I Am Yao, King of the Rock (Not Really, but Whatever)

Published:  February 9th, 2010

Finnikin of the Rock (Lumatere Chronicles #1)

By: Melina Marchetta

Candlewick Press

ISBN-13:  9780763643614

At the age of nine, Finnikin is warned by the gods that he must sacrifice a pound of flesh to save his kingdom.  He stands on the rock of three wonders with his friend Prince Balthazar and Balthazar's cousin, Lucian, and together they mix their blood to save Lumatere.

But all safety is shattered during the five days of the unspeakable, when the king and queen and their children are brutally murdered in the palace.  An imposter seizes the throne, a curse binds all who remain inside Lumatere's walls, and those who escape are left to roam the land as exiles, dying by the thousands in fever camps.

Ten years later, Finnikin is summoned to another rock -- to meet Evanjalin, a young novice with a startling claim: Balthazar, heir to the throne of Lumatere, is alive.  This arrogant young woman claims she'll lead Finnikin and his mentor, Sir Topher, to the Prince.  Instead, her leadership points them perilously toward home.  Does Finnikin dare believe that Lumatere might one day rise united?  Evanjalin is not what she seems, and the startling truth will test Finnikin's faith not only in her but in all he knows to be true about himself and his destiny.

Review

     I have only read one of Marchetta's books before this, a contemporary called Looking for Alibrandi, and while I liked it, I was by no means in love with it.  I didn't really know what to expect from a high fantasy written by her.  But a good portion of my Goodreads friends and fellow groupmates in my one active corner of the internet were mentioning it a fair bit.  This made me curious and I really do love me some well-written, deeply developed fantasy.  If I step into a book and the world catches my attention, I like to stay and visit for awhile.  So I figured this might be the one to get me out of my reading slump.  I actually think I may have been right, if not for the reasons I originally thought.

     Finnikin is the son of Captain Trevannion of the Royal Guard and best friends with the royal children.  Making a blood pact with Prince Balthazar and his cousin, Lucian of the Mont people, the boys vow to protect Lumatere to the death.  Then five days of unspeakable horror come to Lumatere, during which the entire royal family is slaughtered, Finnikin's father is imprisoned, many of the people become exiles, and a curse is laid upon the land.  Ten years later, Finnikin along with his mentor Sir Topher follow a rumor to a sort of convent (can't remember the exact word they called it), looking for information about Prince Balthazar possibly being alive.  What they get instead is Evanjalin, a mysterious novice, who claims to walk the sleep of the people of Lumatere.  She claims she has been chosen for the King and will lead them to him.  Of course nothing is really that simple, and Evanjalin is hiding secrets of her own.  Can they unite the people of Lumatere, break the curse, and restore the rightful heir to the throne?  Or will they kingdom continue to lay in ruin, destroyed by the horrors of the past?

     I think my biggest problem with this book was that it had so much potential.  The characters were well developed, with Finnikin especially taking center stage and garnering the interest of me as a reader.  I didn't quite like him, but I could understand his motivations.  Evanjalin, is a girl who has a purpose.  She has suffered great horrors, but it willing to sacrifice everything to make Lumatere right again.  That said, the constant lying, manipulation and flat-out refusal to tell Sir Topher or Finnikin anything got on my everlasting nerve!  Not to mention, she treats them like dirt and speaks to them like they're idiots - when she even speaks to them.  More often than not she just does something seriously dangerous, just expecting to be excused for her reasons, which are always worthwile (*snorts in derision*).  I felt like everything was just a little too smooth.  Yes, there was some struggle along the way, such as breaking Trevannion out of the mines, and when they're attacked by a tribe in Yutland Sud.  But I never felt like anyone was ever really going to die in the process of reinstating the kingdom.  That's strike one.  

     Strike two happened to be that I had already figured out Evanjalin's identity by the time I was even halfway through the book.  A complete lack of the element of suprise in what should have been a major plot twist just had me speed-reading to see how things would end.  The side-story with Lady Beatriss and Trevannion, not to mention the witch Tesadora was probably one of the most interesting things in that interim.  The only things other than that really catching my interest was the growth of Froi, who starts his place in the story as a thief, slave and general scum of the Earth.  By the time the book ends, Froi is loyal to both Evanjalin (who he almost did serious harm to) and Finnikin, pledging himself to Lumatere and learning to better himself.  It was a very stark and realistic character development throughout the course of the book and the characters are definitely where Marchetta shined.  I might not have liked Finnikin (his density towards his destiny annoyed me greatly as it dragged on) or Evanjalin all that much, but they were well-written.  That said, this book is full of action, magic, curses and some serious court/political intrigues - I won't say anymore to try and avoid spoilers.  I recommend it if you're a fan of high fantasy and if you can make it through this one, you'll be after Froi's story next if only to find out what happens.  I got caught in that trap myself.

VERDICT:  3/5  Stars

**No money or favors were exchanged for this review.  This book is now available in stores, online, or maybe even at your local library.**

Beauty So Sharp It Hurts

Published:  January 28th, 2014

Cruel Beauty (Cruel Beauty Universe)

By: Rosamund Hodge

Balzar + Bray

ISBN-13:  9780062224736

Since birth, Nyx has been betrothed to the evil ruler of her kingdom - all because of a foolish bargain struck by her father.  And since birth, she has been in training to kill him.

With no choice but to fulfill her duty, Nyx resents her family for never trying to save her and hates herself for wanting to escape her fate.  Still, on her seventeenth birthday, Nyx abandons everything she's ever known to marry the all-powerful, immortal Ignifex.  Her plan?  Seduce him, destroy his enchanted castle, and break the nine-hundred-year-old curse he put on her people.

But Ignifex is not at all what Nyx expected.  The strangely charming lord beguiles her, and his castle - a shifting maze of magical rooms - enthralls her.

As Nyx searches for a way to free her homeland by uncovering Ignifex's secrets, she finds herself unwillingly drawn to him.  Even if she could bring herself to love her sworn enemy, how can she refuse her duty to kill him?  With time running out, Nyx must decide what is more important: the future of her kingdom, or the man she was never supposed to love.

Review

     Nyx has spent her entire life feeling like an outsider in her family.  Since birth, she's been promised to marry the Gentle Lord, a demon who took over the kingdom of Arcadia nine-hundred years ago, in exchange for him making it so her parents could conceive her and her twin sister.  Nyx loves her sister, but resents her, their aunt and their father for not trying to save her from the deal.  Instead, Nyx is trained to kill Ignifex and free them all from a life of being sealed off from the rest of the world.  On her seventeenth birthday they marry, and Nyx goes to live in Ignifex's castle.  Nothing is as easy as it seemed though, and Nyx finds herself sympathizing with her husband and wanting to understand him better.  In a castle that is little better than a winding maze, surrounded by servants with their own agendas (especially the mysterious Shade, who is a victim of Ignifex), with demons in closed off rooms, and Gods overseeing the whole mess as it unfolds, Nyx is soon confusingly happier than she has ever been.  Can she bring herself to kill Ignifex and free her people?  Or will she choose her own happy ending instead?  And what if there is a way to subvert the entire problem?

     Wow!  This book was definitely what I look for in a fairy tale retelling.  My favorite things in such a book are superior world building, relatable and developed characters, and a detailed plot.  This book has all of those things going for it!  After all, why read the same story, retold the same way each time?  There has to be something special to set it apart, especially something as overdone as Beauty and the Beast.  This ended up having elements of Greek Mythology, in the form of demons from Tartarus, the Gods playing with mortals, the enchanted castle of Beauty and the Beast, the many murdered wives of Bluebeard, and even some of the real world tradition of more ancient times.  It was definitely an interesting mix and I enjoyed seeing it all woven together, especially the thing with the hearts of the elements in the castle.  Also, the idea of destroying the castle and the Gentle Lord, along with the way it plays into the overall fate of Arcadia was masterful!  It definitely took a turn that I was NOT expecting at all near the end of the book!

     The characters definitely drew me in to the story, made me care about them, and get pissed off at them respectively.  I loved Nyx and totally sympathized with her.  She always felt like an outsider in her family, like none of them really wanted her.  And who could blame her, as she is basically raised to be expendable?  And she believes she was chosen to die because her sister looks more like their dead Mother.  Talk about hurting on the inside!  I also loved the fact that Ignifex strikes bargains with people.  The fact that he thinks that everyone who sees him deserves what they get tells you just how bitter, and removed from humanity he initially is at the start of the story.  It's a prime example of "be careful what you wish for."  The loopholes in people's wishes are used to twist their wishes around, and destroy them.  Nyx is horrified by this, but Ignifex is unapologetic.  The dialogue between the two is full of tension and underlying chemistry, and the snark is absolutely wonderful!  I definitely had some laugh out loud moments while reading this.  It's a little slow going at first, but once the action starts, the story moves really fast.  I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one and I highly recommend it to fans of fairy tales, original or retold.  Probably my biggest confusion was with the magic-ish Hermetic Arts, which Nyx was supposed to use to kill Ignifex.  I won't say anymore, because I don't want to spoil the plot twists that happen near the end.  But fans of happy endings don't despair.  Rosamund Hodge gives you a decisively happy ending to this story! :D

VERDICT:  4.5/5 Stars

*I received this book from Balzar + Bray, on Edelweiss.  No favors or money were exchanged for this review.  This book was published on January 28th, 2014.*

On Fire, Burning At These Mysteries

 

Published:  September 17th, 2013

The Burning Sky (The Elemental Trilogy # 1)

By: Sherry Thomas

Balzer + Bray

ISBN-13:  9780062207296

 

It all began with a ruined elixir and an accidental bolt of lightning…

Iolanthe Seabourne is the greatest elemental mage of her generation—or so she's being told. The one prophesied for years to be the savior of The Realm. It is her duty and destiny to face and defeat the Bane, the greatest mage tyrant the world has ever known. A suicide task for anyone let alone a sixteen-year-old girl with no training, facing a prophecy that foretells a fiery clash to the death.

Prince Titus of Elberon has sworn to protect Iolanthe at all costs but he's also a powerful mage committed to obliterating the Bane to avenge the death of his family—even if he must sacrifice both Iolanthe and himself to achieve his goal.

But Titus makes the terrifying mistake of falling in love with the girl who should have been only a means to an end. Now, with the servants of the Bane closing in, he must choose between his mission and her life.

 

Review

 

     Iolanthe Seabourne has grown up with only a guardian for love and support, but he has become increasingly addicted to a substance that makes him paranoid and semi-violent.  As an elemental mage she agrees to create the light elixir for a wedding in her village,  but her guardian ruins the elixir when she refuses to bow out.  So she decides to fix it - by calling down lightning into the cauldron!  All Hell breaks loose after she does, forcing Iolanthe to go on the run with the unfamiliar and mysterious Prince Titus of Elborne.  He is also only sixteen and yet their fates are inextricably linked according to his Mother's journal of the psychic visions she had before she died.  Iolanthe is destined to confront the Bane, a magical tyrant, and defeat him with the help of Titus.  First they must outwit all the people hunting them and they start by disguising Iolanthe as a boy and attending boarding school in another dimension, non-magical England, together.  Can Iolanthe really make a difference in the face of evil and most important of all, can she find the courage to even try?

     I really enjoyed this book!  I have a natural aversion to fantasy that is set half in our world and half in another.  When I read it, I enjoy it but convincing me to put my eyes to the page in the first place can be a bit of challenge.  Sherry Thomas generally writes adult romances, so I was kind of surprised to see her cross into the YA side of things - especially YA high fantasy (I shouldn't be though, after Sophie Jordan did the same a few years ago with Firelight).  Her main characters Iolanthe and Titus are both rather mysterious, in that because the book was told in third person we didn't get to know either one of them very deeply.  There was some character development, in that Iolanthe especially learned to accept herself and her abilities, plus the responsibilities inherent with them.  I really appreciated the spotlight on the gradual change between Iolanthe from strangers to reluctant (and somewhat resentful) partners, to friends, to something more.  Characters are something that can make or break a book for me and I think that Sherry Thomas created some pretty great ones.  That said there was a bit of a disconnect on my part for whatever reason, so I still can't claim this as a favorite book.

     The plot was interesting and complex in the world-building aspects, but it was kind of predictable.  I really liked the magically interactive scenes with the Crucible (inter-generational book from Titus' family).  The fairy tales and stories that tested both kids in the book were very well-detailed and realistically creepy.  All the events and life happenings at Eton in London also were very captivating, with the reader holding their breath each time someone almost catches on to fellow boy student Fairfax actually being Iolanthe in disguise!  Probably the biggest plot problem that I had as a reader was the ease with which Sherry dispensed with The Inquisitor, the main evil antagonist of the two teenagers, just as she was about to discover something detrimental about Iolanthe and Titus.  The politics and poisonous environment of Titus' one-day kingdom was interesting, but somewhat unclear in terms of laying out its rules and regulations for me as a reader.  The book moves slowly at first, with bursts of action but once it really picks up the pace it doesn't slow down again until the end.  My favorite part was when Iolanthe was transformed into a canary to attend an event with Titus.  Overall, a very intriguing first foray into the YA world on the part of Sherry Thomas.  I can almost compare my fascination with this book, as flawed as it may be, with my love for Girl of Fire and Thorns.  While it's not quite there in terms of polish, the easy humor and fun mythology of this first book make me excited for the next installment.  Honestly it's worth reading if you're into high fantasy, want something new and can get past the sometimes choppy, jumbled feel of the third person narrative.

 

VERDICT:  3.75/5  Stars

 

*I received this book as part of Around the World ARC Tours, run by the lovely Princess Bookie.  No favors or money were exchanged for this review.  This book was published September 17th, 2013.*

Wishin' and Hopin', Thinkin' and Prayin'.....

Published:  June 18th, 2013
The Pirate's Wish (The Assassin's Curse # 2)
By: Cassandra Rose Clarke
Strange Chemistry
ISBN-13:  9781908844286

After setting out to break the curse that binds them together, the pirate Ananna and the assassin Naji find themselves stranded on an enchanted island in the north with nothing but a sword, their wits, and the secret to breaking the curse: complete three impossible tasks. With the help of their friend Marjani and a rather unusual ally, Ananna and Naji make their way south again, seeking what seems to be beyond their reach.

Unfortunately, Naji has enemies from the shadowy world known as the Mists, and Ananna must still face the repercussions of going up against the Pirate Confederation. Together, Naji and Ananna must break the curse, escape their enemies — and come to terms with their growing romantic attraction.

Review

 

     Ananna and Naji are trapped on a misty island, and stuck together with a curse that is nearly impossible to break.  But unless they do, Naji's well being is dependent on Ananna's safety.  To break the curse that ties them together, Naji will have to accomplish three 'impossible' tasks.  Number 1: Experience true love's kiss.  Number two: hold a princess' starstones in his hands.  Number three: create life out of violence.  While still on the island, their Wizard ally is killed by a manticore that he has been keeping captive.  Ananna makes a deal with the manticore, who accompanies them on the ship her pirate friend Marjani brings to rescue them.  Once off the island, they set about completing the tasks, all while trying to avoid the attentions of those in the Mists that want to kill Naji and trying to come to terms with who they are/their feelings for each other.  Will Ananna's love for Naji stay unrequited?  Can they break the curse and lead separate lives ever again?  And will they both make it out alive after confronting their enemies?
     I was impressed with The Assassin's Curse, the first book in the series.  That said, I think that I enjoyed this one even more which is a rare thing in a sequel!  It starts where the previous novel left off, with Ananna and Naji stuck on the island and trying to find a way off so they can break the curse.  So, they are surprised when Ananna finds the dead body of the wizard who lives there and the manticore that killed him.  Being who she is (someone who isn't necessarily careful of consequences) Ananna makes a deal with the manticore.  Ongraygeeomryn (the manticore) is a bad influence on Ananna and an absolutely hilarious character in her own right!  It's her that convinces Ananna to kiss Naji while he's sleeping and fulfill the first task.  This makes things twice as awkward between the assassin and the pirate girl, because now she has to work even more at hiding the fact that she's in love with him.  This book has plenty of adventure with battle not being an out of place occurrence.  It definitely wasn't just another romance masquerading as a high fantasy novel. 
     I loved the additions of Marjani as a more important character in this one and her backstory, along with her lost love.  Queen (nee Princess) Saida was definitely not your average royal and the quest to get to her starstones (along with the revelation of who had stolen them) was a nice touch.  The growing relationship between Naji and Ananna was well done and unlike a lot of the people who complain that he never actually tells her that he likes/loves her, (or that he was wrong) I felt like it was very true to his character for him to behave that way.  For him to just start kissing her and decide to be with her and not actually make the decision out loud was so 'Naji' that I could really picture it happening that way.  The ongoing conflict with the Mists and the Hariri clan are resolved and the battle scenes are epic.  Also the visit to the King of Salt and Foam (and his underwater kingdom) were completely epic!  Talking SHARKS YOU GUYS!!! :)  I liked the way this book ended and thought that it had pretty great resolution for the situations of the different characters and that Clarke avoided a lot of the awkward maneuvering we normally see in second books with her decision to make this a duology instead of a trilogy.  The angst was a bit overdone sometimes, but with romances that begin one-sided that's kind of a given.  Overall, highly recommended for fans of high fantasy who would like to read something out of the normal direction for the genre.  It does read a little mature, so I would say it's a cross between adult and YA in its content. 

VERDICT:  4.75/5  Stars

*I received an Advanced Reading E-book Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley. No money or favors were exchanged for this review. This book was published on June 18th, 2013.*

Epically Devoted to You

Expected Publication:  August 27th, 2013
The Bitter Kingdom (Girl of Fire and Thorns # 3)
By: Rae Carson
Greenwillow Books
ISBN-13:  9780062026545

The epic and deeply satisfying conclusion to Rae Carson's Fire and Thorns trilogy. The seventeen-year-old sorcerer-queen will travel into the unknown realm of the enemy to win back her true love, save her country, and uncover the final secrets of her destiny.

"Carson joins the ranks of writers like Kristin Cashore, Megan Whalen Turner, and Tamora Pierce as one of YA's best writers of high fantasy."-Locus magazine

Elisa is a fugitive in her own country. Her enemies have stolen the man she loves in order to lure her to the gate of darkness. As she and her daring companions take one last quest into unknown enemy territory to save Hector, Elisa will face hardships she's never imagined. And she will discover secrets about herself and her world that could change the course of history. She must rise up as champion-a champion to those who have hated her most. Riveting, surprising, and achingly romantic, Rae Carson has spun a bold and powerful conclusion to her extraordinary trilogy.

Review

 

     Elisa is now an outcast from her own kingdom as she flees after a betrayal and somewhat successful  from one of her noble subjects, who is out to steal her crown.  But she is also on a journey to rescues Hector, the leader of the royal guard (and the man she loves) from death at the hands of the Invierne.  With the help of some old friends and some new ones, and some surprises along the way, Elisa will travel through hostile territory into a land that could devour her.  Will she be able to save Hector without sacrificing herself?  And when they escape Invierno will there be a kingdom left to return to?  So, this book was EPIC!  A summary can never quite do it justice and the one I've provided definitely reinforces that fact.  The journey from Elisa's kingdom into enemy land with Beren, Mara and Storm (former Invierne royalty) was the start of the book, but it's once they rescue Hector that shit really starts to go down.  Once they are in Invierno (having picked up a stray along the way) and have rescued Hector, the Invierne council tries to trick them and they end up escaping through mines with a supposed monster lurking in them.  I kid you not (and you will see this comparison a lot most likely) but the only thing running through my mind was the adventure in Lord of the Rings down in the mines of Moria!  Things are tied up quite nicely with Elisa's godstone as well, when she manages to complete her appointed task and it is no longer part of her life.  I have to say that a lot of my favorite parts of this book involved Elisa's friend Storm and the little slave girl they pick up, 'Mula', who later renames herself.  There are reappearances by Ximena, our favorite priest and of course, Cosme and Alodia who learn once and for all not to underestimate Elisa who shows them just what a bad-ass she is when they all come under attack!  I did like that Alodia and Elisa's relationship and their issues with one another are NOT just resolved with a neat bow and given an easy solution.  Yes, they love each other but they will always have a strained and uneasy relationship because of their interactions and dynamic growing up.  Thank you Rae Carson, for giving us some REAL siblings instead of the generic BFFs found oftentimes in YA. 
      There is some heavy political dealing going on in this book, with contracts being signed and empires being created.  But it never takes over the characters which are the main focus of the plot, and so manages to avoid straying into the realm of boring.  I did think that the sudden control of the godstone magic that both Elisa and Storm gain in the middle of the book was somewhat contrived and I felt like it was in there as a bit of a plot device.  But it didn't bother me, because the action was non-stop and distracted me from it's un-believability at times.  The majority of this book was gritty and realistic though, in the best way possible.  Not everyone is always happy with Elisa and sometimes doing the right thing means potentially hurting others and destroying property.  This is also represented in the portions of the novel narrated in Hector's P.O.V. where we get a look inside his mind and are able to see the events of his captivity and subsequent rescue/escape unfold.  He is definitely a kick-ass hero for sure.  Strong and silent, but we get to see his deeper feelings as well.  A well done P.O.V. switch, which can be a difficult thing to pull off.  Especially in the last novel of a series with an established pattern of narration. 
      The ending of the book was awesome and there were some truly great parts to this book, but the message of empowerment and self-confidence was definitely a gigantic part of this book.  It was a great ending to a consistently great series.  I won't say any more to avoid spoilers, but if you're a fan of the first two in the series, you will be satisfied with the conclusion for sure.

Most Memorable Quotes:

(Storm's reaction to Elisa's sister Alodia)

'She's wonderful.' said Storm.  He wears a loopy smile, as if someone put a little too much duerma leaf in last night's tea."

(Elisa's and Alodia talk about her 'beauty'.  Best quote in a YA book EVER!)

'I startle at the compliment. Then I smile. "I'm beautiful to the one person who matters."
[Alodia] nods. "Hector's mouth will drop open when he sees you."
"I hope so. But I meant me. I'm beautiful to me." 

VERDICT:  4.75/5  Stars

*I received this book as part of Around the World ARC Tours, run by the lovely Princess Bookie. No favors or money were exchanged for this review. This book's expected publication date is August 27th, 2013.*

Posioned With Good Intent

Expected Publication: March 12th, 2013
Poison
By: Bridget Zinn
Disney-Hyperion
ISBN-13: 9781423139935

Sixteen-year-old Kyra, a highly-skilled potions master, is the only one who knows her kingdom is on the verge of destruction—which means she’s the only one who can save it. Faced with no other choice, Kyra decides to do what she does best: poison the kingdom’s future ruler, who also happens to be her former best friend.

But, for the first time ever, her poisoned dart . . . misses.

Now a fugitive instead of a hero, Kyra is caught in a game of hide-and-seek with the king’s army and her potioner ex-boyfriend, Hal. At least she’s not alone. She’s armed with her vital potions, a too-cute pig, and Fred, the charming adventurer she can’t stop thinking about. Kyra is determined to get herself a second chance (at murder), but will she be able to find and defeat the princess before Hal and the army find her?

Review

 

     Kyra has only ever wanted to be a potions master, and ignore her other special qualities - especially the spark of Sight she has in her that she keeps quashing down.  That is until the Sight shows Kyra a vision of the kingdom brought to utter ruin by the marriage of her best friend.  So when the only solution seems to be to kill her friend, Kyra makes the hardest decision of her life to go through with murder.  Oh yeah, and her friend Ari just happens to be the Crown Princess!  So when Kyra's attempt fails, she is forced to go on the run with the Royal Army chasing after her.  Kyra knows she has to try again, and with the help of charming wanderer Fred and a tracking pig named Rosie she might succeed.  But does she really know the whole story?  Or is something far more sinister brewing in the Kingdom just under the surface?  Disney-Hyperion is a mixed bag for me as a reader.  They usually tend to publish YA that is either too melodramatic for my taste, or too young.  So I went into this book not knowing what to expect at all.  I ended up loving it for the sweet, funny piece of fluff that it was.  Poison is almost the baby, Bieber-obsessed sister of Graceling by Kristin Cashore (but in the best possible way)!  I thought that Kyra was not very developed as a character, but that the majority of the focus was on the plot so it didn't distract me too much.  Fred was sweet, funny and sounded like just the kind of boy every girl wants to fall in love with.  I loved the conflict with the notorious thief who has his own agenda for the Princess' death and wants to make things as hard for Kyra as possible.  Rosie the pig and Fred's dog were too cute for words.  But this book also has an undertone of snark and more mature humor (nothing to deter parents of the younger set unless they're really strict) such as allusions to marriage and lingerie jokes.  My one complaint was that while this book reminded me of the childhood novelty of books like Ella Enchanted, the plot was lacking true, defined structure.  The plot was original and the start of the book with the heroine already on the run was something not often done.  But there were a lot of things told and not shown, which gets a little bland after awhile (and that's if the author is a really good writer - otherwise it gets boring and truly angering).  A lot of the plot twists were pretty predictable and the resolution of the book came far too fast for my liking.  The loose ends were tied up too neatly, with not enough real struggle.  Also, the romance felt extremelt paint-by-numbers, with both Hal AND Fred.  Which kind of defeated the purpose of Fred being more 'exciting.'  The last revelation about Kyra's parentage was one that I never saw coming and I definitely give Zinn props for that ides.  Overall a read that felt like it didn't quite know whether to be middle-grade or YA to me, but worth it all the same.  It made me smile and laugh, without resorting to cheap tactics.  That's a rare and precious thing these days.

 

VERDICT:  3.85/5  Stars

 

*I received this book as part of Around the World ARC Tours, run by the lovely Princess Bookie. No favors or money were exchanged for this review. It will be available for purchase on March 12th, 2013.*

Fiery Souls With Crowns...

Published:  Septmeber 18th, 2012

The Crown of Embers (Fire and Thorns # 2)

By: Rae Carson

Greenwillow Books

ISBN-13:  9780062026514

In the sequel to the acclaimed The Girl of Fire and Thorns, a seventeen-year-old princess turned war queen faces sorcery, adventure, untold power, and romance as she fulfills her epic destiny.

Elisa is the hero of her country. She led her people to victory against a terrifying enemy, and now she is their queen. But she is only seventeen years old. Her rivals may have simply retreated, choosing stealth over battle. And no one within her court trusts her-except Hector, the commander of the royal guard, and her companions. As the country begins to crumble beneath her and her enemies emerge from the shadows, Elisa will take another journey. With a one-eyed warrior, a loyal friend, an enemy defector, and the man she is falling in love with, Elisa crosses the ocean in search of the perilous, uncharted, and mythical source of the Godstone's power. That is not all she finds. A breathtaking, romantic, and dangerous second volume in the Fire and Thorns trilogy.

Review

     Elisa has survived a war between her country and the Invierne, with their cruel magic.  Now at only seventeen, she is celebrating one victory in an environment of political vipers, with her position as Queen hanging in the balance.  But it comes to light that the war might not be over and the enemy may have just retreated.  The only people she can trust are Hector, the commander of her royal guard, and her maid Mara.   Even loyal protector Ximena has her own political and personal agendas for Elisa. When attempts are made on Elisa's life and others are caught in the crossfire, she decides to undertake a quest that has been prophesied, that will lead to unlimited power for one bearer of the Godstone.  Will it be Elisa?  Also can her feelings for Hector ever be allowed to grow romatically, or will politics get in the way?  It is up to Elisa and those she trusts the most to solve the mystery of who is trying to kill her, find the traitors within her royal court, and complete their latest quest before it's too late.  Will they kingdom crumble or will they succeed?  I truly loved the first book and had very close to zero complaints with it.  Elisa is a strong protagonist, who has grown and matured over the course of the first novel.  She became an intelligent leader with a strong backbone.  In the beginning of this novel the strength has remained, but we also see the insecurities that come with leading an entire kingdom, rather than just a rebellion.  The power of the Godstone that Elisa carries is further expounded upon and she gains more control over its power as the book progresses.  I enjoyed the Invierne man as a reluctant ally and the revelation about his Godstone was interesting in the context of the plot.  I liked the political machinations that took place in this book and how Carson managed to make them interesting and integral to the plot.  The side story-line with Ximena continuously trying to manipulate Elisa and  the latter finally sending her back to the kingdom they originally came from was heartrending  but only made me like Elisa even more.  She refused to have her life planned out for her, even by someone like a Mother to her. As a sequel it is essential to read the first book the know what the heck is going on.  This book managed to completely avoid the sophomore slump that seems to be a given when reading a YA trilogy - even a fantasy one!   It kept pace with the first book, the romance was tastefully, maturely and realistically done and the adventure was plentiful.  I loved it and will be awaiting the last book in the trilogy with great longing.  I cannot recommend this series enough for fans of high fantasy and authors like Tamora Pierce, Robin McKinley and Kristin Cashore.  And Rae Carson just might be better than any of them! :)  Also the mention and responsible usage of some form of birth control, even with the novel's religious overtones greatly endears this author to me.  Three cheers for responsibility!

VERDICT:  5/5  Stars

***No money or favors were exchanged for this review. This book is now available in stores, online, or maybe even at your local library.**

Graced By You

Published:  October 1st, 2008

Graceling (Graceling Realm # 1)

By: Kristin Cashore

Harcourt

ISBN-13:  9780152063962

In a world where people born with an extreme skill - called a Grace - are feared and exploited, Katsa carries the burden of the skill even shedespises: the Grace of killing. She lives under the command of her uncle Randa, King of the Middluns, and is expected to execute his dirty work, punishing and torturing anyone who displeases him.

When she first meets Prince Po, who is Graced with combat skills, Katsa has no hint of how her life is about to change.

She never expects to become Po's friend.

She never expects to learn a new truth about her own Grace - or about a terrible secret that lies hidden far away...a secret that could destroy all seven kingdoms with words alone.

Review

     Katsa is the niece of King Randa of the Middluns, but she is also his most valuable asset.  In a world where certain people are born with gifts, she is blessed with the grace (ability) to kill things.  Katsa is expected to be her Uncle's hired assassin and just gather him money and get rid of his 'enemies' without question.  Then she decides to let a man go and with the help of her cousin Raffin,  Katsa and some others put together a council and to help undermine the tyranny of the King.  Meeting up  with Prince Po in another city's dungeon, he and Katsa grow closer together, while looking for his kidnapped Grandfather and fighting their way to Monsea to save his cousin and her daughter from what appears to be an extremely deadly fate.  Can Po and Katsa work together and save his family from a fate worse than death?  I was expecting to fall in love with this the same way I did the Tamora Pierce books when I was lots younger.  I love me some high fantasy after all!  However, it took me four or five chapters to even get into the story and even after then, I never fell in love with it or the characters.  I was impressed with all of the world-building though.  It was an extremely complex and interwoven world of people and places.  It almost reminded me of the complexity of Game of Thrones, only on a YA scale.  I will echo some of the same complaints as other readers though - Katsa is TOO hard to empathize with!  She is threatened by any sense of femininity at all and loves to stress that point any way she can at all times.  Throughout the entire book, she acts very cocky and self-indulgent.  Making it a point not to listen to anyone Katsa annoyed the heck out of me most of the time.  Her and Po's romance was extremely cliched and I was smiling (albeit halfheartedly) when the end rolled around.  Looking forward to reading the next one when it gets released, but this is not one I will revisit a lot, if ever. 

VERDICT:  3.5/5  Stars

**No money or favors were exchanged for this review. This book is now available in stores, online, or maybe even at your local library.*