BOOK REVIEW - THE IRON QUEEN by JULIE KAGAWA

Title:		THE IRON QUEEN
Author:		Julie Kagawa
Publisher:		Harlequin
Imprint:		Harlequin TEEN
Pub Date:		01/25/2011
ISBN:		9780373210183

RATING:     5 OUT OF 5 INCREDIBLE STARS!!!

THE IRON QUEEN

Due for Release February 2011

Book Three of The Iron Fey series

 

In less than twenty-four hours I’ll be seventeen.

Although, technically, I won’t actually be turning seventeen. I’ve been in the Nevernever too long. When you’re in Faery, you don’t age. So while a year has passed in the real world, agewise I’m probably only a few days older than when I went in.

In real life, I’ve changed so much I don’t even recognize myself.

 

MY NAME IS MEGHAN CHASE.

I thought it was over. That my time with the fey, the impossible choices I had to make, the sacrifices of those I loved, was behind me. But a storm is approaching, an army of Iron fey that will drag me back, kicking and screaming. Drag me away from the banished prince who’s sworn to stand by my side. Drag me into the core of conflict so powerful, I’m not sure anyone can survive it.

THIS TIME,

THERE WILL BE NO TURNING BACK. 

REVIEW:

This was a much anticipated book for me to read and I was EXTREMELY excited when I got my hands  on a copy through Netgalley. 

I had been longing for the return of my darling Prince Ash of the Winter Court!!!  oohhhhh Ash!!!!

I applaud Julie Kagawa for writing such a wondrous series.  I have been mesmerised since opening The Iron King and completely entranced throughout The Iron Daughter.  With The Iron Queen, Julie led us further into the NeverNever and took us on an adventure that produced anxiety, torment, further desire for Ash and even a few tears!

Meghan Chase has grown into a formidable Faery half-breed that many underestimated.  Her strong will shines through and she certainly becomes a force to be reckoned with.

Ash is just wonderful.... a lot of gorgeous with a touch Winter Frostiness!!  He is chivalrous, loyal and devoted.

Puck....is Puck!!  He has mellowed ever so slightly from The Iron Daughter. His love of Meghan has not changed but he knows where he stands in her heart.  He is mischievous, yet seemingly trustworthy and always around when Meghan needs him..... whether she wants it or not!!!

Grimalkin's cait sithe character has certainly become an anchor for Meghan throughout the series.  He is with her right to the end.

The many wondrous Iron Fey that Julie has created is truly magical and so easily seen through any readers' eyes.  The series has certainly been a wondrous read for myself and one that will be read time and again. 

As I have stated in my review of The Iron Daughter - this series could so easily be transformed onto the silver screen.   

 

Julie has described the Nevernever  and it's occupants with such detail that it would be hard not to have a fantastic fantasy fueled vision.

 

Now the long and desperate wait for The Iron Knight ..... the fourth book in The Iron Fey series.  

 

ENJOY!

MARISSA

 

BOOK REVIEW - MAGIC UNDER GLASS by JACLYN DOLAMORE

Title:           MAGIC UNDER GLASS
Author:       JACLYN DOLAMORE
Publisher:   Bloomsbury
Pages:        Paperback, 225 pages
Acquired:   Purchased from The Book Depository

RATING:   3 OUT OF 5

Description from Goodreads: 

Nimira is a music-hall performer forced to dance for pennies to an audience of leering drunks. When wealthy sorcerer Hollin Parry hires her to do a special act - singing accompaniment to an exquisite piano-playing automaton, Nimira believes it is the start of a new life. In Parry's world, however, buried secrets stir.

Unsettling below-stairs rumours abound about ghosts, a mad woman roaming the halls, and of Parry's involvement in a gang of ruthless sorcerers who torture fairies for sport. When Nimira discovers the spirit of a dashing young fairy gentleman is trapped inside the automaton's stiff limbs, waiting for someone to break the curse and set him free, the two fall in love. But it is a love set against a dreadful race against time to save the entire fairy realm, which is in mortal peril

REVIEW:

This book sat on my shelf for a couple of months as I played catch up with series I had been hanging out to the new releases for!!! Now that I am all caught up it's time to read all the books I purchased that looked like they could be pretty good!
Magic Under Glass is the debut novel for Jaclyn Dolamore.  There is a sequel to be released in 2012, Magic Under Stone.
Overall, I enjoyed the story. It made for a quick and easy read. I liked that Erris' soul/being was trapped inside the automaton which could only "come to life" when wound by a key. Jaclyn wrote Erris in a very clever way - though once de-robed I lost any romantic connection with the poor machine!!  the image I conjured up just wasn't very satisfying!!
Nimira was a little too hung up on her past lavish life in her home country.  Face it girl, you cracked the poops with your menacing dad and left.......you had to take whatever job you could and the fancy dancing that was highly regarded back home was seen more as a poor-girl's dance club in your new world!! Suck it up lovey!!
Hollin is a bit of dithering fool.  He needed to grow a set and a back bone at the same time!! LOL!! He had all good intentions with Nimira but just seemed lacking any strength in his manliness. He did come through, a bit, in the end.
I liked Miss Rashten.  She was just plain mean, nasty and calculating from the start to the end. Her character was very good to have around in the house.
Annalie is wonderful. Though a back-seat character, I found her to be very likeable from her first entrance. Annalie and her magic were just simply misunderstood by her husband Hollin and manipulated by the likes of the dastardly Mr Smollings.

Enjoy! 

Marissa

BOOK REVIEW: FORSAKEN BY SHADOW by KAIT NOLAN

Title:               FORSAKEN BY SHADOW
Author:           KAIT NOLAN
Publisher:        Kait Nolan / Smashwords
Pages:             Digital book Novella - 109 pages

Acquired:        Very graciously given by Kait Nolan
Genre:             Paranormal Romance
Rating:             4 out of 5 Stars!!!

Description from www.kaitnolan.com:

Banished from their world with his memory wiped, Ultimate Fighter Cade Shepherd doesn’t remember his life as Gage Dempsey, not even the woman he nearly died for. But when Embry Hollister’s father is kidnapped by military scientists, the only one she can turn to for help is the love from her past. Will Gage remember the Shadow Walker skills he learned from her father, and if they survive, will Embry be able to walk away a second time?

REVIEW:

A huge thank you to Kait Nolan for offering her ebook to be read and reviewed.  Kait......you have certainly got talent my girl!! 

I know that 109 pages is rather short and it is a Novella......but Kait was putting this out there to drum up character interest before she delves further into the story.  Well Kait, you certainly succeeded in getting my interest.  I would totally love it if you wrote Forsaken by Shadow into a full length book.  It is a great story. The characters are really likeable. 

Kait touched on a couple of characters throughout that I felt will make for fantastic leads in future storylines. and I would definitely love to read more of Embry/Ember and Cade/Gage.  Their chemistry is wicked. Embry's pride and stubbornness will make for exciting adventure sequences and Gage's sultry and raw ruggedness makes him a very dream-worthy hero!

Kait Nolan is certainly one author I will be keeping an eye on and snapping up any future books she publishes.  Look out for Devil's Eye which Kait will hopefully be releasing soon!!!!

ENJOY!

MARISSA

REVIEW: CRESCENDO by BECCA FITZPATRICK

Title:      CRESCENDO
Author:  BECCA FITZPATRICK
Publisher:   Simon & Schuster
Pages:  Hardcover 427 pages

Acquired:  Lent to me by Carolyn!

Rating:  5 OUT OF 5 "Holy Toledo give me book three NOW!" Stars!!!

Description from Goodreads:
Nora should have known her life was far from perfect. Despite starting a relationship with her guardian angel, Patch (who, title aside, can be described as anything but angelic), and surviving an attempt on her life, things are not looking up. Patch is starting to pull away, and Nora can't figure out if it's for her best interest or if his interest has shifted to her arch-enemy Marcie Millar. Not to mention that Nora is haunted by images of her father and she becomes obsessed with finding out what really happened to him that night he left for Portland and never came home.

The farther Nora delves into the mystery of her father's death, the more she comes to question if her Nephilim blood line has something to do with it as well as why she seems to be in danger more than the average girl. Since Patch isn't answering her questions and seems to be standing in her way, she has to start finding the answers on her own. Relying too heavily on the fact that she has a guardian angel puts Nora at risk again and again. But can she really count on Patch, or is he hiding secrets darker than she can even imagine?

BOOK REVIEW:

AAAARRRRGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!! Becca, Becca, Becca!!  I LOVED IT!..........and now I'm left hanging for another year (sob, sob!).

OK, so it didn't have the same smexi level of Patch that we all devoured in Hush, Hush.....but what it did have was angst, new characters, old characters and a wicked POW! though I have to admit I did had an idea of who and what the Pow was going to be midway through the book!

Don't worry people....Patch hasn't gone anywhere. He's still there - he just has a little bit of competition and plays a different role in Crescendo!
I love the way Becca has written Patch in Crescendo. It's not all about the love and lust between Patch and Nora - though their love and lust issues are certainly in full swing.  We know from Hush, Hush that Patch is the all-time smexiest male lead and he can certainly be my personal guardian angel anytime!  In Crescendo though, he takes a back seat - but he's always there keeping an eye out for Nora.  The pool hall scene in Hush, Hush is one of my favourites and I definately missed the "Patchasm" I felt from reading the first book!

Nora needed a bloody good slap a couple of times, though I did find her interaction with other characters enjoyable. It just wasn't all about Patch this time! She certainly came into her own in Crescendo, even if at times it was ON her own. She has spunk and is definately not a "needy girly girl" character. She can hold her own!

Vee plays a continual and more prominent part in this book.  She is funny, witty and just a tad sarcastic... and did I mention obsessed with food?!!!  It was rather hilarious to read, in times of suspense and chaos, Vee thought stopping for a bite to eat was important!! LOL!!  Oh and what Nora and Vee put that poor Neon through - I'm surprised it still runs!!

Patch's best mate Rixon also pops up as a more lead character this time. Good guy, bad guy, down right evil guy......he keeps you questioning all the way through. 

I loved Crescendo.  I still totally love Hush, Hush but for different reasons of course. I so want to say in more detail as to why I enjoyed the book - but I don't do spoilers in my reviews - and it's killing me in this instance!!!
As my dear twinny blogger Michelle outlined in her review of Crescendo, it falls under the "New Moon Syndrome".  Read her review if you havent - she explains it well.  I completely get why Becca has written Crescendo (and Patch) they way she has.

Thanks Becca!  I now wait ever so impatiently for Tempest :)  Keep up the awesome work of creating wickedly wonderful reads.

Enjoy!

Marissa

REVIEW: CARNAL SIN by ALLISON BRENNAN

Title:  CARNAL SIN
Author:  ALLISON BRENNAN
Publisher:  Ballantine Books
Genre:  Paranormal Romance
Pages: Paperback 427 pages
Acquired: Purchased

Rating:  5 out 5 Action packed paranormal stars!

Description from Goodreads:
The small Californian town of Santa Louisa is still reeling from the lethal rampage of the demon Envy, one of the Seven Deadly Sins released from Hell by black magic. But when more bodies bearing satanic marks surface in Los Angeles, former witch Moira O'Donnell knows the terror is beginning again.

For a trendy LA nightclub has a become a hot spot of lustful demonic activity. And as a supernatural war erupts, Moira and Rafe, her tortured and indomitable ally, are caught in the crossfire.

Cornered by mortal and unearthly enemies, they must conquer there greatest fears to survive. But the growing passion for each other gives the demon Lust exactly what it need to defeat them both..

REVIEW:
Continuing on from Original Sin, Allison Brennan has delivered another fantastic read. Carnal Sin is the second book in the The Seven Deadly Sins Series.
Carnal Sin follows the perilous journey of Moira O'Donnell and Raphael Cooper as they hunt down and endeavour to capture the demon Lust.  They are joined by Anthony, Skye, Rico and other great characters.

With twists and turns and "oh no she didnt's", Allison has you guessing the whole way through as to who is good and who is evil.

The chemistry between Rafe and Moira is fantastic. Allison writes it so well that you can feel the angst and passion combined between the two of them. Will Moira ever let herself to truly love and be loved again?
Did Rafe experience any nasties during his time in the coma that will prove to Anthony that he is no good and cannot be trusted?
Is Rico in love with Moira? He just seems far to old a character for me to believe that he could ever be a love interest.  Big brother/sleazy uncle maybe!!! Just not that into him really - but that's just me!

As for Wendy and her crazed black sex magic coven.........memo to self......do not get involved with such crazies.  Wow! They are some seriously pissed off jilted women!!

I await the third book in the series with great anticipation. The longer the Seven have been released into the world, the stronger and more gruesome they become.  Moira and those of the Order will certainly have their work cut out for them.....will they all survive?

Enjoy!

Marissa

BOOK REVIEW - 13 TO LIFE by Shannon Delany

Title:  13 TO LIFE
Author:  SHANNON DELANY
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Pages: Paperback 308

Acquired:  Personal Purchase

Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Description (from Goodreads):

When junior Jess Gillmansen gets called out of class by Guidance, she can only presume it’s for one of two reasons. Either they’ve finally figured out who wrote the scathing anti-jock editorial in the school newspaper or they’re hosting yet another intervention for her about her mom. Although far from expecting it, she’s relieved to discover Guidance just wants her to show a new student around—but he comes with issues of his own including a police escort.

The newest member of Junction High, Pietr Rusakova has secrets to hide--secrets that will bring big trouble to the small town of Junction—secrets including dramatic changes he’s undergoing that will surely end his life early.  


REVIEW:

Firstly, this book was a great quick and easy read. I read quite a few intense books prior to picking up this one and it was a refreshing change. Being quick and easy by no means makes a "fluff" book. I started reading it, was very pleased with the ease in which I became engrossed and then didn't want to put it down. I sunk into the couch, feet up and let Shannon Delany take me through a story of trust, trouble, love and a bit of adventure.


The male lead, Pietr is Russian.  I admit I did have trouble at first conjuring up my best Russian accent for him!!! Never fear, he still came out gorgeous !!  The life changing circumstances he faces are huge and one in particular will no doubt lessen is his life expectancy........or will it??!!!


Jess makes a great lead, though I did feel like grabbing her by the shoulders and giving her a darn good shaking - "wake up you silly girl.....don't let this life, or that hotty Russian pass you by", I would yell at her!!  Stuck between her at times loyal and long standing crush on school jock Derek and new guy Pietr - her decision was made for her.


Derek was in the story and then.....poof! Gone!  I don't think we have quite seen the end of Derek or for that fact a couple of the characters that Shannon introduced, toyed with and then not to mention again.  There were certainly aspects that seemed to scream out "SEQUEL!" 


My only disgruntle with this book is the way it ended.   Yes I know there is going to be a sequel - that much was stated on the last page of the book!  It's just that it ended, kaput, finito, all over red rover.....there is so much left hanging and unanswered. It was almost like some one had ripped out the last 2 chapters of my book - just didn't feel it should have finished where it did.  Closure - none!


Regardless of the way in which the book ended, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it (twice now!!) and are very much looking forward the sequel.

ENJOY!

MARISSA

BOOK REVIEW - THE LIGHT OF ASTERIA by Elizabeth Isaacs

Title:  THE LIGHT OF ASTERIA
Author: ELIZABETH ISAACS
Publisher: iUniverse Inc.
Format: Read in eBook
Pages: Paperback 380 pages

RATING:  4 POWERFUL STARS!!!

Description (from Goodreads):

If Nora Johnson hadn't been on campus that day she would have never known her true destiny. Helping her friends move into the dorm that she wanted to call home, Nora accidentally collides with mysterious stranger, Gavin Frey. His very first touch sends flames through her heart. The world seems different-something within her has changed. Nora tries to resume her mundane life, but she is now consumed with the one whose very presence ignited her soul, the one with eyes of emerald. Nora soon learns that an energy buried deep within has been unleashed. She now wields unimaginable power and has become Gavin's source, his strength.
Her newfound joy is shaken when she discovers that Gavin is not who he appears to be and she has been thrust in the middle of a war of mythical proportions. Negativity has allowed all things evil to flourish, the earth is under siege. The fate of creation hinges on the power within her heart. Will she be strong enough to survive?
A gripping tale of unbounded love and ancient power, The Light of Asteria will take you on an epic adventure filled with war, treachery, and demons, as well as unimaginable delights.

REVIEW:

WOW! WOW! WOW!....... Did I mention WOW!?  This is like no other I have read.  It is a book of pure and raw emotion.

Elizabeth uses the strengths of colours and elements to help the reader visualise every aspect of the book.  The senses are in overdrive with this book. I truly felt apart of the story.  And yes.... I cried. There were two parts that I shed a tear for - one of sorrow and one of relief.

Nora is a wonderful female lead that grows spiritually, emotionally and even physically throughout the book. Her undeniable love for Gavin is felt from it's inception right through till the last page. Her inner strength is unmatched by those around her and her purity is second to none (though Rena comes close!).

Gavin is a protective Alfar whose "source" is Nora. Not only the source of his existence on a physical sense, but the powerful love he has for her is immense.  He his, however, torn between his love and at times his position within the Alfar world.

Elizabeth introduces us to a few characters that stay with us till the end and will sure be paramount to the second installment of this series.There is of course one main loss during this first book that will be felt by all as it was so powerfully written.

The synopsis does not do this book justice......though having read The Light of Asteria, I struggle to put into words the overwhelming emotional, spiritual and sensual elements that Elizabeth has so greatly given us. Your best option is  - GET A COPY AND READ IT-FEEL IT-LOVE IT!

ENJOY !

MARISSA

BOOK REVIEW - HEX HALL by Rachel Hawkins

Title:  HEX HALL (Hex Hall #1)
Author:  RACHEL HAWKINS
Publisher: Simon and Schuster - April 1st, 2010
Pages : Paperback 323 pages
Book Gain:  Own Purchase

RATING:  4 STARS !!! - Wicked POW! towards the end!!

Description (from Goodreads):

Three years ago, Sophie Mercer discovered that she was a witch. It's gotten her into a few scrapes. Her non-gifted mother has been as supportive as possible, consulting Sophie's estranged father--an elusive European warlock--only when necessary. But when Sophie attracts too much human attention for a prom-night spell gone horribly wrong, it's her dad who decides her punishment: exile to Hex Hall, an isolated reform school for wayward Prodigium, a.k.a. witches, faeries, and shapeshifters. By the end of her first day among fellow freak-teens, Sophie has quite a scorecard: three powerful enemies who look like supermodels, a futile crush on a gorgeous warlock, a creepy tagalong ghost, and a new roommate who happens to be the most hated person and only vampire on campus. Worse, Sophie soon learns that a mysterious predator has been attacking students, and her only friend is the number-one suspect.
As a series of blood-curdling mysteries starts to converge, Sophie prepares for the biggest threat of all: an ancient secret society determined to destroy all Prodigium, especially her.

 REVIEW:
Rachel Hawkins has written a fantastic book and one that I totally enjoyed reading from start to finish. With a hint of Harry Potter and Evernight, Hex Hall is a fantastic read with it's own uniqueness and a few POW's! thrown in for good measure. And let me tell you........ the POW near the end...... I did NOT see that one coming!!!

Rachel has chosen some great names for  her characters - Chaston, Elodie, Jenna and Archer to just name a few - and there is no Gabriel!!!! I have read soooo many books with a Gabriel in it lately!!LOL!!   

Ooohhh Archer....... you guessed it - he's the gorgeous, popular male lead (and a warlock) that Sophie falls for. He IS the "it" crowd and all the girls want to be his girlfriend.  Sophie gets stuck on detention with him and a friendship blossoms....but you know there is going to be a hitch don't you??! and one you certainly wont see coming (well I didn't!).

As for dear Sophie she is totally oblivious to what her life should have been like growing up as a witch. she's thrown in to this world she knows nothing about and by the father she has never met (insert big POW near  the end!!).


Throw in a threesome of snitchy, bitchy witches that torment Sophie for her lack of knowledge of her own kind, a lone vampire student as a room mate and a witch killer..... and Rachel has created a great read from throwing a bunch of naughty spell wielding magical juveniles into boarding school. Hex Hall comes complete with humour, a "prom" and love with the wrong guy! And a story that I am looking forward to continuing when book 2 is released.

Enjoy!

Marissa

BOOK REVIEW - THE IRON DAUGHTER by Julie Kagawa

Title:  THE IRON DAUGHTER (Book 2 of The Iron Fey Series)
Author:  JULIE KAGAWA
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Published: 1st August 2010
Pages: paperback, 368 pages

RATING:  5 STARS!! LOVED IT!! I WANT MORE!!!


Description (from Goodreads.com)

Half Summer faery princess, half human, Meghan has never fit in anywhere. Deserted by the Winter prince she thought loved her, she is prisoner to the Winter faery queen. As war looms between Summer and Winter, Meghan knows that the real danger comes from the Iron Fey, iron-bound faeries that only she and her absent prince have seen. But no one believes her. Worse, Meghan's own fey powers have been cut off. She's alone in Faery with only her wits for help. Trusting anyone would be foolish. Trusting a seeming traitor could be deadly. But even as she grows a backbone of iron, Meghan can't help but hear the whispers of longing in her all-too-human heart.

BOOK REVIEW 

 I knew from the novella Winters Passage that The Iron Daughter would be a wonderful read.  Julie did not let me down!  Julie has continued with the fantastic imagery she started in The Iron King.  

The Iron King introduced us to a whole new fey element being the Iron Fey  - dark and sinister yet derived from the dreams and desires of the humans seeking advancement in technology. Though  Meghan's powers have been cut off, she does still have some mysterious control within the Iron realm - what could this mean ? All will be revealed in The Iron Queen.!

The Iron Daughter has a constant forward motion - never stuck in a moment for too long...always  keeping the characters moving in and out of worlds and providing us with adventure, romance and suspense. 

The return of Puck was inevitable and so was the ensuing love triangle I was so hoping for (Yay!).  I am admittedly torn between the two dashing men.......Puck being the ever faithful  friend that unequivocally loves Meghan (and she does love him)....and Prince Ash - the icy, handsome, brooding Winter/Unseelie Prince who loves Meghan but is very loyal to his mother Queen Mab and the Unseelie Court.  

 Prince Ash obviously loves Meghan but hey.....he's tried to kill her a couple of times!!   I know a lot of girls love the bad guys but that is certainly loving the wrong one!!

Meghan has certainly become a lot stronger and knows what she wants....no matter if it is forbidden! She obviously needs to engage the brain a little quicker when making snap decisions in a court that is her enemy!

I have rated The Iron Daughter 5 STARS!  I loved it and want more, more, more!!!  But yes, I have to wait till 2011 for the release!

ENJOY!

MARISSA 

NOVELLA REVIEW - WINTERS PASSAGE by JULIE KAGAWA

Title:  Winters Passage
Author: Julie Kagawa
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Pages: Novella eBook 67 pages

RATING:
5 little novella stars!

Description taken from Goodreads

Meghan Chase used to be an ordinary girl...until she discovered that she is really a faery princess. After escaping from the clutches of the deadly Iron fey, Meghan must follow through on her promise to return to the equally dangerous Winter Court with her forbidden love, Prince Ash. But first, Meghan has one request: that they visit Puck--Meghan's best friend and servant of her father, King Oberon--who was gravely injured defending Meghan from the Iron Fey.Yet Meghan and Ash's detour does not go unnoticed. They have caught the attention of an ancient, powerful hunter--a foe that even Ash may not be able to defeat....An eBook exclusive story from Julie Kagawa's Iron Fey series.

Review

This novella eBook is a wonderful little addition to The Iron Fae series. It has the trappings of a great book - but of course that would the next main installment The Iron Daughter.  Instead of lobbing Ash and Meghan at the gates of the Winter Court, Julie Kagawa has included the journey they take to get there. Though only totalling 67 pages, Julie has given us romance, action, adventure and an ending that makes you want more, more, more!!

Enjoy!

Marissa

BOOK REVIEW - THE IRON KING by JULIE KAGAWA

Title:   THE IRON KING
Author:  JULIE KAGAWA
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publish Date: February 2010
Pages: Paperback, 363 pages

RATING:
4 STARS

Description taken from http://enterthefaeryworld.com/ironfey

Meghan Chase has a secret destiny—one she could never have imagined...

Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan's life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school... or at home.

When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she's known is about to change.

But she could never have guessed the truth—that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she'll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil no faery creature dare face…and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart.

I will firstly admit that it took me a little bit to get through the first part of this book.  The use of characters from all different and currently existing fables and stories seemed a touch too much for me.  The hardest one of all was Grimalkin the disappearing cat - yep..... Alice in Wonderland style cat!!!  I am sure there would be plenty of other vanishing creatures or beings that could have been used.... but Julie chose the cat.  Nonetheless, Grimalkin turned out to be a handy character to have!

Being a YA series, I did wonder if the use of A Midsummer Nights Dream would have been understood by many.... though thinking this, by the end of the book Julie may just have stirred up enough interest in younger readers to pick up the original book and give it a chance - always giving more hope to the classics is great.

The forbidden love between Meghan and Ash is sure to give us some interesting reading in The Iron Daughter. Though I am sure Ash will be as cold as his Winter Court when required in the presence of Queen Mab.

The loyalty from Puck/Robbie is wonderful and I certainly felt the secret love he had for Meghan. Could this become something later on? - Who knows..... there must be a Puck - Meghan - Ash triangle in there somewhere... though at the moment there are no "teams" to choose - it is Ash all the way!

I may have struggled at first but the story unfolded and I was easily swept away into the faery world. I read through this book with imagery of a Tim Burton film translation and found it to be a wonderful read that I can so clearly see as a movie.

Julie has described the Nevernever  and it's occupants with such detail that it would be hard not to have a fantastic fantasy fueled vision.

Now on to the novella - Winters Passage......

Enjoy!

Marissa

BOOK REVIEW - EVE OF SAMHAIN by Lisa Sanchez

Title:  EVE OF SAMHAIN
Author:  LISA SANCHEZ
Publisher:  Omnific Publishing
Pages: Paperback, 216 pages

RATING   -   4.5 STARS I Loved It! It had a whole lotta smexi!

Description (from Goodreads)

As a college senior and server at Hanaford Park's hottest nightclub, twenty-one year old Ryann Pierce's plan was simple: work hard, make lots of money, and avoid the ass-grabbers at all costs. What she never planned for was Quinn Donegan—the living, breathing advertisement for sinful behavior that waltzed into her life.

With an angelic face, a hard body and a butt-load of charm, Quinn had a way with the ladies—a lot of ladies. Cursed with a deadly, addictive touch, his trail of indiscretion blazed across five hundred years. Tired and jaded, Ryann is a shocking revelation Quinn didn't see coming.

Filled with desire, yet unable to touch one another, Ryann and Quinn embark on a daunting journey, battling frustrating physical limitations while exploring their new love. In a race against the clock, Ryann learns she must plead for Quinn's life before…the Eve of Samhain. Determined to end her lover's suffering, not even the danger dogging her every move can keep her from her mission

I was trolling through Lisa Sanchez's website as I had heard a lot of talk of this book and of Lisa herself. I stumbled upon the expert, read it, loved it and ordered the book right then and there!!
I wasnt disappointed. It was a great change to books I have recently been reading - I was crying out for more smexi and Eve of Samhain certainly delivered!
For a debut novel, Lisa has done a fantastic job in telling the story of Quinn and Ryann (from Ryann's POV). The sexual tension is rath ...more I was trolling through Lisa Sanchez's website as I had heard a lot of talk of this book and of Lisa herself. I stumbled upon the excerpt, read it, loved it and ordered the book right then and there!!
I wasnt disappointed. It was a great change to books I have recently been reading - I was crying out for more smexi and Eve of Samhain certainly delivered!
For a debut novel, Lisa has done a fantastic job in telling the story of Quinn and Ryann (from Ryann's POV). The sexual tension is rather predominant without being tawdry. Lisa has ripped out a few classic one-liners throughout the book.
The feeling Ryann has for Quinn is so easily felt. Having Quinn be a lovably saucy Irish lad was a nice change.
Along with the smexi anguish, the story comes complete with villain, action and even a moral lesson to be learnt!
Congratulations to Lisa Sanchez for Eve of Samhain and I look forward to reading her second book when it is released.

I gave this book a 4.5 out of 5 
 Enjoy!
Marissa

My Fave Quotes:

"All masculine, hard-bodied, and sensual, he was a deadly weapon sent by the gods to drive women mad, and a walking billboard for all things wicked and carnal." (Ryann's description of Quinn)

“How awful! A man-whoring faerie that loves ‘em and leaves ‘em. Well … at least it’s not bloody.”

"Huh … you learn something new every day. “So, uh … where’s that located?”
“Avalon? In the Otherworld, of course.”
I felt like smacking myself on the forehead. Oh, of course. The Otherworld. I should have known!"

THE DEAD-TOSSED WAVES by Carrie Ryan

Gabry lives a quiet life, secure in her town next to the sea and behind the Barrier. She's content to let her friends dream of the Dark City up the coast while she watches from the top of her lighthouse. Home is all she's ever known, and all she needs for happiness.

But life after the Return is never safe, and there are threats even the Barrier can't hold back.

Gabry's mother thought she left her secrets behind in the Forest of Hands and Teeth, but like the dead in their world, secrets don't stay buried. And now, Gabry's world is crumbling.

One night beyond the Barrier...

One boy Gabry's known forever and one veiled in mystery...

One reckless moment, and half of Gabry's generation is dead, the other half imprisoned.

Gabry knows only one thing: if she is to have any hope of a future, she must face the forest of her mother's past. 

AAAAARRRRRGGGHHHH !!!!!!!  A huge big THANK YOU Carrie Ryan for continuing The Forest of Hands and Teeth with this brilliant sequel. 

After a huge mistake of not ordering this book at the same time I ordered TFOHT, I had an arduous wait of 2 weeks before my copy of The Dead-Tossed Waves arrived on my doorstep.  During my wait I was continually taunted and text harrassed by my wonderfully awesome friend and fellow Novels On The Run blogger Michelle - you see, she ordered both and could read one after the other!!!!

The book finally arrived.  I ripped open the packaging ........ Oh No..... it's a hardcover.... how am I supposed to grip and fold the cover during any anxious moments???? You see, my books get to feel every emotion I do when reading them!!! Not to worry..... I HAD to keep reading this story.  And I was not disappointed. In fact, I was even more in awe of what Carrie Ryan had written. 


This book had POW's, Nummy Num Num's and more importantly......it gave us the Smexi that is Elias!!!! Oh, Elias.....hhhmmmmmm (I glance to the sky with dreamy eyes). 


As for the Soulers........ they are just WRONG...... seriously they are just not right in any way.... Carrie certainly slogged me one with those little darlings!!!  I re-read that chapter to make sure I had read it right the first time....and I had. Blurgh!!!!

The Mudo Moshpit under the bridge.........................one nuke could sort that out!!


There are so many twists and turns and small bits that you pick up from Mary's story in TFOHT.  I could continue but I would need to post a Spoiler Alert!


This has now taken pride of place on my Top 5 Book List.   

Enjoy, Enjoy, Enjoy!!!

Cheers
Marissa

My Rating:  5 / 5

INK EXCHANGE By Melissa Marr

Unbeknownst to mortals, a power struggle is unfolding in a world of shadows and danger. After centuries of stability, the balance among the Faery Courts has altered, and Irial, ruler of the Dark Court, is battling to hold his rebellious and newly vulnerable fey together. If he fails, bloodshed and brutality will follow.

Seventeen-year-old Leslie knows nothing of faeries or their intrigues. When she is attracted to an eerily beautiful tattoo of eyes and wings, all she knows is that she has to have it, convinced it is a tangible symbol of changes she desperately craves for her own life.

The tattoo does bring changes; not the kind Leslie has dreamed of, but sinister, compelling changes that are more than symbolic. Those changes will bind Leslie and Irial together, drawing Leslie deeper and deeper into the faery world, unable to resist its allures, and helpless to withstand its perils. . . .

After enjoying Wicked Lovely and becoming some-what faerie smarter for it, I dove right into Ink Exchange. I found this to be more enjoyable from beginning to end than Wicked Lovely - probably as I had already graduated from Faerie 101 by the awesome lecturer Melissa Marr!!  Ink Exchange is certainly a darker imaged story..... well obviously as it is based around the Dark Court!

I felt every inch of anguish that Leslie went through with being in the same home as her father and brother..... I certainly wanted one of the fearful Dark Court to come and teach them a lesson or two!!!  Her decisions lead her down paths that should not be tread by humans and as such had dire consequences.

Ink Exchange gave us a deeper insight into Niall and his history. He is split between the loyalty to Keenan and the Summer Court and his natural position and past with Irial and the Dark Court. He forms a bond with the unsuspecting Leslie and behaves more a dignified man than Keenan the Summer King could ever hope to be.

My initial reaction when I started reading Ink Exchange was..... "Oh no... it's not all about Seth!".  Rest assured he does make appearances, as do all the other characters. Melissa Marr has not left them out, no matter how small their interaction is.  They all have a role to play in this wonderous story and Melissa gives us just enough of each to keep the enthusiasm and intrigue flourishing.

Enjoy!
Marissa

FRAGILE ETERNITY By Melissa Marr

Seth never expected he would want to settle down with anyone—but that was before Aislinn. She is everything he'd ever dreamed of, and he wants to be with her forever. Forever takes on new meaning, though, when your girlfriend is an immortal faery queen.

Aislinn never expected to rule the very creatures who'd always terrified her—but that was before Keenan. He stole her mortality to make her a monarch, and now she faces challenges and enticements beyond any she'd ever imagined.

In Melissa Marr's third mesmerizing tale of Faerie, Seth and Aislinn struggle to stay true to themselves and each other in a milieu of shadowy rules and shifting allegiances, where old friends become new enemies and one wrong move could plunge the Earth into chaos.

 "Whoah!!! My head is is thrumming from all the new found faerie knowledge I now possess. Melissa does a fantastic job of creating a visual environment for me to lose myself in, in the world of faerie mixed with human reality. The constant learning o...more Whoah!!! My head is is thrumming from all the new found faerie knowledge I now possess. Melissa does a fantastic job of creating a visual environment for me to lose myself in, in the world of faerie mixed with human reality. The constant learning of faerie law, politics and existence doesn't stop with the first book, Wicked Lovely. It certainly continues with Ink Exchange and right through Fragile Eternity.

THE FOREST OF HANDS AND TEETH by Carrie Ryan

When this was first described to me, my instant thought was.... "The Village by M. Night Shyamalan".  The fence around the village is basically the only similarity~!!!
Carrie Ryan has done a fantastic job in writing a fast paced, page gripping suspenseful novel.  I was by no means relaxing on the couch whilst I was reading this. As tense and anxious as I was, I enjoyed every page there was and cried out for MORE..... Only to realise I had NOT ordered the sequel (The Dead-Tossed Waves). I was beside myself with literary grief at not being able to continue the story straight away!!

WICKED LOVELY by Melissa Marr

Rule #3: Don't stare at invisible faeries.
Aislinn has always seen faeries. Powerful and dangerous, they walk hidden in the mortal world. Aislinn fears their cruelty-especially if they learn of her Sight and wishes she were as blind to their presence as other teens.
 
Rule #2: Don't speak to invisible faeries.
Now faeries are stalking her. One of them, Keenan, who is equal parts terrifying and alluring, is trying to talk to her, asking questions Aislinn is afraid to answer.

Rule #1: Don't ever attract their attention.
But it's too late. Keenan is the Summer King, who has sought his queen for nine centuries. Without her, summer itself will perish. His is determined that Aislinn will become the Summer Queen at any
cost-regardless of her plans or desires.

Suddenly none of the rules that have kept Aislinn safe are working anymore, and everything is on the line: her freedom; her best friend, Seth; everything.  Faery intrigue, mortal love, and the clash of ancient rules and modern expectations swirl together in Melissa Marr's stunning twenty-first-century faery tale.



Ok...... So I had quite a few people tell me..."You have to read the Wicked Lovely Series. It's great and you wont be disappointed".  So after reading through a lot of other books in my book stack, I decided it was time to give it a go.  I am very fortunate to have an awesome friend who bought me the first 3 books of the series for my birthday (Thanks Twinny!!).

Away I went, sinking my eyeballs into book 1 - Wicked Lovely.  WOW!!! Melissa Marr can certainly create an amazing faerie world.  Getting your head around the rules, laws and hierarchy of faerie courts is continual throughout the whole book and sometimes feels as if it is taking over the story.  The characters are a wonderful mix of smexi, ruthless, tough and generally lovable.