BOOK REVIEW: Nevermore by Kelly Creagh

 
Reading Level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 560 pages
Release Date: August 31, 2010
ISBN-10: 1442402008
ISBN-13: 978-1442402003
Source: borrowed from local library

Cheerleader Isobel Lanley is horrified when she is paired with Varen Nethers for an English project, which is due—so unfair—on the day of the rival game. Cold and aloof, sardonic and sharp-tongued, Varen makes it clear he’d rather not have anything to do with her either. But when Isobel discovers strange writing in his journal, she can’t help but give this enigmatic boy with the piercing eyes another look.

Soon, Isobel finds herself making excuses to be with Varen. Steadily pulled away from her friends and her possessive boyfriend, Isobel ventures deeper and deeper into the dream world Varen has created through the pages of his notebook, a realm where the terrifying stories of Edgar Allan Poe come to life.

As her world begins to unravel around her, Isobel discovers that dreams, like words, hold more power than she ever imagined, and that the most frightening realities are those of the mind. Now she must find a way to reach Varen before he is consumed by the shadows of his own nightmares.

—Goodreads

Book Review

Lately there has been a trend in YA fiction to reduce romance to "love at first sight" with the explanation that the two young lovers are meant to be together by some cosmic/magical machination of fate. This unfortunately skips over the natural progression of the characters getting to know one another and the gradual development of a deepening connection. In my opinion, it is the journey of emotional discovery and building tension, not the end result, that is the best part of a romance story. Therefore, I was very pleased with the fact that Nevermore deviates from the recent trend and instead explores the different stages of a budding romantic relationship.

What I liked the most about the book was Isobel's character. I loved that, despite being a blond beautiful cheerleader, she wasn't turned into a stereotype. On the contrary, she was a really down-to-earth girl that was strong & determined and had good values. Even though she was part of the popular clique in school, she wasn't stuck up or judgmental. Even before they became anything more than just classmates, Isobel stood up for Varen when he was bullied by her friends. When she realized that her clique acted in ways she couldn't condone, Isobel took a stand and distanced herself from them. She wanted to be a better person, and I respected & admired her for that.

Varen was intriguing. I found his reserved personality and intelligence quite attractive. He had a subtle bad boy, rebel quality that contrasted nicely with his gentle demeanor. I think that out of the two, Varen was the one who changed/evolved the most throughout the book. Prior to his interaction with Isobel, he was somewhat self-absorbed, distancing himself from everyone and brooding over his own personal demons. I got the impression that he was quite lonely, insecure, and angry. As he spent time with Isobel, however, he started to lower the walls he built up and slowly began to look past his pain & resentment of the world around him.

The plot is where the book hit a few bumps. I really enjoyed the story. I finished the book in pretty much one day. It definitely kept me interested & entertained all the way through. Nonetheless, I did think that the pacing felt a bit disjointed in certain parts. The story seemed to dramatically change gears towards the last half/third of the book, where it became dominated by supernatural occurrences and an action sequence that took place within a dreamworld. I think the transition into that component of the story could have been done more seamlessly. I would have liked a bit more cohesion between the two main story arcs. It sort of felt like the first half of the book was a contemporary high school romance, whereas the second half was a paranormal mystery.

Book Rating

EYE CANDY: Priest Movie Trailer

When I first heard about this movie, I really wasn't all that interested. My initial reaction can be summed up in one word: meh. The premise just didn't sound very unique or exciting. However, now after seeing the newest full-length trailer, I believe I have changed my mind. Now, it actually looks like this movie could turn out to be a pretty good action flick with some cool special effects. I think what I like the most about this movie is how it portrays vampires. I'll be honest, I definitely prefer creepy monster-like vamps over the romanticized supermodel-like version so often seen in fiction. Thus, I think I might just have to check this movie out when it hits theaters next year.

WINNER: ARC of Personal Demons

Thank you to everyone who participated in this giveaway contest.

The lucky winner is: FallenVamp

Congratulations!! I hope you enjoy the book!

*Please respond to my email within 48hrs or I will choose a new winner*

BOOK REVIEW: An Artificial Night by Seanan McGuire

Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages
Release Date: September 7, 2010
ISBN-10: 0756406269
ISBN-13: 978-0756406264
Sourced: purchased copy

October "Toby" Daye is a changeling-half human and half fae-and the only one who has earned knighthood. Now she must take on a nightmarish new challenge. Someone is stealing the children of the fae as well as mortal children, and all signs point to Blind Michael. Toby has no choice but to track the villain down-even when there are only three magical roads by which to reach Blind Michael's realm, home of the Wild Hunt-and no road may be taken more than once. If Toby cannot escape with the children, she will fall prey to the Wild Hunt and Blind Michael's inescapable power.

—Goodreads

Book Review

This is the third installment in the October Daye series and, in my opinion, the best. In fact, it has now propelled this series to almost the very top of my Absolute Must Read list, coming in second to the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews. From book one, I was a fan, but now I'm also an addict, itching to get my next fix.

I think what really made this book rise above the previous two installments is its plot. The stories Seanan McGuire crafts are always exciting and fascinating. This time, the action was virtually nonstop and there were unexpected twists & developments starting in chapter two and continuing through to the very end. I never knew what was going to happen next; I was on the edge of my seat the whole entire time. Toby was taken to hell and back with multiple return trips. Despite the tense roller coaster ride, the plot never seemed convoluted. On the contrary, it was tightly & deftly woven without obstructive loose threads or questionable plot devices. The story made sense and was brimming with suspense, danger, and full-bodied emotions.

Another aspect that I can't help rave about is the rich assortment of characters and their development. Toby is of course the standout. She is funny, smart, brave, and completely devoted to the people she cares about. No matter how great the trouble, she will not stand idly on the sidelines while innocent people (human or faerie) are threatened. She has values and principles that she holds steadfast to no matter what. And despite being totally kick-ass, she has a vulnerable side. Toby isn't too proud to admit to being scared and tired of constantly having to fight. She knows that others look at her as a hero, and she acknowledges and partially resents the weight of that responsibility. There were several moments in the book that made my heart break a little for Toby and made her that much more real to me. One such moment was when she asked where her hero was. I seriously wanted to jump into the book and tell her, "You're not alone; I've totally got your back, girl."

The other characters are also well fleshed out with very distinct and entertaining personalities. What's really great (and something you don't always see in other books) is how, in addition to the protagonist, some of the supporting characters grow and change throughout the series. Take for example the Luidaeg. She was introduced in the previous installment as a scary sea witch that didn't care about anything or anyone besides herself. She was mean, kinda crazy, and didn't seem to have much of a conscience. Now, she has developed an unlikely friendship with Toby that has notably chipped away at the ice that has surrounded her heart for countless years. She's still foulmouthed and intimidating, but she is starting to care and actually take action to help Toby in her endeavors to protect others.

This also brings up the point of the wonderfully complex relationships that are further explored in this book. Despite trying to keep everyone at arm's length for fear of getting them hurt, Toby is surrounded by people that care about her. The relationships she has with each one of these people are unique and deep. The one relationship that I'm particularly fascinated by is the hate-love dynamic between Toby and Tybalt, the sexy king of cats. It's both entertaining and frustrating how dense she is about the obvious fact that she holds a very special place in his heart. I have a feeling that when Seanan McGuire decides to finally give this relationship more story time, some serious sparks are gonna fly.

Finally, I have to mention the writing. It is beautiful and witty. Seanan McGuire truly knows how to bring Toby's world to life. The environments are vividly described—some breathtaking and others gritty. There is lots of rich mythology that plays an intricate and profound role in the story development. And Toby's voice is wonderfully expressive and emotive.

Book Rating

BOOK REVIEW: Charlie Madigan Series by Kelly Gay

Slightly over a decade ago, alien races from two very different parallel realms Charbydon and Elysia publicly announced their existence on Earth. In order to ensure peaceful assimilation into the human population, Integration Task Forces were assembled.

Charlie Madigan is an ITF officer whose partner, Hank, is a siren from Elysia. Together they investigate crimes perpetrated by or committed against the alien races now residing in Atlanta. During her three years on the task force, Charlie was exposed to all sorts of strange and magical beings and occurrences. She was just getting into the swing of things, when she was suddenly killed and then brought back from the dead.

Now, she feels a power struggle raging within her and is developing extraordinary abilities like accelerated healing, psychic-like intuition, and superhuman strength.

And if fighting crime while trying to unravel the mystery of her metamorphosis wasn't challenging enough, Charlie also has to deal with an ex-husband she's not quite over, an outspoken tween daughter, and a budding attraction to her siren partner.

Series Review

I decided to review the The Better Part of Darkness and The Darkest Edge of Dawn together because I couldn't help myself from reading the two books back-to-back. There was a very strong continuity between the individuals stories, and unresolved subplots from the first book were further developed & explored in the second book. Moreover, I found myself very engrossed by the series.

I think what drew me in the most was the world-building. I was fascinated by the descriptions of the different alien races, their individual abilities, their unique cultures, and the mythologies associated with Elysia and Charbydon. I eagerly consumed all the little bits of information Kelly Gay provided along the way and kept looking forward to learning even more. Another element that had me intrigued was Charlie's multifaceted struggle. Throughout the two books, she constantly struggled with her body's supernatural changes, with balancing her work & family, with her tumultuous emotions, and with her decisions. This helped me connect more with the story and made me care about Charlie.

For the most part, I really liked the main characters. Charlie was well-developed and had depth to her characterization. I liked how tough and fearless she was, especially when someone she cared about was threatened. However, I did feel that she was way too hotheaded given her profession. Too many times, she rushed head first into a situation or ran her mouth off without analyzing the circumstances and considering the ramifications. This definitely diminished her credibility as a cop and investigator in my mind. I did though appreciate the fact that her partner, Hank, totally called her out on that kind of behavior. Unfortunately, Charlie did not seem to take it to heart and/or learn from it as much as she should have.

Speaking of Hank...my oh my, he sure was a treat. Given his siren nature, he is not only ridiculously yummy looking but confident, sexy, and sensual as well. On top of that, he is a smartass with a sense of humor and a heart of gold. I adored the dynamic between him and Charlie. They clearly care deeply for one another and are completely loyal to each other as both partners and friends. I was amused by their occasional banter and the way they playful teased each other. And I most certainly enjoyed the growing chemistry and sexual tension between them that was introduced in the second book.

I did have some minor issues with the series. I thought that some of the supporting characters weren't fleshed out enough or didn't play a significant enough role in the story progression as they could/should have. I also wished there had been more suspense and more mystery. Some things were spelled out a little too easily or were quite predictable. Finally, a few subplot points felt a bit underdeveloped and were left dangling.

Series Rating

CONTEST: Personal Demons ARC Book Giveaway

In celebration of starting this blog, I decided to hold my first book giveaway contest. I have an ARC of Personal Demons by Lisa Desrochers that I'd like to pass on to one lucky winner. I'd love for the winner to review this book after they've read it and share that review with me.

CONTEST CLOSED

BOOK REVIEW: Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

Reading Level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 352 pages
Release Date: August 31, 2010
ISBN-10: 0061985848
ISBN-13: 978-0061985843
Source: borrowed from local library

Evie’s always thought of herself as a normal teenager, even though she works for the International Paranormal Containment Agency, her ex-boyfriend is a faerie, she’s falling for a shape-shifter, and she’s the only person who can see through paranormals’ glamours. But Evie’s about to realize that she may very well be at the center of a dark faerie prophecy promising destruction to all paranormal creatures.

—Goodreads

Book Review

I had really high hopes for this book. Perhaps that's why I found myself disappointed. A review I recently read described this book as "frosting without the cake" and I would have to agree. On the surface, it was really fluffy, sweet, and pretty but there just wasn't enough filling. Thus, I was initially entertained but ultimately unsatisfied.

Evie's characterization confused me, and I never could figure out how I felt about her. There were some things I really liked about her and others that grated on my nerves. I liked her spunk, humor, and sweet demeanor. At the same time, I found her to be juvenile, whiny, naive, and somewhat self-centered. I know that she's very young (just turned 16), but she grew up surrounded by all adults and was given a pretty serious job for a young kid. Therefore, given her upbringing & responsibility, I was expecting her to be more mature, more resilient, and more astute.

I was also disappointed and surprised about how little Evie cared about what was happening to the paranormals. She really didn't start caring until it affected her personally and she found herself unwillingly dragged into the middle of it. And even then, her priorities seemed skewed. Just as the situation was reaching its most dangerous point, Evie decides she wants to give high school a try and even takes the time to hang out and go to the prom. If people I knew were being hunted and killed and the bad guy was trying to find me as well, I most certainly would not consider that a good time to go out and have fun (no matter how starved I may be for a normal life).

As for the other characters, again it was a mixed bag. I liked Lend quite a bit. He was a really sweet, caring guy. It was a breath of fresh air to have him be the love interest that captures the heroine's heart. The brooding bad boys have reigned long enough. So it was good to see a nice, down-to-earth guy come out on top. Lend's romance with Evie wasn't very exciting (can't say I felt a lot of chemistry there), but it was cute, innocent, and endearing. The rest of the supporting cast left me wanting more. I was fascinated by the array of paranormals that were featured. Unfortunately, intriguing characters like Lish and Reth were either underdeveloped or simply not given enough story time. Also, the main "villain" did absolutely nothing for me. I did not find her interesting or scary at all.

The plot was a bit underwhelming given the premise. I was really expecting more action and more drama. I felt as though too much time was spent on very mundane events that didn't contribute to the progression of the story in any significant way. I was hoping to experience scenes in which Evie gets some serious training and then gets to put it to use in the field. Sadly, there was barely any of that. Evie was given a taser (and later a dagger that she did not know how to use) but no hand-to-hand combat or stealth training...nothing. Her assignments involved her acting as bait by walking or standing around, exchanging a couple lines of banter with the baddie, and then tasering him/her a moment later. That's it.

That brings me to my other issue with the story. Evie works for a super secret international government agency that deals with potentially dangerous paranormals, which include werewolves that can rip people to shreds, hags that drown and eat their victims, and vampires that suck their prey dry. I found it highly implausible that such a specialized organization would let an apparently under-trained teenager out in the field by herself. They didn't even give her an ear piece so that she could stay in constant communication with headquarters. Then there's the seemingly nonexistent security. First, Lend, a teenage boy, was able to sneak into the secret compound and subdue its supervisor. Next, Evie was able to sneak into Lend's holding cell time after time. Then, once the compound was attacked, no one did anything but run away. I kept thinking to myself, "Someone from this place really needs to give the CIA or MI5 a call and ask them for some pointers."

Book Rating

BOOK REVIEW: Downside Ghosts Series by Stacia Kane

In the world of Downside City, ghosts are very real and more dangerous than anyone could have possibly imagined. A new form of the Church has risen in the aftermath of a bloody widespread calamity. Unlike its predecessor, this church does not concern itself with the worship of an almighty deity; instead, its purpose is to fight against supernatural threats and to police magic use. To do so, it employs and trains witches as new age ghostbusters and agents of the Truth.

Chess Putnam is one such witch. She may scoff at the idea of being called a hero, but there is no denying the fact that Chess is a fighter. As she struggles with her own inner demons, Chess battles ghostly and corporeal enemies with relentless determination.

Then suddenly, she finds herself facing an entirely different kind of threat—a threat to her heart. After years of building up emotional walls and learning how to keep everyone at arm's length, Chess finds herself connecting with and lowering her defenses for the last man she would ever expect.

Series Review

I will say upfront that I totally adore this entire series. All three books had me completely engrossed and thoroughly entertained. It took me mere hours to complete each one; I just could not put them down. The irony is that once I learned that the protagonist was a drug addict, I was extremely hesitant to give this series a try. I have a personal bias when it comes to individuals who abuse drugs. I've had friends whose lives (and the lives of their loved ones) were ruined by illegal drug use. These friends turned into people that I could no longer trust or respect, and I was forced to cut them out of my life. So, I was really surprised when I found myself understanding and caring for Chess.

Stacia Kane did a superb job of really fleshing out the characters, especially Chess. Chess doesn't make excuses for her actions. She acknowledges her mistakes and shortcomings. And she tries not to drag anyone else into her mess. When you find out what she has been through, what kind of brutal childhood she survived, and what kind of loneliness she feels, you can't help but sympathize with her. Despite her drug use and some poor life choices, Chess is a good person. When she cares for someone, she's willing to do anything she has to to fight for them. When she gets sent out on a job, she gives it her all. Yes, money is a factor for her, but you can tell that she takes her responsibilities seriously and that she likes to be able to protect and help the people around her. On top of that, Chess is very brave and smart. Regardless of her flaws, my admiration for her grew with each book.

Then there is Terrible. I won't go into too much detail about him or about his relationship with Chess because one of the really engaging aspects of the series is reading how his character and their connection develops. One thing that I will say is that again I was taken completely by surprise. Terrible is definitely not what I would have considered "love interest material". Just like Chess, he is flawed and carries his fair share of emotional scars. He isn't handsome or charming and he lives a very violent life. Nevertheless, he still manages to endear himself to both Chess and the reader. The growing chemistry between Terrible and Chess is unique and exciting. This is far from your typical romance. It has its ugly moments and the two hurt each other repeatedly, but seeing them work through the pain is so refreshingly real and raw (and definitely rewarding, particularly by the end of the third book).

Series Rating