Books of Note: September Reads

Well, I didn't get a lot of a chance to read this month as I was working on finishing up the first novel in my Michael Crandon series (which is now a complete first draft!!) and also doing research into a new WIP I have going as well as gathering the things I need for writing my Nanowrimo story. And most of the books I read this month were re-reads, so I didn't write a lot of reviews, BUT two awesome new releases came out this month that I have been waiting for and were definitely the best new books I read this month, so I'll share my reviews with you here:

The second installment in the all-new series from the masterful, #1 NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author Maggie Stiefvater!

Now that the ley lines around Cabeswater have been woken, nothing for Ronan, Gansey, Blue, and Adam will be the same. Ronan, for one, is falling more and more deeply into his dreams, and his dreams are intruding more and more into waking life. Meanwhile, some very sinister people are looking for some of the same pieces of the Cabeswater puzzle that Gansey is after...




Review

Thoughts on the Overall Book: Partly, this book was what I expected: not quite as good as the first--more of a between volume, but as far as story line goes, as is usual with Maggie's books, I was totally just ready to go along for the ride, not knowing what to expect or what I would get.

Cover--Yea or Nay: Yes, I really like the covers for these books, I think it's very neat.

Characters: I continued to love all the Raven Boys and Blue, I honestly don't think Noah could have been more adorable, and I am SO glad he got to be in this book. I just wanted to hug him. Gansey is pretty much the same as he was in the first one, but I think he's learning to be more...something else, for lack of a better word. Blue continues to be awesome and not stupid. I was in pain for Adam through this whole book, he is bloody killing me, and that's all I can say about that. Though Ronan wasn't every my absolute favorite character, I really enjoyed getting to know him better in this book, and see what makes him tick, and more about why he is the way he is and how he's getting better. I was excited to see some new characters too. I loved meeting Ronan's younger brother, Matthew and really wished he had been in the book more, he was so sweet. The Gray Man was the awesomest though. He was just such a cool character. Your typical man for hire, dangerous, yet so quirky, I just, wow, can I say brilliantly crafted. Then there's Kavinsky. All right, I see how he was important to the plot but I honestly could NOT stand him. I just couldn't. If I met him in real life, it would only be ten seconds tops before my hands were around his throat. He was SUCH a slimball (to put it nicely) (view spoiler)

The Romance: There is some romantic tension on the Adam/Blue/Gansey angle but it hardly permeates the plot so it never annoyed me.

Writing Style: As always, Maggie has pulled of a visual wonder with words. This whole book played like a beautiful movie in my head, I could see everything with clarity and it was just brilliant. I was a little bit disappointed that there wasn't more about the search for Glendower in this one, but finding out more about Ronan's ability was also very interesting. This is what made the plot a little slower than the first, but there is still plenty of action, especially toward the end.

Accuracy/ Believability: Not applicable. At all.

Problems/What bothered me: Well, first of all there was just WAY too much language in this book. So much more than the first one. I lost count, so I got really tired of the cussing and that was my only major problem. The other problem is the same problem I usually have with all of Maggie's books which is more of a love/hate thing anyway, and that's that she seeds them so much that I sometimes can't figure out what I should remember, what things mean something and what things don't, and whether I'm overthinking certain things, and underthinking others. It's maddening sometimes, and this is one of those series I honestly wished I had waited to read until all the books were out, but do I ever know what's good for me? No.

Conclusion: 4.5 stars. Not quite as good as the first, but fans will not be disappointed. This book is a really good set up book for the next one, and I honestly have NO IDEA what Maggie will pull out for that one, so once, again, I look forward to it with great anticipation.

Recommended Audience: Definitely older teens due to content and language. But if you've read the first one, you probably know the kind of thing you'll be reading anyway.

(To read this review with spoilers, go to Goodreads) 
Click here to read my friend, Mara's, review


The thrilling sequel to Sharon Cameron's blockbuster gothic steampunk romance, THE DARK UNWINDING, will captivate readers anew with mystery and intrigue aplenty.

When Katharine Tulman wakes in the middle of the night and accidentally foils a kidnapping attempt on her uncle, she realizes Stranwyne Keep is no longer safe for Uncle Tully and his genius inventions. She flees to Paris, where she hopes to remain undetected and also find the mysterious and handsome Lane, who is suspected to be dead.

But the search for Lane is not easy, and Katharine soon finds herself embroiled in a labyrinth of political intrigue. And with unexpected enemies and allies at every turn, Katharine will have to figure out whom she can trust--if anyone--to protect her uncle from danger once and for all.

Filled with deadly twists, whispering romance, and heart-stopping suspense, this sequel to THE DARK UNWINDING whisks readers off on another thrilling adventure

Review

Thoughts on the Overall Book: Like the first book, this was an intriguing, fast paced story set in the early Victorian period and now that I knew what to expect from the author, I was a little worried this one wouldn't be as good as the first, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that it really was, if not different.

Cover--Yea or Nay: Yes I do like it. I don't even really mind that you can see her face. I love the color of the picture just like I did the first one, and it looks more like a thriller (which it is) than the first one which was more of a mystery.

Characters: I liked Katherine even more in this book than I did in the first one. She has grown in a very capable and smart young woman. There was never a moment I became exasperated with her, because she never did anything stupid, and when she did overstep the mark a little, I honestly couldn't blame her. I was thrilled with the fact that she never really trusted anyone, she never actually told anyone anything and that made me like her all the more. Female characters can sometime be way too trusting and it makes them look weak and silly, but Katherine kept the sensibility that I liked in her from the first one, with a bit of added steel. She's a real no-nonsense kind of girl. I liked the addition in this book of Mrs. Hardcastle and the other busy body ladies and the parts they play in the story, which I will not mention for fear of spoiling. And Mrs DuPont, her Paris housekeeper was one of those snobby servants that are so annoying, but you can't help but like them too. I'm still not really sure how I felt about Henri Marchand. I usually am rather fond of the flirty characters like him as long as I know they mean no harm, but he is definitely not my favorite of those kinds of characters. There was just something missing to make him lovable, and while I didn't dislike him, he wasn't a favorite character. I think I rather shared Katharine's feelings for him. Since she came to Paris looking for Lane, he's obviously not in the book much, which made me a little sad since he was one of my favorite characters from the first book, but I continue to really like him. (view spoiler)

The Romance: There is a potential for there to be a love triangle between Katherine Lane and Henri, but thankfully (apart from a few teasing) this never happens, so don't worry. In fact, Katherine doesn't, in my opinion, have any feelings for Henri at all. She is far too busy to be chasing after all the young men, after all.

Writing Style: As with the first one, the writing style is very well done to the period, and is descriptive and flows well. There were a couple parts I had a little trouble picturing things, but I did eventually figure everything out that I needed to. I like Katherine's narration, which is good, because I hate being trapped in the head of an annoying female character, but as I said before Katherine is very sensible and I enjoy her narration.

Accuracy/ Believability: The author did a lot of research for this book, and it shows. I enjoy reading about books with awesome inventions that are actually accurate, and I learned some things reading this that I hadn't known before. I know only a little about the Crimean War, so leaning a little more of the backstory and what could have been going on behind the scenes during it was very intriguing and made for a really awesome espionage thriller. (which I always love). I didn't have any complaints on accuracy, and the Author's Note goes into the details of the historical aspect. I think she did a very good job portraying Napoleon III as well, I know how hard it can be to pull of major historical figures in fiction, especially if they only have token appearances, but I think she did very well with him.

Problems/What bothered me: No problems.

Conclusion: 5 stars. Just as good as the first book, maybe even a little more fast paced. The ending was very satisfying, and I am glad for the fact that I don't think the author will be continuing this particular story. I am excited to see what she comes up with for her next book, however.

Recommended Audience: girl read 15 and up. Readers of the first one definitely, and girls who enjoy a girl read with a smart heroine and more thriller aspects and espionage than romance. 

(To read this review with spoilers, go to Goodreads) 
Click here to read my friend Mara's review


I hope to have some more normal posts next month, I have a few more ideas, but as I've said, I've been busy with other things so I hope you'll bear with me and my horrible blogging habits. I'll hopefully be sharing some more about Michael Crandon's debut novel A Company of Rogues and if you want to know more about that, visit my previous post. I'll also be getting up some more excerpts of that soon too. At the end of October I am also going to finally reveal the title and theme of my NaNoWriMo novel, and I am VERY excited about that and can't wait to start writing it =) If anyone else is doing Nano this year, let me know, and hopefully we can look each other up in November!

7 Favorite First Lines

Here's a fun post that I hope will entice people to share with me their favorite first lines as well. I was inspired to do this after my friend Mara did her favorite book beginnings and endings on her blog (see her post here) and thought it would be fun to show everyone what my favorite first lines are. As writers and readers both, we know that first lines are so important because that is what will keep a reader reading. Some of these might not even be from my favorite books, but they are all from books I enjoy very much.  Okay, I'll also admit that most of these are actually the first paragraphs and not just the first lines, but oh well.

7. Airborn by Kenneth Oppel

"Sailing toward dawn, and I was perched atop the crow's nest, being the ship's eyes."

I think I like the simple beauty of this first line, and the whole first chapter of this book is probably my favorite part out of the whole thing.





6. The Last Knight by Hilari Bell

"To say it was a dark and stormy night would be a gross understatement. It was colder than a witch's kiss, wetter than a spring swamp, and blacker than a tax collector's heart. A sane man would have been curled up in front of a fire with a cup of mulled wine and a good boo--, ah, I willing wench. But not me. I was out in it. I'm squire to a hero."

Because I love Fisk, and I think this first line totally captures his character perfectly =)



5. Fair Blows the Wind by Louis L'Amour

"My name is Tatton Chantry and unless the gods are kind to rogues, I shall die within minutes."

This is one of those first lines that grabs my attention instantly and makes me want to read more.





4. The Sea Wolves (Secret Journeys of Jack London) by Christopher Golden and Tim Lebbon

"If it hadn't been for the pelican, Jack London would have been murdered by the wolves."

Again, one of those first lines that makes me want to read. I also love this one because, unless you know the book, it's rather strange and makes you wonder whether to take it literally or not.



3. The Rogues by Jane Yolen and Rober J. Harris

"I have seen ghosts in a burned-out cottage and the devil on horseback. This is no lie. The first I saw on the day my brother, Lachlan, and I picked out way through the shell of Glendoun. And the devil--well, he followed soon after."

One of my favorite books ever, and I really liked the introduction to the story in this first line. It has a nice ambiance.




2. The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

"It is the first day of November and so, today, someone will die."

I love this first line. It makes you want to read more, and is also eerily nonchalant in the delivery, giving a good introduction in just this line into Sean's character (and Sean is one of my favorite characters ever). I always like lines in books with first POV that let you know the character as soon as you start the book, and this is one that does that.



1. Scaramouche by Rafael Sabatini

"He was born with a gift of laughter and a sense that the world was mad."

After consideration, I kind of had to decide that this is probably my most favorite first line ever. I don't know why, I just really love it =)







So, a bonus discussion question: what is it that you like best in first lines?

Books of Note: August Reads

Well, I didn't get to read as many books as I was planning on this month, but I did read 36 books since July, being able to count that as my summer reading! I even finished the giant stack of books I got from the library at the beginning =) August is always a busy month for me, so I didn't really read all that many, and I somehow managed to write reviews for only a few of the books, but there were still some good reads this month, so here were some that I liked best.



In 1918, the world seems on the verge of apocalypse. Americans roam the streets in gauze masks to ward off the deadly Spanish influenza, and the government ships young men to the front lines of a brutal war, creating an atmosphere of fear and confusion. Sixteen-year-old Mary Shelley Black watches as desperate mourners flock to séances and spirit photographers for comfort, but she herself has never believed in ghosts. During her bleakest moment, however, she’s forced to rethink her entire way of looking at life and death, for her first love—a boy who died in battle—returns in spirit form. But what does he want from her?

Featuring haunting archival early-twentieth-century photographs, this is a tense, romantic story set in a past that is eerily like our own time.

Review

Thoughts on the Overall Book: If I'm going to read a paranormal romance (as I assume this book would be classed as) this is the kind of story I expect and want to read. This book was exciting, dark, and had a great mystery that totally shocked me when the culprit was revealed, all with a lovely gothic feel.

Cover--Yea or Nay: Yes! I really love this cover, in fact, it might go on my favorite covers of 2013 list. Not only is it awesome because it's a picture from the book, but I really think it catches Mary Shelly's character well. (And I love her goggles)

Characters: I was just a little worried about Mary Shelly in the first couple chapters because she seemed to come across just a little too importunate, but very soon, she evened out into a really awesome character with a quick wit, and enough stubbornness to be admirable, but not too much to make her have the Attitude. And, though I am not a science geek (history buff, I am and always will be) I really liked how she had a love for science, it made her a great character, probably because she was kind of an outcast because of it. I also really liked Stephen, he was quiet and gentle but not without a little fire in his soul. As a ghost, I just seriously wanted to give him a hug. His half-brother Julius, was a very fun character to hate. Yes, he kind of fluctuates in the story, but I always hated him, and I think Mary Shelly felt the same. I'm still not exactly sure how I felt about Aunt Eva. She didn't really bother me, but sometimes she could really get on my nerves. I actually liked her better initially, because I thought she was going to be kind of a tough, wartime woman, but unfortunately, once I got to know her, she kind of drove me up the wall on occasion with all her worrying and screeching.

The Romance: Since Stephen is a ghost, and Mary Shelly is a smart girl, the romance didn't really bother me. Her love for Stephen is obviously what drives the story and her need to help him, but there's not all that much time for romance per se in the book.

Writing Style: I really liked the writing style. First person past tense (thankfully) from Mary's point of view. She's a good protagonist and narrator, and I didn't mind being in her head at all. The author was somehow able to conjure up a very dark, dingy world and I found I could picture it all very well. I actually did something with this book that I have never done before and that was picture it all in sepia, or black and white. It just seemed more appropriate, and I did it subconsciously without knowing I was doing so. Now, I NEVER read plague stories, in fact, I hate them with a vengeance, and if there wasn't a paranormal aspect to this book, I would not have read it, but as it was, I though the Spanish Influenza made a good gothic backdrop to the story, and you can't change history either. There were some weird parts in this book too, and I'm going to warn potential readers about that now, because sometimes there were moments of what just happened??? but they all make sense in the end. I was thankful that a friend of mine read this book first and warned me because otherwise it would have shocked me much more. What I really liked about the feel of this book, was the fact that while everything was brutally real and seemed so, there was also lots about this book that felt very fantasy, or more sci-fi. I liked all the stuff about the ghosts, which apart from them being real, was all historically accurate. I also liked how there were parts, like where Stephen talks about his nightmares, where the reader is never sure whether to take things literally or figuratively. I'm not going to spoil the surprise.

Accuracy/ Believability: The time period is very sound from what I know. I'll admit most of my knowledge of WWI is military, and British/European, but from what I do know of the home front, it seems legitimate. The dialogue, and people's feelings about the war and other things, are also very accurate. I liked how, while Mary Shelly thinks that the war is a total waste of life, and pointless, the author never makes it seem like she's trying to jam that into reader's heads. Although, that might have been because I feel very much the same as Mary Shelly about WWI.

Unfortunately, everyone's perspective on PTSD (or shell-shock) in this book was accurate as well. It makes me sick to think of all those poor men coming back home broken, and no one knew how to fix them or even wanted to. And they were marked as cowards for it when it really should have been classed as a sickness.

Problems/What bothered me: Nothing, it's kind of one of those books that you just have to go along for the ride.

Conclusion: 4 stars. And can I just say that the conclusion of this story made me shout out loud? I honestly did not guess what was going to happen or who was responsible. I was so sickened and angry at the cause of Stephen's death, that I was totally smacked to find out the killer. Very well done, I must say. It's been a long time since I've been that surprised by an outcome to a mystery. I was going in probably every other direction imaginable.

Recommended Audience: Girl read, older teens (17 and up) due to content. The flu is painted pretty well, and there is some definite brutalness--things that made ME sick, and that's saying something. Also there's some more intimate scenes between Mary and Stephen, but they don't last too long.


Magic has been in a sad state in the Ununited Kingdom for years, but now it’s finally on the rise and boneheaded King Snodd IV knows it. If he succeeds at his plot, the very future of magic will be at risk! Sensible sixteen-year-old Jennifer Strange, acting manager of Kazam Mystical Arts Management and its hapless crew of sorcerers, has little chance against the king and his cronies—but there’s no way Kazam will let go of the noble powers of magic without a fight. A suspenseful, satirical story of Quarkbeasts, trolls, and wizidrical crackle!


Review

Thoughts on the Overall Book: Like the first Chronicles of Kazam book, "The Song of the Quarkbeast" was a very fun, witty, escapist read. Not a huge amount of action or plot, but enjoyable and never boring.

Cover--Yea or Nay: Yes, I like the cover; it looks like a modern day fantasy novel, and I think reflects the overall feel of the book.

Characters: Jennifer continues to be an awesome protagonist, and pretty much the same as in the first book. I still love Tiger and the other cast of Kazam as well. We aren't introduced to a lot of new characters, but the ones we do get to meet, such as Once Magnificent Boo, ex sorceress turned Quarkbeast rescuer, I enjoyed reading about. Blix was a good slimy kind of fellow who you enjoy hating and, even though he only made a cameo appearance, I really enjoyed the King's Useless Brother. He was pretty hilarious and kind of endearing in his own way.

The Romance: None, unless you count Perkins crush on Jennifer, which I didn't have a problem with. She's too sensible to make it a problem.

Writing Style: Jasper Fforde's writing style is what makes these books. Jennifer's narration is always matter of fact, witty, and very enjoyable to read. I find myself laughing a lot reading these books, and I really love the satirical style the author uses. Like the first book, the real plot doesn't really show up in this one until the middle of the book, which would bother me if the plain stuff in these wasn't so engaging. As it is, while I could stop reading and put the book down easily enough through the first half, I was never bored with it, and it never felt like it lagged. I think the fact that the plots of these books aren't so desperately earnest is what makes them good escapist reads, and they always do make sense in the end, so I won't complain.

Accuracy/ Believability: Not applicable.

Problems/What bothered me: Not really any problems. We still haven't figured out why the Kingdoms are Ununited, but I've come to the conclusion that it's not important, and I'm thinking it's just part of the satire of the book.

Conclusion: 3 stars. Very enjoyable book, and one that's great to sit down with after a long day with a cup of coffee or tea. I look forward to future installments of the series.

Recommended Audience: ages 13 and up, guy or girl read. Again, I think readers of Patricia C Wrede's Enchanted Forest Chronicles would enjoy these.

Tour Stop and Excerpt for "Keeper of Reign" by Emma Right

Sixteen-year-old Jules Blaze is an Elfie - half elf, half fairy, living in a cursed Kingdom. The Keepers, entrusted to protect sacred Books written in blood, have long forgotten their purpose and struggle with the effects of the curse.

Jules finds himself in the crosshairs of an evil lord bent on destroying Keepers and their Books. His mother is a Keeper and she has disappeared, along with his grandparents. His father is nowhere to be found, and Jules now finds himself alone with four siblings to protect and a house ravaged by the enemies.

War rages on all sides of his homeland. Agents and assassins sent by the evil Gehzurolle are determined to kill him. Jules must find an ancient book whose secrets are the only thing that could give him answers and save him, his family and his homeland.

Emma Right is a happy wife and homeschooling mother of five. Besides running a busy home, she regularly reads and writes stories for children. An avid Christian, she enjoys writing stories with themes involving family-life, friendship, faithfulness, and seeking wisdom, all in an imaginary fantastical world. She has written several young adult novels and plans on writing many more. Right worked for two advertising agencies and has won several major awards, including the prestigious Clio Award. She currently resides in California where she takes care of her children and her many pets.

Keeper of Reign is a finalist in the reader's Choice Award 2013

FaceBook, Twitter & author website links

Website:   www.emmaright.com

Blog url: http://www.emmaright.com/Blog.aspx

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Keeper-Reign-Fantasy-ebook/dp/B00CVK128Q/ref=sr_1_1_bnp_1_kin?ie=UTF8&qid=1371418877&sr=8-1&keywords=keeper+of+reign

BN.com

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/keeper-of-reign-fantasy-series-book-1-emma-right/1115454624?ean=2940016706047

Twitter: https://twitter.com/emmbeliever

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emma.right.author

Fan Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KeeperOfReign

Goodreads:http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17995764-keeper-of-reign

Librarything: http://www.librarything.com/work/book/98432219

Excerpt

JULES PEEKED. THE intruder had a walking stick and was tap- tapping the stone floor as his feet shuffled across the library ground. Except or the light from his lantern, a rusty can with a stumpy candle within, the old library was as dark as a cave. He kept his lantern low, making it impossible to see his face.

He and Miranda turned their dragonfly lanterns off just as they’d heard the door creak open as it slid on its tracks. From behind a particularly dusty book, Jules peered at the dark form shuffling and waving his stick as though testing every bit of stone on the floor. Jules felt his nose tingle as the moments wore on.

Then it happened. He sneezed. The muffled explosion wasn’t loud, but in the dead silence of the library with only the intruder’s shuffling feet and the distinct tapping of the stick, it might as well have been a blast.

Instantly, the tapping and shuffling ceased. From almost nowhere the metal tip of a stick rapped Jules gently on the crown of his head. “Come out,” the intruder demanded, voice stern and angry.

Jules could hardly believe it.

Emma will be awarding a $15 Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift card to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour.

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