Saturday, June 30, 2012

A Shell Full of Books #10


Ah, Sunday. A time to show the world what's going to happen in the book world. New books, old books. Books that are just great. Or books that have really pretty covers.

Here we are!


Won:

Timepiece (Hourglass #2) by Myra McEntire
Thanks goes to Sophie from Page Turners
Not sure if I want to keep this or not. If someone offers to trade, I'd be happy to. That or I'd sell it.

Obsidian (Lux #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Thanks goes to Laura from The Revolving Bookcase

Thanks goes to Jen from Jen Ryland/YA Romantics and Patrick from The Bookshelves

Blackwatch (Wintercraft #2) by Jenna Burtenshaw
Thanks goes to Team EpicReads from EpicReads
Not sure if I will keep this one. I haven't read the first book. So...I don't know.

The Summer I Learned to Dive by Shannon McCrimmon
Thanks goes to Tess from My Pathway to Books

The Last Romanov by Dora Levy Mossanen
Thanks goes to Margie from Bumbles and Fairy-Tales

Up For Trade:

So, I have the ARCs of both finish copies up for trade. Contact me if you're interested.

So, what's in your shell?

Keep On Reading!


Cover Reveals!

Have any of you seen these covers yet? OMG! It's amazing!

Okay, I have to admit, this cover sucks. Sorry, but the makeup on this chick awful. Sorry. But I'm letting everyone know that this is what the third book looks like. I have yet to read the series though.

By Leah Clifford
Due Date: Marchc 5, 2013


Have yet to read this series too, but look at the cover! Anyone seen Thor? Doesn't it kinda look like the big bridge in the movie to the city?

By Dan Wells
Due Date: February 26, 2013

A mini short coming soon!

By Dan Wells
Due Date: August 28, 2012


YEAH, THAT'S RIGHT!!! REQUIEM!!!
Okay, I'm not a fan of the facial expression; she kinda looks sick, and i wish it was a different color for the flowers, but in general, it's the final cover for the final book. :D I CAN'T WAIT!!

By Lauren Oliver
Due Date: March 5, 2013

Beautiful covers! :D I can't wait for next year!!


Keep On Reading!



Thursday, June 28, 2012

Review: The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Angel


WILL CONTAIN SPOILERS

Magic is dangerous--but love is more dangerous still.

When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Only the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, keep order amidst the chaos.

Kidnapped by the mysterious Dark Sisters, members of a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club, Tessa soon learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability: the power to transform, at will, into another person. What's more, the Magister, the shadowy figure who runs the Club, will stop at nothing to claim Tessa's power for his own.

Friendless and hunted, Tessa takes refuge with the Shadowhunters of the London Institute, who swear to find her brother if she will use her power to help them. She soon finds herself fascinated by--and torn between--two best friends: James, whose fragile beauty hides a deadly secret, and blue-eyed Will, whose caustic wit and volatile moods keep everyone in his life at arm's length...everyone, that is, but Tessa. As their search draws them deep into the heart of an arcane plot that threatens to destroy the Shadowhunters, Tessa realizes that she may need to choose between saving her brother and helping her new friends save the world...and that love may be the most dangerous magic of all.

Review:

The Mortal Instruments are awesome. The Infernal Devices are amazing! Thrilling, suspenseful, action packed, almost like an action movie, but with more words. I loved it! You know, I was originally going to put off reading this prequel series until Clockwork Princess came out, but I went out and bought the Clockwork Prince on an impulse (and also because I won it a billion years ago and still haven't gotten it). Totally worth it. Shockingly, I bought the Collector's Edition. Target rules!

Clockwork Angel introduces us to the past of the Shadowhunters in London, 1878. A whole new set of characters, a beautiful setting, and a plot that says steampunkk all over it. And I say steampunkk because of all the clockworks and the automatons. I'm not sure what The Infernal Devices and The Mortal Instruments true genre is, but The Infernal Devices are definitely steampunkk. And I say, this is the first steampunkk novel I've ever read, except when I think of steampunkk, I think of future Victorian Era, not past, but who cares about the difference. It's an awesome book. Anyway, the setting of the novel is kinda creepy, yet beautiful. As a lover of traveling, I dream of going to London. I want to see Buckingham Palace. But unlike my fantasy of London, Cassandra creates this dark and damp world that plays perfect into the Shadowhunters' world. I never really thought London was always rainy and wet and dull all the time, but apparently it is. Odd, but the rain and fog makes for a good cover at night when trying to kill some demons.

Plot: The Magister wants Tessa, a shape-shifter, for some unknown reason, and he wants to take down the Shadowhunters with his automaton army. What I find amazing is Tessa's necklace, the Clockwork Angel. Despite it only use as a necklace in the book, it has a hidden ability we get to see at the end. Anyway, the plot was full of twists and shocking secrets, I wanted to scream. I really hate Tessa's brother. And because I wanted to know what happened to him, I looked it up, and I'm happy he dies. He's a crappy brother if he puts money over his own sister.

Characters: I see so much of The Mortal Instrument characters in these characters. Jace is just like Will. Will is just like Jace. Arrogant, somewhat selfish, hidden soft side, a great fighter. Hello, and he's in love with Tessa, but can't be because of a curse. Kinda like Jace and Clary. Jace's curse: first their brother and sister and then he thinks he's going to kill her because he's just like his dad.
Tessa, she's determined, strong, and doesn't take crap from anyone. Clary.
Jem, sweet Jem. ALEC ALL THE WAY!! He can be sweet, he can be sour, he cares about his parabatai more than Will deserves, and there is something 'wrong' with him. Alec--he's gay. Jem--addicted to a demon drug.
Now, as much as I LOVE these characters, I was hoping for new personalities, new problems, not ones that mirror the first ones but in different ways. Jem is shunned for his 'illness'. Alec isn't shunned as much, just avoid, for his being gay. I do like the characters, but something new is nice.
The rest of the characters mirror the old ones as well, except Jessamine, who, unlike Izzy, doesn't want to be a Shadowhunter and is a complete bitch. Just saying.
And I LOVE it that Magnus is in this series, even if it is a small role. *Sigh. :D Malec rules!!

Romance: Well, love triangle, again. Jem, Tessa, and Will. Mostly Tessa and Will in this book, more of Tessa and Jem in the second. As I said before, Tessa and Will are just like Jace and Clary, and their romance was kinda like "Let's flirt---oh, I love you but I can't be with you because of some stupid curse/problem! Damn my life!" Honestly, I was hoping for more, but the really sweet and touching scenes between them were lovely.

Ending: I hated it. I want to rip Nate's head off. Mortmain can go jump off a cliff and die for all I care. And what I learn about Jessamine in the next book makes me wish she was killed by that stupid troll in the park.

Future: Clockwork Prince and Clockwork Princess

Quotes:

Will, Jem, Tessa
"'I have an assignation in Soho this evening with a certain attractive someone.' (Will)
"'Goodness,' Tessa said to the back of his head. 'If you keep seeing Six-Fingered Nigel liek this, he'll expect you to declare your intentions.'
Jem choken on his tea." pg. 117

Jem, Will
"'Remember when you tried to convince me to feed a poultry pie to the mallards int eh park to see if you could breed a race of cannibal ducks?'
"'They ate it too,' Will reminisced. 'Bloodthirsty little beasts. Never trust a duck.'" pg. 199


Clockwork Angel may be a bit like The Mortal Instruments, but with it's original plot and setting and extraordinary characters, its' not hard to like. Fans of the Mortal Instrument series will fall in love with the Infernal Devices and wish the Clockwork Princess would come out sooner.


Rating & Cover

Ending:
0.
Did you read what I put for the ending?

*I think I won this book. Yeah, I did. Long time ago.


Keep On Reading!


Up Next
Over half way!



Cover Reveal! Through the Ever Night


Oh yeah, it's an OMG moment.

PERRY IS ON THE FRONT!!

Last night this baby was revealed, and it's beautiful!!
There's no official blurb yet, but we know it's going to feature Perry and his new role as Blood Lord of his tribe and Aria's role in finding Still Blue.

I CAN'T WAIT!!

Add it to your goodreads now

By Veronica Rossi
Due Date: January 8, 2013

Keep On Reading!


Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Cover Reveals! There's a lot.

So, these covers have just started circulating around the blogosphere, and I've decided to help out. I love these covers, but have yet to read the series, but I'm pretty sure most of you already have read the previous books.

Here we are!


Sever (The Chemical Garden #3)
By Lauren DeStepano
Due Date: February 12, 2013

What if you knew exactly when you would die? In the not-too-distant future, genetic engineering has turned every newborn into a ticking time bomb — males only live to age 25 and females only live to age 20.
In this bleak landscape, young girls are kidnapped and forced into polygamous marriages to keep the population from dying out. When 16-year-old Rhine Ellery is taken by "the Gatherers" to become a bride, she enters a world of wealth and privilege. Rhine has only one purpose after she has been married to her new husband, Linden: to escape and find her twin brother.
But Rhine has more to contend with than losing her freedom. Linden's eccentric father is bent on finding an antidote to the genetic virus that is getting closer to taking his son, even if it means collecting corpses in order to test his experiments. With the help of Gabriel, a servant to whom she is dangerously attracted, Rhine is desperate to learn the truth and protect those closest to her. But, as her sister wife Cecily keeps insisting, her role may be much bigger than that.
In the first two books of the Chemical Garden trilogy, Wither and Fever, Rhine struggles to escape the mansion and then to navigate the brutal world outside. Now in Sever, the third and final book, Rhine uncovers some shattering truths about the past that her parents never had the chance to tell her and the alarming implications regarding her own genes. She may be the one who can save the human race.

I love the cover, but I wish the green had more to it. The others seem to have more something, but it might just be Rhine, who in the other covers is not looking up. Who knows.


The Indigo Spell
By Richelle Mead
Due Date: February 12, 2013

No official blurb yet, but at least we don't have to wait a whole year for the next one. And I know one of those boys is Adrian, but who is the other? Hmm.....







Perfect Scoundrels (Heist Society #3)
By Ally Carter
Due Date: February 5, 2013

Kat is a girl who is used to getting—or stealing—everything she wants. But telling the truth to the boy she likes? Now that's a cat of a different color.

When Kat's on-again off-again boyfriend, Hale, suddenly inherits his family's billion dollar company, Kat gets a tip-off that the will is a fake. Trapped between a rock and a hard place, how can she tell Hale that he might be living a lie?

Critics and fans alike have fallen for Heist Society (no conning necessary). With more mystery, non-stop action, romance and humor, this third novel in the hit series is just as irresistible.

I have yet to read this series. At first I wasn't even that interested in it. But then I saw my friend Noemi read it and she says it's good, and I've heard good things about it. So, it's on my to-read list, just not "I NEED TO READ THIS NOW" list. But I love the cover.


Iron's Prophecy: An Iron Fey Novella
By Julie Kagawa
Due Date: September 1, 2012

Meghan Chase is finally getting used to being the Iron Queen, ruler of the Iron Fey. Her life may be strange, but with former Winter prince Ash by her side at last, she wouldn’t have it any other way.

But when they travel to the Summer and Winter courts’ gathering for Elysium, the oracle from Meghan’s past returns with a dire prophecy: “What you carry will either unite the courts, or it will destroy them.” Now Meghan faces a devastating choice that may determine the future of all fey—and her and Ash’s unborn child…

Yeah, that's right people. UNBORN CHILD!!
KIERAN!!! (yeah, that's his name)
OMG I can't wait!! I'm not a fan of the snake though. It creeps me out.

Last one!

Deep Betrayal (Lies Beneath #2)
By Anne Greenwood Brown
Due Date: 2013

It's been thirty days, two hours, and seventeen minutes since Calder left Lily standing on the shores of Lake Superior. Not that she's counting. And when Calder does return, it's not quite the reunion Lily hoped for. Especially after she lets her father in on a huge secret: he, like Calder, is a merman. Obsessed with his new identity, Lily's dad monopolizes Calder's time as the two of them spend every day in the water, leaving Lily behind.

Then dead bodies start washing ashore. Calder blames his mermaid sisters, but Lily fears her father has embraced the merman's natural need to kill. As the body count grows, everyone is pointing fingers. Lily doesn't know what to believe—only that whoever's responsible is sure to strike again. . . .

I have yet to read to read Lies Beneath (if anyone has it and wants to trade, I'd be happy to!). I love mermaids. Was kinda disappointed not to see one on this cover, but because most of the people in my family are redheads, I like it. :P And from what it looks like, this story might be told from only Lily's POV. Can't wait!!


So, there you have it!

Keep On Reading!



Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Giveaway Alert!: The Book Paparazzi Launch Giveaway!


Giving you giveaways every post at a time. :D
Single giveaways, of course.

(It's going to be a while till the next Killing Two Birds With One Stone)

So, today I have for you........

Book Paparazzi

As many as you know (or now know) The Book Paparazzi is a blogging site dedicated to promoting books, giveaways, events, new releases, etc. All done by our friends over at Fiction Freak and Read-A-holicZ. So, in honor of their new site, they are holding a giveaway for a mystery box of books for one winner to win. :D

YAY!!! MYSTERY BOX OF YA BOOKS!!

So, head on over to their cool new site and enter yourself. The Book Paparazzi is an awesome way to learn about things happening in the blogging universe. :D

Link is right here or the button is on the right hand side.


Keep On Reading!




Waiting on Wednesday #14


Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted here, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating." Breaking the Spine

So, this one is a little bit of waiting on/boost it. I've never heard of this book, and I came across it in the Goodreads giveaways.

Program 13 (The Emile Reed Chronicles, #1)Program 13

Program 13
By Nicole Sobon
Due Date: August 31, 2012

Seventeen year old Emile Reed, may have died, but she isn't dead. Her body now belongs to Program Thirteen, where her every thought, every movement, is controlled. Until Emile begins to find her way back inside of Thirteen's core, where she manages to fend off Thirteen’s programming to reclaim the life that she lost. But Charles McVeigh, the owner of Vesta Corp, isn’t willing to let Thirteen go. And he will stop at nothing to reclaim control of Thirteen's programming. Because without her, McVeigh has nothing.

Why?
Well, what drew me to the book was it's blurb. Dsytopian. Love them. And the covers give off a creepy vib, but also one that says "You know you want to read me."
It's the right cover that truely creeps me out though. I mean, look at it! It's kinda like looking at a Transformer or something. A cyborg!

So, what are you waiting on?

Keep On Reading!




Sunday, June 24, 2012

Review: Storm by Brigid Kemmerer


WILL CONTAIN SPOILERS

Becca Chandler is suddenly getting all the guys all the ones she doesn't want. Ever since her ex-boyfriend spread those lies about her. Then she saves Chris Merrick from a beating in the school parking lot. Chris is different. Way different: he can control water just like his brothers can control fire, wind, and earth. They're powerful. Dangerous. Marked for death.
And now that she knows the truth, so is Becca.
Secrets are hard to keep when your life's at stake. When Hunter, the mysterious new kid around school, turns up with a talent for being in the wrong place at the right time, Becca thinks she can trust him. But then Hunter goes head-to-head with Chris, and Becca wonders who's hiding the most dangerous truth of all.
The storm is coming.

Review:

Debut author Brigid Kemmerer has made a fantastic novel. I loved it. If I had time, I probably would have finished it in a day. After the first day, I had read 18 chapters. Kinda shocking, but then again, the chapters are somewhat short. But that doesn't devalue the rating of this awesome book.

So, my first impression of this book, and it's prequel, Elemental, was Mafia. Secret deals, shootings, guns, threats, the whole nine yards. In a way, it kinda is. The Merricks stay on their side and don't do anything stupid, and the bad guys stay on their side. Well, because Becca had to tell his brothers what happened, and Gabriel wanted revenge, the bad guys bring the Guide in, some powerful dude with all the powers of the elements, including Spirit. And since he believes, and his superiors believe, that the Merricks have gone insane, they all need to be destroyed. So, it's kinda a battle to survive. And thinking it was a mafia type book really got me excited. I've never read one.

As most of you know, I love it when we can read about different character's thoughts; the POV's are switch back and forth basically. Well, I loved reading Becca's and Chris's thoughts. At first, Chris was just a jerk, but then I warmed up to him as I read through his eyes. He's just a softy. Becca, who is tormented by everyone because of her jackass of an ex-boyfriend, was strong through most of it, and really starting to try to live life without all the rumors in her ears. I really liked it how she took it upon herself to learn self-defense so she didn't have to rely on the boys to save her all the time. What a heroine!

The Love Triangle. Normally, I'm not much a fan of them. Let the heroine be with one sweet, cute guy and let them have some troubles, but this love triangle was kinda.....normal. So, Hunter is the new kid, and he really likes Becca. Chris likes Becca after he saves her and she saves him and blah blah blah. But because Chris is a magnet for trouble, Becca kinda is cautious towards him, where Hunter saves her from the bad guys. But, as guys, when they see their girl in another's arms, they hate each other. And it doesn't help that this is kinda the way Hunter and Chris meet. And it's typical teenage boy jealousy that made it....real. And it wasn't insta-love, it was 'teenage crush, crap why didn't I just ask her, oh, I'm going to kill him' love--ish. That's how I look at it.

The ending. Of course there's going to be room to start the sequel, and there is. I was so shocked. I couldn't believe the truth that came out in the end. It had me screaming for the next one. And the resolution to the triangle had me smiling all the way to the end. Becca's lucky.

Future: Spark and the Elemental novella Fearless

Quotes:

Hunter vs. Tommy, one of the jackasses of the book.
"'Look, dude' he said, his voice low and earnest. 'You want to ask me out, you man up and do it proper.' Everybody laughed--including Jeremy. Tommy shoved the clip off his desk and fumed." pg. 48

Chris's thoughts.
"I was just getting used to Becky. (said eariler by Becca)
"Chris grinned, and told himself he looked liek an idiot.
"He couldnt' help it."

Storm was an amazing book from an amazing debut author. I can't wait to read more from Brigid.

Rating & Ending:

Cover:
I love who plays Chris and Nick/Gabriel, but Michael looks stoned and Hunter, I hate his hair.
Other than that, love the cover.

*Bought this book.

Keep On Reading!


Up Next:
Part way through it.



Saturday, June 23, 2012

A Shell Full of Books #9


Happy Sunday Starfish! (Had to do it)
Anyway, I have a book i think you might be interested in. It's been in the back of mind for a while, and it's like, Hell, go for it and buy it. So I did.

Here's what I got to show you all.

(Forgot to put this one in the rest of them)

Won:
Goddess Interruped by Aimee Carter
Thanks goes to Carina from Fictional Distraction

Brightly Woven by Andrea Bracken
Thanks goes to Laura from The Revolving Bookcase

Bought:
Table for Five by Susan Wiggs
Cum Laude by Cecily von Ziegesar
Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

Up for Trade:

Plus, the other books on this list.

So, what did you find in your shell?

Keep On Reading!


Review: Bittersweet


WILL CONTAIN SPOILERS

Goodreads: Once upon a time, Hudson knew exactly what her future looked like. Then a betrayal changed her life, and knocked her dreams to the ground. Now she’s a girl who doesn’t believe in second chances... a girl who stays under the radar by baking cupcakes at her mom’s diner and obsessing over what might have been.

So when things start looking up and she has another shot at her dreams, Hudson is equal parts hopeful and terrified. Of course, this is also the moment a cute, sweet guy walks into her life... and starts serving up some seriously mixed signals. She’s got a lot on her plate, and for a girl who’s been burned before, risking it all is easier said than done.

It’s time for Hudson to ask herself what she really wants, and how much she’s willing to sacrifice to get it. Because in a place where opportunities are fleeting, she knows this chance may very well be her last...

Review:

Okay, so, I've been dying for this book, and when I found out that I won $15 to Amazon from Nikki from Pretty Opinionated, I picked Bittersweet. I've been wanting this book since I first saw an interview with Sarah Ockler on Simon & Schuster Youtube page. I was like, "I need this book. I need this book." And now here I am to review it for your reading pleasure. Enjoy.

So, our story starts off with our heroine finding a cheetah print bra that belongs to neither her or her mother. This confirms her mother's fear: her husband is cheating on her. This causes Hudson to throw her major skating competition in hopes that her family doesn't break up. Unfortunately, her ass of a dad does leave, she leaves her friends, and Hudson escapes into her cupcakes. But when opportunity knocks, she jumps at the chance to leave her town that is smothering her, with her mom wanting her to be like her, and everyone wanting cupcakes, and her ass of a dad not even talking to them, but with what cost? This is the plot, of course. Kinda typical, but it's the different characters and the struggles they go through that's different from others. I hated it how Hudson had to sneak around to skate because she thought it would remind her mother of their dad, but if it did, she should've at least asked how her mom felt. It's when divorced family kids put their parents feelings above what they dream about that makes me angry, but Bittersweet made me get through to the end to see what happened.

Hudson. She's like a regular small town girl. Wants to leave even though her family doesn't want her too. Well, her mom. As a teenager, I get why she wants to leave. Sometimes the small town live gets overwhelming, and that's the feeling I got when I read the book. She wants an escape. And she's unsure of her feelings for the boys in her life, and she doesn't have any help with it because her mom's always busy and she has to look after her eight year old brother. I love her anyway. Her determination to at least try to go for what she thought she wanted is admirable, and standing up for what happened between her and Kara, ex-bff turned mutual friend, shows she will fight and keep going for what she wants.

Our boys on the hockey team helped a lot. In exchange for ice time, Hudson helps the boys on the hockey team get better at......well, hockey. I thought this was a smart deal, except for the two boys that enter Hudson's life. Will and Josh. Josh I liked immediately. He was funny and smart and had a cute humor to him. Will, he's just a jock with a sweet side. He's not a total jerk, but he is one for what he was going to do to the team if not for Hudson. Even though the book had more steamy scenes with Will, there was always tension and flirting around Josh. And Josh really liked Hudson, hated to see her with Will. Same here. Loved Josh. So sweet.......kinda reminds me of a guy I know. If you know what i mean.

The ending was a classic one. Our heroine gets with the right guy, the other guy gets nothing, and eveything is right with the world. Our heroine finally realizes that her skating life is for her parallel self and the dad that left her and her family. Finally realizing what went wrong. I love it when that happens.

One thing about this book that stands out against all others is that at the beginning of each chapter, and sometimes within the chapters, there are cupcake recipes. I love them. Favorite ones that sound the most delicious: Chocolate Cherry Fixer-Upers, Lights, Camera, Cupcakes, Damsels in Distress, and Cupcakes of Destiny.

Future: Stand-alone.

Quotes:

"'Blackthorn? Please. Shut. Up.' I grab the collar of his jacket and pul him into me, answering every last protest with a kiss-a real one, deep and intentional." pg. 376

Bittersweet as an tasty treat to read. Sweet, romantic, funny, full of drama. Nothing better than a contemporary book to but a smile on your face.

Rating:
Yes, might not sound like a Big Kahuna book, but it was in my book.

Cover & Ending:

*Won this book.


Keep On Reading!


Up Next:
Done with it actually, and review to come soon. :D


Friday, June 22, 2012

Giveaway Alert!: MY 1 Year Blogoversary! w/ Books: A true Story


Like the button. So, this one is for only single giveaway posts. Not like KTBWOS.

So, here's today's.


Woohoo! Blogoversary!! Well, congratulations to Jessica!
So, for her giveaway, she's giving away:
"Pick 2 books from the following to get signed and personailzed to you: Divergent, Insurgent, Wings, Spells, Illusions, Destined, Partials, or Insignia.
Secret Scavenger Hunt Prize (but you have to find it!)"

Yeah, there's a Secret Scavenger Hunt Prize. I just found it myself. :D It's kinda hard, but the clue is in the bold word. :D

So, go over and say congrats and enter yourself. :D

Button is on the side or link is right here:My 1 Year Blogoversary!


Keep On Reading!




Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Giveaway Alert! Fall into Summer Giveaway!

Fiction Freak

Isn't that an amazing button? No, I didn't create it. Fiction Freak's blogger Nikki did.

Fiction Freak

So, I bet you are assuming "Oh, Fall into Summer! It's for something coming out this summer!"
NOPE! IT'S EVEN BETTER!
It's for a book coming out between August 16 to November 31.
And there are a lot.
Which makes this giveaway extremely lovable. :D

Why is she doing this? Well, she said this is her BIG giveaway of the year, and that she might do it again next year. (It would be so cool if it was turned into a hop.)

So, what are you still staring at this page for?! Get on over there and enter yourself!
That or the button is on the side. :D

Keep On Reading!


Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Review: Bitterblue


WILL CONTAIN SPOILERS

Eight years after Graceling, Bitterblue is now queen of Monsea. But the influence of her father, a violent psychopath with mind-altering abilities, lives on. Her advisors, who have run things since Leck died, believe in a forward-thinking plan: Pardon all who committed terrible acts under Leck’s reign, and forget anything bad ever happened. But when Bitterblue begins sneaking outside the castle—disguised and alone—to walk the streets of her own city, she starts realizing that the kingdom has been under the thirty-five-year spell of a madman, and the only way to move forward is to revisit the past.
Two thieves, who only steal what has already been stolen, change her life forever. They hold a key to the truth of Leck’s reign. And one of them, with an extreme skill called a Grace that he hasn’t yet identified, holds a key to her heart.

Review:

So, I finally finished this series. Or, at least I hope I did. The ending left room for another book. But I don't want to talk about the ending first, I want to talk about the story, the plot, the characters, and whatever else my mind comes up with as I type this. :D

First of all, Bitterblue had a big hype when the cover and ARCs started going out. I felt like "Crap, really?! The third book already! Where have I've been?" So, after debating with myself, I bought it. Totally worth it. And to mix it up a bit, I want to talk about the cover while I'm staring at it. 1: I love the keys. The keys were the big thing most bloggers commented. Whoever drew them is a genius. And I didn't even see Bitterblue hidden behind the keys, I just saw the eye, but then I looked closer, and you can see Bitterblue's face. I love what a computer and artists can do today. And I learned the reason for the keys in the book. Hint: Think of what keys do......

So, the plot. There are people called Truthseekers (not really called that by anyone but Bitterblue) that are getting killed because they are trying to return what Leck stole and bring to light what he did. Bitterblue seeks out the truth about it all from two boys, Saf (Sapphire from Lienid) and Teddy (from Monsea). While she has them doing this, she tries to understand why Leck did all the things he did and what it did to her people and her staff. Base plot. But then there are all sorts of complications and problems that happen. A lot of betrayals and secrets that come out. Some of them are very, VERY personal. In all the chaos, Bitterblue made it through, but at some points, it's like "What just happened?" There was so much going on with all the subplots, it was crazy. I mean, I loved it that we got to see old characters, like Po and Katsa, but Po's issue with his true Grace and his blindness and not telling anyone was a bit annoying. Sure, Po could have been taken advantage of by people if they knew his true Grace, but still, I think it was a bit overplayed just a bit.

As I said in my review for Fire, I definitely would read Fire before you read this one. There were so many things I understood about Leck and what he did from reading Fire. If you didn't read it, then I feel you would be stumbling through the whole book with "why" going through your head. And asking "how is this possible?" One thing about Bitterblue is that in the entire book, she's trying to find Leck's history and why he did the things he did. Fire (or if you read my review) shows why he did what he did. Why he created Leck City/Bitterblue City in the same image as the Dells. And later when both sides unit---wow.

Bitterblue. Didn't realize that she was 10 in Graceling. Wow. She's grown up. I'd figure the book would start out right after Graceling left off, but no. So, 8 years of ruling a kingdom she doesn't know. Bitterblue is still a bit of the little girl she was in Graceling. Confuse and doesn't understand why some of the things have happened. Her uncle, King Ror of Lienid, appointed advisers that weren't the best; for as she ruled, they did something behind her back that I was so shocked of. I get that they don't to remember, but as a queen, she needed to know. But sometimes, I feel that I was reading through the eyes of a little girl, or a cry baby. Bitterblue, despite her determination and willingness to help others and her kingdom, cried a lot. And did some things on an impulse. Never really thinking it through. I point this out a lot because I think it's makes a character stupid yet lovable. Stupid because it's without thought, lovable but it gives her a personality.

Saf. I forgot that in Lienid, you are named after a color, but then find some better nickname because your name could be really stupid. Saf's name, this guy's name, is Sapphire. Yeah, like the stone, my birthstone to be exact. Well, it could have been worse, but anyway---He's a thief, one of the Truthseekers. And he meets Bitterblue in story rooms and she starts talking to him and Teddy about what Leck's done. I like him, don't love him. He, like Bitterblue, could behave like a child, like when he found out that the baker girl Sparks was actually Queen Bitterblue of Monsea. You want to know what he did? He stole her crown and gave it to the man that runs the black market! He was stupid, and then he held the grudge against her for 3/4 of the book. But he was also brave. He did try to help her out when she needed it, since he got her in this mess. And I believe he did love her, but he could just sit around the palace and be her escort. At least they ended in friends. Oh, forgot to say, I love it that both Saf's and Bitterblue's names are blues. :D

While I read, I noticed something I found very different from other YA fantasy books: there were real life problems within the story. Suicide and LGBTQIA. Mostly LG. I was pleasantly surprised. I really don't read much of LGBTQIA in most YA because a good love triangle or insta-love story is dominate in YA. The way Cashore went at it is mostly with the males, but she did mention the females: Teddy's and Saf's sisters are together. But it was mostly with the royals. It really didn't cause much of an issue except with Raffin's father wanting him to marry and if Po's father, King Ror, would react the same way he had when Po's brother, Skye, told him that he was gay. It was nice to read something different than starcrossed lovers. And the suicide thing, well, let's say that some of Bitterblue's staff couldn't stop thinking about what Leck did and they didn't want her to find out, and when she did, they blamed themselves, as they have for years, and killed themselves. One of them was very personal to Bitterblue and it made me cry. Oh, and he cut himself too. It was a rollercoster of emotions that had me plowing through the book as often as I could. (I read it in the car on the way home, I fell asleep, but later that night I finished it.)

Ending: Wow. Just wow. Remember how I said there was a union/meeting between both sides? Well, there was. Katsa is an explorer, and if you read Fire or my review, you come to the conclusion she crossed to the other side and brought some of them over. Specifically, Fire herself. Discovering each other was like a wake up call, and turns out the Dellians have been watching them for 15 years. It was only now that they choose to emerge. *Sigh But there was a talk of war and overthrowing kings. Left room for a sequel! Maybe with Katsa as the main character again? Or all three leading ladies. :D

Future: Who knows? Sequel maybe?

Quotes:

"The Grace of giving dreams was a beautiful Grace for someone contrary and dear to have." pg. 473
Convo between Saf and Bitterblue
"'I'll give you a dream," he whispered to her. "A wonderful dream. I won't tell you.'"
"'An experiment?' said Bitterblue with the tiniest smile.
""'An experiment, Sparks.'" pg. 474

Bitterblue was a strong fantasy novel that drew my emotions on a rollercoster. A colorful world full of mysteries and secrets, it makes you want a pair of keys yourself. I loved it, a definite read for fantasy lovers of the Eragon series and the Game of Thrones series. :D

Rating, Cover, & Ending:

*Bought this book.

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Monday, June 18, 2012

Giveaway Alert! Unearthly Reviews: 100 Follower Giveaway

Unearthly Reviews

So, I just recently discovered this blog through another blog that blogged about it.
And the reason why is because Unearthly Reviews is having her 100 Follower Giveaway.


Isn't the banner pretty?
Well, for this celebration, Megan, our blogger behind all this, is giving away one 'book of your choice' up to $15 to TBD to one winner.

I looked around her blog, and I like it. Very cute. :D I can't wait to read her reviews.

So, head on over and enter yourself. :D
Who doesn't like a free book?

Keep On Reading!