ARC Review: Seraphina by Rachel Hartman

Title: Seraphina
Story Arc: Series, Book 1
Publication: July 10, 2012 by Random House
Paperback: 464 pages
Genre: High Fantasy, Magic, Dragons, Coming of Age
Age Group: Teen, Young Adult
Content: Light Kissing, Fighting
(It's been a while since I've read this one.)
Source: Random House via NetGalley | Quote(s): Yes

I remember being born. In fact, I remember a time before that.

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

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

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

Dragons are cooler than they look

We all know that dragons are the shizz and more, right? I mean, THEY’RE DRAGONS. Hartman makes your average dragon look like a puppy compared to these bad boys she’s thought up. Because they’re not just freakishly tall, scary reptiles, but they’re also shifters who can shrink into humans. Emotionless, cold humans, from the looks of it, but that just makes them even more badass, because they have this cutthroat, merciless overtone to their personalities. And any dragons who start exhibiting our colorful emotions, giving in to the humanity that comes with becoming human, are packed off to have a kind of surgery done to remove them. Which is an exotic, intriguing concept for Hartman to play with throughout the book. She conveys, beautifully, I might add, the power of emotions, the significance of the ability to emote, and how the lack of it affects those who can’t, those who would rather bar the ability from themselves entirely than let it grip them.

Seraphina by Rachel Hartman is fantasy, and no, it’s not necessarily you’re typical fantasy full of grueling quests, but rather it’s a murder mystery at heart, with knights and dragons and magic in the backdrop. War is brewing among the dragons, as the shaky alliance between them and the humans threatens to fall apart. The murder of a royal by what seems to be the hands—or rather, claws—of a dragon has caused a wide berth for tension to sweep through both races, mistrust and misdirected anger working to tear apart their cool friendship. Half-human half-dragon Phina now finds herself somehow directly involved, no matter that she’s doing her best to not only bury the very secret of her birth but also the consequences of her mixed nature. Throw in a good-looking suspicious prince into the mix and Phina’s got no choice but to help unearth the truth. Because someone out there wants to speed up the threat of war and turn it into an actuality, someone keen on vengeance and very, very, ticked off.

Characters, hidden abilities, and exciting world-building

Phina is exactly the kind of girl that leaves me hard-pressed to punch anybody who messed with her. All of her life she’s lived with the knowledge that she is not ONLY an abomination by most people’s standards but that if anyone were to find out the truth of her origins she’d be cast out, perhaps killed, and people would be disgusted to know what deformities lay beneath her clothing. She’s sober, sad, and vulnerable, and I have big sisterly/maternal urges toward characters without friends and with nothing but heavy burdens. She’s too scared to make proper friends, but she’s one of the smartest, most loyal people around if people would only pay her mind. I hated that her father, so lost and betrayed, never really comforted her of her worries, never made her feel truly at home. I was so depressed for this girl who has already gone through so much, and has a hard time caring and trusting people. And because of her we can relate to the dragons in a way that wouldn’t be possible without her!

Which is why I was so ecstatic when the determined, apprehensive Prince Lucien casts his suspicion onto Phina, and is just as equally intrigued by her. Hartman’s characters are rich, fleshed-out. Ultimately, Phina and Kiggs’s friendship, with underlying spark, turned out to be one of the major highlights of Seraphina by Rachel Hartman.

And the other? The fabulous in-depth world-building. In fact, it’s probably the strongest aspect of Seraphina by Rachel Hartman, how vivid and intricate it is. The plot isn’t nearly as involved as the world Harman sets up for us, and although it’s not without it’s twists, there is a level, if a small one, of predictability. As for the world-building, it’s impossible to really predict what you’re going to find, what sort of creatures and places. Add to that the beautiful prose and you have one hell of a novel. I felt absorbed by the world as opposed to being absorbed into it because of the rich, yet not overbearing, scenes that are painted for our benefit.

Overall

I wish I would’ve written this review sooner. I wish I had so that I could remember more details to present to you, so that I could’ve pushed this novel onto you sooner. You will feel rejuvenated after reading this unique fantasy, and fall in love with Seraphina, her logic, her compassion, her observation, all of it. Seraphina by Rachel Hartman enriches with its prose, and puts an exciting, thrilling spin on what you think you know about dragons.

From the looks of it, after being electrocuted by that subtly joyous, if open, ending, there will be a sequel, and it will chronicle a war that makes me bloodthirsty just pondering the possibilities. I can’t wait to see what Rachel Hartman does next!

He raised a hand, let it hover a moment, and then placed it over mine. It was war, and it stole my breath away. "St. Clare did not choose wrongly," he said softly. "I always saw the truth in you, however much you prevaricated, even as you lied right to my face. I glimpsed the very heart of you, clear as sunlight, and it was something extraordinary." (97%)

Rating: Perfect Bed Partner

Unbelievably, I was happily surprised by the unique fantasy presented in Seraphina by Rachel Hartman. It’s not all about magical quests and slaying beasts and saving people, necessarily, but there’s so much going on without being overwhelming. The plot is centered around an engrossing murder mystery that left me scrambling to try and fit the pieces together. And I wouldn’t have guessed the biggest twist of all as to who the villain is! The prose is beautiful, subtly woven, and Seraphina herself makes this novel well-worth the read. I’m already so invested in the romance and the war to come that I’m antsy for the sequel!

OTHER REVIEWS: Cuddlebuggery

SIMILAR TITLES: Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo Shadowfell by Julet Marillier Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

Got something specific in mind? Dare I believe I might NOT have covered something you wish to know? If so, let me know down in the comments section. Don't be shy!

ARC Review: The Assassin's Curse by Cassandra R. Clarke + Giveaway

Title: The Assassin's Curse
Story Arc: Duology, Book 1
Publication: October 2, 2012 by Strange Chemistry
Paperback: 416 pages
Genre: High Fantasy, Magic, Pirates
Age Group: Teen, Young Adult
Content: Nothing Worrisome or Notable
Source: Strange Chemistry via NetGalley | Quote(s): Yes

I ain't never been one to trust beautiful people, and Tarrin of the Hariri was the most beautiful man I ever saw.

Ananna of the Tanarau is the eldest daughter of a highly-ranked family in the loose assortment of cutthroats and thieves in the Pirate's Confederation. When she runs away from the marriage her parents have arranged for her, they hire Naji the assassin to murder her.

When a mysterious woman in a dress shop offers her magical assistance for dealing with the assassin, Ananna accepts. She never went in much for magic herself -- she lacks the talent for it -- but she's not quite ready to die yet, either. Unfortunately, the woman's magic fails.

Fortunately, Ananna inadvertently saves the assassin's life in the skirmish, thus activating a curse that had been placed on him a few years earlier. Now, whenever her life is in danger, he must protect her -- or else he experiences tremendous physical pain. Neither Ananna nor the assassin, Naji, are pleased about this development.

Follow Ananna and Naji as they sail across the globe, visiting such mysterious places as the Court of Salt and Waves, in their desperate effort to lift the curse. Soon they will discover that only by completing three impossible tasks will they be able to set themselves free.

What happens when you mess with pirates

In Ananna of the Tanarau’s world, beautiful people sure know how to make a fine mess.

Especially when said beautiful people include the progeny of dastardly greedy pirates, a river witch with a glossed over nasty streak, and evil entities in disguise from a place called Elsewhere, and… well, there I go, getting ahead of myself. Let me try again.

Ananna is the daughter of a pair of badass pirates, part of one of the higher up families in the Pirate Confederation. With the help of another pirate clan, Ananna’s family can sack a sweet hotspot ripe for pirate pickings by utilizing this clan’s stellar naval fleet. Impressive deviousness, no? The catch? An arranged marriage is involved—Ananna’s—to exactly the kind of boy she detests and distrusts—an unrepentantly beautiful one.

Because of this trashed marriage, all sorts of cool things await for the adventurous, loyal, and spirited Ananna! This is FANTASY, you guys. And one of the best ones I’ve read this year! Not only are there pirates in our midst but also shadow-dwelling assassins, insect-ship hybrid machines, mistlike entities from other worlds, witches, wizards, blood magic, and the list GOES ON. Naturalistic dialogue, organic, brilliant, mind-catching fantasy, and characters so flawed, mysterious, and huggable they are DRILLED into your heart, The Assassin’s Curse by Cassandra Rose Clarke is a story of BOUNDLESS possibilities, in which every situation or fantasy element you can cook up in your head has a chance to make it on the pages. It’s impossible to tell what Clarke will show us, design for us to visualize, next.

It’s SO easy to geek out over this book!

THIS is why I’m a character girl

Ananna is my kind of young woman. She’s bold, feisty, and fiercely loyal of her companion, Naji, the assassin sent to KILL her. How did that (their flipped relationship) happen? His tie to her is a result of her good-hearted tendencies, the ones that make her that much more of an astonishingly lovable person. She doesn’t think much of herself on the outside but she’s conscious and proud of her capabilities, which is why she doesn’t enjoy being rendered helpless, left to hand over the reins on her escape, and eventual quest into the unknown, to a certain grumbly, miserable assassin who can’t be up to any good in the first place. She’s not afraid to be who she is and she can lay it out like it is, blunt and open. I firmly believe there isn’t anything she CAN’T do—and, no, that’s not because of my insanely OBVS girl crush on her!

Naji is no slouch, or piece of chopped liver. Naji and Ananna are amazingly well-paired main characters. They’re both used to leading, to doing things a certain way. DIFFICULT is a mild term for their attempts at compromise and trust. In fact, there’s so much distrust and discord fueling their adorably sarcastic banter that their relationship grows unawares to the two of them, until they’re forced to rely on each other even more than would be considered comfortable for both of them so that those two negative, intangible companions on their exquisite journey disappear altogether. Throw in Naji’s tortured soul motif under all the Jadorr’a badassery—you know, vulnerable and crushed heart over his facial disfigurement—and you couldn’t have two more surprisingly sweetly endearing characters, both of whom would probably scowl at the label, to fall in love with in The Assassin’s Curse by Cassandra Rose Clarke.

In terms of plot and shizz

THERE IS SO MUCH GOING ON HERE. We’ve got Ananna doing her darnest to escape her dreadful future in-laws in hopes that she won’t have to marry their obnoxious, dull, wannabe pirate son, and her attempts to elude the assassin after her very clever butt. Then, once the assassin in question is forced to her side because of an underlying curse suddenly activated by Ananna’s generous move, we’ve got a GIANT and ENGAGING quest to remove said curse—one which binds these two irrevocably in moments of danger. This becomes the PERFECT opportunity to take us across hazardous deserts and creature-infested seas to the maddening Isles of Sky where the answers they seek are said to be. Meanwhile, they have to dodge beings of the mists who are out on account of a personal vendetta against are solemn and secretive Naji.

But nothing about The Assassin’s Curse by Cassandra Rose Clarke TRULY compares to Ananna and Naji and the bond that solidifies into something impervious and steely over the months into their dangerous journey. Something about the two of them sparks instantly, but is taking a while to really catch fire. Their friendship is a slow, painful process because their trust and respect for each other is built upon many hard lessons and trials. It’s amusing to experience their inevitable softening toward each other, but even more so is their fast and steady defense of one another. It’s warming to see Ananna jump to defend Naji’s honor or his already bruised feelings, and come to realize the true nature of her feelings. And Naji may be a solid wall of unreachable mystery, but, underneath it all, there really isn’t anything he wouldn’t do for her.

How does it end?

The Assassin’s Curse by Cassandra Rose Clarke is part of a duology, which is both lovely and saddening, because while our misery over the lack of romantic fodder won’t last overly long, I KNOW I’m going to miss them both, as well as the other characters and the extraordinary high fantasy in the storytelling, and the mess of adventures Ananna and Naji drop into.

Moments of frustratingly slow pacing aside, The Assassin’s Curse by Cassandra Rose Clarke gave me a fantastical story of epic levels, with grand fantasy that seems bigger than the story itself and characters that I’m ever-rooting for, and I’m ridiculously impressed! The story scores even more points for its unexpected awesomeness, which makes it into the sort of precious gem I treasure most. A definite favorite of the year!

PS: Doesn't Naji already remind you of Prince/Fire Lord Zuko? :-D Speaking of, check out my book boyfriend edition for June which features my favorite shadow-dwelling assassin!

"A river?" I said. "Water?"
"Water generally comprises a river, yes."
"Oh, thank Kaol and E'mko both!" I closed my eyes and all the dusty dryness fell away, and I imagined diving into clean hard river water, sloughing off all the grime and filth of travel, a proper bath and not a useless sandscrub-- "We're not there yet."
I opened my eyes. Naji was looking at me with little lines creasing the strip of his face, his own eyes bright and sparkling.
"Are you laughing at me?"
"Never."
I lunged at him with an imaginary sword, and this time he really did laugh, all throaty and raspy, and I wondered what I could do to get him to laugh more. (35%)

Rating: Perfect Bed Partner

While at very few times in the novel I struggled with the sporadic too-slow pacing—I’m a fast-paced plot kind of gal—I was deeply immersed in the enchanting and more-than-merely-the-pages fantasy that very much has a life of its own. Throw in two fabulous main characters—one of whom is the amusing, honest, and realistic narrator of the story—and I was hooked. Daring and dire adventures, wicked, frightening foes, and characters I became viciously protective of by the end, The Assassin’s Curse by Cassandra Rose Clarke rapidly found its way to the top half of my favorites of the year pile!

OTHER REVIEWS: Serendipity Reviews Infinite Day Dreams YA Book Seasons

SIMILAR TITLES: Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo Seraphina by Rachel Hartman Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi

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Early ARC Review: Something Strange & Deadly by Susan Dennard

my thoughts in a few sentences: I’ve got a thing for zombies and the Victorian era. Put the two together and I possess the inexplicable urge to magically produce rainbows or Lucky Charms. Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel was my last indulgence in this area, and though it was satisfying in many areas it missed that crucial opening hook and didn’t suck me in until a hundred pages or so. Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard is almost a hundred pages shorter and it managed to do what DD could not: hook me INSTANTLY. By the first line alone, I was sitting back with a happy grin on my face, eager for the next thing lying in wait. Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard, thankfully, has a gorgeous cover to match the story it wraps.

hooking first lines: ""Dead!" a woman screamed. "It's the Dead!""

Harper Teen • Edelweiss • Paranormal Historical Romance • 7/24/12 • $13.49

Spoiler-Free ARC Review: Onyx

The following review contains
NO SPOILERS!

my thoughts in a few sentences: I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little disappointed in Onyx by Jennifer L. Armentrout. Obsidian is a fast-paced, entertaining, and sexy story about a boy and his sister in hiding, and about the new girl next door who uncovers their secrets. That line of the story may be the typical paranormal book plot, but it REALLY worked as a whole. The first book is addictive, strong, and the paranormal element is a nice little side bit. But, my focus is, and will always be, Daemon and Kat’s relationship. I liked the slow-burn Sexy Times tension in Obsidian, and the promise of a challenge for Daemon to work up to in Onyx by Jennifer L. Armentrout. But, Kat’s OVERABUNDANCE of RESISTANCE got to be irritating and with an obvious plot device feel. It distracted me from everything else that was going on, and ultimately brought down my enjoyment of the book. HOWEVER. The last hundred or so pages do REALLY WELL for making up for that.

hooking first lines: "Ten seconds passed between when Daemon Black took his seat and when he poked me under my shoulder blade with his trusty pen. Ten whole seconds."

Entangled Teen • NetGalley • Paranormal Romance • 8/14/12 • $7.49

Spoiler-Free ARC Review: Dreamless

The following review contains
NO SPOILERS!

my thoughts in a few sentences: While a vast improvement in plot development, the romance and characters are easily swept aside by the more dramatic issues in Dreamless by Josephine Angelini, which works to a disadvantage and not simultaneously. The organic world-building and Angelini’s rendition of some awesome Greek myths continues, arousing confusion and interest, but, unlike Starcrossed, not overwhelming. I didn’t necessarily enjoy the sequel more than its predecessor, but I did like it better in certain areas, where others dwindled and fell short in comparison. Still, I can’t get enough of the mythological aspects and with war churning in the hearts of both the gods, demigods, and mortals alike, I’m very interested in the outcome of this trilogy.

hooking first line: "On Monday morning, school was canceled."

Harper Teen • Edelweiss • Greek Myth Retelling • 5/29/12 • $13.49

ARC Review: The Golden Lily

The following review contains
NO SPOILERS!

my thoughts in a few sentences: Richelle Mead has a strong gift as a writer—she can make the most simple and basic of concepts into something dynamic and intriguing. She explores all the angstiness and vulnerability that tie into being a teenager, particularly when you’re a teenager heavily involved with the vampire community with so many expectations riding on your person. If you’re skeptical about whether or not this series can live up to Vampire Academy, then shame on you. THIS IS RICHELLE MEAD, PEOPLE. Sydney Sage is no Rose Hathaway, but is an equally complex, lovable character with so many facets and insecurities and dreams. Sydney is her own brand of specialness, and it’s just as fun reading a story from this analytical, brainy, soft-hearted character's point of view.

hooking first lines: "Most people would find being led into an underground bunker on a stormy night scary. Not me."

Razorbill/Penguin • Gift/ANGIE • Paranormal/Urban Fantasy • 6/12/12 • $14.24

Adult Flash: The Witness

my thoughts in a few sentences:I am an unabashed Nora Roberts lover (it all began with the MacGregors, and then progressed to an obsession that led me to read just about every one of her books that aren't J.D. Robb), completely and shamelessly fangirly because her romance writing is dazzling in a practical, everyday sort of way that is realistic, genuine, and smoldering in its slow though powerful intensity. I’ve really liked her recent work—The Search, Chasing Fire, The Next Always—but none of them have hit home the way The Witness irrevocably has.

hooking first lines: " Elizabeth Fitch's short-lived teenage rebellion began with L'Oreal Pure Black, a pair of scissors and a fake ID. It ended in blood."

Putnam Adult • Bought • Romantic Suspense • 4/17/12 • $15.38

ARC Review: The Immortal Rules

my thoughts in a few sentences: What to say about The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa, that hasn’t been said already... First and foremost: don’t go looking for the Iron Fey series in Kagawa’s own vampire addition. I don’t mean expecting Puck or Ash to round the corner, but don’t anticipate the light, dreamy writing and lack of true harshness in her storytelling that is familiar to us, because The Immortal Rules is a sharp turn in the opposite direction.

hooking first lines: " They hung the Unregistereds in the old warehouse district; it was a public execution, so everyone went to see. I stood at the back, a nameless face in the crowd, too close to the gallows for comfort but unable to look away. There were three of them this time, two boys and a girl."

Harlequin Teen • Gifted • Paranormal Romance/Post-Apocalyptic • 4/24/12 • $14.24

Review: Dearly, Departed

my thoughts in a few sentences: While Dearly, Departed starts out tortuously slow, failing to keep me utterly immersed within the first hundred pages, the story suddenly picks up speed, jumpstarting a fascinating thrill-ride into a post-apocalyptic, technologically advanced New Victoria, in which everything has reverted to the ways of historical Victorian London with a futuristic spin to form a relaxed, peaceful society. Stirring my interests with rebels hateful of these changes and a secret pocket of government-trained zombies, mindless cannibalistic ones aside, Dearly, Departed shot me into a riveting mash-up of genre elements and fed me (har har) a sweet, heart-aching romance that made me want to bear-hug the couple. An AMAZING cast, constant action, equal parts witty and sober, Dearly, Departed definitely recovered from its unhurried beginning, delivering the story I hoped I would find behind its stunning cover.

hooking first line: "I was buried alive."

Rating: Sud-Kissed | Del Rey • Bought • Paranormal/Post-Apocalyptic • 10/18/11 • $15.13

Review: Legacy by Cayla Kluver

Legacy by Cayla Kluver

Get the Deets: Goodreads»» (What is Goodreads.com?)
Publication Date: June 21, 2011
Source: e-ARC/NetGalley + HarlequinTeen
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Kindle
Upcoming: Allegiance (2011)

I noticed his eyes. They were blue, sharp and intense. Despite the youthful glows of his suntanned face, his eyes were cold and unfriendly, suggesting he had great experience in the world and was now expecting the worst.

In her seventeenth year, Princess Alera of Hytanica faces one duty: to marry the man who will be king. But her father's choice of suitor fills her with despair.

When the palace guard captures and intruder—a boy her age with steel-blue eyes, hailing from her kingdom's greatest enemy—Alera is alarmed…and intrigued. But she could not have guessed that their clandestine meetings would unveil the dark legacy shadowing both their lands.

In this mystical world of court conspiracies and blood magic, loyalties will be tested. Courage won't be enough. And as the battle begins for everything Alera holds dear, love may be the downfall of a kingdom.

I swear to you, I almost didn't finish reading this. There were so many things that had initially attracted me to Legacy. One, I was amazed that a teen author like Cayla was doing so well for herself--I wanted to see and be impressed by her book. Two, it's fantasy--like the kind of fantasy stuff you'd find in The Legend of Zelda and Avatar: The Last Airbender. So, here I thought I was going to be swept off my feet and find myself staggered by its brilliance. Yet, while I didn't find that with Legacy, there was something about it that kept me coming back for more. I tell you, I tried. I really tried to stop reading. But, then I kept thinking about what was going to happen next. And, you guys, I have a thing for Steldor--but more on that a little later... Somehow, Kluver still managed to snag my attention throughout the whole book. Before I knew it, the story was over and I'd read the entire thing! I don't know how it happened, but I've been reeled in!

The disappointment could have stemmed from the snail pacing found in the storytelling. How long does it take for a person to get from one room to the next? For the opposite team to attack the home team? There was all these little pieces of information that had no place in the story. I found myself getting bored from the extensive detail of the scenery and the rooms and on and on it went. Worse, though, it was probably Alera herself. I didn't hate her. At times, I actually felt sympathetic toward her. But, then there were those times that Alera just made no sense. Tattling on a long-time friend, stomping and pouting all the freaking time, really? I won't deny that she got on my nerves more than a few times. But, it was really her narration that bugged me. She bored me. There's no other way to put it. Being inside her head was like pulling teeth for me. I couldn't get a grip on the story and I felt detached throughout because of this.

And was it me, or did anyone expect more... action? Where were the fights to the death, the dueling and combating and battling? I found myself reaching for my River of Time series books. Now, Lisa knows how to plant some battle sequences. If there was a copy + paste feature somewhere, I would've definitely implemented it for this. This book was seriously lacking in excitement! I kept wishing and wishing for things to happen. And when something even remotely interesting cropped up, it still wasn't satisfying enough. Like the Cokyrian priestess and the super scary Evil Overlord (not sure if that's what he went by, exactly, but I'm sure it's close enough)! I loved them on the spot, because they intrigued me. All dark and elusive. And I love the idea that the Cokyrians tended to submit to women. All so fascinating, but oh so far away!

However, a small save was the abundant amount of sexy bodyguards. I was crushing majorly on London and Alera's younger sister's bodyguard--whose name, obviously, has escaped me by this time. While the other characters were mostly bland, London added some color to the monotonous characterizations AND plot. I wanted a POV switch. I'd rather learn all about London--Mr. Gorgeous-slash-Enigmatic-slash-Sarcastic-slash-Arrogant--and his super secret past. I'd rather be in the throng of his battles and missions. London was the embodiment of my bookish desires and hopes for Legacy. Too bad what I wanted didn't happen.

Speaking of hunky, though more pompous, males, somehow I did something I'd never thought I'd do. I fell for the wrong guy. So, Narian waltzes in and, shockingly, I barely gave him the time of day. It was Steldor, instead, who caught my eye. *moans* How did this happen? I always end up loving the guy that the heroine is most likely going to tango with, with the secondary love interest as a side-benefit and fuel for personal fantasies. I ended up doing a complete 360 and, oddly enough, I became a cheerleader for the guy I'd been wholly prepared to resist and detest. But, I couldn't help but feel for this guy. I saw a glimmer of something lovable in him, and over the course of the story, that glimmer grew into a beacon of possibility. I kept cursing Alera for going the totally predictable route, rather than basking in what was right in front of her. It was clear that Steldor would've made changes in himself had Alera so kindly given him affection and some loving. Sure, Steldor could be mean and over-bearing and self-absorbed, but I think that's just masking something much deeper. Or maybe I've just uncovered a secret soft spot for the underdog. Either way, I'm Team Steldor all the way. Narian can go stay hidden away in his mountains.

After that particularly long read though, it was, I have to admit, a tiny bit hard to judge my feelings. One side of me liked this story and the other intensely disliked it. But, I've come to the conclusion that this is an okay read, one that, on the one hand, hooked me, and, on the other, repelled me. Hopefully, I'll be impressed with the sequel--the second book to which I'm envisioning fantastic battle scenes for. With a little action, a push to the right love interest, and a little more personality for Alera, I think I could really enjoy this series.

Because I mentioned it, and as an alternative, one which I loved, you might want to check out:

Click HERE for my review of Waterfall.

Review: Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini

Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini

How do you defy destiny?

Helen Hamilton has spent her entire sixteen years trying to hide how different she is—no easy task on an island as small and sheltered as Nantucket. And it's getting harder. Nightmares of a desperate desert journey have Helen waking parched, only to find her sheets damaged by dirt and dust. At school she's haunted by hallucinations of three women weeping tears of blood . . . and when Helen first crosses paths with Lucas Delos, she has no way of knowing they're destined to play the leading roles in a tragedy the Fates insist on repeating throughout history.

As Helen unlocks the secrets of her ancestry, she realizes that some myths are more than just legend. But even demigod powers might not be enough to defy the forces that are both drawing her and Lucas together—and trying to tear them apart.

Get the Deets: Goodreads»» (What is Goodreads.com?)
Source: ARC/NetGalley + HarperTeen
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Kindle
Next: Dreamless (2012)
Challenge: 2011 Debut Author Challenge

I picked up this book expecting the best. I mean, STARCROSSED has 'phenomenal' written all over it, from back to cover and from all the hype surrounding it. But, maybe I was being a bit overzealous in placing such high expectations. Not to say STARCROSSED wasn't good, it just wasn't as great as I had anticipated. And of course, I'm a little disappointed as a result.

Still, STARCROSSED had a fantastic concept as a base. Not to mention, the world building behind it. Unlike The Goddess Test for instance, the Greek mythology incorporated in the novel was interweaved, so that I could pinpoint references to the actual stories, while still being given Angelini's innovative and intriguing twist.When I was learning, I could not stop flipping the pages. I hungered to know all there was about Angelini's well-constructed world.

Conversely, though the history and the correlation to mythology was fascinating, there were points where I felt that there was too much going on at once. And the pacing wasn't fast enough to bear the weight of all that was happening. I tended to get that sensation of deja vu as well, like Where have I read this before? Including a number of acute similarities that cropped up in regards to the romance. The main pairing, Lucas and Helen, could have used a bit more development. Yes, they seemed to be friends. But, at the same time I can't say I really saw them get to know one another. And then, the whole I want to but we can't because it's dangerous aspect to the romance, while warranted, felt a bit reminiscent of Twilight. As much as I loved Twilight, it's just been done before. And that tended to take away from my enjoyment of their newfound love.

Keeping to characters, the characterizations were pretty great. I may not have learned every single detail about every member of the cast, but I grew attached to nearly everyone. I liked Helen and Lucas, Kate and Jerry, among other characters, but the favorites include Claire (aka Giggles), Hector, Cassandra, and Jason. Overall, I ended up caring about each and every person, was devastated when any one of them had to endure something painful, or, worse, ended up dead. Though, I must say, in this way STARCROSSED is refreshing. So many YA paranormal books, among other subgenres, often overlook the significance of an emotional bond with the characters. I for one, am so glad to have made a connection with such a large chunk of the cast.

And coming to a close, I didn't much care for the ending. It didn't feel abrupt or anything nearly as irritating. It just seemed as if, once again, there was too much happening, too much to swallow at once. Not to mention the fact that a monumental revelation discovered by the main two characters is delivered heading into the last fifty pages or so. Wasn't too happy about that. Even so, I'm looking forward to what will happen next in this entertaining trilogy.

"Giggles! I see you got some back-to-school shopping done, too," Jerry said as he gave Claire a one-armed hug around her parcels.
Claire Aoki, aka Giggles, was a badass.Anyone who took a look at her five-foot-two frame and delicate Asian features and failed to recognize her inherent scrappiness ran the risk of suffering horribly at the hands of a grossly underestimated opponent...
"Fo-sho, sire of my BFF," Claire replied. She hugged Jerry with genuine affection..."Might I have a word with your progeny? Sorry to be so rude, but it's top secret, high-clearance stuff. I'd tell you..." she began.
"But then you'd have to kill me," Jerry finished sagely.

Review: Vixen by Jillian Larkin

In total lurrrve with this cover!!!

V i x e n  by Jillian Larkin

Jazz . . . Booze . . . Boys . . . It’s a dangerous combination.

Every girl wants what she can’t have. Seventeen-year-old Gloria Carmody wants the flapper lifestyle—and the bobbed hair, cigarettes, and music-filled nights that go with it. Now that she’s engaged to Sebastian Grey, scion of one of Chicago’s most powerful families, Gloria’s party days are over before they’ve even begun . . . or are they?

Clara Knowles, Gloria’s goody-two-shoes cousin, has arrived to make sure the high-society wedding comes off without a hitch—but Clara isn’t as lily-white as she appears. Seems she has some dirty little secrets of her own that she’ll do anything to keep hidden. . . .

Lorraine Dyer, Gloria’s social-climbing best friend, is tired of living in Gloria’s shadow. When Lorraine’s envy spills over into desperate spite, no one is safe. And someone’s going to be very sorry. . . .

From debut author Jillian Larkin, VIXEN is the first novel in the sexy, dangerous, and ridiculously romantic new series set in the Roaring Twenties . . . when anything goes.

Get the Deets: Goodreads»» (What is Goodreads.com?)
Source: borrowed/Library
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Kindle
Next: Ingenue (August 9, 2011)
Challenge: YA Historical Fiction Challenge

VIXEN is an impeccably told story, riddled with rebellion and risky romance, glamorous danger, and authentic characters! I'm so glad I had a related English assignment, otherwise I wouldn't have picked it up until much later in the year. I was totally engrossed in the story, and I connected with most of the characters. The book had just enough drama, just enough jeopardy to keep me entertained and interested. Larkin did an incredible job whisking me away to the epic Roaring Twenties, an alluring time of glitz and unprecedented wealth!

Told in three third person POVs, VIXEN describes the life of three very dissimilar girls - Gloria Carmody, Clara Knowles, and Lorraine Dyer. Between them, my favorite is Clara. She waltzes into the Carmody estate, an innocent facade about her, gets trash-talked by her aunt and walks away, for the most part, unscathed. Clara has an amazing willpower, one that gets her through the emotional wreckage that was the previous year, and allows her to acclimate well to this sudden change in her life.  I loved how no one saw her as anything more than a common, saintlike, country bumpkin from the east, because it shows just how clever she is. I delighted in the fact that she had everybody completely fooled! She's intelligent, most especially streetsmart, and she's intuitive - some of my favorite qualities. So, when love happens once Marcus, aka Mistah Playah, shows up, I couldn't have been more thrilled!

Gloria, while likable, I didn't enjoy nearly as much. I found myself easily annoyed by her know-it-all type personality, and I rolled my eyes more than once when I saw how spoilt she could be. On the other hand, she could be immensely charming, and I noticed myself admiring her at certain points. I think it's that audacious, daring side of her that makes me like her. But, what really had me submersed in her story was the reckless and captivating romance with a very sexy jazz musician by the name of Jerome. The minute Gloria laid eyes on him, I fell flat on my face over a cliff in luff.

And Lorraine, though I couldn't completely sympathize with her, I did pity her somewhat. I mean, having a gorgeous, have-it-all best friend, a lack of self-esteem, being spurned and overlooked by the boy you've been crushing on for the longest, and bested by someone you underestimated cannot be easy. The fact that she made so many ridiculous and embarrassing attempts to get attention, made her not only appear pathetic, but all the more pitiable.Though, after putting this book down, and seeing her potential to do harm, to play the bad guy, I think she'd make a rather deadly enemy.

Reading about this trio of girls was a fast-paced, intense, and unpredictable journey, that has me wondering what Larkin is cooking up for the sequel. And because this was such a spectacular start to the series, I am more than ready to take on INGENUE.

"Forget about Lorraine. I like you, Clara. I'm smitten by you."
He touched her cheek then, and Clara leaned into his palm. She wanted so much to lose herself in his embrace...
"You have to stop thinking about me like that, Marcus. For your own good..." She went to the door, opened it, and gestured for him to leave. "I'll only cause you trouble."
He walked to her. Clara thought for a second that he was going to kiss her. But he stopped mere inches before her. "You already have." (215) *melts*

"I don't want another teacher!" She went to him. If she didn't say it now, she never would. "I want you. That is what I want. That is what I came over here to tell you."
Jerome's eyes blazed as Gloria touched his shoulder. He stroked her hair gently, tilted her face up to his. "You can't know that yet. You can't know what that means."
"Then show me," she said, pulling closer. "Show me." (291) *double melt*

Review: City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

WARNING: If you haven't read books 1 - 3 of the Mortal Instruments series, then you probably shouldn't read this review. Especially since it may contain spoilers!

C i t y o f  F a l l e n  A n g e l s by Cassandra Clare

Release Date: 4/5/11

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry
Age Group: Young Adult (14+)

Pages: 424
Series: City of Bones ; City of Ashes ; City of Glass - (Listed in consecutive order.)

Source: Own/purchased
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble (Exclusive edition!) | Book Depository | Kindle

Word Blurb: Edgier, darker, and infinitely more sexy!

"The Mortal War is over, and Clary Fray is back home in New York, excited about all the possibilities before her. She's training to become a Shadowhunter and to use her unique power. Her mother is getting married to the love of her life. Downworlders and Shadowhunters are at peace at last. And - most important of all - Clary can finally call Jace her boyfriend.

But nothing comes without a price.

Someone is murdering the Shadowhunters who used to be in Valentine's Circle, provoking tensions between Downworlders and Shadowhunters that could lead to a second bloody war. Clary's best friend, Simon, can't help her. His mother just found out that he's a vampire and how he's homeless. Everywhere he turns, someone wants him on their side - along with the power of the curse that's wrecking his life. And they're willing to do anything to get what they want. At the same time he's dating two beautiful, dangerous girls - neither of whom knows about the other.

When Jace begins to pull away from Clary without explaining why, she is forced to delve into the heart of the mystery whose solution reveals her worst nightmare: She herself has set in motion a terrible chain of events that could lead to her losing everything she loves. Even Jace.

Love. Blood. Betrayal. Revenge. The stakes are higher than ever in City of Fallen Angels." --front flap

OhmiGod!OhmiGod!OhmiGOD! Please tell me, that if you're reading this, you've read CoFA! God, I forgot how much I loved this series, loved Cassie Clare's writing. That's one of my favorite aspects - her writing style. It's addictive, descriptive without being overwhelming, and one can tell that she planned and weaved this story to perfection. Gosh, I really, really missed this series, and only just now realized it! And a myriad of emotions are swiping at me from everywhere. I don't know what to feel; all I know is that I love CoFA, probably a lot more than the last three books. (Though the first ARC of TMI is fantastic!)

I'm not going to lie. I was a little skeptical about starting up again with TMI. Mainly, because I liked that City of Glass ended the way that it did, despite the obscure loose ends Clare left untied. But, after reading CoFA, I realized that this part of the story had to be, needed to be told. Without it, the series itself would still make sense, but this... this is taking the Shadowhunter-Downworlder world to a whole new level, with tons more depth.

Again, I missed this series! I missed the characters. Jace, his arrogant sarcasm and underlying vulnerability, which he skillfully hides with massive waves of snark; Clary, sweet and relatable with spunk sprinkled on top; Simon, nerdy, super cute vampire dude and bff to Clary, whom you can't help but love (his weird humor really does me in, everytime); Isabelle, with her indifferent demeanor and wicked humor; ALEC&MAGNUS - had to put these two together - because they're adorable, funny when they fight, and pretty much my all-time favorite couple ever. (Wish there were more Alec-Magnus scenes in the series, period.) Magnus has this 'larger than life' personality, naturally flamboyant and utterly wise, and Alec is kind of sort of shy/quiet with an aura of toughness. I yearned for this cast without realizing. I don't think many have been able to successfully create such a cast of characters, so memorable, it would be hard to forget them.

And, Oh my God! the plot! You know those loose ends that I mentioned before? Yeah, somehow, Clare managed to weave them together to create this riveting storyline in which the unexpected is bound to happen. That's probably one of the qualities I love most about her writing! Her subtle and sometimes notso subtle hint-dropping... and then you end up still not figuring out the entirety of ending, of what's going to happen next. How does she do this? *shrugs* Don't have a freaking clue, but it's addicting. I began hating cliffhangers because of her. She's a master at it.

The villains... the demons.. the mysterious killings... kidnappings... Simon... and then the whole Clary-Jace, Alec-Magnus, Isabelle-Simon, and Maia-Kyle mess! And even though they defeated Valentine, it still seems like he's alive, that there are still traces of him, in that I mean, in CoFA, the Shadowhunter world still has to deal with the aftershocks of his actions. So, it's like Valentine, in a way, isn't completely gone. His influence has remained...

I always feel like, when I read these books, that I've been sucked into this never-ending movie. It plays in my head, and I watch from a distance, yet almost as if I'm part of it. I become engrossed in the surroundings, the battles, the mysteries, and the characters... Like I said, I missed Clare's work, big time. And speaking of, LOVED the name-dropping and other references to her TID prequel series, which, thankfully, I also own. I loved CLOCKWORK ANGEL, so I loved it every time a reference was made. Thing is, from past experience, there's always a reason/purpose to everything Clare writes in her novels. Including name-dropping. So, I wonder what's in store for us readers in the next two books of the series.

Love, love, love this series! Thank you, Clare, for continuing it, and delivering a fantastic fourth installment with CITY OF FALLEN ANGELS!

"'You know, some people think Shadowhunters are just myths. Like mummies and genies.' Kyle grinned at Jace. 'Can you grant wishes?'
The fact that Kyle had called Clary cute did not seem to have endeared him to Jace, whose face had tightened alarmingly. 'That depends,' he said. 'Do you wish to be punched in the face?'" (140)

"The Shadowhunter guard stepped back as the door opened, and Maryse came into the room. She was followed by two figures immediately familiar to Simon: Isabelle's brother Alec, and his boyfriend, the warlock Magnus Bane.
Alec was dressed in a sober black suit; Magnus, to Simon's surprise, was similarly dressed, with the addition of a long white silk scarf with tasseled ends and a pair of white gloves. His hair stood up like it always did, but for a change he was devoid of glitter" (249).

"'We know each other.' Mangus shrugged, very slightly, as if to say, What can you do? 'Once upon a time she was my girlfriend.'
'Your girlfriend?' Alec looked astonished. So did Maryse. Simon couldn't say he was unastonished himself. 'You dated a vampire? A girl vampire?'" (250-251)

'You can't be rude to everyone who talks to me[, Alec].'
Alec made a wide, sweeping gesture. 'And why not? Cramping your style, am I? I mean, maybe you were hoping to flirt with werewolf boy here. He's pretty attractive, if you like the messy-haired, broad-shouldered, chiseled-good-looks type...'
Magnus put his head in his hands.
'Or there are plenty of pretty girls here, since apparently your taste goes both ways. Is there anything you aren't into?'
'Mermaids,' said Magnus into his fingers. 'They always smell like seaweed' (295)...

Okay, I have to stop now.

Thanks for reading! And happy blogging!

Review: Dead Beautiful by Yvonne Woon

D e a d  B e a u t i f u l by Yvonne Woon

Release Date: 9/21/10 (Hardcover)

Publisher: Hyperion Books CH

Age Group: Young Adult (13+)

Pages: 480

Source: Public/Local Library
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Kindle
Word Blurb: Intriguing, strange, and perplexing!

Synopsis- "On the morning of her sixteenth birthday, Renée Winters was still an ordinary girl. She spent her summers at the beach, had the perfect best friend, and had just started dating the cutest guy at school. No one she'd ever known had died. But all that changes when she finds her parents dead in the Redwood Forest, in what appears to be a strange double murder.

After the funeral Renée’s wealthy grandfather sends her to Gottfried Academy, a remote and mysterious boarding school in Maine, where she finds herself studying subjects like Philosophy, Latin, and the “Crude Sciences.”

It’s there that she meets Dante Berlin, a handsome and elusive boy to whom she feels inexplicably drawn. As they grow closer, unexplainable things begin to happen, but Renée can’t stop herself from falling in love. It’s only when she discovers a dark tragedy in Gottfried’s past that she begins to wonder if the Academy is everything it seems.

Little does she know, Dante is the one hiding a dangerous secret, one that has him fearing for her life.

Dead Beautiful is both a compelling romance and thought-provoking read, bringing shocking new meaning to life, death, love, and the nature of the soul." Goodreads»»

My Thoughts: *Note: May not be spoiler-free.* So, as you can see, I've skipped the whole 'Quick Thinking' section that I normally add in in all of my blog posts. Today I've decided to do away with that, mainly because I realized it's for the readers' convenience and not an outlet for me to really express what I'm feeling. So, I just want to get down to the heart of what my reading experience was like...

Dead Beautiful truly lives up to its name... The story itself is fascinating, ingenious really! I loved learning about Gottfried Academy, the myths, the history behind its founders and the reason for its opening... Basing the story around the Latin language, referring to it as "The Dead Language" and its significance to the story was intriguing in itself... Fitting the pieces together that make up the story was a fantastic process, simply because while you thought you pieced the whole big, seemingly unsolvable mystery behind the plot, new variables and uncovered information popped up, preventing the reader from truly grasping the entirety of the puzzle before the author was ready. Woon's descriptiveness, her imagery evoked wonder and amazement, granting me a clear picture of all that surrounded Renee. But, that was where my fascination ended...

Review: Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen

L o c k  a n d  K e y

Author: Sarah Dessen (Twitter★Site)

Release Date: 4/22/08 (Hardcover)

Publisher: Penguin USA

Age Group: Young Adult (16+)

Pages:442

Source: Library (School)

Go Buy It: Amazon★Barnes&Noble

Overall Feelings: Moving, authentic, &heartwarming!
Summary: Goodreads

"[The girl] nodded at my neck. 'Your necklace. Do you sell those here?'
'Um,' I said, my hand reaching up to it, 'not really. But we do have some similar chains, and charms that you can--'
'I like the idea of the key, though,' the girl said, coming around the cart. 'It's different. And you can read it so many ways.'
'You want me to give her a key?' the guy asked.
'I want you to give her a possibility,' she told him, looking at my necklace again. 'And that's what a key represents. An open door, a chance. You know?'" (243)

---

So before Lock and Key I was completely unfamiliar with Sarah Dessen's work, oblivious to the existence of her novels. After reading this novel though, I don't think I'll ever pass up another of her novels, like ever. Lock and Key is a captivating, moving, heartfelt story of a girl trying to find her way after all the detrimental experiences she's had to endure and learn to move forward.

I have to say that I've never been a fan of novels that don't primarily focus on romance, love, and relationships, but while this aspect was secondary, it didn't take a way from the novel at all or made me want to cease reading it. Lock and Key primarily focuses on self-discovery and identity, the essence of family, and forgiveness, concepts that not only successfully held my attention but also managed to dazzle me and touch my heart in a few sensitive places.

Even though I have never gone through half of the crap Ruby went through, I still related to her somehow, which added to the book's appeal and value for me. That spectrum of feeling ranging from the loneliness and emptiness caught up inside her to the abandonment and loss she suffered through to her vivid fear to hope for a better beginning, a new and improved Ruby consistently moved me to tears throughout the novel. I didn't just feel bad for her, and I most certainly didn't pity her because she's strong, but I was heartbroken for her because no one should have to deal with all she's had to.

"Later, I'd develop my own system for dealing with my mom, learning to gauge her mood by the number of glasses or bottles already on the table when I came home...I took a few knocks as well...But it was always the singing that was the greatest indicator, the one thing that made me hesitate outside a door frame...As beautiful as her voice sounded...I knew there was potential ugliness underneath. By then, [my sister] was gone" (58).

Dessen created a wonderful, real, genuine cast of characters that I truly fell for. Cora, Ruby's sister, is one of those characters; the quiet, assessing type with a scarred but generous heart, always willing to help when aid is asked for, to be the caretaker of those in need, to be the friend that some are missing. She made a strong and effective guardian for Ruby...as did her husband Jamie, who's just the epitome of life, affection, energy, and sweetness. I couldn't help but love Jamie...he's so good, for lack of a better word, annoying and yet endearing in his optimism and caring personality.

"The next morning...when I came down for breakfast and walked right into Jamie's first wave. Four dozen roses in varying colors were arranged in vases all around the kitchen, each tied with a bow. Cora...was reading the card off of one of them...she looked kind of choked up as she tucked the card into her purse" (354).

And the thing is, never once did I find myself annoyed by Jamie. He wasn't perfect and not once while reading did I think that he oozed perfection; Jamie's just naturally that way, a loving person who just wants to make everyone happy... I also loved Harriet, Ruby's boss, is an obsessive control freak who never has time for anything but her business... she provided the novel with a ton of humor that I couldn't help but enjoy her. Another excellent addition to this novel was Ruby's new friend, the blunt, honest, and kind Olivia who told it like it was and made a great friend.

Ruby & Olivia:
"I blinked, surprised to see the girl with the braids from the parking lot who'd been running and talking on her cell phone. Up close, I could see she had deep green eyes, and her nose was pierced, a single diamond stud...'Hello?' she said. 'Do you speak?'" (67)

And while I did say that the romance in this novel was secondary compared to everything else, Ruby's relationship with Nate was crucial to her development. He was a "friend to [her] before [she] even knew what a friend was. Who picked [her] up, literally, over and over again, and never asked for anything in return..." (401). Even though Nate didn't have to endure what Ruby did, the sparkling parallelism between these two--having a tortured home life being one of the similarities--was unmistakable. However, unlike Ruby, he moves on and remains a happy guy, making him a person to treasure.

I don't think I ever realized how significant it is to have a support system, a family, that while we bicker and get angry with each other, still gets along and loves one another. I don't think I truly took the time to appreciate my family before reading Lock and Key, but after reading the diverse definitions of family Dessen incorporated in this novel, I began to think differently, which is huge, I might add, for an author's work to affect me personally. I mean after all, what is family, really?

Cora:
"...Family isn't something that's supposed to be static or set. People marry in, divorce out. They're born, they die. It's always evolving, turning into something else. Even that picture of Jamie's family was only the true representation for that one day. By the next, something had probably changed..." (287)
Ruby:
So my true family was not just my mom, lost or found; my dad, gone from the start; and Cora, the only one who had really been there all along. It was Jamie, who took me in without question and gave me a future I once couldn't even imagine; Olivia, who did question, but also gave me answers; Harriet, who, like me, believed she needed no one and discovered otherwise. And then there was Nate" (401).

I loved every moment of Dessen's Lock and Key, couldn't get enough of it actually, and I'm sad that it finally came to a close. But what a magnificent ending it was! The ending was just a downright spectacular one, an ending that left hope for the future...

With this wonderful first taste of Sarah Desson's work, I'm pining for more, so I'm going to make certain that I keep up with her new releases and check out as many of her novels as I can get my hands on! Be sure to read Lock and Key when you can, especially if you're looking for a powerful, moving read...


Thanks for reading!

Pegasus by Robin McKinley

P e g a s u s

Author: Robin McKinley (Blog★Site)

Release Date: 11/2/10 (Hardcover)

Publisher: Putnam Juvenile

Age Group: Anyone

Pages: 404

Source: Library (Local)

Go Buy It: Amazon★Barnes&Noble
★BookDepository

Overall Feelings: Painfully slow!
Summary: Goodreads

"...the Great Gate was opening and her pegasus was entering. Her pegasus...For a moment all the words of the ritual that Sylvi had memorised drained away, leaving her mind a blank. She saw a tall black shape pacing down the length of the Great Court beside the pegasus king, almost as tall as he, but still slightly too long for its body...She stepped forward to meet it...The young black pegasus reached the top of the steps and danced forward, lowering its head to look into her eyes, the wings half-opening toward her..." (57)

---

It's never easy for me to get into an incredibly slow novel. I need action and not at a slow pace. I like getting to know the author's world, but more as a background kind of thing, not so much where learning takes up much of the novel...

With Pegasus, the transition from plot point to point was agonizingly slow. I found myself ready to scream several times at this novel, "Hurry up already! Where's the action?! Why is this taking so long?!" It made me lose interest in it quickly. I just couldn't get into it, which was highly disappointing as I had hoped to really like this book.

I have to say though, that despite my immense dislike of the pace, I adored Ebon and Sylvi. Their relationship is so spectacular...I remember wishing several times that I had a pegasus to be that close to. From the moment they met, this pair managed to be comical and amusing, as well as genuine and affectionate, a combo I was charmed by. It was fascinating to watch their bond evolve, witnessing their odd and intriguing mind-speak. They had an understanding, a friendship that goes beyond what words I can think of.

Sylvi & Ebon:
"...I know a lot about you. You ask too many questions and you can't sit still, and you're always showing up in your father's office at the wrong time, so you know more than you should. I thought maybe it wouldn't be too bad to have a girl if she was another nosy fidget, like me. You're shorter than I was expecting though.
Sylvi felt her face grow hot. Her height was a tender subject, and here was this pegasus looming over her" (58)

As far as other characters in this novel...there were none that truly stood out. I felt like since the novel was so focused on Ebon and Sylvi, the growing threat of their relationship against the very people who strive to keep them apart, and the politics of the Alliance and the Pegasai-human nation, there wasn't enough spotlight on many of the other characters. I just barely scratched the surface with most of them, which is upsetting since I could see myself really liking several of the other characters.

The problems of the novel were legitimate, worrisome obstacles for sure.  There was this constant tension surrounding much of the plot, as Sylvi and Ebon's closeness is so odd and uncommon many people are frightened, as is the way of people. But, sadly, I didn't get too much relief from that, the tension I mentioned.

There were some aspects of the novel that incited wonder... the Pegasai land, the Caves where they reside, the wondrous art they create...so that was a bonus. I also liked that Sylvi and Ebon weren't just limited to strolling and walking but flying also. Parts featuring their expeditions in the sky rocked, especially after they flied together for the first time...that scenes was actually moving for me.

Sylvi & Ebon:
Ebon, who had also fallen, was already up and giving himself a vigorous shake when she staggered to her feet again. Are you in one piece still? Are you all right? he said, leaving off shaking and coming toward her; and a laugh burst out of her as suddenly as she had burst into tears when he had said he would take her flying. Yes. No. But not from falling. Tonight was the most--
Words failed her, and she went up to him and put her arms round his neck, and rester her face against his hot sweaty shoulder. She felt his nose in her hair, and then his teeth gently gripped a lock of it, and tugged even more gently, which she would learn was a pegasus caress, like a human kiss (88).

The ending was definitely a devastating one, particularly for this loving duo. And it definitely implies another novel, which I don't think I'll read (I may though, for Sylvi and Ebon) This novel was okay; I did like some things about it. But for the most part, I can't say that I enjoyed Pegasus. It took me too long to finish it and I found myself wondering when it would be over... But *shrugs* find out for yourself and go check it out!

Thanks for reading!

Review: Incarceron by Catherine Fisher

So sorry for taking so long to get this review up, but with this passed Thanksgiving weekend being so hectic, I barely had time to sit down and read...

---

Incarceron

Author: Catherine Fisher (Site★Facebook)

Release Date: 1/26/10 (Hardcover)

Publisher: Dial Publishing

Age Group: Young Adult (13+)

Pages: 442

Source: Public Library (Schooll)

Go Buy It: Amazon★Barnes&Noble
★BookDepository

Overall Feelings: Immensely creative and unique!

"To free herself from an upcoming arranged marriage, Claudia, the daughter of the Warden of Incarceron, a futuristic prison with a mind of its own, decides to help a young prisoner escape." (1)

---

(Goodreads) Incarceron was definitely an intriguing, bizarre read filled with constant action, a dazzling adventure, and a strange, perplexing mystery behind it all. It's a fast-paced, intense novel that kept me on my toes from start to finish.

Honestly, I had absolutely no idea what this novel was really about, besides what I had already read about it (summaries, descriptions, and so forth). But, I truly was not expecting such a fierce, consuming story line. As soon as I opened to the first chapter, I was instantly thrust into this huge, hazardous scene that I was completely unprepared for. It was so deliciously confusing and scary; I felt like I was apart of the mass chaos going on. There was a lot of pretense in this novel as well, coming from all directions; I never knew who to trust, what was real and what wasn't. Suspicion tagged along with me as I read.

As for the characters...I liked them, but I didn't love them, and here's why: I couldn't really relate to any of them, which is understandable since I've never been in situations remotely similar to those faced by the characters, HOWEVER I just couldn't get them all. Then, to add to that, I didn't feel as though I got to know any of them, really know them. Even as they switched third person POVs between Claudia, the daughter of the Warden of the prison Incarceron, and Finn, a significant prisoner living inside Incarceron, I didn't unearth anything pertaining to their personality, their inner core. And that's imperative to me.

Besides that, I delighted in Fisher's diverse collection of characters in the novel. There's Finn the Starseer, a boy with dreams of going Outside, who has peculiar visions and dreams, and is adamant about Escaping; Claudia, the stubborn, reckless daughter of the Warden, who is being forced into an arranged marriage as a way for her family to gain power; Gildas, the Escape-obsessed, healing Sapient accompanying Finn on his quest for freedom; Keiro, Finn's oath brother and an arrogant, narcissistic thief also tagging along with Finn; Attia, an erratic, dedicated girl who sticks by Finn's side as a servant; John, or the Warden of Incarceron, the cold, grave, power-hungry father of Claudia who's incredibly successful at creeping me out; Jared, Claudia's loyal, intelligent Sapient tutor who backs her up in all her unusual ploys; and the mystical, mysterious Sapphique, supposedly the only known man to ever escape Incarceron. They make an excellent cast for this special, unique novel.

My only real complaint with this novel is it's lack of comic relief. Incarceron is very...serious, for lack of a better word, than most books and I hardly, if ever, had a chance to laugh when reading it. Even in crucial, dangerous, life-and-death situations, I think it's important to have those few moments randomly yet strategically placed in a novel designed to make the reader relax and perhaps laugh a little. I didn't get that, at all. By the time I finished, I was so wound up and tense. And, in a way, I guess this goes back to not really knowing the characters and not loving them...Maybe if there'd been a little dose of humor, I would have favored the characters more. *shrugs*

But, Incarceron served as an entertaining, intense read that I didn't put down until I got to page four hundred and forty-two. I definitely recommend reading this fascinating, uncommon novel.

Thanks for reading!

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Be sure to check out Fisher's next book in this series...

Sapphique

(to-be-released: 12/28/10)