Entries Tagged '4.5-5 Treasure Chests' ↓
August 4th, 2010 — 4.5-5 Treasure Chests, Action & Adventure, Advance Reader Copy Review, Fantasy, J-L, Romance
by First Mate Keira
Title:The Iron Daughter (Book 2 in Iron Fey Series)
Author: Julie Kagawa
Format: Kindle ebook
Page Count: 304 (Paperback)
Grade Reading Level: Grade 7+
Summary: Meghan Chase is prisoner in the Winter Court waiting for Queen Mab to request her presence. She’s having trouble accessing the glamour… in fact she can’t even make the air shimmer. It’s as if going to the Iron Court and coming into her powers never happened. She doesn’t know why this is happening and she doesn’t know where Ash has gone or why when he comes back he’s so cold and distant. When the Scepter of the Seasons is stolen and the Crown Prince is murdered Queen Mab imprisons Meghan in ice, refusing to listen to her story that the Iron Fey did it, and calls for war on the Summer Court. A new battle to save the Nevernever begins, but first Meghan’s got to free herself.
Why I started this book:
I love the first novel and short story of Iron Fey Series and requested the book from the publisher.
Likes:
- Grimalkin is still my favorite snarky cat. I love him to pieces.
- Iron Horse comes back and is developed past the steaming loudmouth from the first book and really becomes quite likable. It makes his fate very sad.
- Puck recovers and is back to his usual merrymaking and has a blast fighting against the Iron Fey. He declares himself to Meghan and they share some kisses.
- Ash is the damaged hero of my dreams. He’s constantly struggling with himself. He knows he should push Meghan away and does so but then he does what he feels and that’s pulling her closer.
- Virus is one fun power tripping bad gal. Too bad she can’t be swayed to the good side; she’d make an excellent lieutenant.
- The double crossing and back stabbing betrayal of certain members of the Winter Court. Hehe. Nobody saw that coming did they? Wink.
- Meghan’s accidental discovery of Iron glamour.
Toss-Up:
- Leanesidhe is a toss-up for me. I’m not for or against her at this point. She’s very interesting being the first fey to build a Court for herself outside of the Nevernever by using the In-Between. She’s helpful because it’s in her best interests, but if it’s not, watch out!
Dislikes:
- It seemed obvious to me why Ash was acting as he was to Meghan and considering he told her time and again he’d have to act a certain way in the Winter Court, so when she acts surprised and is hurt I just wanted to shake her. That girl thought up all sorts of wrong reasons why he’s cold and distant (mean) to her instead of just listening to him and going with what he said. He was very upfront and was trying to protect her from the shenanigans that would have happened had others known of his interest.
- The Puck/Meghan relationship isn’t fleshed out convincingly enough to make this a strong love triangle. The decision seems so clear and in the end Meghan really didn’t have a choice to make, she already knew what she was going to do.
Last Minute Thoughts: I’m ready for The Iron Queen. Are you?
Buy: The Iron Daughter (Paperback)
, The Iron Daughter (Kindle)
Rating: 5 Treasure Chests
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July 29th, 2010 — 4.5-5 Treasure Chests, Book Review, Fantasy, G-I, Romance, School Situations
by First Mate Keira
Title: Hex Hall
Author: Rachel Hawkins
Format: Kindle ebook
Page Count: 336 pages (Hardback)
Grade Reading Level: Grade 8+
Summary: Sophie has known for a couple of years that she’s a witch. She loves the way magic feels tingling up from her soles to her fingertips. It’s a rush. Unfortunately for Sophie a love spell gone horribly wrong gets her sentenced to Hecate (affectionately Hex Hall) the reform school for irresponsible Prodigium (witches, faeries, and shapeshifters). There she meets 3 beautiful mean Dark Witches who want her to join their coven, makes friends with the school pariah, makes enemies of the Vandy, and crushes on the most popular if annoying boy in the whole school all the while dark and scary things are taking place up in the girl’s dormitory.
Why I started this book:
Read the summary – it looked cute. I’ve also seen the title around a lot in the YA blogosphere.
Likes:
- Hawkins is absolutely hysterical. In my Kindle version I must have highlighted three or four phrases and considered doing so to another six. I especially liked: “I don’t need eyes to see you. I see you with the eyes of my heart! Felicia! My heart!” (That’s just remembering though I think it’s pretty accurate.)
- Sophie Mercer is a huge dork and the source of most of the humor in the story as it’s told in first person. She’s great and her sarcastic and witty barbs will leave you in stitches.
- Archer Cross is a yummy hero. Of course he’s the popular unattainable guy who is dating Elodie who is out to get Sophie, but hey you can only fault his taste in women not the guy himself. There’s definitely more to him than what meets the eye and that includes the big shocker at the end.
- Jenna the 15 year old vampire girl who loves pink.
Dislikes:
- It was done so cutely it’s hard to really put this as a dislike, but Sophie is a potty mouth and cursed a lot.
- Classes weren’t done in any real detail except the first Defense class.
- Of the 3 Dark Witch popular girls only Elodie was truly fleshed out. I thought some of the faeries were crueler and could have been used to create more drama.
Favorite Quote: “I don’t need eyes to see you! I see you with the eyes of my heart, Felicia! My HEART!”
Last Minute Thoughts: Looking forward to book two, which is maybe, possibly, titled Demonglass. It's hard to tell the author's blog is a little disorganized and a quick look at her website code doesn't open some of the links.
Buy: Hex Hall (Book 1) (Hardback)
, Hex Hall (Book One) (Kindle)
Rating: 4.5 Treasure Chests
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July 27th, 2010 — 4.5-5 Treasure Chests, Advance Reader Copy Review, Fantasy, J-L, Romance
by First Mate Keira
Title: Winter’s Passage (Book 1.5 in Iron Fey Series)
Author: Julie Kagawa
Format: Kindle ebook
File Size: 211 KB
Grade Reading Level: Grade 7+
Summary: Winter’s Passage explores the gap of time between Iron King and Iron Daughter. If you remember, Meghan Chase made a deal with Ash, prince of the Winter court, to go with him willingly back with him to the heart of Unseelie territory and into Queen Mab. Winter’s Passage starts when Ash comes to collect on this promise. The journey is not without its challenges. On the way to Tir na nog an ancient rarely seen enemy begins to hunt them…and according to Ash nobody ever wins against it.
Why I started this book:
I just finished reading Iron King and wanted to know what happened next and didn’t want to wait for the release of Iron Daughter. I got a copy from the publisher. It's a free ebook for a limited time online and might still be—you will have to check it out.
Likes:
- The ancient scary enemy is the Big Bad Wolf. Kagawa writes deliciously thrilling fight scenes between the Big Bad Wolf, Ash, and Meghan.
- That Meghan isn’t a complete dead weight in a fight. Yay girl power!
- When Meghan doesn’t abandon Ash during a golden opportunity, it confuses him and yet shows him just how human she is… which frightens him because he knows this loyalty of hers will get her hurt in his home court. Poor faery boy.
- The continuance of Meg and Ash’s relationship. He drops his icy demeanor around her and they get very close. You can’t question his love for her even if his loyalties must go to his mother, Queen Mab.
- I think fans of the series should read this before starting Iron Daughter because it’s very illuminating, and while portions of it are found in reminisce on Meghan’s part in the second book, they have a stronger punch set within the novella.
Buy: Winter's Passage (Kindle)
Rating: 5 Treasure Chests
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July 15th, 2010 — 4.5-5 Treasure Chests, Advance Reader Copy Review, Fantasy, J-L, Romance
by First Mate Keira
Title:The Iron King
Author: Julie Kagawa
Format: Kindle Ebook
Page Count: 368 (Paperback)
Grade Reading Level: Grade 7+
Summary: Meghan Chase is just your ordinary unpopular girl trying to navigate the hierarchy of high school, get her driver’s permit, and possibly a date with the hottest boy. Her best friend, Robin Goodfellow, calls her princess, an endearment she despises. What she doesn’t know is just how apt that nickname is because she is the bastard daughter of Oberon, King of the Seelie fairies and of Summer. When her younger half brother, Ethan, is kidnapped and taken to the Nevernever, Robin sheds his glamour and reveals that he is her protector and Puck, yes that Puck, from Shakespeare’s play A Midsummer Night’s Dream. In very little time Meghan finds her whole world turned upside down and that rescuing her brother will require help, loads of help, in the form of a cat, an Unseelie prince, and her best friend.
Why I started this book:
I requested a reader copy from the publisher because I love romances and was eager to read something from Harlequin’s new teen romance line. I picked this novel also because I had seen the title appear a lot on the YA blogosphere.
Likes:
- Julie Kagawa is absolutely brilliant. Her world building is vibrant, full and lively, and it literally leaps off the page. I enjoyed her new type of fairy species—a masterful stroke that really gives the story a new dimension. I would go into more details but it’s so much more fun discovering the answer for yourself.
- Ash, the Unseelie prince, is a spectacularly drawn character. He’s that aloof hero whose motives are hard to determine. He hides a soft heart behind a cold hard façade and makes for a truly forbidden love interest. Yum.
- Puck, he’s the wayward merrymaker who at times isn’t the best judge of when too far is too far. I have a feeling he’s also in love with Meghan but as of yet hasn’t made his feelings known and Meghan views him as her best friend, not a love interest.
- Grimalkin or Grim, the cat. He reminds me of the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland and is another fantastic well drawn character. He’s sarcastic, condescending, and witty. He trades favors and barters without a plan seemingly in mind in order to extract another promise or favor from someone else. You can find him wherever something interesting is taking place.
Last Minute Thoughts: The worst part of the book is that it ended! The next in novel in the series cannot come too quickly for me. I can’t wait to read The Iron Daughter.
Buy: The Iron King (Harlequin Teen)
Rating: 5 Treasure Chests
P.S. The Iron King is the perfect story to read for any Twilight fan looking for a new series to love.
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July 11th, 2010 — 4.5-5 Treasure Chests, Book Review, M-O, Romance, School Situations, Science Fiction
by First Mate Keira
Title: Academy 7
Author: Anne Osterlund
Format: Trade Paperback
Page Count: 259
Grade Reading Level: Grade 8 +
Summary: Academy 7 is like Star Wars meets Harry Potter. Two kids, Aerin and Dane, must overcome great odds to attend and survive their first year in the universe’s most prestigious school. Aerin must hide her true background, that of a fugitive slave from an X-Level planet. Dane must outwit his father, one of the Alliance's most powerful leaders, who loathes him and favors his elder brother. Both are excellent students and compete for top grade in every class. Trickery abounds and their only hope is to navigate it together.
Why I started this book:
I bought Academy 7 for something to read on a road trip.
Likes:
- The world-building is swift, complete, and extremely interesting. It’s fun to see that in a world so advanced there’s still budget problems which result in a crumbling school that still manages to keep and maintain advance computers. I can’t wait to see how certain factors play out.
- Aerin is a strong female character. She excels at computers and fighting, attributes rarely given to heroines. She’s also fragile, constantly worried about exposure. She comes to realize she knows almost nothing about her parents and with Dane’s help is determined to unlock the secret.
- Dane is the typical cocky good-looking rich and popular boy. His life however isn’t as pretty as it seems. His father hates him and he’s not entirely sure why. The only planet he has called home until school, isn’t a place he can ever return to—not if he wants to live to see another day.
- I loved the fighting classes. Aerin whipping Dane over and over again is really quite fun. I also like that Dane isn’t so insecure about it. He actually proposes a deal to help her learn Alliance history in exchange for more beat downs (training to be a better fighter).
Dislikes:
- I think the mean girl of the school was dropped a little too soon. I don’t know who is going to take her place and cause friction in the future.
Last Minute Thoughts: Academy 7 is the possible start of a trilogy (woohoo!), but the author has admitted it takes her a lot of time to write her stories and currently she is working on a sequel to another story. I hope she finishes it soon because I want to know what happens next for Aerin and Dane.
Buy: Academy 7
Rating: 4.5 Treasure Chests
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