Cast in Peril- Michelle Sagara

Written By: Kellie - Aug• 24•12

ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair an honest review.

Synopsis: USUALLY DISASTER DIDN’T STRIKE QUITE SO CLOSE TO HOME…
It has been a busy few weeks for Private Kaylin Neva. In between angling for a promotion, sharing her room with the last living female Dragon and dealing with more refugees than anyone knew what to do with, the unusual egg she’d been given was ready to hatch. Actually, that turned out to be lucky, because it absorbed the energy from the bomb that went off in her quarters….

So now might be the perfect time to leave Elantra and journey to the West March with the Barrani. If not for the disappearances of citizens in the fief of Tiamaris-disappearances traced to the very Barrani Kaylin will be traveling with… -Goodreads

Review contains possible spoilers for earlier books in this series.

Review: I can’t believe I have been with this series for eight books already, it definitely doesn’t feel like it. I really, really love these books and absolutely look forward to each new installment, so when I saw I could get this next chapter early via NetGalley, there was some extreme excitement on my part. I never have any trouble jumping back in to the world of Elantra, and this book was no exception… I was hooked right away! Cast in Peril offers a little bit of every element that makes this series so unique so if you’ve enjoyed this series in the past, I’m confident you’ll find something you like here.

In this series time passes pretty slowly, there have been eight (big!) books so far and I would guess that at the most a couple of months have passed since book 1, but I could be wrong. Cast in Peril is a little different from the books that came before it, in that more time seems to pass but there is less of a major change to the overall arc of the series. Not that nothing happens, you will definitely be on the edge of your seat, but there is less progression and at one point he book even jumps over three whole days, which is pretty unusual for The Chronicles of Elantra. The plot of this story will actually carry through to the next book Cast in Sorrow.

Despite all this, we do get some answers on some longer running plot points of the series. Most notably, Teela and the mystery egg Kaylin has been keeping an eye on. I won’t give anything away but there are a couple of great scenes between Kaylin and the Barrani. These scenes and some of the more creative elements (this series has so much imagination, it really is a must read for those looking for traditional fantasy with a twist) have made this my favorite book in the series so far.

It did take a little while to really feel like I knew where this particular book was headed. It is in no way a quick read and there is definitely a lot going on. At times I felt bogged down in details with too many character and place names to remember that I know I’ve forgotten the details of some important points of previous books. For me that was pretty minor though and I’m sure a lot of readers out there are much better at keeping everything straight in their minds as they are reading though. Once the series is complete I will probably do a second read through will less extreme gaps between books and I’m sure that will help a lot.

Overall, a fantastic addition to a great series. If fantasy is your thing, then I highly recommend you check out The Chronicles of Elantra, and if you’ve already started this series then it is time to start jumping up and down because this next book will not disappoint.

Buy the book @Amazon (US) @Amazon (CAN)

Rating:

 

 

 

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Once Upon A Time Machine- Various Authors

Written By: Kellie - Aug• 22•12

ARC provided by the publisher via NtGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Synopsis: Fairy tales have fueled our dreams and fired our imaginations for centuries. Step inside a time machine built by a collection of today’s finest storytellers, and enter a range of futures where familiar tales are reimagined in an astonishing variety of styles. Editors Andrew Carl and Chris Stevens bring you the next wave of leading writers and illustrators working alongside superstar creators like Farel Dalrymple (Pop Gun War), Ryan Ottley (Invincible), Khoi Pham (Daredevil), and Brandon Graham (King City) to deliver a reading experience that will delight generations young and old. -Goodreads

Review: This is an extremely cool collection of short stories (in the form of comics/graphic novels), Once Upon A Time Machine takes a huge selection of stories we all grew up with and turns them into futuristic or entirely reinvisioned versions. There were a few stories I didn’t recognize (that may have been appropriate additions of newer stories, I’m not sure) which were great, but my favorites were always the stories with hilarious new interpretations of my favorite fables.

While I genuinely enjoyed the vast majority of the stories, there were definitely a few that just had me scratching my head or anxious to get to the end of but I can see how they might appeal to a different audience. There is something in here for everyone. I should also note that I wasn’t able to read three of the stories via the digital ARC I received but there should be no issue with a physical copy (I was reading on an iPad).

Some of my favorites included retellings of Hansel & Gretal, Pinocchio and an in between image of the Three Little Pigs. Awesome! The nuances of The Tortoise and The Hare was totally lost on me, I fully didn’t get the robots racing for tea storyline. That being said, 100% of the art was amazing. I loved it ALL.

While I am not a collector of graphic novels in any sense, Once Upon A Time Machine seems like a great piece to add to any fairy tale collection and is absolutely a must read for anyone who loves both scifi and fables.

Buy the book @Amazon (US) @Amazon (CAN)

Rating:

 

 

 

Second Opinions:
@Auggie Talk
@Darkling Dork
@AimeeKay’s Reviews

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What Miri Larendaughter Means To me

Written By: Kellie - Aug• 21•12

Warning: This post contains spoilers from both Princess Academy books. You can find my review of Palace of Stone, here.

In celebration of the release day of Palace of Stone, the second Princess Academy book, I wanted to talk a bit about what the main character Miri means to me. There has never been a book character that I’ve felt like I could really relate to like this tiny girl from Mount Eskel. Obviously I know next to nothing about quarries and goats and the politics of Kingdoms but at her core, I understand what Miri wants for herself and those she loves.

At one point in the second book, Miri stands in the University library wishing she had time to read every book within its walls. That’s a feeling I think many of us know too well. There is so much to read and learn and there will never be enough time. There are entire subjects of study I will probably never get to, but I know I will look back one day and wish I had found the time for both stories and study. Miri does the best she can with the time she has and I know that’s all any of us can do but I will always wish I could do just a little bit more.

Like Miri, I also have this unstoppable urge for going. When Miri is on Mount Eskel she wants to see what else the world holds, but when she’s in the greatest city in her country there is nothing quite as comforting as thoughts of home. I lived in Ireland for about half a year back around 2009 and felt a lot of the same things. Never homesick and always loving the adventure but Ireland was never really my home.

While the story lines of both Princess Academy books were wonderfully immersive, there is no question that it was Miri who brought these books alive. She faced every challenge she was given with determination but was always accompanied by both a sense of wonder and longing. In the end, I’m not sure I would have made the same decision Miri did but this book isn’t about where you end up, but figuring yourself out and finding what works for you. If you haven’t read these books yet, I highly recommend you do. This is one series that really should be passed on through the generations. <3

Princess Academy 2: Palace of Stone, comes out today!!

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Palace of Stone- Shannon Hale

Written By: Kellie - Aug• 20•12

Synopsis: Coming down from the mountain to a new life in the city seems a thrill beyond imagining. When Miri and her friends from Mount Eskel set off to help the future princess Britta prepare for her royal wedding, she is happy about her chance to attend school in the capital city. There, Miri befriends students who seem so sophisticated and exciting . . . until she learns that they have some frightening plans. They think that Miri will help them, that she “should “help them. Soon Miri finds herself torn between loyalty to the princess and her new friends’ ideas, between an old love and a new crush, and between her small mountain home and the bustling city. Picking up where “Princess Academy “left off, this incredible stand-alone story celebrates the joys of friendship, the delight of romance, and the fate of a beloved fairy tale kingdom. -Goodreads

Review: This summer will always be remembered as the one where I fell in love with Princess Academy (okay, not actually… but it is my new favorite middle grade read). Book one was such a great book, and felt some complete that I really didn’t think a sequel was unnecessary, but after picking up Palace of Stone at BEA, I couldn’t help but try it out and I’m so glad I did.

In book two, Palace of Stone, author Shannon Hale takes all of the themes that were touched on in Princess Academy and amps them up a notch. There are lots of changes coming to the kingdom and of course Miri and her friends are right in the middle of the action. Throughout the book Miri is forced to make a lot of tough choices and really use her brain. So, not only is this a great story for storytelling’s sake but it also has a great message for those readers lucky enough to find this series while they are still in the intended demographic.

Now, I could talk forever about Miri and why I love her so much, but I will save that for tomorrow’s release day post. Needless to say, she is a fantastic character and one that I think a lot of girls could benefit from meeting(/reading about). The rest of the characters play their roles very well and all add something valuable to the overall plot. The girls of Mount Eskel really show how we all have our own strengths and passions, and that they need to be nurtured. Peder gets to play his part in this story as well, which is great but I’m still not sure how I feel about his and Miri’s relationship.

What is the overall plot? Revolution. It turns out that the citizens of Mount Eskel are not the only ones who are getting less than they deserve and there is no question that some big changes need to happen, Miri can see this right away. Where things get tricky is finding out how Britta and the royal family fit into this as they are the ones seen as the source of all of the kingdom’s problems. There is also a strong emphasis on having a love of learning which is something I would love to see more of.

If you haven’t read the first book, Princess Academy, then I highly recommend you start there. It is a fantastic read and will likely go down in history as one of the must read titles for middle grade girls. If you have read it, then you NEED to pick up Palace of Stone and find out what happens to these great characters. Things get a little darker but still match up beautifully with the style of writing we all fell in love with. This book will make you think and fall in love, all in one sitting and is well worth a read.

Buy the book @Amazon (US) @Amazon (CAN)

Rating:

 

 

 

Second Opinions:
@A Patchwork of Books
@It’s All About Books
@Emily’s Reading Room

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Last Days of Freedom Giveaway Hop

Written By: Kellie - Aug• 16•12

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Kitty Steals The Show- Carrie Vaughn

Written By: Kellie - Aug• 15•12

Synopsis: Kitty has been tapped as the keynote speaker for the First International Conference on Paranatural Studies, taking place in London. The conference brings together scientists, activists, protestors, and supernatural beings from all over the world—and Kitty, Ben, and Cormac are right in the middle of it.

Master vampires from dozens of cities have also gathered in London for a conference of their own. With the help of the Master of London, Kitty gets more of a glimpse into the Long Game—a power struggle among vampires that has been going on for centuries—than she ever has before. In her search for answers, Kitty has the help of some old allies, and meets some new ones, such as Caleb, the alpha werewolf of the British Isles. The conference has also attracted some old enemies, who’ve set their sights on her and her friends.

All the world’s a stage, and Kitty’s just stepped into the spotlight. -Goodreads

Review: Wow! Book 10 of the Kitty Norval series and I’m still thoroughly hooked. I preordered this book (my only preorder of the year so far) but for some reason this series never makes it to Chapters/Indigo stores by release week so when my copy didn’t make it to my doorstep before I left for the cottage I had to do the TOTALLY REASONABLE thing and buy a digital copy as well.

Kitty Steals the Show has our main trio (Kitty, her husband Ben and is cousin Cormac) going to London, England for the first ever conference on paranormal activities. This made for a great excuse to go back and visit characters from previous books in the series (which was especially fitting for the tenth book) so while the story did need to jump around a bit, it was a lot of fun to read. In traditional Kitty fashion we also get to meet some really fun new characters as well. I don’t know how Carrie Vaughn comes up with all these quirky supernatural personalities but they’re great.

Obviously the title character is the best fleshed out of the group and she is always the first to come to my mind when thinking about character growth. This girl has come so far from the submissive, bottom of the pack wolf that she was in Kitty and the Midnight Hour. Now she makes it her business to push other peoples buttons and say what no one else will, usually with a solid handful of colorful language.

The other character I want to touch on briefly is Cormac who is FINALLY beginning to grow on me. He has never really been a favorite of mine (and in every book I’m grateful he didn’t end up being the love interest) as he is incredibly sullen all of the time and always seems to be skulking in the shadows with no access to a sense of humor… BUT, I am finally appreciating him as part of Kitty and Ben’s family. He is who they is and they love him regardless. He also managed to grow a bit himself in this book but I will leave that for you to read about.

I recently read an interview with Carrie Vaughn where she suggested that there was no end in site for Kitty which is really great news. This book does a lot in moving the overall storyline forward so there is no risk of this series getting stagnant any time soon. Change is coming and it’s going to be epic. I will keep reading this series for as long as they keep showing up at my book store, albeit a bit late.

Buy the book @Amazon (US) @Amazon (CAN)

Rating:

 

 

 

Second Opinions:
@Short & Sweet Reviews
@Urban Fantasy Investigations
@Fangs, Wands & Fairy Dust

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Shadow Bound- Rachel Vincent

Written By: Kellie - Aug• 14•12

Synopsis: If you live in the dark long enough, you begin to forget the light…

Kori Daniels is a shadow-walker, able to travel instantly from one shadow to another. After weeks of confinement for betraying her boss, she’s ready to break free of the Tower syndicate for good. But Jake Tower has one final job for Kori, one chance to secure freedom for herself and her sister, Kenley, even if it means taking it from someone else….

The job? Recruit Ian Holt-or kill him.

Ian’s ability to manipulate the dark has drawn interest from every syndicate in the world, most notably an invitation from Jake Tower. Though he has no interest in organized crime, Ian accepts the invite, because he’s on a mission of his own. Ian has come to kill Tower’s top Binder: Kori’s little sister. -Goodreads

Review: Not only did I read this book in less than a day, but I (true story) kind of, maybe, fist-pumped at the end. It was that good. Soooo freakin’ good! Rachel Vincent has always been among my top 4 fav. authors, but this book probably put her in the number one spot. She’s going to be untouchable for quite some time. I loved Shadow Bound!

The world that Rachel Vincent has created in her Unbound series is a lot like ours but with a distinct ‘not quite human’ twist that creates a dark edge for the main crew of characters. Those with special abilities must be constantly vigilant to guard their secrets or risk being trapped into something they may never be able to get out of.

Although this is the second book in the series, it focuses on a character who was secondary in Blood Bound (book 1) but is just as awesome as Liv. Kori would be insanely intimidating in person but she was a lot of fun to read and adventure with. After the events of the first book she was in a pretty bad place with a lot on the line but this girl has an unbelievable amount of fight in her. She’s not your typical character by any means but makes for a mesmerizing read! Of course, her counterpart Ian is also a great character and has some secrets of his own (the book is told from alternating perspectives). We do get to see a bit of Cameron and Liv, but not quite as much as I would have liked.

This book is an emotional roller-coaster from start to finish and fair warning, there are some darker moments that are sure to effect a lot of readers. Nobody is entirely honest about their motives and both main characters are constantly second guessing the other, and themselves which can be a lot to follow but as both Kori and Ian had such high stakes you can’t help but feel like the two of them have grabbed onto your heart.

It’s the combination of darkness and kick-asseyness that makes this series so epic. I’m assuming there is going to be an overall arc that this series follows and I’m really curious to see how the final events of Shadow Bound will effect this world as a whole. Feels like everything is about to get a little bit crrrazy. Anyways, I know this

Buy the book @Amazon (US) @Amazon (CAN)

Rating:

 

 

 

Second Opinions:
@Two Chicks on Books
@Clear Eyes, Full Shelves
@Bad Ass Book Reviews

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Bout of Books 5.0

Written By: Kellie - Aug• 13•12

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal.  It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, August 13th and runs through Sunday, August 19th in whatever time zone you are in.  Bout of Books is low-pressure, and the only reading competition is between you and your usual number of books read in a week.  There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional.  For all Bout of Books 5.0 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. -From the Bout of Books 5.0 team

This is my second Bout of Books, and alas… probably the last read-a-thon of the summer. I’m writing my goal post on the 3rd, right before I leave for the cottage which I’m sure will end up being an unofficial read-a-thon as well! Update: I made it through all six books I planned to read at the cottage so time to barrel through to Bout of Books 5.0

Time Devoted To Reading
I will be reading every day for at least half an hour more than I would have read otherwise.

My Goals
– read 4 books
– participate in a Twitter chat

Books To Read
– Promised by Caragh M. O’Brien
– The Forsaken by Lisa M. Stasse
– The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
– TBD

Updates
Monday- Started The Forsaken, 1/3 through The Phantom Tollbooth
Tuesday- Finished The Phantom Tollbooth and started Promised
Thursday- Finished Promised
Friday- Finished Dark Inside

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Prized- Caragh M. O’Brien

Written By: Kellie - Aug• 12•12

Synopsis: Striking out into the wasteland with nothing but her baby sister, a handful of supplies, and a rumor to guide her, sixteen-year-old midwife Gaia Stone survives only to be captured by the people of Sylum, a dystopian society where women rule the men who drastically outnumber them, and a kiss is a crime. In order to see her sister again, Gaia must submit to their strict social code, but how can she deny her sense of justice, her curiosity, and everything in her heart that makes her whole? -Goodreads

Review: Even after just reading the second book, I’m already sad that the third book will be out soon and this series is almost at an end. Prized, like the first book in the Birthmarked trilogy offers a slightly new take on dystopian societies and I love every page of it.

Unlike a lot of dystopian heroines, Gaia is mild mannered and nurturing (which makes a lot of sense as she is a midwife) so while she still has a strong will and quick wit, her first instinct is never to fight her way out of a corner. In prized Gaia finds herself in an entirely new society far away from The Enclave she left behind, where women rule but there are also extremely strict rules that have to be followed. Both for Gaia and as a reader it was extremely frustrating to make heads or tails of all the restrictions that are in place. On more than one occasion you’re going to want to shake these people, but it makes for an emotional read. I always get a little frustrated with books that seem to have an entirely different premise for the second book, but it all worked out for the best here.

One thing I wasn’t completely satisfied with was the love triangle (okay, love square). These things never play out as I want them to, but how Gaia handled everything was still a bit on the predictable side. That being said, I really did like most of the new characters that were introduced, even the obscenely frustrating ones. Everyone had their parts to play and they were written beautifully.

There’s no question that the last book of this series will attempt to merge the two different societies that we’ve been introduced to and I’m curious to see how that will play out. Will everything end in disaster, total revolution or a happy middle? I’m excited to find out. Stay tuned for my review of Promised, the third and final book in this great series.

Buy the book @Amazon (US) @Amazon (CAN)

Rating:

 

 

 

Second Opinions:
@Carina’s Books
@Owl Read It
@Words On Paper

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Looking At Lost Girl

Written By: Kellie - Aug• 11•12

So, not a book topic but I just finished Season 1 of Lost Girl and I want to take a second to talk about it. I know I’m an entire season behind (here in Canada at least) but at least this means I’m a lot less likely to spoil anything for those of you not lucky enough to have seen it yet. I don’t really plan on going into detail anyways.

For those that don’t know, Lost Girl is a Canadian urban fantasy television show about a succubus just finding out she is fae and navigating the politics that come with both the light and dark sides of this underground socierty, along with a rag-tag group of friends… obviously.

After books, television holds a very special place in my heart. I think it’s probably fair to say I just really love a good story, no matter the medium.It has been so much fun seeing one of my all time favorite genres (while I seem to read nothing but YA lately, four of my top five authors earned their spots with amazing urban fantasy) come to life. I don’t think I would have enjoyed it quite as much if this had been one of my favorite series re-invisioned for TV. Part of the fun was falling in love with a new paranormal world.

In Lost Girl, the term Fae encompasses all supernatural beings from werewolves to succubi and each individual has the chance to decide whether they will be light or dark fae, although neither side really cares about humans. In the first episode our main character Bo finds out that she is a succubus and everything that entails and then must make her choice. I highly recommend this series, although I’m sure a lot of you are already watching it… I always seem to be the last one to notice these kind of awesome things.

I love that we’re seeing more and more of these awesome genres that are immensely popular in books come to the silver screen. I’ve recently gotten into Continuum, which has several healthy doses of dystopia mixed in and I am super excited for Revolution which is starting in the fall and is 100% post-apocalyptic.

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