Book Review: Inked by Eric Smith

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Publication: January 2015 from Bloomsbury Spark
Acquisition: bought

Synopsis:

Tattoos once were an act of rebellion.

Now they decide your destiny the moment the magical Ink settles under your skin.

And in a world where Ink controls your fate, Caenum can't escape soon enough. He is ready to run from his family, and his best friend Dreya, and the home he has known, just to have a chance at a choice.

But when he upsets the very Scribe scheduled to give him his Ink on his eighteenth birthday, he unwittingly sets in motion a series of events that sends the corrupt, magic-fearing government, The Citadel, after him and those he loves.

Now Caenum, Dreya, and their reluctant companion Kenzi must find their way to the Sanctuary, a secret town where those with the gift of magic are safe. Along the way, they learn the truth behind Ink, its dark origins, and why they are the only ones who can stop the Citadel.

Eric Smith takes you on a high-octane fantasy adventure, perfect for anyone who has dreamed of being different… only to discover that fate is more than skin deep.

(from Goodreads)

5 / 5 Stars

I really enjoyed Inked.

I'm a big fan of a this specific type of fantasy story. You know, a small specific story about a tiny piece of a much bigger world. A world with it's own set of rules that folks have to work their way through. A set of characters that are thrown together against a common enemy. Magic! Magic (almost) everywhere!

THAT type of story! That's what this is and it was pretty great.

Reminded me of The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab -- it had the same type of magical, fantasy awesomeness about it.

And, brace yourselves!

IT'S A STANDALONE!

Not that I don't love a good series. But sometimes, I prefer to take a smaller bite. And Inked tasted great!

...yeah...

Any who!

If you like YA fantasy / magic / realistic characters with personality and lives you care about -- read this book!

AND!

While you're at it -- keep an eye on Eric Smith. He has a real passion for (really good) YA fiction and it totally shows in his writing.

Catch a ride on the Tardis the next time it passes through your town (what? that doesn't happen to you?) and add all Eric's future books to your wishlists...in the future...so you won't have to do it later... (don't look at me like that - it totes makes sense!).

Bottom line? -- READ THIS BOOK

Book Review: Splintered by A.G. Howard

*2013 Debut Author*

Splintered (Splintered #1)

A.G. Howard

Reading Level: Young Adult
Publication: January 2013 from Amulet Books
Pages: 371
Format: e-galley
Acquisition: received for review from the publisher via NetGalley

Synopsis:

This stunning debut captures the grotesque madness of a mystical under-land, as well as a girl’s pangs of first love and independence. Alyssa Gardner hears the whispers of bugs and flowers—precisely the affliction that landed her mother in a mental hospital years before. This family curse stretches back to her ancestor Alice Liddell, the real-life inspiration for Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Alyssa might be crazy, but she manages to keep it together. For now.

When her mother’s mental health takes a turn for the worse, Alyssa learns that what she thought was fiction is based in terrifying reality. The real Wonderland is a place far darker and more twisted than Lewis Carroll ever let on. There, Alyssa must pass a series of tests, including draining an ocean of Alice’s tears, waking the slumbering tea party, and subduing a vicious bandersnatch, to fix Alice’s mistakes and save her family. She must also decide whom to trust: Jeb, her gorgeous best friend and secret crush, or the sexy but suspicious Morpheus, her guide through Wonderland, who may have dark motives of his own.

(from Goodreads)

My Thoughts
When I read, I form a picture in my head - like a little movie. Sometimes it's boring, sometimes the narrative skips too much and I can't quite see the picture clearly. And sometimes I am completely and fantastically overwhelmed with images, feelings and experiences.

Fantastically overwhelmed in this case is a very very wonderful thing. If you've read Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, you know how Lewis Carroll created a rich tapestry of characters and impossible situations. Expanding on this universe would be tricky at best. Improving it? Impossible!

Not so, because Howard has done just that.

Imagine Wonderland as a real place and imagine it skewed through the experiences of a very young girl. Imagine all those strange creatures Alice encountered. What were they really like? What rules governed this land?

Howard asked these questions and many more and the world she created is beyond belief - spectacularly so!

I pretty much loved Splintered with one small exception. For me, the romance didn't quite jive. Jeb is a great character. A great friend, a great 'boy' and someone I really enjoyed getting to know. But with so much already going on in the story and in Alyssa's life, I felt like the addition of a romance was just a little too much. The story would have done fine on it's own. I understand why Alyssa needed Jeb but overall I didn't feel like the story itself needed him - if that makes any sense.

Even so! Lots and lots of love for Splintered over here! So much in fact that even though I read an e-galley I plan on buying a print copy. Splintered is a book I couldn't imagine NOT being on my shelves.

Will I continue the series?
YES! I CAN NOT wait for book 2! Not loving the cover but seriously, it could be the most obnoxious book cover ever created and I'd still welcome it into my home.

Rating

5 / 5 Stars

The Splintered Series
#1 Splintered
#2 Unhinged (2014)

Book Review: Wander Dust by Michelle Warren

"loved [the time travel] aspect of the book."

Reading Level: Young Adult
Publication Date: November 2011
Pages: 374
Series: 1st in a series
Format: e-book
Acquisition: Free download

Synopsis:

Ever since her sixteenth birthday, strange things keep happening to Seraphina Parrish.

The Lady in Black… burns Sera’s memories.

Unexplainable Premonitions… catapult her to other cities.

The Grungy Gang… wants to kill her.

And a beautiful, mysterious boy… stalks her.

But when Sera moves to Chicago, and her aunt reveals their family connection to a centuries old, secret society, she is immediately thrust into an unbelievable fantasy world, leading her on a quest to unravel the mysteries that plague her. In the end, their meanings crash into an epic struggle of loyalty and betrayal, and she’ll be forced to choose between the boy who has stolen her heart and the thing she desires most.

Wander Dust is the breathtaking fantasy that will catapult you through a story of time, adventure, and love.

(from Goodreads)

Overall Feelings:
Happy with a little bit of wonder thrown in.

My Thoughts:
Going into Wander Dust, I really didn’t know what to expect. My sister, who is 16 absolutely loves this book and she desperately wanted me to read it. She also told me she didn't think I would love it as much as her - she knows me so well :)

Did I enjoy Wander Dust? Absolutely! Did I love it to pieces? Not really but I can see why my sister does.

There is a very light hearted feel to this story. Not a lot of over burdening explanations for actions and events. Things kind of move along at their own pace and seem to happen naturally. Which, the more I think about it, shouldn't really work considering the main story is about time travel!

And yeah? Time travel? Awesome subject and one that you don't see all that often. I loved this aspect of the book.

Then there is Seraphina who I have to say I really liked. She didn't wine or complain when life flipped itself over her head (literally) and she doesn't doubt herself. She is a character I can really see young girls looking up to and that can sometime be a rare trait in YA heroines these days!

Will I continue the series?:
Yes! My sister has already read book 2 and she said it was even more fabulous then the first.

Rating:

4 / 5 Stars

The Seraphina Parrish Trilogy:
#1 Wander Dust
#2 Protecting Truth
#3 Untitled (2013?)

Book Review: Darker Still by Leanna Renee Hieber

"The tale is a thrilling one... but since everything is told after the fact the suspense factor is very low"

Reading Level: Young Adult
Publication Date: November 2011
Pages: 317
Series: #1
Format: ARC
Acquisition: BEA 2011

Summary:

I was obsessed.

It was as if he called to me, demanding I reach out and touch the brushstrokes of color swirled onto the canvas. It was the most exquisite portrait I'd ever seen--everything about Lord Denbury was unbelievable...utterly breathtaking and eerily lifelike.

There was a reason for that. Because despite what everyone said, Denbury never had committed suicide. He was alive. Trapped within his golden frame.

I've crossed over into his world within the painting, and I've seen what dreams haunt him. They haunt me too. He and I are inextricably linked--bound together to watch the darkness seeping through the gas-lit cobblestone streets of Manhattan. Unless I can free him soon, things will only get Darker Still. (from Goodreads)

Overall Feelings:
A little underwhelmed.

My Thoughts:
Overall the story told in Darker Still proved to be a bit too wordy for my taste. Also, I'm not very fond of stories told as diary entries. And I have no idea why the heroine was mute. And there were a few other bits and pieces that didn't really fit together for me.

So did I like it? I did but not overly so. The story was a good one, if you can ignore the similarities with The Picture of Dorien Grey, which I never much enjoyed. The characters are interesting but since the story is told from the point of view of dairy entries made by Natalie I never felt like I got a really clear picture of anyone else.

I also wasn't really on board with the romance. Too insta love and it didn't really seem to be based on much. Lots of 'we were meant to be' and 'something brought us together' - very unrealistic.

The tale is a thrilling one - lots of danger and mystery. But since everything is told after the fact the suspense factor is very low.

I knew Natalie made it through whatever peril she happens to be in at the moment because she was writing in her diary telling me about it - after it happened. I also felt like she used way more words then necessary. It being 1880 does lend itself to more verbose language then I'm used to in my readings, but still, I felt it was all a bit too much. Especially because I didn't feel like much of anything really happened. I pretty much had the story figured out from the first couple of chapters.

Will I Continue the Series?:
As the first in a series, I'm not sure I can say that I will pick up book 2. I would rather have liked the story to have ended. While I can see how the storyline could go on to explore more of the secrets hinted about in Darker Still, I can't muster up much enthusiasm as to what these secrets are or what untimely happens to the characters.

Rating:

3 / 5 Stars

Magic Most Foul Series:
#1 Dark Still
#2 The Twisted Tragedy of Miss Natalie Stewart

Book Review: Carnival of Souls by Melissa Marr

"...layered worlds...hidden secrets...veiled and not so veiled threats and horrors...it all really got to me..."

Reading Level: Young Adult
Publication Date: September 2012
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 306
Series: 1st in a series
Acquisition: I received a free ARC for review from BEA 2012

Summary:
In a city of daimons, rigid class lines separate the powerful from the power-hungry. And at the heart of The City is the Carnival of Souls, where both murder and pleasure are offered up for sale. Once in a generation, the carnival hosts a deadly competition that allows every daimon a chance to join the ruling elite. Without the competition, Aya and Kaleb would both face bleak futures--if for different reasons. For each of them, fighting to the death is the only way to try to live.
All Mallory knows of The City is that her father--and every other witch there--fled it for a life in exile in the human world. Instead of a typical teenage life full of friends and maybe even a little romance, Mallory scans quiet streets for threats, hides herself away, and trains to be lethal. She knows it's only a matter of time until a daimon finds her and her father, so she readies herself for the inevitable. While Mallory possesses little knowledge of The City, every inhabitant of The City knows of her. There are plans for Mallory, and soon she, too, will be drawn into the decadence and danger that is the Carnival of Souls. (from Goodreads)

MY THOUGHTS:
I honestly thought I was going to love this book. And while that turned out to not be true, I'm still glad I read it.

Carnival of Souls takes place in two different worlds. The 'real' world we all inhabit and a magical world called 'The City', which is full of daimons and once upon a time, witches as well. The powerful witches now reside in our world...for the most part. And the daimons keep to The City...usually. And everyone hates each other...unless they don't.

Honestly, it was all rather confusing at first. And the characters - there are tons of them. The entire book is in third person and I'm sure there's a term for 3rd person narrative where the point of view is from a particular character but I have no idea what to call it. This POV changes from chapter to chapter and sometimes from paragraph to paragraph. A character that seemed really important in chapter 1 doesn't make an appearance again till more then halfway through the book. Another character who was given the briefest of introductions turns out to be a key player in everything that happens.

Again? A little confusing. Or maybe rather then confusing I should say complicated. Not a bad thing but still a thing. A very big thing that at times, took over the story.

And there's romance. But I hated it. It's insta love and magic and a whinny heroine who you really couldn't care less about and I found the whole thing a little distasteful.

And then there's the part that I found REALLY distasteful. It was only a very small piece of the over all story but honestly, I almost stopped reading the book because of it. It was crass and vulgar and in my opinion, had no place at all in a book that 13 year olds will be reading. And coming from me, that's pretty harsh as I believe that children should not be sheltered and they are more then smart enough to know the difference between right and wrong, fantasy and reality. In this case however, this thing that happened did nothing for the overall story and didn't seem to even have a point.

FINAL VERDICT:
Carnival of Souls is a very dark book - and really, this is what I loved about it. The layered worlds, the hidden secrets, the veiled and not so veiled threats and horrors. It all really got to me and I'm very glad to have read it.

On the other hand, most of the characters left a sour taste in my mouth and I found it really hard to make connections with anyone. There is a lot of sex, a lot of violence and a lot of really brief glimpses behind the curtains of secrets everyone hid behind. Taken as a whole, it just wasn't for me.

The writing is spectacular but it was still hard for me to see this as a book meant for teens. I really wish it had been written for adults. I would have loved to see more grit and more horrors.

WILL I CONTINUE WITH THE SERIES? 
I'm a little disappointed right now but I know for sure that I'll be reading book 2. Even if the characters didn't quite mesh for me. The fantasy that Marr has created begs for more. Maybe a re-read before book 2 comes out? We'll see.

If you've read Carnival of Souls, I would love to know what you thought!

Overall Rating:

3 / 5 Stars

Author's website /Book website / Goodreads / IndieBound

Book Review: Magisterium by Jeff Hirsch

"I found myself longing to belong to this world"

Reading Level: Young Adult
Publication Date: October 2012
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Pages: 320
Series: no
Acquisition: I received a free e-galley for review from NetGalley

Summary:

On one side of the Rift is a technological paradise without famine or want. On the other side is a mystery.

Sixteen-year-old Glenn Morgan has lived next to the Rift her entire life and has no idea of what might be on the other side of it. Glenn's only friend, Kevin, insists the fence holds back a world of monsters and witchcraft, but magic isn't for Glenn. She has enough problems with reality: Glenn's mother disappeared when she was six, and soon after, she lost her scientist father to his all-consuming work on the mysterious Project. Glenn buries herself in her studies and dreams about the day she can escape. But when her father's work leads to his arrest, he gives Glenn a simple metal bracelet that will send Glenn and Kevin on the run---with only one place to go.

With MAGISTERIUM, Jeff Hirsch brings us the story of a complex, captivating world that will leave readers breathless until the very last page. (from Goodreads)

My thoughts:
An awesome read for me. A mix of fantasy and reality. A dystopian world, a magical world, a world that's hard to believe and at the same time feels very grounded and true. Magisterium offers up all of this and more.

I found myself longing to belong to this world. Which side would I choose? Which side will Glenn fall to? There is so much going on in this story and I loved it all!

Magisterium is very action packed, with a lot of secrets to share. Glenn, her family, her friends and the people she meets along her journey all have a part to play. It a short amount of time, worlds are changed and people have to change along with it. Glenn fights this change. I was fascinated watching her struggle, not knowing exactly how her story was going to play out.

Although, Glenn did get on my nerves a few times, looking back on it, I don't know that I could have done any better (or worse) in her situation. She's a strong character for sure and one that will stay with me for a long time.

Final verdict:
A perfect mix for me. This book has a little bit of everything I love - dytopian, fantasy, magic, science fiction, characters you can't help but fall for and an ending that left me hanging on the edge of my seat.

Jeff Hirsch has done it again. Taking the fantastically and weaving it in a way that both scared and delighted me.

Magisterium is a book you begin to miss as soon as you read that last page.

Overall Rating:

5 / 5 Stars

Read the first 3 chapters!

Author's website / Goodreads / IndieBound

Book Review: White Witch by Trish Milburn

"...a somewhat lighthearted take on some staple paranormal elements..."

Reading Level: Young Adult
Publication Date: March 2012
Publisher: Bell Bridge Books
Pages: 188
Series: 1st in a series
Acquisition: NetGalley

Summary:

Witchcraft Is Her Family’s Business. No One Quits The Family And Lives To Tell About It. “Jax” Pherson has power, enough power to know her future will end in service to the dark coven her father controls. Unless she can stay hidden in a small community in the mountains of North Carolina. She must find a way to live without magic and deny the darkness she feels welling up inside her—the same dark power that fuels the covens around the world. All she wants is a normal life. A boyfriend. Friends. Some place to belong, but all too soon Jax’s barely begun new life hangs in the balance when she discovers that the boy she’s attracted to is sworn to kill her kind. He’s a hunter with good reason to kill everything that goes bump in the night. Even the most fleeting use of her power is tantamount to signing her death warrant and will bring both hunter and coven down on her. But can she walk away when her friends are threatened by an old evil? Something created by the magic of witches? Jax’s only hope of survival is to convince the boy she loves to forget everything he’s ever been taught and help her find a way to fight the covens. To believe there is some good in her. (from Goodreads)

My thoughts:
The attraction / potential relationship building that leads to the quickest case of insa love ever was just too much for me. I had to keep checking to make sure I was getting it right but it really was only a few days before our two MCs were falling for each other. It was more then unbelievable, it was a little sickening. And unfortunately, even though I liked the paranormal elements of the story, the insta love was just too much.

Another thing that really didn't sit well with me was Jax's initial reaction to Keller. He's been trained to kill her kind and somehow it doesn't matter at all to Jax. This very much reminded me of another YA book that I really didn't care for at all. Not fair to compare maybe but it's still a pretty glaring bit to forget about.

And then there is Toni, Jax's insta best friend. She also comes from a family that KILLS WITCHES but...somehow it just doesn't matter. I actually really liked Toni, until she turned into a complete idiot at first sight of hot witch boy...whose name I can't even remember.

Final verdict:
Looking back on it now, it's hard for me to remember much more then the 'romance' and insta relationships. Everything happens so quickly it was really impossible for me to take any of it seriously.

White Witch ended on a cliffhanger but I can't say that I was really holding on too tight. I would have rather seen these character crash and burn then figure out whatever it was they thought their problems were. Not a good thing to be feeling at the end of a book.

The first in a series, but I won't be reading any further. A quick read for me and probably for you as well and if you're looking for a somewhat lighthearted take on some staple paranormal elements, then White Witch might be for you. I can't say that I would outright recommend it but I do urge you to seek out other reviews before you decide for yourself.

Overall Rating:

2.5 / 5 Stars

Books in the Coven Series:
#1 White Witch
#2 Bane

Author's website / Goodreads / IndieBound

Book Review: Skylark by Meagan Spooner

***2012 Debut Author***

Reading Level: Young Adult
Publication Date: August 2012
Publisher: Carolrhoda Lab
Pages: 344
Series: 1st in a series
Acquisition: NetGalley

Summary:
Sixteen year-old Lark Ainsley has never seen the sky.

Her world ends at the edge of the vast domed barrier of energy enclosing all that’s left of humanity. For two hundred years the city has sustained this barrier by harvesting its children's innate magical energy when they reach adolescence. When it’s Lark’s turn to be harvested, she finds herself trapped in a nightmarish web of experiments and learns she is something out of legend itself: a Renewable, able to regenerate her own power after it’s been stripped.

Forced to flee the only home she knows to avoid life as a human battery, Lark must fight her way through the terrible wilderness beyond the edge of the world. With the city’s clockwork creations close on her heels and a strange wild boy stalking her in the countryside, she must move quickly if she is to have any hope of survival. She’s heard the stories that somewhere to the west are others like her, hidden in secret – but can she stay alive long enough to find them? (from Goodreads)

My thoughts:
It's a little hard for me to pin down Skylark. It's a dystopian story of sorts but it almost feels like it's a dystopian world that isn't our own. Magic is everywhere and we never really find out why. Was it inherit in this world before disaster struck? Is magic a by product of the destruction? Trying to figure out these answers was only part of what made Skylark such a great read for me.

Lark has only known one life. She knows what will happen to her and she knows her place in her world. This all changes when she has her magic harvested. Everything she thought she knew about her society is thrown out the window and she has some tough choices to make.

I loved Lark as a character. I loved the fact that she knows her strengths and she knows her weaknesses. She never makes excuses for herself and even when she's terrified, she take full account of the situation and realizes that, yes, she might die but there might not be anything she can do about it. She doesn't whine or complain. She makes choices and she sticks to them.

Final verdict:
The world of Skylark isn't one I would personally want to find myself in but it is world I wish I could learn more about. There is so much unknown and so much to discover that I couldn't help but be sucked in.

A fantastic debut! My only regret is that I read it so early (thanks NetGalley :) It's going to be a long wait for book 2 - but I'm sure it will be worth it!

Overall Rating:

5 / 5 Stars

Books in the Series:
#1 Skylark
#2 Shadowlark (2013)
#3 Untitled (2014)

Author's website / Goodreads / IndieBound

Book Review: Touch of Power by Maria V. Snyder

Reading Level: Adult
Publication Date: December 2011
Publisher: Mira
Pages: 390
Series: 1st in a series
Acquisition: NetGalley

Summary:

Laying hands upon the injured and dying, Avry of Kazan absorbs their wounds and diseases into herself. But rather than being honored for her skills, she is hunted. Healers like Avry are accused of spreading the plague that has decimated the Fifteen Realms, leaving the survivors in a state of chaos.

Stressed and tired from hiding, Avry is abducted by a band of rogues who, shockingly, value her gift above the golden bounty offered for her capture. Their leader, an enigmatic captor-protector with powers of his own, is unequivocal in his demands: Avry must heal a plague-stricken princeleader of a campaign against her people. As they traverse the daunting Nine Mountains, beset by mercenaries and magical dangers, Avry must decide who is worth healing and what is worth dying for. Because the price of peace may well be her life… (from Goodreads)

My thoughts:
Wow. So much love for this book. With about half the book to go, I though, I'll read a few more pages and then go to bed. Way past my bedtime later I finished the last page with tears in my eyes. Happy tears, mind you, but it's rare that a book can bring me to that level of emotion.

It was the fantasy that drew me in but ultimately it was Avry that really made this a fantastic read. I really loved everything about her - her strength, her weaknesses, her determination. She is honesty and true but she's no fool. She knows when to stand her ground and when to back away. She's strong in every sense of the word. I dare you to read Touch of Power and not fall for her!

I read this book under the assumption that it was a YA novel. Not so, I discovered but I really don't see why it couldn't be. There is some sexuality towards the end but not more then I've read in some current YA books.

Final verdict:
Touch of Power is a fantasy book for all ages. I was swept away by the magic and as the first in a series, I'm really looking forward to what comes next. It's so easy and such a joy to immerse myself in the world Maria has created.

I would not hesitate to recommend this book to any fantasy lover.

Overall Rating:

5 / 5 Stars

Books in the Healer Series
Touch of Power
Scent of Magic - 2013
Taste of Death - 2014

Author's website / Goodreads / IndieBound

Book Review: Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood

***2012 Debut Author***

Reading Level: Young Adult
Publication Date: February 2012
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Pages: 330
Series: 1st in a series
Acquisition: gift
Summary:

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. (from Goodreads)

My thoughts:
Wonderful and heartbreaking! My heart is in my throat and I don't know if I want to cry or laugh or scream. Born Wicked is by far one of the best books I have read this year, or last year, and perhaps even the year before that.

I feel in love with every character. Some brought me pain, some complete joy, and a few I fantasied about stabbing in the eye. The wealth of emotion that this book brought me was fantastic. Born Wicked did exactly what a book should do.

I'm not sure what category to place this one in. It's historical in a sense but it isn't the history we all know. Alternative reality perhaps? We meet the Cahill sisters in the year 1896 in a small Maine town. New England was once a haven for women, for witches from around the world. They fled here in search of a new life and they found one. But of course, things didn’t' exactly work out the way they planned.

The world Cate lives in a fearful one. She knows her place, or at least, she should know it but it's hard. This is an unforgiving world and mistakes are not forgiven.

Final verdict:
Wow though! Really just wow! The overall experience of reading Born Wicked is one that has stayed with me. The ending really blew me away. I really wanted everything to fall into place. I really wanted Cate to have her happily ever after and I really wanted to see someone pay for what had been done. Did I get my wishes? You'll just have to find out for yourselves!

With so much more that could be told, I'm really curious as to what direction book 2 will go in. Same characters I've grown to love and hate? New ones to fall in love with or wish harm upon? I'm not sure but I do know that waiting until next year to find out will be a little torturous.

A fantastic debut - Jessica is an author I will be keeping my eye on!

Overall Rating:

5 / 5 Stars

Books in The Cahill Witch Chronicles:
#1 Born Wicked
#2 Star Cursed - February 2013

Author's website / Goodreads / IndieBound

Book Review: Darkness Becomes Her by Kelly Keaton

Reading Level: Young Adult
Publication Date: February 2011
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pages: 273
Series: 1st in a series
Acquisition: won a copy

Summary:

Ari can’t help feeling lost and alone. With teal eyes and freakish silver hair that can’t be changed or destroyed, Ari has always stood out. And after growing up in foster care, she longs for some understanding of where she came from and who she is.

Her search for answers uncovers just one message from her long dead mother: Run. Ari can sense that someone, or something, is getting closer than they should. But it’s impossible to protect herself when she doesn’t know what she’s running from or why she is being pursued.

She knows only one thing: she must return to her birthplace of New 2, the lush rebuilt city of New Orleans. Upon arriving, she discovers that New 2 is very...different. Here, Ari is seemingly normal. But every creature she encounters, no matter how deadly or horrifying, is afraid of her.

Ari won’t stop until she knows why. But some truths are too haunting, too terrifying, to ever be revealed. (from Goodreads)

My thoughts:
I'm a little ashamed at myself for letting this one sit on my shelf for so long. I absolutely love Kelly's adult series (written as Kelly Gay) so I was pretty sure her YA series and I would be a good fit. And you know what? I was 140% correct because not only did I love this book, I couldn't wait even an hour before picking up and devouring book 2. (*hint* *hint* get them both at once and prepare yourself for awesomeness).

Now, if I were to list out the supernatural and mythological elements contained within the pages of Darkness Becomes Her you might have a few questions and I wouldn't blame you for being a bit hesitant to pick this one up. BUT you would be wrong and I would be awesome (no wait, the book's awesome).

In any case here are just a few fun little goodies you'll find:

Vampires -- the kind that don't sparkle and certainly don't mack on girls 100 years younger then they are.
Witches -- the kick ass kind that you don't want to piss off.
Greek Gods -- very much in your face and full of themselves the way any respectable god should be.
New Orleans -- complete with voodoo, the French Quarter and Lafayette Cemetery.

More? Ok. How about the fact that it's the future (not too distant at all) BUT far enough ahead of time that Kelly is able to sneak in a natural disaster or two that turns much of New Orleans into a urban decay lovers dream come true?

Are you hooked yet? You should be. Not joking here - this book was awesome.

Final verdict:
Mythology and paranormal elements you might not think to wrap up together but somehow (it's probably because she's a goddess herself) Kelly has MADE IT WORK!

To finish off? The romantic elements in Darkness Becomes Her? Actual swoon worthy because the characters actually have substance and merit and their relationship follows a path that makes sense. IT MAKES SENSE PEOPLE! How many YA romances can you say that about these days?

Final final words? READ THIS BOOK NOW!

Overall Rating:

5 / 5 Stars

Books in the Gods and Monsters Series:
#1 Darkness Becomes Her
#2 A Beautiful Evil

Linkage Love:
Author's website
Goodreads
IndieBound

Book Review: Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

***2012 Debut Author***
Reading Level: Young Adult
Publication Date: June 5, 2012
Publisher: Macmillian / Holt Children's
Pages: 368
Series: 1st in a trilogy
Acquisition: NetGalley

Summary:

Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, a swath of near impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. Now its fate may rest on the shoulders of one lonely refugee.

Alina Starkov has never been good at anything. But when her regiment is attacked on the Fold and her best friend is brutally injured, Alina reveals a dormant power that saves his life—a power that could be the key to setting her war-ravaged country free. Wrenched from everything she knows, Alina is whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling.

Yet nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. With darkness looming and an entire kingdom depending on her untamed power, Alina will have to confront the secrets of the Grisha…and the secrets of her heart. (from Goodreads)

My thoughts:
Fantasy mixed with the supernatural combined with unforgettable characters. Can we say 'WIN!'? A first person POV with a female protag that acted and reacted in believable ways to unbelievable situations? WIN again!

Alina has had a hard life but she doesn't complain about it. She's had horrible things done to her but she doesn't back down. She doesn't need anyone to take care of her yet she longs for companionship. Weak is never a word I would use to describe her. She is fierce, which is made all the more alluring by the fact that she is her own person. She doesn't need anyone to define her - even when her life is thrown upside down she doesn't loose her sense of self. I really could go on and on - suffice it to say, I absolutely loved Alina. And she isn't the only one I feel in love with - even the bad guys got under my skin in a good way.

Even if Shadow and Bone didn't have such wonderful characters, I think the world alone would have done me in. Magic reins but magic also destroys. The world everyone lives in is angry with mistakes and full of reasons to be terrified. There are a lot of layers to this world and at the same time, everything about it felt within my grasp. I felt a connection right from the start and could easily imagine myself living on the edge of the Shadow Fold, fighting for my life.

Final verdict:
Love! Young adult fantasy at it's best. Layers and hidden meanings combined with romance and betrayal. Shadow and Bone was easily devoured and satisfying yet it left me longing for more.

Defiantly a series I will continue and Leigh Bardugo is absolutely an author I will be following closely!

Overall Rating:

5 / 5 Stars

Linkage Love:
Author's website
Goodreads
IndieBound

Book Review: Spellbound by Cara Lynn Shultz

Reading Level: Young Adult
Publication Date: June 2011
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Pages: 324
Series: 1st in a series
Acquisition: NetGalley

Summary:

What's a girl to do when meeting The One means she's cursed to die a horrible death?

Life hasn't been easy on sixteen-year-old Emma Connor, so a new start in New York may be just the change she needs. But the posh Upper East Side prep school she has to attend? Not so much. Friendly faces are few and far between, except for one that she's irresistibly drawn to—Brendan Salinger, the guy with the rock-star good looks and the richest kid in school, who might just be her very own white knight.

But even when Brendan inexplicably turns cold, Emma can't stop staring. Ever since she laid eyes on him, strange things have been happening. Streetlamps go out wherever she walks, and Emma's been having the oddest dreams: visions of herself in past lives—visions that warn her to stay away from Brendan. Or else. (from Goodreads)

My thoughts:
While at times I felt that the story was a little drawn out, overall I enjoyed Spellbound. Suspenseful and engaging with a cast of characters I found easy to like, I didn't love every aspect of the story but it was a enjoyable read.

Emma is s strong character that stand up for herself and the people she cares about. She's a very real character. She's scared and self conscience but she also knows what she wants and isn't afraid to fight for it. Her swooning over Brendan was a little over the top at times but her feelings for him did seem genuine.

The background mystery of Spellbound was a little far fetched. Soul mates and ancient curses and natural born witches. At times it was a little hokey but again, overall it kind of worked for the story.

A few 'what were you thinking' moments, a few unrealistic social settings and a lot really sweet moments. Emma and her family, Emma and Brendan - there were more then a few sappy scenes but I really liked them all!

Final verdict:
A paranormal tale with heart. Nothing too over dramatic and very enjoyable to read, Spellbound has a few very important things going for it. Realistic characters that I felt connected to coupled with a storyline I couldn't help but be drawn into. AND as a bonus, NO love triangles!

I really feel like Spellbound would be perfect as a standalone. Meaning, I'm not sure I'll read book 2. While I like this world, I wasn't completely draw into it. We'll see though!

Overall Rating:

3.5 / 5 Stars

Books in the Series:
#1 Spellbound
#2 Spellcaster (March 2012)

Linkage Love:
Author's website
Goodreads
IndieBound

Book Review: The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab

***2011 Debut Author***
Reading Level: Young Adult
Publication Date: August 2011
Publisher: Hyperion
Pages: 282
Series: no?
Acquisition: NetGalley

Summary:

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.

Part fairy tale, part love story, Victoria Schwab’s debut novel is entirely original yet achingly familiar: a song you heard long ago, a whisper carried by the wind, and a dream you won’t soon forget. (from Goodreads)

I was:...lost for words

My thoughts:
Love love love this book! <--- See those words? Those were the only words I managed to write directly after finishing The Near Witch. I was so overcome with how much I was enchanted by this story that I literally could not type any other words!

After composing myself, I really hope I can do this book justice because it really was one of my favorite reads of 2011. It fits into a couple of different categories, for me at least.

It's a fantasy - not quite sure where or when the people in this story exist but at the same time, it doesn't matter. What happens to them and what they do about it - that matters.

It's also, at least for the time being, a stand alone novel. If Victoria ever does write more about Lexi and her world I'm sure to read it - but - not for the sake of the story. I'll be reading it because I want more - crave it in fact!

It's also a love story. A truly sweet and heartwarming and love-as-it-should-be, love story. There really shouldn't be any other type in my opinion.

Final verdict:
The Near Witch is a book I wouldn't hesitate to recommend to just about everyone I know that likes to read. Even if you don't love fantasy - you'll probably love The Near Witch. Even if (you think ;) YA really isn't your thing - you'll love this story. It's the perfect package!

Overall Rating:

5 / 5 Stars

Linkage Love:
Author's website
Goodreads
IndieBound

Book Review: The Iron Knight (The Iron Fey #4) by Julie Kagawa

*** Spoiler Free***

Reading Level: Young Adult
Publication Date: October 2011
Pages: 386
Series: 4th and final in the Iron Fey Series
Acquisition: NetGalley

Summary:
See Goodreads Page

My thoughts:
A fantastic end to a fantastic series!

Told from Ash's point of view and I couldn't be happier. Honestly, Meghan is my least favorite character and the fact that we get Ash's voice and not hers? Loved this!

Have to say, I wasn't a huge fan of Ash before reading The Iron Knight but wow! It might have taken me longer to fall in love with him but man was it powerful! He's such a dynamic character and there is so much going on under his cold exterior.

Also - tons of Puck! I loved his interactions with Ash - such tension and raw emotion. And pretty much every time Puck opened his mouth with some wise ass remark I smiled. So, I was pretty much smiling throughout the entire book. Or trying not to cry. Or yelling in frustration. Or gasping in surprise. Seriously! My emotions were all over the place and it was great.

The Fey world that Julie has created is very much the faerie world I imagine in my head when I think of our Good Neighbors. It's very much real to me - not fantasy and I feel very much a part of every story and every character.

If you haven't had a chance to read The Iron Fey series, I highly recommend you start. Fantasy and faerie magic and lore mixed together perfectly with characters you'll be thinking about long after you turn that last page of that last book.

Just downright awesome :)

Overall Rating:

5 / 5 Stars

Books in The Iron Fey Series:
1.0 The Iron King (My Review)
1.5 Winter's Passage
2.0 The Iron Daughter (My Review)
3.0 The Iron Queen (My Review)
3.5 Summer's Crossing
4.0 The Iron Knight

Linkage Love:
Harlequin Teen
Author's Website

Book Review: Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

Reading Level: Young Adult
Publication Date: June 7, 2011
Pages: 352
Series: ? (I hope so!)
Acquisition: received a copy for review

Summary:

A mysterious island. An abandoned orphanage. And a strange collection of very curious photographs. It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children who once lived here—one of whom was his own grandfather—were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a desolate island for good reason. And somehow—impossible though it seems—they may still be alive. (from Goodreads)

My thoughts:
First off, you need to hold this book in your hands. I know it must sound strange but this book has a particular feel to it. It's heavy and it's sleek and it just begs to be opened and read. And once you do? You won't be disappointed.  The picture on the cover is only the beginning. Inside there is so much visually to take in that I was never left wanting.

I have a lot of love for this book. I loved the characters, I loved the mystery, I loved the pictures and I loved the….now wait...don't want to give that little tidbit away.  Let's just say that there aren't too many authors, in my opinion, that can pull off the supernatural elements that Ransom Riggs did and still keep the story real and believable. Did I mention how much I loved this book!?

The story itself is unique and boarders on the fantastical. Even before we are given a firm grasp on who and what exactly Miss Peregrine's children are there are a lot of pieces to the puzzle that we, as readers, need to put in their places. But that's the fun of it. I loved collecting all these pieces and I couldn't wait to see how they all fit together.

And that's another reason why I loved this book - all the pieces do fit together. They work with the story and I wasn't left hanging. There is more to this story to tell - I don't think we could ever know absolutely everything there is to know about these children and the world they live in. But, as a reader, I'm looking forward to more story instead of dreading it.

I'm still not sure if Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children will be a series but if there is a book 2 it will be because there needs to be a book 2. So many YA books these days are series books because series books sell. That may be the case but if Ransom writes books 2, I'm pretty sure it's going to be because he doesn't have a choice. These peculiar children will not be silenced.

Unlike any other YA paranormal / fantasy / fiction book out there. Hard to put down and visually stunning - you will not be disappointed with this book! So far, my favorite read of 2011.

Overall Rating:

5 / 5 Stars

Linkage Love:
Quirk Books
Author's Website
Goodreads

Tidbits:
*Ransom Riggs says "All the pictures in this book are authentic, vintage found photographs, and with the exception of a few that have undergone minimal postrocessing, they are all unaltered." When you see the photos for yourself, you will realize how amazing this is!

*I'm normally not a big fan of book trailers but this one captures the book perfectly!

Book Review: Witches of East End by Melissa De La Cruz

Reading Level: Adult
Publication Date: June 21, 2011
Pages: 272
Series: 1st in a series
Acquisition: received and ARC at BEA 2011

Summary:

From the author of the highly addictive and bestselling Blue Bloods series, with almost 3 million copies sold, comes a new novel, Melissa de la Cruz's first for adults, featuring a family of formidable and beguiling witches.

The three Beauchamp women--Joanna and her daughters Freya and Ingrid--live in North Hampton, out on the tip of Long Island. Their beautiful, mist-shrouded town seems almost stuck in time, and all three women lead seemingly quiet, uneventful existences. But they are harboring a mighty secret--they are powerful witches banned from using their magic. Joanna can resurrect people from the dead and heal the most serious of injuries. Ingrid, her bookish daughter, has the ability to predict the future and weave knots that can solve anything from infertility to infidelity. And finally, there's Freya, the wild child, who has a charm or a potion that can cure most any heartache.

For centuries, all three women have been forced to suppress their abilities. But then Freya, who is about to get married to the wealthy and mysterious Bran Gardiner, finds that her increasingly complicated romantic life makes it more difficult than ever to hide her secret. Soon Ingrid and Joanna confront similar dilemmas, and the Beauchamp women realize they can no longer conceal their true selves. They unearth their wands from the attic, dust off their broomsticks, and begin casting spells on the townspeople. It all seems like a bit of good-natured, innocent magic, but then mysterious, violent attacks begin to plague the town. When a young girl disappears over the Fourth of July weekend, they realize it's time to uncover who and what dark forces are working against them.

With a brand-new cast of characters, a fascinating and fresh world to discover, and a few surprise appearances from some of the Blue Blood fan favorites, this is a page-turning, deliciously fun, magical summer read fraught with love affairs, witchcraft, and an unforgettable battle between good and evil. (from Goodreads)

My thoughts:
Not sure how I feel about this one. I really enjoyed the story and I really liked the characters. But...I'm not quite sure I like how all the pieces fit together. And, Melissa made fun of Long Island in the first chapter so...you know...I shouldn't like the book on principle. Kidding! I actually did enjoy reading this one. I just didn't love it.

I guess the one word I could use to describe how I felt after reading Witches of East End is unsatisfied. There is so much back story to these characters. Tons of myth and legend surrounding their lives of the Beauchamp Family but I wish, as a reader, I was given more. Some passages read like a steamy romance, some like a common contemporary and I would have rather seen more of the mystery and the myth.

Joanna, Freya and Ingrid have powers and abilities beyond what anyone could imagine. They can't use these abilities but that doesn't change who they are. For such powerful people, their lives are pretty boring. It has to be, it is said. They can't risk defying the ban and using their magic. Very bad things would happen, so we are told. But then they do break the ban. They do use their magic. In silly ways sometimes. And I kept waiting for the big bad things to start happening and...nothing.

There is a climatic to the story but it's more so a solving of the mystery rather then an all out dramatic bam of a ending. The ending did have a few twists and turns - most throw in a little fast - but by the last page, the story felt flat to me.

I haven't read Melissa's Blue Blood series but fans of her YA books might gleam more into the world of The Beauchamp family then I did.

Witches of East End is marketed as an adult novel. I can see why - the age of the characters, the setting and the few instances of sex are on par with the adult label. But I can see older teens and adult YA lovers really liking this book.

Aside from my little issues with bits and pieces of the story, overall, I did enjoy reading Witches of East End. While reading, I was thinking that my review would hold a solid 4 Star rating. Unfortunately the page and a half of Epilogue did me in. The story was over, or so I believed. And really, that last page or so? It seems like sequel fodder. I didn't enjoy it and I can see where book 2 might be heading and I'm not sure I'm going  to enjoy that either. We'll see though. I probably will pick up the sequel when it comes out because I do very much enjoy Melissa's writing style and Joanna, Freya and Ingrid have kind of won me over :)

Overall Rating:

3 / 5 Stars

Books in The Beauchamp Family Series:
#0 Witches 101: A Witches of East End Primer
#1 Witches of East End

Linkage Love:
Hyperion
Author's Website
Goodreads

Tidbits:
**After writing this review I found Book 0 of the series- listed above. I'll definitely be reading this one! Goodreads says "In this primer, you' ll meet the three Beauchamp women - Joanna, Ingrid, and Freya - learn a little bit about their special powers, and even get some tips so you can cast a few spells of your own." I'm excited!

Audio Book Review: Graceling by Kristin Cashore

Reading Level: Young Adult
Pub Dates: Book-Oct 2008 / Audio-Jan 2009
Length: 471 pages or 12 hours
Narrator: Katsa is voiced by Chelsea Mixon*
Series: 1st in a series
Acquisition: Library

Summary:

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. (from Goodreads)

My thoughts:
Love! Can't believe it took me so long to read this one! I feel in love with every single character - even the disagreeable ones :) I love fantasy and Graceling is pure in that form.  Very epic in it's story telling. Both in words and in the audio features.  I really was drawn into this story fast!

Katsa is one of my new favorite fantasy female characters (say that 5 times fast ;) Even though her world is purely fictional and the circumstances of her life could never be replicated, I still see her as an excellent role model for young girls. She has to overcome so much but she never, EVER gives in. Even her flaws are admirable.

And Po! Oh how I fell for Po!  Such a lovable character. Ever action of his seemed so very genuine and true that even the most critical of readers would find it hard to dislike him.

The story held a very deep mystery that I didn't realize at first. As the layers were uncovered I became even more invested in the story. Really a complete package of fantasy young adult awesomeness!

Audio critique:
Have to say, I didn't much care for the audio of this book. The voice actors were spot on - and there are a lot of them. Each character has his / her own unique actor / voice BUT the musical interludes (chapter endings, dramatic 'ah!' moments) were so cheesy! They really sounded out of place. I was reminded of those read-a-long stories I listened to as a kid - like say the hero is running really fast up a flight of stairs, there would be fast paced tinkling bells after the words "Our hero ran very fast up the stairs". Yeah - really hokey in my opinion and a little distracting to the story.

Final verdict:
Would have to recommend the print version of this book over the audio book. The story is amazing and if you like fantasy you'll love Graceling!

Overall Story Rating:

5 / 5 Stars

Overall Audio Book Rating:

3 / 5 Stars

Books in The Seven Kingdoms Series:
Graceling
Fire
Bitterblue (June 2012)

Linkage Love:
Harcourt
Full Cast Audio
Author's Website
Goodreads

Tidbits:
*Just as the name suggests, Full Cast Audio books feature a full cast of voice actors. For the complete list of cast members in Graceling, visit their website.

Book Review: The Vespertine by Saundra Mitchell

Reading Level: Young Adult
Publication Date: March 7, 2011
Pages: 293
Series: 1st in a series
Acquisition: NetGalley

Summary:

It’s the summer of 1889, and Amelia van den Broek is new to Baltimore and eager to take in all the pleasures the city has to offer. But her gaiety is interrupted by disturbing, dreamlike visions she has only at sunset—visions that offer glimpses of the future. Soon, friends and strangers alike call on Amelia to hear her prophecies. However, a forbidden romance with Nathaniel, an artist, threatens the new life Amelia is building in Baltimore. This enigmatic young man is keeping secrets of his own—still, Amelia finds herself irrepressibly drawn to him.

When one of her darkest visions comes to pass, Amelia’s world is thrown into chaos. And those around her begin to wonder if she’s not the seer of dark portents, but the cause. (from Goodreads)

My thoughts:
A truly fascinating and magical story! Historical fiction with a touch of the paranormal - blending together perfectly!

Plain and simple, I loved this book. I was swept up in the story from page one and I was sad when it was over. I wanted more!  I couldn't stop thinking about it long after I had read the last page.

It's hard for me to do this book justice. I was so completely pulled into the story and into the world Amelia lived in. 1889 is a hard time period for my mind to visualize but Saundra painted such a perfect picture of not only the setting but of the characters. I never felt lost in this world - even when things turned upside down a bit.

Somewhat sad, but not without hope. Very easily a book that could stand on it's own but it is a part of a series so I am VERY excited and interested to see what come next for Amelia.

Also, I know this a strange thing to like about a book but there was romance (not always my favorite) BUT with NO LOVE TRIANGLES! Or squares or parallelograms or dodecahedron nonsense. Very realistic actions by very likable and realistic people (even with those tasty paranormal elements ;)

I highly recommend The Vespertine to paranormal / historic fiction / romance young adult book fans!

Overall Rating:

5 / 5 Stars

Books in the Series:
The Vespertine
The Springsweet (2012)

Linkage Love:
Houghton Mifflin
Author's Website
Goodreads

Book Review: Percival's Angel by Anne Eliot Crompton

Reading Level: Young Adult
Publication Date: March 1, 2011
Pages: 224
Series: no
Acquisition: received for review

Summary:

Lili, an apprentice of the Lady of the Lake, is the childhood friend of Percy, the boy who will become one of Arthur's greatest knights. But as they grow older, Lili begins to see their differences. She has otherworldly magic while he has the magic that lives within the Human Heart. Lili dreams of knowing human love while Percy dreams of finding the Holy Grail. Neither can succeed without the other.Once again Crompton weaves together nature, feminist perspective, and Arthurian legend for a tale that is sure to appeal to readers of all ages.(from Goodreads)

My thoughts:
A very strange read for me. Chapter one was utterly confusing - I had no idea who the characters were and it was really hard to even tell what they were talking (or thinking) about. Some improvement as the book continued but not a whole lot.

The switch between first and third person narrative, with the added sporadic internal thoughts made for a confusing read. I couldn't really warm up to the characters and it wasn't until about half way through the book that I felt like I had a firm grip on the plot.

Also, it was a bit more sexual then I thought it would be. Not gross or over the top but it's there.

But still, not a terrible read. If you're a big Arthurian legend fan, you might enjoy Percival's Angel. The main characters you would expect take a back seat to some quirky fey, human and magic folk. A big mix of things going on really.

Even with the issues I had, the writing itself was strong. I could tell the author had a firm grip on her characters and their actions, even if I didn't and I would defiantly pick up another book by Anne.

Overall Rating:

2.5 / 5 Stars

Linkage Love:
Sourcebooks
Goodreads