Blog Tour: Touch Of Frost Review

Jennifer Estep's website here // $9.95 from {amazon}
Series: Mythos Academy #1
Publisher: Kensington (August 1, 2011)
Paperback: 336 pages
Source: Blog Tour
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Summary: 

My name is Gwen Frost, and I go to Mythos Academy — a school of myths, magic and warrior whiz kids, where even the lowliest geek knows how to chop off somebody's head with a sword and Logan Quinn, the hottest Spartan guy in school, also happens to be the deadliest. But lately, things have been weird, even for Mythos. First, mean girl Jasmine Ashton was murdered in the Library of Antiquities. Then, someone stole the Bowl of Tears, a magical artifact that can be used to bring about the second Chaos War. You know, death, destruction and lots of other bad, bad things. Freaky stuff like this goes on all the time at Mythos, but I'm determined to find out who killed Jasmine and why—especially since I should have been the one who died...
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My Thoughts: 

These days it’s hard to impress the “boarding school paranormal or urban fantasy (BSP/UF)” series clique: HEX HALL, OH. MY. GODS., VAMPIRE ACADEMY, HOUSE OF NIGHT, DARK ELITE, etc. That’s not to say it’s impossible by any means, but there’s definitely some pressure; it’s like being the new kid among the snobby mean girls. So, has TOUCH OF FROST passed the entrance exam into the school of unique BSP/UF series to watch out for?* I think so.

TOUCH OF FROST begins as many others do – with death (and a caring grandmother). What’s different about TOUCH OF FROST is that Gwen, our go-to-girl, is a gypsy with past-revealing powers upon physical contact. And that’s only the tip of the mythological iceberg as Mythos Academy reveals Valkyries, Amazons, Spartans, and much, much more. Don’t know much about them? You’re covered, as TOUCH OF FROST seamlessly slips in enough mythology so that even you hobbits from Lonely Mountain will stay in the loop. Jennifer Estep expertly molds these traditional tales around the plot of TOUCH OF FROST, and though the story starts off slow and almost scarily cliché, the delightfully unexpected twist ending strongly hints at still undiscovered mythology and exciting action in books to come.

As for Gwen, she's the "perfect" YA protagonist. She maintains a strong, humorous voice throughout, and is a balanced mix of vulnerability, strength, and overall relateability. Yet she's just a little too perfect with no real personality quirks that can make me say THAT'S GWEN. Instead, Daphne, the traditional mean girl -- technically Valkyrie -- that turns out to be not so bad, ended up being my favorite character. Surprisingly so, since she's a little too pink for my taste, but I love her 'tude. And not so much the attitude of Logan, the traditional (do you see a trend here?) mysterious, tortured, and brooding** bad boy. Boy, get over yourself please.

TOUCH OF FROST was like Gwen herself: enjoyable, but not overly unique. The mythology was easily the highlight of TOUCH OF FROST, and without it, I can definitely see TOUCH OF FROST lost among the crowd. That being said, Jennifer Estep really does create an intriguing world and presents it in a fun, light-hearted manner that will doubtlessly attract many-a-teenager. 

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Bottom Line: I highly recommend TOUCH OF FROST for BSUF fans looking for a new series addiction or mythology fans in general. In movie terms, TOUCH OF FROST was like a trailer for me. It gives tantalizing glimpses of what the Mythos Academy promises and sets up a general stage for future action/romance/anything else Jennifer Estep decides to throw in there. Definite potential, but will it be a full-fledged member of the BSP/UF clique or just a lowly minion? Only time will tell.  

Cover: ...I like it? It's clean and suits TOUCH OF FROST. But, again, face shot... a little bit of background... where have I seen this before? (Answer: EVERYWHERE. So don't feel bad, TOUCH OF FROST. *pats*)

FOOTIES:
* ALL PUNS INTENTIONAL. Just saying.
** ...I need an acronym for this. Mysterious, tortured, brooding = MTB. Or simply E for Edward.

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This review is posted on behalf of The {Teen} Book Scene TOUCH OF FROST tour. Click to visit the rest of the tour stops (with interviews, reviews, and what fun have you) and check out Jennifer Estep's earlier guest post here. :)

Nightspell Week: Nightspell Review & Giveaway!

Leah Cypess's website here // $9.99 from {amazon}
Publisher: Greenwillow Books (May 31, 2011)
Hardcover: 336 pages
Source: Author
Summary:

When Darri rides into Ghostland, a country where the living walk with the dead, she has only one goal: to rescue her younger sister Callie, who was sent to Ghostland as a hostage four years ago. But Callie has changed in those four years, and now has secrets of her own.

In her quest to save her sister from herself, Darri will be forced to outmaneuver a handsome ghost prince, an ancient sorcerer, and a manipulative tribal warrior (who happens to be her brother). When Darri discovers the source of the spell that has kept the dead in Ghostland chained to this earth, she faces a decision that will force her to reexamine beliefs she has never before questioned - and lead her into the heart of a conspiracy that threatens the very balance of power between the living and the dead.

My Thoughts:

It took me over ten tries to get this right: NIGHTSPELL is indescribable. It’s indescribably amazing. It’s indescribably fantastical. In a word, it’s brilliant. (And, yes, paradoxical.) Leah Cypess is quickly becoming one of my favorite YA fantasy writers, and in NIGHTSPELL, it’s clearly evident why.

My top reason to love: Leah Cypess is a master at world-building and plot-weaving. NIGHTSPELL doesn’t just throw out some Ghostland facts and leave you attempting to connect-the-dots. Rather, it gradually and seamlessly laces them together to form a rich history and haunting setting. Nothing in NIGHTSPELL is simply “a crack,” it’s “a hairline crack [that] spread along the length of a black-speckled gray coil” (315, ARC).

Likewise, the plot is fully fleshed out and filled with just as many twists-and-turns as its companion novel, MISTWOOD. For those that have read MISTWOOD, Rokan’s sister Clarisse steals the spotlight in NIGHTSPELL. She’s the same Oscars-worthy actress and cunning enigma that I knew and loved (though her previous history isn’t vital to the plot). She’s so incredibly self-serving, but man, do I like it that way. Clarisse is the one who makes so much of the plot unpredictable and exciting, and when everything does finally click together, it’s definitely a historical “WOW” moment.

However, what failed to impress me were the characters: solid, but not great. NIGHTSPELL switches between Darri, Varis, and Callie’s point of views, which was... fine. I didn’t really gain any spectacular insight about Varis or Callie, whose perspectives really just worked to further the plot. They lacked that extra ounce of unique personality, which, actually, could be said of all the characters, from primary to secondary ones. They each seemed driven by one self-defining purpose, and past that, it was a fuzzy fog. I had some quick glimpses and possible ideas, but never felt like I saw the raw essence of personality. That being said, the characters all had genuine struggles and authentic voices, and it was enjoyable learning more about them. 

In the end, does it matter that I wouldn't cry buckets if a character died? Not at all. NIGHTSPELL is a book that revolves around its stunning, mystical world and constant intrigue, and after adding some more action, what could be a better recipe for a fantasy-lover? :)

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Romance: No real physical contact. There's the promise of something at the end, but sometimes reality cuts in and I'm glad NIGHTSPELL reflects that.

Cover:  I LOVE IT. The castle is perhaps a bit too pretty and Disney-esque, but the girl on top really matches my mental image of Darri.

Bottom Line: I highly recommend both NIGHTSPELL and MISTWOOD to fantasy and, to a lesser extent, mystery lovers, because the plot and setting are just that amazing. If you're not that into either genre, it's still a great book, just go in knowing what to expect.

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Since I love Leah Cypess's books, I thought I'd give someone else a chance to read my finished copy of Mistwood. If you'd like the chance to win Nightspell, enter here. Remember you can comment on this review for an extra entry into the Nightspell giveaway! :)

Rules:
• To enter, fill out the form below.
** You must be at least 13 years old to enter.
• Open Internationally
• Contest ends Thursday, June 2nd at 11:59 EST
• For more information, please view my contest policy.

Review: Twisted Tales Series by Maureen McGowan

Maureen McGowan's website here // C:NW $8.95 from {amazon} // SB: VS $8.95 from {amazon}
Publisher: Silver Dolphin Books; Reprint edition (April 1, 2011)
Paperback: 320 pages
Source: Premier Virtual Author Book Tours {here}

 
Cinderella: Ninja Warrior (Twisted Tales #1)
Summary:

In this fast-paced story full of adventure and romance, Cinderella is more than just a servant girl waiting for her prince—she's a tough, fearless girl who is capable of taking charge of a dangerous situation. Seeking to escape the clutches of her evil stepmother, Cinderella perfects her ninja skills and magic talents in secret, waiting for the day when she can break free and live happily ever after. In a special twist, readers have the opportunity to make key decisions for Cinderella and decide where she goes next—but no matter the choice; the result is a story unlike any fairy tale you've ever read!

My Thoughts:

CINDERELLA: NINJA WARRIOR is exactly what the title promises: fun, original, and deliciously twisted. So twisted, in fact, that I really hesitate to call it a fairytale retelling. It’s much more like a new fairytale reimagining, unless in the traditional fairytale, I somehow missed the part where Cinderella leaps across shifting blocks in her ball gown and glass slippers. Oh, and the page where she walks calmly across broken glass? Right.

When thinking of this book, I’m in serious danger of only reviewing it with one word: fun. CINDERELLA: NINJA WARRIOR defines light fun. New crazy-but-awesome ideas are constantly being introduced, and while there isn’t much depth, the scope is truly impressive (ninjas and magic?). The balance between background and action was perfect, dull moments be banished.

In terms of characters, I applaud the fact that Cinderella actually has character. As much of a closet Disney fan as I am, let’s face it: Disney princesses are not known for their unwavering courage and kickass-bility. So it’s refreshing to see Cinderella not only adept at physical defense, but also independent and freed from the whole “love at first sight, prince sweeps me away,” one-chance-only deal. I give major points to her for refusing the swoon at the prince’s feet.

Having already talked about content, I can’t neglect to mention the “choose-your-story” aspect that makes CINDERELLA: NINJA WARRIOR so unique, and so reminiscent of when I was six and believed myself to be the queen of choosing my own endings. The novelty of the furious page-flipping definitely adds to the fun factor, and though it gives an idea of just how short the story is (divides page number by two), the light-hearted magic likely would wear away over the course of another hundred pages. My only grumble is that sometimes I would say “no wand,” for instance, and she’d get one anyways... which doesn’t quite give the same heady feeling of power, but it’ll do.

Overall, CINDERELLA: NINJA WARRIOR is a book that flows easily in both writing and plot, and is like literary whipped cream for fairytale fans of all ages.

My Rating: 4 out of 5

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Sleeping Beauty: Vampire Slayer (Twisted Tales #2)
Summary:

In this thrilling story full of adventure and romance, Sleeping Beauty is more than just a lonely princess waiting for her prince—she's a brave, tenacious girl who never backs down from a challenge. With vampire-slaying talents that she practices in secret, Sleeping Beauty puts her courage to the test in the dark of night, fighting evil as she searches for a way to break the spell that has cut her off from her family. In a special twist, readers have the opportunity to make key decisions for Sleeping Beauty and decide where she goes next—but no matter the choice; the result is a story unlike any fairy tale you've ever read!

My Thoughts:

(To avoid being redundant, I’ll be concentrating on my differing thoughts on CINDERELLA: NINJA WARRIOR and SLEEPING BEAUTY: VAMPIRE SLAYER.)

If CINDERELLA: NINJA WARRIOR was the whipped cream, SLEEPING BEAUTY: VAMPIRE SLAYER was much of the same… but a few days expired. In areas where CINDERELLA: NINJA WARRIOR shines, this book glows dimly. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still enjoyable, but the characters, plot, and originality aren’t quite up to par.

My main issue was by far the romance. Sleeping Beauty’s tale is centered around the necessity of finding true love’s kiss, so it’s not surprise that romance has a greater presence in SLEEPING BEAUTY: VAMPIRE SLAYER. And that’s fine. Rather, my problem lies in the Sleeping Beauty Lucette’s romantic interest. Admittedly, she doesn’t have many romantic prospects, considering all the humans are asleep at night, but I never felt that their love was genuine with that fairytale ability to last forever-and-a-day. When her love does profess his feelings, I was literally waiting for him to pop out with “JK, I only think you’re hot!” It sounds crude, but I'm just glad that my opinion of him transitioned from dislike to apathy. He does later show some redeeming qualities, but the way he was introduced never let me shake the feeling of shallowness and general... unease. That feeling when someone is simply too nice, that there has to be burried darkness.  

That being said, SLEEPING BEAUTY: VAMPIRE SLAYER still features fluid writing and fun plot. Making Sleeping Beauty a vampire slayer was absolutely ingenious; by making the kingdom and Lucette fall asleep at different times (rather than all the time), we see another Disney princess that actually does something, and what else is awake at night but a vampire? The night undoubtedly places limitations on plot, yet despite the repetitive cycles of slaying-after-slaying, Maureen McGowan still manages to bring in some original ideas, such as vampire rose allergies and vampire politics. All-in-all, I’m happy with how she managed to work the plot to give it that twist.

My Rating: 3 out of 5

Bottom Line: I can't stress enough how fun Maureen McGowan's TWISTED TALES are. They're refreshingly brief, unique, and so, so twisted that I never found myself able to predict what was coming next. Great reads for fairytale lovers!

Cover: I actually like them. They're simple but suit the stories, really bringing out the originality and playfulness with the interesting costumes and bright colors. The more I look at them, the more perfect I think they are. Not jaw-dropping gorgeous, but brilliant all the same.

Review: Corsets and Clockwork by Trisha Telep

anthology // $9.95 from {amazon}
Publisher: Running Press Kids (April 26, 2011)
Paperback: 448 pages
Source: Publisher
Summary:

Dark, urban fantasies come to life in the newest collection of Steampunk stories, Corsets & Clockwork. Young heroes and heroines battle evils with the help of supernatural or super-technological powers, each individual story perfectly balancing historical and fantastical elements. Throw in epic romances that transcend time, and this trendy, engrossing anthology is sure to become another hit for the fast-growing Steampunk genre!

This collection features some of the hottest writers in the teen genre, including: Ann Aguirre, Jaclyn Dolamore, Tessa Gratton, Frewin Jones, Caitlin Kittredge, Adrienne Kress, Lesley Livingston, Dru Pagliassotti, Dia Reeves, Michael Scott, Maria V. Snyder, Tiffany Trent, and Kiersten White.

Rating: View my rating system.




My Thoughts: in the order I read the stories... no individual ratings, but ♥ means I would read this story again.
 

• Under Amber Skies by Maria V. Snyder – I absolutely love Maria V. Snyder’s Study series, and this short story has intriguing action, plot, and courageous boy in true MVS style. It’s a new spin on Poland during World War II and one of the more directly steampunk stories in this collection, with an army of mechanical crabs (an Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa moment) and enhanced Nazi’s. I definitely didn’t foresee the twist at the end, though it made the story memorable. ♥

• King of the Greenlight City by Tessa Gratton – One of my favorites in the collection for the fairytale feel. It’s in third person, in keeping with true fairytale format, and has a uniquely steampunk-magical spin. The plot-line is cliché but Tessa Gratton’s writing is beautiful and spot-on with the details. Another very bittersweet ending. ♥

• Wild Magic by Ann Aguirre – While not my favorite story, it has my favorite male character: Pick. Partially because of his Fey beauty, partially because he has the whole “cold warrior exterior and inner romantic softie” thing going for him. Wild Magic has an intriguing world that I wish I wish I could’ve learned more about, rather than just an introduction in the beginning and glimpses from time-to-time, but the story was still enjoyable, if, again, a bit cliché. ♥

• The Clockwork Corset by Adrienne Kress – A very cute read about a brave, determined girl who’s willing to do anything to protect her childhood friend and true love, including going to the war’s frontlines. The cute trend continued through the ending, and it was tied up nicely with a sweet, paragraph-long epilogue reminiscent of a fairytale happily ever after. ♥

• The Airship Gemini by Jaclyn Dolamore – Original, for sure. This story follows Faith, one member of a pair of conjoined twins, who performs as a freak. I didn’t really connect with the characters, but that may be due to the concentration on the plot and setting, both of which took a while to set up. Did I mention this is the only story with vampires and magic?

• Chickie Hill’s Badass Ride by Dia Reeves – Different, but that’s what I expect from Dia Reeves: always unique, a bit scary, a bit strange, and a whole lot of awesome. This story is set solidly in America in 1961, complete with ‘60’s dialogue, retro cars, little boy-draining aliens, a kick-alien-ass teen female activist, and her genius boyfriend, Chickie. And when I say genius, I literally mean “ability to control the world” genius. So Dia Reeves, and so seriously righteous. ♥

• Code of Blood by Dru Pagliassoti – Award for cool action and most fleshed out plot. Code of Blood was like an extremely, extremely compact yet epic adventure as they rushed to keep the French out of Venezia. The characters were courageous and lovable, especially because I have a sweet spot for shameless flirts, and the setting and historical background were very well-detailed for such a short read. Fast-paced, and it’s Venezia. I say again, cool. ♥

• Deadwood by Michael Scott – Definitely less in the romance department but much, much more in the steampunk. Deadwood is another fast-paced story focusing on automata and gun-toting humans, so it’s no surprise that it’s all action, action, action. But that’s good; it was a refreshing break from the romances I read before this one, and I loved the intriguing details, like the Shaman-cursed darts.

• Rude Mechanicals by Lesley Livingston – Also not all romance – yay! I would have liked a bit more character description and it felt like it just flew past me. But overall, Rude Mechanicals was an interesting tale of technology gone wrong. When your automaton Juliet is a bit too Juliet...

• The Vast Machinery by Caitlin Kittredge– This was the shortest story, coming in at 17 pages as opposed to the usual 30 or so. I’m still not entirely sure what to make of this one... Half-interesting and half-confusing, The Vast Machinery is definitely distinctive among the bunch. Think creepy, steampunk muse.

• Tick, Tick Boom by Kiersten White – Another very cute read with more steampunk inventions and a budding relationship. It’s all about what lies under appearances in industrial England as they scurry to free Wilcox. Not particularly stand-out, but enjoyable nonetheless. ♥

• The Cannibal Fiend or Rotherhithe by Frewin Jones – Two words: cannibalistic mermaids. Mix fairytale with horror story and this is what you would get. Very open ending and a concentration on friendship rather than romance. I didn’t feel that strongly about it, but I admit I was never bored.

• The Emperor’s Man by Tiffany Trent – Different in that it was told from a male perspective, though he came off as pretty girly with his heart constantly going patter-patter and practically melting at the feet of the princess (though maybe that’s how guys think?). This story had a fairly well-developed parallel world with interesting inventions and magic, but I just wasn’t drawn into it. Maybe because I couldn’t relate well to the characters when it seemed like the voices were switched between boy and girl...  

 

Cover: Pretty but nothing to make it stand-out from hundreds of other YA novels. And perhaps it's just my copy, but it was strangely bumpy and rough... Poor thing.

Bottom Line: The stories seem to generally fall under two sections: 1) a bit cliché/not that unique but enjoyable, and 2) very unique but confusing and/or evoke no feeling other than one of interest; most of the stories fall in the former. Still, the majority is short yet pleasurable, like whiffs of a delicious, passing aroma*, and it is steampunk, a sub-genre that I would really love to see more populated.

*Sorry for the cheesy comparison, but I can't think of a better way to describe it. xD

Review: Mistwood by Leah Cypess

Mistwood by Leah Cypess

Leah Cypess's website here // $11.55 from {amazon}

Publisher: Greenwillow Books; 1 edition (April 27, 2010)

Hardcover: 320 pages 

Summary: from {goodreads}

The Shifter is an immortal creature bound by an ancient spell to protect the kings of Samorna. When the realm is peaceful, she retreats to the Mistwood.

But when she is needed she always comes.

Isabel remembers nothing. Nothing before the prince rode into her forest to take her back to the castle. Nothing about who she is supposed to be, or the powers she is supposed to have.

Prince Rokan needs Isabel to be his Shifter. He needs her ability to shift to animal form, to wind, to mist. He needs her lethal speed and superhuman strength. And he needs her loyalty--because without it, she may be his greatest threat.

Isabel knows that her prince is lying to her, but she can't help wanting to protect him from the dangers and intrigues of the court . . . until a deadly truth shatters the bond between them.

Now Isabel faces a choice that threatens her loyalty, her heart . . . and everything she thought she knew.

Rating: View my rating system.



My Thoughts: There comes a time in every young girl or boy’s life when she/he must accept the inevitability of life... and then tries to escape it through the wondrous, miraculous fantasy genre, where trees fly and flowers sing (hypothetically). That fantasy phase came to me in third grade and gradually faded as my addictions to historical fiction, the supernatural, etc. crept in, but every once in a while along comes a book that reminds me why I loved fantasy in the first place. And Mistwood is definitely one of those books.

To start off on a positive note, Mistwood boosts an impressive, vivid setting and constant mystery. I love the concept of the “Shifter” and Isabel’s resulting internal conflict over who exactly who she is, who she wants to be, and even who she was. I might not be a magical creature of mist, but it’s immediately relatable to me because it reminds me of a question I often ask myself – what is my purpose? However, it was more of a concept that I related to versus Isabel herself. She’s very stubborn and determined, in a good way in regards to her duty, but also in a little annoying way as she refuses to get close to people despite it being evident that she and others could be friends... or more... if Isabel would accept it. On the other hand, she does have quite a few redeeming qualities, such as her bravery, her willingness to sacrifice for others, her vulnerability, and her capacity for love. Ultimately, while Isabel’s reservations and copper-headed obstinacy in her role as Shifter became aggravating at times, I respect her commitment and only regret that I just couldn’t connect to her on that one-to-one level that makes certain characters so special. And, if you couldn’t tell, that was my round-about way of saying Isabel is "okay," interesting but distant. Though, admittedly, that disconnection was partially caused simply because of Isabel’s basic differences (ie. being the Shifter).

Isabel's character combined with the occasionally stalling of the plot are my main issues with Mistwood. That being said, the rest was awesome. I love historical romance because of all the court intrigue and I managed to get both that and fantasy in this book – does it get any better?! Leah Cypess weaves a complex web of hidden grudges, malicious intent hidden under beautiful surfaces, and, of course, romance. I was constantly guessing on who was the culprit, then forced to guess who was behind the accident, and then made to guess what the grand scheme was. Wow. The plot was extremely multi-layered and left me guessing for almost the entire book, a rare occurrence in YA fiction these days. As for the secondary characters, they’re all unique, reasonably well-fleshed out (though I wouldn’t mind knowing a bit more about Rokan), and were a constant source of my curiosity throughout the book. My “I don’t know what to think” character is Clarisse, whose alliance repeatedly came into question and I couldn’t determine it until the very end. As for Rokan, he’s a sweetheart and there's a sense of reversed roles of prince and damsel in distress with Isabel being very, very kick-ass; overall, cute.

And, of course, I have to mention my favorite part: the ending, where all the smaller conflicts tie up with a surprising revelation that somehow still manages to be plausible while explaining all the actions and motives in Mistwood. Plus, somehow, it was still easily understandable – very impressive. The action was undoubtedly intense and towards the end, I literally could not put Mistwood down. Like all good endings, it finished before I was ready, but that just means I’ll be anxiously awaiting a companion novel or sequel!

Romance: Sweet, but could use a little more foundation. There isn't much romance, though the romance that is there is very sweet and tentative. 
Cover: 4.5 -- The face is a bit standard for Isabel's supposedly unique description, but I can still envision Isabel looking like that. And can I add that the cover is shiny and looks even more beautiful in person?! SO SHINY.
Writing: 4.0
Characters: 4.0 
Plot: 4.5

Bottom Line: Mistwood is a stunning debut with a vivid setting, dynamic characters, and an intricate political climate that all escalate into an action-packed ending. I would strongly recommend this book to fantasy fans and, yes, any Kristen Cashore fan. Leah definitely has a strong affinity for fantasy, and, readers, beware, Isabel will grip you in her claws and refuse to relent until the very last page!

Review: Betraying Season by Marissa Doyle

Betraying Season by Marissa Doyle

Series: Leland Sisters #2

Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (September 29, 2009)

Hardcover: 336 pages

Price: $11.55 from {amazon}
Summary: view {goodreads}

Hidden for ones that haven't read Bewitching Season.

Rating:

Review: I read this one a few weeks ago, so while it might not be fresh in my mind, I still really wanted to share my thoughts on this one. Basically, in book two of the Leland Sisters series, Penelope heads off to Ireland to continue her magical studies with their now-pregant and married governess, Ally. She expects it to be quiet, a break from the societal happenings back in London, but that's not the case. As Pen's magic improves, she gets entangled in political strife yet again and maybe, just maybe, finds some love on the way.

First, I should say I thought Betraying Season was better than Bewitching Season (though there are many opposite opinions of that on the amazon page). The main reason for this was Pen. If my review of Bewitching Season, I mentioned that I was annoyed by how naive Persephone, Pen's twin, was. In Bewitching Season, Pen was characterized as the frivolous, society butterfly, but I found that to be anything but the case in the sequel. Granted, Pen knows how to look good and enjoy putting on an appearance, but while still vulnerable and relateable, she has a solid backbone coupled with amusing humor. I greatly appluad her for not turning into a pile of mush at her crush's feet and instead asserting her independence. I know it's hard to resist the utter charms of the object of your affections, but real feelings and getting to know someone should be the basis of any relationship, and I found that lacking in book 1.

I also felt that there was a perfect balance  between the three elements: romance, magic, and intrigue. The mystery was technically solved at the beginning, as in you see things from the plotter's side and Pen's side alternatively, but it was still interesting to see when and how Pen would put two-and-two together and figure things out. The plot moved at a good speed, neither too slow or too fast, but while it was enjoyable seeing Pen oblivious to the diabolical plot just simmering under her nose, I would have liked it even more without that element of predictability, especially since the ending was fairly obvious from the start. I was dissapointed by how gullible Pen was, how easily she fell for the plot - sort of justified, but I didn't admire her for it. And though I thought her strong, there were some sobbing-save-me times that made me want to slap some sense into her. Moving on, there was definitely a lot more about magic in Betraying Season, and you learn quite a bit about Irish lore concerning magic and the three goddesses, which I liked. And I know now the symptoms if I ever suspect I'm having a child with magical inclinations!

** Side-note: There is some talk of virginity/purity and scandalous affairs.

Romance: Cute. Niall, Pen's love interest, was supposedly hot (though I don't go for men with "whiskers") and cute in a dorky way. Interesting development here with very minor kissing, and Niall is definitely her prince in shining armor.
Cover: 4.0 -- Such pretty hair and dress! Love the textured background too.
Writing: 4.0
Characters: 4.0
Plot: 4.0

Bottom Line: Betraying Season was a fun read sprinkled with magic, mystery, and romance. I love reading historical fiction and magic, so those aspects combined with Pen were a great read for me! The characters were developed enough, though I would say Pen is the only one fully developed and therefore the one I liked, and the plot was solid with a few interesting pieces of lore thrown in. I would reccomend this book to fans of historical fiction and magic, especially when looking for a light read that isn't total chick-lit. I hope to see more of Marissa Doyle in the near future!

Related Reviews: Bewitching Season (Leland Sisters #1)

Review: Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (December 1, 2009)

Paperback: 576 pages

Price: $9.71 from {amazon}

Summary: from {goodreads}

There were no surprises in Gatlin County.

We were pretty much the epicenter of the middle of nowhere.

At least, that's what I thought.

Turns out, I couldn't have been more wrong.

There was a curse.

There was a girl.

And in the end, there was a grave.

Lena Duchannes is unlike anyone the small Southern town of Gatlin has ever seen, and she's struggling to conceal her power and a curse that has haunted her family for generations. But even within the overgrown gardens, murky swamps and crumbling graveyards of the forgotten South, a secret cannot stay hidden forever.

Ethan Wate, who has been counting the months until he can escape from Gatlin, is haunted by dreams of a beautiful girl he has never met. When Lena moves into the town's oldest and most infamous plantation, Ethan is inexplicably drawn to her and determined to uncover the connection between them.

In a town with no surprises, one secret could change everything.

Rating:

Review: I know there are a lot of reviews out there already, but I have to write my own because OH MY GOD was Beautiful Creatures AMAZING. Third 5-star ever. I need to write a review now, to capture this feeling that I still haven't finished the book. I'm still sort of in a state of shock. Beautiful Creatures was one of those books that just left me thinking "wow." I'm an avid roller coaster fan, so I have to compare it to a coaster ride - it's ended, but I still feel like I'm sitting there, being blown away and nothing to hold onto. And actually, as I continue to write this, I'm starting to feel a bit depressed and to miss the book already... what an unhealthy, but completely enjoyable, addiction that I'll gladly welcome without regrets.

To start off, I'm going to tackle one of my main concerns: the number of pages. It's not everyday that I read a nearing 600-page novel, and I was afraid how that would work out. Too boring? Too lengthy? However, the width of the book was nothing but a plus. Beautiful Creatures was a little slow going in, and for the first 100 pages or so, I was waiting for the "real" action to begin. But looking back, it set up the awesomely mudane (or maybe not so mudane) Gaitlin community, that made the whole book seem more realistic and just gave the story the extra something it needed. After the initial introduction, the mysteries and answers were revealed at a stready pace, enough to temproarily satisfy me but keep me hooked for more. What I loved were the 150 pages, which were ultimately what clinched the 5-star rating because they were some seriously high-level of intense. As in take a thriller, unconcentrate it, and the ending of Beautiful Creatures is what you'll get. The amount of action and things coming together was crazy, but still easy for me to follow.

Now, I have to mention Ethan since he's the one how tells the story. He's adorable, the average high school boy that every nice girl wants - cute, sweet, senstive, caring. Obviously, I'm generalizing here, but Ethan is a refreshing break from all those bad boys who scare their girl and then somehow win her over (no offense here, lovelies). Instead, Ethan and Lena's love was like those innocent, slowly-budding relationships that I wish I could have. I loved how their romance developed without them actually having to define it - no needing to say the words "girlfriend" or "I love you." Ethan and Lena did show their love tangibly, but it was like they didn't need to, just wanted to at times. I do have to admit that their love was borderline "obsession" (as in Edward-Bella), but it was gradually developed so I felt that there was an actual foundation for their intense emotions.

To wrap it up, the ending was solid, but definitely hinted towards a sequel. It left me satisfied with what happened, but dying for more. Seriously, that sequel better come out before I die of waiting. All I can say, is awesomly amazing debut by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl!

Romance: Sweet, complicated, and definitely there 24/7. I wrote about this in my "review" portion, so I'm not going to go in-depth here. Ethan and Lena's intricate romance is one of the main focuses of Beautiful Creatures, and I definitely liked it. :)
Cover: 3.5
Writing: 4.5
Characters: 5.0
Plot: 5.0

Bottom Line: If you didn't conclude it from my review: go buy Beautiful Creatures now. The plot was well-woven, the setting was so Southern and believable, the writing was solid, and the characters all had their own unique and interesting personalities; all in all, a thoroughly enjoyable read that I couldn't put down. Kami Garcia and Maragaret Stohl are definitely a powerful duo that I'll have to watch out for in the future!

Sidenote: I think Ethan might just earn a spot near my heart, next to all those bad boys running havoc there. While Ethan searches for ways to save his love, my fellow male classmates sing "The Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round" at 6:30 in the morning... I shudder to think of any romantic prospects.

Review: Bewitching Season by Marissa Doyle

Leland Sisters series #1

Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (April 29, 2008)

Harcover: 352 pages

Price: $11.53 from Amazon

Summary: Twins Persephone and Penelope Leland are anticipating their first London season with mixed feelings. Pen can’t wait to flirt with handsome young men at parties, but Persy would far rather stay home and continue her magic studies. When the twins discover that their governess has been kidnapped as part of a dastardly plot to enchant the soon-to-be Queen, they’re determined to find and save them both. Along the way, Persy learns that a good lady’s maid is hard to find, that one should never cast a love spell on anyone after drinking too much brandy punch at a party, that pesky little brothers can sometimes come in handy, and that husband hunting isn’t such an odious task after all, if you can find the right quarry.

Rating:

Review: I was this close to really liking Bewitching Season. It had a great premise filled with everything I love: magic, mystery, a historical setting, and romance! I'm actually amazed Marissa Doyle managed to fit all that in a book, and it was a fabulous debut novel!

The main thing that kept me from really enjoying this book was the fact that Persephone (Persey), the main character, has incredibly low self-esteem. I understand having low self-esteem, since I do too, but there is a certain level of confidence that's necessary. If I were a viscount's daughter, had a identical twin that I thought was beautiful, and had a load of money, I definitely wouldn't second-guess myself all the time, like Persey does. Basically, I enjoyed the story, but Persey's constant complaints sort of interrupted and detracted from it. A little more confidence would have helped the flow and made Persey seem more believable.

Plot-wise, the book was pretty good. The mystery was very obvious, even for a dense person like me, and I already knew who it was from almost the very beginning. However, it was still very interesting reading how the mystery unraveled and what Persey did to solve it. Like I mentioned before, I also liked the mix of elements and they flowed very well into each other. The magic part was incorporated well, and the romance was definitely there. Congrats, Marissa Doyle, on a wonderful debut!

Bottom Line: Bewitching Season was an engaging and new read that kept my attention throughout the book. The conversation was belivable and the plot was good, especially with the mix of magic, mystery, and historical romance. The main objections I have are Persey's low self-esteem and the obvious suspect, though it was still fun to see how and when Persey would figure it out. It was good enough that I'll definitely have to get my hands on Betraying Season, book two of the series. I can't wait to see what happens next!