The King's Traitor by Jeff Wheeler

Against all odds, Owen Kiskaddon grew from frightened boy to confident youth to trusted officer in the court of Kingfountain—and watched its regent, Severn Argentine, grow ever more ruthless and power-mad. Robbed of his beloved protector, his noble mentor, and his true love, Owen has anticipated the day when the king he fears and reviles, yet loyally serves, will be toppled. Now, as Severn plots a campaign of conquest, the time has come to take action…and Owen’s destiny demands that he lead the strike.

Ordered to incite war with a neighboring kingdom, Owen discovers its beautiful, reclusive ruler, whose powerful magic might even exceed his own. Together they mount a daring plot to overthrow the corrupt monarch, crown the rightful heir, and defeat the prophesied curse threatening Kingfountain with wintry death. But Severn’s evil is as bottomless as the fabled Deep Fathoms. To keep his ill-gotten throne, he’ll gladly spill the blood of enemies and innocents alike.

4 Star Rating - Recommended Age 14+
So satisfying!! And it's not the end - Whaaat?!!!! Some things did not go the way I expected. I felt some disappointments, frustrations and pettiness. Yes...pettiness! (Those who've pined for love will agree). 

But in the end it wrapped up beautifully. What good writing where a reader heavily invested in a certain fairy tale ending still enjoys the unexpected!   This story deepened my attachment to the characters.  Owen has become such a complicated character in this book.  Warring with his loyalty and his moral compass; his undying love and the possibilities of letting go; greed and selflessness.  There were twists and turns in the plot, which kept the story from being too predictable.  But you always know in the end that good will win.  This is YA level intrigue, very low on the romance scale, but mid-level romantic tension.  Even at the 3rd book in the series, it is still a story I find hard to put down.  I want to keep reading to see what is going to happen next.

The Dreamblood Duology by NK Jemisin

The city burned beneath the Dreaming Moon.

In the ancient city-state of Gujaareh, peace is the only law. Upon its rooftops and amongst the shadows of its cobbled streets wait the Gatherers -- the keepers of this peace. Priests of the dream-goddess, their duty is to harvest the magic of the sleeping mind and use it to heal, soothe . . . and kill those judged corrupt.

But when a conspiracy blooms within Gujaareh's great temple, Ehiru -- the most famous of the city's Gatherers -- must question everything he knows. Someone, or something, is murdering dreamers in the goddess' name, stalking its prey both in Gujaareh's alleys and the realm of dreams. Ehiru must now protect the woman he was sent to kill -- or watch the city be devoured by war and forbidden magic.

3 Star Rating - Recommended Age:  16+

This was a satisfying read.  It took quite a while for me to get into the story though.  It's not that the story wasn't a good one, but building up the momentum took about half of each book.  It was an emotional storyline where you really start to feel for the characters.  I really liked the unique concept of how delivering death is dealt with in this society, and the opposing views from outside of Gujaareh.  It's very thought provoking and provides a grey area on what is considered morally right or wrong.

The story was definitely not non-stop excitement, though I didn't feel the need to skip pages to get to the good part.  I got caught up in the characters and I found myself a little attached to Nijiri.  Why can't he be happy!  Why can't he have love!!!  Halfway into each book, it starts to move in a more fast paced manner and I couldn't put it down.  As always the world building is on point in a Jemisin book and the characters are well developed.  I found myself tearing up a little bit on some parts....now that's good writing.

Definitely not the best Jemisin book I've read, but a solid "It didn't waste my time".

Short Reviews - January 2015

Cress by Marissa Meyer

In this third book in the Lunar Chronicles, Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, now with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together, they’re plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and her army. 

Their best hope lies with Cress, a girl imprisoned on a satellite since childhood who's only ever had her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress an excellent hacker. Unfortunately, she’s just received orders from Levana to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice. 

When a daring rescue of Cress goes awry, the group is separated. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a high price. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing prevent her marriage to Emperor Kai. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only hope the world has.

2.5 Star Rating - Recommended Age: 13+
The book is interesting because it continues the story of Cinder, but the main character of the book doesn't satisfy like Scarlet did.  The story of Cress is lackluster at best, but the revelation of secrets and the introduction of what I assume will be the next character makes up for it.

Born by Tara Brown

"It's us and them, Em. There are no regular people anymore."  Ten years ago when the world ended she ran for her life.  Five weeks ago the world she'd hidden from came knocking on the door of her secluded cabin.  Ten days ago she found salvation hiding amongst the dead.  Yesterday she went back for the living.  Today she wonders if she will live to see tomorrow.

What do you do when the world you were born to is gone?  Where do you hide when even your own body isn't safe?

Emma ran when her daddy told her to. She hid like he said she should. He was the first person she turned her back on. The first one she let die.  Ten years has gone by and she still lives by the simple rules he taught her when she was nine years old.  "Don't help anyone. Don't go where other people are unless you have to. Trust no one. Always pull the trigger."  Until one night she hears the worst sound in the world, a knock. A simple, timid knock, on the door to her cabin.  Only the voice of the brave little girl, ready to die for her brother, persuades Emma to open the door.  As her fingers turn the lock, she has a terrible feeling she will regret her decision.

But even as regret fills her world, so do love and companionship. Things she never imagined she would ever have again.  Everything comes at a cost; you decide what you'll pay.

3.5 Star Rating - Recommended Age:  15+
Another post-apocalyptic story, written with a very fast pace.  No spending pages reading through scene descriptions and waiting for action.  The storyline is very good and reminds me of the Walking Dead.  The danger isn't only from the infected but the humans that are left as well.  Emma is a strong character and believable in her toughness yet innocence.  The attraction that springs up between Jake and her and she and Will adds some romanticism to a very dark world.

Bound by Kira Saito

Sixteen year old Arelia LaRue lives in New Orleans where the music is loud, voodoo queens inhabit every street corner, and the ghosts are alive and well. Despite her surroundings, all she wants is to help her Grand-mere Bea pay the rent and save up for college.

When her best friend Sabrina convinces her to take a well-paying summer job at the infamous Darkwood plantation, owned by the wealthy LaPlante family, Arelia agrees.

However, at Darkwood strange things start to happen, and gorgeous Lucus LaPlante insists that he needs her help. Soon, the powers that Arelia has been denying all her life, come out to play and she discovers mysteries about herself that she could have never imagined.

1 Star Rating - Recommended Age:  No One
I tried, I really, really tried.  It started off with promise, and then when I started to get into the story, here comes a rant from the main character on how men only want one thing and rich boys only think about cars, girls and clothes.  Not once, but throughout the book.  It was so distracting, annoying and frustrating that whatever plot the book had was overshadowed.  The revelation of the "mystery"...non-existent.  No suspense, no buildup, no "A-HA" moment, no lead up, not even a "Huh...didn't see that coming."  This could have been a great story, given the plot, but it was just horrible.

Waterfall by Lisa T Bergren

Most American teenagers want a vacation in Italy, but the Betarrini sisters have spent every summer of their lives among the romantic hills with their archaelogist parents. Stuck among the rubble of the medieval castles in rural Tuscany, on yet another hot, dusty archaeological site, Gabi and Lia are bored out of their minds...until Gabi places her hand atop a handprint in an ancient tomb and finds herself in fourteenth-century Italy. And worse yet, in the middle of a fierce battle between knights of two opposing forces.

Suddenly Gabi's summer in Italy is much, much more interesting.


2/2.5  Star Rating 
My Recommendation:  Good enough to buy the paperback or ebook.  I would not rush out and get it though.

Recommended Age 13+  The story reminds me of a Lynn Kurland or a Mckennon book.  It has been done SOOOO many times that unless the storyline is extra intriguing or the writing extremely well done, it's hard to keep the reader interested.  The only author to do this a little differently and break the mold is Diana Gabaldon.  This was not a bad effort for a young adult book.

Plot and Pace:  Hmm..just couldn't get as into it as I could have.  Too many holes in the storyline for me and not enough clear backstory.  Why are the two families fighting again?  It would be nice to have a little more history detailed in the story.  Italian history was not a major part of high school, so giving me the name of a few political groups and family names doesn't really tell me what the conflict should be.  The tomb is the main focal point of how they travel in time and no real information is given?  No mystery to unravel, ancient secrets to reveal??  So much more could have been included to make this story a little unique from the rest.  Maybe the next books will get into this, but a mysterious hook would have been nice.

Action and Imagery:  None to blog about

Romance and Humor:  I'll skip on the humor and talk about the romance.  Very little of it, but it was....cute?  The attraction of Marcello to Gabriella is written pretty well.  She's not like the rest of the women in his time; more forward, not as demure or agreeable.  But why is she attracted to him?  Because he's handsome??  Is that it.  This was a big disappointment.

Characters:  Another disappointment.  Not enough character involvement at all.  How you love or hate the characters is what makes an amazing book and determines how INTO the book and how invested I become in the story.  The villain of the story, not a good villain.  Why do we hate him again, other than he hates the main character?  And the sister!  Don't get me started....she just reappears.  We don't get to know about how she came back, what she's been doing in more detail?

What Irked The Shiznit Out Of Me:  Nothing really bothered me.
What Blew Me Away:  Nothing amazed me.

Short Reviews - May 2014

I...can't...stop...reading!  No time to write full reviews.  

So here it is - SAS

(Short And Sweet)

Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier

Gwyneth Shepherd's sophisticated, beautiful cousin Charlotte has been prepared her entire life for traveling through time. But unexpectedly, it is Gwyneth, who in the middle of class takes a sudden spin to a different era!

Gwyneth must now unearth the mystery of why her mother would lie about her birth date to ward off suspicion about her ability, brush up on her history, and work with Gideon--the time traveler from a similarly gifted family that passes the gene through its male line, and whose presence becomes, in time, less insufferable and more essential. Together, Gwyneth and Gideon journey through time to discover who, in the 18th century and in contemporary London, they can trust.

3.5 Star Rating - Recommended Age: 13+
A little bit of mystery, some romance with a hint of jealousy and a crazy aunt to add some humor.  I enjoyed this enough to read the second in the series and as soon as I'm in the mood to get back to a fast-paced YA novel, I'll finish up with the third.  I stayed intrigued throughout the story.  No real surprises or gotcha moments, but it was a good escape.

SAS:  You'll enjoy the budding relationship between Gwen and Gideon.  You will even enjoy Gideon's ego.  The characters are interesting, but not complex.  Plot is ordinary but the writing and pace will keep you interested.

The Wolves of Midwinter by Anne Rice

The novel opens on a cold, gray landscape. It is the beginning of December. Oak fires are burning in the stately flickering hearths of Nideck Point. It is Yuletide. For Reuben Golding, now infused with the wolf gift and under the loving tutelage of the Morphenkinder, this Christmas promises to be like no other . . . as he soon becomes aware that the Morphenkinder, steeped in their own rituals, are also celebrating the Midwinter Yuletide festival deep within Nideck forest.

From out of the shadows of the exquisite mansion comes a ghost—tormented, imploring, unable to speak yet able to embrace and desire with desperate affection . . . As Reuben finds himself caught up with the passions and yearnings of this spectral presence and the preparations for the Nideck town Christmas reach a fever pitch, astonishing secrets are revealed, secrets that tell of a strange netherworld, of spirits—centuries old—who possess their own fantastical ancient histories and taunt with their dark, magical powers . . .

2 Star Rating - Recommended Age: Adult

Oh, I was soooo disappointed.  I thoroughly enjoyed the first book, but the Wolves of Midwinter was nowhere near that level.  Were there any good parts??  Yes, there were some, but not enough to make this book enjoyable.  The world that she built around the morphenkind was still a wonder to read about.  The descriptions of Nideck Manor and the forest really does put you in a fantastical mindset.  But the writing this time around went over the top.  Not only does it follow her normal old-world style of overly describing scenes with out of touch wording and phrases, but in this book it is tedious!  In the first book it was just enough to have me hunched over my book and truly imagining the story;  not in just a visual sense but it was almost as if the story should have been from a different time.  This book just made me want to hurry up and finish it.  

SAS:  I had to force myself to finish this book.  The characters were the only good thing in this story; still very engaging.  The plot was almost non-existent, the pace was slow.  This is NOT on my recommend list for Anne Rice.  Skip it.

Up from the Grave by Jeaniene Frost

(Night Huntress Book #7)

There’s always one more grave to dig.

Lately, life has been unnaturally calm for vampires Cat Crawfield and her husband Bones. They should have known better than to relax their guard, because a shocking revelation sends them back into action to stop an all-out war…

A rogue CIA agent is involved in horrifying secret activities that threaten to raise tensions between humans and the undead to dangerous heights. Now Cat and Bones are in a race against time to save their friends from a fate worse than death…because the more secrets they unravel, the deadlier the consequences. And if they fail, their lives—and those of everyone they hold dear— will be hovering on the edge of the grave.

4 Star Rating - Recommended Age:  Adult

Still, soooo good!  Reading a Jeaniene Frost book always keeps me on the edge with the intrigue and action.  But what I love most about her books is that they keep me surprised.  Surprised you say...are there a lot of gotchas in her books?  Yes, but not always with the plot.  I'm talking about the humor!  When she wrote in a reference to the Spock and Captain Kirk death sequence from The Wrath of Khan, I dropped the book and started laughing!  Lines like, "...open shirt flapping behind him like twin mini capes."  I love it, just love it.  The character behaviors and personalities are consistent with each new book.  Each bringing their own brand of sexy, crazy and aloofness which keeps the story compelling.  Can I just say Marie Laveau is one bad...shut your mouth!  You will love the new character addition to the series and the possibilities they will bring.  You will end the book not knowing where the story will go from here.  Is this the end?  Can't be!  I want to know what is going to happen next!

SAS:  What can I say..another good one from this series.  This story never gets old.  The love between Cat and Bones is still all-encompassing, but you won't get tired reading about it.  The plot and action in this one was so good, I found myself skipping a sex scene to see what was coming next.  Yeah...that good.

The Dog in the Dark by Barb and JC Hendee
(Noble Dead Saga Book #2)

Barely escaping the city of Calm Seatt - and the assassins hunting them - Magiere, Leesil, and the elven dog Chap sail south to continue their quest to find the powerful orb of Air before their enemies do. But they are not alone, much to their frustration.

Aging elven assassin Brot’an has forced himself on them by offering his protection. Chap doesn’t believe this ruse, however, and seeks to uncover the assassin’s true agenda - as well as the cause of the secret civil war that has erupted into the open among Brot'an's people.

Meanwhile, Magiere struggles with her own dark nature, using Leesil’s love as an anchor to keep her grounded. For the personal price she paid to procure the orb of Fire was more than she thought - and more than she wants to reveal to anyone else.

But that is exactly what the cunning Brot’an wants to know. And he is willing to do whatever it takes - even if he must reveal his own dreaded secrets, which may cost the entire party their lives...and their very souls.

3.5 Star Rating - Recommended Age:  15+

Like the Wheel of Time, this series will not die, nor does it need to.  The plot is so complex, you still can't see the end game.  This was a more laid back, comfortable read for me.  The action was at a minimum, compared to the other books, but the confrontations between the elves and Magiere's group were dramatic.  The fight scenes are always choreographed well.  A lot of the backstory is played out through memories, which gives much more detail than just a retelling by the characters.  With those flashbacks, I found myself sympathizing with Brot'an.  

SAS:  It took a couple of chapters for me to really get into the story, but once I did I stayed intrigued until the end.  This story delves deeper into the plots and plans of the elves, but there are still a lot of questions.    The reader is kept guessing at the mysteries of the Orbs and their protectors and there is still a lot to learn  about the Ancient Enemy and Fey spirits.