Review - Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Synopsis:
St. Vladimir’s Academy isn’t just any boarding school—it’s a hidden place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess. They’ve been on the run, but now they’re being dragged back to St. Vladimir’s—the very place where they’re most in danger. . . .
Rose and Lissa become enmeshed in forbidden romance, the Academy’s ruthless social scene, and unspeakable nighttime rituals. But they must be careful lest the Strigoi—the world’s fiercest and most dangerous vampires—make Lissa one of them forever


My Review:-
I'm a fan of vampire books. I read Twilight and thought it wasn't great. I've read a few others and ...boring, boring....

But I dare anyone to tell me that this book didn't draw you in. It is funny, witty, the plots are amazing, and the characters are great (except for Lissa who I thought was a bit flaky but that's just her!). If you like vampire books, you must read it. If you hate vampire books, you must read it.

The characters are all fascinating, Rose Hathaway comes across as a bit mouthy but its all talk. It's why we love her and you can't help but admire Dimitri Belikov..


A great, great read.

View all my reviews

Review: Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Synopsis:
Three years ago, Sophie Mercer discovered that she was a witch. It's gotten her into a few scrapes. Her non-gifted mother has been as supportive as possible, consulting Sophie's estranged father--an elusive European warlock--only when necessary. But when Sophie attracts too much human attention for a prom-night spell gone horribly wrong, it's her dad who decides her punish...more.
Three years ago, Sophie Mercer discovered that she was a witch. It's gotten her into a few scrapes. Her non-gifted mother has been as supportive as possible, consulting Sophie's estranged father--an elusive European warlock--only when necessary.
But when Sophie attracts too much human attention for a prom-night spell gone horribly wrong, it's her dad who decides her punishment: exile to Hex Hall, an isolated reform school for wayward Prodigium, a.k.a. witches, faeries, and shapeshifters.
By the end of her first day among fellow freak-teens, Sophie has quite a scorecard: three powerful enemies who look like supermodels, a futile crush on a gorgeous warlock, a creepy tagalong ghost, and a new roommate who happens to be the most hated person and only vampire student on campus. Worse, Sophie soon learns that a mysterious predator has been attacking students, and her only friend is the number-one suspect.

As a series of blood-curdling mysteries starts to converge, Sophie prepares for the biggest threat of all: an ancient secret society determined to destroy all Prodigium, especially her.



Review:
For those of you that have severe Harry Potter withdrawal then this book is for you. Sophie joins Hex Hall having little know-how of her powers (which keep doing everything but what she wants) nor any real knowledge of her father.

But things get a whole lot stranger when she's made to join a coven, and her major crush turns about to be her enemy's boyfriend. Plus her new room-mate is a vampire who allegedly killed the previous occupant of her bed.

This book is wonderfully written, almost whimsical at times. The flow and pace keep you wanting more, and the story doesn't disappoint. I thought when I started that I would hate it but I ended up loving the characters, the setting and even the magical talk which is kept to a nice minimum.

My only wish was that there would be more interaction with Sophie and Archer, and maybe a little more emotion. What we had was nice but it was quite tame considering many YA books these days have more sexual tension than some adult books.

A wonderful and, I'm sure, a great start to a new series.

View all my reviews

Review - The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova

The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Synopsis:

Late one night, exploring her father's library, a young woman finds an ancient book and a cache of yellowing letters addressed ominously to 'My dear and unfortunate successor'. Her discovery plunges her into a world she never dreamed of - a labyrinth where the secrets of her father's past and her mother's mysterious fate connect to an evil hidden in the depths of history.

In those few quiet moments, she unwittingly assumes a quest she will discover is her birthright - a hunt for the truth about Vlad the Impaler, the medieval ruler whose barbarous reign formed the basis of the Dracula myth. Deciphering obscure signs and hidden texts, reading codes worked into the fabric of medieval monastic traditions, and evading terrifying adversaries, one woman comes ever closer to the secret of her own past and a confrontation with the very definition of evil.

Elizabeth Kostova's debut novel is an adventure of monumental proportions - a captivating tale that blends fact and fantasy, history and the present with an assurance that is almost unbearably suspenseful - and utterly unforgettable.

My Review:

Tremendous debut novel. Great imagery and a steady story. I love this book all the way through until near the end. Then I was HUGELY disappointed and felt the story lack the final umph! That's why I've left the final star off from becoming a 5 out of 5.

Great writing, tons of story and background.

View all my reviews

Review - Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

3 out of 5

Synopsis:

Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark won the annual competition described in Hunger Games, but the aftermath leaves these victors with no sense of triumph. Instead, they have become the poster boys for a rebellion that they never planned to lead. That new, unwanted status puts them in the bull's-eye for merciless revenge by The Capitol. Catching Fire maintains the adrenaline rush of Suzanne Collins's series launch.

My Review:

I'm pretty sure I've developed a love-hate relationship with this series. These books aren't bad, not at all, they just can't manage to capture me! I got into the first book a lot quicker than this one; after half the book had passed I still didn't feel that need to finish it so I actually had to take a break for a while. And while the first book felt original--one of the reasons to why I did end up really enjoying it--this one felt more as a repetition of the same story. I know that it didn't end up the same, far from, but that was during the last 30% and when I actually became glued to the pages.

After that ending though, I have to read the final one. Have to, not really wanting to. Don't get me wrong, I do want to know what to happens to the characters. Very much! I just don't want to read the books. There's something about the way they're written that just feels so drawn-out and slow that I don't want to drag myself through another one. I want to read because it's fun and not find reasons to get out of reading. But I really can't leave the characters without knowing what will happen now and thus I will get the final book as well. See; love-hate relationship.

I have to say that the last part of this book did bump it up from a 2 star rating to a 3 one though. I can say one thing; even if I don't like actually reading them, there's nothing wrong with the plot and characters!

Review: The Iron Queen (Iron Fey, #3) by Julie Kagawa

The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Synopsis:
My name is Meghan Chase.

I thought it was over. That my time with the fey, the impossible choices I had to make, the sacrifices of those I loved, was behind me. But a storm is approaching, an army of Iron fey that will drag me back, kicking and screaming. Drag me away from the banished prince who's sworn to stand by my side. Drag me into the core of conflict so powerful, I'm not sure anyone can survive it.

This time, there will be no turning back.



Review:

By far, the best of the series yet.

Meghan is stronger, more developed and now ready to make the important life or death choices. The bittersweet moments with Ash took my breath away, and I loved that Puck was ready to be the best friend that he always was.

The war is coming and Meghan must join with the Summer and Winter Courts to fight the false Iron King. And she does it in style.

The twists and turns in this book will leave you exasperated, the pages of the book will not turn quick enough, and the emotions high and low will need you wanting a tissue.

No higher praise can go to Kagawa for this wonderful inspirational story that ends with such a climax that will leave you begging for Iron Knight immediately!

View all my reviews