Entries Tagged 'Romance' ↓
August 16th, 2010 — 3.5-4 Treasure Chests, Book Review, M-O, Paranormal, Romance, School Situations
by First Mate Keira
Title: Shadow-Kiss (Vampire Academy Series, Book 3)
Author: Richelle Mead
Format: Paperback
Page Count: 443
Grade Reading Level: Grade 9+
Summary: Lately Rose has been seeing her dead friend around St. Vladimir. Mason’s ghost, if that was what she was really seeing was messing with her and screwing up her trials. Nobody else saw him. So her only explanations were crazy or incompetence. Neither she wants to own up to, but given her lack of options there’s only one way to really go. On top of that, Victor Dashkov is being tried for his crimes but without any of the key witnesses there! If only Dimitri or somebody could get them to the royal court to ensure he was sent to Moroi prison. Oh and Moroi around the school were showing up bruised and injured, but to a one, they are all quiet about what happened to get them that way. What on earth is going on?
Why I started this book:
It’s the next in the series and I had read the previous two. Mead does a lot of exposition and telling in the first couple of pages so anybody can hop into the series at any point in time and know without a doubt what was going on both in story arc and world building.
Likes:
- Who wouldn’t love getting to beat up on a teacher? Rose and her fellow dhampirs get to do just that with all their training instructors during their trials. Rose gets matched up with Lissa’s boyfriend, something she’s not happy about and when Mason’s ghost shows up causing her to lose focus and get Christian ‘killed’ it causes big, big trouble for her.
- Adrian. Love him. He gets the quartet (Rose, Christian, Lissa, and Eddie) to the royal court so they can testify against Victor.
- Rose and Dimitri lying at court. Victor smirking knowingly in the background and his parting shot.
- SPOILER… I’m probably the only weirdo who will like this but I was glad when Dimitri was changed into a Strigoi. It sucks. It’s super angsty. It totally means more drama. For those reasons I love it. I also know somehow, probably with spirit, Dimitri will be changed back into Dhampir or at least Moroi. But this is conjecture. I have more books to read before I can know this for sure.
Dislikes:
- The Moroi torture brigade at the school all trying to figure out how to use compulsion. Now if we’re going to talk about crazy that’s crazy and also beyond stupid…in more ways than one since they are the reason the Strigoi can access St. Vladimir’s in the first place. I was surprised that Rose didn’t go kick all of them in the teeth when she learned that.
- I’m not a big fan of the whole head-hopping business. I get that it’s part of Rose’s shadow-kiss abilities, but I’d much rather focus on her and her story than Lissa’s.
Buy: Shadow Kiss (Vampire Academy, Book 3)
Rating: 4 Treasure Chests
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August 14th, 2010 — 3.5-4 Treasure Chests, Book Review, M-O, Paranormal, Romance
by First Mate Keira
Title: Frosbite (Vampire Academy Series, Book 2)
Author: Richelle Mead
Format: Paperback
Page Count: 327
Grade Reading Level: Grade 9+
Summary: Because Rose was out of school for two years, she’s only now able to take her Qualifier. She's going to be tested by one of the best guardians ever to graduate, Arthur Schoenberg, who’s currently guarding a royal Moroi family. When they first arrive at his home, the two find inside Arthur, his Moroi family, and a few extra guardians slaughtered in what appears to be a massive organized Strigoi attack, something that was believed to be impossible. What are they going to do now?
Why I started this book:
I recently finished Vampire Academy and Frostbite is the second in the series. You can read book two without having read book one because the opening of Frostbite gives the full rundown on the world, it’s culture, people, and sums up the last book.
Likes:
- The change of pace and setting. When a second equally lethal attack happens relatively soon after, all winter travel plans are changed for both the school, the families of the students, and the royal court. Safety can only be found in large numbers and so many go to a Moroi exclusive ski resort that runs at night.
- While the grownups try to figure out what to do about the Strigoi, Rose is trying to figure out her love life. Caught between the man she loves, the boy she thinks she should, and a flirtatious bad boy Moroi royal, Rose has a lot on her plate.
- Mia coming over to the light side and not being such a horrible character. Hurray!
- Adrian giving Rose all that perfume and her response. Too cute.
- Adrian's nickname for Rose, "Little Dhampir."
Dislikes:
- Rose’s relationship with her mother, Janine Hathaway. I much prefer happy mom-daughter pairs compared to hostile warring fractions. Neither Rose or Janine understand the other and instead of truly talking they gripe and bungle every conversation.
- Rose’s bond to Lissa seems awfully one-sided and only convenient for Lissa. If only the bond between them worked in reverse! At least about being able to see inside each other’s heads.
- Have I mentioned the Dhampirs are brainwashed to be pro-Moroi all the time? Sheesh. Seriously, why can't the Moroi protect themselves? Good thing the Ozeras are around or the outcome of Frostbite would be way different.
Buy: Frostbite (Vampire Academy, Book 2)
Rating: 3.5 Treasure Chests
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August 12th, 2010 — 2.5-3 Treasure Chests, Action & Adventure, Book Review, Friends, M-O, Paranormal, Romance, School Situations
by First Mate Keira
Title: Vampire Academy (Vampire Academy Series, Book 1)
Author: Richelle Mead
Format: Paperback
Page Count: 332
Grade Reading Level: Grade 9+
Summary: After two years on the run, Rose Hathaway and Vasilisa (Lissa) Dragomir are captured by a group of Guardians and sent back to St. Vladimir’s Academy. Lissa is a Moroi, or a good vampire, and the last of her royal line, making her a princess. Rose is a mix of human and vampire, known as a dhampir. Dhampirs grow up to be Guardians, who are the protectors of Moroi. From the beginning dhampirs are taught “They come first” and that they need Moroi to reproduce. Best friends, Rose and Lissa share a bond, something that they learn more about back at school. There was a reason they left St. Vladimir’s in the first place… and now that they’re back again they have to navigate the social hierarchy, catch up on two years worth of classes, fall in love with two inappropriate boys, and solve the mystery that sent them fleeing in the first place.
Why I started this book:
I kept seeing the book series in stores, around the blogosphere, and in the library. It was recommended to me as a good series for Twilight fans. I finally picked it up when I heard it might be made into a movie sometime in the future.
Likes:
- The friendship between Lissa and Rose. They seem to really care for each other and want what’s best. They get into fights, they keep secrets from one another, but they’re very tight and supportive too. They don’t compete with each other.
- Mead captures the spirit of a teenage girl and infuses it into her heroine, Rose. She becomes a perfect pot of contradiction with heavy sarcasm, flirting, insecurity, and confidence.
- I like that the half-vampires and good vampires are alive and that the blood drinking is limited to Moroi and Strigoi (undead/bad vampires).
- Mead creates a solid story based on real folklore, like the Balklan myth of Dhampirs, and imagination. I really like the integration and world-building. It’s pretty complex.
Dislikes:
- The underage romance between Dimitri and Rose. She’s a year shy of being legally an adult and it might not make much of a difference to some people, but it rubs me the wrong way and sends a bad message.
- All the dead animals being planted on and in Lissa’s things by some weirdo. No wonder Lissa and Rose ran before – wouldn’t you to get away from this sort of creepy stalker displays? Yuck.
- Yet again, all the cool kids and everybody else seems to be drinking and/or smoking or have done it in the past. Doesn’t the word underage count for anything? Where are the teachers on all of this? Sheesh. There needs to be several room raids since lockers aren’t in use.
- There’s a lot of telling instead of showing in the novel, which can make it hard to read and occasionally a little lackluster, but the plotline and characters have me hooked.
Buy: Vampire Academy (Vampire Academy, Book 1)
Rating: 3 Treasure Chests
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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 31st, 2010 — 3.5-4 Treasure Chests, Action & Adventure, Advance Reader Copy Review, Coming of Age, Fantasy, J-L, Romance, School Situations
by First Mate Keira
Title: The Dream Maker in the Desert (Society Series, Book 1)
Author: Marie Krushing
Format: Trade Paperback
Page Count: 527
Grade Reading Level: 7+ Grade
Summary: Emmet Watts was an outcast in school. Students labeled him a freak and as a result nobody was brave enough to be his friend. One night while taking out the garbage, Emmet is confronted by a creepy man and rescued from him by a team of others. In the world he’s whisked away to, Emmet learns one thing was true. He was a freak – a superhero with powers as yet undiscovered. He’s given a choice. He can return home, no questions asked or he can stay and discover who he was really meant to be. In the end there was only one choice Emmet could live with…
Why I started this book:
It was offered to LYAF as an ARC which we accepted.
Likes:
- This is a very boy friendly novel and book series with lots of action, fighting, sparring, and a general cool factor due to superhero powers. It’s even got elements that will make it girl friendly too.
- Chris is Emmet’s mentor and team captain within the Society and is a pretty awesome guy. He trains Emmet, defends him, sticks up for him, and talks sense into him whenever the occasion demands it. That makes him a very good friend. His superpower is night vision but that also makes darkness his greatest fear.
- The Kelly/Emmet relationship is cute and I definitely want to see it developed more.
- It was very cool to see what superheroes feared. I already mentioned Chris' fear, I won't mention the others. You will have to read and find out for yourself.
- Braeden is a well drawn bad guy. I liked very much how Krushing used his power to manipulate fears and dreams against him at the end. I wasn’t expecting it at all.
Dislikes:
- While wrapping up the first Society series novel in a very clean and tidy way, I have to wonder who will be running the Dark Ones next? I can think of two from those mentioned already in the series, but they were followers first, it might be hard to reconcile them as leaders in the next book.
- Kenny is the standard YA school bully. I feel he needs a little more to his character. He’s not really a threat and is drawn in a rather pathetic light as his arrogance and entitlement make him delusional. There’s no way right now he’d stand a chance against Emmet ever yet he keeps picking (verbal) fights. I want him to get superpowers. That would up the rivalry.
Last Minute Thoughts: The Society series is slated to be a trilogy. I’m interested in seeing what happens to our hero, Emmet Watts.
Buy: The Dream Maker in the Desert
Rating: 4 Treasure Chests
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