Review: Shattered Dreams

Author: Ellie James
Series: Midnight Dragonfly #1
Pages: 342
Format: Paperback
Source: Ellie James (Thank you!!)
Release Date: December 6, 2011
Rating: 3.5

Summery:
Sixteen-year-old Trinity Monsour wants nothing more than to live a normal life. But that isn’t as easy as it seems. Trinity is different. She is special. She sees visions, and for those she’s seen, it’s already too late. 
Trinity arrives on her aunt’s doorstep in New Orleans with virtually no knowledge of her mysterious heritage. She begins settling into life at a new school and even starts making friends. But all too quickly her dreams accelerate; twisted, terrifying visions of a girl locked in a dark room. And when the head cheerleader, Jessica, goes missing, Trinity knows she has no choice but to step forward with what she’s seen.
But people believe that Trinity has information about Jessica’s disappearance not because of a dream, but because she is involved. She iskind-of dating Jessica’s ex-boyfriend, Chase, and Jessica did pull a nasty prank on Trinity. Revenge seems like the likeliest scenario. 
Nothing prepares Trinity for the dark odyssey that ensues while searching for Jessica, including the surprising romance she finds with Chase, or the shocking truths she learns, not just about the girl who has gone missing, but the past that has been hidden from her.


Review:

From the cover, you would think that this book would be some kind of fantasy about fairies or something like that.  Wrong.  This book was much more.


As if the cover wasn't enough, the story was amazing.  It twisted and turned and was so complex and perfect.  The idea to have Trinity as a semi-physic was a great one, and the writing really completed things very well and made it an all around solid book.  And I always say that ending make or break a book...well, it made this one.  Great, great ending.  Everything came together perfectly, everything was explained, and it all came to a climax, with great staging leading up to it.  The combination of mystery and fantasy worked perfectly together.  Fabulous work, Ellie James.


While she isn't a super kick-butt character, I really liked Trinity.  She didn't have any mad powers or was a kick-butt fighter, but she was strong and confidant.  I do feel like she could have been a little less sappy when it came to Chase, but hey- I can't get on her for that.
And the reason why is that I loved Chase.  He was nice, caring, super-sweet, totally swoon-worthy, and completely unpopular-football-player-ish (if that makes any sense :P).  He really cared about Trinity and really took care of her.  So Trinity, you can drool over him all you want, because I certainly am! :D


Honestly, I'm not sure where the second book is going to go.  There wasn't a cliffhanger or unfinished business at the end so I'm excited what Ellie James is going to come up with next.


Huge thanks to Ellie James for sending me a finished copy of this fab book AND for signing it as well! <3

Review: Daughter of Smoke and Bone

Author: Laini Taylor
Series: Daughter of Smoke and Bone #1
Pages: 432
Format: Hardcover
Rating: 5/5

Summery:
Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.

In a dark and dusty shop, a devil's supply of human teeth grown dangerously low.

And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherwordly war. 

Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she's prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands"; she speaks many languages—not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she's about to find out.

When one of the strangers—beautiful, haunted Akiva—fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?


Review:

Wow.  Just wow.  I can't believe I waited so long to pick this book up. It's amazing.  It is 432 of pure joy to read.

Really the best word to describe every little bit of this book is amazing: amazing writing, amazing story line, amazing characters, amazing idea, amazing action, amazing everything.  This book is just amazing.  The writing was perfect, flowing together effortlessly and it really draws you in.  The story line was really good.  All the events flowed together perfectly and there was great staging.  Even though it was a bit slow at times it is one of the best story lines I have seen in a long time.  I loved the cast of characters because they all contributed to the story so much.  And the way Taylor created this whole new world was amazing.  She explained it in such detail that you felt like it was real.

Like I said, I adored this cast.  I haven't seen a truly strong female character in quiet some time, so I was super excited when Karou became just what I was looking for.  She ranks up there with Yelena and Avry (both from Maria V. Snyder books).  She is strong, kick-ass, and can totally take care of herself.
And, of course, there is the swoon-worthy man in the story: Akiva.  While I do really like him, I don't love him.  I think that of all the characters he is one of the least developed.  We got to know Karou really well but not really Akiva.
I also really liked Brimstone.  He was the father that Karou never had, and he was just so caring and he really took very good care of Karou, which I think is great.

One more thing before I sign off.  I don't usually pay attention to titles when I read books, but this one is amazing.  It goes perfectly with the story.  It really describes it perfectly, and I think everyone will realize that when they read this amazing book.

Review: Fire Study

Author: Maria V. Snyder

Series: Study #3

Pages: 441
Format: Paperback
Rating: 5/5

Summery:
Now the apprenticeship is over--
Now the real test has begun.

When word that Yelena is a Soulfinder--able to capture and release souls--spreads like wildfire, people grow uneasy.  Already Yelena's unusual abilities and past have set her apart.  As the Council debates Yelena's fate, she recieves a disturbing message: a plot is rising against her homeland, led by a murderous sorcerer she has defeated before...

Honor sets Yelena on a path that will test the limits of her skills, and the hope of reuniting with her beloved spurs her onward.  Her journey is fraught with allies, enemies, lovers and would-be assassins, each of questionable loyalty.  Yelena will have but one chance to prove herself--and save the land she holds dear.

Review:
Wow.  That's all I can say.  Wow.  I have mixed feelings about this book.  On the one hand, I'm sad.  Sad because this is the final book in this AMAZING series.  And happy, because I was given the privilege of reading this amazing series.

I love, love, love the plot.  Every time, Maria V. Snyder comes up with a new, exciting plot and wows me again and again.  And this time Yelena was in even more trouble than usual.  I loved the twists and turns, the battles, the action, the magic, everything.

I love Yelena.  She's strong, fearless, and she can take care of herself.
I love Valek.  He's so sexy.
I like Cahil and teensy-tiny bit more, but I still hate him.

All in all, this is one really bad review for a really good book.  This review does not do the book justice, so if you decide to read a book based on a review, ignore mine.  Words just can't express how much I love this series.

Review: Storm Glass

Author: Maria V. Snyder

Series: Glass #1

Pages: 488

Format: Paperback

Source: Mira

Rating: 2/5

Summery:

As a glassmaker and a magician-in-training, Opal Cowen understands trial by fire. Now it's time to test her mettle. Someone has sabotaged the Stormdancer clan's glass orbs, killing their most powerful magicians. The Stormdancers—particularly the mysterious and mercurial Kade—require Opal's unique talents to prevent it happening again. But when the mission goes awry, Opal must tap in to a new kind of magic as stunningly potent as it is frightening. And the further she delves into the intrigue behind the glass and magic, the more distorted things appear. With lives hanging in the balance—including her own—Opal must control powers she hadn't known she possessed…powers that might lead to disaster beyond anything she's ever known.

Review:
After reading the Study series and absolutely adoring it, I had really high hopes for this series.  I was a little disappointed.

In all the Study books, the story line was amazing.  There was action, twists and turns, fighting, romance, magic.  In this one, not so much.  I felt like there was barely any action at all (although I simply adored the ending.  It was amazing).  The writing wasn't as good, the sentences were choppy and disconnected.  I usually get so caught up in a book I can read it even when there's noise around.  In this one, I had to plug my ears so I could concentrate on the book.  In the Study books, Maria V. Snyder chose a specific story line and the whole book was about it.  In this one, it went from Stormdancers to glass and diamonds, then back to a little Stormdancers.  I was very surprised when Opal figured out the problem to the Stormdancers' troubles so fast.  I thought it would be the whole book.

I was all geared up for another Yelena with a different name, a kick-ass fighter, strong, and smart.  I didn't get it.  In my opinion, Opal was weak, couldn't fight, and she walked knowingly into traps.
In the Study series, I loved the romance.  Valek and Yelena were perfect for each other.  In this book, I feel like the romance was forced.  And I didn't get the love triangle at all.  I liked Kade the best, although he's not my favorite guy ever, and I didn't like Ulrick.

All in all, I'm definitely going to buy the rest of the series, mostly because I want to see what happens and I really want the next books to be good.

Huge thanks to Maria V. Snyder and Mira for sending me this copy for review.  And an extra thanks to Maria V. Snder for signing it.

Review: Fire Study

Author: Maria V. Snyder
Series: Study #3
Pages: 441
Format: Paperback
Release Date: March 1st, 2008
Rating: 5/5
Summery:
The apprenticeship is over—now the real test has begun.

When word that Yelena is a Soulfinder—able to capture and release souls—spreads like wildfire, people grow uneasy. Already Yelena's unusual abilities and past have set her apart. As the Council debates Yelena's fate, she receives a disturbing message: a plot is rising against her homeland, led by a murderous sorcerer she has defeated before....

Honor sets Yelena on a path that will test the limits of her skills, and the hope of reuniting with her beloved spurs her onward. Her journey is fraught with allies, enemies, lovers and would-be assassins, each of questionable loyalty. Yelena will have but one chance to prove herself—and save the land she holds dear.

Review:
Wow.  That's all I can say.  Wow.  I have mixed feelings about this book.  On the one hand, I'm sad.  Sad because this is the final book in this AMAZING series.  And happy, because I was given the privilege of reading this amazing series.

I love, love, love the plot.  Every time, Maria V. Snyder comes up with a new, exciting plot and wows me again and again.  And this time Yelena was in even more trouble than usual.  I loved the twists and turns, the battles, the action, the magic, everything.

I love Yelena.  She's strong, fearless, and she can take care of herself.
I love Valek.  He's so sexy.
I like Cahil and teensy-tiny bit more, but I still hate him.

All in all, this is one really bad review for a really good book.  This review does not do the book justice, so if you decide to read a book based on a review, ignore mine.  Words just can't express how much I love this series.

Review: Fury

Author: Elizabeth Miles
Series: The Fury Trilogy #1
Pages: 370
Format: Hardcover
Publish Date: August 31st, 2011
Rating: 3/5

Summery:
It’s winter break in Ascension, Maine. The snow is falling and everything looks pristine and peaceful. But not all is as it seems...
Between cozy traditions and parties with her friends, Emily loves the holidays. And this year’s even better--the guy she’s been into for months is finally noticing her. But Em knows if she starts things with him, there’s no turning back. Because his girlfriend is Em’s best friend.
On the other side of town, Chase is having problems of his own. The stress of his home life is starting to take its toll, and his social life is unraveling. But that’s nothing compared to what’s really haunting him. Chase has done something cruel...something the perfect guy he pretends to be would never do. And it’s only a matter of time before he’s exposed.
In Ascension, mistakes can be deadly. And three girls—three beautiful, mysterious girls—are here to choose who will pay.
Em and Chase have been chosen.

Review:
I really, really, really want to like this book (well, I do kind of like it) but the negatives outnumber the positives.  By a lot. ):

In a well written book, the story builds on itself.  The author drops hints here and there to give the reader clues to what this book is about.  Mermaids, unicorns, werewolves, ect.  But Elizabeth Miles didn't do that.  She went on and on for about 200 pages about Chase and Emily's social life, and at the end of every chapter they see someone looking through their window.  That does nothing.  That doesn't help the reader figure out what's going on, what creature is out there, or why.  All it says is that Emily and Chase are popular and that someone is looking at them.  The one good part of the book was the end, and that was pretty much because I finally found out what the heck was going on.

I really wish that Elizabeth Miles had incorporated more into the story, had dropped hints and had things happen.  The only things happening were Emily making out with Zach and Chase running around after Ty.  And that would be completely fine if Elizabeth Miles had just gone for a real-life, chic-lit type story, and not even mentioned supernatural.  But, as the wrote it, it didn't work out.

There really isn't any boy to swoon over in this book. ):  Zach's a jerk, Chase is an idiot, and J.D. is sweet but not swoon-worthy.  Although he is my favorite guy in the book.

The mistakes Elizabeth Miles made were beginner's mistakes, and as she learns more and writes more she will learn to make the plot complex and build the story up.  I really hope her next book shows all she will learn.

OTHER COVER EDITIONS:

What do you think about the covers?  And the book as well, of course? :P

Review: Fateful

Author: Claudia Gray

Pages: 325
Format: Hardcover
Release Date: September 13, 2011
Rating: 5/5
Summery:
Eighteen-year-old maid Tess Davies is determined to escape the wealthy, troubled family she serves. It’s 1912, and Tess has been trapped in the employ of the Lisles for years, amid painful memories and twisted secrets. But now the Lisle family is headed to America, with Tess in tow. Once the ship they’re sailing on—the RMS Titanic—reaches its destination, Tess plans to strike out and create a new life for herself.
Her single-minded focus shatters when she meets Alec, a handsome first-class passenger who captivates her instantly. But Alec has secrets of his own. He’s in a hurry to leave Europe, and whispers aboard the ship say it’s because of the tragic end of his last affair with the French actress who died so gruesomely and so mysteriously. . . .
Soon Tess will learn just how dark Alec’s past truly is. The danger they face is no ordinary enemy: werewolves exist and are stalking him—and now her, too. Her growing love for Alec will put Tess in mortal peril, and fate will do the same before their journey on the Titanic is over.

Review:
Wow.  Before I read this book I never thought I would like reading about the Titanic, but did Claudia Gray ever prove me wrong.

This book is amazing.  The plot was so complex, and the characters were so good.  If Claudia Gray had picked a single other historical event and had the same paranormal stuff going on, I don't think it would have worked half as well.  The plot was amazing, all the events happening and flowing together and leading up to one another.  The way Gray wrote Tess's situation, it was like she was pretty much guaranteed to be killed, but somehow, she always managed to survive and keep her cool.  If I had been in that situation, with some lunatic werewolf coming after me, I would have freaked. :p

I love Tess.  I love her name, I love her strong will, and I love her defiance.  She is the kind of strong female character that all books like this need, and she's so sweet to Mr. Marlowe and Miss Irene.  She is the perfect character for this book.
I hate Mikhail.  Hate, hate, hate him.  But in a way I also like him because his evilness and ruthlessness was what made this book as good as it is.  He is the perfect villain.
I really, really wanted Tess to take Irene with her when she quit her job, because I just felt so bad for her.  Her mother is so mean, and Irene is so kind and different from the rest of her family.
Alec *swooning*.  OH MY GOSH!!!  I love Alec.  He is so cute!  He is so kind and gentle, and he really feels bad about what he does when he is "different". (I won't say anything more because I would give away the story.)

All in all, this is a really sweet romantic fantasy that I think everyone will love.  And you also learn about the Titanic :P

OTHER COVER EDITIONS:

  

Which cover is your favorite?  And what do you think about this book? (: