Review: Stolen Away by Alyxandra Harvey

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

THANK YOU TO NET GALLEY AND BLOOMSBURY FOR ALLOWING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO READ THIS BOOK AND GIVE MY HONEST OPINION

Synopsis:
For seventeen years, Eloise Hart had no idea the world of Faery even existed. Now she has been abducted and trapped in the Rath of Lord Strahan, King of Faery. Strahan was only meant to rule for seven years, as Faery tradition dictates, and then give up his crown to another. But he won't comply, and now chaos threatens both worlds.

The only one who can break his stranglehold on the Faery court is his wife. . . Eloise's aunt Antonia. Using Eloise to lure Antonia, Strahan captures his wife, desperate to end the only threat to his reign. Now Eloise must become the rescuer. Together with her best friends Jo and Devin, she must forge alliances with other Fae, including a gorgeous protector named Lucas, and Strahan's mysterious son, Eldric-who may or may not betray them.

Review:
I'm not a great Faery fan, I'll say that now so you understand. I enjoyed Iron Fey by Julie Kagawa immensely but bearing in mind that they aren't faery stories in the traditional sense, and I was swayed by the characters more than the writing.

Alyxandra Harvey's Stolen Away is more of a traditional Faery tale. It tells a thoroughly adventurous story that would be up there with CS Lewis' Narnian Chronicles. From the beginning, with the arrival of Lucas, you can just tell that everything is not as it seems.

Our 2 POVs are different to say the least. You truly get a different angle of this delightful adventure. Eloise is quieter but funny and quirky and I enjoyed Jo's POV immensely with her devil-may-care attitude.

The writing is beautiful and Harvey really pulls it out of the bag with her storytelling. Jo's use of English words may not work in favour of the character though. Sometimes it felt a little forced and unnecessary.

The only issue I really have with the book is the reading age. In my opinion this was a book which should be aimed at younger teenagers rather than YA. The only reason I would say it was YA to begin with was a) use of english swearing, and b)the romances which occur with Eloise/Lucas and Jo/Eldric. In most YA books if you take away the romance the story is quite simple, whereas here the story was quite complex and involved and I couldn't help thinking that the romance got in the way. This is obviously only my opinion.

On the whole, its a great read for Faery Fey fans everywhere. Great work, Harvey!

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Cover Reveal: The Goddess Hunt by Aimee Carter

I'm so excited by this!! The new cover has just been revealed for

The Goddess Hunt by Aimee Carter

It's a novella telling a story between The Goddess Test and Goddess, Interrupted.
I haven't found a synopsis anywhere yet, but its either going to be about Henry
battling Calliope or something happening to Kate and James in Greece.

All I know is that I CAN'T WAIT !

Update: 6th March 2012: Read my Goddess Hunt review here

Review: Hallowed by Cynthia Hand

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Synopsis:
For months part-angel Clara Gardner trained to face the raging forest fire from her visions and rescue the alluring and mysterious Christian Prescott from the blaze. But nothing could prepare her for the fateful decisions she would be forced to make that day, or the startling revelation that her purpose—the task she was put on earth to accomplish—is not as straightforward as she thought.

Now, torn between her increasingly complicated feelings for Christian and her love for her boyfriend, Tucker, Clara struggles to make sense of what she was supposed to do the day of the fire. And, as she is drawn further into the world of part angels and the growing conflict between White Wings and Black Wings, Clara learns of the terrifying new reality that she must face: Someone close to her will die in a matter of months. With her future uncertain, the only thing Clara knows for sure is that the fire was just the beginning.

Review:
I read this book in about 6 hours straight with very few breaks for cups of tea or to eat anything. Cynthia Hand - you should be a dietary-form, The unputdownable book diet!

I've also had to give myself a few hours before writing this review because so much happened, and so many raw emotions played along with me as I was reading, its actually difficult to know what to write.

Firstly, Unearthly was one of my books of 2011. I wanted to read Hallowed as soon as I finished it. Hallowed for me IS one of the best books for 2012 and I hope it will remain so. The writing, once again, is exquisite. The characters are all in full bloom and raring to go from page 1. And for Clara, the hits just keep on coming.

In one way this book is much darker then Unearthly. The subject of dying and death is iterated so finely with the premise of the story but underneath it IS the main subject of the book. How Clara deals with the prospect of death of a close one. How she reacts. How she deals with her friends while she's reacting. And then the truth of it all is so frightening that she finds it difficult to cope. Because the truth is always so much more painful.

I was never a Tucker fan, I have to admit that Christian was always up there for me. And I guessed he was an Angel too before I got to the end of Unearthly so I was so pleased he had more of a starring role in this book. In the end Tucker does what he can humanly do best. And his decisions are something that we can all relate to at sometime or another.

Christian ended up being the solid rock this time. He's able to deal with the situations without the possibility of freaking out - being Angel and all. Tucker would never have coped in the same way.

Clara is a bit of a mess throughout most of this book. She's indecisive, emotional, happy one minute and sad the next. But remember when teenage life was always like that? I do.

For the sequel to Unearthly, and bearing in mind that 2nd books sometimes don't meet the expectations of the first, this book is like standing in front of a tornado. You never know what is going to hit you next. It will have you spiralling so out of control that you just want it to stop and give Clara a break, for pitys sake!

An emotional and turbulent ride but one I wouldn't have missed for anything. Bring on Book 3 - I'm ready!

Hallowed Book Trailer! Enjoy!

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Waiting on Wednesday (#1) by Bookworm Blogger

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

This Week:

Until I Die by Amy Plum

'Die for Me' was one of my favourite books from last year. I loved the different concept of Paranormal - the Revenants - and I thought Vincent was amazing.

Plum's writing was beautiful, set in Paris, and had me captivated from the beginning.

Kate and Vincent have overcome the odds and at last they are together in Paris, the city of lights and love.

As their romance deepens there’s one question they can’t ignore: How are they supposed to be together if Vincent can’t resist sacrificing himself to save others? Although Vincent promises that he’ll do whatever it takes to lead a normal life with Kate, will that mean letting innocent people die? When a new and surprising enemy reveals itself, Kate realizes that even more may be at stake—and that Vincent’s immortality is in jeopardy.

In Die for Me, Amy Plum created a captivating paranormal mythology with immortal revenants and a lush Paris setting. Until I Die is poised to thrill readers with more heart-pounding suspense, spellbinding romance, and a cliff-hanger ending that will leave them desperate for the third and final novel in the series.

I can't wait to read it. Now that everything is out in the open I want to find out what happens now to Kate!

Expected publication: May 8th 2012 by HarperCollins Publishers

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What book are you waiting for?

Review: Goddess Interrupted by Aimee Carter

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Synopsis:
Kate Winters has won immortality. But if she wants a life in the Underworld with Henry, she’ll have to fight for it.

Becoming immortal wasn’t supposed to be the easy part. Though Kate is about to be crowned Queen of the Underworld, she’s as isolated as ever. And despite her growing love for Henry, ruler of the Underworld, he’s becoming ever more distant and secretive. Then, in the midst of Kate’s coronation, Henry is abducted by the only being powerful enough to kill him: the King of the Titans.

As the other gods prepare for a war that could end them all, it is up to Kate to save Henry from the depths of Tartarus. But in order to navigate the endless caverns of the Underworld, Kate must enlist the help of the one person who is the greatest threat to her future.

Henry’s first wife, Persephone

Review:
This is one of those books that gets into your emotions, rips you up and down, inside out, outside in and just when you think you're back to normalcy you'll get a sucker punch in the gut.

Kate returns from her six month sabbatical hoping for open arms and a warm welcome from Henry...but she gets nothing like. Henry is back to being the broody Hades, King of the Underworld and the big fight now involves Cronos, thanks to Calliope, who broke all the rules and escaped from Kate's penance and helped in his release.

While Kate copes with being second-best again, Persephone plays the evil on her with Henry but thanks to Kate's new ability she sees the whole thing...or does she?

War takes over the Underworld and all of the Gods are involved this time and just when you think the war could be won...

...well, I won't spoilt it any more. The ending is one of those jaw-smacking ones that send you spiralling, and hoping the author has quick fingers to type up the next installment incredibly fast.

Be prepared to spend a few hours being unable to put this one down!

Publication: March 27th 2012 by HarlequinTeen

Note to Readers: I was given the Arc copy of this book for review before the publication date. Recently on Aimee Carters website she promised that when the book was officially published there would be a small scene addition. This being a scene from Henry's POV.
After the book was released I bought a copy straight away from Harlequin directly (an epub copy for Adobe Digital Editions). I love the book anyway so felt willing to pay Aimee for filling my life with joy, a small price to pay.
Unfortunately the copy I received was identical as the Arc. Harlequin replied to my querying email almost immediately and are still trying to work out the technical problem. I'll keep you updated on when the 'newer' edition will be available but at the moment Harlequin only have the original.

See Q and A Session - Goddess Interrupted with Aimee here!

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Here's the Book Trailer! Enjoy!

Note to Readers:

Review: The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Synopsis:
It's always been just Kate and her mom—and her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear her mother won't live past the fall.

Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld—and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.

Kate is sure he's crazy—until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she'll become Henry's future bride, and a goddess.

Review:
When I first started this and got into the 2nd and 3rd chapter, all I could think was - what? how can they believe so quickly? why are they accepting this so calmly? how is she taking this so easily?

And that's pretty much how I felt throughout the first half. Kate was too understanding and accepted the chance to live with Hades for SIX MONTHS (!) without much thought process. Except that it would prolong the life of her mother, but as her mother was in a coma I thought that in itself was cruel and selfish. But hey, it is a story after all!

Gradually as I got more immersed I began to really root for Kate. I began to understand that really she had no other option. Her life choices were about zero and this was a great opportunity for her. She would have friendship and be looked after, and not have to worry about what to do when her mum died. Her love for Henry developed slowly and so naturally that I was a little put out for her when she finally becomes honest to him about her feelings. He reacted so coldly that I wanted to dunk him in the river.

In the end all my first thoughts were crossed off. All the answers became apparent and reason-worthy.

This is a beautifully told story, and if you've read reviews about historical inaccuracies then don't worry about it. That isn't what this book is about. It's about love, romance, betrayal, murder and discovery and is told in the very best way.

I can't wait to read Goddess, Interrupted next!

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Review: Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Synopsis:
Starting over sucks.

When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I’d pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring…. until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.

And then he opened his mouth.

Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something…unexpected happens.

The hot alien living next door marks me.

You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon’s touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I’m getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades.

If I don’t kill him first, that is.

Review:
I love Sci-fi Romance, and last year I read a few but none could come up to the standard of Alexandra May or Lizzie Ford. Most left me wanting.

I read Daimon and Half-Blood right before this one so I knew I like Armentrout's writing style but what I didn't expect was such a great book with a completely different YA genre.

The main character of Katy is a great heroine, and narrator. Her perception is sound and her attitude is the typical don't-take-any-crap heroine that we all love. But what I liked so much was her hate-like-hate relationship with Daemon. She pretty much thinks he's a jerk for up to half way in the book, although she does like his twin sister, Dee. Dee is a great character too and one you can't help feeling sorry for. During their many spats, Dee stands as the go-between to Katy and Daemon, and truly acts like a best friend ought to despite her brothers attitude. In fact, all of the characters were well fleshed out and easy to imagine.

The story itself is quite a simple one once you take out the romance. However, Armentrout picks out the very best storytelling for this one and tells it well.

Now I can't wait for the second one, and I REALLY want to find out what happens next.

Armentrout has just jumped up on my list of favourite authors, and definitely one to watch out for in 2012