A Book Obsession..

Waiting on Wednesday (189)

, by KT

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights an upcoming release we are greatly anticipating.

Our pick this week:

The Taking - The Taking #1
by Kimberly Derting
Publication Date: April 29th, 2014
Pre-Order:

A flash of white light . . . and then . . . nothing.

When sixteen-year-old Kyra Agnew wakes up behind a Dumpster at the Gas ’n’ Sip, she has no memory of how she got there. With a terrible headache and a major case of déjà vu, she heads home only to discover that five years have passed . . . yet she hasn’t aged a day.

Everything else about Kyra’s old life is different. Her parents are divorced, her boyfriend, Austin, is in college and dating her best friend, and her dad has changed from an uptight neat-freak to a drunken conspiracy theorist who blames her five-year disappearance on little green men.

Confused and lost, Kyra isn’t sure how to move forward unless she uncovers the truth. With Austin gone, she turns to Tyler, Austin’s annoying kid brother, who is now seventeen and who she has a sudden undeniable attraction to. As Tyler and Kyra retrace her steps from the fateful night of her disappearance, they discover strange phenomena that no one can explain, and they begin to wonder if Kyra’s father is not as crazy as he seems. There are others like her who have been taken . . . and returned. Kyra races to find an explanation and reclaim the life she once had, but what if the life she wants back is not her own?

It's Monday! What Are You Reading, hosted by Book Journey, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

Reviews for the past week:

The Shadow Prince by Bree Despain (Release Day Review)

"I'm a huge fan of mythology so as soon as I read the blurb for THE SHADOW PRINCE I knew I would be picking it up. I was really impressed with the different aspects of that mythology in THE SHADOW PRINCE. They were rather unique, but still close enough to the traditional Greek path I know and love. From the Underlords to the Skylords, there were more than a few twists and turns in this book, which I really loved."

Labyrinth of Stars by Marjorie M. Liu (Early Review)

"I feel like the entire series has been building to Maxine's pregnancy as that would be start of her end, since it's The Boys who keep her practically immortal, at least until they abandon her for her daughter. So, I thought I had known how things would go, but imagine my surprise when the author through a pretty big twist in there. It just goes to show that you shouldn't count your eggs before they are hatched, and I love being kept on my toes, so this was really impressive with me."

Kirsten's Book of the Week:

Dreamwalker by C.S. Friedman (Review)

"This book is not one that coddles readers. Instead, it relies on them thinking, making inferences and gathering evidence. In other words, the reader has to think about what’s going on, which makes the mystery more engaging. Of note is the fact that the story doesn’t spend time allowing characters to question what’s going on. Events may be strange and seemingly unlikely, but once they’ve reconciled what’s going on, Jesse actively tries to solve her problems and find her little brother. "

Other Posts:

Circle of Blood by Debbie Viguie was featured for Waiting on Wednesday.

Upcoming List:

Elusion by Claudia Gabel & Cheryl Klam (Release Day Review)
Salvage by Alexandra Duncan

Kirsten Reviews: TBD

Review: Labyrinth of Stars by Marjorie M. Liu

, by KT

Labyrinth of Stars by Marjorie M. Liu

Hunter Kiss #5

Tattoos with hearts, minds, and dreams. Created to be the armor that protects my body, these obsidian shadows come alive at night—demons made flesh.

After the Aetar nearly kill Maxine’s unborn child, and a betrayal within her own ranks leaves Maxine’s husband, Grant, poisoned and dying, Maxine is forced to attack a race of beings that possesses almost unlimited power. Doing so will require she make a deal with the devil—the devil that lives inside her—risking both her sanity and her soul as she slowly transforms into something more than human.

But even that might not be enough to save Grant, because the very thing that Maxine is becoming is destined to destroy the world.

I feel like the entire series has been building to Maxine's pregnancy as that would be start of her end, since it's The Boys who keep her practically immortal, at least until they abandon her for her daughter. So, I thought I had known how things would go, but imagine my surprise when the author through a pretty big twist in there. It just goes to show that you shouldn't count your eggs before they are hatched, and I love being kept on my toes, so this was really impressive with me. Now don't worry, we still get all the great family dynamics and the softening change in Maxine is still there due to the new mothering instincts, it's just that things aren't going quite as originally thought. But if anyone could throw a wrench into tradition, it's Maxine.

One of the best thing about these book is the character dynamics. I absolutely love how every single one of them are fully fleshed out, even to the most minor of characters. I have to say that while I love the romance between Grant and Maxine, it's the relationship between Maxine and The Boys that really steals the show for me. There is so much love and devotion between them that it just melts my heart. And when you add in the fact that they are quite possibly the most powerful beings in existence and yet so vulnerable at the same time, I absolutely love it. And again I have to mention the twists in this book as they directly relate to this dynamic , bringing it from great to quite possibly perfection as I loved how it changed things up.

LABYRINTH OF STARS was an enjoyable installment as it hit all my top must haves, an exciting plot, character development, romance, and a good progression. However, one thing to note is that it doesn't really feel like a series ending book, so I was completely caught off guard when I found out that it was. Sure, Marjorie has said that there may be more short stories or novellas set in the series, but as this is the last full length in the series, I can't help feeling like things were left a bit too incomplete for my tastes. This leads me to some difficulty in choosing a rating as the book itself was great, but not so much for a series ender. I think to be fair, I'm going to rate based on the book itself, not it's role in the series, and just leave this note here on the series ending aspect. So that being said, fans of the series will be pleased with LABYRINTH OF STARS as it only made me fall more in love with Maxine, The Boys, Grant, and all the rest of the characters. I'll definitely be looking to see what Marjorie has coming next.

(Received a copy from the publisher)

Rating:

Order Links:

Other Reviews:
All Things Urban Fantasy
Open Book Society
Fanboy Comics

Previous Books:
The Iron Hunt
Darkness Calls
A Wild Light
The Mortal Bone

Kirsten Reviews: Dreamwalker by C.S. Friedman

, by KT

Dreamwalker by C.S. Friedman

Dreamwalker #1

All her life Jessica Drake has dreamed of other worlds, some of them similar to her own, others disturbingly alien. She never shares the details with anyone, save her younger brother Tommy, a compulsive gamer who incorporates some aspects of Jessica’s dreams into his games. But now someone is asking about those dreams...and about her. A strange woman has been watching her house. A visitor to her school attempts to take possession of her dream-inspired artwork.

Why?

As she begins to search for answers it becomes clear that whoever is watching her does not want her to learn the truth. One night her house catches on fire, and when the smoke clears she discovers that her brother has been kidnapped. She must figure out what is going on, and quickly, if she and her family are to be safe.

Following clues left behind on Tommy's computer, determined to find her brother and bring him home safely, Jessica and two of her friends are about to embark on a journey that will test their spirits and their courage to the breaking point, as they must leave their own world behind and confront the source of Earth's darkest legends as well as the terrifying truth of their own secret heritage.

Dreamwalker by C.S. Friedman is the author’s first foray into Young Adult fiction, and as someone who has enjoyed much of her writing, this was a book that I was eager to read. Friedman is adept at spinning many plates when it comes to a complex plot and equally nuanced characters, and while Dreamwalker is not set on an alien world, there is plenty to balance.

The book’s protagonist is a sixteen year-old girl named Jessica Drake. Years prior to the story’s first pages, her father abandoned his family, her mother works as much as she can in order to provide for her children, and Jesse’s younger brother Tommy spends most of his time playing World of Warcraft and other video games. For Jesse, art is her outlet and much of her artwork is inspired by her vivid dreams. When a woman asks if she can buy some of Jesse’s art, it seems like a great deal, but the stranger gives Jesse a bad feeling and she’s also paying far too much attention to Tommy, as well as the house.

On top of these concerns, Jesse’s estranged father is claiming that she is not his daughter. As it turns out, when Jesse investigates, she learns that she doesn’t share genetic material with either parent. Being a so-called ‘DNA orphan’ is, to say the least, unsettling, but Jesse finds other teenagers like herself, and in their search, they learn that the stranger interested in Jesse’s art is also connected to the DNA orphans.

Just when it seems that they’ve begun to figure things out, Jesse’s house catches fire and her little brother goes missing. The search for Tommy takes Jesse and her friends to a world parallel to this one called ‘Virginia Prime.’ This parallel world is the home to creatures that are closer to elves or the fey than with humans. This is clearly a variation on the myth of a changeling child, where a human baby is stolen by fairies, and replaced with one of their own. The inhabitants of Virginia Prime are never explicitly identified as faeries, but their appearance and actions makes the parallel unmistakable.

This book is not one that coddles readers. Instead, it relies on them thinking, making inferences and gathering evidence. In other words, the reader has to think about what’s going on, which makes the mystery more engaging. Of note is the fact that the story doesn’t spend time allowing characters to question what’s going on. Events may be strange and seemingly unlikely, but once they’ve reconciled what’s going on, Jesse actively tries to solve her problems and find her little brother.

The one place where the story could be strengthened would be in widening the scope of the narrative. As this is a story about Jesse’s search for her brother, it’s understandable that her concerns, and that of the plot were focused largely on that goal. However, if the story of Jesse and her friends has further to go, then hopefully the world and the broader implications of Dreamwalker will be expanded upon in any sequels.

(Received a copy from the publisher)

Rating:

Order Links:

Other Reviews:
The Bibliosanctum
Far Beyond Reality
My Shelf Confessions

Waiting on Wednesday (188)

, by KT

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights an upcoming release we are greatly anticipating.

Our pick this week:

The Forever Song - Blood of Eden #3
by Julie Kagawa
Publication Date: April 15th, 2014
Pre-Order:

VENGEANCE WILL BE HERS

Allison Sekemoto once struggled with the question: human or monster?

With the death of her love, Zeke, she has her answer.

MONSTER

Allie will embrace her cold vampire side to hunt down and end Sarren, the psychopathic vampire who murdered Zeke. But the trail is bloody and long, and Sarren has left many surprises for Allie and her companions—her creator, Kanin, and her blood brother, Jackal. The trail is leading straight to the one place they must protect at any cost—the last vampire-free zone on Earth, Eden. And Sarren has one final, brutal shock in store for Allie.

In a ruined world where no life is sacred and former allies can turn on you in one heartbeat, Allie will face her darkest days. And if she succeeds, triumph is short-lived in the face of surviving forever alone.

Release Day Review: The Shadow Prince by Bree Despain

, by KT

The Shadow Prince by Bree Despain

Into the Dark #1

Haden Lord, the disgraced prince of the Underrealm, has been sent to the mortal world to entice a girl into returning with him to the land of the dead. Posing as a student at Olympus Hills High—a haven for children of the rich and famous—Haden must single out the one girl rumored to be able to restore immortality to his race.

Daphne Raines has dreams much bigger than her tiny southern Utah town, so when her rock star dad suddenly reappears, offering her full tuition to Olympus Hills High’s prestigious music program, she sees an opportunity to catch the break she needs to make it as a singer. But upon moving into her estranged father’s mansion in California, and attending her glamorous new school, Daphne soon realizes she isn’t the only student in Olympus who doesn’t quite belong.

Haden and Daphne—destined for each other—know nothing of the true stakes their fated courtship entails. As war between the gods brews, the teenagers’ lives collide. But Daphne won’t be wooed easily and when it seems their prophesied link could happen, Haden realizes something he never intended—he’s fallen in love. Now to save themselves, Haden and Daphne must rewrite their destinies. But as their destinies change, so do the fates of both their worlds.

I'm a huge fan of mythology so as soon as I read the blurb for THE SHADOW PRINCE I knew I would be picking it up. I was really impressed with the different aspects of that mythology in THE SHADOW PRINCE. They were rather unique, but still close enough to the traditional Greek path I know and love. From the Underlords to the Skylords, there were more than a few twists and turns in this book, which I really loved. And Hades and Persephone? Probably one of my favorite tales of all.

I'm very romance driven when it comes to my reading choices, so of course the couple in a book is generally the first thing I look at. In THE SHADOW PRINCE, the romance worked mostly well, if just a bit off kilter, but I think that had more to do with the plot line than anything. Daphne was a bit all over the place as her background and extremely sheltered upbringing didn't quite lend to her handing everything the best. And Haden, well he just isn't human, nor exposed to anything we consider normal, so to say he doesn't quite handle things well. So, it made things a bit awkward and a bunch of two steps forward and one and a half back. But by the end things did seem to start heading towards the sweeter end and had me rooting for them. There's obviously a long road ahead of them, but they get my vote.

One thing I really need to learn to do is not overshoot my expectations of a book just because it's about a subject that I love as it seems more often than not things don't quite live up, and that was somewhat the case here. Yes, the book was enjoyable, and the mythology interesting, but not to the extent to meet what I had hoped. But again, a lot of that is probably due to my admittedly high expectations rather than a true fault on the book. Still, the pacing was a bit slow, and I'm still not overly sure of the plot line. I mean yeah it slowly became clearer, but it was a long time coming. Considering how long this book is, it made for a rather slow read. In fact I think a good bit could have been cut out or condensed down at least and that's the biggest reason aside from the early stilted romance this one earned a 3 rather than a four from me. That being said, I will definitely be continuing on with the series.

(Received a copy from the publisher via Edelweiss)

Rating:

Order links:

Other reviews:
a GREAT read
The Reader Bee
The Blair Book

Monday Wrapup (188)

, by KT

Reviews for the past week:

Murder of Crows by Anne Bishop (Release Day Review)

"I eagerly look forward to these books as it feels like coming home each time, and NIGHT BROKEN was no exception. From politics, to romance, to heartbreak, to danger, and suspense, this book has it all and then some. Fans of the series will be more than pleased with this fantastic installment."

Night Broken by Patricia Briggs (Early Review)

"This is truly Urban Fantasy at its finest, and once I picked it up, I just could not put it down. If you read nothing else in this genre, this is the one you absolutely cannot miss. A resounding five stars and then some, MURDER OF CROWS is an absolute winner!"

Kirsten's Book of the Week:

Perdition by Ann Aguirre (Review)

"There are no good guys to root for in this book, and readers will have to empathize with criminals, and some truly nefarious people. Not only that, but there is no neat and tidy happy ending here; this is a story about survival, and the lengths to which Dresdemona and other characters will go to in order to stay alive and preserve their little pieces of what they call ‘home’ in Perdition."

Other Posts:

Circle of Blood by Debbie Viguie was featured for Waiting on Wednesday.
We revealed the cover for Sex & the Single Vamp by Robin Covington

Upcoming List:

The Shadow Prince by Bree Despain (Release Day Review)
Labyrinth of Stars by Marjorie M. Liu

Kirsten Reviews: Dreamwalker by C.S. Friedman

Early Review: Night Broken by Patricia Briggs

, by KT

Night Broken by Patricia Briggs

Mercy Thompson #8

An unexpected phone call heralds a new challenge for Mercy. Her mate Adam’s ex-wife is in trouble, on the run from her new boyfriend. Adam isn’t the kind of man to turn away a person in need—and Mercy knows it. But with Christy holed up in Adam’s house, Mercy can’t shake the feeling that something about the situation isn’t right.

Soon, her suspicions are confirmed when she learns that Christy has the farthest thing from good intentions. She wants Adam back and she’s willing to do whatever it takes to make it happen, including turning Adam’s pack against Mercy.

Mercy isn’t about to step down without a fight, but there’s a more dangerous threat circling. Christy’s ex is more than a bad man—in fact, he may not be human at all. As the bodies start piling up, Mercy must put her personal troubles aside to face a creature with the power to tear her whole world apart.

NIGHT BROKEN feels like a big reunion. From Mercy and Adam, to the Pack, Stefan and the vamps, Coyote, and Tad/Zee and the Fae, everyone is one big happy family. Or well unhappy family depending on how you look at it, but Mercy is at the center of it all, all the same, which of course is her coyote nature, and probably what makes this series so interesting. There isn't really a faction that Mercy doesn't somewhat have her hand in. And I have to admit that it's more than a little entertaining to sit back and watch the sparks fly. Even though the focus of NIGHT BROKEN was on other things, there still were hints at the troubles with the Fae and the troubles the Weres have with Cantrip. As I said, sparks are flying, and you won't want to miss it.

I have to admit that I was more than a little caught off guard with the path this book took as far as the pack politics. For some reason, I had though that after everything that had happened in the past couple of books that the pack had finally accepted Mercy. Yet, as soon as Adam's ex, Christy, walks back into their lives, all of a sudden Mercy is back to being the outsider and mistrusted. I honestly did not care for it at all. There's nothing Mercy wouldn't do for any of them, so it just left a foul taste in my mouth at how little it took for them to turn their back on her. Don't get me wrong, it in no way lessened the book, it just elicited a strong anger from me, which just proved how far I was sucked into the story. Speaking of anger, man do I loathe Christy. There were times where I thought I was almost about to feel sorry for her as her situation was truly terrible, but then she would do yet another underhanded vindictive thing that on the surface looked guileless but underneath were rather malicious. That being said, it did provide for some pretty hilarious moments as remember the antics Mercy committed against Bran growing up. Christy didn't stand a chance.

It's very telling that no matter how long between installments, I have no trouble picking up one of these books and diving right in. In so many series there is at least a small "re-learning" curve as you get back into the world and try and remember what happened previously, but that's not the case here. I eagerly look forward to these books as it feels like coming home each time, and NIGHT BROKEN was no exception. From politics, to romance, to heartbreak, to danger, and suspense, this book has it all and then some. Fans of the series will be more than pleased with this fantastic installment.

(Received a copy from the publisher via Netgalley)

Rating:

Pre-order:

Other Reviews:
Bibliophilia, Please
Booked & Loaded
read what i like

Previous Books:
1. Moon Called
2. Blood Bound
3. Iron Kissed
4. Bone Crossed
5. Silver Borne
6. River Marked
7. Frost Burned