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Title: Legend
Author: Marie Lu
Genre: YA, Dystopian, Romance
Format: ARC
Perfect for: those young and old looking for good dystopian
Star Rating: 4/5 stars
Taken from Goodreads, "What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.
From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths - until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias's death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.
Full of nonstop action, suspense, and romance, this novel is sure to move readers as much as it thrills."
Oh, 'Legend', how I enjoyed reading thee! I received 'Legend' by chance and didn't immediately go to read it. The back blurb made it seem a little too much like a mystery, which isn't usually my cup of tea. Low and behold, I was totally wrong. 'Legend' is a fantastic read!
While I'm sure promotional material for this will mention 'Hunger Games' and in truth, the landscape and storytelling does have a similar feeling, you'll enjoy this book so much more if you don't compare it to 'Hunger Games'. As I mentioned before, the world feels similar in a militaristic sort of way, but oddly enough, 'Legends' world is a little more 'real'. 'Legend' is clean enough for younger YA readers, but has enough depth to entertain older YA readers, too.
The characters? To say the least, I really enjoyed them. I had a bit of trouble keeping track of the voices in the beginning, with the alternating chapters, but once I got the names of the characters down, it was smooth sailing.
Day, the 'Han Solo' of the novel, is a vigilante type you can really get behind. His cause, well, you really do begin to root for him fairly early in the novel. And June? She took a little longer to warm up to, but once she started interacting with Day and his partner in crime Tess, I really began to enjoy her character as much as the others. Towards the end of the novel, I was pretty much shouting to her character to do the right thing! (A sign of a good novel, I think!)
Author Marie Lu has a great novel on her hands, one that will surely pick up a lot of fans along its travels! Keep an eye out for 'Legend', which is being released November 2011, and for news of the movie currently being worked on by CBS Films. All in all, 'Legend' is dystopian done right!
'Legend' gets 4 out of 5 stars.
Title: Tiger's Quest
Author: Colleen Houck
Genre: YA, Supernatural, Romance, Action
Perfect for: Readers who fell in love with Kishan in the original
Star Rating: 3/5 stars
Taken from Goodreads, "Kelsey Hayes is no ordinary college freshman. In fact, the eighteen-year-old girl has just returned from India, where she risked her life—and her heart—to rescue a handsome Indian prince from a terrible curse. Back home in Oregon, Kelsey is determined to move on, despite the lingering feelings she has for the man she left behind. She meets Li, a completely average guy who offers the promise of an ordinary, curse-free life. But just when Kelsey is ready to move on, Ren reenters her life, on a quest to reclaim her heart. Danger threatens their newly rekindled love and to save him, Kelsey must journey with someone else—a man who wants her for himself. The saga begun in Tiger’s Curse continues in Tiger’s Quest, as Kelsey finds herself in an epic battle between good and evil. From the shores of the Pacific Northwest to the jungles of India, the mountains of Nepal and Tibet, and the mystical realm of Shangri-la, this suspenseful tale of love, sacrifice, and redemption is not to be missed."
I really, really enjoyed the original novel in this series entitled, 'Tiger's Curse'. So, it goes without saying that I had high expectations for 'Tiger's Quest'. Peeking at other reviews and ratings didn't help the hype, either. Most have raved about 'Tiger's Quest' and given it pretty high ratings. Sadly, I just didn't feel the love for this title. 'Tiger's Quest' was weighed down by long blocky descriptions and lack luster plot elements.
I don't mean to completely rip into 'Tiger's Quest', but there wasn't a lot that screamed 'oh my gosh, this is awesome'. The main problem with this novel stemmed from the long, blocky descriptions and the way that much of the time we learned facts via lines of description and not lines of dialogue. The long legends were pretty skim-worthy, too.
Adding to my disappointments, it seemed like Kelsey and Kishan had a pretty easy time completing the tasks that were placed in front of them. Everything just seemed to work out in their favor far too easily.
Even with the disappointments, there was one thing that I enjoyed about this novel-- Kishan. Seeing his character grow in 'Tiger's Quest' was the best part of this novel. I think I even prefer him to Ren now!
'Tiger's Quest' gets 3 out of 5 stars. Not my favorite book, but it's something you will want to read if you enjoyed the original.
Title: Veiled Innocence
Author: Krystle Jones
Genre: YA, ebook, fantasy, adventure, action, romance
Format: Ebook
Perfect for: those who are in need of a bit of fantasy/adventureStar Rating: 4/5 Stars
Taken from Goodreads, "Vishka should have died the night her empire fell. Alone and desperate, she makes a pact with a beautiful stranger for the power to avenge her people. But every bargain has its price…
Lianora never placed much stock in the gods; she especially never believed the Accalian lore that spoke of a lost ancient magic, a magic woven from the fabric of people’s souls. So when she discovers the teardrop necklace, she thinks it to be nothing special – until the visions begin, glimpses of a legendary empress’s past and the approach of a great evil. One that may be far closer than she realizes.
What Rowan wants more than anything is freedom. More by force than choice, he serves the crumbling gothic metropolis of Accalia as Black Knight, charged with the protection of the city. When a vicious murder occurs in the dead of night, he never dreams the beautiful woman with dark eyes and flowing, black hair could be a prime suspect. A woman who hasn’t aged for over one thousand years, driven to Accalia in pursuit of an avenging god of death bent on rebuilding his usurped kingdom with the souls of the living.
When Accalia falls prey to a devastating attack, the three unwilling allies are forced together. Now they must figure out how to kill a god. But how do you kill the embodiment of Death?"
There are some ebooks that you read and say, why didn't a publishing house pick this up? For me, 'Veiled Innocence' is one of those books. Krystle Jones has crafted a story full of likable characters, an innovative fantasy world filled with magic, and just the right amount of action to keep everything moving.
There are many characters in this novel. I have to admit that in the beginning, I couldn't see how all of the characters lives would intertwine, but once they did, I was hooked and quite enjoyed watching their relationships grow. Author Krystle Jones spent a lot of time developing her characters, even those that we lost surprisingly early in the book. I wish we had seen more of certain characters, but with so many introductions to be made, I'm sure Jones was just saving things for the sequel.
I love fantastical worlds, but some are hard to get into, hard to understand. 'Veiled Innocence' had a world that never felt overwhelming and the introduction to the world flowed well. Even the folklore in the story was easy to grasp.
There was an ease to the writing that I liked and found very addictive. A rarity in my experience with ebooks, I found myself not wanting to put this down for the evening and waking up looking forward to continuing the story.
If you are looking for an affordable fantasy/action/romance adventure, 'Veiled Innocence' may be what you need. It's available to purchase via 'Smashwords' for a great price. This is a diamond in the ruff and something you should check out if you e-read'. (Soon to be available as a paperback via Amazon.)
Title: Immortal Beloved
Author: Cate Tiernan
Genre: YA, Supernatural, Romance
Perfect for: older YA readers
Star Rating: 5/5 stars
Taken from Goodreads, "Nastasya has spent the last century living as a spoiled, drugged-out party girl. She feels nothing and cares for no one. But when she witnesses her best friend, a Dark Immortal, torture a human, she realizes something's got to change. She seeks refuge at a rehab for wayward immortals, where she meets the gorgeous, undeniably sexy Reyn, who seems inexplicably linked to her past.
Nastasya finally begins to deal with life, and even feels safe--until the night she learns that someone wants her dead."
I've never read the 'Sweep' novels by Cate Tiernan, so I didn't know what to expect from this title. We've had 'Immortal Beloved' sitting around the house for a while, but I ignored it. Why did I ignore it? Two reasons, really-- one, the cover and two, the title. Both the title and cover just had no appeal for me. Without reading the back blurb, you'll instantly take this as your run of the mill supernatural romance, possibly starring vampires.
Low and behold, however, that this novel has nothing to do with vampires, just regular people who live really, really long lives called 'immortals'. And also, I should add, it is a *fantastic* read! Don't let the the mellow dramatic title or the bland cover discourage you from reading 'Immortal Beloved', this book is a winner!
First off-- the characters... They make this novel, especially Nastasya and Reyn. Most YA readers will be happily surprised with the characters in 'Immortal Beloved' because, while they look young due to their slow aging process, they don't act young (because some are well over hundreds of years old). Think of it this way-- an Immortal is essentially human. They can marry, have kids, take jobs, they just don't age like a traditional human being. For the characters in this novel who are hundreds of years old, they definitely have grown up already and have had many experiences that you don't see in your typical YA novels.
Reyn, the male love interest, isn't ignored in characterization. As well as coming off, well, hot, his back story is just as interesting as Nastasya's. If I had to choose my top five YA male leads, Reyn has now jumped up to the top of that list! He just rocks.
The plot moves quickly and includes many flashbacks into Nastasya's 'other' lives. It's very easy to screw up flashbacks in fiction, but Tiernan did them perfectly in this novel. They always added to the story and weren't ever boring in a 'let me skim passed them' sort of way. That equals a good flashback to me!
Who is this novel for? I mention that older YA readers will enjoy it, but younger one's could read it, as well. I made a point to mention the older readers because this is a novel that could cross the generational gap, like 'Hunger Games' and 'Twilight' did.
It is the first in a trilogy, so be warned that not everything will be answered. Unlike the common 'cut right in the middle of the action/non-ending' we're seeing in YA, this does have an ending. There is a stand-alone(ish) story in 'Immortal Beloved'. The ending feels right, but leaves just enough unanswered questions so that you're clamoring for the next novel!
My recommendation? Read this novel. Don't judge it by its cover or title. Add it to your 'to read' list. It's just that good. 'Immortal Beloved' gets 5 out of 5 stars from this little blog!
Title: Enclave
Author: Ann Aguirre
Genre: YA, dystopian, romance, sci-fi
Perfect for: dystopian readers (especially those that enjoyed 'Birthmarked'!)
Star Rating: 4/5 stars
Taken from Goodreads, "In Deuce’s world, people earn the right to a name only if they survive their first fifteen years. By that point, each unnamed ‘brat’ has trained into one of three groups–Breeders, Builders, or Hunters, identifiable by the number of scars they bear on their arms. Deuce has wanted to be a Huntress for as long as she can remember.
As a Huntress, her purpose is clear—to brave the dangerous tunnels outside the enclave and bring back meat to feed the group while evading ferocious monsters known as Freaks. She’s worked toward this goal her whole life, and nothing’s going to stop her, not even a beautiful, brooding Hunter named Fade. When the mysterious boy becomes her partner, Deuce’s troubles are just beginning.
Down below, deviation from the rules is punished swiftly and harshly, and Fade doesn’t like following orders. At first she thinks he’s crazy, but as death stalks their sanctuary, and it becomes clear the elders don’t always know best, Deuce wonders if Fade might be telling the truth. Her partner confuses her; she’s never known a boy like him before, as prone to touching her gently as using his knives with feral grace.
As Deuce’s perception shifts, so does the balance in the constant battle for survival. The mindless Freaks, once considered a threat only due to their sheer numbers, show signs of cunning and strategy… but the elders refuse to heed any warnings. Despite imminent disaster, the enclave puts their faith in strictures and sacrifice instead. No matter how she tries, Deuce cannot stem the dark tide that carries her far from the only world she’s ever known."
Wow, a lengthy description for this novel. Here's what you really need to know: while this is great dystopian, do not read it expecting 'The Hunger Games'. It has a similar feeling, but the characters and environment are are quite different. Don't ruin this great novel by expecting 'The Hunger Games'. To be honest, I found this novel more like 'Birthmarked' or (to a lesser extent) 'Matched' in terms of storytelling than 'The Hunger Games'.
Now, onto 'Enclave'... I really like 'Enclave'. It is good dystopian and comes highly recommended! If it's not on your 'to-read' list and you like well done dystopian, then you should add this to your list! 'Enclave' is the beginning of a trilogy and will leave you wanting more!
What do I love about this novel? To begin with, the world is easy to settle into. It clearly separates itself from other dystopian titles. Main characters Deuce and Fade are likable and their relationship is believable, never crossing into 'sappy' territory! The secondary characters are characterized in a way where you really do form connections to them and care about their well-being.
Ann Aguirre knows how to tell a story. 'Enclave' doesn't follow the story you'd expect it to. Midway through it takes a turn that introduces (the before mentioned) great secondary characters and poses intriguing questions. And the ending? Well, it really shows you that the saga for Fade, Deuce, and the others is only just beginning.
All in all, 'Enclave' is a novel you want to check out. I think you'll enjoy it! 'Enclave' gets 4 out of 5 stars!
Title: Abandon
Author: Meg Cabot
Genre: YA, Supernatural, Romance, first in a series
Perfect for: readers who follow Cabot and those who don't mindy timey-whimy plot jumps
Star Rating: 3/5 stars
But now she's moved to a new town. Maybe at her new school, she can start fresh. Maybe she can stop feeling so afraid.
Only she can't. Because even here, he finds her. That's how desperately he wants her back. She knows he's no guardian angel, and his dark world isn't exactly heaven, yet she can't stay away... especially since he always appears when she least expects it, but exactly when she needs him most.
But if she lets herself fall any further, she may just find herself back in the one place she most fears: the Underworld."
I've read my fair share of Meg Cabot books. I whipped through 'The Mediator' and '1-800-Where-R-You' series and count 'Avalon High' (the first book, not the manga) as one of my favorites. 'Abandon', Cabot's most recent YA foray, is the first in a trilogy about Piece, a girl who's had too many near death experiences for 17 years and John, the handsome, slightly off balance death deity who she always bumps into at the best and worst of times.
I'd be lying if I said that this book lived up to the hype. It didn't. However, it is a promising beginning to what could be a fun, unique trilogy.
Cabot takes on a different sort of timeline in 'Abandon' than her normal, straight forward approach. 'Abandon' has a very jumpy timeline. The Doctor (the most entertaining time traveler on the BBC) would best describe it at 'timey whimy'. Cabot starts the story in the middle and goes back and forth between past and present. It's a very different style from other Cabot books. In all honesty, I would have preferred a little less time jumping in this novel, but as this is the first in a trilogy, I can forgive this a bit. Not unlike Cabot, her trademark wit is still infused in the writing of 'Abandon'.
Because 'Abandon' is part of a series, most of this novel is focused on setting up the town, characters, and relationships. We don't get to see as much of many of the characters as I would have liked, including main male John, but main female lead Pierce is fleshed out well. She's a strange character with an interesting way of thinking that I like. John, death deity, is still a bit of a mystery to me. We see him in and out of the novel, but I am hoping we learn more about him in the sequels. He has a few 'hot male lead' moments that are done well and more to come, I'm sure!
For romance readers, 'Abandon' has some romance, but it doesn't overtake from the main plot of learning more about who and what Pierce is. I expect we'll be seeing more in the sequels, though.
Even though I'm not a huge fan of the back and forth storytelling, 'Abandon' is a promising beginning to what could be an entertaining YA supernatural romance. 'Abandon' gets 3 out of 5 stars.
Title: Anna and the French Kiss
Author: Stephanie Perkins
Genre: YA, Romance, Coming of Age
Perfect for: those in the mood for a cute romance
Star Rating: 4/5 Stars
Taken from Goodreads, "Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris—until she meets Étienne St. Claire: perfect, Parisian (and English and American, which makes for a swoon-worthy accent), and utterly irresistible. The only problem is that he's taken, and Anna might be, too, if anything comes of her almost-relationship back home. As winter melts into spring, will a year of romantic near-misses end with the French kiss Anna—and readers—have long awaited?"
If there was one book that I picked up because of the buzz on blogs, 'Anna and the French Kiss' would be that book. If I passed this book in the bookstore, which I did many times due to work, I would probably take a peek at the back, give it a read, and then put it back because I don't do strict YA romance's. I usually prefer my romance with a dash of supernatural/sci-fi/dystopian mixed in. So, as you can imagine, 'Anna and the French Kiss' was quite a departure from my usual reads!
I enjoyed 'Anna and the French Kiss'. It was a quick, addictive read with good characters, a fun setting, and a realistic, well thought out plot. One of my favorite things about 'Anna and the French Kiss' was author Stephanie Perkins writing style. Main character Anna's voice was entertaining and often times, quite humorous. Having been in a foreign environment before with no family or friends to turn to, I could relate to Anna. Her 'culture shock' read as realistic to me. She wasn't annoy, clingy, or too mary jane of a main character, which are often the traits that come to my head when I think of strict ya romances and their characters.
I loved the location of this novel. Honesty alert: I've never had much of an inkling to go to France before. England, Italy, Wales, of course, but not so much France. Reading this book peaked my interested in the country and made me a twinge more interested in visiting one day.
St. Claire was darling. Yes, I fell for him, too. With the English accent, quick witted personality, and just awesome vibe he encompassed, he turned out to be a great male lead. The story of him and Anna was told sweetly, realistically, and really, really well. The romance wasn't over the top or bloated. It was just right.
This book gets 4 out of 5 stars from me. I loved reading it, but had to deduct a point. Looking back at it, it's not a book I need to buy or re-read. It was a good one off romance that had heart and likable characters. Even if you don't like strict YA romance, give this a shot. I think you'll like it.
Title: Unearthly
Author: Cynthia Hand
Genre: YA, Supernatural, Romance
Perfect for: readers who don't mind slow beginnings
Star Rating: 3/5 Stars
Clara Gardner has recently learned that she's part angel. Having angel blood run through her veins not only makes her smarter, stronger, and faster than humans (a word, she realizes, that no longer applies to her), but it means she has a purpose, something she was put on this earth to do. Figuring out what that is, though, isn't easy.
Her visions of a raging forest fire and an alluring stranger lead her to a new school in a new town. When she meets Christian, who turns out to be the boy of her dreams (literally), everything seems to fall into place—and out of place at the same time. Because there's another guy, Tucker, who appeals to Clara's less angelic side.
As Clara tries to find her way in a world she no longer understands, she encounters unseen dangers and choices she never thought she'd have to make—between honesty and deceit, love and duty, good and evil. When the fire from her vision finally ignites, will Clara be ready to face her destiny?"
All in all, I enjoyed 'Unearthly' by Cynthia Hand. It was an enjoyable read, though slightly overhyped for my tastes. Hand's unique take on angel lore makes 'Unearthly' stand out among the ever growing collection of angel themed YA novels.
As far as pacing, 'Unearthly' was slow. I can most easily compare the pacing of 'Unearthly' to that of 'Twilight'. You know how 'Twilight' had a lot of character background and very little plot until the last fifty pages? Well, 'Unearthly' was similar. Except, 'Unearthly' didn't do it as well as 'Twilight'. Many times, I found myself wishing the characters would stop repeating things we already heard multiple times and just get on with it! The ending, however, was very well placed. While I was intrigued by the story for the first two acts, the third act convinced me that this story was more than your basic angel story.
Romance... Tricky, tricky, tricky. The romance in 'Unearthly' was charming and less corny than most YA novels. I'm looking forward to seeing more of Christian. Tucker had me there for a while, but at this point, I'd love to see what Christian has to offer. Overall, Hands did well in this area!
Another concern about this novel? It's kind of forgettable. It's been a month since I've read this novel and I had to read the blurb to remember a lot of the storyline. A good book, for me, is one that I'll remember without having to read the back of the book again. While I remembered the main bits of the novel, nothing really stood out for me enough to really remember details.
If you like angel fiction, this is something you'll want to read. While a little slow and not exactly memorable, 'Unearthly' is an entertaining read and worth checking out.
Title: Queen of the Dead
Author: Stacey Kade
Genre: YA, Supernatural, Romance, Action
Perfect for: those who read the first book in the series, 'The Ghost and the Goth'
Star Rating: 5/5Taken from Goodreads, "After being sent back from the light, Alona Dare - former homecoming queen, current Queen of the Dead - finds herself doing something she never expected: working. Instead of spending days perfecting her tan by the pool (her typical summer routine when she was, you know, alive), Alona must now cater to the needs of other lost spirits. By her side for all of this - ugh - “helping of others” is Will Killian: social outcast, seer of the dead, and someone Alona cares about more than she’d like.
Before Alona can make a final ruling on Will’s “friend” or “more” status, though, she discovers trouble at home. Her mom is tossing out Alona’s most valuable possessions, and her dad is expecting a new daughter with his wicked wife. Is it possible her family is already moving on? Hello! She’s only been dead for two months! Thankfully, Alona knows just the guy who can put a stop to this mess.
Unfortunately for Alona, Will has other stuff on his mind, and Mina, a young (and beautiful) seer, is at the top of the list. She’s the first ghost-talker Will’s ever met—aside from his father—and she may hold answers to Will’s troubled past. But can she be trusted? Alona immediately puts a check mark in the “clearly not” column. But Will is - ahem - willing to find out, even if it means leaving a hurt and angry Alona to her own devices, which is never a good idea."
What a great read! 'Queen of the Dead' surprised me. I dare say, with all the introductions over, 'Queen of the Dead' is even better than last years 'The Ghost and the Goth'. In 'Queen of the Dead', we pick up pretty much where we left off. Alona is still playing spirit guide, Will is still trying to help the dead cross over, and together they are stuck in a very tangled romantic relationship.
I expected the story to play out like an episode of 'Ghost Whisperer'. You know, psychic meets ghost, resolves their unfinished business, the end. Boy, was I wrong! Author Stacey Kade introduces some great plot twists and new relationships that really make this a fresh story. And the ending? Well, let's just say she's up their with Rachel Hawkins in terms of cliffhangers and has successfully got me pining for book three!
With the interest in keeping this spoiler free, I won't go into too much detail about the plot. However, I feel I should mention a few things that I love about this book. First off, Kade's witty, humor filled writing is a welcome godsend in a world filled with over dramatic YA novels. I love the fun, upbeat quality the 'voices' have in this series.
Secondly, the new mysteries and plot development brought forth in 'Queen of the Dead' are fantastic. Unexpected turns are taken and I'm looking forward to seeing what becomes of the characters in the third installment. After finishing 'Queen of the Dead', I found myself theorizing about what could happen next for Will and Alona. That is always a sign that the book was a worthwhile read!
Needless to say, I enjoyed this second visit into Will and Alona's world. 'Queen of the Dead' gets 5 out of 5 stars. Enjoy the read!
Title: Afterlife
Author: Claudia Gray
Genre: YA, Supernatural, Romance
Perfect for: Those who have read the previous books in the series. Don't start the series with this book!!!
Star Rating: 3/5 stars
Taken from Goodreads, "The fourth book in this electrifying vampire series has all the romance, suspense, and page-turning drama that have made Claudia Gray’s Evernight books runaway successes.
Having become what they feared most, Bianca and Lucas face a terrifying new reality. They must return to Evernight Academy, Lucas as a vampire and Bianca as a wraith. But Lucas is haunted by demons, both personal and supernatural. Bianca must help him fight the evil inside him, combat the forces determined to drive them apart—and find the power to claim her destiny at last."
If you've looked at my review for 'Evernight', the beginning of this series, you'll see that I was a bit let down by that title. Quite honestly, I had given up on the series until my mother (yes, my mother) decided to continue on with it and told me I had to read the rest. I did and, you know what? I'm happy I continued on.
'Evernight' still isn't my favorite book, but the sequels have gotten steadily better and better. 'Afterlife' completes Bianca and Lucas' story. Last we saw them in 'Hourglass', it seemed like all was lost, but Gray had much more planned for her characters!
'Afterlife' is a fine conclusion to the 'Evernight' series. Most loose ends are tied up, especially in terms of Bianca and Lucas' relationship.
The first hundred pages of the novel dragged a bit. I think it had something to do with the fact that the majority of the 'big reveals' were in the second half of the novel. Once we started to learn all the secrets we've been waiting to hear for the past four years, that's when the novel really picked up.
My favorite thing about this novel (and series) has to be the secondary characters. I'm probably alone in this, but Bianca and Lucas, well, they kind of got on my nerves throughout the series. Without Balthazar or Vic, I don't know if I would have seen this series in the same light. By far, Balthazar is my favorite character and I'm quite happy he's getting his own series! And let's not forget Vic. Vic was a great source of comic relief and I loved the interaction between him and 'his ghost' in 'Afterlife'.
I can't say anymore than this: 'Afterlife' may be sappy, but if you want closure (and if you've read 'Hourglass' you probably will), this is it. 'Afterlife' gets 3 out of 5 stars. You can find it at your local bookshop!
Title: DemonglassAuthor: Rachel HawkinsGenre: YA, Supernatural, Romance, Action, AdventurePerfect for: Anyone who read the original novel 'Hex Hall'Star Rating: 4/5 stars
Taken from Goodreads *NOTE- Some 'Hex Hall' spoilers within description*, "Sophie Mercer thought she was a witch. That was the whole reason she was sent to Hex Hall, a reform school for delinquent Prodigium (aka witches, shapeshifters, and fairies). But that was before she discovered the family secret, and that her hot crush, Archer Cross, is an agent for The Eye, a group bent on wiping Prodigium off the face of the earth.
Turns out, Sophie’s a demon, one of only two in the world—the other being her father. What’s worse, she has powers that threaten the lives of everyone she loves. Which is precisely why Sophie decides she must go to London for the Removal, a dangerous procedure that will destroy her powers.
But once Sophie arrives she makes a shocking discovery. Her new friends? They’re demons too. Meaning someone is raising them in secret with creepy plans to use their powers, and probably not for good. Meanwhile, The Eye is set on hunting Sophie down, and they’re using Archer to do it. But it’s not like she has feelings for him anymore. Does she?"
Writing a review for sequels is tough. You have to direct it to those who both have read the original and those who may have stumbled upon your review and haven't read the original novel. I'm going to keep this review for 'Demonglass' pretty short and sweet and try to keep as many spoilers out of it. I want you to enjoy this book and its many surprising plot points just as much as I did!
'Demonglass' is a fantastic read. Seriously, it is just as good as its predecessor, 'Hex Hall'. What did I love about this novel? So many things! First off, author Rachel Hawkins did a perfect job of reminding us what happened in the original novel without hitting us over the head with the entire plot of 'Hex Hall' all over again. The story starts off soon after the ending of 'Hex Hall'. Plot points are arranged perfectly and the story flow is fantastic. 'Demonglass' is always engaging and always entertaining. I don't recall it dragging at all, which has been a problem in most YA books I've read as of late! Just like the original, Hawkins doesn't let one element overtake the entire novel. 'Demonglass' is equal parts action, romance, and humor.
Sophie's self deprecating wit was spot on and quite welcome! Archer, well, I adore Archer. If only he were real! The banter between Sophie and Archer-- loved it. Adding to this already phenomenal cast of characters is the introduction of Sophie's father and the further development of Hex Hall's groundkeeper, Cal.
Sophie's father was a great addition. I loved his speech patterns (which sounds odd to mention), but he had a particular way of speaking that made him stand out, yet still seem related to snarky Sophie. Truthfully, I remember Cal being mentioned in 'Hex Hall', but not much other than that. He had more of a supporting character role in 'Demonglass'. I wouldn't go so far as saying that he evens out a love triangle, but I liked learning more about him and look forward to seeing what happens next with his character.
'Demonglass' gets 4 out of 5 stars. This sequel doesn't disappoint. If you liked 'Hex Hall' at all, then find a copy of 'Demonglass'. It's just that good! (Minus the cliffhanger ending-- that was just plain mean!) 'Demonglass' is available now at your local bookstore and online!
Title: Dramacon: The Ultimate Edition
Author/Artist: Svetlana Chmakova
Genre: Manga, shoujo, graphic novel
Perfect for: comic readers who a)love romantic comedies and b)have ever been to an anime convention!
Star rating: 5/5 stars
Taken from Goodreads, "When amateur writer Christie settles in the artist alley of her first ever anime convention, she sees it only as an opportunity to promote the manga she had started with her artist boyfriend. But when she unexpectedly falls for a mysterious cosplayer, things become very complicated. Because what do you do when you fall in love with someone who is going to be miles away from you in just a couple of days? Web-comic vet and Ignatz Award-nominated creator Svetlana Chmakova gives us a funny, romantic, behind-the-scenes look at an anime convention--where sometimes even two is a crowd!"
'Dramacon: The Ultimate Edition' is a collection of all three volumes of the Dramacon series bound in hardcover with enlarged print. Confession: I have enjoyed many shoujo mangas in the past. Confession: I've been to at least eight anime conventions (if not more). Confession: I love everything about Dramacon!
There are so many good things about this manga style comic. For me, there are three things that make a manga good. They are quality art, strong storytelling, and great characters. Do well with these three things and you have a winning story!
In my opinion, 'Dramacon' excels at all three elements! Artist/Author Svetlana Chmakova has a great artistic eye. Her characters are adorable and expressive and her images overall always seem to get the message across. Her style is manga inspired, but you can see her own unique style in there, too. The two page spreads in 'Dramacon' are all fantastically drawn. Take a look!
Story? 'Dramacon' earns high marks in that area, as well. I love the premise of this manga. The story revolves around two people (Christie and Matt) who meet by chance at an anime convention. The convention elements in the story are fantastic. From personal experience, I can say Chmakova captured the typical convention goings-on really well. As far as story elements, 'Dramacon' has a good mix of romance and comedy, making it great shoujo!
And the last thing-- characters... I love the characters in this manga. Christie has some great sarcastic lines and her 'inner thoughts' are fantastic, especially when they completely contradict what she saying out loud! Matt, the hot male lead, is well rounded and really likeable. The secondary characters all have their own little bit to play in the story, as well. The fact that they have a reason to be in the story and even some side storylines of their own, make them a great addition to 'Dramacon'.
So, if I leave you with nothing more than one thing, let it be this. 'Dramacon' is good, clean, fun and if you are at all into shoujo manga or even romantic comedies, you should try this out! It gets 5 out of 5 stars and is available everywhere books are sold!
Review: Angelfire
Author: Courney Allison Moulton
Genre: YA, Supernatural, Romance, Action
Perfect for: readers who look for spitfire female leads and quicky, buffy-esc dialogue
Star Rating: 4/5 stars
A mysterious boy named Will reveals she is the reincarnation of an ancient warrior, the only one capable of wielding swords of angelfire to fight the reapers, and he is an immortal sworn to protect her in battle. Now that Ellie's powers have been awakened, a powerful reaper called Bastian has come forward to challenge her. He has employed a fierce assassin to eliminate her - an assassin who has already killed her once.
While balancing her dwindling social life and reaper-hunting duties, she and Will discover Bastian is searching for a dormant creature believed to be a true soul reaper. Bastian plans to use this weapon to ignite the End of Days and to destroy Ellie's soul, ending her rebirth cycle forever. Now, she must face an army of Bastian's most frightening reapers, prevent the soul reaper from consuming her soul, and uncover the secrets of her past lives - including truths that may be too frightening to remember."
What a good read! I truly enjoyed 'Angelfire' by Courtney Allison Moulton! This book is a good example of how to write great YA fiction. You read the description and think, "well, that sounds like every other book on the market". But the thing is-- this is a step above most YA supernatural romance! What makes 'Angelfire' so good? So many things!
Let's start with the characters, shall we? If I had to compare main character Ellie to another fictional character, it would be Buffy Summers from Buffy: The Vampire Slayer. Ellie's witty disposition and overall girl power are a big reason that this book is a step above the rest. Ellie has the power to take care of herself and while it takes her time to figure that out, once she does, she is not someone you'd want to mess with! Ellie isn't an infallible character-- she makes some mistakes and has to learn from them, all while dealing with an unstable family and changing feelings towards her guardian, Will.
Speaking of Will, I really adore him. There is a fine line between male characters that come off as, well, a bit girly, for lack of a better term, and male characters that hold their own. Will holds his own in this novel much like Archer does in the 'Hex Hall' series. And even more important to his character, I think, is that there are clearly different angles to his characterization. He is fleshed out really well.
Something all great YA novels have are really good secondary characters and I think 'Angelfire' delivers this really well. Nathaniel and Caden, for example, are some interesting characters. I'm looking forward to seeing more of them! And Ellie's best friend, Kate? She's not as annoying as most YA novels 'best friend' characters.
When it comes to action, this story has it. It's packed full of fighting. Actually, this book reads a lot like an episode of Buffy or Supernatural. Courtney Allison Moulton mixes the different elements of 'Angelfire' very well. There isn't too much of anything. Just as in the story of 'The Three Bears', everything from the action, to the romance, to the quirky dialogue, to the revelations are done just right.
The only thing that I wonder about? Why, oh, why did it take so long to introduce Caden? He seems like he'll be an important player in the series, but he's not introduced until the last third of the novel and even then you really don't know who he is. I'm hoping he's a key player in the next book!
Quite honestly, I think you should read this book. It's such a fun good vs. evil supernatural adventure. It gets 4 out of 5 stars! 'Angelfire' is due out on bookstore shelves March 2011. Pre-order it now online or at your local bookshop now!
Title: Across the Universe
Author: Beth Revis
Genre: YA, Sci-fi, slight Romance
Perfect for: Sci-fi fans who don't mind a touch of romance
Star Rating: 3.5/5Taken from Goodreads, "A love out of time. A spaceship built of secrets and murder.
Seventeen-year-old Amy joins her parents as frozen cargo aboard the vast spaceship Godspeed and expects to awaken on a new planet, three hundred years in the future. Never could she have known that her frozen slumber would come to an end fifty years too soon and that she would be thrust into the brave new world of a spaceship that lives by its own rules.
Amy quickly realizes that her awakening was no mere computer malfunction. Someone-one of the few thousand inhabitants of the spaceship-tried to kill her. And if Amy doesn't do something soon, her parents will be next.
Now Amy must race to unlock Godspeed's hidden secrets. But out of her list of murder suspects, there's only one who matters: Elder, the future leader of the ship and the love she could never have seen coming."
Writing a space age sci-fi novel in a time when all the rage is supernaturals is a brave thing. It could be hit or miss. Thankfully, in the case of 'Across the Universe', it's a hit. Or nearly a hit, earning 3.5 stars from this little blogger.
I found things in the book I liked and other things I didn't. Though, to be honest, most of my grievances with 'Across the Universe' may come down more to taste than actual problems with the text. 'Across the Universe' is compelling. Helped along by short chapters and changing perspectives, I found it quite easy to immerse myself in this book. I devoured half the book in one sitting and finished it the next day.
What I liked about the novel changed a bit from opening the first page and closing on the last. I liked the idea Revis was going for because it's not commonly done in YA lit. The way the chapters weaved together was great, as well. Each little chapter from main character Amy's perspective gave us a nice idea of how 'new' the ship was and each little chapter from male lead Elder helped us understand the society. It made the idea behind the ship and the society itself a little easier to understand. (As a note, if you find yourself confused with what the ship looks like, turn your cover inside out-- there's a diagram. I wish I had known about it sooner because I was a bit confused about where things were located on the ship until I pulled out that darn map!)
Characters Amy and Elder were unique and engaging characters to read. My favorite character, however, was Harley, Elder's friend and Amy's companion during her days in the Ward. If ever she does write another book in this universe, Revis may want to consider a companion piece in Harley's point of view. I wish I could say that I was surprised when it came to who the bad guys were, but I had it figured out half way through. Even so, the main characters kept me interested.
If I had to compare this book to another popular series, it would be the 'Hunger Games' trilogy. This isn't exactly a 'happy' book. It's very low key in terms of joy and humor-filled banter. It's not something you'll finish with a sappy grin on your face. Towards the end, some really hardcore secrets are revealed that leave you (or at least me) thinking 'what?!'. That, honestly, is my only problem with the book. I wish we were given a happier ending. I'm actually a bit concerned about the characters futures... And I don't like being concerned about characters well being, especially when it seems like the book is a stand-alone.
'Across the Universe' is on store shelves now! While I don't think it is a book that will please those who don't usually enjoy Sci-fi, it is a good read. In my opinion, it gets 3.5 stars.
Now, I want to know your take on this book. Did you like the ending? Do you think it's a stand-alone novel? Do you think it will please non sci-fi readers? Comment!
EDIT: Forgot to mention the romance. As pointed out by readers of the blog, the series has been put down when it comes to the romantic entanglements. I read this book with the idea of it being more sci-fi than romance, so it didn't even occur to me to mention it in my review, but be warned that this is more based in sci-fi than teenage romance, angst, etc. Again, it's very similar to 'Hunger Games' in that respect. Actually, the romantic storyline is one of the reasons why I am concerned about the characters post the final chapter!
Title/Series: Stravaganza series (titles of books in post)Author: Mary HoffmanGenre: YA, fantasy, romance (more innocent than most ya books)Perfect for: everyone? I love this series too much to not recommend it to readers of ya fantasy who love to travel to new places in their books and are looking for a series that touches on some great points about friendship, confidence, and other good things like that. :-)Star Rating: 5/5 stars
Taken from Goodreads, here is a description of the first novel in this series. "Lucien is seriously ill but his life is transformed when an old Italian notebook gives him the power to become a stravagante, a time traveller with access to 16th century Italy."
I studied in Florence, Italy for a month. It was a great month. During that month, I got to call Florence my home, the grand duomo's and tiny side streets my backyard. I saw sculptures from famous sculpters every day without even meaning to. I won't be able to afford to go back there any time soon, but thanks to Mary Hoffman, all I have to do to re-live the beautiful country is to open one of her books.
Mary Hoffman's Stravaganza series is one of those series that should have more of a following that it does. It should have a legion of fans like popular series Harry Potter and Chronicles of Narnia. And you know what? I think it will one day. It's hard for me to review this series book by book, especially in the case of 'City of Masks'. So much has happened since then and I've loved the stories so much that writing about one chapter of their lives is hard! (It's like watching Star Wars: A New Hope and trying to not think it's weird when Leia kisses Luke "for luck". I can't help but think about the big brother/sister reveal in 'Return of the Jedi'!) Anyways, back on topic...
The basic premise of the series is simple-- each book features a teenager that needs help, even if they don't know it. In Lucien's case, he's suffering from cancer. Pretty much bed ridden, he falls asleep holding a Italian made journal and wakes up in 'Talia', an alternate version of Renaissance Italy. From then on, his life is never the same again. Each book takes place in an alternate version of another Italian city. From experience, I can say that Hoffman does a great job at capturing the essence of Italy and each town covered in these novels.
One of my favorite bits about this series is that while each book has a new main character, the characters from past books are quite present. Also, Hoffman's stories have a good mix of character development, action sequences, and even some cute romances.
All I can say is read this series! It is filled witty characters that you'll grow to love, an Italian setting that is written brilliantly, and stories that are not only about saving the day or finding a soul mate, but also learning more about yourself and understanding that the smallest, most insignificant talent can help in the long run.
This series is available in hardcover (limited) and paperback. The first trilogy is comprised of: 'City of Masks', 'City of Stars', and 'City of Flowers'. The second trilogy is comprised of 'City of Secrets', 'City of Ships', and the 2012 release (too far away!!!!) 'City of Swords'.
Title: The Iron Queen
Author: Julie Kagawa
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Romance, Action, Adventure
Perfect for: Readers who read the original two novels! Not something you want to jump into!
Release Date: February 2011
Star Rating: 3/5 Stars
Taken from Goodreads, "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."
I'm going to keep this review short and sweet due to the fact that this series is so very popular and I don't want to accidentally spoil anything before the official release of 'The Iron Queen'. Now, on to the review...
I've made it known from previous reviews on this series that I'm not as crazy about it as the masses. I've enjoyed the previous books in the Iron Fey series, but neither one has grabbed me in the same sense it seems to have grabbed everyone else. Unfortunately, 'The Iron Queen' let me down more so than the other two... It holds some great moments-- some of the best in the series, but I felt as though I was pushing myself through 90% of the novel... What went wrong with this novel? I put blame on two things, mainly the predictable nature of the series in general and the romance suffering from what TV folks call 'Moonlighting syndrome'.
Starting with the latter, I feel like the romance progressed far too quickly in the second installment and in 'The Iron Queen', honestly, any tension the love triangle had is gone. The intrigue of who she really likes or if she'll ever really like Puck might be hinted at, but is never believable. (On a side note, 'Moonlighting Syndrome' comes from an old 80's tv show called Moonlighting that was driven by the characters love/hate relationship. Once the characters fell in love for good, the show's unique quality and sense of intrigue was gone and it was quickly cancelled.) I don't want to go into this more just yet due to the fact that the book isn't released yet, but those looking for the love triangle to get a bit more even, don't expect it to happen.
The other downfall? The fact that I could have predicted most of the plot elements in 'The Iron Queen'. Nothing is wrong with a little predictability, but it was just too much for me when it came to this novel. As readers, a key ingredient to getting sucked into a novel is the sense of adventure that the characters bring to the story and already knowing what they'll do didn't help me get dragged into the story at all. I felt like I was really pushing through it. It was unlike my reading experiences with the first two books.
Earlier in my review, I mentioned that we see the best and the worst of the series in this novel... Well, onto the best, I really loved the last 30 pages. They were everything I wanted in the novel. The intrigue was there, as well as some fantastic character development. If only the entire novel had read like that! After days of thinking, why am I reading this and should I really continue this, the last 30 pages sold me on adding Kagawa's next book in this series to my 'to read' list. Again, I won't go into spoiler territory, so I'm going to keep specifics close at the moment, but this ending blew me a way.
I'm sure I'll be in the minority on this novel. Most will probably love it to no end, which I totally understand. (I love 'Fallen', but understand how others may not see it as I do!) It shall be interesting to see the reception this novel gets when it comes out... I'll be keeping my eye out! 'The Iron Queen' gets 3 out of 5 stars from me and will hit store shelves February 2011!
Title: The Iron Daughter
Author: Julie Kagawa
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Romance, Action, Adventure
Perfect for: Those who have read the first novel in the seriesStar Rating: 3/5 Stars
Taken from Goodreads, "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—ironbound 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 stuck 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."
Recently, I reviewed 'The Iron King', the first book in the Iron Fey trilogy. 'The Iron Daughter' is the sophomore effort in the series. It starts off shortly after 'The Iron King' ended and is pretty heavy with Meghan/Ash scenes. Puck has his moments in the story, but I felt he was shunned a bit in this one.
Starting out with the negatives, I felt that Meghan really should have picked up on certain things quicker than she did. For example, she knows Ash will have to play a certain roll in front of his family, friends, and followers, yet Meghan totally falls hook line and sinker for his act. Also, you'd think Meghan would understand a bit more about life in the Unseelie Court after living in it for a while, but even after she's been there for a while, she still seems to get caught in dangerous situations. It's called street smarts, Meghan!!!
The biggest thing that irked me with this novel? While I adore Ash and think he and Meghan are a cute couple, it almost seems like their relationship is happening too quickly. What does Meghan really know about Ash and vice versa? I love the idea about them being together, but would have loved to see their relationship develop over a book or two, as opposed to the whirlwind romance we get in this book and its predecessor.
Positives? The light feel is back again and welcome (even with Meghan worrying all the time about things that she really doesn't need to). Quirky dialog runs through-out the novel, which is always a nice touch! I loved the Exile Court storyline, as well as the real world adventure the troupe faces.
The best things about 'The Iron Daughter'? Iron Horse and Grim. (Puck, too!) They make this novel. At first Iron Horse's incessant ALL CAPS text bugged the heck out of me, but after a short while, as I saw his character grow, I grew to really enjoy his scenes. Along the same lines, Grim was as charming as ever this novel. He's a huge part of why I like this Iron Fey series. And Puck? Well, he's his witty self in this novel. Thank goodness. He helps to lighten the mood when lovebirds Meghan and Ash are lamenting about their various positions.
For those who liked the first book, I think you'll want to read 'The Iron Daughter'. It's a solid read, even with the annoying bits. 'The Iron Daughter' gets 3 stars. Pick it up at your local bookstore today!
Title: The Iron King
Author: Julie Kagawa
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Romance, Action, Adventure
Perfect for: Readers who are looking for a light fairy tale
Star Rating: 3/5
Taken from Goodreads, "Meghan Chase has a secret destiny—one she could never have imagined…
Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan's life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school…or at home.
When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she's known is about to change.
But she could never have guessed the truth—that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she'll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil no faery creature dare face… and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart."
I had the great honor of winning this book from a fellow blogger. I went into this book with high expectations because of the fan base it has. While this book didn't let me down per se, it didn't live up to expectations.
'The Iron King' is a fun read. Simple as that. It's lighter than the typical fey stories that have been out in past years (ie: 'Replacement', 'Tithe'). Funny, the book I can most easily compare it to is 'Twilight'. It had that same sort of feel. The story flow is very light, jovial-- even in times when the characters are in mortal danger. I'm not saying this is a bad thing, just different from what I expected.
The romance is cute, even if it's totally predictable. At this point, I've gotten used to having instantaneous romances in my YA fantasy reads and 'The Iron King' is no exception to this trend. The romantic ties between the characters are formed fast. Thankfully, even with those quick love ties, main character Meghan doesn't fall into the trap that other YA heroines fall into. She keeps her cool and direction, even as she begins falling in love with a certain character. She keeps her eye on the mission at hand, while occasionally oogling the males in her party. (The end has a bit more of oogling, but I can forgive that!)
Pushing the storyline aside, I do enjoy the characters in this series. They all have at least one attribute that I latched onto. Puck, for example, has some great sarcastic lines that verge on snarky. Ash and his incessant need to battle Puck was entertaining, because you know neither one really means to do anything other but injure eachother. (It helps that he actually does come off as pretty darn hot on paper!) Meghan's 'go with the flow' attitude about her being part fey was refreshing. And Grim, well, I adore Grim. His Cheshire nature made me adore him instantly. He's the character I wonder about-- what are his intentions and what deals might he be calling in in future novels?
'The Iron King' is one of those reads that you should look at. It is a light story that sucked me in without me even knowing it. One of those reads where you'll find yourself rooting for the characters and even feeling bad for some of them!
This book gets 3/5 stars from me. I had to take off a few stars because I felt it was a bit over hyped. Still good, but just not as fantastic as expected. 'The Iron King' is on bookshelves online and in stores now. Take a peek!
Title: Vixen
Author: Jillian Larkin
Genre: YA, Historical, Romance,
Perfect for: readers who need a break from 'current day' readsFormat: ARCRelease Date: December 14, 2010
Star Rating: 3/5 Stars
Taken from Goodreads:
"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..."
Usually, a novel with the 'good girl gone bad' vibe doesn't catch my interest. Thanks to the historical nature of 'Vixen', however, this one did. To put it simply, I enjoyed reading 'Vixen'. A lot of the enjoyment came from the decade in which the novel is set-- the roaring 20's. I've never read a novel set in the prohibition days and schools, well, they don't do a great job at teaching that era of US history. 'Vixen' was a nice chance to at least read a bit about the era, however romanticized author Jillian Larkin wrote it!
'Vixen' also touched home a bit for me because, while not a flapper, my great grandmother was a young adult in Chicago during the time period in which this novel took place. In 1923, my great grandma would have been twenty-two and was already married with child, but even for those who didn't 'party hardy' in speakeasy's, it must have been a neat time to live (albeit dangerous if you crossed the wrong person)!
Plot wise, I like the historical elements in the story. They were new to me and quite engaging. Larkin did a good job describing the prohibition period, as well as the novel's basic local's. The romance felt a bit weak, coming off forced or at least under-developed. I would have loved to see some scenes that 'built up' the relationship between romantic leads Gloria, white society girl engaged to be married, and Jerome, black jazz pianist, as opposed to the instantanious love connection we received in 'Vixen'. That being said, I like the pairing.
The characters are likable and interesting, though picky readers might find them to be a little flat. The main POV's of the novel are Gloria, Clara, and Raine. Each has their own storyline that nicely weaves together into the main one. Yes, certain elements of each seem too easy, but nonetheless, they're fun to read.
One of my favorite things about this novel? The language! I love the lingo that was used in this period piece. It kept the novel's writing fresh and gave us readers a bit more insight into the era.
For those worried about 'Vixen' having adult themes, don't worry. For all the drinking mentioned in this series, it's not as bad as you might assume it to be. Do the characters drink? Yes-- they're in a speakeasy, they can't exactly decline. Do they do anything that I think would be traumatizing for a 14 year old? Nope, not that I read. Compared to other popular series (think 'Gossip Girl'), this is nothing.
Should you pick up 'Vixen'? I think so. Forgiving the slightly under-developed elements, it is a good departure for those of us who don't always want something set in the typical 'present day, present time'. It's a solid 3 out of 5 stars from me! 'Vixen' hits store shelves December 14th, 2010.
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