Book Review: The Iron Daughter (Iron Fey #2) by Julie Kagawa

Summary:

Half Summer faery princess, half human, Meghan has never fit in anywhere. Deserted by the Winter prince she thought loved her, she is prisoner to the Winter faery queen. As war looms between Summer and Winter, Meghan knows that the real danger comes from the Iron Fey, iron-bound faeries that only she and her absent prince have seen. But no one believes her. Worse, Meghan's own fey powers have been cut off. She's alone in Faery with only her wits for help. Trusting anyone would be foolish. Trusting a seeming traitor could be deadly. But even as she grows a backbone of iron, Meghan can't help but hear the whispers of longing in her all-too-human heart.

Release Date:  August 1, 2010
Publisher:  Harlequin
Age Group:  Young Adult
Pages:  368

Review:

After reading and loving The Iron King, I didn't think The Iron Daughter would stand up to  the characters, plot, pace, and imagery in The Iron King.  I was afraid the dreaded "slow second book in a trilogy" phenomenon would be at play here.  Once again, I'm so happy to be wrong!  The Iron Daughter was outstanding.  Books like this are why I read YA. 

I had one complaint about The Iron King and that was that the love story between Ash and Meghan felt rushed.  I won't spoil the plot of The Iron Daughter but let me say that I no longer have that complaint.  The romantic tension between Ash, Meghan and Puck is so thick you could cut it with a knife.  Meghan does make a decision between the two fey in The Iron Daughter so we don't have to wait for The Iron Queen (coming February 2011) for that part of the story to be resolved.  But wait, this is Julie Kagawa we're talking about.  She may shock us all and change everything! 

This series has it all: love, betrayal, discovering a new world with its own rules, a delicious love triangle, action, plot twists, and the protagonist finding her identity. I would recommend this series to anyone, not just YA, paranormal, or faery tale fans.

Just One Gripe:

I predicted a couple of the plot themes.  This was overshadowed by the fact that I did not predict several major plot twists.

The Best Thing About This Book:

Kagawa's faery world is so unique.  It's unlike any other I've ever read.

Appropriate for a younger audience:

Yes---although the ending left me wishing for an "Isle of Esme" chapter.  For all of you non-Twilight fans, that's where Bella and Edward spent their steamy honeymoon.

Score:

Characters: 5/5

Plot: 4/5

Setting/Imagery: 5/5

Originality: 5/5

Ending: 5/5

Total Score:  24/25

 

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an impartial review.

TV Tuesday

TV Tuesday is a meme created by Mystee that I loved! I work, have kids and love to be on the go so my schedule doesn't always allow for my reading list to change each week. But what does change week to week are the different TV episodes and movies that I watch. Typically I like the paranormal, sci-fi, lovey-dovey, teen drama and action packed entertainment, so I can promise there will be variety. I am going to post my reviews of some of the entertainment that I watch, whether impressed or not. So without further adieu here is what is on my TV plate for this week...

What a PERFECT day to begin... ECLIPSE is finally here and I will be there at midnight tonight with all the screaming little girls :) 

I already know that I am going to love it and that I will be back to watch it with my hubby this weekend (yes he goes but I can't wear my "Bite Me" shirt). No big Eclipse Party planned for tonight but there will be one later in the month (look for pictures).

There are several ABC family shows that I follow but this week I watched the new series Pretty Little Liars and was sadly disappointed. I was really excited about this series because of all the "talk" but it was just unimpressive. It reminds me of a drawn out I Know What you Did Last Summer kind of feel. I also watched the first season and the first few episodes of The Secret Life of the American Teenager. I think I like the drama of all these sex crazed kids and can't believe all the sexual freedom they feel they are entitled. Both of these shows are on ABC Family (yes ABC Family not HBO or Showtime) and they are both totally inappropriate for young audiences, sometimes I feel like they are inappropriate for adults.

 

I have always been a X Files fan so Supernatural (on the CW) easily drew me in! I am in the 5th Season now and it is getting more and more paranormal to say the least. There are lots of Angels and demons and the devil in this season so if religious themes bother you, skip this season.  I am in the 11th episode of the total 22 this season. 
  

***And the best surprise of the day... our beloved Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead is going to be made into a movie! Click here for the announcement!***

Book Review: Trickster's Girl by Hilari Bell

Summary:

In the year 2098 America isn't so different from the USA of today. But, in a post-9/11 security-obssessed world, "secured" doesn't just refer to borders between countries, it also refer to borders between states. Teenagers still think they know everything, but there is no cure for cancer, as Kelsa knows first-hand from watching her father die.

The night Kelsa buries her father, a boy appears. He claims magic is responsible for the health of Earth, but human damage disrupts its flow. The planet is dying.

Kelsa has the power to reverse the damage, but first she must accept that magic exists and see beyond her own pain in order to heal the planet.

 

Release Date:  January 3, 2011
Publisher:  Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Age Group:  Young Adult
Pages:  288


Review:

Trickster's Girl was unlike anything I've ever read before.  The story is set in the United States, in the future.  The futuristic setting with the accompanying electronics reminded me of Scott Westerfeld's Uglies series.  I enjoy reading stories set in the future.  The story is heavy on dialogue, which I'm not a fan of.  There is; however, a lot of descriptive narration about nature:  Kelsa and Raven are traveling across the northern US to heal the ley lines and reverse the damage a tree plague has caused around the world.  This story did not end how I predicted it would---but that was a good thing.  I love to be surprised! 


Trickster's Girl is heavy into action, nature, and magic.  Kelsa is running for her life for a lot of the book, which makes the story move quickly.  Readers looking for a typical YA love story will be disappointed.  This was a good read, but not one of my personal favorites.  Fans of the Uglies series, The Hunger Games, and the Harry Potter series will like this one.  I will definitely read more by Hilari Bell in the future.

Just One Gripe:

The ending was not in line with Kelsa's true nature, in my opinion.

The Best Thing About This Book:

I liked the way Bell does not conform to the typical YA plot.

Appropriate for a younger audience:

Yes

Score:

Characters:  3/5

Plot:  3/5

Setting/Imagery:  3/5

Originality:  4/5

Ending:  2/5

Total Score:  15/25

 

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an impartial review.

Book Review: Dark Flame (The Immortals #4) by Alyson Noel

Summary:

At the start of this mesmerizing new installment of the Immortals series, Ever is helping her friend Haven transition into life as an immortal. But with Haven drunk on her new powers and carelessly putting them all at risk, their friendship becomes more and more strained. At the same time, Ever delves deeper into magick in order to get control over her enemy Roman and free Damen from his power. But when the spell she casts on Roman backfires, she’s bound to her deadliest enemy. Frantic to reverse the spell the moment the moon enters a new phase, she finds her efforts are fruitless—there’s a strange, foreign pulse coursing through her, one that propels her toward Roman. Desperate to break free of this terrible curse before Damen or the twins can discover what she’s done, she turns to Jude and delves deeper and deeper into dark magick, ultimately risking everything she knows and loves—including Damen.

Review:

Alyson Noel has done it again!  Dark Flame was every bit as good as Evermore and Blue Moon, if not better.  I was somewhat disappointed reading Shadowland and I was worried Dark Flame would be on the same level.  I'm not saying that Shadowland was bad, it was just an okay read to me---not nearly as good as the first two books in the series.  Shadowland felt a little flat...the  slowest book in the series, in my opinion.


I am so happy to be proved wrong!  The same hypnotic writing, intense relationships, and plot twists that I loved in Evermore are at play here.  I want to say more but don't want to include spoilers.  If you were afraid of being turned off to The Immortals series by Shadowland, like I was, make no mistake about it:  Dark Flame signals the return of this series to must-read status.

According to Alyson Noel's website, book five in the series, Night Star, is coming out November 16, 2010. I really like how Noel is releasing her books so quickly.  It's wonderful not having to wait a year or more to find out what happens next!

Just One Gripe:

I like when you can find the title of a book somewhere in its content.  I start to get somewhat perturbed when the author throws the title in multiple times.  I think we read about the dark flame inside of Ever at least six, if not more, times. 

The Best Thing About This Book:

I love the immortals premise.  It's unique and very well executed.

Appropriate for a younger audience:

Yes

Score:

Characters:  4/5

Plot:  4/5

Setting/Imagery:  4/5

Originality:  5/5

Ending:  3/5

Total Score:  20/25

In My Mailbox (6/27/10)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren.  IMM is a great way to meet new people and I love seeing what other bloggers are reading!   

This was a great week here at I'd So Rather Be Reading!  Two huge things happened; first, a friend of my husband's gave me her Kindle that she didn't like---a brand new Kindle for free!  I've been wanting one really badly and I love it so far!

The second great thing is that we found out that I've been quoted on two author websites:  April Maley's website (I Will Not Be Silent) and Sylvia Dickey Smith's website (Dance on His Grave, Dead Wreckoning)!  I don't want to toot my own horn, as my mom would say, but I was so excited about being quoted that I had to share it!  Thank you so much to both authors; we are so honored!  Okay, I just realized that every sentence so far ends with an exclamation point.  I'm going to try to tone it down now. 

In addition to the Kindle and quotes, I got some books that I'm really excited about:

Annette Laing sent me the first book in the Snipesville Chronicles:  Don't Know Where, Don't Know When. 

I bought the fourth installment in the Immortals Series by Alyson Noel, Dark Flame.  

I'm branching out!  I received in the mail two works of poetry by EJ Stevens, which were wrapped up beautifully like a present.  I should have taken a picture of them before I opened the package but I ripped it open without thinking.  Impatient me!  Look for my reviews of In The Shadows and Shadows of Myth and Legend soon.

Lastly, I got another book in for review:  Cleo by Helen Brown.  I'm going to be part of a blog tour for Cleo including reviews, giveaways, and guest posts starting August 31st.  Look for my review of Cleo then!

Thank you for stopping by I'd So Rather Be Reading!  Don't forget to sign up for our contests (click the links to sign up).  We have three giveaways ending June 30th:  an autographed copy of I Will Not Be Silent, Twilight tees in honor of the Eclipse movie, and a $60.00 gift card to CSN Online Stores.  I hope you have a great week and happy reading!

Book Review: Blue Moon (The Immortals #2) by Alyson Noel

Summary:

Eager to learn everything she can about her new abilities as an Immortal, Ever turns to her beloved Damen to show her the way. But just as her powers are increasing, Damen’s are waning. In an attempt to save him, Ever travels to the magical dimension of Summerland, where she learns the secrets of Damen’s tortured past; a past which he has always kept hidden from her. But in her quest to cure Damen, Ever discovers an ancient text that details the workings of time. Now Ever must chose between turning back the past and saving her family from the accident that claimed their lives—or staying in the present and saving Damen, who grows sicker every day...

Review:

This was a great follow-up novel to Evermore.  The dreaded "second-novel" syndrome (where the second book in a series falls flat compared to the first) does not occur here! 

The development of Ever going to Summerland was very cool.  The plot twists were unexpected and made the story compulsively readable.  There is great character develpment with Ever's friends.  I really enjoy reading about Haden and Miles.  Alyson Noel is doing a great job with this series.

Just One Gripe:

I was so exasperated with Ever at the end of Blue Moon.  She makes such a dumb decision!

The Best Thing About This Book:

The plot twists.

Appropriate for a younger audience:

Yes

Score:

Characters:  4/5

Plot:  4/5

Setting/Imagery:  4/5

Originality:  5/5

Ending:  3/5

Total Score:  20/25

Book Review: Evermore (The Immortals #1) by Alyson Noel

Summary:

Since a horrible accident claimed the lives of her family, sixteen-year-old Ever can see auras, hear people’s thoughts, and know a person’s life story by touch. Going out of her way to shield herself from human contact to suppress her abilities has branded her as a freak at her new high school—but everything changes when she meets Damen Auguste…

Ever sees Damen and feels an instant recognition. He is gorgeous, exotic and wealthy, and he holds many secrets. Damen is able to make things appear and disappear, he always seems to know what she’s thinking—and he’s the only one who can silence the noise and the random energy in her head. She doesn’t know who he really is—or what he is. Damen equal parts light and darkness, and he belongs to an enchanted new world where no one ever dies.

Review:

I enjoyed this book so much!  I read it in one sitting--I just couldn't stop once I started.  I really liked Ever and thought her mind-reading and aura-reading abilities were so unique.  I liked the development of her relationship with Damen, and I had fun figuring out what Damen was right along with her. 

Just One Gripe:

I had a hard time adjusting to Ever's name.  It threw me off for a while.

The Best Thing About This Book: 
It was so unique.

Appropriate for a younger audience:

Yes

Score:

Characters:  4/5

Plot:  3/5

Setting/Imagery:  4/5

Originality:  4/5

Ending:  4/5

Total Score:  19/25

Book Review: Wildthorn by Jane Eagland

Summary:

Seventeen-year-old Louisa Cosgrove longs to break free from her respectable life as a Victorian doctor's daughter. But her dreams become a nightmare when Louisa is sent to Wildthorn Hall: labeled a lunatic, deprived of her liberty and even her real name. As she unravels the betrayals that led to her incarceration, she realizes there are many kinds of prison. She must be honest with herself - and others - in order to be set free. And love may be the key...

Release Date:  September 6, 2010
Publisher:  Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Age Group:  Young Adult
Pages:  358


Review:

This was a very good read.  I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it---I'm so into the paranormal genre right now that I think I can be a little hard on non-paranormal books.  The story switches from the present day (Louisa in the asylum) and flashbacks (Louisa in her childhood up to the present day).  I don't usually like books with lots of flashbacks like that but it really worked here.


Jane Eagland has written a story that addresses many different themes: coming of age, breaking free of society's expectations, finding yourself, finding love, familial relationships, and jealousy.  There are a couple of nice plot twists which kept the story interesting.  I felt so badly for Louisa---it seems like everything that could possibly go wrong, does go wrong for her.  I want to say more here but won't because I don't want to spoil the story.  Let me just say that Wildthorn was thoroughly enjoyable, entertaining, and compelling.  I couldn't stop until I finished this one---I cared about Louisa that much!

Just One Gripe:

The writing felt a little simple at times.

The Best Thing About This Book:

The twist on the usual YA plot.

Appropriate for a younger audience:

Yes

Score:

Characters:  4/5

Plot:  4/5

Setting/Imagery:  3/5

Originality:  4/5

Ending:  5/5

Total Score:  20/25

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an impartial review.

Book Review: Shamra Divided by Barry Hoffman

Summary:

In Shamra Divided Dara, leader of the resistance movement that overthrew her country's oppressors, learns why she looks and acts different than most other Shamra and why it was her destiny to one day save her people. While learning about her heritage she is also attacked by what will become her most powerful enemy, Chaos. Dormant for 170 years Chaos reappears intent on destroying civilizations from within and killing Dara whom he fears. An action-packed adventure full of heroics, sacrifice and betrayal. In Dara and her ancestors Shamra Divided provides strong and complex females that adolescents and teens can relate to.

Review:

This is the kind of book that I would imagine has a cult following.  Unfortunately, I'm not one of the followers.  I read 100 pages of Shamra Divided before giving up.  I just could not get into the story.  Shamra Divided is a fantasy novel featuring a humanoid-type race called Shamra fighting to survive.  They battle an enemy race called the Kimra.  Shamra Divided is full of warriors, battles, prophets, spirits, fighting, and more fighting.  I'm not a fan of extended fighting scenes.  I can appreciate what Barry Hoffman is doing with his world and characters, but this book just wasn't for me.

Score:

Shamra Divided gets one star since I stopped after 100 pages.

Did Not Finish

 
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an impartial review.

Book Review: Rococo by Adriana Trigiani

Summary:

Bartolomeo di Crespi is the acclaimed interior decorator of Our Lady of Fatima, New Jersey. To date, Bartolomeo has hand-selected every chandelier, sconce, and ottoman in OLOF, so when the renovation of the local church is scheduled, he assumes there is only one man for the job.

From the dazzling shores of New Jersey to the legendary fabric houses of New York City, from the prickly purveyors of fine art in London to luscious Santa Margherita on the Mediterranean coast of Italy, Bartolomeo is on a mission to bring talent, sophistication, and his aesthetic vision to his hometown.

Review:

I know, I know.  I said in my In My Mailbox post last week that I was going to save Rococo for later, since I've been reading a lot of Adriana Trigiani lately and I want to make her books last.  But, I have no self-control.  That is why I read compulsively!  I just couldn't return Rococo to the library without reading it.


I love all things Adriana Trigiani so I was shocked that I didn't like Rococo more than I did.  I had a hard time getting into the book---it wasn't until I was about halfway through that I started to care about Bartolomeo.  And even then I liked his family and friends more than him, especially Capri and Christina.  Whereas Trigiani's other books have at least two laugh-out-loud moments, Rococo did not.  I may have cracked a smile a couple of times but that was all.


I love books written in the first person, but I just don't like books written from a male point of view.  Especially a man who is callous about sex and relationships.  I think another reason why Rococo didn't appeal to me like Big Stone Gap or Very Valentine is that I am not interested in interior design.  I enjoyed reading about family, shoes, Italian cooking, love, and relationships (all featured in her other books) but I just didn't enjoy reading about fabrics, murals, stonework, and sculptures.  Call me uncultured, but I don't know a fresco from a fritatta.  And I'm perfectly fine keeping it that way.


Just One Gripe:

This was not a bad book, it just wasn'nt on the same level as Trigiani's other work.  If you're new to Trigiani, don't start with Rococo.

The Best Thing About This Book:

I love Trigiani's side characters.  They add so much to her books.

Appropriate for a younger audience:

Yes

Score:

Characters:  2/5

Plot:  2/5

Setting/Imagery:  4/5

Originality:  2/5

Ending:  3/5

Total Score:  13/25

Blog Hop (6/25/10)

This is our second week joining the Blog Hop hosted by Crazy For Books!

We love meeting new people, checking up on friends, and finding new blogs to follow!  We also love Crazy for Books---we're crazy for books too, in case you haven't noticed!

If you're here from the blog hop, please stay and browse. We have three giveaways including an autographed copy of I Will Not Be Silent, Eclipse tees, and a $60.00 gift card to CSN online stores!  All giveaways are open until June 30th, winners announced July 1st.  Sign up here! 

Book Review: Winter's Passage (Iron Fey #1.5) by Julie Kagawa

Summary:

Meghan Chase used to be an ordinary girl...until she discovered that she is really a faery princess. After escaping from the clutches of the deadly Iron fey, Meghan must follow through on her promise to return to the equally dangerous Winter Court with her forbidden love, Prince Ash. But first, Meghan has one request: that they visit Puck--Meghan's best friend and servant of her father, King Oberon--who was gravely injured defending Meghan from the Iron Fey.

Yet Meghan and Ash's detour does not go unnoticed. They have caught the attention of an ancient, powerful hunter--a foe that even Ash may not be able to defeat....

 

Review:

I'm not usually a fan of short stories/novellas.  They just aren't enough to satisfy me (click the links to read about my disillusionment with the Bree Tanner book and the Sookie Stackhouse short stories). 


Winter's Passage exceeded my expectations.  The story picks right up where The Iron King left off, with Ash and Meghan traveling from her home to The Winter Court.  I liked Winter's Passage because we get to spend more time with Ash and there is some nice relationship development between he and Meghan.  Is it as good as The Iron King?  No.  It's more of a teaser to get you ready for The Iron Daughter.  Don't read Winter's Passage before you read The Iron King, or you'll spoil it for yourself. 


Read Winter's Passage for free here.

Just One Gripe:

The wolf, and how Meghan referred to him, was a little bit cheesy to me.

The Best Thing About This Book:

The imagery.

Appropriate for a younger audience:

Yes

Score:

Characters:  3/5

Plot:  3/5

Setting/Imagery:  5/5

Originality:  3/5

Ending:  4/5

Total Score:  18/25

Author Interview: CP Stewart (Through The Triangle)

Today I am so happy to post my interview with CP Stewart, author of the sci-fi thriller Through the Triangle.  For a summary and review of Through the Triangle, click here.

1. When did you decide to start writing?

I had been kicking the premise of Through the Triangle around in my head for decades, but didn’t seriously get started until 2004. I wrote only sporadically for the first few years, just to get the story down on paper and see where it would lead. Once the story was basically complete, only then did I consider pursuing publication.

2. How did you come to write about the Bermuda Triangle?

Unexplained phenomena attract my interest much like metal to a magnet. My background of teaching physics provided me with some possible explanations of the occurrences in the Devil’s Triangle. Stop to think what the people that disappeared without a trace experienced … that’s what I tried to envision and depict in the pages of Through the Triangle.

3. Can you tell us about the research you did while writing Through the Triangle?

I researched Coast Guard facilities along the southeastern Florida coast and their basic procedures. I also researched the writings of several physicists on the topic of time travel, and its viability.

4. Did you have any input on the cover of your book?

I basically designed the title passing through the triangle and the publisher provided the rest.

5. What's next for you?

I had started a crime/horror novel, but set it aside to write a sequel, which is approximately one-sixth done. I also have a third book in the sequence outlined, so this could possibly turn into a trilogy … a triangle trilogy, so to speak.

 

Thank you so much for your time, Mr. Stewart, and we look forward to your next book!