The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins. Imagine an undetermined time in the future where North America has been completely ravaged by war, nature, and man's greed and you have the setting of this exciting YA dystopia. From what used to be the ashes of North America emerges the country of Panem - a country run by a totalitarian government, consisting of twelve, mostly poor outlying districts that provide goods and services to the decadent indulgences of the Capitol City (a future Rome if you will).
Every year, in order to reinforce its dominance over the inhabitants of the Districts, the Capitol hosts The Hunger Games, and each district is forced to supply one boy and one girl between the ages of 12 and 18 to compete in these ostentatious, scientist controlled gladitorial fights to death. When Katniss Everdeen, a poor 16-year old girl from District 12 (the poorest/weakest of districts) takes the place of her 12-year old sister in the games, she has little hope of survival. Surprisingly, she finds herself a serious contender in the games and as the story progresses she unwittingly becomes embroiled in political schemes, a love triangle between her childhood friend and a fellow contestant, and comes to symbolize a rebellion against Panem's dictatorial regime. What does fate have in store for Katniss as she's forced to compete and come to terms with her inner feelings?
The only thing I have to say is WOOOOOOWWWW - truly one of the best trilogies I have read in a while and although I do enjoy a fair share of books, those rare favorites are rare indeed. I believe Collins has written a winner. The story is fresh and original (or as original as YA fiction these days can be), Katniss is an incredibly compelling character and it's easy to empathize with her struggles. The writing is crisp, the plot well-paced, and the setting of the hunger games brutal but captivating. I loved loved loved it!
HOWEVER be warned! Those three "loveds" apply mostly to books one and two. I have expressed my opinion in other places on book three, and how I felt totally cheated by Collins. She didn't make the best use of the last book, and I felt she hand't maximized the impact the story could have had. As the final book it should have been climactic, and needless to say it was less than so, and Katniss did disappoint - her verve, those qualities that made me absolutely adore her in the first two books were absent in the last, and I also felt cheated because, in my opinion, Collins didn't settle the love triangle in a satisfactory way. I can't really critique much more without giving away what happens in the novel. My final word: just read it! You won't regret it, but you may not find the last book lives up to the first two.
*****5 Stars (only for books one and two)
***3 (book three)
The Hunger Games Trilogy Includes:
1. The Hunger Games
2. Catching Fire
3. Mockingjay
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Sunday, March 28, 2010
The Tamir Triad by Lynn Flewelling - These three books follow the story of a girl who has been hidden in the body of a boy. Let me start from the beginning. In this high fantasy, it has been prophesied by the Oracle of Afra that as long as a daughter of Thelatimos' line rules, Skala shall never be subjugated. Fast-forward a few centuries and male has usurped the throne and named himself the king of Skala. After the reign of a treacharous mad queen, the people of Skala see no harm in the recent turn of events, ignoring the words of the Oracle. But Illior Lightbearer, one of the four main deities of Skala, will not have it, and as plague, famine, and war threaten Skala, the Oracle forsees the one who will come to reclaim her rightful place on the throne. Erius, the Usurper King, has been killing off all his female relatives to ensure the succession of his line, but little does he know that with the help of a couple of wizards and an outlawed hill witch, his youngest sister's daughter has magically been given the form of a boy, to spare her the same fate as the rest of her family. Growing up a boy, Tobin has no idea who he really is and his fated destiny, but after a series of disastrous events and leading a sheltered upbringing in the country side, Tobin is forced to go live in the capital city Ero with his trusted squire and companion, Ki. Can Tobin stand to learn the truth about his real identity, and will he be able to wrest the crown from the only family he has left? Will Skala accept the rule of a hidden queen, or will she been seen as a creation of necromancy rather than the chosen of Illior? Stay tuned!
I was a little apprehensive picking up the first book in this trilogy - I had randomly stumbled accross this book on listmania on Amazon.com, and was, at the time, trying to expand my horizons, so I've had this book for a while and just picked it up to read recently. After reading the first book, I was left feeling a little ambivalent about the whole thing. The author spends a long time setting the scene and developing the characters, so there's very little in terms of plot sequence in the first book, but by the end I was definitely intrigued, since the story picks up pace in the last couple chapters. I wanted to know what happens to Tobin next, and let me say I'm glad I picked up book two. Book two is much more exciting and the speed of the plot is more what I'm inclined to like, but looking back I think I can appreciate how much slower book one is. Flewelling takes the time to carefully craft characters and places to ensure that the readers feel a connection, so that later in books two and three the story has more emotional impact. I can't really say much more about the pacing of the plot without really revealing why book one is slow and why the subsequent novels immediately pick up speed. One other comment I'd like to add is in reference to Flewelling's writing style. It's sufficiently dated to give the impression of a medieval fantasy realm, but it's fluid and beautiful, without being dense, and makes reading her books a real treat.
I'd say this is a definite must-read for those really into a good fantasy that's not too hoaky. There is some romance, which is obvious since I rarely read things without even a hint of it, but it's very appropros to the story, and mostly plays in the last book, so don't be turned off by that. It's a well-done coming of age story about trying to fit into your skin, when, surprise surprise, your skin isn't really yours.
****4 stars
Triad Includes:
1. The Bone Doll's Twin
2. Hidden Warrior
3. The Oracle's Queen
I was a little apprehensive picking up the first book in this trilogy - I had randomly stumbled accross this book on listmania on Amazon.com, and was, at the time, trying to expand my horizons, so I've had this book for a while and just picked it up to read recently. After reading the first book, I was left feeling a little ambivalent about the whole thing. The author spends a long time setting the scene and developing the characters, so there's very little in terms of plot sequence in the first book, but by the end I was definitely intrigued, since the story picks up pace in the last couple chapters. I wanted to know what happens to Tobin next, and let me say I'm glad I picked up book two. Book two is much more exciting and the speed of the plot is more what I'm inclined to like, but looking back I think I can appreciate how much slower book one is. Flewelling takes the time to carefully craft characters and places to ensure that the readers feel a connection, so that later in books two and three the story has more emotional impact. I can't really say much more about the pacing of the plot without really revealing why book one is slow and why the subsequent novels immediately pick up speed. One other comment I'd like to add is in reference to Flewelling's writing style. It's sufficiently dated to give the impression of a medieval fantasy realm, but it's fluid and beautiful, without being dense, and makes reading her books a real treat.
I'd say this is a definite must-read for those really into a good fantasy that's not too hoaky. There is some romance, which is obvious since I rarely read things without even a hint of it, but it's very appropros to the story, and mostly plays in the last book, so don't be turned off by that. It's a well-done coming of age story about trying to fit into your skin, when, surprise surprise, your skin isn't really yours.
****4 stars
Triad Includes:
1. The Bone Doll's Twin
2. Hidden Warrior
3. The Oracle's Queen
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Ok, I'm back! I haven't had as much time to read as I'd like, but I'm going to make a renewed effort of reviewing everything that I do get a chance to read.
The Fever Series by Karen Marie Moning - this five book series follows the story of Mackayla Lane, a somewhat ditzy/superficial 22-y/o Georgian native whose world is torn apart when she learns that her older sister, Alina, is brutally murdered when studying abroad in Dublin. After receiving a mysterious message from her sister hours before her murder, Mac heads off to Ireland to keep abreast of the investigation and find her sister's killer. What she least expects is to walk into a Dublin bar and see....a monster? Yes, Mac discovers that underneath the old world glamour of Ireland's capital city is dark underworld, and that the Fae, good and evil, do exist. Suddenly, Mac finds herself plunged into a world of danger and mysteries when it appears as though her sister's murder may somehow be linked. Predicatably, Mac also finds herself involved with Jericho Barrons, the dark and sexy proprietor of a luxurious bookstore, killer of Unseelie (evil Fae), and V'lane, a Seelie (kind-of-good Fae) Prince who uses his sexual aura to manipulate Mac. What do these two want from Mac, and who is good and who is evil? Mac will stop at nothing to make sure her sister's killer is found, and at the same time becomes involved in the search for Sinsar Dubh, a dark book of ancient orgins created by the mythical Unseelie King, to prevent it from falling into the wrong hands and wrecking havoc on Earth.
I have mixed feelings about this series, but not in a terribly bad fashion. I'm thoroughly enjoying reading the Fever series - what I think of a new interpretation of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but without the vampires. The writing, to say the least, is not very good - it's told from the first point perspective of Mac who, as the series progresses does mature and toughen up, but in the first couple books her inane mental repartee and inclination towards all things pink and cute and shiny can be incredible annoying. This is a purely plot driven story - if you can get past some really bad American cliches and descriptives, then hey, go for it. I obviously did! I will say that this is a series of books that get better as they progress - the first left me feeling pretty ambivalent. The following books get more invested, and by the end of the fourth I was dying to know what happens (the books end in really bad cliffhangers, and they get worse with each book so I hope you're patient readers). I had read Moning's previous Highlander books, which, while being nearly identitical in plot, we're pretty entertaining, so this was a pretty extreme turn for her. WARNING: This is dark and incredibly sexual, and in later books will deal with some serious issues that I know some other readers are uncomfortable with, but for the sake of the story and the development of character relations needed to happen.
Bottom line: the writing is sub-par, but the characters are pretty likable, and the story gets better with each successive book, so if you're looking for a trashy and mindless read that will keep you occupied this is a good choice.
***3 1/2 - 4 stars (depends on the book)
Series Includes:
1. DarkFever
2. BloodFever
3. FaeFever
4. DreamFever
5. ShadowFever (coming Winter 2010 - sorry!)
The Fever Series by Karen Marie Moning - this five book series follows the story of Mackayla Lane, a somewhat ditzy/superficial 22-y/o Georgian native whose world is torn apart when she learns that her older sister, Alina, is brutally murdered when studying abroad in Dublin. After receiving a mysterious message from her sister hours before her murder, Mac heads off to Ireland to keep abreast of the investigation and find her sister's killer. What she least expects is to walk into a Dublin bar and see....a monster? Yes, Mac discovers that underneath the old world glamour of Ireland's capital city is dark underworld, and that the Fae, good and evil, do exist. Suddenly, Mac finds herself plunged into a world of danger and mysteries when it appears as though her sister's murder may somehow be linked. Predicatably, Mac also finds herself involved with Jericho Barrons, the dark and sexy proprietor of a luxurious bookstore, killer of Unseelie (evil Fae), and V'lane, a Seelie (kind-of-good Fae) Prince who uses his sexual aura to manipulate Mac. What do these two want from Mac, and who is good and who is evil? Mac will stop at nothing to make sure her sister's killer is found, and at the same time becomes involved in the search for Sinsar Dubh, a dark book of ancient orgins created by the mythical Unseelie King, to prevent it from falling into the wrong hands and wrecking havoc on Earth.
I have mixed feelings about this series, but not in a terribly bad fashion. I'm thoroughly enjoying reading the Fever series - what I think of a new interpretation of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but without the vampires. The writing, to say the least, is not very good - it's told from the first point perspective of Mac who, as the series progresses does mature and toughen up, but in the first couple books her inane mental repartee and inclination towards all things pink and cute and shiny can be incredible annoying. This is a purely plot driven story - if you can get past some really bad American cliches and descriptives, then hey, go for it. I obviously did! I will say that this is a series of books that get better as they progress - the first left me feeling pretty ambivalent. The following books get more invested, and by the end of the fourth I was dying to know what happens (the books end in really bad cliffhangers, and they get worse with each book so I hope you're patient readers). I had read Moning's previous Highlander books, which, while being nearly identitical in plot, we're pretty entertaining, so this was a pretty extreme turn for her. WARNING: This is dark and incredibly sexual, and in later books will deal with some serious issues that I know some other readers are uncomfortable with, but for the sake of the story and the development of character relations needed to happen.
Bottom line: the writing is sub-par, but the characters are pretty likable, and the story gets better with each successive book, so if you're looking for a trashy and mindless read that will keep you occupied this is a good choice.
***3 1/2 - 4 stars (depends on the book)
Series Includes:
1. DarkFever
2. BloodFever
3. FaeFever
4. DreamFever
5. ShadowFever (coming Winter 2010 - sorry!)
Friday, January 29, 2010
Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey
I must admit, when I initially came across this book quite some time ago I scoffed at the title and thought this was going to be just another horrible Twilight copy. However, I recently decided to take a chance and read it and was happily surprised. The story is about a American teenager, Jessica, who has lived her entire life in rural Pennsylvania when her life changes forever. Enter Lucius, a tall, dark, and handsome new transfer student from Romania who tells Jessica that she's a long lost vampire princess and that he is her intended fiance. Needless to say, Jessica is shocked and spends a good portion of the book in total disbelief of her heritage, but when push comes to shove can she save her intended from the clutches of an man-stealing cheerleader and other vampires who seek to punish and destroy Luscious Lucius? Sounds pretty fluffy, but I have to admit I found it pretty entertaining. What saves this book from being a total waste and helps it stand out a bit from the wave of other teen fantasies is the author's skills as a writer. Although the characters are stock, I found the witty repartee of the old-world Lucius very entertaining and refreshing. Only complaints I really have concern the ending (which I believe didn't do the rest of the story justice) and the developments in Lucius' personality that causes a break in his normal character - didn't seem quite convincing and at the end I was still scratching my head as to why he became the way he was....
I would say for anyone looking for a relaxing, use less than 5 brain cells kind of book this may be a winner! I got it from the library which was good, since I enjoyed it just enough to have picked it up but wasn't in love with it to the point where i could justify shelling out my precious $ for it
*** 3 1/2 stars
I must admit, when I initially came across this book quite some time ago I scoffed at the title and thought this was going to be just another horrible Twilight copy. However, I recently decided to take a chance and read it and was happily surprised. The story is about a American teenager, Jessica, who has lived her entire life in rural Pennsylvania when her life changes forever. Enter Lucius, a tall, dark, and handsome new transfer student from Romania who tells Jessica that she's a long lost vampire princess and that he is her intended fiance. Needless to say, Jessica is shocked and spends a good portion of the book in total disbelief of her heritage, but when push comes to shove can she save her intended from the clutches of an man-stealing cheerleader and other vampires who seek to punish and destroy Luscious Lucius? Sounds pretty fluffy, but I have to admit I found it pretty entertaining. What saves this book from being a total waste and helps it stand out a bit from the wave of other teen fantasies is the author's skills as a writer. Although the characters are stock, I found the witty repartee of the old-world Lucius very entertaining and refreshing. Only complaints I really have concern the ending (which I believe didn't do the rest of the story justice) and the developments in Lucius' personality that causes a break in his normal character - didn't seem quite convincing and at the end I was still scratching my head as to why he became the way he was....
I would say for anyone looking for a relaxing, use less than 5 brain cells kind of book this may be a winner! I got it from the library which was good, since I enjoyed it just enough to have picked it up but wasn't in love with it to the point where i could justify shelling out my precious $ for it
*** 3 1/2 stars
Friday, October 16, 2009
It's been quite some time since I last posted anything to this blog - I'm hoping to get back on track with the coming of the fall season!
Kushiel's Legacy by Jacqueline Carey. This is probably the first book series in quite some time that's thoroughly engrossed me, I'm pleased to report! Kushiel's Legacy - starting with Kushiel's Dart - is a reinterpretation of Renaissance Europe and Christianity. Terre d'Ange, this world's France, the D'Angelines are connoisseurs of all things beautiful and luxurious, and live by a single religious precept - Love as Thou wilt. So it was decreed by Blessed Elua, an Earthly angel born from the blood of Yeshua ben Yosef (aka Jesus Christ), the tears of the Magdalene, and the soil of the Earth. For years this Christ like figure wandered the earth, an outcast from the One God's heaven, spreading his doctrine of love until he gained seven companions, angels who turned their back on the One God in order to attend to Blessed Elua. Now fast forward a few thousand years and the story focuses in on Phedre, a girl who is sold by her parents into the indentured servitude of the Night Court, a place where girls and boys train themselves in the arts of Namaah, one of the Seven Companions who used her body and lay with strangers in order to make sure that Elua was always provided for. Now, the arts of love, sex, and essentially prostitution have become a sacred calling in Terre d'Ange. Always considered imperfect due to the brilliant scarlet mote in her left eye, Phedre is destined to live only as a servant, but is soon brought into the house of Anafiel Delaunay, who recognizes her as one pricked by Kushiel's Dart, destined to experience pain and pleasure as one. Anafiel ensures her tutoring in the arts of Namaah, but also covertcy. As Phedre grows and becomes more proficient as a courtesan, as well as a spy, she finds herself emrboiled in the middle of plots of political intrigue, power, sex and more and Phedre comes to know the special role she'll play in shaping the course of future events, for others as well as herself.
I have to say I've actually known about this book series for years now, but I was reluctant to pick it up because it sounded so..... extreme might be the word I'm looking for. I wasn't looking for some alternative reality laden with themes of S&M, but it was quite remarkably rich. Carey has a natural gift as a writer and an excellent mastery over the English language, so it was a particularly good treat because although it is a plot driven story it definitely exceeded my expectations in terms of the writing. The characters, though, are what make this series the absolute best! I LOVE Phedre, and the author does an excellent job of making sure she is not a one-dimensional character. Another thing I loved was that Carey was willing to take certain risks to ensure the integrity of her story (i.e. like killing off well loved characters...) and it works beautifully (although I am momentarily depressed). It's a hefty first book, some 900 pages, so you'll have your hands full with this one! My recommendation is DEFINTELY READ THIS SERIES! You won't regret it!
***** 5 Stars!
Series Includes:
1. Kushiel's Dart
2. Kushiel's Chosen
3. Kushiel's Avatar
and a second trilogy around another character is as follows
4. Kushiel's Scion
5. Kuhsiel's Justice
6. Kushiel's Mercy
I'm actually reading Kushiel's Scion right now, so if you liked the first three I imagine you'll be doing the same.
Kushiel's Legacy by Jacqueline Carey. This is probably the first book series in quite some time that's thoroughly engrossed me, I'm pleased to report! Kushiel's Legacy - starting with Kushiel's Dart - is a reinterpretation of Renaissance Europe and Christianity. Terre d'Ange, this world's France, the D'Angelines are connoisseurs of all things beautiful and luxurious, and live by a single religious precept - Love as Thou wilt. So it was decreed by Blessed Elua, an Earthly angel born from the blood of Yeshua ben Yosef (aka Jesus Christ), the tears of the Magdalene, and the soil of the Earth. For years this Christ like figure wandered the earth, an outcast from the One God's heaven, spreading his doctrine of love until he gained seven companions, angels who turned their back on the One God in order to attend to Blessed Elua. Now fast forward a few thousand years and the story focuses in on Phedre, a girl who is sold by her parents into the indentured servitude of the Night Court, a place where girls and boys train themselves in the arts of Namaah, one of the Seven Companions who used her body and lay with strangers in order to make sure that Elua was always provided for. Now, the arts of love, sex, and essentially prostitution have become a sacred calling in Terre d'Ange. Always considered imperfect due to the brilliant scarlet mote in her left eye, Phedre is destined to live only as a servant, but is soon brought into the house of Anafiel Delaunay, who recognizes her as one pricked by Kushiel's Dart, destined to experience pain and pleasure as one. Anafiel ensures her tutoring in the arts of Namaah, but also covertcy. As Phedre grows and becomes more proficient as a courtesan, as well as a spy, she finds herself emrboiled in the middle of plots of political intrigue, power, sex and more and Phedre comes to know the special role she'll play in shaping the course of future events, for others as well as herself.
I have to say I've actually known about this book series for years now, but I was reluctant to pick it up because it sounded so..... extreme might be the word I'm looking for. I wasn't looking for some alternative reality laden with themes of S&M, but it was quite remarkably rich. Carey has a natural gift as a writer and an excellent mastery over the English language, so it was a particularly good treat because although it is a plot driven story it definitely exceeded my expectations in terms of the writing. The characters, though, are what make this series the absolute best! I LOVE Phedre, and the author does an excellent job of making sure she is not a one-dimensional character. Another thing I loved was that Carey was willing to take certain risks to ensure the integrity of her story (i.e. like killing off well loved characters...) and it works beautifully (although I am momentarily depressed). It's a hefty first book, some 900 pages, so you'll have your hands full with this one! My recommendation is DEFINTELY READ THIS SERIES! You won't regret it!
***** 5 Stars!
Series Includes:
1. Kushiel's Dart
2. Kushiel's Chosen
3. Kushiel's Avatar
and a second trilogy around another character is as follows
4. Kushiel's Scion
5. Kuhsiel's Justice
6. Kushiel's Mercy
I'm actually reading Kushiel's Scion right now, so if you liked the first three I imagine you'll be doing the same.
Friday, August 21, 2009
it's been quite some time I must say, but now that I'm starting to adjust to the new pace of my new life I think it's time to update this blog...
The Ephermera Duology by Anne Bishop - another couple of books from this classic favorite of mine. These two books (wishing there were more...) recount the story of Sebastian and his uber-powerful cousin, Glorianna Belladonna. Like a breath of fresh air, Bishop returns to themes of extreme power, darkness, and the will and choices of the one woman who wields them (closer to The Black Jewels, rather than Tir Alainn). Ephemera, once a unified land, was broken into separated landscapes by warriors of the light in order to trap the Eater of the World, the darkest of evils, into an isolated landscape. Years later, to get from one landscape to another people have to cross stationary bridges, but there are also resonanting bridges - those that resonate with your deepest desires, taking you to the place you truly belong to. Sebastian is a half-inccubus living in the Den of Iniquity, a dark landscape full of vice and little virtue - but to Sebastian, the Den has been more a home to him than the 'light' landscape of Wizard City, where he was shunned and neglected as a child when not taken home by his kind, landscaper aunt. Now, dark forces are stirring and landscapers and bridges, those people who create parts of the world and keep them connected, are disappearing and someone, or something, is trying to free the Eater from it's dark prison. It's up to Sebastion to help save Ephemera from its untimely doom and those he loves while preparing for the ultimate battle which will come to his cousin, Glorianna. Probably the most powerful of landscapers, and outcasted by her own kind, Glorianna is the only one with power strong enough to face the Eater of the World, but at what cost to herself and those she cares about? Stay Tuned! I've got to say this was like a breath of fresh air for me - I had purchased Sebastian nearly 3 years before and had yet to pick it up because I was worried it was going to be a step down from the Tir Alainn trilogy. I love Bishop, but of everything I've read so far by her, Tir Alainn was my least favorite (although still entertaining!). But Ephemera was a return to some of the darker themes that were more characteristic of The Black Jewels. I will say that I wish Ephemera had been expanded into at least a trilogy, because some parts of the story could have used a little more development (for example the relationship between Glorianna and Michael...), but perhaps Bishop intended the story to have this sense of immediacy with all the focus being in the present, rather than the future. Either way, I enjoyed these two books, and recommend them - I'll probably be re-reading them during my annual re-read next year!
**** 4 stars
Duology Includes:
1. Sebastian
2. Belladonna
The Ephermera Duology by Anne Bishop - another couple of books from this classic favorite of mine. These two books (wishing there were more...) recount the story of Sebastian and his uber-powerful cousin, Glorianna Belladonna. Like a breath of fresh air, Bishop returns to themes of extreme power, darkness, and the will and choices of the one woman who wields them (closer to The Black Jewels, rather than Tir Alainn). Ephemera, once a unified land, was broken into separated landscapes by warriors of the light in order to trap the Eater of the World, the darkest of evils, into an isolated landscape. Years later, to get from one landscape to another people have to cross stationary bridges, but there are also resonanting bridges - those that resonate with your deepest desires, taking you to the place you truly belong to. Sebastian is a half-inccubus living in the Den of Iniquity, a dark landscape full of vice and little virtue - but to Sebastian, the Den has been more a home to him than the 'light' landscape of Wizard City, where he was shunned and neglected as a child when not taken home by his kind, landscaper aunt. Now, dark forces are stirring and landscapers and bridges, those people who create parts of the world and keep them connected, are disappearing and someone, or something, is trying to free the Eater from it's dark prison. It's up to Sebastion to help save Ephemera from its untimely doom and those he loves while preparing for the ultimate battle which will come to his cousin, Glorianna. Probably the most powerful of landscapers, and outcasted by her own kind, Glorianna is the only one with power strong enough to face the Eater of the World, but at what cost to herself and those she cares about? Stay Tuned! I've got to say this was like a breath of fresh air for me - I had purchased Sebastian nearly 3 years before and had yet to pick it up because I was worried it was going to be a step down from the Tir Alainn trilogy. I love Bishop, but of everything I've read so far by her, Tir Alainn was my least favorite (although still entertaining!). But Ephemera was a return to some of the darker themes that were more characteristic of The Black Jewels. I will say that I wish Ephemera had been expanded into at least a trilogy, because some parts of the story could have used a little more development (for example the relationship between Glorianna and Michael...), but perhaps Bishop intended the story to have this sense of immediacy with all the focus being in the present, rather than the future. Either way, I enjoyed these two books, and recommend them - I'll probably be re-reading them during my annual re-read next year!
**** 4 stars
Duology Includes:
1. Sebastian
2. Belladonna
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
New book, new review!
Evermore - by Alyson Noel. When Ever survives the car crash that takes the lives of the rest of her family, she returns back to the living with strange new abilities. She is able to 'read' peoples' auras and hear their thoughts (I know, I know....Edward you started this all!). Once the most popular girl in school, Ever now dresses in oversized clothing, dark sunglasses, and loud earbuds to drown out the voices and retain some anonymity. A strange new student in an unfamiliar school, Ever's life has taken a nose dive for the worst - until the super sexy, dark Damen shows up. He's everything a girl would want - rich, good-looking, kind, and best of all, he makes the voices in Ever's head go away. But Damen is not your average guy, and there's more to him than meets the eye. What is it about him that causes the supernatural abilities Ever has to stop working? Soon Ever's world is turned upside down as she tries to cope with the truth about Damen, and her very own existence.... Ok, I have to be honest, not the best book I've read . It seems that now I'm reading a string of 3 stars to counter all the 5 stars I reviewed when I first started this blog. What didn't I like about it? RUSHED STORY! Like previously stated, this could've been a really great book, the concept was really cool and it took the supernatural to a new level (aka not a Twilight rip-off). But the romance was rushed, there seemed to be no reason why Ever was suddenly in love with Damen, and in terms of the bad guy, that definitely could've been fleshed out a bit more in order to create a more satisfying ending. One other thing I didn't like was the immature language of the writing - which I promptly realized was characteristic of Noel's writing, since previously she had only published teeny bopper stories about girls in Laguna Beach, etc etc. All in all, I was glad I read it, but I really don't understand what some of the hype was about (in every bookstore this was featured in the teen section as a must read). It was, on a very basic level, entertaining, but lacking in any real substance. I may possibly check out the sequel (due out this July), but only if I can't find anything else to catch my attention.
*** 3 stars
'Evermore' is book one in Noel's "Immortals" series - I believe book two is called "Blue Moon"
Evermore - by Alyson Noel. When Ever survives the car crash that takes the lives of the rest of her family, she returns back to the living with strange new abilities. She is able to 'read' peoples' auras and hear their thoughts (I know, I know....Edward you started this all!). Once the most popular girl in school, Ever now dresses in oversized clothing, dark sunglasses, and loud earbuds to drown out the voices and retain some anonymity. A strange new student in an unfamiliar school, Ever's life has taken a nose dive for the worst - until the super sexy, dark Damen shows up. He's everything a girl would want - rich, good-looking, kind, and best of all, he makes the voices in Ever's head go away. But Damen is not your average guy, and there's more to him than meets the eye. What is it about him that causes the supernatural abilities Ever has to stop working? Soon Ever's world is turned upside down as she tries to cope with the truth about Damen, and her very own existence.... Ok, I have to be honest, not the best book I've read . It seems that now I'm reading a string of 3 stars to counter all the 5 stars I reviewed when I first started this blog. What didn't I like about it? RUSHED STORY! Like previously stated, this could've been a really great book, the concept was really cool and it took the supernatural to a new level (aka not a Twilight rip-off). But the romance was rushed, there seemed to be no reason why Ever was suddenly in love with Damen, and in terms of the bad guy, that definitely could've been fleshed out a bit more in order to create a more satisfying ending. One other thing I didn't like was the immature language of the writing - which I promptly realized was characteristic of Noel's writing, since previously she had only published teeny bopper stories about girls in Laguna Beach, etc etc. All in all, I was glad I read it, but I really don't understand what some of the hype was about (in every bookstore this was featured in the teen section as a must read). It was, on a very basic level, entertaining, but lacking in any real substance. I may possibly check out the sequel (due out this July), but only if I can't find anything else to catch my attention.
*** 3 stars
'Evermore' is book one in Noel's "Immortals" series - I believe book two is called "Blue Moon"
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