Can I just add on that the fact she owns a German Shepherd makes her uber cool in my book!) 
  

My Thoughts

Until Next Time is a beautifully written book that deals with the idea that even angels sometimes question their faith. Emily and Matt, and angel and warrior team specifically paired to journey to earth over several "lives" to learn why the population has lost their faith. By living and experience life on earth as humans do, the higher-ups hope to be able to understand where they went wrong and how they can fix things to bring faith in God back to the people.

This book focused very highly on bases in religion to tell its story. At first I felt this would be a hindrance to my enjoyment of the story, but as the author was also smart enough to mix in just the right amount of humor, I wasn't as overwhelmed by the religious aspects as I first thought I might be. The comedy breaks with Gabriel and Michael playing poker for candy bars just about did me in as I laughed hilariously, trying to catch my breath. What a sight! Amy Lignor has a knack for writing that many should be envious of. She has the wonderful flowing poetry style that makes descriptions of places and time play on the page like mini movies. I can envision the sun rising as it bleeds beautiful oranges and reds across the lightening sky. It's stunning.

One of my two main issues with the book were the confusion I felt while reading along the timeline. The constant flipping back and forth from Present to Past and then between Heaven and Earth was often jarring. I kind of felt disillusioned as I thought the story would be about one thing (from the prologue) and then it really didn't go that way. To be honest, I kind of felt like the book ended where it began and I ran around in an endless circle not really discovering what I wanted to know. Now I will have to read the second book and hope for the best.

The characters were fabulous! I absolutely loved the fiery Faith and her dedication to her friend Elizabeth and her sharp tongue that keeps those around her in line when they need it the most. The rebellious Charles is another terrific addition to the story, fighting to forget a past that has haunted him for years. And let's not forget the compassionate Emily/Elizabeth who's job it is to help her friends find their happiness and faith in life once again, supporting them and standing beside them as they make their difficult journeys and decisions. She is the epitome of a strong heroine.

The second issue was the romance between Emily/Elizabeth and Jason. I'm sorry, but I just didn't feel the passion at all. To me it more or less felt like Jason was desperate and E/E just went for it because she felt obligated. It is very crucial that this romance be believable because the whole story is basically based around this romance. The whole title Until Next Time is based around this endless love that is supposed to endure time and multiple lives. But I just didn't feel it.

Characters, and romances between characters, can be very difficult to portray. I am hoping that in the next book the author's writing matures even more and she is able to accomplish more with the intended romance. I can tell she has the talent to do so. I look forward to reading the next section of the story and proving myself right.

My rating?

 

Interested in purchasing?

For Kindle

For Nook
On Smashwords
PDF

Links of Interest:

The Angel Chronicles web site:
http://www.the-angel-chronicles.com

The Angel Chronicles Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/The-Angel-Chronicles/168932393209654

Until Next Time GoodReads page:
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13319888-until-next-time

Amy Lignor's Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/alignor

Amy Lignor's Twitter:
https://twitter.com/#!/HelloWritersAmy

Amy Lignor's Website:
http://www.thewritecompanion.com/

Amy Lignor's Blog:
http://hellowriters.wordpress.com/

Amy Lignor's GoodReads:
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5222068

Tribute Books website:
http://www.tribute-books.com

Tribute Books Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Archbald-PA/Tribute-Books/171628704176

Tribute Books Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/TributeBooks

Tribute Books Blog Tours Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tribute-Books-Blog-Tours/242431245775186

Review of Eve by Anna Carey

Title: Eve
Series:  The Eve Trilogy
Author:  Anna Carey
Genre:  YA, dystopian, post apocalyptic
Format:  Ebook, 336 pages
Publication Date:  September 27, 2011
Published By:  HarperCollins Publishers, HarperTeen
Source:  ARC from NetGalley

Synopsis from Goodreads

The year is 2032, sixteen years after a deadly virus—and the vaccine intended to protect against it—wiped out most of the earth’s population. The night before eighteen-year-old Eve’s graduation from her all-girls school she discovers what really happens to new graduates, and the horrifying fate that awaits her.

Fleeing the only home she’s ever known, Eve sets off on a long, treacherous journey, searching for a place she can survive. Along the way she encounters Caleb, a rough, rebellious boy living in the wild. Separated from men her whole life, Eve has been taught to fear them, but Caleb slowly wins her trust...and her heart. He promises to protect her, but when soldiers begin hunting them, Eve must choose between true love and her life.

My Thoughts

This book had a very intriguing premise, which is what attracted my attention when I was perusing books to review on NetGalley. I'm a huge sucker for the dystopian/post apocalyptic YA genre, and there has been so many good choices to read.

Eve was very well written and had a promising story. A serious disease has killed a large chunk of the population, leaving many children orphaned. Schools have been set up to welcome these children in (boys and girls are kept completely separate in different schools and never even see each other) where they are educated, medicated and housed until their 18th year. The girls are taught to fear the male of the species, being told they are nothing but animals who are intent on lying to them until they can satisfy their urges and then abandon them. (It's not until later that we find out more about the boys and their "education".) Once they reach their 18th year they "graduate" to the next area where they will begin their more focused career training. Or so they have been lead to believe...

We very early discover that things are not what they are expected to be, and the girls are being kept for more sinister reasons. The reasons, although I sat and tried to think very hard about how it might actually could happen in the real world, come off as too far-fetched to me. I don't see why the school would focus so closely on education and keeping them away from some of the things from the past just so they can house them up later and force them to pop out babies while they remain strapped on hospital beds. It just doesn't make much sense to me.

My main issue with this book is the main character, Eve. She is one of the most annoying main characters I have met in a very long time. She is weak, annoying and selfish. Her choices are wishy washy and completely unrealistic, going against characteristics that are laid out for her in the story. First she is strong, then she wimps out, then she wants to do whatever she can for a person, then leaves them behind, she's completely unpredictable. She is so immature I often just wished the author left her behind to die in a corner somewhere. That might sound harsh, but it's how I feel. I had a better connection with Eve's friend, Arden. She is strong and true and willing to give up anything to help those closest to her. I hope we see more of her in book two. I also hope Eve takes a cue from Meghan (The Iron Fey series) and does some growing up over the next book or two. I'm not sure how much more I can stand to read from her...

On top of all that, the ending was another one of this horrible cliffhangers I hate so much...

Really?

/groans

The writing style, the "promise" of a good story, and the hope that Eve is using this book to learn and mature are the only things that saved me from ranking this book lower...

My rating?

Review of A Beautiful Dark by Jocelyn Davies

Title: A Beautiful Dark
Series:  A Beautiful Dark Trilogy
Author:  Jocelyn Davies
Genre:  YA, paranormal, angels
Format:  Ebook, 320 pages
Publication Date:  September 27, 2011
Published By:  HarperCollins Publishers, HarperTeen
Source:  ARC from NetGalley

Synopsis from Goodreads

On the night of Skye’s seventeenth birthday, she meets two enigmatic strangers. Complete opposites—like fire and ice—Asher is dark and wild, while Devin is fair and aloof. Their sudden appearance sends Skye’s life into a tailspin. She has no idea what they want, or why they seem to follow her every move—only that their presence coincides with a flurry of strange events. Soon she begins to doubt not just the identity of the two boys, but also the truth about her own past.

In the dead of a bitingly cold Colorado winter, Skye finds herself coming to terms with the impossible secret that threatens to shatter her world. Torn between Asher, who she can’t help falling for, and Devin, who she can’t stay away from, the consequences of Skye’s choice will reach further than the three of them could ever imagine.

My Thoughts

I had high hopes for this book. The whole angel thing wasn't something I had read a lot of and I was kind of looking forward to taking a break from faeries, vampires, werewolves and dystopians (although I do adore those dystopians).

Everything started out wonderfully. I was immediately drawn in by the quick pacing and dropped hints of silver eyes and mysterious guys. (Hey that rhymes!) The introduction of Asher had me swooning in my seat (or was that just the swaying of the subway train?) and Devin heightened the intrigue to a whole new level. By the time Asher and Devin end up in a fist fight in the middle of Skye's 17th birthday party, and the cafe's boiler blows causing everyone to have to evacuate, I was already on the edge of my seat.

But that was pretty much where the excitement ended. At least for me. I'm not a big fan of the whole romance thing as it is, especially when the story is mostly based around that. I am really tired of the whole love triangle issue (more of a love square in this book). It's usually pretty clear who they are going to end up with and you are usually left hoping they change their minds...but they rarely do. The one thing I did like about this story is that it does keep you guessing a little more than most. Even after finishing the whole book I'm still left unsure as to which one is the better pick.

I quickly got tired of the back and forth between Asher and Devin, I'm better, no I'm better, she's mine, no she's mine, my side should win, no my side should win, garbage. It was literally exhausting. OK...we get it...

I find another common theme in YA books lately is for these kids to conveniently have no parents (or any adult authority) around them often, if at all. Skye's parents are dead, and she lives with her aunt, who conveniently is a tour guide and takes groups up into the mountains all the time and is almost never at home. It's not just this book, it's almost all of them lately, and it's just starting to bother me. I find it too convenient that authors keep doing things to these parents and guardians that makes them "disappear". Maybe if they were around more these kids wouldn't do such crazy things. /sigh I know I know...that's the point right? It's all just too convenient for me, and lazy writing...find a better way to work things in.

There were also some weird flow issues here and there, things that I hope will get cleaned up between the ARC and final polished publication stage. The one thing that stuck out is after an accident where Asher is telling Skye to stay awake because she hit her head and might have a concussion, however after she starts asking some questions that make him feel uncomfortable he tells her to get some sleep. Huh?

I liked that the chapters were short. I find it's easier to stay engaged in a story when the chapters are shorter. Also, being a transit reader, it's easier to break in between sections when moving from one vehicle to another, and then to work or home.

I absolutely hated the ending. I had no idea whatsoever that this was to be part of a series, (or a trilogy as I have now come to discover). I was really really hoping for that nice and neat standalone novel. Well I was disappointed again. Goodreads usually prepares me for these types of things, but it let me down this time! It STILL doesn't show it as part of a trilogy. I had to Google it after turning the last digital page, once I had finished screaming of course...But even if I had of known that there were going to be more books, the ending still would have sucked. I'm sorry...these cliffhangers are getting tiresome...I understand you have to keep us hanging a little on some things...but to just end us all at the cliff is ridiculous...and again...lazy.

I might still read the second one...just to find out what happens with Asher and Devin...but I'm really in no hurry and it wouldn't kill me to never find out...

My rating?

Review of Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

Title: Bloodlines
Series:  Bloodlines Series
Author:  Richelle Mead
Genre:  YA, paranormal, vampires
Format:  Hardcover, 421 pages
Publication Date:  August 23, 2011
Published By:  Penguin, Razorbill
Source:  Purchased

Synopsis from Goodreads

When alchemist Sydney is ordered into hiding to protect the life of Moroi princess Jill Dragomir, the last place she expects to be sent is a human private school in Palm Springs, California. But at their new school, the drama is only just beginning.

Populated with new faces as well as familiar ones, Bloodlines explores all the friendship, romance, battles and betrayals that made the #1 New York Times bestselling Vampire Academy series so addictive - this time in a part-vampire, part-human setting where the stakes are even higher and everyone's out for blood.

My Thoughts

I am a HUGE fan of Richelle Mead's Vampire Academy series. As such, I assumed, set in the same world, with many of the same characters, that I would LOVE Mead's newest series, Bloodlines. So far I've been proven wrong. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't terrible, it just wasn't as good as Vampire Academy. Of course this is only the first book. Hopefully it will grow and mature in future books. (Let's hope so because according to Goodreads there is to be at least 6 in the series. I can't handle the torture if they are all the same as this one was.)

To begin with, the pacing was much slower than I am used to in Richelle's books. There was all this tension of waiting for something to happen, and really nothing did until the end. I like my action to be strewn about throughout the whole length of the novel. It was more of a social, he said, she said, he's dating, she's dating, who wants to be dating who kind of story. I guess you'll enjoy it if you are into those kind of stories, but I like a little more action with my story line.

I was lucky to have read the Vampire Academy series previously. I have heard others mention that Bloodlines was a standalone novel and reading the Vampire Academy series first was not required, but I have to disagree. As much as you can understand the basis of what is going on without having read VA first, you will truly miss out on the complete depth of the story if you haven't read it. Adrian's true pain might come off as mere whining, the sections regarding mason will completely fly over your head, and the truth and meaning behind what having a spirit bond will be completely lost on you. I highly suggest that if you haven't read the VA series yet that you immediately do so, especially before reading Bloodlines. And if you happened to read Bloodlines already, still go back and read VA and then reread Bloodlines. You'll do yourself a huge injustice if you don't.

One of my main issues with this novel was Sydney. I just don't think she had the personality to be the voice for this story. There was nothing wrong with her per say, but she wasn't vibrant and alive and interesting like Rose was in VA. I read Adrian's Lost Chapter, where Richelle tried switching between characters to tell the story, and I have to say, Adrian's voice was so much more powerful. Was he right to be the voice for the whole story? Maybe not...we might have learned too much too quickly through him...but Sydney just didn't cut it either.

I do appreciate that Richelle created a strongly unique character with Sydney however. I at first expected she would come off sounding like a replication of Rose, with a different name and face, but Sydney was very definitely a character of her own. I find authors often have a hard time making their characters, especially lead characters in multiple series, not be mirror images of each other. For example, I find Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake from the Vampire series and Merry Gentry from the Fairy series so much alike it's really more like reading one really, really long series.

Overall...will I read the next book, of course. I am curious where the story is heading especially now that a few other characters from VA have made an appearance. Would I recommend it? If you are a fan of the series, then yes, if you have't read VA yet...the probably not. I just don't think it's enough to stand on by it's own. But of course that's my opinion.

My rating?

Review of The Poisoned House by Michael Ford

Title: The Poisoned House
Series: n/a
Author:  Michael Ford
Genre:  YA, paranormal, ghosts
Format:  E-Book, 270 pages
Publication Date:  September 1, 2011
Published By:  Albert Whitman & Company
Source:  ARC from NetGalley

Synopsis from Goodreads

The year is 1856, and orphan Abigail Tamper lives below stairs in Greave Hall, a crumbling manor house in London. Lord Greave is plagued by madness, and with his son Samuel away fighting in the Crimea, the running of Greave Hall is left to Mrs Cotton, the tyrannical housekeeper. The only solace for the beleaguered staff is to frighten Mrs Cotton by pretending the house is haunted.

So when a real ghost makes an appearance - that of her beloved mother - no one is more surprised than Abi. But the spirit has a revelation that threatens to destroy Abi’s already fragile existence: she was murdered, and by someone under their very own roof. With Samuel returned to England badly wounded, it’s up to Abi to nurse him back to health, while trying to discover the identity of the killer in their midst. As the chilling truth dawns, Abi’s world is turned upside down.

My Thoughts

Michael Ford did a brilliant job writing a realistic story placed in Victorian times. It is so easy to immerse oneself into the daily comings and goings of Greave Hall, following the actions and duties of Abi as she rises in the morning to stoke the fires, as she rushes about from room to room scrubbing the windows clean, and as she finally retires to her tiny room tucked up in the far corners of the attic, away from sight of the prominent members of Greave Hall. The characters and the world are alive and breathing, realistic and easy to believe.

The story itself however was very slow to start. I mentally had to force myself through the first 1/3 of the book, anxious not to give up on it without a fight. The hook at the beginning of the book was weak. I found myself only mildly curious as to why Abi ran away from Greave Hall, and not really interested enough to care why she was refusing to return.

Around the 1/3 mark (100 or so pages into the novel) the pacing finally started to pick up a bit. The plot was predictable, as were the character's actions. I feel the author tried too hard to pinpoint certain characters in their evil role and other characters in their helpful roles. So many things occurred in the book that were merely thrown in as misdirection and had no real merit to the story as a whole. There were points in the book where I wanted to yell at the characters, specifically Abi, for being so stupid and naive. It just wasn't realistic that she would believe, not notice, and fall for some of the things that she did.

The title was well suited to this story, and has an underlying double meaning referring not just to the murder of the mother (mentioned very early on so not a spoiler!), but also to the house itself and the people that reside in it - the fact that secrets not only poison people to sometimes do horrible things, but sometimes just the knowledge of some secrets can poison the people themselves. 

I really I did like that this was a stand alone novel, no horrible cliffhanger or half-hearted sequel to try and string the story along even more. It has a beginning, a middle, and a nicely tied up ending. Everything does finally make sense in the end, but it takes a really long time to get there with not a lot of help along the way. I especially enjoyed the realistic feel the author tried to give the book by referring to diary pages at the beginning and an obituary for Abi at the end. I think it was a perfect way to round out everything that happens to Abi after her ordeal without having to write a second novel.

I would recommend this book to older readers with lots of patience. There are no real romantic plot-lines that many YA readers are so fond of. The action is there, but rare, and the spaces in between can drag on. I don't think there is enough to keep younger, more hyperactive minds engaged in the story for long.

My Rating?

Review of The Summer of Skinny Dipping and Giveaway

~Sometimes I still wake up shivering in the early hours of the morning, drowning in dreams of being out there in the ocean that summer, of looking up at the moon and feeling as invisible and free as a fish. But I'm jumping ahead, and to tell the story right I have to go back to the very beginning. To a place called Indigo Beach. To a boy with pale skin that glowed against the dark waves. To the start of something neither of us could have predicted, and which would mark us forever, making everything that came after and before seem like it belonged to another life.

My name is Mia Gordon: I was sixteen years old, and I remember everything.~

I'm going to be very up front with you all before I start this review so you know where I am coming from. This type of book is not my typical type of read. The ONLY reason I read this book was because I required a beach cover YA novel for my summer challenge. I generally don't read light and fluffy romantic based non-supernatural fiction. There, now with that in mind please take my review with a grain of salt sand.

I guess I was hoping that the sentence "To a boy with pale skin that glowed against the dark waves." had some supernatural undertone that would pleasantly surprise me in the novel...but it never did. So if that's what you are hoping for as well...sorry to crush your hopes and dreams.

Even though The Summer of Skinny Dipping by Amanda Howells was a fluffy beach read, and not supernatural in the least, it was still a pretty decent read.

The author created some really solid characters. The main character, Mia, is not a typical skinny model type teen that you often see frequent YA novels. She is "bigger-boned" and subconscious about how she looks in her bathing suit. The main male character, Simon, is also not the typical tall dark and handsome teenage boy heartthrob. He has flaming red curly hair, he is a bit of a nerd, and he has medical issues. Their romance it also not the typical "love at first sight" romance that is also very common in most YA books on the shelves these days. It's a very interesting progression from their first meeting all the way through to the end. The supporting characters of friends and families are not perfect either, they are flawed and act they was you expect typical people to act.

The book was highly predictable, and as such didn't move me as emotionally as I assume the author expected...but it was OK.

My rating?

3 satisfactory scribble spiders out of 5.

And now for the moment you've all been waiting for! Since, as mentioned previously, this book is not really my cup of tea, I can say with a strong sense of certainty that I will not be wanting to read this a second time. As such, in celebration of reaching 25 followers (actually 32 now!) I have up for grabs one previously read, but almost pristine condition copy of The Summer of Skinny Dipping by Amanda Howells.

Entry is fairly simple (or so I think). All I require you to do is share a fond summer beach memory with my readers in the comments. There is no length description.

Extra entries will be given to all followers of mine. Just make sure you make a post so I know you are interested.

Please post your "following" entries and your beach memory entries in separate posts.

The giveaway is open until Sunday the 17th. I will post the winner on Monday the 18th. The giveaway is open to anyone, anywhere.

Good luck!