I don’t know if Cruel Beauty truly deserved five stars on merit but goddamnit I’m awarding it all the points for enjoyability. All of them. I loved thI don’t know if Cruel Beauty truly deserved five stars on merit but goddamnit I’m awarding it all the points for enjoyability. All of them. I loved the hell out of this story. The passion. The intrigue. Ignifex. Nyx’s rage. Ignifex. All the kissing. Nyx.
This book kind of had it all for me. Plot, mystery, intrigue and a whole lot of making out. It’s almost like Hodge was trying to distract me from the crazy plotholes and loose story structure. It was fantastic! I haven’t been this entertained by a book in ages. I immediately went out and bought a copy (I got mine from the library).
So if you’re into mythology and kissing and just looking for something eminently, page-turningly good, then this is your book.
This is only a mini review as I wrote a guide to Beauty and the Beast retellings here....more
This was another favourite of mine. Completely different to A Court of Thorns and Roses and Cruel Beauty, Uprooted is more dark and gothic. UnfortunatThis was another favourite of mine. Completely different to A Court of Thorns and Roses and Cruel Beauty, Uprooted is more dark and gothic. Unfortunately there is also a lot less kissing. But not to be discouraged. What kissing there is, is very lovely and, more importantly, Uprooted has a solid plot and is paced with ardent fervour. It’s also funny as all hell and sit-on-the-edge-of-your-seat type of action-packed. When I started reading it, I really didn’t want to put it down unless forced against my will. Agnieszka is a fantastic character. Witty, strong, loving and heroic. The Dragon is hilariously uptight and poncy. Cue Agnieszka quickly tearing down every expectation and wall he builds up between them and you have an odd couple taking on the most sinister forest you can think of.
I usually take my time, and can be quiet erudite when it comes to expressing my love for a book. Today is not that day.
No, you see, you can’t be eloquI usually take my time, and can be quiet erudite when it comes to expressing my love for a book. Today is not that day.
No, you see, you can’t be eloquent and merciful to a book whose main theme is stabbing. Not just other people but stabbing you, in particular, right in the heartsole (Because, at my heart, I am an arsehole – get it? No….?)
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Anyway, before I read this book, I was a deadened husk inside. That book didn’t change that aspect of me much except to poke so many holes in my exterior facade that water leaks in when it rains.
Let’s roll things back.
So I read this book back when it was a glimmer of a book. I loved it then but I LOVE everything about it now. This book is to breaking readers hearts as maestros are to music. Sorry, I’m still so hung up on this book.
I don’t want to say the theme of this book is stabbing. I want to say something more intellectual like it’s theme is revenge and the slow leaking of the humanity in one who has lost so much. But if you said the main theme was stabbing in your SAT test I just don’t frankly think you’d be wrong.
Mia, as our protagonist, drives the story along with three other great supporting characters: Mister Kindly, Tric and our mysterious narrator with their many, many delicious footnotes. Mia, herself is a dry, witty, savage, raw creature who is being moulded into a deadly weapon at a school for assassins. (Think Hogwarts, except if you fail a lesson – you die.) Mister Kindly is her shadow assistant. Acerbic and snarky and part of her special abilities which is all I’ll say about that. Tric – I have no words for. No. Words. Don’t touch me!
As for our narrator, I feel like it’s humour and the many, many world building details included in the footnotes really brings this story to life. What would otherwise be a tense, dramatic story is added a certain levity through the narrator’s wit. It carries it in a way, where the sadness and more depressing aspects of this story might usually bog a reader down – is lifted and given perspective by the narrator.
The writing is outstanding, with the usual Kristoff flair. It was simply stunning, rich bodied and full of flavour. If I sound like I’m describing a coffee then I can only attest to my sleep deprived state. The pacing and the plot, I felt, were fantastic. Right when you started to feel bogged down in world building and such, Kristoff throws in some stabbing or some sex to liven it up. It’s like he’s come across the perfect formula for me, personally. Which, if he has, I ain’t gonna complain.
A word to the wary – this book is graphic. In violence, in sex, in language. It’s definitely for the more mature readers out there. But if drinking the blood of your enemies is your thing, as it is mine – then I highly suggest you give it a try. ...more
So nobody is going to be surprised that I loved Illuminae. Nobody. Just like nobody would be surprised if I said that I loved Jay Kristoff and Amie KaSo nobody is going to be surprised that I loved Illuminae. Nobody. Just like nobody would be surprised if I said that I loved Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman. My love for them is almost as synonymous with me as my name is. I want to be fair and accurate in my reporting of this book though, because even though we promote Jay and Amie fairly often on the blog here, that doesn’t mean they’re above scrutiny. I don’t want to lose credibility and be considered a fangirl who can’t distinguish good from bad because I’m blinded by my love.
So I’m going to be completely objective here and analyse every aspect of this giant, mammoth of a book.
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Gah! I just can’t do it. Thing is, I just really, really enjoyed this book. And there’s no appreciable criticism I could give it. Sure Aidan waffles on a little bit at times, and the book itself could choke a whale, but the story moves so fast, and it’s so snappy, that I fell in love with the witty dialogue and the heartwarming moments that were often followed by bone-shattering tragedy. The feelings this book gave me, people. THE FEELINGS. And not just because Jay and Amie, at one point, totally kick my ass into the cold vacuum of space and murder me (Just like they do all the time, those crazy kids!) But because this book has so much on the line and Jay and Amie manage to make you LIKE people and think about them. Then they’ll probably kill them, or maybe not. It depends on how much you insulted them in a past life. I haven’t worked out all the details on how this works yet tbh.
And the work that has gone into this book. All the little graphics and extras and love. It really is a stunning book.
And let’s talk for a minute about the chemistry between Kady and Ezra, since these two characters really steal the show. I think this is going to appeal to a lot of people because it’s not all boiled down to a physical/sexual attraction. Mostly these two characters interact via a series of emails so there’s a lot of characterisation and voice that goes into the building of their relationship. There’s also a lot of history there between them that has to be sorted out. But their banter has to be one of the best I’ve seen in a long time, and the rapport they build with each other is so full personality and charm.
There’s a hundred little details that go into making this a great book. I don’t want to hype it up too much with my fangirling.
Because the truth is, I don’t know if this is everyone’s book. It’s horrifically violent and it’s weird and it’s long. For me, this was all perfect. I’m a horrifically violent weirdo with a tendency to babble. This book was for me. I am its people. People familiar with Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman are going to know their style, be comfortable with their skill sets. Then they’re going to read this book and not know what hit them, because this is nothing like what they’ve written before. This is not Stormdancer and These Broken Stars combined. This is fresh and spectacular and clever.
TLDR: Book is great. Kat liked very much.
This review and others like it can be found on my blog, Cuddlebuggery Book Blog. The author provided an ARC of this book to me for an honest review. Honestly, I don't think he got his money's worth. ...more
I described this book to my mother. “It’s about a chef who gets kidnapped by pirates. He has to cook a gourmet meal for the pirate captain once a weekI described this book to my mother. “It’s about a chef who gets kidnapped by pirates. He has to cook a gourmet meal for the pirate captain once a week. And this pirate captain, mom, she is AWESOME!”
My mom smiled knowingly, “Oh. And then they start getting it on like rabbits!”
I faltered for a moment, stalling while trying to explain. “No! It’s not a romance-romance. I mean, they do develop a relationship but it’s…not a focus in the novel.”
My mom seemed to understand, giving a confident nod. “So how does a teenager become a pirate captain?”
My brain stalled again. “No, um, the chef and Mabbot are middle-aged.”
This time, it was my mother was the confused one. “What are you doing reading this?”
She has a point. This isn’t my usual blog-reading fair. Not romance and no teens? Yet as soon as I saw this book on the publishing line up, I couldn’t resist getting it and I’m so glad I did.
This book was amazing. No-holds-barred, completely fantastic. I loved every minute of it.
No detail is spared and the level of research used in this novel is astounding. Obviously the biggest fascination for me was the seemingly-insurmountable task Wedge is faced with once a week. Preparing a gourmet meal on a pirate ship where food is scarce, basic and the kitchen rudimentary at best. Yet Wedge is a genius and his resourcefulness both in cooking and trying to escape was more than admirable. It was fascinating!
But obviously the biggest draw for me was the construction of the characters. Wedge, a pudgy, middle-aged, chef pitched against Mad Hannah Mabbot. She’s brilliant, fiery, passionate, endlessly-capable, fierce, blazing, outlandish, charismatic. If you can tell I loved her, good. Kids, when I grow up, I want to BE The Shark of the Indian Ocean, Mad Hannah Mabbot, Back-from-the-dead Red. I seriously need to start working on a badass pirate name like that. The journey they go through as Captain Mabbot chases The Fox, the King of Thieves, and evades the grimly determined Laroche while aiming to bring down the Pendleton Trading company is action packed, blood-soaked and utterly enthralling.
The writing is detailed and so incredibly nuanced. Wedge’s personality shines from every page as the fussy, prudish, cooking-obsessed Catholic man who has the world and his Regency-era appropriations torn down around him. The result is a much better person. Don’t be deceived. There are no alpha-males with rippling muscles, or chest-heaving women needing to be saved. Captain Mabbot would kick an alpha male in the teeth, tie him over a churning ocean and laugh madly while she robbed him blind. Wedge can only really beat a steak into submission, but he’s smart and passionate and lovely. Eli Brown has given me everything I wanted in a novel. A diverse cast, a delightful, realistic break from traditional gender roles and a gratingly beautiful human touch.
This book eats lesser pirate tropes for breakfast. Respect it’s authoritah or Captain Mabbot will have you keel-hauled.
This book was given to me for review purposes. I received no gifts, favours or money for this because why anyone would want to pay money for my reviews in beyond me.
Usually V and I go on random adventures together. Like that time she was a Steampunk airship captain and I was helping her storm a flying fortress to Usually V and I go on random adventures together. Like that time she was a Steampunk airship captain and I was helping her storm a flying fortress to steal back some booty. Or like when we went trekking through an alien jungle to rescue a space whale from some poachers. Ya know, we hang out. Have fun. Repress our strong feelings for each other in lieu of maintaining a platonic friendship. The usual.
So I’m pretty used to her taking me on wild adventures. I just don’t think I’m ever going to get used to reading her wild imagination! Through the Ever Night was, if possible, even better than Under the Never Sky. Rossi’s skill as a story teller has only grown and improved, so too has her characters. I don’t usually like to reference character hotness as a selling point in a book – but these two don’t even need to touch to be steaming up the pages which (now that I think about it, is probably a fire hazard). As always, some of the best parts about Rossi’s writing is the litany of secondary characters – Roar being one serious MVP.
Once again his wit and personality bring a much needed buoyancy and humour to an otherwise action-packed, edge of your seat, angst fest that left me clutching the book yelling, “What?! WHAT!?!” and “NOOOOOO!!!! NOOOO!! Oh my god howwillieversurvive!?!” You know it’s been a good book when you’re left thinking, “Oh yeah! It is ON, baby!”
I read a lot of good books these days, having become exceptionally good at weeding out stuff I’m pretty sure I’ll like – so it takes a special kind of series/book to make my top five of all time. Under The Never Sky certainly does and not just because V would falcon punch me if I didn’t say that.
It’s hard not to respect a book that kicks ass from start to finish. Especially the writing which has become smoother. Particularly in regards to the well-conceptualized action scenes which seems to be something that Rossi does particularly well, and everything is really easy to visualize. The Aether, an aspect of this book that exceedingly confused people the last time round, will probably still confuse you. She explains it more in this book but still, what is an Aether? Buggered if I know. And you know what? Two books in and I still don’t CARE. It’s there, it’s awesome. It’s rocking the Casbah. What’s a Casbah? I don’t know either, but it rocks. (Okay, lies. I totally know what the Casbah is. So sue me.)
Seriously, I have a very small list of books that I love more than life itself but THIS ONE IS ON IT. Go read now!
Because you can’t come with V and I to save the Prince from the Alturi Prison on the third moon of the Kayman system until you do!...more
Kristoff has said, many times, that he doesn’t believe in happy endings. For the sake of all his readers, I once took him out for drinks and tried to Kristoff has said, many times, that he doesn’t believe in happy endings. For the sake of all his readers, I once took him out for drinks and tried to get him terribly drunk. The one flaw in my plan being that I am 5’8 and he is 7′monster. My intention was to discover his true plans for the Stormdancer trilogy, and his earnestness about causing angst and heartbreak to his readers.
Alas, good folks, I can only surmise that Kristoff truly believes in neither happy endings or sparing his readers pain. Kinslayer backs this up and more. It is a brilliantly written, emotionally-packed book. But I must warn you, it’s going to break your heart. Kristoff pulls no punches and spares no pain. Here is a visualization of my agony while reading.
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The only thing I can imagine harder than readers needing extreme therapy for the pain this book will cause, is coping with the multiple view shifts. Kinslayer has so many characters and interaction storylines that it’s easy to feel overwhelmed if you’re not used to tracking that much angst at once.
I just can’t help but feel like all my feelings have been used up. Kristoff is an evil bastard.
The writing is, of course, beautiful. Just stunning. I can’t even with this writing. I wish I could quote some of it for you, but the second I finished reading this book, everyone I know turned up at my house and flogged the ARC from me. I haven’t seen it since. No, really. They all worked out a reading schedule between them. I’m told that I won’t see it again until 2014.
Of course, predictably, the Yukiko and Buruu dynamic is magic – and it really needed to be. Because Yukiko has the hardest time ever, and I doubt she would have made it through without Buruu. And no matter what else happens in this series, no matter what else shapes it, the relationship that Buruu and Yukiko have seems to be foundational. Rather like Spock and Kirk.
In other news, Kin should die.
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And Michi is so badass. I mean, omg. I wasn’t sure I’d get a girl crush even harder than the ones I have for both Captain Corsair from the Iron Seas Trilogy and Veronica Rossi. But if Michi ever beckoned her finger at me, good lord I’d come running. Even if it was just so that she could murder the hell out of me.
As I went through my notes of reading this book, I notice how often I said things like, “OMG! They’re going to bone, aren’t they?” I don’t know what that either says about the novel or me. Maybe it just says that my love for this series is highly inappropriate but true and eternal.
If you haven’t read it yet – read it. READ IT NOW OR FACE MY WRATH!
I’m not sure how to proceed with this review WITHOUT resorting to a shit ton of gifs. I just really feel like some kind of crazy wild action would betI’m not sure how to proceed with this review WITHOUT resorting to a shit ton of gifs. I just really feel like some kind of crazy wild action would better represent how I feel than words ever could.
I mean, I could say that The Eternity Cure is one badass tale that left me desperate for more because this story was fucking awesome. Or I could just do this:
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Which is, no joke, my exact facial expression upon finishing this book. I think it actually stayed like that for a full two minutes.
I could tell you that Allison Sekemoto was such an unmitigated badass that I am prepared to lay my sword down at her badass feet and swear my fealty to her as the god of badass forever. Or I could just do this:
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See how much easier that is? I can’t write this bloody review because I’m too busy stalking Julie Kagawa and thinking of ways to beg her to hurry up and give me the next book. I need it. Seriously. And I can’t even talk about this book much, because I don’t want to spoil anyone. But I will let you know some vague things that you can expect:
1) Allison Sekemoto continues to be a stone-cold, kick-ass, awesomely awesome protagonist.
2) There are smoochies.
3) Things need to be killed and Allison is exactly the person to do it.
4) This is a creepy fucking book and I still shiver occasionally when thinking about it.
5) Some people in the book are horrifically horrible and terrifying.
6) Some people in this book are kind of sweet and make me smile.
7) Kanin <3
8) There is a return of a character I didn’t expect and he was fuckin’ ACE, man.
9) Be prepared to want to have everyone’s babies. Just everyone’s.
10) Read it. That is all.
I have to admit, like The Immortal Rules, it started out a little slow. Allison’s naivete and willingness to trust scumbags annoyed me. However, it didn’t take long before I fully endorsed pretty much each and every decision she made. She’s just so… cool. Kagawa throws the readers right back into this creepy, desolate, and somewhat hopeless world. But somehow, when the characters in this book teamed up ready to go kick ass, I just felt this rightness. Like, “Hell yeah! It’s ASS kicking time!” For those who don’t know, ass kicking time comes right after Balls-to-the-wall crazy time, and briefly before Cleaning-blood-out-of-your-clothes time.
I propose we begin a foundation. Survivors of the Everneath Series Anonymous. Because this book seriously gave me ALL the feels:
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I’m going to trI propose we begin a foundation. Survivors of the Everneath Series Anonymous. Because this book seriously gave me ALL the feels:
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I’m going to try to do this without spoiling the last book or this one, kay my friends?
Nikki needs Cole’s help in the Everneath. She has to make it through three mazes, avoid zombie-like wanderers, the Queen of the Everneath and the Shades or she and Jack are going to die.
And can I just say: GOD THIS BOOK! WHY?! WHY!??!!?! Ashton, do you feed on our tears? Do you use them in your magic spells? Do you boil them in your brews? How could you give us such an ending – AGAIN!?
I read the last page of this book with the colour draining from my face, shaking my head and going, “No! No! Noooooo! She got me again!” I mean, there’s just so mean you can be to your readers before they’re justified in kidnapping you and forcing you to hand over any and all sequels!
Nikki continues to improve as a character – taking leaps and bounds as a stronger, more amazing character. She is not afraid to hit back at life and she doesn’t hesitate to kick butt when it needs kicking. However, the scene stealer is most definitely Cole who will charm the pants off you, then charm your pants, then steal your pants. Because that boy is evil and if I were to ever translate myself into a fictional world in order to meet him then I’d probably slap him, kiss him and then slap him again for good measure.
Seriously, this sequel was amazing and has set the bar very high for the third book in the Everneath series which I absolutely need. NOW!
This review, and others like it, can be found on my blog, ...more
You just never know what you’re going to get with a Hannah Moskowitz novel. Other than that it is something good. Really good. But is it going to be sYou just never know what you’re going to get with a Hannah Moskowitz novel. Other than that it is something good. Really good. But is it going to be something happy? Something heart-wrenchingly sad? Both? Is she just going to straight up gut you and leave your innards lying on the floor at your feet while you hollowly ask, “Why, Hannah? WHY!?”
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“Don’t know! Seemed like fun to make you give up on humanity and despair for the world!”
Marco Impossible is one of those books that will make you laugh, laugh some more, fall in love with all the characters and float around buzzing afterwards. Marco and Stephen are so effortlessly charming and wonderfully fun. Moskowitz has captured that awkward balance between child and teenager. Marco and Stephen are just at the tipping point and the grand Heist in this novel is their last hurrah before life takes them in different directions. The novel perfectly captures that ennui of two friends close to saying goodbye to childhood and each other and their desire to also charge forth and grow older and mature. Throughout the novel there is an intense tug and pull between the two. Between wanting to play and solve mysteries, and looking for something deeper and intransient.
As always, Moskowitz’s signature ability to create characters that jump out of the page with their complexity and personality is here on display. From big loud Marco and quietly suffering wingman, Stephen. Two words to describe them and this story? Utterly charming. Words to describe how much I want to lock Hannah Moskowitz in a basement and force her to write 24/7 for my own personal satisfaction: Restraining Order.
It’s short, it’s sweet, it’s just about perfect. I’m very likely sneaking it into our local Catholic High School library, and the local council library, and every school library we can possibly get it into. If you’re a teacher, a librarian or a parent – this is a great book that I highly recommend.
It’s coming to the end of 2012 and I’ve already read all of Moskowitz’s 2013 books. I can’t express how depressing that is for me.
Taylor’s gift is her ability to infuse every page with magic and emotion. I admire her writing even when my critical self finds fault with the story itself. Somehow, Dreams of Gods and Monsters is both far superior and somewhat inferior to Days of Blood and Starlight. Though neither can compare to the perfection of Daughter of Smoke and Bone.
I make no secret of the fact that I love Moskowitz’s work with the power of a thousand Beiber fans except I don’t need to suspend my disbelief in MoskI make no secret of the fact that I love Moskowitz’s work with the power of a thousand Beiber fans except I don’t need to suspend my disbelief in Moskowitz’s ability.
Teeth is a heartbreaking novel about a lonely boy and an even lonelier magic fish boy. On an island there is a secret. The fish there are magic and they can keep you alive from even the most serious illness. Rudy moves there with his family for is brother’s sake, but things aren’t as simple as they seem when he meets Teeth.
As I’ve come to expect from Moskowitz, the writing is nothing short of spectacular and the characterization, Oh! The characterization! Here is a quote from my review of her book Gone, Gone, Gone about her characterization:
“Well and truly it is the intense characterization of Craig and Lio that make this novel. Clearly Moskowitz doesn’t just do characterization. She DOES characterization. You know. Like, when she writes a character – that character has been written. That character KNOWS it’s been written. That character will probably tell all it’s friends about that time it was written really well. Then it will compare all other writings to the writing that Moskowitz gave it. Thoroughly.”
That is as true in Teeth as it was in Gone, Gone, Gone. Teeth and Rudy are incredibly complex characters – amazingly flawed and dysfunctional. Lonely, desperate, passionate, broken and utterly charming.
But the themes in Teeth are significantly darker than they were in Gone, Gone, Gone, making me hesitant to recommend it to those unable to cope with issues of serious and repetitive sexual abuse. Teeth is dark. Teeth is very, very gothic and depressing and sad. Sometimes I wondered if it was too sad, too dark, too emotive. There’s very little cheer and fun to be had in it. But it turns out it’s just the right amount of dark, sad and emotive for me because I still loved it.
And if you love Moskowitz, it is likely that her ability to make you feel, to illicit a remarkable amount of empathy for her characters, to bare their soul to you – is one of the biggest attractions. That is what you consistently get with Moskowitz – so if you’re up for another beautifully written tale with a fresh bunch of characters waiting to make your heart bleed, then this is for you. If you’re in the mood for something that will make you laugh and feel good, then maybe you’re better off moving along.
And, people, when you do make it to the end of this book, just remember, I’m here for you.
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*An ARC was provided to me by the publisher. No gifts, favours or money was exchanged for this review.
When trying to find a way to describe this book – I settled on this: Pushing The Limits is the closest I’ve ever gotten to reading a Machetta bWhen trying to find a way to describe this book – I settled on this: Pushing The Limits is the closest I’ve ever gotten to reading a Machetta book.
For anyone familiar with me or Machetta – that is the highest praise I give.
Very rarely does a book make me laugh and cry at all – let alone multiple times. But that’s what this book did. And really, what the hell kind of badass reviewer am I when I’m brought to sniveling, snotty tears by a book?
Noah and Echo don’t talk at school. Noah is the atypical bad boy and Echo is the former Teen Queen on the verge of reclaiming her former glory. But Noah and Echo have a lot more in common than they realize. They’re both broken. This book is told through both of their view points as they start therapy and their lives start to unravel and they get pushed closer and closer together by their circumstances.
What I love is that there are three realities in this book. McGarry takes into account that there is Noah’s truth, Echo’s truth and then there’s this whole other creature we’ll call What Is Actually Happening. I haven’t seen someone show flawed narration this well in a long time. What McGarry captured perfectly is that disconnect while keeping me plugged in an sympathetic.
Example.
Noah is fighting for custody of his younger brothers. When his parents died, he and his siblings were separated. Noah was placed in a series of very bad and negligent homes while his brothers were placed with a custody family who restrict his access to his siblings and are trying to adopt them.
Echo’s father and his new wife (Echo’s old babysitter) have a very rocky, unhealthy relationship. He is controlling, the new wife is pregnant and Echo is desperate to try and make contact with her mother (who has been cut off from contact by Echo’s father).
At least – that is how it looks at the beginning. And it’s very easy to think that these adults in Echo and Noah’s lives are horrible. But whilst Echo and Noah continue to see them that way for awhile, and whilst I as the reader remained completely empathetic as to why Noah and Echo saw them that way, it becomes clear that the situation is not as cut and dry as that.
By the climax of both Echo and Noah’s stories I was weeping uncontrollably. I still cry when I think about those two parts of the book. McGarry’s writing is powerful, emotive. Her character voices for both Noah and Echo were very well done – reflecting on their distinct personalities and characteristics. The plot contained little action and was largely carried by the myriad of relationships and the mystery of Echo’s past – so fans of more fast paced, active novels may want to steer clear.
Mrs Collins, their therapist, plays an almost omnipotent, godlike character in the novel and brought a fresh, lovable addition. She was one of my favourites.
Over all, I think most readers are going to love this one. One of the absolute best books of 2012!...more
Sequels are really hard to write reviews for. Mostly because people don’t want to read them for fear of spoilers, but keeping them spoiler free makes Sequels are really hard to write reviews for. Mostly because people don’t want to read them for fear of spoilers, but keeping them spoiler free makes it difficult to properly discuss the book. So now I’m going to have to do this review in code.
In Siege and Storm Alina and Mal are on the run from the Darkling. They meet Pumpkin who has the ability to help Alina defeat the Darkling. Problem is, Mal and Pumpkin don’t get on at all. Also, the Darkling can now line dance which adds a level of complication. As well as line dancing, which makes a dark and creepy addition to the novel, the Darling drives a wedge between Mal and Alina by knitting. Also, I think he may be losing the plot a little.
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Firstly, Bardugo’s writing has dramatically improved. Siege & Storm is a far smoother novel, both in terms of writing craft and pacing. The tension is always ramped up, the drama meter is set to erupt and before you realize what is happening, it all explodes in your face, leaving you clutching at the tattered remains of your heart and an ego that is no longer ashamed to see you crawl onto twitter to cry on Bardugo’s shoulder.
I can’t really talk too much about the characters without giving it away – but Alina kicked butt in this installment. Especially when she got hold of her aardvark. No more doe-eyed victim. She really struggles and grapples with her goiter. What does her goiter mean for her? For Mal? For the future of Ravka? And was the Darkling right about that Chinese finger box between Mal and Alina? Mal struggles the most in this novel as he is a salt mine. And in his salt mineyness he deteriorates and loses a lot of faith. I have a feeling he learned a lot about himself in this novel.
Everyone grows and changes, even the Darkling a little and I wonder if he’ll let Alina continue to cross stitch, or if he’s finally going to seriously back stitch her? Or has his line dancing finally started to shake him up? So many questions, so many moral and ethical dilemmas.
There is little doubt that Pumpkin stole the show and I applaud Bardugo for his inclusion. He certainly made life interesting and added a great comedic element to the book. Overall, Siege and Storm managed to be a stronger novel than the first. Now I absolutely can’t wait for the next!
I have a scale for YA books I read, since I’ve read so many. It looks something like this.
-I hope this book dies. Right now. And takes a 100km radiusI have a scale for YA books I read, since I’ve read so many. It looks something like this.
-I hope this book dies. Right now. And takes a 100km radius with it just to be sure.
-Terrible book
-Not my thing
-Meh
-Yeah that was okay
-Hmmm. Interesting
-I was pleasantly surprised
-Yeah I liked that
-That was a great book
-Wow I loved that book!
-FIZZJERBLEDEEGOOK! That was Freaking AMAZEBALLS!
-I will read that book again
Allow me to lay down some perspective. At this moment I have no fewer than sixty-three ARCs sitting around waiting to be read. I have specifically enough time to scratch my head in bemusement between reading one book, reviewing it, contacting the appropriate people and picking up the next one. I do not have time to reread books. So whilst there are plenty of books that I greatly enjoy and even love, the pool for the number of books I reread is currently at five. Five. This book makes five books I reread.
It is not that it’s a perfect book – but that it is perfect for me. I loved everything about it. Brennan’s writing style, humour, wit and dialogue shines in everything she writes. This book is filled with atmosphere, mood and the perfect level of creepy. It’s characters shine through as it’s strongest advantage. Each independently strong and lovable, Brennan pulls out all the stops in creating a Scooby Gang of epic proportions.
Easily the biggest selling point is Kami and Jared. But mostly Kami. Kami was rocking so hard that I had residual whiplash. Strong, smart, brave – a theme with almost all the women in the novel. She was quirky enough to be cute, independent enough to be admirable, vulnerable enough to be loved – strong enough to lead this novel and stand on her own. Jared with his flawed complexity and bad boy characteristics was lovable and pitiable. I know I have a soft spot for bad boys, but it’s hard not to root for him and hurt for him throughout the novel.
The pacing and plot were pretty much spot on perfect, never getting boring or easing up on the good times which balanced with the action and suspense.
I think this book earned each and every one of those five stars. It earned them hard and I need the next one NOW.
**Original Prereview below**
So I opened the book and by page five I was like:
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And we met Kami and Angela and Ash and Jared and Holy and I was like:
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Then I saw that there was a love triangle and for a minute I was like:
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But not even two pages later I was just like:
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Then the mystery revved up and I was like:
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And then the intrigue and danger and relationships started to evolve and I was like:
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And every time Kami said something hilarious I was like:
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So basically how I feel about this book is that if I had a choice between reading the sequel and a threesome with:
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Then I would probably choose Unspoken #2. Yes. I said it.
And how I feel about the fact that the next one is so far away:
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This is just a temporary review. Keep an eye out for my proper review in August.
Look, it doesn’t really matter what star rating I’d have given this book. Because, at the end of the day, nothing would have been able to take awayLook, it doesn’t really matter what star rating I’d have given this book. Because, at the end of the day, nothing would have been able to take away from how unflappably cool Hannah Moskowitz is. She’s like the genius rockstar of the YA world.
So I guess it’s just a good thing that I completely, truly and irrevocably (I feel Twilight has ruined this word forever) loved this book.
For a book that doesn’t have a giant, action packed plot or complicated message, Gone, Gone, Gone manages to be brilliant in the most understated, replete fashion.
It’s language is simplistic, I’d even go so far as to say MUNDANE, but it’s packed to the brim and even the most inane parts are interesting.
“I’m not an enigma. I’m just talked out, probably permanently. I said all I needed to say when I was a boy made of sticks and radiation and half-digested oatmeal. I don’t feel good. I want to go home. Make it stop. It’s been seven years, and I’m still out of words.”
Well and truly it is the intense characterization of Craig and Lio that make this novel. Clearly Moskowitz doesn’t just do characterization. She DOES characterization. You know. Like, when she writes a character – that character has been written. That character KNOWS it's been written. That character will probably tell all it's friends about that time it was written really well. Then it will compare all other writings to the writing that Moskowitz gave it. Thoroughly.
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I mean, if Craig and Lio had any more personality, oddities and complexities then her characters might just come alive and start trying to murder their creators and Moskowitz would have to hide her status from them forever like that guy in The Solitaire Mystery. Actually, just for good measure, don’t ever get stranded on an island Moskowitz. Especially not a magical island that brings your day dreams to life because then you’re probably screwed.
It’s going to be hard to sell this book. Usually you latch onto something easy like describing a book as being The Hunger Games meets Madame Bovary or some other such nonsense. But it’s a little hard to do that. I could go the easy route and tell you it’s Awesomness meets your mind, or fabulous meets the written word. But that doesn’t really translate well into what this book is about.
But this book is about a lot of things. Mostly it’s about two boys who fall in love while dealing with themselves. Mostly it’s about healing and growing and loving.
Mostly it’s about me kicking your ass if you don’t add it to your TBR list, alright?
[image] There are just a thousand and one uses for this pic!
My first inclination upon finishing Night Beach is to flood my review with several happy, dancing gifs. [image] Yeah, that will do.
That would be a helluMy first inclination upon finishing Night Beach is to flood my review with several happy, dancing gifs. [image] Yeah, that will do.
That would be a helluva lot easier than trying to express why and how I loved this book so much.
However, allow me to give you some very valid reasons to read this book:
1. Eagar is an extremely promising Australian author. 2. This book is blurbed by Melina Marchetta for a reason. 3. I told you to.
Not everyone is going to completely get Night Beach. Eagar's style is both raw and brutal, showing no mercy. Her characters, so real, tangible and lovingly created, are stripped bare for her audience. Nothing is hidden or glossed over. No emotion is withheld and no reality is too stark to express.
At first Abbie seems an unlikable character, but her self-awareness and patheticness lends her a touch of palatability. But there is a depth and strength to Abbie that becomes increasingly evident as the book progresses. At first you think Abbie's obsession is like Call of Duty Nazi Zombies - endless and a little pointless but you can't stop yourself. But Abbie has so much growth, so much passion and so much heroism that she was almost addicting.
Kane was... Kane. Kane was many young, stupid Australian boys that I've met and Eagar's ability to capture the young, male Australian specimen for display here is almost a feat of genius. I think the brilliance of Eagar's writing for Night Beach is her ability to mirror a longing in the audience that is reminiscent of Abbie's own feelings and obsession. Those brief flashes of something worthwhile and lovable in Kane which are briefly littered through out the novel. It keeps you hoping that maybe, just maybe he'll be good enough for Abbie. Maybe one day he'll be all she wants and needs from him.
If I were to describe Eagar's prose as ambitious and artistic, some readers may have horrifying Shatter Me flashbacks. This is a different kind of ambitious and artistic. Phoebe North, I believe, said it best in her review when she wrote:
"I believe that the onus is on the writer to earn our trust in their mastery over prose. I never was quite convinced that Mafi was the master here; her writing was just too imprecise, connoting all the wrong things (and clearly not intentionally) entirely too often."
[image] In other words: your language seems pretty but, on reflection, is stupid, painful and nonsensical.
This sentiment, and her entire review, I completely agree with. Happily, it is not the case with Night Beach. Eagar's language is descriptive and powerful, but it is also precise and Eagar wields it with precision and great skill. I wanted to find an example of Eagar's skill and the tightness of her prose. But her language is so understated and appropriate for the narrative that excerpts simply don't do it as much justice. The plot issues I had with Raw Blue were nonexistent here. The book felt complete and entirely satisfactory in its ending. What's more is that it made sense and was true to the themes and the characters.
Perhaps the best part of all this? Kirsty Eagar has joined with Melina Marchetta and they are both now my favouritest authors ever. They both live in Sydney. Guess where I live and what I'll be doing now?
I need to take a moment to do something before beginning this review.
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Stormdancer is a fantasy nerdgasm, written by a fantasy nerd, for tI need to take a moment to do something before beginning this review.
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Stormdancer is a fantasy nerdgasm, written by a fantasy nerd, for the fantasy nerds – and if it sounds like I just pilfered some of the Gettysburg address then that’s because Abraham Lincoln riding a grizzly bear was just about the only damn thing missing from this book.
[image] Image by Rando
Subsequently my life is now complete.
Stormdancer is a world one step removed from our own. Imagined as a Japan with Steampunk technology and alternate history, choking the life out of itself by growing and harvesting the Blood Lotus – which fuels all their mechanical marvels. And then there’s Yukiko. Daughter of the Hunt Master, subject of the terrifying and cruel Shogun, impure yokai-kin sent on an impossible mission to find the mythical griffin and capture it for the Shogun.
Things I liked about Stormdancer:
Buruu
The Writing
Yukiko
World-Building
Buruu
Michii
Kasumi
Buruu
Buruu
and
Buruu
Obviously the scene stealer of this novel is Buruu. Proud, funny, vicious, blood-thirsty and beautiful. But characters aren’t enough to breath life into a novel. What Stormdanver has is the near-perfectly constructed prose which transform this beautiful narrative into a sprawling epic. Kristoff’s style is rich, whimsical and near lyrical in his form and structure. Novice’s to fantasy may either get swept away or drown if it’s too deep for their skill level.
Clearly a great deal of tender loving care has gone into Kristoff’s stunning debut, as visible from every single page labored with meaty lore, obsessive detail and great imagination. Some may enjoy the subtle, or not so subtle, nods to other fantasy and science fiction that litter this book. The plot and pacing keep up a steady stream of interest and enthusiasm, I felt. Making this book exceptionally readable and enjoyable.
And now that I have gotten all the obligatory serious discussion and annoying stuff that I have to do to be taken seriously as book blogger out of the way, may I just mention one, juvenile thing that I rather enjoyed:
[image] Original picture by Cory Doctorow – alteration based on Darkstarz
All the jizzworthy toys. Yes! Great characters, writing, world-building, plot, pacing, blah-blah-blah… GIVE ME MY CHAINSAW KATANA, KRISTOFF!
The mechanized armor and sky ships and CHAINSAW FUCKING KATANAS and tattoos and the hundred other little Steampunk-y ideas that filled this novel up and made it stand out above the rest! I LOVE IT! I LOVE IT! I LOVE IT!
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Ah… erm, that is all…
Buy this book. Buy it and read it and love it. Then make me a chainsaw Katana.
Kat Kennedy
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