Books of Note-- March Reads

I didn't get to read as many books as I wanted to this month due to finishing Anthony Maxwell which was no loss, obviously. But the books I did read were very good, and I got to read my first new release of 2013, The Runaway King by Jennifer A. Neilsen 

A kingdom teetering on the brink of destruction. A king gone missing. Who will survive? Find out in the highly anticipated sequel to Jennifer A. Nielsen's blockbuster THE FALSE PRINCE!

Just weeks after Jaron has taken the throne, an assassination attempt forces him into a deadly situation. Rumors of a coming war are winding their way between the castle walls, and Jaron feels the pressure quietly mounting within Carthya. Soon, it becomes clear that deserting the kingdom may be his only hope of saving it. But the further Jaron is forced to run from his identity, the more he wonders if it is possible to go too far. Will he ever be able to return home again? Or will he have to sacrifice his own life in order to save his kingdom?
The stunning second installment of The Ascendance Trilogy takes readers on a roller-coaster ride of treason and murder, thrills and peril, as they journey with the Runaway King!

Review

Thoughts on the Overall Book: After reading the first book in the series, I had a couple problems with the way the story was brought out and the plot was revealed, but I had hoped that the second one wouldn't have any of that in it. As it turned out, it didn't at all, and the author has progressed brilliantly in plotting (though writer to writer, the plot of the first book was kind of tricky, so I understand where the problems originated). This one however I really didn't have any complaints on it, and since nothing threw me like it did in the first book, I was able to just sit back and enjoy it far more.

Cover--Yea or Nay: I really like the covers for this series. They are simple, but neat. I love the font of the title and really I love swords on covers. That's a thing of mine.

Characters: Sage/Jaron (though I'll always call him Sage) is who sold me in the first book despite my couple complaints, and I really wanted to read more about him. I loved how in this book, he stayed the same in character, but yet, you can tell he has also matured a lot since the first book. That showed in the sacrifices he had to make in the series and the very hard decisions and even betrayals he had to make to keep people he loved safe. I continued to like Imogen, she's just the kind of female character I like reading about. I would have liked to see more of Tobias, but I have a feeling we'll get to see more of him in the next book.

There were a couple new characters I enjoyed meeting too. Fink, the urchin boy, is a new favorite of mine, and I love how he kind of treats Sage as an older brother and vise versa. Erick too, was kind of an interesting character because you were never sure whether he would be good or bad. Another favorite addition was Harlowe, even though he wasn't in the story all that much. I just adored the little father-son relationship between him and Sage.

The Romance: There's not a lot of time for romance, but you can kind of tell there is definitely something between Sage and Imogen [and I was actually really sad that their feelings are kind of unrequited. They are a couple I would root for, but the end of the story is yet to be told!

Writing Style: As I said earlier, I think that, in ways of flow, "The Runaway King" is much improved over "The False Prince" which is exactly what I had hoped. The writing and dialogue and everything in the first book was good, it was just the few flow issues that I complained about. But this one flowed very well and I was gripped through the whole thing. It's definitely one of those books that grabs you. Also, extra points because Jennifer A Nielsen can write pirates that don't come across as the lame cliché pirates that usually get thrown into books these days. They were actually like real pirates to me, and making them mercenaries to the highest bidder was also a good turn. Also, I appreciate, like I did in the first book, that wounds are actually mentioned in this story. People who follow my reviews (and who have read my own books) probably know that I hate it when a character is wounded pretty badly and two minutes later they are running and fighting the baddie. The fight Sage has when his leg is broken is pretty accurate. It's like a 'I need to do this no matter the fact that I have a broken leg' than the usual "oh, I only have a broken leg". It was his determination that kept him going.

Problems/What bothered me: I really didn't have anything to complain about in this one.

Conclusion: 5 stars I enjoyed it a lot, I'm just sad I have to wait for the next book after that evil cliff hanger at the end! I have a feeling the third book is going to be pretty awesome. For a middle trilogy book, this book was awesome in itself. So many times, the middle books are kind of blah.

Recommended Audience: Fans of the first one, Ranger's Apprentice fans would enjoy this as well, 12 and up.

(Read Mara's Review of "The Runaway King" here. Though it's pretty much the same :P)

Having ended the Edgar-Award-nominated Shelter with a jaw-dropping cliffhanger, Coben picks up Mickey’s story right where it left off in this suspenseful new adventure. Mickey and his loyal new friends, sharp-witted Ema and adorkably charming Spoon, once again find themselves in over their heads on the hunt for missing pieces to a puzzle they have yet to understand. As the mystery surrounding Mickey’s dad’s death unfolds, he soon learns that they may be in more danger than they could have ever imagined.

Review

Thoughts on the Overall Book: This was another really action packed suspense novel that gives me hope for this series and its quality. I liked how it continued almost immediately after the first book so it's not really a change of pace, and that, while we have a little closure, there's still plenty of twists and plots and foreshadowing that makes the reader look forward to the next one a lot.

Cover--Yea or Nay: I liked this cover way more than the first one. It makes more sense to me according to the story and I really loved how there's an outline of a face in the fire. Very cool!

Characters: Mickey is still a likable and great protagonist/narrator. I enjoy reading him a lot. Ema and Spoon are pretty much the same too, and I'm glad we finally got to find out a little more about Ema too. Rachel is still kind of an enigma and I kind of like that, she's one of those characters who can sometimes surprise you. There wasn't really a baddie like Buddy Ray in the first one, but I like the foreshadowing of the blond guy and know this is likely not the last time we see him.

The Romance: There's not really any romance to speak of. I'm actually not even sure what will happen in that department, but in my opinion, I like it the way it is right now.

Writing Style: Same as the first. Fast paced, but without seeming movie-ish and thankfully not in present tense. Really good for a contemporary novel from a guy's perspective.

Problems/What bothered me: I didn't really have any problems. The plot wasn't quite as epic or dangerous as the first one, but I didn't enjoy the book any less because of it, and it was still a really good page turner, I mean, I stayed up super late just reading the first half of it, and only stopped because my eyes got too tired.

Conclusion: 4 stars. I enjoyed it a lot and I'm eagerly awaiting to see what happens next. I can't wait until the next book comes out and hope it's not too long!

Recommended Audience: Suspense/mystery fans would enjoy. A good guy read or girl read 15 and up.

Divorced and down on his luck, Gaius Petreius Ruso has made the rash decision to seek his fortune in an inclement outpost of the Roman Empire, namely Britannia. In a moment of weakness, after a straight thirtysix- hour shift at the army hospital, he succumbs to compassion and rescues an injured slave girl, Tilla, from the hands of her abusive owner.

Now he has a new problem: a slave who won’t talk and can’t cook, and drags trouble in her wake. Before he knows it, Ruso is caught in the middle of an investigation into the deaths of prostitutes working out of the local bar. Now Ruso must summon all his forensic knowledge to find a killer who may be after him next.
With a gift for comic timing and historical detail, Ruth Downie has conjured an ancient world as raucous and real as our own.

Review

Thoughts on the Overall Book: I'm really glad I gave this book a go, because now I have found another historical series that I really love! "Medicus" is a somewhat quirky, easy to read historical fiction novel, and just the kind of book I love to sit down with before bed. I never thought I would enjoy a 'hospital drama' so much, but I really wouldn't put it in that category at all anyway. Number one, Ruso is an army surgeon who I always have much more respect for and can usually like, and two, it's light hearted, and not based around the hospital, so plus, plus.

Cover--Yea or Nay: I like the cover. It's obviously set in the Roman era, and it's simple, yet it looks like a mystery novel.

Characters: Okay, so I loved Ruso right off the bat. I adore dry witted characters, and even though this book wasn't in first person, it feels like it is because you're pretty much in Ruso's head. He's so good hearted, yet all this stuff happens to him because of it which totally makes for a sympathetic hero. I loved the quips between him and Valens. Ruth Downie writes men's relationships very well and can also tell truths about them only women would ever write about--such as the anti-cleanliness on their living quarters. Reading about how filthy their bachelor's quarters were and how they didn't care just made me crack up because I know all too well how true that is. I also really loved Tilla. She's just the kind of female protagonist I love to read about. She was capable of doing what she needed to, and yet she was never once annoying, though I wanted to shake her a couple times for listening to people she should have known better not to trust. But that all just made me sympathize with her in the end. Priscus was throughly fun to hate too. And though he wasn't a really evil baddie, the reader still wished to see Ruso get the better of him.

The Romance: There's not much at all, but it's definitely hinted (and expected) that Ruso and Tilla will have some sort of relationship in later books. And I support their romance because I genuinely care for them.

Writing Style: While not the most engaging mystery plot I have ever read, the characters were who really drove this story and made it enjoyable. You cared a lot for the characters. If I hadn't, I probably would have been more disappointed that there wasn't a better mystery plot line, but I really didn't feel cheated at all at the end of the book because of it. Ruth Downie's writing style is what really sold the book though, and made it work. It's filled with lovely wry humor that I adored, and is snappy, and engaging without being overly descriptive as some historical novels can be at times. I also appreciated that she addressed all the inaccuracies in the book in her author's note. As an author, and one who has dabbled in this time period and setting, I understand completely how hard it is to find real information for thorough research. The reader will notice the somewhat modern flair in the novel, but it is only going to make it a funner read unless you're a really stuffy person who shouldn't be reading anything but text books.

Problems/What bothered me: I really didn't have any complaints which made me really happy. Even though parts of this book take place in a brothel, nothing is described in detail. And for the people who don't like blood, there's not much of that either, considering this is a novel about army surgeons. I was really glad that the birthing scene was not detailed but even as it was, there was still too much detail for my liking. That is one of the few things that can make me want to throw up while reading.

Conclusion:4 stars, I really liked it, and am looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

Recommended Audience: People who like an easy historical read would enjoy this. Also fans of the Falco novels would appreciate Ruso.

Book of Note: February Reads

February was also a really good month for me reading wise, and these are some of my favorite reads from this month:


Hoping to escape the troubles in her kingdom, Princess Poppy reluctantly agrees to take part in a royal exchange program, whereby young princes and princesses travel to each other's countries in the name of better political alliances--and potential marriages. It's got the makings of a fairy tale--until a hapless servant named Eleanor is tricked by a vengeful fairy godmother into competing with Poppy for the eligible prince. Ballgowns, cinders, and enchanted glass slippers fly in this romantic and action-packed happily-ever-after quest from an author with a flair for embroidering tales in her own delightful way.



Review

Thoughts on the Overall Book: I'm really glad the author decided to continue her series with the same characters, and this is probably one of the more interesting Cinderella retellings I have read. I don't think it was quite as good as "Princess at the Midnight Ball" but still very, very enjoyable and a perfect weekend read. And I will admit that I kind of have a thing for books with balls or dances. It's one of the things on my more girly side I guess. This whole book actually made me think of a Jane Austin or Louissa May Alcott novel but with magic involved, and since they're two of my favorite girl read authors, I liked that.

Cover--Yea or Nay: On the copy I read, the library put their stupid barcode right over Poppy's face. But from this pic, it's okay, but as with the first one, I don't think the girl looks exactly how I pictured Poppy, but it does look like a fairy tale book.

Characters: Okay, so Galen was only in this for like a couple pages which made me sad, but Christian wasn't a bad hero either. He was more a victim than a hero, but in this story, it didn't bother me because Poppy is the kind of girl that can get things done. I also don't mind romantic conflict if it is brought on because of spells in fairy tales, but besides that, there truthfully (and thankfully) wasn't that much romantic conflict at all. The characters all more cared for each other as friends than, 'oh my gosh, he's my man get off!" And I also liked how Christian knew something was wrong with him, and tried so hard not to let it get him. I'm actually debating whether I like Poppy better than Rose. I had nothing against Rose, but I just adore Poppy's character because she has spunk and wit yet without an attitude. I also liked Marianne and Roger. I thought it was kind of neat that Poppy and Roger worked together to help their respected love interests. And I did end up feeling sorry for Eleanora and though her choice was stupid you can understand why she did it. I also liked Lord Richard, he was a fun character and I thought he would make a great uncle. I didn't think the Corley was as good a baddie as the King Under Stone, but she was kind of creepy and was an interesting twist on the fairy godmother.

Writing Style: As with the first book, it's lovely, simple yet visual with a nice bit of wit about it too.

Problems/What bothered me: Nothing really bothered me. I did think it ended a little abruptly though.

Conclusion: 4 stars. Not quite as good as the first one, but still a really good and enjoyable read, and I think this is definitely a series I will want to collect for myself.

Recommended Audience: Girl read, any age. This one wasn't quite as creepy as the first one either (though that might be relative because I thought the Corley was pretty creepy).

As World War I draws to a close in 1918, German citizens are starving and suffering under a repressive regime. Sixteen-year-old Moritz is torn. His father died in the war and his older brother still risks his life in the trenches, but his mother does not support the patriotic cause and attends subversive socialist meetings. While his mother participates in the revolution to sweep away the monarchy, Moritz falls in love with a Jewish girl who also is a socialist. When Moritz’s brother returns home a bitter, maimed war veteran, ready to blame Germany’s defeat on everything but the old order, Moritz must choose between his allegiance to his dangerously radicalized brother and those who usher in the new democracy.

Review

Thoughts on the Overall Book: Give me anything about the Germans in the First World War and I'm usually happy. It all goes back to the fact that Manfred von Richthofen is one of my favorite historical people of all time, but still, I love the Germans and since I have German roots, I'm always interested in the history. This was actually I side of the war I haven't really visited before: the home front. (Usually I like the front lines) but I enjoyed reading about what life was like back in Germany and this was a very interesting story.

Cover--Yea or Nay: I do like the cover, you can tell it's a WWI era novel and I have a thing for old pictures. I don't know why there is the target on there though seeing as that was a French thing.

Characters: Moritz was a good protagonist. I liked how he was kind of mutual, torn between being proud of his brother for fighting in the war and having his mother and older sister fight against it back home in Germany. I also liked how he never really came to a conclusion on his feelings but rather simply wanted justice done for everyone. Being of that mind made him a very good journalist. I liked Herr Goldmann even though he wasn't in the story a lot, but I felt kind of torn in my feelings for Moritz's brother, Hans. I felt bad for him and understand that soldiers were very rarely whole when they came back from the war, and what they had seen was awfully traumatizing, even more so when they had no idea what it was they were fighting for. But at the same time, you could obviously tell that he would be sympathetic to the Nazi cause in later years. Rebecca was a sweet girl, and I really liked her too even though she wasn't in the story a whole lot.

The Romance: There's only a bit of hinted romance between Moritz and Rebecca and I had no problems with it, and probably wouldn't have even if there had been more. I liked the two of them together.

Writing Style: It's in present tense unfortunately, but thankfully it wasn't the vague kind of present tense that some YA books are like and after a while you can kind of ignore it. The author did a really good job at capturing the feel of the time period and what it must have been like to live in Germany during war time. She also managed to give a feel for the desperate situation without over-telling, or being really graphic. And since Moritz was a pretty neutral character, there was no time when it felt like the author was trying to hammer any one idea into the reader's head, and I really liked that, because, like Moritz, I only wanted to see what was fare for both parties and I hate it when (a.) people shun those who don't join a cause because they think they are being unpatriotic and (b.) people who hate soldiers for joining a cause when they were, for the most part, just trying to do their duty and hoping to keep their families safe back home.

Problems/What bothered me: I didn't really have any problems with the book. I do think it could have been a little longer, and I might have liked to see a bit more of a conclusion in the end, but I also kind of like how it ended with a bit of foreboding, as this was certainly not the end of troubles in Germany.

Conclusion: 4 stars. I enjoyed the book quite a bit. I also think that, while the book could be a standalone, the author could actually take it into later history if she wished.

Recommended Audience: WWI buffs or people who want a quick historical or family story to read. Guy or girl read 13 and up.

In a land where magic has been forgotten but peace has reigned for centuries, a deadly unrest is simmering. Three kingdoms grapple for power—brutally transforming their subjects' lives in the process. Amidst betrayals, bargains, and battles, four young people find their fates forever intertwined:

Cleo: A princess raised in luxury must embark on a rough and treacherous journey into enemy territory in search of a magic long thought extinct.

Jonas: Enraged at injustice, a rebel lashes out against the forces of oppression that have kept his country impoverished—and finds himself the leader of a people's revolution centuries in the making.

Lucia: A girl adopted at birth into a royal family discovers the truth about her past—and the supernatural legacy she is destined to wield.

Magnus: Bred for aggression and trained to conquer, a firstborn son begins to realize that the heart can be more lethal than the sword. . . .

The only outcome that's certain is that kingdoms will fall. Who will emerge triumphant when all they know has collapsed?

Review

Thoughts on the Overall Book: This was a hard book to rate, because the story itself was very engaging and one that needs to be read straight through to see how it ends and I'm still trying to decide actually whether the rating reflects my overall opinion of the story itself or something else. It's one of those books that was very hard to decide for me.

Cover--Yea or Nay: I think the cover is beautiful and is actually what caught my attention to begin with. It's definitely a fantasy novel. The only thing I was wondering about was who the person is on the front? It doesn't really feel like the book to me.

Characters: There's a lot of characters in this book, and one thing I really liked about it was that they were all very human and relatable characters (well, within reason of course), and they were all the kind of characters who grow with the story which was another thing I really liked.

I'll start off with Cleo. I wasn't sure what I thought of her at first because she seemed she might have the potential to be a bit of a spoiled brat, but as the story progressed, she really turned into a strong, sympathetic heroine and I ended up really liking her. She didn't have an attitude, and when she was stupid, she was stupid for good reasons like wanting to help her sister. It was never for her own gain she acted against anyone's will but to save those she loved. I really felt her disgust at being betrothed to nasty Aron as well. (Boy was he a fun character to hate!) And I ended up feeling terribly sorry for the losses she sustained through the story.

I liked Jonas from the first moment I saw him. For me, he was the most straight forward, black and white character in the book. I saw why he hated the Auranians, and I understood that, and also his hatred for Cleo for letting his brother be killed by Aron.(view spoiler) I was sad though, that there was not more of him. He was a strong character in the beginning and the end of the book, but more of a shadow in the middle. I really wish I had gotten to know him better and that there had been more about his relationship with his best friend, Brion. They had a great brotherly relationship but there wasn't enough of them in the book.

I liked Lucia when I first met her too. She came across as a sweet girl and obviously very forgiving if she can still love and care for Magnus (more on that later). She seemed more a victim of curcunstance to me, and I felt sorry for her too for having to deal with her adopted family. (view spoiler)

Now Magnus, I hated. I didn't even like him to begin with. He and his father make a great pair of bloodthirsty tyrants, and he's pretty much a sadistic psychopath in training. His infatuation with Lucia is disgusting, and I think that's what drove every little bit of sympathy I might have had for him out to begin with. However, I do think he will make a very good villain in later books, and I can kind of see where he might be going, but I'm interested to see how his story develops. Especially his 'relationship' with his father.

The Romance: There wasn't a whole lot of romance in here, apart from Magnus' infatuation with Lucia, which, needless to say, I hated. Besides that there was really just Cleo's romance with Theon which, while a little cleche, and expected, I didn't have a problem with either because it did nothing to slow the plot down. I was glad her and Nic's relationship stayed brother-sister, because I liked Nic a lot and I didn't want to see any contention with that in there. He's the kind of guy who, even if he might like a girl, he's okay with her not wanting their relationship to turn romantic.

Writing Style: While not necessarily the most beautiful writing I've ever read, the author writes very well, and the book was incredibly engaging. I occasionally lose patience with fantasies because of unnecessary description. "Falling Kingdoms", although the plot obviously is important, is a more character driven story than anything, and it was fast paced because of it. You get the idea of what's going on or the scenery, but it's never bogged down like fantasy novels are sometimes and I liked that. I love character driven stories for that reason. The plot, like the characters, was realistic with all the political turmoil and such. There was nothing in this book that made me go "okay when would this ever happen in real life?" (besides the magic of course). I thought it was going to be a long read for me, but it actually went very quick. The battle scenes are not bogged down with unnecessary description either. Not a lot is shown, but a few things and events show how brutal it is. A few parts kind of reminded me of BBC's Merlin, (but the opposite) and some of the story was predictable, but there was also a nice amount of surprise there as well.

Problems/What bothered me: The only real problem I had was Magnus' infatuation with Lucia, but that didn't bother me as much as it would have if I was supposed to like Magnus, which the reader isn't really supposed to, thankfully. Besides that, this is one of those books that I can't really say anything against until I read the whole series. There was nothing that totally threw me in this one though, I think I was far too engaged in finding out how it would end.

Conclusion: 3 stars, I liked it, and it promises to be a very intriguing series. The ending was definitely a cliff-hanger so I'm eagerly awaiting the next book to see what will happen next. I think the author has created a wonderful world and cast of characters here who you feel something for (In Magnus' case, disgust, and in Cleo and Jonas', sympathy) And I always like books that make me care for the characters.

Recommended Audience: Fantasy lovers who don't mind a drama would enjoy this and those who like fantasy's which are character driven. Older teens, due to some content. It can be a guy or girl read.

Also read Mara's review here

Mickey Bolitar's year can't get much worse. After witnessing his father's death and sending his mom to rehab, he's forced to live with his estranged uncle Myron and switch high schools.

A new school comes with new friends and new enemies, and lucky for Mickey, it also comes with a great new girlfriend, Ashley. For a while, it seems like Mickey's train-wreck of a life is finally improving - until Ashley vanishes without a trace. Unwilling to let another person walk out of his life, Mickey follows Ashley's trail into a seedy underworld that reveals that this seemingly sweet, shy girl isn't who she claimed to be. And neither was Mickey's father. Soon, Mickey learns about a conspiracy so shocking that it makes high school drama seem like a luxury - and leaves him questioning everything about the life he thought he knew.

First introduced to readers in Harlan Coben's latest adult novel, Live Wire, Mickey Bolitar is as quick-witted and clever as his uncle Myron, and eager to go to any length to save the people he cares about. With this new series, Coben introduces an entirely new generation of fans to the masterful plotting and wry humor that have made him an award-winning, internationally bestselling, and beloved author.

Review

Thoughts on the Overall Book: I love a good suspense novel, and "Shelter" did not disappoint, in fact, it was probably one of the better contemporary books I've read in a long time, because it had good pacing and action, but also was not without a good sense of humor. Add to that an awesome cast, and the book is a win from me.

Cover--Yea or Nay: I like the cover as itself, but I don't really see how it fits into the story exactly. Also it looks almost more like a scary story than a suspense novel.

Characters: Mickey Bolitar is a great protagonists, and just the kind of male contemporary heroes I like. He's not a jerk, yet he's also not out of water either (meaning, that he doesn't seem like a made up hero, but like a real person, someone who I would consider a friend if I knew him in real life). I liked how he loved his parents too. I know that sounds strange, but so often in YA contemporary novels, there's always contention between the main characters and their parents, but we know that Mickey loved his dad, and I think it's sweet how much he cares for his mom even though he could easily have come to hate her for her bad decisions. His kind of touch and go relationship with his uncle is okay though, under the circumstances.

I also really liked Ema and Spoon and Rachel too, though I wasn't sure what to think of her at first. Ema is goth but she's not GOTH if you know what I mean, so I really liked her character a lot, and Spoon is just random and funny and kind of a typical sidekick. Rachel is a lot smarter than a lot of people give her credit for since she's like the 'popular girl'.

Buddy Ray was also a very convincing modern baddie. I wouldn't want to meet him.

The Romance: Mickey's girlfriend, Ashley, is kidnapped before the book even starts, so there really isn't any romance involved in this book, and thankfully the author was awesome enough to keep his relationships with the other female characters just friends which I totally love.

Writing Style: First person and thankfully past tense (it seems only female authors are doing present tense) It was fast paced, yet paced well enough so that it didn't have that action movie feel where you get more action than story line. There was actually a good plot in this book, and I really didn't know what each chapter would bring. This was one of those rare books that I can't guess what's going to happen next so it was a really quick read for me and kept me on my toes throughout. And needless to say, I LOVED how the author brought in WWII and the Nazis into the plot. Every suspense plot is better with Nazis. Harlan Coben did it right!

Problems/What bothered me: I didn't really have any problems with this book.

Conclusion: 4 stars, I really liked it! I'm excited to see where the series goes.

Recommended Audience: Suspense lovers of course. Good guy read, but also can be a girl read since the girl characters were really awesome. 14 and up

Seven/Seven Blog Challenge

I don't usually do chain blog posts, but this one sounded like a lot of fun, and I'm interested to get people to participate in it!

I was nominated by C. P. Lesley, a friend and fellow author from Goodreads whose blog and challenge post, you can see here

These are the rules:

Take seven lines from page 7 (or 77) of your current work in progress.

Get seven other writers to post the same and link back to you.

And last, mention and link back to the person who nominated you (C. P. Lesley)
~~~

Here are seven lines from my steampunk mystery WIP Anthony Maxwell: A Case of Poisons Anthony, my private detective/consultant is called in early to Scotland Yard to view a body just found that met a particularly nasty end.

Inspector Garrett met us in the lobby, pacing and looking impatient as usual—I had rarely seen him any other way—and he looked relieved to see us enter. I pulled off my goggles and un-buttoned my coat as I smiled pleasantly at him.

         “Well, Inspector, you said you have a body for me?” I asked cheerily as I stuffed my gloves into my coat pocket.

         “I do indeed, Maxwell,” Garrett said. “I daresay you won’t believe it when you see it.”

~~~

Okay, so I didn't find seven other writers since most of those I know were chosen with me, but here are four writers-in-arms that I challenge!

Mara 
B.B. Shepherd  
Megan Hoover
Lynnann Richards

Books of Note: January Reads

Well! My first reviews of the year, and this month has been an awesome reading month for me. These are only a few of the good books I read and I even managed to set a personal record in reading fourteen books this month! That was just what I wanted to do too =) So without further ado, some of my favorite reads of the year so far:

A storm. Rain-lashed city streets. A flash of lightning. A scruffy lad sees a girl leap desperately from a horse-drawn carriage in a vain attempt to escape her captors. Can the lad stand by and let her be caught again? Of course not, because he's . . . Dodger.

Seventeen-year-old Dodger may be a street urchin, but he gleans a living from London's sewers, and he knows a jewel when he sees one. He's not about to let anything happen to the unknown girl--not even if her fate impacts some of the most powerful people in England.

From Dodger's encounter with the mad barber Sweeney Todd to his meetings with the great writer Charles Dickens and the calculating politician Benjamin Disraeli, history and fantasy intertwine in a breathtaking account of adventure and mystery.

Beloved and bestselling author Sir Terry Pratchett combines high comedy with deep wisdom in this tale of an unexpected coming-of-age and one remarkable boy's rise in a complex and fascinating world

Review

Thoughts on the Overall Book: This is actually the first of Terry Pratchett's books that I have read, but now I'm definitely interesting in reading more and I understand why he is such a popular author. "Dodger" was an awesome book, but truthfully, you can write any book about Victorian London that focuses on the streets and I'll read it. This one though definitely delivered, and the story, characters and everything else just came together in an awesome story.

Cover--Yea or Nay: Eh, it's okay, but truthfully doesn't have all that much to do with the story and the boy on it is way too young to be Dodger who was 17 in the story. You can tell it's a Victorian story though.

Characters: Okay, Dodger was awesome. I loved how he was your typical street urchin with loose morals mainly because of want of survival, but at the same time was a kind hearted boy and really cared for people and did his best to help those in need, even if he wouldn't admit it. He's just the kind of character I like to read about. I also liked Simplicity. She was very sweet, yet at the same time was not naive or silly and she did what she had to do when she had to do it and I liked her and Dodger's relationship. The whole cast was amazing truthfully and so well written that even the characters you saw only a few times you ended up liking. I liked Solomon, the old Jew who Dodger stayed with and was pretty much like an uncle to him, and I also really liked how several well known historical figures showed up and played a part in the story. Among them was Charles Dickens! I don't know a whole lot about Dickens in real life, but I loved the way the author portrayed him in this book and I can totally see him being like that too. Dodger also had a run in with the infamous Sweeney Todd which I thought was cool as well.

Writing Style: This is where this book really won me over. I was not into the first page before I fell in love with Terry Pratchett's writing style. He has a very classic style that is very identifiably English. It reminded me a little of Brian Jacques whose style I had always loved, except with more subtle, dry British humor which is always welcome in my book (pardon the pun). He is definitely a very accomplished and seasoned author, and the feel of the book was very Victorian London. Very authentic feel right down to the mannerisms, the accents and the street slang.

Problems/What bothered me: I really don't think I have anything to complain about with this one.

Conclusion: 5 stars definitely. I really enjoyed this book, and I think it could have a sequel. I don't know if one is planned or not, but the way the story left off, I can see there being more of Dodger's adventures.

Recommended Audience: Any fans of Dickens or those who like Victorian stories would enjoy this. Also people who liked Stefan Pertrucha's "Ripper" would probably like this as well. 15 and up, boy or girl read.

Jack is making his way back to civilization after barely surviving his adventure in the Yukon. That episode tested his body, his mind, and even his grip on his humanity--but it was nothing compared to what he is about to face. Illustrations.

Review

Thoughts on the Overall Book: Like with the first one, this was a very interesting, different story. I actually think I liked this one better over all. It wasn't quite as odd as the first one but it was not in any way less well written. And hurray for 'real' werewolves! You don't know how happy I am to see a book with real werewolves in it that's not some blasted YA paranormal romance! Add a sea adventure with that, and you have a very unique and awesome story.

Cover--Yea or Nay: I love the cover and the illustrations in the book, the cover looks like an old fashioned adventure novel. The book is beautiful without it's dust jacket too, though unfortunately I read a library copy. Greg Ruth did an awesome job with the pictures.

Characters: I continue to really like Jack as a protagonist. (I really want to read some of the real Jack London's books!) He's a good action hero and really does remind me of the kind of heroes you see in old fashioned adventure novels. I also liked Sabine; she's the kind of female character I like to read about, quiet, yet capable, and frankly, I couldn't even picture her with the possibility of having an attitude. There werewolves were appropriately frightening, and volatile. Ghost was a very good villain. He was brutal, and you knew he would hurt you if you did something wrong, but at the same time, he wasn't a mindless killer and he was conniving. I'm not a fan of villains who are just out for blood and have no minds. I found him a very interesting character. I also came to really like Louis, even if I wasn't quite always sure about him.

Writing Style: As with the first book this was a major selling point for me. If not written right, this kind of book just wouldn't be very good, but the style these authors use is amazing, and vivid and really lovely. The action is written well, but not in the movieish way action-adventure novels usually are. This book didn't have as much inner thinking from Jack as the first one since he had more people to talk to, but it still had all the same description and visionary that I loved from the first one.

Problems/What bothered me: The only thing I can really complain about with this one was using Death as a name. I don't know why, but it just always seems kind of comical to me, so that's personal preference. Ghost was fine, but his brother using Death as he pirate name? Presumptuous much.

Conclusion: 4 stars, I really liked it, and I hope that the authors continue this series. I really can't begin to think what will come next as these books always leave me guessing, but I'm willing to go along for the ride.

Recommended Audience: Older teens due to violent content. There's no lack of blood and gore, and I like it that way, it makes for a more realistic and frightening story, especially with werewolves. A guy read--this is definitely not a werewolf book for Twilight fans.

A tale of twelve princesses doomed to dance until dawn…

Galen is a young soldier returning from war; Rose is one of twelve princesses condemned to dance each night for the King Under Stone. Together Galen and Rose will search for a way to break the curse that forces the princesses to dance at the midnight balls. All they need is one invisibility cloak, a black wool chain knit with enchanted silver needles, and that most critical ingredient of all—true love—to conquer their foes in the dark halls below. But malevolent forces are working against them above ground as well, and as cruel as the King Under Stone has seemed, his wrath is mere irritation compared to the evil that awaits Galen and Rose in the brighter world above.

Captivating from start to finish, Jessica Day George’s take on the Grimms’ tale The Twelve Dancing Princesses demonstrates yet again her mastery at spinning something entirely fresh out of a story you thought you knew

Review

Thoughts on the Overall Book: I have always been a fan of fairy tale re-tellings, and some I have read have been good and others not so much, but this one was fantastic! I'm not quite as familiar with the Twelve Dancing Princesses as some of the others, but I dearly loved this version of the story, mainly for the characters, and that was the huge deal maker with me and this book, but besides that, the story and writing were very good as well.

Cover--Yea or Nay: I'm a little divided. I almost think it looks more like a 1700s historical fiction book than a fairy tale but I don't mind it either, though I don't think the girls looks exactly how I pictured Rose.

Characters: As I said earlier, it was the characters that made me fall in love with this book. Galen, hands down, was my favorite, and I simply ADORED him. He represented my idea of a perfect hero for this genre of book. He was a gentleman, he was sweet, but he also got the job done, and he was neither too good at what he did to seem god-like nor was he too incompetent. He also knits which I think even made him more endearing. I personally believe that a man who knits is one you can trust. He was just perfect. Rose was the kind of heroine I like to read about too. Strong but without an attitude, capable of taking care of herself and her sister yet not unwilling to let Galen help her. Actually, she needed someone to help her, and it was a testament to her character that that didn't bother her. Her sisters, likewise were lovely characters, I especially liked Poppy and little Pansy and Petunia who were adorable. I liked how Rose cared for them, and then later Galen pretty much adopted them all as his sisters as well. I also found I liked King Gregor. He wasn't a major character, but he was one you could sympathize with. And Walter was a cool kind of 'threshold guardian" for Galen. I liked how he was kind of a mysterious character.

Now for the baddies: The King Under Stone was pretty chilling, and though not horribly frightening, he was frightening enough to feel the need for the girls to be rid of his spell and also to know that he was capable of all he threatened. Angier was also a good villain. He actually reminded me of Cardinal Richelieu. Your typical corrupt Catholic power of the time period. He was a fun character to hate.

Writing Style: Jessica Day George has a lovely simple, yet visual writing style. She puts you there with the characters so that you feel what they are feeling, and she describes things very well which is always important in fantasy books. I could clearly picture Under Stone's realm. I also liked how this book was set in a world that mirrored ours, which gave it a fantasy flair, but yet kept it a bit real as well. Westfalin is Germany obviously, as you will be able to tell from names and other things, and I love that. It's also set in a time period that I would guess to be around the turn of the 19th century.

Problems/What bothered me: I can truthfully say that I had no problems with this book.

Conclusion: 5 stars. I loved it, it was a very nice story and I think just what I needed and felt like reading at the time. Definitely a new favorite.

Recommended Audience: Girl read, any age--some parts might be a little frightening, but they are no worse than a lot of Disney movies. 

Crispin Guest, returning home after a late night, sees a body hurtling from the uppermost reaches of the London Bridge.  Guest's attempted rescue fails, however, and the man—an armourer with a shop on the bridge—is dead.  While whispers in the street claim that it was a suicide, Guest—known in certain London circles as The Tracker for his skill in solving puzzles—is unconvinced.  What Guest uncovers is that the armourer had promised Sir Thomas Saunfayl, a friend from Guest's former life, that he would provide him something that would make him unbeatable in battle, something for which he'd paid a small fortune. Sir Thomas believes that the item was in fact the Spear of Longinus - the spear that pierced the side of Christ on the cross—which is believed to make those who possess it invincible.   Complicating matters is another old friend, Geoffrey Chaucer, who suddenly comes to London and is anxious to help Guest find the missing spear, about which he seems to know a bit too much.  With various forces anxious to find the spear, the life of Sir Thomas in danger and perhaps the very safety of England hangs in the balance, Guest and his apprentice Jack Tucker must navigate some very perilous waters if they are to survive.

Review

Thoughts on the Overall Book: I think this is one of those series that gets better as it goes along, or at least in my opinion. Now I'm trying to decide whether I like this one or "Troubled Bones" better. They were both very good. I did really like the mix up mystery in this one where everyone was doing something else and all had another agenda and I was really kept guessing right to the end when you find out what really happened isn't what it looked like at all. That's the kind of mystery stories I like best, not the ones you can guess half way thorough.

Cover--Yea or Nay: As usual, I like the cover, but this one I particularly like the warm colors to it and London Bridge in the background.

Characters: You got to see a couple new characters in this one, and I again was happy to see Geoffrey Chaucer for a second time. I also felt really sorry for Sir Thomas and thought it was interesting to address what PTSD might have been like back in the medieval days (which I did too in one of my books!) and I thought it perfectly plausible for them to imagine they had been cursed or something because there was nothing to explain how a man could be gallant and charging in front one day and a complete wreck the next. My favorite new additions though were the two new sheriffs, Staundon and More. They were the two most useless human beings ever, I think and were sooo annoying, but at the same time hilarious, though I had to feel sorry for Crispin for having to deal with them. All I can say is he is a far more patient person than I. Those two were just like young school boys out for a lark all the time, I;d love to see what they did if Crispin didn't help them.

Writing Style: Same as usual, quick, snappy, and with the typical well-done research on the period.

Problems/What bothered me: Besides the few moments I wanted to smack Crispin for not listening to Jack like he never does and always gets in trouble for, I didn't have any major complaints.

Conclusion: 4 stars really enjoyed it. The whole last part totally surprised me, but I would love to congratulate Jeri Westerson on her fight scene because it was very well done!

Recommended Audience: Mystery/historical mystery fans would enjoy. Older readers due to a little bit of content but nothing unreadable. 

Tour Stop and Interview with Author Makayla Yokley

Today we have a tour stop and interview from author Makayla Yokley, who's talking about her new steampunk fantasy novel, The Ruby Curse

Heroes come in all shapes and sizes... though they're not usually escaped convicts. Seventeen-year-old Violet Seymour is the only person to ever escape the highest maximum security prison in the steam-and-clockwork powered nation of Arcova. She is also a link in an ancient bloodline of heroes. When mages start going missing, Violet is the only person who can find them.

So, first off, when did you know you were a writer?

I don’t think I ever really “became” a writer. Writing has been something I did automatically, like breathing, since before I can even remember. Even back in elementary school I was the kid who was coming up with all these stories and writing them down in a notebook.

As I got older I started identifying this compulsion with a career, but even now it still doesn’t feel like that’s what this is. I do this for fun and because I can’t imagine filling my day with anything else. Sometimes I look at people who don’t write and can’t figure out how they manage to keep themselves entertained for a whole day. I do have other hobbies, but none of them are as satisfying as sitting down in front of a computer and spinning a tale about people whose lives are so extraordinary that it’s hard not to be enthralled.

Being identified as a writer is something other people do to describe me, I think, but for me it’s just something fun. Opening up my Word program and typing out these stories is entertaining and never really registers as “writing”.

How did you come up with the idea for The Ruby Curse?

The Ruby Curse actually came out of a Tolkein-esque fantasy that I tried to do and failed. I wasn’t able to get deep enough into the world no matter how much I tried to redo it, but the plot and some of the characters I liked. Once I started learning what steampunk was (having heard the word in an online interview with an agent whose name I don’t remember anymore), I realized I could recycle the plot and a few of the characters (Ethan and Aurora) and let them play in this new world. Everything started working out better and it was much easier to get into this new world.

Violet was the true basis for The Ruby Curse though. In a story that played on the concept of the quintessential fairy tale “heroes”, I wanted an anti-hero to take center stage. Someone who has done quite a few terrible things herself; someone you wouldn’t expect to be a hero. Not only did that make the story more fun, but it gave me some interesting ways to play with the common themes within fairytales; something that plays a big part in the series as a whole. Like, for example, what if the hero wasn’t interested in saving anyone else and was only interested in achieving things to her own end? What if the hero lost all faith in humanity and had been forced to grow up much faster than everyone else, leaving her somewhat bitter about the way things were? Was this someone who would only do what heroes usually do (namely save people or help solve a conflict) if her interests and the interests of those around her happen to overlap?

It was this kind of thought process that truly birthed The Ruby Curse. Something that started out as an experiment in a new genre has evolved into something else almost entirely. It’s a living, breathing thing that I have no real control over. I can give it ideas, suggest it move in a different direction, but ultimately I’m just someone who types. 

Are you the kind of writer who follows a certain schedule or do you just scribble things down whenever you get the chance?

I definitely just sit down and write whenever I can. Sometimes whenever it works out that I can sit down and write it tends to be at the same times every day. I don’t like calling it a schedule because it’s subject to so much change, but I guess sometimes it kind of works out to be a schedule.

Usually, if I’m able to work the coffee bar at work, I have time to write in-between customers. There are some days when I’m working the coffee bar that I hardly get more than three or four customers in the whole two hour span that I work, and during that time I’m usually scribbling something down in a notebook I brought with me or something.

I almost always write when I come home from school and work though. I come home, make something to eat, and when I’m done eating I start trying to type. Things are slow at first, very little usually getting done until after four thirty or five unless I’m really in the zone or in a good part.

On that note, there are sometimes days when I don’t write at all. I hate those days, they kind of feel unproductive (and for good reason!) and somewhat wasted. For some reason, though, if I have long dry spells I can usually come back and write a whole bunch without even realizing it. I guess it’s sort of like experiencing a drought and then being drenched in the storm, beginning the rainy season.

Do you plan out the whole book before you start writing or do you just write and see what comes?

Write and see what comes, without a doubt. Sometimes I try to plan out a book before I write it but somehow that kills the romance of a new idea. I like to let everything come to me naturally and let it evolve along with how things are already progressing. Sometimes I write myself into a corner and sometimes I’m pleasantly surprised with what comes out of nothing. Sometimes it even fixes a problem I might’ve been having before, giving the story a new layer of dimension that I think would’ve been lost if I tried to plan it out beforehand.

No, the planning starts after the first draft. That’s when I’ve been introduced to the plot, what works and what doesn’t, and what works but needs to be adjusted or improved on. That’s when I start doing scene/setting cards, something I learned about in Kurt Hickman’s book Revising Fiction: Making Sense of the Madness. For setting cards, you decide all the basic stuff: whose in the scene, what scene it is, where it takes place, how it moves the plot forward or moves a character forward… that sort of stuff. For setting cards you look at each setting and decide what kind of atmosphere you want from it. After that it’s mostly just using the senses: taste, touch, smell, sound, sight, ect, and finding ways to make the description create the atmosphere you wanted. Then I do character archs on Excel, taking each major scene and finding a way to move the character along their arch. I find this a good way to keep the character growth from feeling forced or fake. You can see how each character reacts in the scene, even if you don’t see it in the narrative, and how that makes them into a person who is better or worse from where they started. 

What do you do when you’re not writing? Have any other hobbies?

I like to paint and do crafts. I’m a huge DIY kind of person, finding that if I want something that either doesn’t exist or is too expensive to buy, I try and make it myself. Clothes and sewing stuff doesn’t usually go well unless I can hand-sew it, but stuff that I can paint or glue together usually comes out looking fine.

I also like to play video games, but I’m by no means a gamer. I have no actual skill unless I’ve played the game a hundred times before. No, I’m not a gamer, but playing games relaxes me for some reason and helps me turn off my brain for a little while. Sometimes it’s that turning off of my brain that helps me with a problem I’m having in my work. Like, for example, when I’m playing my Sims 3 game I’m able to write without much of a problem. I’ve been told because it takes away a “sense of urgency” and that makes just about as much sense as anything else, so why not believe that?

What do you like most about Steampunk?

The creative freedom. In steampunk, while there are some set rules about what is and what isn’t steampunk, it’s mostly left to speculation (which is why it’s under the umbrella of “Speculative Fiction”) and allows the people who are interested in it to twist it to meet their ends.

In my series I was able to use it to create a sense of excess among the upper classes. They don’t have to do much for themselves because of how much technology has evolved and made its way into the “average” home. People don’t need to plant flowers anymore if they can afford robotic flowers, they don’t need to hire many servants because robots can run an average household— things like that.

Steampunk also gave me a way to fill in the gap that the real Victorian Era lacked from a medical standpoint. People who work in the mines, for example, sometimes lose their limbs. With steam power and the medical achievements it’s created, those with lost limbs are able to have them replaced with robotic prosthetics, which are crude looking at best. While this new technology offers new ways for medicine to help people, it comes with a price. The more a person has replaced with technology, the more it starts to destroy their sanity.

Admit it, all writers are quirky! Do you have any quirks when you write, like favorite music or snacks?

For some reason, when I’m having an especially hard time writing, I listen to Disney music. Songs from movies like The Little Mermaid, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Hercules, ect. are able to help me around whatever problem I might be having.

Who are your favorite authors?

Laurell K. Hamilton without a doubt. I especially love her “Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter” series. F. Scott Fitzgerald and “Great Gatsby”, Edgar Allan Poe, Lewis Carroll, J.K. Rowling… man, I have so many it’s hard to keep track!

So what comes next for you? Tell us a little about your works in progress.

Right now I’m working on the second book “Briar Light” which will feature the same characters and progress the story that gets set up in “The Ruby Curse”. We learn some new stuff about our characters’ backgrounds, meet new characters, learn secrets about some minor characters from “the Ruby Curse”, and all that good stuff! 

I’ve also got a few side projects that are so far in their incubation stage that they aren’t even worth mentioning at this point.

In your opinion, what is the most important thing in a good book?

Characters are definitely a key point in what makes a good book. These are the people you’re going to be following throughout the story, the ones you’re supposed to empathize with and the ones who are supposed to be able to move you to tears. I like characters who are deep, who have believable motivations and who I can feel good about having become for as long as it took to read the novel.

What is the best advice you could give to young, aspiring writers?

Don’t quit. I can’t tell you how many times I threatened to quit but never could. Don’t even think about quitting because its nothing but a slow poison in your veins. When you sit down to write, believe that you can do it and you will.

Edit! Edit! Edit! Editing was always the bane of my existence, so I tried to write the first draft perfectly so I wouldn’t have to. Not only did this not work, it never will no matter who you are. F. Scott Fitzgerald rewrote The Great Gatsby seventeen times before publishing. Now, that might be a bit much, but it shows that even the classics who we all know and love had to edit their work repeatedly because the original draft wasn’t good enough. Don’t skip this important step!

Join a writer’s group and/or a critique group. Joining my writer’s group was one of the best decisions I ever made. I’ve been improving ever since and have met a wonderful bunch of people who only want to encourage each other and see each other succeed. That’s the kind of environment that a writer needs, as solitary as the work can get. Don’t box yourself up in a room and expect genius. You need the experience of being around people who know exactly what you’re going through. 

~~~~

About the Author

Makayla Yokley is a college student who lives in Kansas with her somewhat evil cat named Cujo. She likes to write fiction of all genres. Currently she is majoring in Liberal Arts.

Links

(Fan page on Facebook) http://www.facebook.com/pages/Makayla-Yokley/231164716982029

(Blog) http://www.theforgotten-kingdom.webs.com/

Buy a copy of “The Ruby Curse” at:

(Paperback and Kindle) http://www.amazon.com/The-Ruby-Curse-Makayla-Yokley/dp/1479117471/ref=pd_rhf_gw_p_t_1

(Nook) http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/206917

Excerpt

Clearfall, Ethan’s village, was Heaven. The earth breathed light, pouring it out from every tree and blade of grass that flowed against the gentle breeze. From over the horizon the sun touched the day with its golden fingers, sliding them between the clouds overhead as if through strands of hair. Skinny, white trunked trees stood above the fields of wheat, grass, and flowers; their leafy arms stretched wide to welcome the warmth.

Dainty little blue and white flowers peeked out from behind the blades of grass like shy children in awe of the world around them; and a sparrow offered a single term in the distance. Being here was just like being lost in an ethereal dream, walking a spiritual path with eyes closed. I felt free here, the shackles of city life shaken away and wings unfolding from a cocoon. I was filled with an unfamiliar sense of peace and happiness just by breathing the fresh air and feeling it pour through me, rejuvenating every cell and drop of blood beneath my skin. It was euphoric.

 “You don’t need those.” Ethan said, tapping the side of his face in an indication that he meant my goggles. He must’ve seen that I had lifted one side to get a look at my surroundings without having even a single detail filtered through a blue-tinted lens. Question was, how long had he been watching me?

Makayla will award a free digital copy of The Ruby Curse via Smashwords to one commenter at every stop so make sure you comment for a chance to win!

Follow the rest of the tour here: http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2012/12/virtual-book-tour-ruby-curse-by-makayla.html?zx=e1fbc98b4c1d4a4f