Review: The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen

Publish date: 2014
Source: Purchased
Format: Kindle ebook
Length: 448 pages
"Young Kelsea Raleigh was raised in hiding after the death of her mother, Queen Elyssa, far from the intrigues of the royal Keep and in the care of two devoted servants who pledged their lives to protect her. Growing up in a cottage deep in the woods, Kelsea knows little of her kingdom's haunted past . . . or that its fate will soon rest in her hands.

Long ago, Kelsea's forefathers sailed away from a decaying world to establish a new land free of modern technology. Three hundred years later, this feudal society has divided into three fearful nations who pay duties to a fourth: the powerful Mortmesne, ruled by the cunning Red Queen. Now, on Kelsea's nineteenth birthday, the tattered remnants of the Queen's Guard—loyal soldiers who protect the throne—have appeared to escort the princess on a perilous journey to the capital to ascend to her rightful place as the new Queen of the Tearling.

Though born of royal blood and in possession of the Tear sapphire, a jewel of immense power and magic, Kelsea has never felt more uncertain of her ability to rule. But the shocking evil she discovers in the heart of her realm will precipitate an act of immense daring, throwing the entire kingdom into turmoil—and unleashing the Red Queen's vengeance. A cabal of enemies with an array of deadly weapons, from crimson-caped assassins to the darkest blood magic, plots to destroy her. But Kelsea is growing in strength and stealth, her steely resolve earning her loyal allies, including the Queen's Guard, led by the enigmatic Lazarus, and the intriguing outlaw known simply as "the Fetch."Kelsea's quest to save her kingdom and meet her destiny has only just begun. Riddled with mysteries, betrayals, and treacherous battles, Kelsea's journey is a trial by fire that will either forge a legend . . . or destroy her." (Goodreads)

I bought The Queen of the Tearling quite a while ago when it was a Kindle daily deal (those are dangerous!). I started reading it on a plane ride coming home from a student trip I chaperoned to Europe. I'd finished my other book and after perusing my Kindle, decided to try Tearling. It was a slow start, but I really liked it!

The Queen of the Tearling is definitely a slower paced book, so if you need faster paced books, this one might be a struggle for you. I usually don't like slower paced books, but this one really worked for me. Maybe because I started it on a plane ride and there wasn't much else to do? For whatever reason, I liked it a lot.

There's plenty of time to get to know Kelsea and her guard. Lazarus was particularly awesome and I liked his and Kelsea's friendship. I feel like most fantasy books have a good relationship between the queen and the head of her guard and this was no exception.

Like I said, this was slower paced and sometimes that was a pain. The chapters were loooong, which I dislike, but the ending was exciting and worth pushing through the slow parts. I'm excited to read The Invasion of the Tearling! It's even on my wishlist, which is rare :)

Review: Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen

Publish date: 2012
Source: Library
Format: Paperback
Length: 287 pages
"Will Scarlet is good at two things: stealing from the rich and keeping secrets - skills that are in high demand in Robin Hood's band of thieves, who protect the people of Nottingham from the evil sheriff. Scarlet's biggest secret of all is one only Robin and his men know...that she is posing as a thief; that the slip of a boy who is fast with sharp knives is really a girl.

The terrible events in her past that led Scarlet to hide her real identity are in danger of being exposed when the thief taker Lord Gisbourne arrives in town to rid Nottingham of the Hood and his men once and for all. As Gisbourne closes in a put innocent lives at risk, Scarlet must decide how much the people of Nottingham mean to her, especially John Little, a flirtatious fellow outlaw, and Robin, whose quick smiles have the rare power to unsettle her. There is real honor among these thieves and so much more - making this a fight worth dying for." (Goodreads)

I will come right out and say that Scarlet is a book I read because other people were reading it and I thought, hey if they like it so much then I might too! And that was that. I got it through my state library system since my local one didn't have it and I read it over a few days. I ended up really liking it!

My only experience with Robin Hood is Disney's animated version that I watched as a kid, so I was a little worried going into Scarlet that I'd be lost. I was a little confused at the beginning, but nothing that wasn't fixed by continuing to read. I will say that Scarlet's voice (the narrator) is a little difficult to get used to because of the dialect she speaks in, but I got used to it pretty quickly. After a few chapters, I was fine.

For the first 2/3 of the book, I thought it was good but nothing great, but then a few delicious plot twists popped up and it turned great. I was itching to finish the book and find out what happened to everyone. I really liked Scarlet, despite being frustrated with some of her actions, and liked Robin a lot too. 

Ultimately I thought it was a fun retelling of Robin Hood and I liked it enough that I already have the sequel on hold! Have you read Scarlet? Thoughts?

Review: Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

Publish date: February 10th, 2015
Source: Classroom Library
Format: Hardcover
Length: 383 pages
"The poverty stricken Reds are commoners, living under the rule of the Silvers, elite warriors with god-like powers.

To Mare Barrow, a 17-year-old Red girl from The Stilts, it looks like nothing will ever change.

Mare finds herself working in the Silver Palace, at the centre of
those she hates the most. She quickly discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy Silver control.

But power is a dangerous game. And in this world divided by blood, who will win? "

Red Queen is one of the most hyped books that I can think of this year. That much attention means I've definitely heard of it, but I'm also a little wary because sometimes the hype monster kills a good books for me. I tried going into Red Queen with an open mind, but I still feel like it didn't live up to my expectations.

That said, don't get me wrong. Red Queen is still a solid fantasy novel. I liked Mare as a character and I loved all the secrets that everyone had about powers, alliances, and all that good stuff. I think my main complaint was that I just wanted more: more background on the world, more deceit, more intrigue, etc. With all the hype surrounding it, I was waiting for more and never got it. That's not to say I didn't like it; I just didn't love it. 

I read a review of Red Queen somewhere (and I wish I could remember where! Sorry!) in which the reviewer pointed out that the title was misleading and I completely agree. Maybe that's partly why I was expecting more? If you've read it, do you agree?

Review: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

Publish date: 2005
Source: Classroom Library
Format: Paperback
Length: 377 pages
"Percy Jackson is about to be kicked out of boarding school... again. And that's the least of his troubles. Lately, mythological monsters and the gods of Mount Olympus seem to be walking straight out of the pages of Percy's Greek mythology textbook and into his life. And worse, he's angered a few of them. Zeus' master lightning bolt has been stolen, and Percy is the prime suspect.

Now Percy and his friends have just ten days to find and return Zeus' stolen property and bring peace to a warring Mount Olympus. But to succeed on his quest, Percy will have to do more than catch the true thief: he must come to terms with the father who abandoned him; solve the riddle of the Oracle, which warns him of betrayal by a friend; and unravel a treachery more powerful than the gods themselves." (Goodreads)

I feel like Percy Jackson might be the younger generation's Harry Potter. There will always only be Harry Potter for me, but Percy Jackson is a good second place. I vaguely knew about this series but never paid much attention to them since they came out at the end of my high school years and while I was in college, when I didn't read much and definitely was not keeping up on YA/MG lit. Rick Riordan's books are VERY popular with my students though, particularly this year's freshmen, so I figured I needed to read them. I was pleasantly surprised with how much I liked The Lightning Thief!

I don't know much about mythology, so I was a little worried going into the book, but I had no problem getting sucked into Percy's world! Percy is new to all of it too, so we get to learn with him and if you're like me, it's a nice introduction to the topic. I liked all of the side characters, especially Grover, and found it fun to follow their adventures. I'm definitely planning on reading the next book, The Sea of Monsters, although I'm told the Heroes of Olympus series is even better!

If you are looking for a fun adventure series with some heart, check out The Lightning Thief! Or am I the last person who hadn't read it until now?

Review: Pivot Point by Kasie West

Publish date: 2013
Source: Classroom Library
Format: Hardcover
Length: 352 pages
"Addison Coleman’s life is one big “What if?” As a Searcher, whenever Addie is faced with a choice, she can look into the future and see both outcomes. It’s the ultimate insurance plan against disaster. Or so she thought. When Addie’s parents ambush her with the news of their divorce, she has to pick who she wants to live with—her father, who is leaving the paranormal compound to live among the “Norms,” or her mother, who is staying in the life Addie has always known. Addie loves her life just as it is, so her answer should be easy. One Search six weeks into the future proves it’s not.

In one potential future, Addie is adjusting to life outside the Compound as the new girl in a Norm high school where she meets Trevor, a cute, sensitive artist who understands her. In the other path, Addie is being pursued by the hottest guy in school—but she never wanted to be a quarterback’s girlfriend. When Addie’s father is asked to consult on a murder in the Compound, she’s unwittingly drawn into a dangerous game that threatens everything she holds dear. With love and loss in both lives, it all comes down to which reality she’s willing to live through . . . and who she can’t live without." (Goodreads)

I had heard of this book earlier this year, but didn't pay much attention to it. However, after seeing consistently high ratings from friends on twitter and Goodreads, I decided it was time to try it out. I brought it home over winter break from my classroom library and spent a few hours kicking myself, wondering why it took so long for me to read this! Pivot Point was excellent and I think it deserves more attention.

First of all, I like the concept of the advanced psychological abilities and Addie's skill of Searching. How many of us have wanted to see into our futures to see if we're making the right choices? I know I have. I liked that each chapter alternated between her potential future with her mom at the Compound and another life with her dad in the real world. It was interesting to see what Addie knew about in the real world in terms of what we know is normal and to see what abilities other people at the compound had. All fun to read about!

I also really liked that this book wasn't just about meeting guys and falling in love. Addie has complicated relationships with boys, her parents, and her friends, making the book that much more enjoyable. I think I initially didn't pay attention to Pivot Point when it came out because the synopsis makes it seem like it's all about boys, but the book is about much more than that.

If you are looking for an interesting take on powers, but a book that reads more like a contemporary, try Pivot Point! I would not consider myself a big paranormal fan, but I was very pleasantly surprised by this (and it really does seem like realistic fiction!).

Review: Every Day by David Levithan

Publish date: 2012
Source: Classroom library
Format: Hardcover
Length: 322 pages
"There’s never any warning about where it will be or who it will be. A has made peace with that, even established guidelines by which to live: Never get too attached. Avoid being noticed. Do not interfere.

It’s all fine until the morning that A wakes up in the body of Justin and meets Justin’s girlfriend, Rhiannon. From that moment, the rules by which A has been living no longer apply. Because finally A has found someone he wants to be with—day in, day out, day after day." (Goodreads)

I don't think I would have read Every Day if my student book club had not picked it as one of their first books (along with The Way We Fall by Megan Crewe). It just doesn't seem like the kind of book I'd want to read. I enjoyed it, but it's not one of my favorites.

I really like the idea behind Every Day, that A wakes up in a different body every day and gets to be a new person but never his true self. It was a great way for Levithan to explore different characters and it was interesting to see how A reacted to each body and gender. I also liked Levithan's writing and how suspenseful everything was. I ended up reading it really quickly just to find out what would happen.

What I didn't like is that A falling for Rhiannon is basically instalove, one of my least favorite parts of books. It was interesting to see how Levithan handled their relationship and how Rhiannon reacted to A being what he is, but it was still hard to believe that he fell for her so hard. I also didn't really like the ending, which was my students' main complaint as well. Does anyone know if there will be a sequel?

Review: The Archived

Author: Victoria Schwab
Publish date: January 2013
Source: Classroom library
"Imagine a place where the dead rest on shelves like books.
Each body has a story to tell, a life seen in pictures that only Librarians can read. The dead are called Histories, and the vast realm in which they rest is the Archive.

Da first brought Mackenzie Bishop here four years ago, when she was twelve years old, frightened but determined to prove herself. Now Da is dead, and Mac has grown into what he once was, a ruthless Keeper, tasked with stopping often—violent Histories from waking up and getting out. Because of her job, she lies to the people she loves, and she knows fear for what it is: a useful tool for staying alive.

Being a Keeper isn’t just dangerous—it’s a constant reminder of those Mac has lost. Da’s death was hard enough, but now her little brother is gone too. Mac starts to wonder about the boundary between living and dying, sleeping and waking. In the Archive, the dead must never be disturbed. And yet, someone is deliberately altering Histories, erasing essential chapters. Unless Mac can piece together what remains, the Archive itself might crumble and fall." (Goodreads)

I will start out by saying that I have read The Near Witch and I was not its biggest fan. Basically, I liked the premise of the story, but felt like it was slow and didn't go anywhere. That said, I went into The Archived with a completely open mind, like a do over with Victoria Schwab. Unfortunately, I think her books and I are just not meant to be.

The Archived starts out pretty slowly and for me, it never really picked up enough speed to carry me through and make me want to pick it back up again. The story was interesting, but just moved too slowly for my liking. I actually considered DNFing about halfway through, but after reading Goodreads reviews, I decided to keep going. I don't regret finishing it, but I do feel like I'm the only person out there who feels meh about it.

The thing that stood out to me from The Near Witch was Schwab's writing style, which holds up in The Archived. It is rather flowy and lovely, although without wanting to sound like some kind of crazy person...I thought it got to be repetitive. There were a lot of purposeful run-on sentences, which I can appreciate, but when that's your main style, it gets old. I know that is super nitpicky and teachery of me, but it's what I notice!

The Archived is just one of those "it's not you, it's me" kind of books. I think most people will like it, but if you need action packed and fast moving plots, this might not be the read for you. 

Review: Beauty

Author: Robin McKinley
Publish date: 1978
Source: Classroom library
"Beauty has never liked her nickname. She is thin and awkward; it is her two sisters who are the beautiful ones. But what she lacks in looks, she can perhaps make up for in courage.

When her father comes home with the tale of an enchanted castle in the forest and the terrible promise he had to make to the Beast who lives there, Beauty knows she must go to the castle, a prisoner of her own free will. Her father protests that he will not let her go, but she answers, "Cannot a Beast be tamed?"

Robin McKinley's beloved telling illuminates the unusual love story of a most unlikely couple, Beauty and the Beast." (Goodreads)

I first heard of Robin McKinley when I added The Hero and the Crown to my TBR list on Goodreads after reading a list of great fantasy somewhere. I wish I could remember where! Anyway, I now have a variety of McKinley's novels in my classroom and my coworker recommended Beauty, so I brought it home to read over winter break and it ended up being my first read of 2012!

Beauty is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast and I was a little worried that it might get tiresome since I know the story, but it wasn't at all! The book is slow, but a good kind of slow. It takes a while to get to the point of meeting the Beast, but I enjoyed all the back story and learning about Beauty and her family. I thought the ending came up a bit quickly, but I suppose I was used to the slow pacing of the earlier parts of the story.

One thing I really loved was McKinley's writing. It was just beautiful and I found myself rereading certain sentences because they were so wonderful. I also used a couple as examples of great writing in my English classes. I will be book talking this soon and can't wait to read more of McKinley's work. I am thinking The Hero and the Crown next?

Audiobook Review: Beautiful Creatures

Authors: Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl
Narrator: Kevin T. Collins
Publish date: 2009
Source: Library
"Lena Duchannes is unlike anyone the small Southern town of Gatlin has ever seen, and she's struggling to conceal her power and a curse that has haunted her family for generations. But even within the overgrown gardens, murky swamps and crumbling graveyards of the forgotten South, a secret cannot stay hidden forever.

Ethan Wate, who has been counting the months until he can escape from Gatlin, is haunted by dreams of a beautiful girl he has never met. When Lena moves into the town's oldest and most infamous plantation, Ethan is inexplicably drawn to her and determined to uncover the connection between them.

In a town with no surprises, one secret could change everything." (Goodreads)

A couple months ago I felt like I was the only person that I knew who hadn't read Beautiful Creatures. It's quite a chunkster (563 pages), so I thought audio would be a good way to go. I have to say...this book and I did not click. I went into it completely open and finished it completely annoyed.

The audio of the book itself was fine. The narrator had a calming voice and while his voices for each character weren't insanely different, they were fine. I wasn't annoyed by him, but by other aspects of the book.

I love the idea of Beautiful Creatures in theory. I like southern settings, I like the idea of casters and the parallels between Ethan and Lena and the historical events, etc. This seemed like a "me" novel, but after listening to it, I was surprised at how meh it was. First of all, way too long. Like at least 100 pages too long. So much of the book seemed to not move the plot forward. It was a little tiring to hear about Ethan and Lena researching or just talking to each other about nothing. I thought Ethan was really boring, honestly. I hate sounding so negative, but there was just not much I liked.

The thing that bothers me the most about not liking this book is that I've been to an event with Margie Stohl and I LOVED her. She is hilarious and smart and I wanted to like Beautiful Creatures so much because I liked her so much, but I just can't. I don't know...was audio the wrong way to go? I feel like I would have felt the same way with print, especially with the length. I won't be reading the rest of the series, although I haven't decided yet about the movie.

Did anyone else NOT like this book? I feel like I might be the only one...

Review: Seraphina

Author: Rachel Hartman
Publish date: 2012
Source: Classroom library
"Four decades of peace have done little to ease the mistrust between humans and dragons in the kingdom of Goredd. Folding themselves into human shape, dragons attend court as ambassadors, and lend their rational, mathematical minds to universities as scholars and teachers. As the treaty's anniversary draws near, however, tensions are high.

Seraphina Dombegh has reason to fear both sides. An unusually gifted musician, she joins the court just as a member of the royal family is murdered—in suspiciously draconian fashion. Seraphina is drawn into the investigation, partnering with the captain of the Queen's Guard, the dangerously perceptive Prince Lucian Kiggs. While they begin to uncover hints of a sinister plot to destroy the peace, Seraphina struggles to protect her own secret, the secret behind her musical gift, one so terrible that its discovery could mean her very life.

In her exquisitely written fantasy debut, Rachel Hartman creates a rich, complex, and utterly original world. Seraphina's tortuous journey to self-acceptance is one readers will remember long after they've turned the final page." (Goodreads)

Seraphina came out last July and while I was aware of it, I didn't feel an overwhelming urge to read it until we got it for our classroom libraries and I saw how amazing the cover is. I just love it and the fact that it's mostly black and white. Just lovely! I finished it over winter break and loved it.

I have read a "dragon book" before (Firelight), but I enjoyed this one much more, not that Firelight was bad or anything, of course. I appreciated that this was a straight up fantasy book and loved reading about the history of the dragons and humans and obviously, learning about Seraphina herself. She was a great character: smart, musically gifted, funny, someone I would be friends with (you know, if Goredd was real). She's one of the best characters I've read in a long time and I even included her on my favorite characters list in the 2012 end of the year book survey. The supporting characters were also great, including Glisselda, Lars, and Orma.

I also loved the writing in Seraphina. Rachel Hartman is clearly talented and I find it hard to believe that this is her first published book. It took a little while for me to really get into it at the beginning, but you hit a point where everything just comes together and you want to keep reading to learn more about Seraphina and her world. As a teacher, I appreciated the variety of vocabulary Ms. Hartman used, and not just Goredd-inspired words. I think this book will be a little difficult for some of my students because of the vocabulary, but well worth it in terms of having read a great story and learned more vocab. I book talked it on Friday and both copies are already gone!

Basically, Serpahina is an excellent book and I recommend it to everyone, even if you aren't a fantasy fan. Excellent writing combined with a great story and characters makes a fantastic read.

Review: The Gathering

Author: Kelley Armstrong
Publish date: 2011
Source: RT Goody Bag!
"Sixteen-year-old Maya is just an ordinary teen in an ordinary town. Sure, she doesn't know much about her background - the only thing she really has to cling to is an odd paw-print birthmark on her hip - but she never really put much thought into who her parents were or how she ended up with her adopted parents in this tiny medical-research community on Vancouver Island.

Until now.

Strange things have been happening in this claustrophobic town - from the mountain lions that have been approaching Maya to her best friend's hidden talent for "feeling" out people and situations, to the sexy new bad boy who makes Maya feel . . . . different. Combine that with a few unexplained deaths and a mystery involving Maya's biological parents and it's easy to suspect that this town might have more than its share of skeletons in its closet." (Goodreads)

I feel kind of ashamed to admit this...but this was my first Kelley Armstrong book. At RT in April, where I got this book, she was one of a few authors who required a wristband just to get in line. That, along with the fact that I haven't read Richelle Mead yet (who was also there), made me feel like I was missing out. I got The Gathering in a goody bag that night, and I just now got around to reading it!

For me, The Gathering was a good example of a book that was entertaining but nothing special. It wasn't unputdownable, but at the same time, I enjoyed reading it. It's not exactly my type of book, per se, but the island setting sucked me in, along with the main characters going to a really small school (which I also love).

The problem was that not a lot actually happened in terms of plot. This book is part of a trilogy, so this whole book is pretty much the set-up for action in the second book. The Gathering was interesting, yes, but the only action happened at the end and of course ended in a cliffhanger. I also wasn't too into the "sexy new bad boy," as the blurb so aptly describes him.

So really, in the end, this book was good, but nothing that I will remember forever. I'll probably read book two...someday.

Review: A Monster Calls

Author: Patrick Ness
Publish date: 2011
Source: Library
"The monster showed up after midnight. As they do.

But it isn't the monster Conor's been expecting. He's been expecting the one from his nightmare, the one he's had nearly every night since his mother started her treatments, the one with the darkness and the wind and the screaming...

This monster is something different, though. Something ancient, something wild. And it wants the most dangerous thing of all from Conor.

It wants the truth." (Goodreads)

I have previously read The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness (listened to it, actually) and absolutely loved it. I knew A Monster Calls would be different, obviously, but I wasn't prepared for how much it would slay me and how much it was not what I was expecting.

The first couple things I noticed about A Monster Calls is that it's pretty short for a novel, plus there are really great illustrations throughout. The layout is different than any novel I have read and I have to say, I loved it. Sometimes drawings in books can detract from the story, but I thought these were spot on and really added to the mysterious feeling of the book.

The plot of A Monster Calls was not at all what I was expecting, but I loved it. This is not a story about monsters, per se, but about life and love and loss. I felt so sad for Conor the whole time and I just knew what was going to happen at the end, despite not wanting it to happen at all. I am really considering reading this book aloud to my English classes this year, as I think they would all really connect with its themes and enjoy the story. If I don't, I will definitely be recommending it.

Review: Graceling

Author: Kristin Cashore
Publish date: 2008
Source: Purchased
"Katsa has been able to kill a man with her bare hands since she was eight—she’s a Graceling, one of the rare people in her land born with an extreme skill. As niece of the king, she should be able to live a life of privilege, but Graced as she is with killing, she is forced to work as the king’s thug. When she first meets Prince Po, Graced with combat skills, Katsa has no hint of how her life is about to change. She never expects to become Po’s friend. She never expects to learn a new truth about her own Grace—or about a terrible secret that lies hidden far away . . . a secret that could destroy all seven kingdoms with words alone.

With elegant, evocative prose and a cast of unforgettable characters, debut author Kristin Cashore creates a mesmerizing world, a death-defying adventure, and a heart-racing romance that will consume you, hold you captive, and leave you wanting more." (Goodreads)

Graceling is an example of a book that I had never heard of before I started blogging. I kept hearing about this book, Bitterblue, that apparently EVERYONE was waiting for and THAT is finally how I discovered Graceling. I actually bought it, which is rare for me, but it was cheap and I figured I'd like it. I waited a shamefully long time before actually reading it. Don't judge!

So. Graceling. It was good, yes, but I think in the end I hyped it up too much in my head based on how much everyone else seemed to love it. I of course LIKED it, but I didn't love it. I thought the book as a whole was refreshing, since sometimes fantasy books can get a little similar (or is that just me?)

For me, the characters made the book. Katsa was a real girl, fleshed out and well-developed. I felt like I could get to know her really well throughout the book plus she was a bad ass. Obviously. Po was also a great character and I loved how much we got to learn about him and his family as the book progressed. Great world building!

The reason that I did not love this book is because it just seemed to drag on and on at certain points. I got a bit bored and it made me want to put the book down instead of reading it cover to cover. However, that was really the only thing holding me back from loving it, so all in all it was a good book. I'll definitely be recommending it to my students in the fall and reading Fire and Bitterblue soon!

Review: The Goose Girl

Author: Shannon Hale
Publish date: 2005
Source: purchased ebook
"She can whisper to horses and communicate with birds, but the crown princess Ani has a difficult time finding her place in the royal family and measuring up to her imperial mother. When she is shipped off to a neighboring kingdom as a bride, her scheming entourage mounts a bloody mutiny to replace her with a jealous lady-in-waiting, Selia, and to allow an inner circle of guards more power in the new land. Barely escaping with her life, Ani disguises herself as a goose girl and wanders on the royal estate. Does she have the pluck to reclaim her rightful place? Get ready for a fine adventure tale full of danger, suspense, surprising twists, and a satisfying conclusion. The engaging plot can certainly carry the tale, but Hale's likable, introspective heroine makes this also a book about courage and justice in the face of overwhelming odds. The richly rendered, medieval folkloric setting adds to the charm." (Goodreads)

The only previous Shannon Hale book that I'd read was Austenland, which I liked. The Goose Girl was 1.99 (I think) for the Kindle a while ago and at the urging of Christina at BookTasty, I bought it and read it while on vacation last week. It took me a little while to get into it but I ended up loving it! Shannon Hales wins again!

Like I said, I'd only read Hale's Austenland before and holy wow, are these books different, but awesome. The first thing I really noticed about The Goose Girl was the writing style. It is very fairy tale-esque and really set the scene for the story. It was simple, but not too simple, if that makes sense. I liked all the descriptions of the setting and felt like I was able to picture Ani's world.

I didn't know this particular fairy tale, but was able to become invested in it after a few chapters. I think it started slow for me because the first chapter takes place when Ani is a child. As soon as it jumped to the present time of the story, I was sucked in. I liked Ani as a character and was rooting for her the whole time. She was a strong girl and I felt so frustrated for her when things went wrong. When a book can make you feel as angry as the characters are...it's good.

If you haven't read Shannon Hale, I would definitely recommend this (and Austenland!). I believe there are three other books in the Books of Bayern series, and I plan on reading them soon. Who knew I liked fairy tale retellings?

Review: Born Wicked

Author: Jessica Spotswood
Publish date: February 2012
Source: Library
"Everybody knows Cate Cahill and her sisters are eccentric. Too pretty, too reclusive, and far too educated for their own good. But the truth is even worse: they’re witches. And if their secret is discovered by the priests of the Brotherhood, it would mean an asylum, a prison ship—or an early grave.

Before her mother died, Cate promised to protect her sisters. But with only six months left to choose between marriage and the Sisterhood, she might not be able to keep her word... especially after she finds her mother’s diary, uncovering a secret that could spell her family’s destruction. Desperate to find alternatives to their fate, Cate starts scouring banned books and questioning rebellious new friends, all while juggling tea parties, shocking marriage proposals, and a forbidden romance with the completely unsuitable Finn Belastra.

If what her mother wrote is true, the Cahill girls aren’t safe. Not from the Brotherhood, the Sisterhood—not even from each other." (Goodreads)

I've wanted to read this book ever since I read the summary and saw that it was a cross of two of my favorite genres: fantasy and historical fiction. I waited and waited for the library to get it, since I am on a bit of a book buying ban and they finally did! Cue Kyle rejoicing because this book was AWESOME.

One of the things (of many) that I loved about Born Wicked was the writing style and the mood that it created. I really felt like I was transported back in time and could get lost in Cate's world. Jessica Spotswood did a great job with world building and I really enjoyed learning more about her alternate history. I also liked that there wasn't a TON of witchery in the book. I feel like there is much more witchery to come in the next book(s), which is exciting.

Annnnnd the romance. I loved it, even though there was a love triangle. Finn is my new book boyfriend/crush/whatever you want to call it. Fantastic character and I can't wait for more of him and everyone! I may or may not have reread certain passages ;)

This is definitely one of my favorite books from this year. It was exactly what I was looking for and I can't wait for the sequel! You need to read this one!

Review: A Great and Terrible Beauty

Author: Libba Bray
Publish date: 2003
Source: Library
"Sixteen-year-old Gemma has had an unconventional upbringing in India, until the day she foresees her mother's death in a black, swirling vision that turns out to be true. Sent back to England, she is enrolled at Spence, a girls' academy with a mysterious burned-out East Wing. There Gemma is snubbed by powerful Felicity, beautiful Pippa, and even her own dumpy roommate Ann, until she blackmails herself and Ann into the treacherous clique. Gemma is distressed to find that she has been followed from India by Kartik, a beautiful young man who warns her to fight off the visions. Nevertheless, they continue, and one night she is led by a child-spirit to find a diary that reveals the secrets of a mystical Order. The clique soon finds a way to accompany Gemma to the other-world realms of her visions "for a bit of fun" and to taste the power they will never have as Victorian wives, but they discover that the delights of the realms are overwhelmed by a menace they cannot control. Gemma is left with the knowledge that her role as the link between worlds leaves her with a mission to seek out the "others" and rebuild the Order. A Great and Terrible Beauty is an impressive first book in what should prove to be a fascinating trilogy." (Goodreads)

I've been meaning to read Libba Bray for a while now, and thought this might be a good starting point. I've always thought Beauty Queens and Going Bovine just looked kind of...odd. Should I read them? Anyway, I read A Great and Terrible Beauty and am still conflicted about my feelings.

The thing I liked the most: the setting. I wasn't crazy about the beginning in India, as it all felt rushed and confusing to me, but I loved Spence Academy and the boarding school setting. And finding out that part of the school was closed off due to a fire? Love it! Boarding schools in historical fiction are the best settings, am I right?

Setting aside, I did not like this book as much as I thought. I wasn't expecting it to take the direction it did with the fantasy elements and I also had a hard time connecting with the characters, the relationship between Gemma, Ann, Felicity, and Pippa included. I'm not sure if I'll continue the series. Thoughts?

Review: Paranormalcy

Author: Kiersten White
Publish date: 2010
Source: Library
"Weird as it is working for the International Paranormal Containment Agency, Evie’s always thought of herself as normal. Sure, her best friend is a mermaid, her ex-boyfriend is a faerie, she's falling for a shape-shifter, and she's the only person who can see through paranormals' glamours, but still. Normal. 

Only now paranormals are dying, and Evie's dreams are filled with haunting voices and mysterious prophecies. She soon realizes that there may be a link between her abilities and the sudden rash of deaths. Not only that, but she may very well be at the center of a dark faerie prophecy promising destruction to all paranormal creatures." (Goodreads)

Paranormalcy has been on my TBR list for a long time. EVERYONE seems to love it and the summary made it sound pretty fun, so I picked it up for the readathon and finished it in about 3 hours. It was a PERFECT choice for that day: fun, quick, and entertaining!

First of all, let me just announce that I LOVE Evie. Her voice was so sarcastic and perfect for this kind of book. There was a lot going on in Paranormalcy and I think it could have easily delved into a confusing and/or boring book, but Evie's voice and narration kept everything perky and fun. I am a very sarcastic person myself, so I think Evie and I would definitely get along, which just made reading the book even more fun.

Before I started Paranormalcy, I decided not to take it too seriously (mostly because everyone said it was FUN), but I really enjoyed it much more than I thought I would. The plot was entertaining and kept me engaged for the 3 hours that I read it plus I found myself invested in the plot and characters. I will most definitely be reading Supernaturally and Endlessly, which comes out this summer. ADDITIONALLY I have discovered Kiersten White on twitter, who is quite hilarious. I suggest you follow her if you want to laugh :)

Review: Firelight

Author: Sophie Jordan
Publish date: 2010
Source: Purchased and signed at RT
"Marked as special at an early age, Jacinda knows her every move is watched. But she longs for freedom to make her own choices. When she breaks the most sacred tenet among her kind, she nearly pays with her life. Until a beautiful stranger saves her. A stranger who was sent to hunt those like her. For Jacinda is a draki—a descendant of dragons whose greatest defense is her secret ability to shift into human form.

Forced to flee into the mortal world with her family, Jacinda struggles to adapt to her new surroundings. The only bright light is Will. Gorgeous, elusive Will who stirs her inner draki to life. Although she is irresistibly drawn to him, Jacinda knows Will's dark secret: He and his family are hunters. She should avoid him at all costs. But her inner draki is slowly slipping away—if it dies she will be left as a human forever. She'll do anything to prevent that. Even if it means getting closer to her most dangerous enemy.

Mythical powers and breathtaking romance ignite in this story of a girl who defies all expectations and whose love crosses an ancient divide." (Goodreads)

Before going to RT a couple weeks ago, I'd kind of heard of Firelight, but not enough for me to have thought about reading it. After looking through the authors that would be there and hearing some recent blogger love for the lovely Sophie Jordan, I decided to bite the bullet and try Firelight. I bought a copy from Sophie at RT, which she graciously signed. Fast forward to the readathon...I read Firelight first and pretty much loved it. So glad I bought a copy!

I've never read a book quite like Firelight because it deals with...wait for it...dragons! Or at least a descendant of dragons called draki, which can take both human and dragon form. Right off the bat, I was really intrigued simply because, to me at least, Sophie took a not often used idea in YA fantasy and made it WORK. I liked learning some of the background of dragons and feel like there is more coming in the next two books. Based on how this book ended, I think Vanish and Hidden HAVE to be pretty amazing to tie up Jacinda and co.'s story.

At first I thought Firelight had a case of insta!love, which is does, in a way. BUT this is kind of explained by the end and as a pretty harsh critic of insta!love, I was pleased with how that was taken care of/explained. I also had mixed feelings toward how both Jacinda and Tamra acted, but I can understand both characters. They each wanted to fit into life in their own unique ways. Who doesn't, right?

If you haven't read Firelight and you enjoy fantasy, try it! It was a fun and quick read and I already have Vanish on hold at the library :)

Review: The Near Witch

Author: Victoria Schwab
Publish date: 2011
Source: Library
"The Near Witch is only an old story told to frighten children.
If the wind calls at night, you must not listen. The wind is lonely, and always looking for company.

And there are no strangers in the town of Near.

These are the truths that Lexi has heard all her life.

But when an actual stranger—a boy who seems to fade like smoke—appears outside her home on the moor at night, she knows that at least one of these sayings is no longer true.

The next night, the children of Near start disappearing from their beds, and the mysterious boy falls under suspicion. Still, he insists on helping Lexi search for them. Something tells her she can trust him.

As the hunt for the children intensifies, so does Lexi’s need to know—about the witch that just might be more than a bedtime story, about the wind that seems to speak through the walls at night, and about the history of this nameless boy."

I don't remember hearing too much about this novel when it debuted in August, but I've seen it around the internet a bit lately and thought it sounded pretty interesting. The blurb on Goodreads makes it sound really compelling and mysterious, but I have to admit, the book did not live up to my expectations.

I definitely thought the best thing about The Near Witch was the writing. Ms. Schwab has quite a way with words and her writing was simply beautiful. It reminded me a little of Erin Morgenstern's The Night Circus in that it was really descriptive and I felt like I was there, living in Near. Everything was poetic and just flowed.

What I didn't enjoy about The Near Witch is that the story just seemed slow and somewhat repetitive. It seemed like every few scenes were the same thing and I sometimes felt like I was reading the same paragraphs over and over. The plot started picking up in the last 50 or so pages, but it ended in what I thought was an anticlimactic way that left me disappointed.

I know some people really loved this novel, but it just wasn't for me. If you've read it, what did you think?

Review: The Night Circus

Author: Erin Morgenstern
Publish date: September 2011
Source: Purchased
"Opens at Nightfall; Closes at Dawn." The Le Cirque des Rêves is a circus unlike any other, just as this magical debut novel is equally unique. At the center of The Night Circus spectacle are two specially gifted young magicians, Celia and Marco, pitted against each other in professional competition, drawn towards one another in love. Erin Morgenstern's literary fantasy has already drawn raves for its captivating evocativeness: "A world of almost unbearable beauty.... A love story on a grand scale: it creates, it destroys, it ultimately transcends." "A novel so magical that there is no escaping its spell... If you choose to read just one novel this year, this is it.""


This novel, Ms. Morgenstern's first, is unlike anything I have ever read before. I feel like I will never be done sorting out my feelings about it, but in a good way. I had heard only good things about it, so I figured I would just get the book and read it instead of waiting for it at the library. It actually ended up being a gift and I read it over a few days (and will be rereading at some point).


The prose in this book is some of the most beautiful I have ever had the pleasure of reading. I often found myself stopping while reading to go back and reread because the writing was just that wonderful. (Sidenote: I NEVER do that.) Ms. Morgenstern's way with words is just incredible. I could only ever hope to write half as well as she does. I think I would have finished the book more quickly if the writing itself wasn't so beautiful (and I am not one to gush about prose like this).


Let's talk about imagery, shall we? This novel is just FULL of imagery and in the best way possible. With all the descriptions, I could really feel like I was there at the circus or any of the other settings that are in the novel. If you are someone who teaches craft or wants to learn how to employ great imagery, read this book! I was continually amazed at how she showed us her fantastic world.


The plot was confusing at times, I will readily admit that. There are a multitude of main characters and the chapters alternate narration between many of them, but I thought the different points of view really added more depth to the story. The chapters also take place during different time periods, which could add to the confusion, but each was labeled with a time and place at the beginning. That said, the chapters were all fairly short, which was nice and really helped with pacing. 


There is a romance within the story, but it doesn't overpower the plot, which can easily happen in so many other books. I really liked how it just slowly built over time. It, like the writing, was lovely. I thought the two (trying to avoid spoilers) were great characters by themselves and the romance just made me like them more. 


I don't think my review is really doing this book the justice it deserves. I didn't necessarily enjoy the book for its plot, even though it was magical and very creative. I really liked it more for its actual writing, for the world I was easily able to imagine because of, again, the excellent writing. It may start off a bit slowly, but it grows and grows until the end hits you and, like me, you'll want to reread immediately.