Book of the Month: September

ook of the Month is a monthly event, hosted by Book Whales. This is done to highlight one of the books we have read in the previous month.

So my book of the month is (cue drum roll please..)

Carnival of Souls

by Melissa Marr

My review

I am glad that I give Carnival of Souls a try. I did not particularly enjoyed The Wicked Lovely series but Carnival of Souls is just brilliant!

Review: Ten

Ten
by Gretchen McNeil
Published September 18th 2012

by Balzer + Bray

Summary from Goodreads:

And their doom comes swiftly.
It was supposed to be the weekend of their lives—an exclusive house party on Henry Island. Best friends Meg and Minnie each have their reasons for being there (which involve T.J., the school’s most eligible bachelor) and look forward to three glorious days of boys, booze and fun-filled luxury.

But what they expect is definitely not what they get, and what starts out as fun turns dark and twisted after the discovery of a DVD with a sinister message: Vengeance is mine.

Suddenly people are dying, and with a storm raging, the teens are cut off from the outside world. No electricity, no phones, no internet, and a ferry that isn’t scheduled to return for two days. As the deaths become more violent and the teens turn on each other, can Meg find the killer before more people die? Or is the killer closer to her than she could ever imagine?

Thoughts:
If you're a big fan of Agatha Christie, chances are you have read the book And Then They Were None which this book is adapted on. And being a fan of Gretchen McNeil's earlier work (Possess) I was immediately excited by the release of this book.

In truth, I was expecting a juicy mystery where I can really sink my teeth into but the story feels more like a teenage slasher movie than a good whodunit. Most of the characters are really annoying  and I don't feel sorry that any one of them died. And the ending is so totally different from the original Agatha Christie's masterpiece that I'm not even sure to feel relieved to found out who the killer is or disappointed that the motive behind the killing is so trivial.

But credit must be given to the author since she succeeded in creating a creepy atmosphere and putting clues to keep the reader guessing.


Verdict: 3 stars.
Available on: Amazon

Review: The Enchanted Truth

The Enchanted Truth
by Kym Petrie
Published September 18th 2012

by Greenleaf Book Group
ARC from Netgalley

Summary from Goodreads:

In this humorous and insightful tale, a modern day princess finds herself single and asking for magical intervention to change her sorry love life. Rather than casting a spell to bring Prince Charming to her rescue, a savvy fairy godmother gives the tenderhearted damsel an unexpected gift. By entrusting her true thoughts and desires to an unlikely confidant, the young royal soon discovers that the person who could make her life everything she dreamed it would be has been with her all along.

Thoughts:
This is a very short book that could be read in under an hour.It follows the adventures of a Princess who received a leather frog from her fairy godmother in her quest to find her own Prince Charming. Along the way, the Princess meet all sorts of guys which made her feel so confused. So she decided to keep a list of traits that she's looking for in a man.

The quirky, funny tone certainly appeals to me and I'm sure fans of fairy tales will adore this book. But most importantly there's a valuable lesson to be learn from the outcome of the book. I really wished the story was longer but I think this is just perfect for younger readers.

Verdict: 4 stars.
Available on: Amazon

Review: Stormdancer

Stormdancer (The Lotus War #1)
by Jay Kristoff
Published September 1st 2012
by Tor UK
ARC from Netgalley

Summary from Goodreads:

Griffins are supposed to be extinct. So when Yukiko and her warrior father Masaru are sent to capture one for the Shogun, they fear that their lives are over. Everyone knows what happens to those who fail him, no matter how hopeless the task.

But the mission proves far less impossible, and far more deadly, than anyone expects – and soon Yukiko finds herself stranded: a young woman alone in her country's last wilderness, with only a furious, crippled griffin for company. But trapped together in the forest, Yukiko and Buruu soon discover a friendship that neither of them expected.

Meanwhile, the country around them verges on the brink of collapse. A toxic fuel is slowly choking the land; the omnipotent, machine-powered Lotus Guild is publicly burning those they deem Impure; and the Shogun cares about nothing but his own dominion. Yukiko has always been uneasy in the shadow of power, when she learns the awful truth of what the Shogun has done, both to her country and to her own family she's determined to do something about it.

Returning to the city, Yukiko and Buruu plan to make the Shogun pay for his crimes – but what can one girl and a flightless griffin do against the might of an empire?

Thoughts:
I think I'm one of the few people who have mixed feelings about this book. The amount of negative and gushing reviews just show how divided readers are about it. As an Asian, I'm all for an epic fantasy not set in another Western or medieval England setting but if you're going to do a book that is supposed to have Japanese inspired setting then I do think one might as well do their research properly.

The most glaring mistake is the use of language but without getting too technical, I must point out that the use of the word ''Aiya" by the supposedly Japanese characters made me laugh. That is something a Chinese would say not a Japanese. It's like an English man saying "Howdy mate" or something.

But if you can get past the dodgy use of Japanese in the book, it is quite enjoyable to some point. The author certainly have a talent of creating a beautiful fantasy world eventhough it suffers from severe over description. The characters are fairly interesting but instead of rooting for Yukiko, I found myself intrigued by the sarcastic Griffin and the mysterious Lady Aisha; sister to the sinister Shogun. Yukiko is a wonderful heroine in the beginning but she's really not good in matters of the heart and that shortcoming actually hurt her in the end.

This book was actually one of my most anticipated books of the year and although I quite enjoyed it, there are too many issues with the setting and language to make it truly outstanding.

Verdict: 3 stars.
In my Debut Author & Steampunk Reading Challenge 
Available on: Amazon

Mini reviews: Second in series

I have been reading several second books in a series that seemed quite disappointing lately and instead of writing a long angry rant, I think it might be better if I jot down what I didn't like about the book.

Shadows (Ashes Trilogy #2)
by Ilsa J. Bick
Published September 25th 2012
by Egmont USA

Summary from Goodreads:

The Apocalypse does not end. The Changed will grow in numbers. The Spared may not survive.

Even before the EMPs brought down the world, Alex was on the run from the demons of her past and the monster living in her head. After the world was gone, she believed Rule could be a sanctuary for her and those she’d come to love.
But she was wrong.

Now Alex is in the fight of her life against the adults, who would use her, the survivors, who don’t trust her, and the Changed, who would eat her alive.

Thoughts:
When too much action doesn't really make a good plotline. I'm not sure I'll be continuing with the series. The first book is mildly interesting even if it's too violent for me. But this one is just too..over the top. The violence, the gore, the bloody atmosphere is just too much. And the multiple POV's from a bunch of characters that I'm not interested in just made it so overbearing.


Dearly, Beloved (Gone With the Respiration #2)
by Lia Habel

Published September 25th 2012 

by Del Rey

ARC from Netgalley

Summary from Goodreads:

Can the living coexist with the living dead?

That’s the question that has New Victorian society fiercely divided ever since the mysterious plague known as “The Laz” hit the city of New London and turned thousands into walking corpses. But while some of these zombies are mindless monsters, hungry for human flesh, others can still think, speak, reason, and control their ravenous new appetites.

Just ask Nora Dearly, the young lady of means who was nearly kidnapped by a band of sinister zombies but valiantly rescued by a dashing young man . . . of the dead variety.

Nora and her savior, the young zombie soldier Bram Griswold, fell hopelessly in love. But others feel only fear and loathing for the reanimated dead. Now, as tensions grow between pro- and anti-zombie factions, battle lines are being drawn in the streets. And though Bram is no longer in the New Victorian army, he and his ex-commando zombie comrades are determined to help keep the peace. That means taking a dangerous stand between The Changed, a radical group of sentient zombies fighting for survival, and The Murder, a masked squad of urban guerrillas hellbent on destroying the living dead. But zombies aren’t the only ones in danger: Their living allies are also in The Murder’s crosshairs, and for one vengeful zealot, Nora Dearly is the number one target.

As paranoia, prejudice, and terrorist attacks threaten to plunge the city into full-scale war, Nora’s scientist father and his team continue their desperate race to unlock the secrets of “The Laz” and find a cure. But their efforts may be doomed when a mysterious zombie appears bearing an entirely new strain of the virus—and the nation of New Victoria braces for a new wave of the apocalypse.

Thoughts:
It was dreadfully slow. I love the fact that in the first book the romance between Nora and Bram is not some instant creation and that it took some time to blossom. But this book is just a mess. Now their romance is just nauseating and the plot about finding the cure to the zombie problem is sort of forgotten. And yes there are multiple POV's from some new characters which made it quite confusing.

In my Steampunk Reading Challenge 

*Maybe I should take a break from reading zombie books or books with the multiple POV's.

Blog Tour (Guest Post): Brightest Kind of Darkness by P.T. Michelle

I'm so excited to be a part of the Brightness Kind of Darkness Blog Tour! Today I have a wonderful guest post by P.T. Michelle. Let's see what she thinks if Brightness Kind of Darkness were made into a movie.

About P.T. Michelle:

P.T. Michelle is author of the young adult series BRIGHTEST KIND OF DARKNESS. When P.T. isn’t writing, she can usually be found reading or taking pictures of landscapes, sunsets and anything beautiful or odd in nature.

Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Pinterest |Newsletter

BRIGHTEST KIND OF DARKNESS/LUCID - THE MOVIE 

I've been asked several times who I would cast in the BKoD characters' roles, so here goes!

I couldn't find any ONE actor who fits my idea of Ethan, so try to imagine these two actors below combined into one person. THAT would be Ethan. :)

ETHAN - Alex Pettyfer's intense, sharp features - mixed with Jordan Nichols' dark, good looks.

NARA - Amanda Seyfried

LAINEY - Amy Davidson 

ELIZABETH (NARA'S MOM) - Leigh-Allyn Baker 

AUNT SAGE - Leslie Hope 

GRAN CORDA (NARA'S GREAT AUNT) - Betty White 

DRYSTAN - Benjamin Stone 

Brightest Kind of Darkness (Brightest Kind of Darkness #1)

Nara Collins is an average sixteen-year-old, with one exception: every night she dreams the events of the following day. Due to an incident in her past, Nara avoids using her special gift to change fate…until she dreams a future she can’t ignore.
After Nara prevents a bombing at Blue Ridge High, her ability to see the future starts to fade, while people at school are suddenly being injured at an unusually high rate.

Grappling with her diminishing powers and the need to prevent another disaster, Nara meets Ethan Harris, a mysterious loner who seems to understand her better than anyone. Ethan and Nara forge an irresistible connection, but as their relationship heats up, so do her questions about his dark past.

Lucid (Brightest Kind of Darkness #2)

Once Nara combines her prophetic ability with Ethan’s power to outsmart Fate at his own deadly cat-and-mouse game, she’s more determined than ever to help Ethan learn the meaning behind the raven sword tattoo that suddenly appeared on his back after their confrontation with Fate.

During her quest to uncover the tattoo’s secrets, Nara enlists the help of some new friends and discovers her own surprising connection to Ethan.

While Nara digs deeper into the mystery, her desire for answers leads her down a dangerous path full of powerful and ruthless enemies. Swept into an age-old battle, Nara quickly learns that keeping one’s enemies close can be a necessary evil, making an intangible enemy she can control far more preferable to the human enemies she can’t.

Prize #1. One print copy of BkoD.

Prize #2. One print copy of Lucid.

Grand Prize: One print copy of BkoD & Lucid & Nara's Necklace

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Review: Brightest Kind of Darkness

Brightest Kind of Darkness (Brightest Kind of Darkness #1)

by P.T. Michelle
Published June 27th 2011 

Review copy

Summary from Goodreads:

Nara Collins is an average sixteen-year-old, with one exception: every night she dreams the events of the following day. Due to an incident in her past, Nara avoids using her special gift to change fate…until she dreams a future she can’t ignore.

After Nara prevents a bombing at Blue Ridge High, her ability to see the future starts to fade, while people at school are suddenly being injured at an unusually high rate.

Grappling with her diminishing powers and the need to prevent another disaster, Nara meets Ethan Harris, a mysterious loner who seems to understand her better than anyone. Ethan and Nara forge an irresistible connection, but as their relationship heats up, so do her questions about his dark past.

Thoughts:
The first thing that grabbed me is that wonderful cover. It's so beautiful! I would have never guessed that it's a self published work because of the professional looking cover and the way the story is written. The story is so compelling that I found myself glued to the book till the last page.

Nara has the ability to dream about things that will happen to her the next day but when her secret dreams stop so suddenly her life took a dramatic turn. She meets the mysterious Ethan and strange things started happening to her. The twists and turns of the story sure keep me guessing all the way through and the ending is just explosive! I really can't wait for the next book.

Verdict: 4 stars.
In my Self- Published Reading Challenge 
Available on: Amazon

My Indie Monday #3

Welcome to My Indie Monday! MIM is hosted by Me, My Shelf and I.

MY INDIE MONDAY is a meme all about Independent and Self Published Authors. Who they are. Where to find them. Why you should read them.

I'm so excited to have Megan Duncan on my blog today. As you all know I'm just so obsessed with her Warm Delicacy series. I thought it would be interesting to see what a conversation between Megan and Claire; the vampire princess from the Warm Delicacy series would be like. And don't forget to check out a giveaway of the book.

About Megan:

Megan Duncan is a lover of all things paranormal, fantasy, sci-fi and anything just out of the ordinary. She is continually fighting her addiction to chocolate and living in her overactive imagination.

Blog | Twitter | Facebook

Interview With a Vampire 

Megan: Hi, Claire. How have you been? 

Claire: Hey, Meg! I’m doing pretty good considering there’s an uber scary, evil vampire trying to kill everyone. But, with my friends and family by my side, and Arrick’s guardian nature watching over me, I know we’ll make it through.And how about you? Is there anything you’re working on right now? 

Megan: Oh, you know, the usual. Working, writing and taking care of my crazy cat. It just feels like there aren’t enough hours in the day. But life must be pretty hectic for you too. What with adapting to your new life in Naos. 

Claire: Yes. At times it does seem like there is always something going on, but those special moments where I can simply breathe and enjoy who I’m with make it all worth it. Like the other night I spent an amazing evening on the beach with Arrick! We talked, and laughed, and I was able to completely forget everything that was stressing me out. But, being a writer must be wonderful. Creating new fantastical world, having fans… 

Megan: It really is wonderful. I love being able to live in my imagination and create stories that people enjoy reading. But being a vampire princess must be awesome too. And having two gorgeous guys vying for your attention is just dreamy. 

Claire: Well, I wouldn’t say two. I think Dmitry is still pretty miffed about Arrick and I. I’m hoping he’ll get over it and we can be friends again. I still care about him, but things are different, ya know?So what’s happening with you. Is there any plans for the new book? 

Megan: This new book is going to be epic! I don’t want to reveal any spoilers, but I will say that there are a lot of twists and turns no one is going to see coming! Squee! Thank you for taking the time to talk to me. I know you must have some pretty tight schedule. 

Claire: I’m never too busy for you!

Megan: And thanks so much for not wanting to drink my blood or anything. 

Claire: Ha ha! If you were as tasty as Arrick’s I might have. JK

Savor (Warm Delicacy #1)

Summary from Goodreads:

When Claire Miller turned eighteen all she wanted to do was celebrate her birthday, but after a night on the town with her best friend she awakes to a visitor she never expected. The rulers of her region, a vampire royal family, have chosen her to be turned as their new heir and vampire princess. In a world fueled by the power of blood, Claire quickly discovers the vampire royal family is not what they seem and that she has secrets in her past, she never knew existed.

Indulge (Warm Delicacy #2)

Summary from Goodreads:

Claire's heart is torn between her first vampire love, Dmitry, and the Blood Mate, Arrick, that she is eternally bonded to with a powerfully deep and emotional connection. A vengeful vampire is haunting her steps, after Claire killed their mate. An ancient evil threatens to rip her world apart. With the danger of war looming on the darkening horizon, will Claire find the strength to fight back and protect those she loves? Even if it means embracing the darkness inside her? Is it worth it to become the evil she fears, in order to destroy it?

Giveaway

1. An ebook copy of the books and signed bookmarks.
2. Ends October 15th.
3. Open International.
4. Fill in the rafflecopter and that's it!


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Review: Grasping at Eternity

Grasping at Eternity (The Kindrily Series #1)
by Karen Amanda Hooper
Published May 25th 2012
by Starry Sky Publishing
Review Copy

Summary from Goodreads:

Leave it to Maryah Woodsen to break the one rule that will screw up eternity: Never erase your memories. 

Before entering this life, Maryah did the unthinkable—she erased. Now, at seventeen years old, she’s clueless that her new adoptive family has known her for centuries, that they are perpetually reincarnated souls, and that they have supernatural abilities. Oh, and she's supposed to love (not despise) Nathan, the green-eyed daredevil who saved her life.

Nathan is convinced his family’s plan to spark Maryah's memory is hopeless, but his love for her is undying. After spending (and remembering) so many lifetimes together, being around an empty version of his soulmate is heart shattering. He hates acting like a stalker, but has no choice because the evil outcast who murdered Maryah in their last lifetime is still after her. 

While Maryah’s hunter inches closer, she and Nathan make assumptions and hide secrets that rip them further apart. Maryah has to believe in the magic within her, Nathan must have faith in the power of their love, and both need to grasp onto the truth before they lose each other forever—and discover just how lonely eternity can be. 

Thoughts:
It was touted as X-Men meets My Name is Memory. But after reading it, I really think that it has some of The Vow elements in it. Nathan and Maryah are a part of a group of humans with special powers known as the Kindrily. They have been reincarnated for several times but when Maryah lost her memories when she was reborn in this lifetime, Nathan is devastated for his soul mate.

Nathan's superhuman family tried desperately to shower Maryah's with love in the hope that she will regain her memory when Maryah's family were killed in mysterious circumstances. A sinister murderer is inching closer to Maryah so Nathan must protect her while coming to grips with his own feelings.

I found the story to be quite heartbreaking at times as Nathan struggles with his own feelings and waits for Maryah to fall in love with him all over again. The romance element is the majority pull of this story since the paranormal element took a backseat to the love story between the pair. It was indeed an emotional roller coaster ride with this pair and I was happily rooting for Maryah to regain her memories. I only wished that they are more action featuring the Kindrily families with their individual powers.

Verdict: 3 stars.
In my Self-Published Reading Challenge 
Available on: Amazon

Review: What's Left of Me

What's Left of Me (The Hybrid Chronicles #1)
by Kat Zhang
Published September 18th 2012

by HarperCollins
ARC from Edelweiss

Summary from Goodreads:

I should not exist. But I do.

Eva and Addie started out the same way as everyone else—two souls woven together in one body, taking turns controlling their movements as they learned how to walk, how to sing, how to dance. But as they grew, so did the worried whispers. Why aren’t they settling? Why isn’t one of them fading? The doctors ran tests, the neighbors shied away, and their parents begged for more time. Finally Addie was pronounced healthy and Eva was declared gone. Except, she wasn’t . . .

For the past three years, Eva has clung to the remnants of her life. Only Addie knows she’s still there, trapped inside their body. Then one day, they discover there may be a way for Eva to move again. The risks are unimaginable-hybrids are considered a threat to society, so if they are caught, Addie and Eva will be locked away with the others. And yet . . . for a chance to smile, to twirl, to speak, Eva will do anything.

Thoughts:
What's Left of Me actually confused me in the beginning. I thought it was a contemporary novel about the loss of a twin then I suspected that the main character is suffering from some form of schizophrenia. That's what you get if you read something without reading the blurb first.

Apparently the book is a dystopian so naturally it is set in a distant future where everyone is born with two souls but the US has proclaimed a law that everyone should get rid of the weaker soul and  people who attains adulthood with two souls are known as hybrid. These hybrids are naturally rounded up and sent off to some shady medical institutions where they are being treated.

Since all the kids are expected to settle (which basically means that the dominant one takes over and get rid of the weaker one), Addie/Eva hides the truth that they are a hybrid. Although Eva still exist, she's only in the head and Addie controls everything. I really admire how the author is able to differentiate the two voices inside the head and you can actually feel the dilemma that Addie/Eva is going through.

When the girls are befriended by Hally Mullan, they discovered that there are other hybrids out there who are hiding their true condition too but things took a sinister turn when the government found out about them and they are forced to leave their homes.

The story is compelling, intriguing and beautifully written. I must say that the author is a genius in capturing the conflict that these two souls are experiencing and the romance is heart warming unlike the so many instant love that is abundant in the YA genre. Ryan is supportive and brings out the best in Eva and he literally puts Eva in the forefront again. The book is amazing but for two things. Maybe more explanation is needed as to the reason why the government is so against a hybrid. They are simply regarded as dangerous. But why? And in the beginning of the story, it is told that the government has closed its borders because of the wars and foreigners are rare in the future. So are foreigners or foreign blood being discriminated against? Since this is touted as a trilogy maybe such questions will be answered in due time.

Verdict: 4 stars.
In my Debut Author Reading Challenge 
Available on: Amazon

Review: Shadowfell

Shadowfell (Shadowfell #1)
by Juliet Marillier
Published September 11th 2012
by Knopf Books for Young Readers
ARC from Netgalley 

Summary from Goodreads:

Sixteen-year-old Neryn is alone in the land of Alban, where the oppressive king has ordered anyone with magical strengths captured and brought before him. Eager to hide her own canny skill—a uniquely powerful ability to communicate with the fairy-like Good Folk—Neryn sets out for the legendary Shadowfell, a home and training ground for a secret rebel group determined to overthrow the evil King Keldec.

During her dangerous journey, she receives aid from the Good Folk, who tell her she must pass a series of tests in order to recognize her full potential. She also finds help from a handsome young man, Flint, who rescues her from certain death—but whose motives in doing so remain unclear. Neryn struggles to trust her only allies. They both hint that she alone may be the key to Alban’s release from Keldec’s rule.

Homeless, unsure of who to trust, and trapped in an empire determined to crush her, Neryn must make it to Shadowfell not only to save herself, but to save Alban.

Thoughts:
Avid fantasy fans would certainly be familiar with Juliet Marilier's works. She has such an exquisite talent of writing beautiful and imaginative fantasy world that would totally charmed you and swept you away. Shadowfell is certainly not an exception.

Although slow in some parts, I found myself thoroughly and deliriously enjoying every bit of the story. Neryn is one of those quiet unassuming heroine that the reader will be rooting for. Neryn's journey is indeed insufferably long and I'm sure many readers complained about it. But in some ways, it is reminiscent of Maria V. Snyder's Touch of Power where the characters spent most of the time travelling to their intended destination.

Shadowfell might not be for everyone but I'm so enchanted by the writing and the wonderful depiction created by Marilier that I'm really looking forward to the next instalment.

Recommended for: fans of witches
Verdict: 4 stars.
In my Witches & Witchcraft Reading Challenge 
Available on: Amazon

Stuck in a Good Book Giveaway Hop

Welcome to my stop of the Stuck in a Good Book Giveaway Hop hosted by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and Valerie from Stuck in Books.

Rules:

1. One winner will get to choose one book from my list of favourite books which are shown below.

2. As usual it's open to International followers as long as The Book Depository ships to you.

3. Fill in the rafflecopter and that's it.

 
 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: Carnival of Souls

Carnival of Souls

by Melissa Marr
Published September 4th 2012 

by HarperCollins

Summary from Goodreads:

In a city of daimons, rigid class lines separate the powerful from the power-hungry. And at the heart of The City is the Carnival of Souls, where both murder and pleasure are offered up for sale. Once in a generation, the carnival hosts a deadly competition that allows every daimon a chance to join the ruling elite. Without the competition, Aya and Kaleb would both face bleak futures--if for different reasons. For each of them, fighting to the death is the only way to try to live.

All Mallory knows of The City is that her father--and every other witch there--fled it for a life in exile in the human world. Instead of a typical teenage life full of friends and maybe even a little romance, Mallory scans quiet streets for threats, hides herself away, and trains to be lethal. She knows it's only a matter of time until a daimon finds her and her father, so she readies herself for the inevitable. While Mallory possesses little knowledge of The City, every inhabitant of The City knows of her. There are plans for Mallory, and soon she, too, will be drawn into the decadence and danger that is the Carnival of Souls.

Thoughts:
I must say Melissa Marr's writing has indeed improve a lot from her Wicked Lovely days. I had a hard time reading that series so initially I was a bit hesitant about Carnival of Souls. But really that cover and the enticing trailer that has been floating around the web kind of seduce me to check this out. And I'm so glad that I did!

At the heart of the story are two girls; Mallory and Aya who are trying desperately to survive in their harsh surroundings while braving an uncertain future. Mallory; the daimon child raised by a witch in the human world is constantly on the run with her father. While Aya the witch raised in The City among daimons have to enter a deadly competition in order to hide her true nature. Kaleb and Belias are the two daimons caught in the struggles of the two female protagonists. Kaleb who comes from the lowest caste daimon is hired to track down Mallory and end up falling in love with her. Belias on the other hand originates from the ruling caste and is trying to protect her once betrothed; Aya from being killed in the competition but was killed instead.

I must admit that the many twists and turns of the story made it such a delicious read. There's a connection between Mallory and Aya which is only revealed towards the end. And I just love how the author is able to integrate the daimon world and the human world so brilliantly and portray the characters with a certain kind of depth. The story is amazingly written, dark and thrilled me to the end.

However, it is overwhelmingly violent in certain parts that I'm not sure whether this is indeed appropriate for teens to read and the scene where Kaleb is forced to formalise his daimon wedding with a bride proxy is just disturbing.

Verdict: 5 stars.
In my Witches & Witchcraft Reading Challenge 
Available on: Amazon

Review: Starling

Starling (Starling #1)
by Lesley Livingston
Published August 28th 2012

by HarperTeen

Summary from Goodreads:

Mason Starling is a champion fencer on the Gosforth Academy team, but she's never had to fight for her life. Not until the night a ferocious, otherworldly storm rips through Manhattan, trapping Mason and her teammates inside the school. Mason is besieged by nightmarish creatures more terrifying than the thunder and lightning as the raging tempest also brings a dangerous stranger into her life: a young man who remembers nothing but his name--the Fennrys Wolf. 

His arrival tears Mason's world apart, even as she feels an undeniable connection to him. Together, they seek to unravel the secrets of Fenn's identity as strange and supernatural forces gather around them. When they discover Mason's family--with its dark allegiance to ancient Norse gods--is at the heart of the mystery, Fennrys and Mason are suddenly faced with a terrifying future.

Thoughts:
The beginning and the ending of Starling certainly blew me away! I have never encountered such an electrifying cliffhanger ending with the exception of Cinder and Insurgent so far this year. The action starts right at the beginning since out of nowhere a strange storm entrapped Mason and her friends in the gym and beasts attacked them. A mysterious gorgeous guy came to the rescue and immediately sparks flew between Mason and the amnesiac hero who only remembers his name; The Fennrys Wolf.

I would have dearly loved to give this book a solid 5 stars just for the beginning and ending but there are certain aspects of this book that really bothered me. For one, Mason was supposed to have this huge crush on the popular jock/teammate; Calum in the beginning but then totally changed her attention to Fenn. Is it because of the way Fenn appeared? I mean..he did made a grand entrance what with no clothes and all. But it just shows how fickle Mason is.

The mythology elements incorporated into the story can also be overwhelming at times. I keep wondering that there must be some reason why Mason's family have this weird obsession of making Ragnarok (doomsday) a reality. It's like being evil without a purpose. Sure they're evil but why are they like that in the first place? Revenge? Greed? I don't get it. They're already rich beyond belief so why would they want to destroy everything?

Calum's family is also a bit shadowy. There are supposed to be guarding against evil but what are they really doing? More like having meetings and talking about it. And Mason was supposed to be this awesome fencing champion but she turned out to be a total disappointment in my opinion. Not only she froze a few times when monsters are attacking her left and right but she was also so traumatised by the whole thing that afterwards she lose miserably in a fencing competition. Bummer!

I'm hoping that these questions and a lot more will be answered in the next book. And that ending especially left me gaping. I certainly did not see that one coming. It really caught me by surprise and now I'm so anticipating the continuation of the series.

Verdict: 4 stars.
Available on: Amazon

Review: The Rise of Nine

The Rise of Nine (Lorien Legacies #3)
by Pittacus Lore
Published August 21st 2012

by HarperCollins

Summary from Goodreads:

Until the day I met John Smith, Number Four, I'd been on the run alone, hiding and fighting to stay alive.

Together, we are much more powerful. But it could only last so long before we had to separate to find the others. . . .

I went to Spain to find Seven, and I found even more, including a tenth member of the Garde who escaped from Lorien alive. Ella is younger than the rest of us, but just as brave. Now we're looking for the others--including John.

But so are they.

They caught Number One in Malaysia.

Number Two in England.

And Number Three in Kenya.

They caught me in New York--but I escaped.

I am Number Six. 

They want to finish what they started.

But they'll have to fight us first.

Thoughts:
As in the first two books, The Rise of Nine is filled with heart stomping action but without any real progress in its plotline. The surviving members of the Lorien are still running for their lives and are still trying to locate Number Eight in India. Since Number One, Two and Three have died, there's only Number Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight and Nine left.

Number Four (John) decided to venture to the mountain headquarters of the Mogadorians to retrieve his chest with his pal; Sam and his trusty pet; Bernie Kousar in tow. There they found Number Nine; a surly guy with a mysterious past.

While Six (Veronica) found Seven (Marina) in Spain in the previous book and now is locating number Eight. Six and Seven are also joined by Ella; a surprising member of the Garde who was in a different ship from their original flight from Lorien. The kids now have to scrambled to come together to face off the powerful Mogadorians leader Setrakus Ra who has arrived on Earth and apparently has teamed up with the FBI to exterminate the Garde.

The constant move from Six to Four's POV bothered me and is quite befuddling to my comprehension. If only the series are written from a third person point of view then I'm sure it'll be much more easier to understand. I think I just got lost towards the end where multiple POV's are involved. I do love Six. I think she's just way cool as a female action heroine. Even Sarah makes an appearance and kick some butt in this book but sadly I'm losing interest in the series.

For those of you who haven't read the first two instalments, this could be a really confusing read. My advice is to just stick with the movie which is based on the first book.

Verdict: 3 stars.
Available on: Amazon

Follow Friday#9

Hi, everyone! It's time for another FF Friday.

Q: What hyped up book do you think was not worth all the talk?

Let's see..there are so many! I feel so weird when everyone talks about Fifty Shades so much or wonder why my best friend simply adore Delirium and all those dystopian romance (Wither, Matched and the like). I guess I'm just not a romantic person.

Review: Hanging by a Thread

Hanging by a Thread
by Sophie Littlefield
Published September 11th 2012

by Delacorte Books for Young Readers

ARC from Netgalley

Summary from Goodreads:

Summer is the best part of the year in Winston, California, and the Fourth of July is the highlight of the season. But the perfect town Clare remembers has changed, and everyone is praying that this summer will be different from the last two—that this year's Fourth of July festival won't see one of their own vanish without a trace, leaving no leads and no suspects. The media are in a frenzy predicting a third disappearance, but the town depends on tourist dollars, so the residents of Winston are trying desperately to pretend nothing's wrong.

And they're not the only ones hiding something.

Clare, a seamstress who redesigns vintage clothing, has been blessed—or perhaps cursed—with a gift: she can see people's pasts when she touches their clothes. When she stumbles across a denim jacket that once belonged to Amanda Stavros, last year's Fourth of July victim, Clare sees her perfect town begin to come apart at the seams.

In a town where appearance means everything, how deep beneath the surface will Clare dig to uncover a murderer?

Thoughts:
This book reminded me a lot to the book The Unquiet since there are startling similarities in the beginning of both books. In The Unquiet, the main protagonist is also moving back to her mother's hometown due to some family problems and stumbled upon a murder.

I immensely enjoyed the mystery and also the paranormal twist to the story. Clare's gift of experiencing visions whenever she touched a piece of garment is indeed a very nifty talent in solving a crime. I faithfully followed all the clues but still the final revelation is indeed rather surprising for me. It is tragic and sad that a normal person can changed into a monster to exact revenge on someone who accidentally killed their loved one.

But it is quite painful to read the growing relationship between Clare and Jack and I just couldn't fully understand why Clare is attracted to him. Overall, it is quite a good mystery but the lack of chemistry between Clare and Jack bothered me somewhat.

Verdict: 3 stars.
Available on: Amazon

Wishlist Wednesday #31

Wishlist Wednesday is a wonderful meme created by the ever sweet Dani from Pen to Paper where we will post about one book per week that has been on our wishlist for some time, or just added, that we can't wait to get off the wishlist and onto our wonderful shelves.


Days of Blood and Starlight (Daughter of Smoke and Bone #2)
by Laini Taylor
Expected publication: November 6th 2012 

Little Brown Books for Young Readers

Summary from Goodreads:
In this stunning sequel to the highly acclaimed Daughter of Smoke and Bone, Karou must come to terms with who and what she is, and how far she’ll go to avenge her people. Filled with heartbreak and beauty, mysteries and secrets, new characters and old favorites, Days of Blood and Starlight brings the richness, color and intensity of the first book to a brand new canvas.

Babble:
That mysterious haunting cover just totally mesmerized me. Daughter of Smoke and Bone is my favourite book last year so I'm really looking forward to reading more about Karou and Akiva. They give a totally new meaning to the term star crossed lovers. A demon and an angel? I really don't know how they can make their relationship work.

Review: Origin

Origin
by Jessica Khoury
Published September 4th 2012

by Razorbill

Summary from Goodreads:

Pia has grown up in a secret laboratory hidden deep in the Amazon rain forest. She was raised by a team of scientists who have created her to be the start of a new immortal race. But on the night of her seventeenth birthday, Pia discovers a hole in the electric fence that surrounds her sterile home--and sneaks outside the compound for the first time in her life.

Free in the jungle, Pia meets Eio, a boy from a nearby village. Together, they embark on a race against time to discover the truth about Pia's origin--a truth with deadly consequences that will change their lives forever.

Thoughts:
I had my doubts about this book since it sounded so much like the romantic elements will take a centre stage in the story. But the book really exceeds my expectation and I found myself thoroughly enjoying it.

It is indeed a compelling look into the extent of what humans would do in the name of science. The story and the mystery behind Pia's existence is engrossing and made me so curious that I read the book all in one night. The lush and beautiful Amazon rainforest certainly make a wonderful backdrop to the whole story and it is evident that the author have conducted her research when constructing the setting and the scientific elements of the book.

Pia is a product of a science experiment conducted deep inside the Amazon rainforest in a closed community known as Little Cam. When a new scientist arrived at Little Cam and aroused Pia's curiosity about the outside world, things took a rather surprising turn. Pia's encounter with the half-native boy; Eio opened her eyes to new possibilities and their romance is sweet but somewhat predictable.

The ending totally blew my mind since the truth behind Little Cam's science experiment literally shatters Pia's entire life. It's tragic and sad to find out that the people who has been raising her have sinister motives of their own and would stop at nothing to reach their goal.

Verdict: 5 stars.
In my Debut Author Reading Challenge 
Available on: Amazon

Follow Friday #8

Hi, everyone! It's time for another FF Friday. I haven't done this for the longest time.

Q: What book(s) are you reading right now? What do you think of it?

I'm reading Starling by Lesley Livingston. The action starts right at the beginning and it's never been a dull moment. I'm really enjoying it.

Review: The Dark Unwinding

The Dark Unwinding
by Sharon Cameron
Published September 1st 2012

by Scholastic Press

ARC from Netgalley

Summary from Goodreads:

A spine-tingling tale of steampunk and spies, intrigue and heart-racing romance! 

When Katharine Tulman's inheritance is called into question by the rumor that her eccentric uncle is squandering away the family fortune, she is sent to his estate to have him committed to an asylum. But instead of a lunatic, Katharine discovers a genius inventor with his own set of rules, who employs a village of nine hundred people rescued from the workhouses of London.

Katharine is now torn between protecting her own inheritance and preserving the peculiar community she grows to care for deeply. And her choices are made even more complicated by a handsome apprentice, a secretive student, and fears for her own sanity.

As the mysteries of the estate begin to unravel, it is clear that not only is her uncle's world at stake, but also the state of England as Katharine knows it. With twists and turns at every corner, this heart-racing adventure will captivate readers with its intrigue, thrills, and romance.

Thoughts:
It took me a really really long time to finish this book and I had a hard time trying to digest what's really going on in the story. The slow pace and the myriad of uninspiring characters just seemed to turn me off the book in the beginning. I keep waiting for the pace to pick up or for something to happen that will shake everything up but even the twist is just not that exciting to me.

It drives me crazy with all the secrets surrounding Katharine's uncle and the servants need to keep Katharine in the dark with all that is happening in the estate. It doesn't take a lot of snooping to find out what's really going on.

All in all, this book is just not for me. I crave for danger and excitement which came a bit late in the story but for readers who doesn't mind the slow pace in the beginning, the story might just appeal to them.

Verdict: 2 stars.
In my Steampunk Reading Challenge 
Available on: Amazon

Review: The Pigeon Pie Mystery - A Novel

The Pigeon Pie Mystery: A Novel
by Julia Stuart
Published August 7th 2012
by Doubleday

Summary from Goodreads:

When Indian Princess Alexandrina is left penniless by the sudden death of her father, the Maharaja of Brindor, Queen Victoria grants her a grace-and-favor home in Hampton Court Palace. Though rumored to be haunted, Alexandrina and her lady's maid, Pooki, have no choice but to take the Queen up on her offer.

Aside from the ghost sightings, Hampton Court doesn't seem so bad. The princess is soon befriended by three eccentric widows who invite her to a picnic with all the palace's inhabitants, for which Pooki bakes a pigeon pie. But when General-Major Bagshot dies after eating said pie, and the coroner finds traces of arsenic in his body, Pooki becomes the #1 suspect in a murder investigation. 

Princess Alexandrina isn't about to let her faithful servant hang. She begins an investigation of her own, and discovers that Hampton Court isn't such a safe place to live after all.
With her trademark wit and charm, Julia Stuart introduces us to an outstanding cast of lovable oddballs, from the palace maze-keeper to the unconventional Lady Beatrice (who likes to dress up as a toucan—don't ask), as she guides us through the many delightful twists and turns in this fun and quirky murder mystery. Everyone is hiding a secret of the heart, and even Alexandrina may not realize when she's caught in a maze of love.

Thoughts:
I've been reading a lot of mediocre YA books lately which made my head spin. So I decided to take a break and read a nice enjoyable murder mystery instead. I've always love cozy mystery and British literature since they never failed to disappoint me.

And yes just as I've predicted this book made me feel all warm inside. This book is indeed utterly charming, full of wit and ridiculously funny. I just can't stop smiling while reading it. I just fell in love with the wonderful and quirky residents of the Hampton Court. Their unbelievable antics and nosy nature may not be everyone's cup of tea but I love them nonetheless.

Princess Alexandria aka Mink is thrown into a loop when she is forced to sell her house after her father died in a highly controversial manner. She was then offered to live under a warrant in the Hampton Court whose residents comprised mainly of military widowers and down on the luck nobles. When the annoying General-Major Bagshot died after consuming a pigeon pie made by Pooki, Mink decided to do some sleuthing to clear her maid's name.

Apparently every residents of Hampton Court have their own secrets to hide and during her investigation, Mink unwittingly found an unwelcome love interest. The interaction between Mink and Pooki her maid is quite amusing and I just love the portrayal of a princess trying to make the best of her unfortunate circumstances. I highly recommend this book to lovers of cozy mysteries.

Recommended for: fans of mystery and British literature
Verdict: 5 stars.
Available on: Amazon