Holiday Query Blog Hop

The Holiday Query Blog Hop is hosted by Michelle on her blog, Michelle4Laughs. Add your name to the linky list by December 14 to join in the fun!

UPDATED VERSION:

Dear Agent: 

Princess Ryn has always felt like she's invisible. 

Probably because she actually is. 

Ryn is half wraith, a creature only seen as flickering shadows out of the corner of one's eye. Unlike a pureblood wraith, she can't turn the ability off. Her sole friend is a curved sabre given to her by her father, who was gifted with an amulet which allowed him to see her.

On her eighteenth birthday, Ryn regrets ever wishing for attention—she's to marry the prince of a neighboring clan as part of an alliance. Fortunately, the prince is missing, kidnapped by a ferocious dragon. Unfortunately, because of her heritage, Ryn is the only one who can swoop in unseen and save him.

But when she gets to the dragon's cave, she finds her betrothed has gone mad with greed and enslaved the dragon by stealing the item most precious to him. Not that the plan would've worked anyway. The dragon can see her, his dark eyes piercing through her shadows and speeding her heart—especially when he takes the form of a wickedly seductive man. Now Ryn has a new plan: save a dragon-in-distress from her prince before he conquers the kingdom with fire.

PRINCESS OF SMOKE AND SHADOW is a XX,XXX-word young adult fantasy twisting the classic "prince saves princess from a dragon". Thank you for your time and consideration.

EARLIER VERSION:

Dear Agent:

Princess Ryn has always felt like she's invisible.

Probably because she actually is.

Ryn is part wraith, a shadowy creature only seen from the corner of one's eye. But, unlike a pureblood wraith, her ability will never turn off. Her family doesn't notice her and her only friend is a curved sabre.

On her eighteenth birthday, Ryn regrets ever wishing for attention—she's to marry the prince of a neighboring clan as part of an alliance. Fortunately, the prince is missing, kidnapped by a ferocious dragon. Unfortunately, because of her heritage, Ryn is the only one who can swoop in unseen and save him.

But when she gets to the dragon's cave, she finds her betrothed has gone mad with greed and enslaved the dragon by stealing the item most precious to it. Not that the plan would've worked anyway. The dragon can see her, his dark eyes piercing through her shadows and speeding her heart—especially when he takes the form of a wickedly seductive man. Now Ryn has a new plan: save a dragon-in-distress from her prince before he conquers the kingdom with fire.

PRINCESS OF SMOKE AND SHADOW is a XX,XXX-word young adult fantasy twisting the classic "prince saves princess from dragon". Thank you for your time and consideration.

Book Review: Defy by Sara B. Larson

 

Hardcover, 336 pages

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Source: Toronto Public Library

A lush and gorgeously written debut, packed with action, intrigue, and heart-racing romance.

Alexa Hollen is a fighter. Forced to disguise herself as a boy and serve in the king's army, Alex uses her quick wit and fierce sword-fighting skills to earn a spot on the elite prince's guard. But when a powerful sorcerer sneaks into the palace in the dead of night, even Alex, who is virtually unbeatable, can't prevent him from abducting her, her fellow guard and friend Rylan, and Prince Damian, taking them through the treacherous wilds of the jungle and deep into enemy territory.

The longer Alex is held captive with both Rylan and the prince, the more she realizes that she is not the only one who has been keeping dangerous secrets. And suddenly, after her own secret is revealed, Alex finds herself confronted with two men vying for her heart: the safe and steady Rylan, who has always cared for her, and the dark, intriguing Damian. With hidden foes lurking around every corner, is Alex strong enough to save herself and the kingdom she's sworn to protect?

Thoughts:

I don't know why people hated this book so much. Did it have its faults? Yes. But even JK Rowling had her faults. Was it a little more romantic than the synopsis made it sound? Okay, yup there, too. So what?

I loved Defy. There. I said it. 

It reminded me of the Song of the Lioness series by Tamora Pierce. Not just the dressing-up-as-a-boy part,  but the romance, too. Alexa is stuck between Damian, who she can never be with because he's royalty, and Rylan, who's a fellow guard who doesn't ignite Alexa as much as Damian does. In Song of the Lioness, Alanna had Jonathan, a prince, and George, the "king" of thieves. I can't remember much about Alanna's journey since I read the books when I was twelve. I know I was pissed as hell when Alanna ended up with George. This series will end the same way, I fear. Yet, I'll read the sequel, and its sequel (99% sure it's a trilogy), just to see who Alexa chooses.

Could the writing have been improved? Yes. There was a chapter near the end where a character gave an info dump speech. Whenever action occurred, I had to go back and re-read to figure out how Alex got such-and-such wound. The dialogue was flat at times.

I still loved it. Sara has no fear of hurting her characters. I was a bit surprised by the wound Alexa sustained at the end. Main characters in YA fantasy books usually don't get scarred or deformed in any major way despite all the ninja-ry they do. I hated the twist, which means I loved the twist.

Now, to wait five months for Ignite...

Would I recommend this book? Yes

Would I re-read it? Maybe

Would I read a sequel? Definitely

Next week... I'm taking a temporary hiatus because school starts

Waiting on Wednesday: Dove Arising by Karen Bao

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Jill at her blog, Breaking The Spine, spotlighting anticipated upcoming releases. Here’s mine for this Wednesday:

 

Release Date: February 24, 2015

Publisher: Viking Juvenile

Phaet Theta has lived her whole life in a colony on the Moon. She’s barely spoken since her father died in an accident nine years ago. She cultivates the plants in Greenhouse 22, lets her best friend talk for her, and stays off the government’s radar.

Then her mother is arrested.

The only way to save her younger siblings from the degrading Shelter is by enlisting in the Militia, the faceless army that polices the Lunar bases and protects them from attacks by desperate Earth-dwellers. Training is brutal, but it’s where Phaet forms an uneasy but meaningful alliance with the preternaturally accomplished Wes, a fellow outsider.

Rank high, save her siblings, free her mom:  that’s the plan. Until Phaet’s logically ordered world begins to crumble...

Add it on Goodreads!

I heard about the book from the six-figure deal announcement on Publishers Marketplace. Do I fear it's over-hyped because the author is young? Hell, yes. But it could also be spectacular. I'm hoping for spectacular.

What are you waiting on this Wednesday?

Series Binge: Delirium trilogy by Lauren Oliver

Binge-eating? Binge-watching? How about binge-reading? Sometimes, you just can’t put a book down. You need the sequel. Then you need its sequel. Before you know it, you’ve read a seven-book series in under a week. I confess, I need help. This week, my addiction was…

 

Hardcovers, 1161 pages

Publisher: HarperCollins

Before scientists found the cure, people thought love was a good thing.

They didn’t understand that once love -- the deliria -- blooms in your blood, there is no escaping its hold. Things are different now. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the government demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Holoway has always looked forward to the day when she’ll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable, and happy.

But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable: She falls in love.

Thoughts:

I've been meaning to read Delirium for years. Heck, I've been meaning to read a Lauren Oliver book for years. Now that I have, I don't regret it. This series was awesome!

First off, Lauren Oliver writes beautifully. Her prose has the right balance of information and melody.  It crossed over the line into "purple prose" once or twice, but always found its way back. I love how Oliver's "style" changed for each book, too. In Delirium, the story was told from the perspective of Lena. In Pandemonium, the point-of-view character was still Lena, but the chapters alternated between "Then" and "Now", and always ended on a cliffhanger. In Requiem, Hana had her own chapters, which provided a unique perspective to the mix.

The Delirium trilogy was an action-packed, romance-filled adventure. Lena grew from a scared, brainwashed girl to a strong, independent woman. The side characters were fully-developed people with their own stories. It was sad to see some of the go (cough, die, cough). The romance was a love triangle, but this was from the Age of Triangles, so no surprise. I actually enjoyed Lena with both of the male leads, and have a love-hate relationship with the way Oliver decided to leave it open-ended. Though, in truth, it's probably the best way to end a love triangle where both the males (or females) are equally cherished by the fan base.

After reading this series, Panic by Lauren Oliver has climbed its way quickly up my TBR list. Maybe I should get started on that...

Would I recommend this series? Hell, yeah!

Would I re-read it? Maybe

Next Monday... I'll be trying Defy by Sara Larson

Waiting on Wednesday: Ignite by Sara B. Larson

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Jill at her blog, Breaking The Spine, spotlighting anticipated upcoming releases. Here’s mine for this Wednesday:

Release Date: January 5, 2015

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Murder, abductions, and forbidden romance abound in this thrilling sequel to Sara B. Larson's acclaimed YA debut, DEFY.

Alexa remains by the newly crowned King Damian’s side as his guard, ever committed to helping him rebuild Antion and reclaim the hope of Antion's people, despite continuing to harbor a secret love for him. However, when another threat to Damian and his kingdom emerges, and blame is cast on their newly forged allies from Blevon, Alexa knows things are not what they seem. With the fate of her nation hanging in the balance once again, will Alexa be able to protect her king and uncover the true enemy -- before it's too late?

Add it on Goodreads!

I've read a lot of negative Defy reviews, but I didn't mind the story's focus on romance. I just really want to read the last chapter in the series and find out if Alexa ends up with Prince Damian or not. I don't care if Alexa is secretly a princess, or if the two decide to become hermits in a jungle cave. Please, Sara B. Larson, don't be like the Song of the Lioness where Alanna chose George over Prince Jonathan. Pretty please!

What are you waiting on this Wednesday?

Book Review: Silver Shadows by Richelle Mead

Hardcover, 416 pages

Publisher: Razorbill

Source: Purchased from Chapters Indigo

Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets—and human lives.

In The Fiery Heart, Sydney risked everything to follow her gut, walking a dangerous line to keep her feelings hidden from the Alchemists.

Now in the aftermath of an event that ripped their world apart, Sydney and Adrian struggle to pick up the pieces and find their way back to each other. But first, they have to survive.

For Sydney, trapped and surrounded by adversaries, life becomes a daily struggle to hold on to her identity and the memories of those she loves. Meanwhile, Adrian clings to hope in the face of those who tell him Sydney is a lost cause, but the battle proves daunting as old demons and new temptations begin to seize hold of him. . . .

Thoughts:

I loved Vampire Academy (the movie, not so much), but, in my opinion, the Bloodlines series is a gazillion times better. Sydney and Adrian are the cutest couple in the universe.

Silver Shadows is the fifth installment in the Bloodlines series and the second last book featuring the Vampire Academy world (that I know of). Upon picking up the book, my first thought revolved around how visibly shorter it is than its predecessors. Reading the books showed me why. While the other novels had multiple, interwoven storyline featuring all the beloved characters from Amberwood, Silver Shadows focused on Sydney and Adrian in places other than Amberwood without the Amberwood cast. The entirety of Silver Shadows was about the rescue of Sydney from the Alchemists. It was fun, but part of me missed the other beloved characters and the humor usually found in Richelle Mead's work. Sure, it had a few jokes. But a majority of the book saw the two main characters tortured. It's hard to throw out a witty one-liner when someone's having their hand dipped in acid.

Still, I eagerly await the sequel, the finale to the Bloodlines series, while simultaneously dreading the coming end.

Would I recommend this book? Yes
 
Would I re-read it? Yup!

Would I read a sequel? I'd read it now if it was out

Next Monday... I'll be doing my second Series Binge on Lauren Oliver's Delirium trilogy

How I feel about my current MS...

Waiting on Wednesday: Talon by Julie Kagawa

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Jill at her blog, Breaking The Spine, spotlighting anticipated upcoming releases. Here’s mine for this Wednesday:

 

Hardcover, 400 pages

Release Date: October 28, 2014

Publisher: Harlequin Teen
 

Long ago, dragons were hunted to near extinction by the Order of St. George, a legendary society of dragon slayers. Hiding in human form and growing their numbers in secret, the dragons of Talon have become strong and cunning, and they're positioned to take over the world with humans none the wiser.

Ember and Dante Hill are the only sister and brother known to dragonkind. Trained to infiltrate society, Ember wants to live the teen experience and enjoy a summer of freedom before taking her destined place in Talon. But destiny is a matter of perspective, and a rogue dragon will soon challenge everything Ember has been taught. As Ember struggles to accept her future, she and her brother are hunted by the Order of St. George.

Soldier Garret Xavier Sebastian has a mission to seek and destroy all dragons, and Talon's newest recruits in particular. But he cannot kill unless he is certain he has found his prey: and nothing is certain about Ember Hill. Faced with Ember's bravery, confidence and all-too-human desires, Garret begins to question everything that the Order has ingrained in him: and what he might be willing to give up to find the truth about dragons.

Add it to Goodreads!

I'm really behind on my Julie Kagawa books, but I want this one so badly. I'm irrevocable in love with dragons!

What are you waiting on this Wednesday?

Books on Trial: Half Bad by Sally Green

Books on Trial is a method of reviewing where I decide if books I've read recently are guilty or innocent of the "charges" laid against them by other reviewers, aka the "witnesses". This week's case is for...

Hardcover, 398 pages

Publisher: Penguin

Source: Toronto Public Library

You can't read, can't write, but you heal fast, even for a witch.

You get sick if you stay indoors after dark.

You hate White Witches but love Annalise, who is one.

You've been kept in a cage since you were fourteen.

All you've got to do is escape and find Mercury, the Black Witch who eats boys. And do that before your seventeenth birthday.

Easy.

Witnesses:
The "witness testimonies" are from the top three opinions on Goodreads as of the posting date. The reviews have earned their position based on number of likes. The "testimonies" are:

As well as a very realistic story about a boy growing up, it's also a fast-paced, vicious, gruesome page-turner. It's not a small book but once I found time to sit down and read it, I was mesmerised until I finished it late last night. My friend practically had to drag me away to go see 12 Years a Slave, even though I'd been looking forward to it for ages.

-Emily May

This book is Snape: The Teenage Years. Only without much magic. WHERE'S MY MOTHERFUCKING MAGIC? Is it too much to ask for magic in a book about WITCHES?! If I'm going to read Dracula, I want some fucking vampires, and I want them to suck the bloody hell out of some humans. If I'm going to read about witches, I want some fucking hocus pocus shit, ok?

-Khanh (Kittens, Rainbows, and Sunshine)

Half Bad started as a 5-star read for me. This lasted 'til about three quarters which is when I realized we really hadn't gotten anywhere in the story. Boredom quickly followed, until I was unfortunately underwhelmed by the anticlimactic ending. Nevertheless, it's an incredibly well written book that has a lot to offer if you have a bit of patience, although it's unique in a way that may not adhere to all tastes. 

-Giselle  

Ruling:

I'd heard a lot about this book, but nothing specifically good or bad. In retrospect, that sums up my feelings about Half Bad.

Half Bad was a fascinating story about a young, male witch alienated from the rest of his kind because of his parentage. A majority of Half Bad focused on how Nathan came to be imprisoned in the cage where readers first meet him in Part One. The remainder told of his escape and search for a person who could give him the three gifts he needed to unlock his witch-y power.

The entirety of Half Bad seemed like set-up for events to come. It was interesting set-up, though, so that's not a bad thing. The world Nathan lives in is detailed, and the injustice he's suffered because of the way he was born makes me want to punch a whole lot of people. There wasn't much magic in the book, though. I didn't realize how odd that was until hearing what the "witnesses" had to say. Despite the variance in opinions, each "witness" told the truth. I therefore find Half Bad guilty as charged.

I'll definitely check in for the sequel, despite the romantic interest, Annaliese (who I don't like), the few chapters in second person ("You walk up the stairs..." No, I'm lying here eating popcorn!), and the non-linear story telling (I have minor OCD). Hopefully, the next book doesn't flash around in time.

Would I recommend this book? Yes

Would I re-read it? Probably not

Would I read a sequel? Yes

Next week... I'll be reviewing Silver Shadows by Richelle Mead

Waiting on Wednesday: Beware the Wild by Natalie C. Parker

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Jill at her blog, Breaking The Spine, spotlighting anticipated upcoming releases. Here’s mine for this Wednesday:

Hardcover, 336 pages

Release Date: October 21, 2014

Publisher: HarperTeen

It's an oppressively hot and sticky morning in June when Sterling and her brother, Phin, have an argument that compels him to run into the town swamp -- the one that strikes fear in all the residents of Sticks, Louisiana. Phin doesn't return. Instead, a girl named Lenora May climbs out, and now Sterling is the only person in Sticks who remembers her brother ever existed.

Sterling needs to figure out what the swamp's done with her beloved brother and how Lenora May is connected to his disappearance -- and loner boy Heath Durham might be the only one who can help her. 

Add it to Goodreads!

I love the concept of Beware the Wild! What happened to Phin? Who is Lenora May? How can Heath help? I already want to know.

What book are you waiting on this Wednesday?

ARC Review: The Girl from the Well by Rin Chupeco

I received an eARC copy of The Girl from the Well through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, Sourcebooks Fire!

eBook, 304 pages

Release Date: August 5, 2014

Publisher: Sorcebooks Fire

A dead girl walks the streets.

She hunts murderers. Child killers, much like the man who threw her body down a well three hundred years ago.

And when a strange boy bearing stranger tattoos moves into the neighborhood so, she discovers, does something else. And soon both will be drawn into the world of eerie doll rituals and dark Shinto exorcisms that will take them from American suburbia to the remote valleys and shrines of Aomori, Japan.

Because the boy has a terrifying secret - one that would just kill to get out.

Thoughts:
If you're looking for a scary read, look elsewhere. The Girl from the Well won't be for you. But it was entertaining, and I had a great time.

The entire story is told from the perspective of Okiku, the girl from the well herself. It's probably this reason I wasn't scared. Okiku is the terrifying bogeyman, and it's hard to fear something when you're inside her head and know her thoughts. If The Ring had been told from the perspective of Samara, I'm sure it wouldn't be a horror movie.

The Girl from the Well was definitely entertaining, though. Okiku is an interesting point-of-view character, especially once she meets Turk and Callie. Together, the three make an unlikely band of heroes. It's Turk and Callie's story through Okiku's eyes that kept me turning the pages. There were twists and turns, and a fantastic ending.

At times, the flowery prose was distracting and confusing, but overall I loved The Girl from the Well!

Would I recommend this book? Yes
 
Would I re-read it? One day...

Would I read a sequel? It's a stand-alone, but yes


Next Monday... I'll be trying Half-Bad by Sally Green

ARC Review: The House of the Four Winds by Mercedes Lackey and James Mallory

I received an eARC copy of The House of the Four Winds through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, Tor Books! 

 eARC, 304 pages

Release Date: August 5, 2014

Publisher: Tor Books

The rulers of tiny, impoverished Swansgaard have twelve daughters and one son. While the prince’s future is assured, his twelve sisters must find their own fortunes.

Disguising herself as Clarence, a sailor, Princess Clarice intends to work her way to the New World. When the crew rebels, Clarice/Clarence, an expert with rapier and dagger, sides with the handsome navigator, Dominick, and kills the cruel captain.

Dominick leads the now-outlawed crew in search of treasure in the secret pirate haven known as The House of Four Winds. They encounter the sorceress Shamal, who claims Dominick for her own—but Clarice has fallen hard for Dominick and won’t give him up without a fight.

Thoughts:
The House of the Four Winds was really not for me. The summary includes some of my favorite elements: a kickass heroine, romance, pirates, and adventure. But I could barely get through the first chapter. It seemed to go on forever. The entire thing read like a massive information dump. To compare, it was like reading a history textbook. I don't see the relevance of some of the information given. Yes, I know the authors want to show they have a fleshed-out world. It was definitely creative. But I don't need to know half of it.

If I could have stomached all the worldbuilding thrown at me, I think I would have enjoyed this book. Clarice and Dominick had instant chemistry (even though Clarice was pretending to be a man). There were moments when I found myself smiling at the humor. Unfortunately, between those periods, I wanted to jab my eyes out. I'm sad to say I actually couldn't finish The House of the Four Winds. Maybe I'll try again one day, but for now, it's just not for me.

Would I recommend this book? To hardcore fantasy fans, yes

Would I re-read it? No. I didn't even finish it

Would I read a sequel? No

Next Monday... I'll be reviewing an eARC copy of The Girl from the Well by Rin Chupeco

Waiting on Wednesday: Stitching Snow by R.C. Lewis

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Jill at her blog, Breaking The Spine, spotlighting anticipated upcoming releases. Here’s mine for this Wednesday:

Hardcover, 336 pages

Release Date: October 14, 2014

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Princess Snow is missing.

Her home planet is filled with violence and corruption at the hands of King Matthias and his wife as they attempt to punish her captors. The king will stop at nothing to get his beloved daughter back-but that's assuming she wants to return at all.

Essie has grown used to being cold. Temperatures on the planet Thanda are always sub-zero, and she fills her days with coding and repairs for the seven loyal drones that run the local mines.

When a mysterious young man named Dane crash-lands near her home, Essie agrees to help the pilot repair his ship. But soon she realizes that Dane's arrival was far from accidental, and she's pulled into the heart of a war she's risked everything to avoid.

Add it to Goodreads!

This book sounds like a wonderful blend of sci-fi and fantasy. I can't wait until October!

What book are you waiting on this Wednesday?

Series Binge: Archetype duology by M.D. Waters

Binge-eating? Binge-watching? How about binge-reading? Sometimes, you just can’t put a book down. You need the sequel. Then you need its sequel. Before you know it, you’ve read a seven-book series in under a week. I confess, I need help. This week, my addiction was…

Archetype

Hardcover, 384 pages

Publisher: Dutton Adult

Source: Toronto Public Library

Emma wakes in a hospital, with no memory of what came before. Her husband, Declan, a powerful, seductive man, provides her with new memories, but her dreams contradict his stories, showing her a past life she can’t believe possible: memories of war, of a camp where girls are trained to be wives, of love for another man. Something inside her tells her not to speak of this, but she does not know why. She only knows she is at war with herself.

Suppressing those dreams during daylight hours, Emma lets Declan mold her into a happily married woman and begins to fall in love with him. But the day Noah stands before her, the line between her reality and dreams shatters.

In a future where women are a rare commodity, Emma fights for freedom but is held captive by the love of two men—one her husband, the other her worst enemy. If only she could remember which is which. . . .

Prototype

ARC, 372 pages

Publisher: Dutton Adult

Source: Penguin Canada

Emma looks forward to the day when she can let go of her past—both of them. After more than a year on the run, with clues to her parents’ whereabouts within her grasp, she may finally find a place to settle down. Start a new life. Maybe even create new memories with a new family.

But the past rises to haunt her and to make sure there’s nowhere on the planet she can hide. Declan Burke wants his wife back, and with a little manipulation and a lot of reward money, he’s got the entire world on his side. Except for the one man she dreads confronting the most: Noah Tucker.

Emma returns to face what she’s done but finds that the past isn’t the problem. It’s the present—and the future it represents. Noah has moved on and another woman is raising their daughter.

Thoughts:
I devoured these books! I cancelled plans for these books! I forgot to eat for these books!

Needless to say, I loved the Archetype duology.

I never would have heard of this series if it wasn't for the Goodreads First Reads giveaway of Prototype. Therefore, all the thanks in the world goes to Goodreads for hosting the giveaway, to Penguin Canada for sending me the ARC, and to M.D. Waters for writing the book. I'm glad I submitted my name, even though it was for book two, because I had a great time reading!

When I first read the summary for Archetype, it brought to mind Margaret Atwood's The Handmaiden's Tale. While they have similarities, with the foremost being the systematic breeding of women, Emma is a modern, kickass heroine. She has an incredible journey not only involving her sexuality, but also memory loss, cloning and a revolution. There were so many layers and twists in this series! I especially loved that I couldn't guess all of them.

Why couldn't I stop reading? It was the guys, Declan and Noah. I love how Waters made me love one and hate one at the start just to switch it around by the end. If an author can make you feel, they're doing a great job. Emma's relationships were the highlights of the series, with a close second being the exciting plot itself.

Sometime Emma's voice was "choppy" (contractions weren't always used), but that didn't stop me from flipping the pages at light speed. I almost wish there was another book in the series, that's how good it was! The story ended where it needed to, though. It didn't drag for a moment. It was fast-paced and amazing. Truly amazing. I can't think of any other word.

I'll miss you, Emma Wade!

Would I recommend this series? Hell, yeah!

Would I re-read it? I want to read it again right now... *picks up book*

Next Monday... I'll be reviewing an e-ARC copy of The House of the Four Winds!

Feature and Follow Friday #1

Feature and Follow is a blog hop hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read. This is a great way to meet new bloggers, make friends, and get exposure for your own blog. 

This week...

Share a funny YouTube video

I love all the Honest Trailers, but this one makes me cackle, especially at the end.

Enjoy!

Judge a Book By Its Cover: The Stars Never Rise by Rachel Vincent

Don't judge a book by its cover? Ha. When have I ever not? Every time I go to the bookstore or scroll through lists on Goodreads, I judge books by their covers. So to all the gorgeous books out there, I dedicate this to you...

My pick for this week is...

The Stars Never Rise by Rachel Vincent

Hardcover, 368 pages

Release Date: June 9, 2015

Publisher: Delacorte Press

I have no idea what this book is about. I still want to read it. It's simple and elegant. The colors are great. The butterfly almost looks like it's on fire (wait, poor butterfly...).

Check out the summary!

What books are you judging by their covers this week?

Waiting on Wednesday: Silver Shadows by Richelle Mead

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Jill at her blog, Breaking The Spine, spotlighting anticipated upcoming releases. Here’s mine for this Wednesday:

Hardcover, 416 pages

Release Date: July 29, 2014

Publisher: Razorbill

Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets—and human lives.

In The Fiery Heart, Sydney risked everything to follow her gut, walking a dangerous line to keep her feelings hidden from the Alchemists.

Now in the aftermath of an event that ripped their world apart, Sydney and Adrian struggle to pick up the pieces and find their way back to each other. But first, they have to survive.

For Sydney, trapped and surrounded by adversaries, life becomes a daily struggle to hold on to her identity and the memories of those she loves. Meanwhile, Adrian clings to hope in the face of those who tell him Sydney is a lost cause, but the battle proves daunting as old demons and new temptations begin to seize hold of him. . . .

Add it to Goodreads!

I'm going to be honest: I really don't like the Bloodlines series covers. But that's not going to stop me from reading Adrian and Sydney's next adventure!

What book are you waiting for this Wednesday?

Whatcha Watching? (Week of July 15 to July 21)

 

There's always something to watch on TV, whether it's a new show or the re-run of an old favorite. Here's what I'm watching this week:

Tuesday:

Extant - S01E02 "Extinct"

Sam gives Molly an ultrasound in hope of learning more about her mysterious pregnancy.

The first episode left me with enough questions that I'll tune back in next week. I want to know more about Molly, her husband and robot son, and the secret the ISEA is keeping. Hopefully, the show will remain interesting. If it does, I'll remain a happy viewer throughout the summer.

Thursday:

 

Defiance - S02E05 "Put the Damage On"

Amanda is terrorized by a stalker; the reasons for her experiences have far reaching ramifications.

I love this show. I love its worldbuilding. I love the characters. The ending of last week was beautiful, and I can't wait to see what happens next.

Dominion - S01E05 "Something Borrowed"

Alex begins training with Michael, but a vision causes him to go rogue while on a mission.

There are a lot of familiar actors in this series (Rupert Giles! Charles Widmore! Doreah!), but I was drawn by the storyline. Though at times it feels "off", I enjoy watching Dominion.

Sunday:

Witches of East End - S02E03 "The Old Man and the Key"

Ingrid prepares to move out; Freya tracks down Killian; Dash discovers his blackmailer's identity.

Though this series only has some similarities with its book counterpart, I love the new additions. They really do make things thrilling. I already have a lot of questions, and it's only episode 3!

The Last Ship - S01E04 "El Toro"

A small team heads to the jungles of Nicaragua to find monkeys for Rachel's vaccine trials.

The Last Ship captured me in its first episode. Four weeks later, I'm still in love with it. Unlike some of my other TV shows, I don't feel as if this one could last for multiple seasons and keep its steam. But we'll have to wait and see.

The Leftovers - S01E04 "B.J. and the A.C"

Kevin tries to find out who is responsible for a holiday display; Kevin gets unexpected visitors.

I sometimes find myself bored during The Leftovers, but haven't canned it yet. There's still potential for a great series. I'll keep it on my list for a while longer.

Streaming:

True Blood - S01 

Small-town Louisiana waitress Sookie Stackhouse already is viewed as an oddball by her friends and neighbors, since she can read the minds of those around her. She doesn't exactly help her reputation, though, when she falls for Bill Compton, a 173-year-old vampire who has ``come out of the coffin'' along with many of his undead comrades now that a new synthetic blood has made it possible for vampires to survive without preying on humans. Still, the conservative locals aren't wild about mortal-vampire liaisons, especially Sookie's boss, Sam Merlotte, who carries a torch for her.

I've been meaning to watch True Blood for years. I saw the first episode, "Strange Love", all the way back into 2008. But I was much more innocent back then, and disturbed by the gore and sex. Now I watch Game of Thrones. The twist at the end of "The Mountain and the Viper" almost made me throw up. So I say, "Bring it on, True Blood!"

That's all for this week. If I added anymore, I wouldn't have time for anything else! What are you watching this week?

*show summaries are taken from www.zap2it.com and show logos are from www.wikipedia.org

Books on Trial: 3:59 by Gretchen McNeil

Books on Trial is a method of reviewing where I decide if books I've read recently are guilty or innocent of the "charges" laid against them by other reviewers, aka the "witnesses". This week's case is for...

 Hardcover, 368 pages
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Source: Toronto Public Library

Josie Byrne's life is spiraling out of control. Her parents are divorcing, her boyfriend Nick has grown distant, and her physics teacher has it in for her. When she's betrayed by the two people she trusts most, Josie thinks things can't get worse.

Until she starts having dreams about a girl named Jo. Every night at the same time—3:59 a.m.

Jo's life is everything Josie wants: she's popular, her parents are happily married, and Nick adores her. It all seems real, but they're just dreams, right? Josie thinks so, until she wakes one night to a shadowy image of herself in the bedroom mirror – Jo.

Josie and Jo realize that they are doppelgängers living in parallel universes that overlap every twelve hours at exactly 3:59. Fascinated by Jo's perfect world, Josie jumps at the chance to jump through the portal and switch places for a day.

But Jo’s world is far from perfect. Not only is Nick not Jo's boyfriend, he hates her. Jo's mom is missing, possibly insane. And at night, shadowy creatures feed on human flesh.

By the end of the day, Josie is desperate to return to her own life. But there’s a problem: Jo has sealed the portal, trapping Josie in this dangerous world. Can she figure out a way home before it’s too late?

Witnesses:
The "witness testimonies" are from the top three opinions on Goodreads as of the posting date. The reviews have earned their position based on number of likes. The "testimonies" are:

In the end, 3:59 didn't live up to my expectations. Had the plot and mystery been tighter, the characters better developed and the romance cleaned up, I would have probably really loved this one. Would I recommend this? My first reaction is, "Eh, no." But I do think if the above doesn't bother you much in novels, you may enjoy this one. I would, instead, strongly recommend checking out a sample to see if the writing style works for you and then abandoning all sense of logic at page one.

-Steph Sinclair

For an entertaining thriller, 3:59 does a good job. Some of it is overwhelming or far fetched, and specific parts made me cringe, but it's an action packed read that's great for a quick thrill. 

-Giselle

A promising book, built on solid scientific theories and a well-executed premise of a parallel universe that was ultimately let down by an absurd plot and no character development.

-Khanh (Kittens, Rainbows, and Sunshine)

Ruling:
3:59 was actually pretty great. I read 80% of it in a four hour stretch!

The "testimonies" for 3:59 seem to have three issues in common: the romance, the predictably and the plot holes. To be honest, most didn't bother me until after I finished reading. I'm not a very judgmental reader. As long as I don't want to strangle the MC or jab my eyes out, I keep on reading.

The romance between Josie and Nick II (the Nick from Jo's universe) had a strange foundation. Nick I cheated on Josie, and Nick II couldn't stand the sight of Jo. I could see how Nick II could grow to love Josie. But wouldn't Josie be appalled by the sight of Nick II? I mean, he looked just the like the Nick that cheated on her. But, no, I guess not because Josie went to Jo's universe in the first place to spend a day with Nick II. C'mon, girl, he cheated on you with your best friend? Why would you want him back? In any universe? It made Josie seem needy. She could have wanted to switch universes just out of curiosity. I know I would want to.

There were times when the plot was predictable. I knew the animal attacks weren't animal attacks right away. I knew the black bird things - later revealed to be the Nox - were responsible for the deaths. I knew Jo was lying about her world. But the secrets about both of Jo's parents caught me off guard. They were twists for the betterment of the book. I really loved how there wasn't a happy ending for Josie and Nick II, though. It made me angry. It made me feel!

The plot holes were cleverly disguised throughout the book. Only now, as I write this, do I think back to all the things that don't make sense. Here's one that's really chewing on me: why did the Nox attacked Josie's mother in Jo's universe? McNeil stated Josie's Nox "invisibility" originated from Josie being from another universe. But so was Josie's mom. The Nox liked to attack her. Why? It's a plot hole, and it bothers me.

All in all, 3:59 was entertaining! The few surprises and lack of a happy ending kept me guessing (well, I didn't guess after the ending, but you get what I mean). It's worth the read if you want a paranormal/supernatural book with a dash of mystery. But I still find it GUILTY of the claims laid against it by the "witnesses".

Would I recommend 3:59? Yes.

Would I re-read 3:59? No.

Would I read a sequel? I'd put it on my TBR list.

Next Monday... I'll be doing my first Series Binge post on Archetype and Prototype by M.D. Waters (plus an ARC giveaway of Prototype!)

Weekly Writing Stats: July 5 to July 11

Just keep writing, just keep writing, just keep writing, writing, writing...

Weekly Word Count Target: 10,500 (1,586 per day)

Weekly Word Count Accomplished: 10,769 (1,540 per day)

Verdict: SUCCESS!

But this success is even more successful than usual success...

I'M DONE THE FIRST DRAFT OF MY WIP!

Now to my favorite stage... EDITING! 

Waiting on Wednesday: Blood Games by Chloe Neill

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Jill at her blog, Breaking The Spine, spotlighting anticipated upcoming releases. Here’s mine for this Wednesday:

Paperback, 352 pages

Release Date: August 5, 2014

Publisher: NAL Trade

While Merit didn’t choose to become a vampire or Sentinel of Cadogan House, she vowed to fight for her House and its Master, and she’s managed to forge strong alliances with powerful supernaturals across Chicago. But even though Merit has had wild adventures, this may be her deadliest yet...

A killer is stalking Chicago, preying on humans and leaving his victims with magical souvenirs. The CPD hasn’t been able to track the assailant, and as the body count rises, the city is running out of options. Vampires and humans aren’t on great terms, but murder makes for strange bedfellows. Can Merit find the killer before she becomes a target?

Add it to Goodreads!

Why do I want this book? One word... METHAN!

What books are you waiting on this Wednesday?

Books on Trial: Mystic City by Theo Lawrence

Hardcover, 397 pages

Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Source: Toronto Public Library

Aria Rose, youngest scion of one of Mystic City's two ruling rival families, finds herself betrothed to Thomas Foster, the son of her parents' sworn enemies. The union of the two will end the generations-long political feud - and unite all those living in the Aeries, the privileged upper reaches of the city, against the banished mystics who dwell below in the Depths.

But Aria doesn't remember falling in love with Thomas; in fact, she wakes one day with huge gaps in her memory. And she can't conceive why her parents would have agreed to unite with the Fosters in the first place.

Only when Aria meets Hunter, a gorgeous rebel mystic from the Depths, does she start to have glimmers of recollection - and to understand that he holds the key to unlocking her past. The choices she makes can save or doom the city - including herself.

Witnesses:
The "witness testimonies" are from the top three opinions on Goodreads as of the posting date. The reviews have earned their position based on number of likes. The "testimonies" are:
 

This book has:

1. A weak, spoiled, wealthy TSTL socialite heroine whose attempts to do good are as laughable as a pet kitten bringing me a half-eaten mouse
2. A love...tri..quadr...hexa...thingamajig
3. A poorly conceived and largely nonsensical setting
4. A love interest with stalkerish tendencies
5. A plot that's 90% romance and 10% story, with not a single bit of subtlety
6. Villains that stand around twirling their mustaches and cackling maniacally

-Khanh (Kittens, Rainbows and Sunshine 

A much more accurate blurb would be: a Romeo and Juliet retelling with magical people who are nowhere as cool as the X-Men.

-Lilian 

I’ve rated Mystic City three stars, which means, I enjoyed reading it, all in all. There has been a lot of eye-rolling, a lot of 'Yes-Buts' and a lot of "Do-You-Think-I-Am-Dense", which I will explain shortly, but the heroine was thoroughly likable and brave, the hero attractive, super-powered and mysterious, the romance – although instantly there and super-kitschy – pretty romantic, the villains villainous, the action plenty and rapid and the world-building – although unbelievable – vividly painted in rich, sparkling detail and rather creative...

-oliviasbooks

Ruling:
Mystic City would make a better romance story than fantasy novel.

Lawrence himself said he was inspired by Romeo and Juliet. I think that would have been a better comparison than X-Men or Hunger Games. There really was no action in this book, except for at the end. The first 90% dealt with Aria Rose trying to get back her memory and discover the truth. Which could have been suspenseful and exciting if it wasn't so obvious to the audience what had happened.

Mystic City could have been really good. The world of Mystics in a futuristic Manhattan, as well as the concept behind the story, had promise. The problem lay in its predictability, which made its main character, Aria, look like an idiot. There were times when I found myself screaming at her. The girl wakes up with no memory, and has her manipulative, gangster parents tell her she had a secret romance with the enemy. Their relationship magically ends a century-long cold war between the families. What does she do? Not rebel agaisnt the idea, or wonder if her MANIPULATIVE, GANGSTER parents are lying? No, she accepts it. When she finally starts to question what happened to her, her thoughts fade away whenever she's getting close to the answer. The answer which everyone in the "audience" has known for chapters!

For the most part, I could excuse Aria's blindness to the truth. No one wants to believe their parents are evil. I just wished she would have "woken up" sooner. Especially when she was saying stuff like, "Ooh, I'm so suspicious" (okay, that's a paraphrase). If you were suspicious, you'd be playing around with multiple theories in your head, no matter how batshit crazy they were!

When Aria wasn't blundering around, she was reasonably likable. She believed in equality and wanted it for the people of Manhattan. Her conversations with Hunter were engaging (and sounded nothing like the cheesy love letters they sent to each other). The love thingamajig, as Khanh stated above, seemed unnecessary. I love the way Khanh described it in her full-length "testimony":

A is engaged to B (who is fucking C) while secretly in love with D (but shouldn't be) because D is secretly engaged to E, who graciously sacrifices everything because she loves both A and D.

Really, Davida's sacrifice could have been justified without the engagement to Hunter (D). Hunter and Aria were important to the Mystic cause, and both her friends, as well, so why not just leave it at that? Why add a whole other weird level to this romance?

If you like your fantasy romantic, Mystic City is the book for you. If you're expecting the action of X-Men or The Hunger Games, find something else to read. Therefore, I find Mystic City GUILTY as charged by the testimonies. But, since it wasn't horrendous, I'll still read the sequel, Toxic Heart. One day.

Next week I'll be trying... 3:59 by Gretchen McNeil

About the Author

Theo Lawrence is a graduate of Columbia University and the Juilliard School. A Presidential Scholar in the Arts for Voice, he has performed at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and Off-Broadway.

Website / Twitter / Goodreads