Congrats to the winners of
Fairy Tale Giveaway Hop
Amanda
April Followers' Monthly Giveaway
Christina
April Followers' Monthly Giveaway
Christina
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Monday, May 7, 2012
Review: Bonds of Fenris
by S.J. Bell
ebook
226 pages
Published May 7th 2012
ARC from author
Summary from Goodreads:
Talia Thornwood's life ended one year ago, when she became a werewolf. She survived the attack, and the horrifying transformation a month later, but the life she has now is barely worth living. She lurks about in a filthy, run-down house, with too many werewolves crammed into too small a space. Every day is a struggle against the stress of human contact, the romantic prodding of her obnoxious packmate Pierce, and the gnawing hunger for flesh in her soul.
She's all but resigned herself to a dreary existence on the margins of society when she meets Corwin. Corwin is a werewolf like none other. He walks among humans as if it was nothing, and can keep his wolf under control even when the moon is full. Talia's mind is suddenly opened to the possibilities before her, and the realization of how little she really knows about lycanthropy.
Corwin claims that he can teach her how to cope as he does, even how to transcend her affliction. But it will not be easy. It is a hard education that requires her to question everything her pack taught her, and confront exactly what she has become. And, more amazingly, what she never stopped being.
Thoughts:
I really don't know what to expect when I started reading this. Strangely enough, werewolves are not high on my list of favourite supernaturals but after reading this I totally get the trials and tribulations of being a werewolf. It's like the author has an inherent ability to get into the skin of one and we get to see how a werewolf really live.
Caught in between being an animal and a lost human, made Talia questioned herself every day. She was reluctantly attacked by wolves and therefore had to leave her family behind when she had to deal with her apparent transformation. Forced to live in a pack that she doesn't feel a sense of belonging to, Talia was shocked to discover a lone wolf who had the power to retain human form during full moon.
I really love how the author is able to depict the reality, grittiness and hardships of living in a werewolf pack since werewolves are not superficially glamorous or even vain like the vampires.
Bonds of Fenris is more about the tale of a werewolf journey towards self discovery. It's heart breaking, realistic potrayal certainly left quite an impression in my mind.
Recommended for: fans Nightshade and Blood and Chocolate
Verdict: 4 stars.
In my Debut Author & Self Published Reading Challenge
Available on: Smashwords
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Review & Giveaway: Tangled Tides by Karen Amanda Hooper
by Karen Amanda Hooper
328 pages
Published November 25th 2011
by Rhemalda Publishing
Summary from Goodreads:
Yara Jones doesn’t believe in sea monsters—until she becomes one.
When a hurricane hits her island home and she wakes up with fins, Yara finds herself tangled up in an underwater world of mysterious merfolk and secretive selkies. Both sides believe Yara can save them by fulfilling a broken promise and opening the sealed gateway to their realm, but they are battling over how it should be done. The selkies want to take her life. The merfolk want something far more precious.
Treygan, the stormy-eyed merman who turned Yara mer, will stop at nothing and sacrifice everything to protect his people—until he falls for Yara. The tides turn as Yara fights to save herself, hundreds of sea creatures, and the merman who has her heart. She could lose her soul in the process—or she might open the gateway to a love that’s deeper than the oceans.
Young Adult fans of Mermaids, Selkies, Sirens and Gorgons will love this tale of the sacrifice one makes for genuine love. Love that could be lost at any moment to the ever-changing tides.
Thoughts:
Yara Jones was just an average girl who is about to celebrate her eighteenth birthday when the house she shared with her uncle was hit by a hurricane and a mysterious guy appeared out of nowhere to save her life. The next thing she knew, she had fins instead of feet and can swim underwater for a very long time.
What I really like about Tangled Tides is the fact that it's very fast moving and that the writer doesn't waste any time and instead let the readers dive into the action right away. We are quickly introduced to the variety of sea creatures which includes mermaids, selkies, sirens and gorgons. And the fact that there are some very hot merman just made it much more interesting. Usually mermaids books tend to focus only on the female mer so I was really looking forward to read something from the male point of view.
There's also an element of the Greek myth in here where it is revealed that Treygan who is Yara's appointed guardian is a descendant of the mythical creatures. For once, I don't really mind the love triangle because both Treygan and Rownan (Yara's boyfriend) are so damn irresistible. As Yara is caught in the middle between the selkies and mermaids who wanted to use her, she must decide her own fate and where her heart lies.
Recommended for: fans of Forgive My Fins
Verdict: 4 stars.
In my Debut Author Reading Challenge
The publisher have kindly offered a copy of Tangled Tides to one lucky winner. All you have to do is fill the rafflecopter below. Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Friday, May 4, 2012
Review: Insurgent
Insurgent (Divergent #2)
by Veronica Roth
Hardcover
525 pages
Published May 1st 2012
by HarperTeen
Thoughts:
If you think Divergent is awesome then you'd be blown away by Insurgent. It's such a poweful, mind-blowing adventure that literally left me quite breathless! A lot of the action from Divergent consists primarily of Tris tackling the intimidating initiation of the Dauntless faction but this time Tris and Four is running for their lives from the clutches of the ruthless Erudite leader; Jeanine who has a sinister plan involving people who are born as a Divergent.
Likes
Finally, the author gives us valuable insights as to the inner workings of the other faction and I'm surprised that eventhough Amity and Candor stands for something good and pure they are very much non-conflict oriented faction. It just shows that on the surface, not everything and everyone is what or whom they seem. Enemies becomes allies while friends turned out to be enemies. Even Four has his own secret. Gosh, let's just say Tris whole world has turned upside down and sometimes it's hard for her to come to grips with the harsh realities of war.
Dislikes
Tris is much more vulnerable in this book and it shows when so many people expected so much of her and she kind of disappointed them. Her relationship with Four is especially strained and they argue a lot (although they did kiss and make up afterwards). Sometimes I'm puzzled as how Tris is always there whenever an important conversation is happening and she's just happen to overhear everything. Too convenient for me.
Other than that everything is just perfect for me. Yes, there's too much violence, betrayals and lies thrown everywhere but the ending will literally left you in shock.
Recommended for: fans of The Hunger Games
Verdict: 5 stars.
Available on: Amazon
Summary from Goodreads:
One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.
Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.
Thoughts:
If you think Divergent is awesome then you'd be blown away by Insurgent. It's such a poweful, mind-blowing adventure that literally left me quite breathless! A lot of the action from Divergent consists primarily of Tris tackling the intimidating initiation of the Dauntless faction but this time Tris and Four is running for their lives from the clutches of the ruthless Erudite leader; Jeanine who has a sinister plan involving people who are born as a Divergent.
Likes
Finally, the author gives us valuable insights as to the inner workings of the other faction and I'm surprised that eventhough Amity and Candor stands for something good and pure they are very much non-conflict oriented faction. It just shows that on the surface, not everything and everyone is what or whom they seem. Enemies becomes allies while friends turned out to be enemies. Even Four has his own secret. Gosh, let's just say Tris whole world has turned upside down and sometimes it's hard for her to come to grips with the harsh realities of war.
Dislikes
Tris is much more vulnerable in this book and it shows when so many people expected so much of her and she kind of disappointed them. Her relationship with Four is especially strained and they argue a lot (although they did kiss and make up afterwards). Sometimes I'm puzzled as how Tris is always there whenever an important conversation is happening and she's just happen to overhear everything. Too convenient for me.
Other than that everything is just perfect for me. Yes, there's too much violence, betrayals and lies thrown everywhere but the ending will literally left you in shock.
Recommended for: fans of The Hunger Games
Verdict: 5 stars.
Available on: Amazon
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