The Forsaken by Lisa M. Stasse on Goodreads.com
The Forsaken by Lisa M. Stasse on Amazon.com
I received this book for free through the Goodreads.com First Reads program.
Alenna Shawcross is mandated to a correctional facility for a crime she has not committed--yet. She is sent to the Wheel, a prison island, more or less. She must determine which faction on the island garners her allegiance and then she has to prove herself to those people.
It seems to me this book is an odd pairing of The Hunger Games and The Lord of the Flies. While I was encouraged by the storyline to keep reading, there were still places that gave me pause. The characters could have been more fleshed out. In fact I think that's my entire problem with the book, the plot is amazing but I needed something more from the main characters.
3/5
Friday, June 29, 2012
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Review of Bayou Myth
Bayou Myth by Mary Ann Loesch on Amazon.com
Bayou Myth on Goodreads.com
I received this book for free from the Goodreads.com First-Reads program.
Joan Renault is a 16 year old girl with typical teenage girl problems--and a few that are not. She has boy problems, best friend problems, and school problems, but she also carries more than her fair share of the weight of the world on her shoulders. She is in training to be the next great voodoo priestess by her grandmere Marie Laveau, Louisiana's most famous voodoo priestess, who has been dead for over 100 years.
Joan's ex-best friend, Ana, sets off a series of very unfortunate events when she attempts to brew a voodoo potion and accidentally drops in a book on Greek mythology. Soon after, there are re-enactments of these myths all over town, precipitating disastrous results. Joan must figure out a way to safely dispose of this potion, defeat the evil spirits, protect her best friend Dave and her family, and survive high school.
I was thoroughly impressed with this novel by Ms. Loesch. It was gripping from beginning to end and very difficult to put down. The characters were nicely rounded out and the plot line, while seeming odd at first with its pairing of voodoo and Greek mythology, was pure genius. There were some grammatical errors and typos, but they did not hinder the story in any way.
Ms. Loesch is an author to watch, and I am eagerly anticipating more from her.
Bayou Myth on Goodreads.com
I received this book for free from the Goodreads.com First-Reads program.
Joan Renault is a 16 year old girl with typical teenage girl problems--and a few that are not. She has boy problems, best friend problems, and school problems, but she also carries more than her fair share of the weight of the world on her shoulders. She is in training to be the next great voodoo priestess by her grandmere Marie Laveau, Louisiana's most famous voodoo priestess, who has been dead for over 100 years.
Joan's ex-best friend, Ana, sets off a series of very unfortunate events when she attempts to brew a voodoo potion and accidentally drops in a book on Greek mythology. Soon after, there are re-enactments of these myths all over town, precipitating disastrous results. Joan must figure out a way to safely dispose of this potion, defeat the evil spirits, protect her best friend Dave and her family, and survive high school.
I was thoroughly impressed with this novel by Ms. Loesch. It was gripping from beginning to end and very difficult to put down. The characters were nicely rounded out and the plot line, while seeming odd at first with its pairing of voodoo and Greek mythology, was pure genius. There were some grammatical errors and typos, but they did not hinder the story in any way.
Ms. Loesch is an author to watch, and I am eagerly anticipating more from her.
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Review of Forbidden
Forbidden by Amy Miles on Amazon.com
Forbidden is an interesting take on the vampire myth and is more old-school vampire style. Roseline Dragomir Enescue has been married against her will to her husband Vladimir for over 300 years. Made Immortal at the age of 17 by Vladimir on their wedding night in a blood bath, Roseline has always dreamed of escaping him. She took a chance and fled Romania for Chicago. There Roseline forged unlikely friendships with Sadie and her brother William. She also falls in love with Gabriel, a human boy who may be more than he seems.
When Fane, Roseline's best friend from Romania, comes to the states to take Roseline back, Gabriel, Sadie, William, and Nicolae, a foreign exchange student/vampire hunter, rush to Romania after her. Will they get there in time to save her? Do they even stand a chance?
After reading The Historian years ago, I did some research into the real Dracula (not really a vampire at all, but very bloodthirsty). Ms. Miles takes some of those stories and myths and blends them into a new and engaging vampire tale. If you are looking for a new take on the overrun vampire genre, I cannot recommend this novel highly enough.
Forbidden is an interesting take on the vampire myth and is more old-school vampire style. Roseline Dragomir Enescue has been married against her will to her husband Vladimir for over 300 years. Made Immortal at the age of 17 by Vladimir on their wedding night in a blood bath, Roseline has always dreamed of escaping him. She took a chance and fled Romania for Chicago. There Roseline forged unlikely friendships with Sadie and her brother William. She also falls in love with Gabriel, a human boy who may be more than he seems.
When Fane, Roseline's best friend from Romania, comes to the states to take Roseline back, Gabriel, Sadie, William, and Nicolae, a foreign exchange student/vampire hunter, rush to Romania after her. Will they get there in time to save her? Do they even stand a chance?
After reading The Historian years ago, I did some research into the real Dracula (not really a vampire at all, but very bloodthirsty). Ms. Miles takes some of those stories and myths and blends them into a new and engaging vampire tale. If you are looking for a new take on the overrun vampire genre, I cannot recommend this novel highly enough.
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Review of Emotionally Charged
Emotionally Charged by Selina Fenech on Amazon.com
After an earthquake, Livvy discovers that she is an empath and can gain power from other people’s strong emotions. Then she is discovered by a group of teenagers like her. They live an extravagant life taking what they want from other people, particularly after natural disasters when emotions run high. Livvy must decide what kind of life she wants to lead and whether or not she can use her powers for good.
This is an incredibly fast read. I find the premise to be quite interesting, but I’m afraid that this is just the bare bones of a novel. I think that if the writer had taken time to flesh out the story and the characters more, there would be something more substantial here.
3/5
After an earthquake, Livvy discovers that she is an empath and can gain power from other people’s strong emotions. Then she is discovered by a group of teenagers like her. They live an extravagant life taking what they want from other people, particularly after natural disasters when emotions run high. Livvy must decide what kind of life she wants to lead and whether or not she can use her powers for good.
This is an incredibly fast read. I find the premise to be quite interesting, but I’m afraid that this is just the bare bones of a novel. I think that if the writer had taken time to flesh out the story and the characters more, there would be something more substantial here.
3/5
Friday, June 15, 2012
Review of Murder of Crows
Murder of Crows by Athena on Amazon.com
Murder of Crows by Athena on Goodreads.com
Fable Montgomery is a Muse. She lives in two worlds, ours and a place called Aria, although the latter comes as a shock even to her. Aria is comprised of fantastical creatures, most an interesting combination of human and animal.
Fable writes a story while in a trance. As soon as she finishes writing it, the events of the story start to take place in the real world, beginning with the loss of the story with the exception of thirteen pages. So begins the real heart of the story, as Fable must find a way to cheat her death as foretold at the end of her story and learn who she really is.
I absolutely loved this book. It reminded me a lot of Charles de Lint, who is one of my favorite writers. It is an epic story that sucked me in from the very beginning. Honestly, I can't believe that this is the author's first published novel---evidence that she has honed her craft well. There were a few typos and grammatical errors, but they are negligible and do not hinder the story in any way.
I am looking forward to reading more from this author and I can't wait to see what happens next!
I highly recommend this novel to anyone, especially lovers of Charles de Lint and epic urban fantasy.
5/5
Murder of Crows by Athena on Goodreads.com
Fable Montgomery is a Muse. She lives in two worlds, ours and a place called Aria, although the latter comes as a shock even to her. Aria is comprised of fantastical creatures, most an interesting combination of human and animal.
Fable writes a story while in a trance. As soon as she finishes writing it, the events of the story start to take place in the real world, beginning with the loss of the story with the exception of thirteen pages. So begins the real heart of the story, as Fable must find a way to cheat her death as foretold at the end of her story and learn who she really is.
I absolutely loved this book. It reminded me a lot of Charles de Lint, who is one of my favorite writers. It is an epic story that sucked me in from the very beginning. Honestly, I can't believe that this is the author's first published novel---evidence that she has honed her craft well. There were a few typos and grammatical errors, but they are negligible and do not hinder the story in any way.
I am looking forward to reading more from this author and I can't wait to see what happens next!
I highly recommend this novel to anyone, especially lovers of Charles de Lint and epic urban fantasy.
5/5
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Review of Bloodstone
Bloodstone by Barbara Annino on Amazon.com
Stacy Justice and the Geraghty Girls are back! The second installment in this tale involves the Seeker of Justice (3 guesses as to whom that is), the Warrior, and the Guardian. These three people are sworn by the
Council to protect the first page of the Ballymote book.
In this book we meet some new characters, Ivy, Mr. Sayer, John and Deidre, and more. We also get to learn a little more about some of our favorite characters from the first book, including Stacy and the Geraghty Girls (obviously), Chance–the high school boyfriend, and Derek–the new photographer at Amethyst’s newspaper.
This book is more action packed than the first, while maintaining the same biting humor. Another win by Ms. Annino and I am eagerly anticipating more shenanigans from this series. I highly recommend this series.
5/5
Stacy Justice and the Geraghty Girls are back! The second installment in this tale involves the Seeker of Justice (3 guesses as to whom that is), the Warrior, and the Guardian. These three people are sworn by the
Council to protect the first page of the Ballymote book.
In this book we meet some new characters, Ivy, Mr. Sayer, John and Deidre, and more. We also get to learn a little more about some of our favorite characters from the first book, including Stacy and the Geraghty Girls (obviously), Chance–the high school boyfriend, and Derek–the new photographer at Amethyst’s newspaper.
This book is more action packed than the first, while maintaining the same biting humor. Another win by Ms. Annino and I am eagerly anticipating more shenanigans from this series. I highly recommend this series.
5/5
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Review of Opal Fire
Opal Fire by Barbara Annino on Amazon
Opal Fire is the tale of a newspaper reporter named Stacy Justice. The story opens with a fire at the Black Opal, Stacy’s cousin, Cinnamon’s, bar. This is also where we are introduced to Thor, Stacy’s Great Dane, and Leo, Stacy’s boyfriend and chief of police in their small town of Amethyst, IL. It is soon discovered that the fire was an intentional act of arson, and so begins the search for who set the fire and what the fire covered up.
The Geraghty Girls– Stacy’s grandmother Birdie and her great-aunts Fiona and Lolly–serve to make this story even better. Birdie is the ringleader and a healer, Fiona can still use feminine wiles and is a consummate matchmaker, and Lolly can sense what you’re thinking, although she is not as lucid as she once was.
The descriptions of paganism were honest and accurate, which I truly appreciate. I imagine that it is hard at times for an author not to take some liberties where witches are involved, but Ms. Annino was spot on.
There are very few books that can make me laugh out loud, but the dry, witty humor of this book was right up my alley. With the humor, believable and engaging characters, and a story-line that hooks you in from the start, this book is a must-read.
5/5
Opal Fire is the tale of a newspaper reporter named Stacy Justice. The story opens with a fire at the Black Opal, Stacy’s cousin, Cinnamon’s, bar. This is also where we are introduced to Thor, Stacy’s Great Dane, and Leo, Stacy’s boyfriend and chief of police in their small town of Amethyst, IL. It is soon discovered that the fire was an intentional act of arson, and so begins the search for who set the fire and what the fire covered up.
The Geraghty Girls– Stacy’s grandmother Birdie and her great-aunts Fiona and Lolly–serve to make this story even better. Birdie is the ringleader and a healer, Fiona can still use feminine wiles and is a consummate matchmaker, and Lolly can sense what you’re thinking, although she is not as lucid as she once was.
The descriptions of paganism were honest and accurate, which I truly appreciate. I imagine that it is hard at times for an author not to take some liberties where witches are involved, but Ms. Annino was spot on.
There are very few books that can make me laugh out loud, but the dry, witty humor of this book was right up my alley. With the humor, believable and engaging characters, and a story-line that hooks you in from the start, this book is a must-read.
5/5
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