Review: Wintersong by S. Jae-Jones

Review:

Let's get this out of the way: WINTERSONG had me at Labyrinth. I'm a hue fan of the movie, have watched it countless times, and still quote it regularly. So a book about goblins and a goblin king (y'all know I pictured Jareth, AKA David Bowie the entire time), had me utterly intrigued, and I'm happy to say S. Jae-Jones didn't disappoint me.

Where Labyrinth always left me leaving more what the romance. What WINTERSONG gave me? THE ROMANCE.

*swoons*

Following Liesl down the rabbit hole as she tries to save her sister, Kathe, when Kathe is kidnapped. Now I gotta say, Liesl is a better girl than I am because I was content to let Kathe rot in the Underground (she's annoyingly selfish and vain). But Liesl saves her sister, by offering up herself, and thus becomes 'trapped' in the Goblin King's world where she absolutely flourishes.

I will admit that the beginning of the story was a bit sluggish, but something about S. Jae-Jones' writing and way with words kept me going, and I am so glad I did. This story is completely original and absolutely beautiful.

ABOUT WINTERSONG:

Beware the goblin men and the wares they sell.

All her life, nineteen-year-old Liesl has heard tales of the beautiful, mysterious Goblin King. He is the Lord of Mischief, the Ruler Underground, and the muse around which her music is composed. Yet, as Liesl helps shoulder the burden of running her family’s inn, her dreams of composition and childish fancies about the Goblin King must be set aside in favor of more practical concerns.

But when her sister Käthe is taken by the goblins, Liesl journeys to their realm to rescue her sister and return her to the world above. The Goblin King agrees to let Käthe go—for a price. The life of a maiden must be given to the land, in accordance with the old laws. A life for a life, he says. Without sacrifice, nothing good can grow. Without death, there can be no rebirth. In exchange for her sister’s freedom, Liesl offers her hand in marriage to the Goblin King. He accepts.

Down in the Underground, Liesl discovers that the Goblin King still inspires her—musically, physically, emotionally. Yet even as her talent blossoms, Liesl’s life is slowly fading away, the price she paid for becoming the Goblin King’s bride. As the two of them grow closer, they must learn just what it is they are each willing to sacrifice: her life, her music, or the end of the world.

LINKS: Amazon | B&N

ABOUT S. JAE-JONES:

S. Jae-Jones, called JJ, is an artist, an adrenaline junkie, and the author of Wintersong, forthcoming from Thomas Dunne in February 2017.

Born and raised in sunny Los Angeles, she lived in New York City for ten years before relocating down to Dixie, where she is comfortably growing fat on grits and barbecue. When not writing, she can be found rock-climbing, skydiving, taking photographs, drawing pictures, and dragging her dog on ridiculously long hikes.

LINKS: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Tumblr | Instagram

Tour Schedule:

Week 1:

2/13: The Irish Banana Review - Review

2/14: That Artsy Reader Girl - Mood Board

2/15: Pandora's Books - Review

2/16: Swoony Boys Podcast - This Or That

2/17: Krista's Dust Jacket - Review

Week 2:

2/20: Emily Reads Everything - Q&A

2/21: Quite the Novel Idea - Review

2/22: A Binding Attraction - Makeup Inspirations

2/23: Fiction Fare - Review

2/24: Icey Designs - Quote Candy

Giveaway:

3 Finished Copies of WINTERSONG (US Only)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: Burning Glass by Kathryn Purdie

Title: Burning Glass

Author: Kathryn Purdie

Publication Date: 3.1.2016

Series: Burning Glass #1

Source:  ARC from publisher

Purchase: Amazon

Rating: 5 Stars

Summary (from Goodreads):

Sonya was born with the rare gift to feel what those around her feel—both physically and emotionally—a gift she’s kept hidden from the empire for seventeen long years. After a reckless mistake wipes out all the other girls with similar abilities, Sonya is hauled off to the palace and forced to serve the emperor as his sovereign Auraseer.

Tasked with sensing the intentions of would-be assassins, Sonya is under constant pressure to protect the emperor. One mistake, one small failure, will cost her own life and the lives of the few people left in the world who still trust her.

But Sonya’s power is untamed and reckless, her feelings easily usurped, and she sometimes can’t decipher when other people’s impulses end and her own begin. In a palace full of warring emotions and looming darkness, Sonya fears that the biggest danger to the empire may be herself.

As she struggles to wrangle her abilities, Sonya seeks refuge in her tenuous alliances with the volatile Emperor Valko and his idealistic younger brother, Anton, the crown prince. But when threats of revolution pit the two brothers against each other, Sonya must choose which brother to trust—and which to betray.

BURNING GLASS is debut author Kathryn Purdie’s stunning tale of dangerous magic, heart-rending romance, and the hard-won courage it takes to let go.

Review:

Whoa. WHOA. WHAT DID I JUST READ AND WHERE CAN I GET MORE?!

This book is AMAZING.

Brilliantly written with complex characters and rich dialogue, it absolutely sucked me in and simply would not stop.

Sonya is a beautiful heroine; I loved her from her very rocking start to the book where she nearly got herself killed and definitely got a dozen other people killed because she couldn't control this power gift/curse. Her empath abilities made you love her - her internal struggle drove the entire book. She is everything you could want in a hero.

Admittedly, I went back and forth between Anton and Valko. From the synopsis it seems like Valko is the evil brother and whole he definitely has his flaws, he's more of a Damon Salvatore (Vampire Diaries) villain - you want him to be better and learn and change. But Anton is no slouch, and I'll take whichever brother Sonya doesn't want.

Or we can share. I'm good either way girl.

Make sure you check out this amazing debut from Kathryn Purdie!

Review: Reign of Shadows by Sophie Jordan

Title: Reign of Shadows

Author: Sophie Jordan

Publication Date: 2.9.2016

Series: Reign of Shadows #1

Source:  ARC from publisher

Rating: 4 ½ Stars

Summary (from Goodreads):

Seventeen years ago, an eclipse cloaked the kingdom of Relhok in perpetual darkness. In the chaos, an evil chancellor murdered the king and queen and seized their throne. Luna, Relhok’s lost princess, has been hiding in a tower ever since. Luna’s survival depends on the world believing she is dead.

But that doesn’t stop Luna from wanting more. When she meets Fowler, a mysterious archer braving the woods outside her tower, Luna is drawn to him despite the risk. When the tower is attacked, Luna and Fowler escape together. But this world of darkness is more treacherous than Luna ever realized.

With every threat stacked against them, Luna and Fowler find solace in each other. But with secrets still unspoken between them, falling in love might be their most dangerous journey yet.

With lush writing and a star–crossed romance, Reign of Shadowsis Sophie Jordan at her best.

Review:

If Sophie Jordan writes something, odds are I'm going to love it. And (surprise) REIGN OF SHADOWS is no exception. I love dark fairy tale retellings and couple that with a favorite author? Bookish Heaven!

RoS is one of those books you just know you're gonna love from the first chapter. Luna is a total rockstar and I loved reading about her, rooting for her, and cheering for her. She's overcome a lot in her short life, but she has this effervescent spirit that refuses to die. She's a total badass.

Fowler is every bit as swoony as a girl could hope for. I loved watching as Luna broke through all of his defenses and he allowed himself to open up.

It's kind of shocking how much is covered in this book (I mean, it's a little on the small side). Despite that, I found all the characters, plot, and world building (oh, the WORLD BUILDING) to be really solid. I can't wait for the next book.

Seriously. Can I have it now?

Purchase: Amazon

Review: Dream A Little Dream by Kristen Gier

Title: Dream A Little Dream

Author: Kristen Gier

Publisher: Henry Holt & Co.

Publication Date: 4.14.2015

Pages: 336

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Series: Silber #1

Source: ARC from publisher

Rating: 4 Stars

Summary (from Goodreads):

Mysterious doors with lizard-head knobs. Talking stone statues. A crazy girl with a hatchet. Yep, Liv’s dreams have been pretty weird lately. Especially this one where she’s in a graveyard at night, watching four boys perform dark magic rituals. 

The really weird thing is that Liv recognizes the boys in her dream. They’re classmates from her new school in London, the school where’s she’s starting over because her mom has moved them to a new country (again). But they seem to know things about her in real life that they couldn’t possibly know, which is mystifying. Then again, Liv could never resist a good mystery. . . 

Review:

When I read about this, I was thinking of how awesome something like this would be. Not in the bad, creepy ritual way but if what you dreamt was "actually" happening and your and whoever else remembered in the morning. Then I immediately went to all of the bad outcomes of this. Like dream wars games and plots and all kinds of bad juju.

Anyway, Liv is just amazing. She is so inquisitive. Curiosity killed the cat, right? I think she should live by that from now on. Especially when it involves things such as demons. She clearly wants to help but her detective side says it's for more than that. And the boys!!!!! I can totally see why Liv wanted to help them.

I loved the theory that what happens in your dreams actually matters in real life, or at least can impact it.

I did feel like this was a slightly younger book. Maybe it was how it was written or the setting or just the characters themselves, but I did really like this book despite that. Also, the end was not what I was expecting. There is an ominous oh S&!t with the appearance of someone but it's what she says at really makes you wonder if this all wasn't really a game. It was good but just lacked that extra OMG NEXT ONE NOW bling.

Buy: Dream a Little Dream (The Silver Trilogy)

Review: Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

Title: Red Queen

Author: Victoria Aveyard

Publisher: HarperTeen

Publication Date: 2.10.2015

Pages: 400

Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian, Fantasy, SciFi

Series: Red Queen #1

Source: ARC from NYCC

Rating: 5 Stars

Summary (from Goodreads):

Mare Barrow's world is divided by blood--those with common, Red blood serve the Silver- blooded elite, who are gifted with superhuman abilities. Mare is a Red, scraping by as a thief in a poor, rural village, until a twist of fate throws her in front of the Silver court. Before the king, princes, and all the nobles, she discovers she has an ability of her own.

To cover up this impossibility, the king forces her to play the role of a lost Silver princess and betroths her to one of his own sons. As Mare is drawn further into the Silver world, she risks everything and uses her new position to help the Scarlet Guard--a growing Red rebellion--even as her heart tugs her in an impossible direction. One wrong move can lead to her death, but in the dangerous game she plays, the only certainty is betrayal.

Review:

It's not a secret that RED QUEEN is this year's Divergent. It seems like it's all anyone is really talking about, which made me a little hesitant to start it because sometimes when I book is hyped A LOT, I just don't get it or it falls flat or something goes wrong, but this book ... Oh, wow, this book. It's everything they say and more.

As soon as I finished this book, I immediately started texting/tweeting/messaging people to read it because it is THAT good. I was that excited to tell the world about it.

In her debut novel, Victoria Aveyard launches herself into the YA fray and starts kicking ass and taking names. This book reads like something from a seasoned pro with tight plots and compelling characters and world building skills to make George RR Martin sit up and take notice.

I absolutely loved Mare. I loved her quirks and problems, her pigheadedness and convictions. She is one of the strongest female heroines I've meet in a long while. If I had to pick Katniss, Tris or Mare as an ally in any fight, I'm going Mare all the way.

Mare is flanked by the dual hotness of princes - Cal and Maven are two sides of the same coin, but driven by different motives and affecting Mare in different ways. I spent the bulk of the book wondering who I liked more and loving them both equally.

You want this book. I daresay you NEED this book. I love saying that I knew Bella before she was famous. I hung out with Katniss before the rest of the world. And Tris? We go way back. I can't wait to be standing in line for the RED QUEEN movie premiere and telling people that I've known Mare since the beginning.

Buy: Red Queen

Review: Zodiac by Romina Russell

Title: Zodiac

Author: Romina Russell

Publisher: Razorbill

Publication Date: 12.9.2014

Pages: 336

Genre: Young Adult, SciFi, Fantasy

Series: Zodiac #1

Source: ARC from BEA
Website: http://zodiacbooks.com/

Rating: 5 Stars

Summary (from Goodreads):

Rhoma Grace is a 16-year-old student from House Cancer with an unusual way of reading the stars. While her classmates use measurements to make accurate astrological predictions, Rho can’t solve for ‘x’ to save her life—so instead, she looks up at the night sky and makes up stories.

When a violent blast strikes the moons of Cancer, sending its ocean planet off-kilter and killing thousands of citizens—including its beloved Guardian—Rho is more surprised than anyone when she is named the House’s new leader. But, a true Cancerian who loves her home fiercely and will protect her people no matter what, Rho accepts.

Then, when more Houses fall victim to freak weather catastrophes, Rho starts seeing a pattern in the stars. She suspects Ophiuchus—the exiled 13th Guardian of Zodiac legend—has returned to exact his revenge across the Galaxy. Now Rho—along with Hysan Dax, a young envoy from House Libra, and Mathias, her guide and a member of her Royal Guard—must travel through the Zodiac to warn the other Guardians.

But who will believe anything this young novice says? Whom can Rho trust in a universe defined by differences? And how can she convince twelve worlds to unite as one Zodiac?

Review:

I was hoping to love this book just by the cover and the little bit of info in the back. I haven't read anything about the Zodiac before so I was hoping for equally awesome and different.

The world building here is just stunning. Each sign is its own world complete with moons and ecosystem or lack there of. All are in theZodiac which would be the equivalent of a galaxy. They all have seperate but similar governing rulers and advisors. They all have their own contributing factor to their world and Galaxy. It's all so intertwined that I can't believe it's all spread out and not on one world. Definitely a beautiful imaginative world that I would love to go to, when there isn't a galactic threat.

Rho's story didn't stop since page one. There is an energy in this book that just gets you going. Rho gets no reprieve. Everything gets thrown on her at once and she can do nothing but move forward. I love her self reflection moments. I can't even imagine what it would be like to be her, with all of that responsibility and people looking to me to save them.

I love the mystery of Mathias and Hysan. They are like air; ever present and supportive but could be deadly with what they hold or their absence. There is something about about them that makes you hold your breathe around them. They both have this vibe of quite, distant, secretive, and mysterious. I am still left questioning if there are ulterior motives. But in a good way. It leaves you wondering, needing more.

This was a fast paced book. I loved that. Action and emotions on every page. At one point I didn't think there would be anymore. That this was a single book. I am SO glad there will be more. There is an element of surprise at the end that leaves room for so much more and I can't wait for the next one.

Buy: Zodiac by Romina Russell

Review: Talon by Julie Kagawa

Title: Talon        

Author: Julie Kagawa

Publisher: HarlequinTeen

Publication Date: 10.28.2014

Pages: 461

Genre: Young Adult, Dragons, Fantasy

Series: Talon #1

Source: ARC from BEA

Rating: 5 Stars

Summary (from Goodreads):

Long ago, dragons were hunted to near extinction by the Order of St. George, a legendary society of dragon slayers. Hiding in human form and growing their numbers in secret, the dragons of Talon have become strong and cunning, and they're positioned to take over the world with humans none the wiser.

Ember and Dante Hill are the only sister and brother known to dragonkind. Trained to infiltrate society, Ember wants to live the teen experience and enjoy a summer of freedom before taking her destined place in Talon. But destiny is a matter of perspective, and a rogue dragon will soon challenge everything Ember has been taught. As Ember struggles to accept her future, she and her brother are hunted by the Order of St. George.

Soldier Garret Xavier Sebastian has a mission to seek and destroy all dragons, and Talon's newest recruits in particular. But he cannot kill unless he is certain he has found his prey: and nothing is certain about Ember Hill. Faced with Ember's bravery, confidence and all-too-human desires, Garret begins to question everything that the Order has ingrained in him: and what he might be willing to give up to find the truth about dragons. 

Review:

Who doesn't love dragons? I know I do. Whether they're good or bad, they always add an extra level of awesome to a story. So I was already excited about this when I first heard about it. And not to mention it's from Julie, so I know this ought to be amazing.

Ember. What a girl. I immediately loved her in this opening scene. I could tell she was fiery. She seemed to have that air about her that she just wasn't a follower, that she wanted more. She quickly became a favorite. She has such a strong love of life that is hard to imagine she is just trying to fit in, that it's just a mission, a test to survive. Even for me it was hard to remember what she really was at times. It's not hard to believe that she can convince you that she is nothing more than normal.

Garret and Riley. At first they are both quite mysterious, at least to Ember. And I love how she reacts to them. Garret is like Ember. Here only for a mission, until things get complicated. Riley is too, but for a completely different reason. I love how things get complicated and Ember is in the mix trying to decide what to do. It's all just so exciting!

I couldn't put this down. It was a suspenseful and exciting ride to find out that what you thought is really wrong and everything you are told is only a half truth. Garret, Riley, and Ember all have my attention. I CANNOT wait for the next one. Something happened, I thought it was unexpected, that has you holding your breath. Talon definitely has my attention.

Buy: Talon by Julie Kagawa

Review: Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch

Title: Snow Like Ashes

Author: Sara Raasch

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Publication Date: 10.14.2014

Pages: 432

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Series: Snow Like Ashes #1

Source: ARC from BEA

Rating: 5 Stars

Summary (from Goodreads):

A heartbroken girl. A fierce warrior. A hero in the making.

Sixteen years ago the Kingdom of Winter was conquered and its citizens enslaved, leaving them without magic or a monarch. Now, the Winterians’ only hope for freedom is the eight survivors who managed to escape, and who have been waiting for the opportunity to steal back Winter’s magic and rebuild the kingdom ever since.

Orphaned as an infant during Winter’s defeat, Meira has lived her whole life as a refugee, raised by the Winterians’ general, Sir. Training to be a warrior—and desperately in love with her best friend, and future king, Mather — she would do anything to help her kingdom rise to power again.

So when scouts discover the location of the ancient locket that can restore Winter’s magic, Meira decides to go after it herself. Finally, she’s scaling towers, fighting enemy soldiers, and serving her kingdom just as she’s always dreamed she would. But the mission doesn’t go as planned, and Meira soon finds herself thrust into a world of evil magic and dangerous politics – and ultimately comes to realize that her destiny is not, never has been, her own.

Review:

Sara Raasch is AMAZING!!!!! I read the back and was immediately intrigued. Using the seasons was so different that I had to read it. And I'm so glad I did.

Meira immediately captured my attention. She has such a strong will and determination that you feel with her. She wants to be a part of something bigger and tried so hard to please everyone and prove she is worth it. Her struggle with herself and Sir is iconic of a daughter trying to prove she is just as equal as her brother. She pushes herself so much and eventually wins out, just not as she first thought, with a completely unexpected turn of events I never saw it coming.

I think why I loved most was the details in the lands. This story is so descriptive that I didn't need to reference the map in the beginning at all. I loved how she used the season as different regions and how descriptive each location was in accordance with their season. It was all so pretty. Made me want to be there.

The most palpable thing in this book was the struggle. The Winterians were so strong, well trying to be, and all the refugees trying their hardest to free their people and get their kingdom back. All that they went through definitely pull at my heart. She was so descriptive in their pain that it made you really want them to win.

This book was different for me. I loved it. And I can't believe that what happened, happened. I hope there is more. There definitely should be. I would love to have more of Meira and Sir and all of the Winterians.

Blog Tour & Review: The Perilous Sea by Sherry Thomas

Review:

Finally more of Iolanthe and Titus! I could not wait for this. Personally, it lived up to my expectations. It was full of adventure, more than the first book I'd say, friendship, hardship and a wee bit of heartache.

I really liked the format of how this story played out, how it was written. It starts off in two different scenes. One that happened way after and what is continuing to happen in the Desert. While the other one is placed 7 weeks prior in England and leads up to the Desert. I was slightly confused at first, keeping track of what and who was where, but that's just me and I was so excited to get this book. The amount of adventure put in this book between the two stories was monumental. And the twists!!! I was like "gasp! No friggin way".

Titus and Iolanthe are still the same wonderful characters. Although, Iolanthe has learned to stand on her on two feet a little more as she accepts her destiny. Even when her destiny might be completely wrong, she deals with it. I really loved seeing her grow.

You get to know a few other characters, that were quite minor in the first but become important here. You get to know the previously reserved Kashkari and the not so obnoxious anymore Wintervale. They both blow your mind as to tier importance, as you never see it coming. Ah the twists!

I was certainly not let down. It definitely lived up to my expectations and then some. Exciting and surprising are what comes to mind.

Rating: 5 Stars

Title: THE PERILOUS SEA (The Elemental Trilogy #2)

Author: Sherry Thomas

Pub. Date: September 16, 2014

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Pages: 432

Formats: Hardcover, audio, eBook

Find it: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Goodreads

After spending the summer away from each other, Titus and Iolanthe (still disguised as Archer Fairfax) are eager to return to Eton College to resume their training to fight the Bane. Although no longer bound to Titus by a blood oath, Iolanthe is more committed than ever to fulfilling her destiny—especially with the agents of Atlantis quickly closing in.

Soon after arriving at school, though, Titus makes a shocking discovery, one that makes him question everything he previously believed about their mission. Faced with this devastating realization, Iolanthe is forced to come to terms with her new role, while Titus must choose between following his mother's prophecies—and forging a divergent path to an unknowable future.

About Sherry:

Sherry Thomas is one of the most acclaimed romance authors working today. Her books regularly receive starred reviews from trade publications and are frequently found on best-of-the-year lists. She is also a two-time winner of Romance Writers of America's prestigious RITA® Award.

English is Sherry's second language—she has come a long way from the days when she made her laborious way through Rosemary Roger's Sweet Savage Love with an English-Chinese dictionary. She enjoys digging down to the emotional core of stories. And when she is not writing, she thinks about the zen and zaniness of her profession, plays computer games with her sons, and reads as many fabulous books as she can find.

Sherry’s next book, THE PERILOUS SEA, volume two of her young adult fantasy trilogy, will be available fall 2014.

Author photo by the lovely and talented Jennifer Sparks Harriman at Sparks Studio.

Website /Blog/Twitter/Facebook/Goodreads

Giveaway:

For First Place US Only:

1 winner will receive. The Burning Sky, The Perilous Sea, and The Hidden Blade and a handmade solid lotion bar and some homemade face scrubs, plus a burning sky bag. US Only

Runners Up US Only

 2 winners will receive The Burning Sky, The Perilous Sea, and The Hidden Blade. US Only

Rafflecopter Code:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

9/8/2014- A Book and a Latte- Interview

9/9/2014- Such a Novel Idea- Review

9/10/2014- Fiktshun- Guest Post

9/11/2014- The Irish Banana Review- Review

9/12/2014- Bewitched Bookworms- Interview

Week Two:

9/15/2014- Two Chicks on Books- Guest Post

9/16/2014- A Backwards Story- Interview

9/17/2014- Carina's Books- Guest Post

9/18/2014- Nerdophiles- Review

9/19/2014- Candace's Book Blog- Review

Review: The Falconer by Elizabeth May

Title: The Falconer

Author: Elizabeth May

Publisher: Chronicle Books

Publication Date: 5.6.2014

Pages: 378

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Series: The Falconer #1

Source: ARC from ALA MW

Rating: 5 Stars

Summary (from Goodreads):

Heiress. Debutant. Murderer. A new generation of heroines has arrived.

Edinburgh, Scotland, 1844

Lady Aileana Kameron, the only daughter of the Marquess of Douglas, was destined for a life carefully planned around Edinburgh’s social events – right up until a faery killed her mother.

Now it’s the 1844 winter season and Aileana slaughters faeries in secret, in between the endless round of parties, tea and balls. Armed with modified percussion pistols and explosives, she sheds her aristocratic facade every night to go hunting. She’s determined to track down the faery who murdered her mother, and to destroy any who prey on humans in the city’s many dark alleyways.

But the balance between high society and her private war is a delicate one, and as the fae infiltrate the ballroom and Aileana’s father returns home, she has decisions to make. How much is she willing to lose – and just how far will Aileana go for revenge?

Review:

I love faeries. Even the dark ones. There aren't any nice and sparkly ones here. Well except one who still loves to talk about yanking someone's innards out. This tale of darker faeries was refreshing. That there is always a bad with the good.

Elizabeth May created a wonderful world. There is your city with its parks and rivers, your high class nobles and the royalty. My favorite thing about this is the steampunk era. I love tinkering with things and to have Lady Aileana be the tinkerer while trying to maintain her lady like appearance was mildly comical. I loved what she did with those things and why she did it. Even if for more than one reason.

After her mother’s murder, which she is blamed for by the whispers of society, changed her life. While trying to seek revenge by night and keeping her etiquette in check during the day, she has my favorite double life. Although, it doesn't quite work the way she had hoped.

I loved this book. And I cannot wait for the second to come out. The ending is so suspenseful that I wish I could just call Elizabeth right now and ask for the second one. This is a exciting, adventurous tale that kept me on the edge of my seat more than once.

Review: Passion Blue by Victoria Strauss

Title: Passion Blue

Author: Victoria Strauss

Publisher: Amazon Children’s Publishing

Publication Date: 11.6.2012

Pages: 352

Genre: Fantasy

Series: No

Source: ARC from BEA

Rating: A

Summary (from Goodreads):

"Be sure you know your true heart’s desire, or you may find yourself surprised by what you receive."

This is the warning the Astrologer-Sorcerer gives Giulia when she pays him to create a magical talisman for her. The scorned illegitimate daughter of a Milanese nobleman, Giulia is determined to defy the dire fate predicted by her horoscope, and use the talisman to claim what she believes is her heart’s desire: true love and a place where she belongs–not likely prospects for a girl about to be packed off to the cloistered world of a convent.

But the convent of Santa Marta is full of surprises. There are strict rules, long hours of work, and spiteful rivalries…but there’s also friendship, and the biggest surprise of all: a workshop of female artists who produce paintings of astonishing beauty, using a luminous blue mixed from a secret formula: Passion blue. Yet even as Giulia begins to learn the mysteries of the painter’s craft, the magic of the talisman is at work, and a forbidden romance beckons her down a path of uncertainty and danger. She is haunted by the sorcerer’s warning, and by a question: does she really know the true compass of her heart?

Review:

At 17 did you know your place in the world or what you wanted or what u though was your hearts desire? I know I hadn't the faintest idea. I still don't think I do. This captivating story gives you a glimpse into the mind and heart of a confused yet determined young woman.

I'm not quite sure where to start. The setting was stunning. Set in the old Italian Renaissance, it trapped you into this different yet amazing place. I can only imagine the palazzos and the convent of Santa Marta. So full of color, alive yet also still in the paintings. I was amazed at how detailed and descriptive Victoria was with this novel.

Giulia was amazing. I loved how Victoria threw you into her life. So much that I was actually thinking like Giulia. You actually understand her wants, desires, and determination to belong and be loved. Not only did I love Giulia, I loved the other nuns, novices, and even Ormanno in his own right.

This has got to be the best book I have ever read thus far of the original life question: Where is my place in the world. I cannot praise Victoria enough for this heartfelt, soul-searching and riveting novel of a strong willed, determined young woman who anyone would be enthralled by.

Buy: Amazon | The Book Depository

Reviewer: Gabrielle

Review: Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Title: Shadow and Bone

Author: Leigh Bardugo

Publisher: Henry Holt & Co.

Publication Date: 6.5.2012

Pages: 358

Genre: Fantasy

Series: Grisha #1

Source: ARC from a friend

Rating: A

Summary (from Goodreads):

The Shadow Fold, a swathe of impenetrable darkness, crawling with monsters that feast on human flesh, is slowly destroying the once-great nation of Ravka.

Alina, a pale, lonely orphan, discovers a unique power that thrusts her into the lavish world of the kingdom’s magical elite—the Grisha. Could she be the key to unravelling the dark fabric of the Shadow Fold and setting Ravka free?

The Darkling, a creature of seductive charm and terrifying power, leader of the Grisha. If Alina is to fulfil her destiny, she must discover how to unlock her gift and face up to her dangerous attraction to him.

But what of Mal, Alina’s childhood best friend? As Alina contemplates her dazzling new future, why can’t she ever quite forget him?

Glorious. Epic. Irresistible. Romance.

Review:

This was a masterpiece. Bardugo crafted an amazing world. One you could only think actually existed. It was actually its own little world, complete with its own bit of history. Ravka and world it was in was magical, enchanting, exciting and suspenseful.

Alina, Mal, the Darkling, an even the other Grisha were so detailed. I know that Alina was the main character here but the glimpse you get of everyone makes it hard to have a favorite or even peg Alina as the main character. I loved reading into their lives and Leigh allows you to do just that.

Even with its fictional base, it's definitely believable. You can compare the Shadow Fold to any leverage that waring countries could have over each other. The advantage of controlling it and using anything or anyone to get that power translates easily.

I cannot wait to read more into this amazing world. I expect the sequel to be just as addictive as this.  Anyone who reads this will fall in love with Ravka, Alina, and her epic journey to discover herself, understand what's within her, and to follow her heart - not her eyes or ears.

Buy: Amazon | The Book Depository

Reviewer: Gabrielle