The Last of the Firedrakes by Farah Oomerbhoy | Review

Title: The Last of the Firedrakes
Author: Farah Oomerbhoy
Pages: 488
Publisher: Wise Ink Creative Publishing
Goodreads Rating: 3.89 stars
Published: August 15th, 2015
Source: Paperback/from publisher

Description:

16-year-old Aurora Darlington is an orphan. Mistreated by her adopted family and bullied at school, she dreams of running away and being free. But when she is kidnapped and dragged through a portal into a magical world, suddenly her old life doesn’t seem so bad.

Avalonia is a dangerous land ruled by powerful mages and a cruel, selfish queen who will do anything to control all seven kingdoms—including killing anyone who stands in her way.

Thrust headlong into this new, magical world, Aurora’s arrival sets plans in motion that threaten to destroy all she holds dear.

With the help of a young fae, a magical pegasus, and a handsome mage, Aurora journeys across Avalonia to learn the truth about her past and unleash the power within herself. Kingdoms collide as a complicated web of political intrigue and ancient magic lead Aurora to unravel a shocking secret that will change her life forever. 


My Thoughts:

This one took me a little while to get started, and it's not because the book didn't bring me into the story quickly - it is because I actually lost the book for a while, and once I found it and had gotten into the story, I lost it again.  Can I blame in on "mommy-brain"? *smacks head*

While I really liked the story as a whole, it was a little difficult for me to really connect with the main character Aurora {called "Rory" for a good portion of the story}.  This book is a true Young Adult, with the characters having attitudes and thought processes like a young adult would have.  As an almost-35-year-old woman, it would take me a little bit to get into the mindset of a young person.  Were we all so hot-headed as young people?

The premise of The Last of the Firedrakes is a fun one, with a girl never having known her biological family suddenly being thrust into the world they are from {and the world she is from}, and quickly discovering she is the very last in a powerful family that could bring peace to a country tortured by her very own aunt.

I really don't want to give too much away, but it's a very enjoyable story.  If you like YA fantasy, you will probably enjoy reading The Last of the Firedrakes.

Reclaiming Shilo Snow by Mary Weber | Review

Title: Reclaiming Shilo Snow
Author: Mary Weber
Pages: 352
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Goodreads Rating: 4.31 stars
Published: March 6th, 2018
Source: Physical ARC/from publisher

Description:

Trapped on the ice-planet of Delon, gamer girl Sofi and Ambassador Miguel have discovered that nothing is what it seems, including their friends. On a quest to rescue her brother, Shilo, a boy everyone believes is dead, they must now escape and warn Earth of Delon’s designs on humanity. Except the more they unearth of the planet and Sofi’s past, the more they feel themselves unraveling, as each new revelation has Sofi questioning the very existence of reality.

Meanwhile, back on Earth, Sofi’s mom, Inola, is battling a different kind of unraveling: a political one that could cost lives, positions, and a barely-rebuilt society, should they discover the deal made with the Delonese.

But there’s a secret deeper than all that. One locked away inside Sofi and ticking away with the beginnings, endings, and answers to everything. Including how to save humanity.

My Thoughts:

How can I review this book and not have spoilers everywhere?  I'm not entirely sure I can, honestly, but I will give it a try!

Picking up right where The Evaporation of Sofi Snow left off, Reclaiming Shilo Snow dives more into the family relationships while taking you on the ride of your life.  While I felt like Sofi Snow had left me with more questions than anything, Shilo rapid-fire answered a lot of those questions and left me reeling.  Some of the answers were not what I wanted, and left me with a bit of an ache in my chest.

One of the most defining moments {for me} in this book was one I thought I was ready for in the first book.  Nay, not even just ready for, but almost even wanting.  By a third of the way through the second book, I knew I wanted that moment to happen.  But, oh man, Mary practically said "Kari, I know you want this.  I know many of my readers want this.  But *pauses* *writes more*... there.  Sorry, but it just had to be done.  And I know you still might not want your original desire, but I'm going to give it to you anyway."  To which I just said "noooooooooo!!!"

Mary has been very open about using this book to shine a giant light on human trafficking, and if you've read it you can see that just screaming from the pages.  It's a eerie, haunting fictional representation of how that takes place, with people high up in society not just turning a blind eye, but helping those who would take our young ones and use them however they see fit.  This book had me holding my kids close and wanting to be there for them for every little aspect of their lives.

This last year Mary Weber has cemented herself as one of my auto-buy authors, this book just confirming how I feel about her writing style.

*disclaimer: I recieved an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for posting an original photo on Intagram and an honest review*

The Evaporation of Sofi Snow by Mary Weber | Review

Title: The Evaporation of Sofi Snow
Author: Mary Weber
Pages: 352
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Goodreads Rating: 3.51 stars
Published: June 6th, 2017
Source: Hardcover//Bought

Description:

Ever since the Delonese ice-planet arrived eleven years ago, Sofi's dreams have been vivid. Alien. In a system where Earth's corporations rule in place of governments and the humanoid race orbiting the moon are allies, her only constant has been her younger brother, Shilo. As an online gamer, Sofi battles behind the scenes of Earth's Fantasy Fighting arena where Shilo is forced to compete in a mix of real and virtual blood sport. But when a bomb takes out a quarter of the arena, Sofi's the only one who believes Shilo survived. She has dreams of him. And she's convinced he's been taken to the ice-planet.

Except no one but ambassadors are allowed there.

For Miguel, Earth's charming young playboy, the games are of a different sort. As Ambassador to the Delonese, his career has been built on trading secrets and seduction. Until the Fantasy Fight's bomb goes off. Now the tables have turned and he's a target for blackmail. The game is simple: Help the blackmailers, or lose more than anyone can fathom, or Earth can afford. 


My Thoughts:

Set in the future after the Earth has gone through two more World Wars and all but destroyed itself, The Evaporation of Sofi Snow begins with the sudden arrival of an alien planet next to the moon at the end of the fourth World War.  People called it Planet Delon, The Delonese Death, and Sofi called it as "the blasted planet from the pit of you know where".

Years after the arrival of Planet Delon and Earth has received helped in more ways than one: the aliens, being eons ahead of Earth and humanity, gave them medical and technological assistance in return for a safe place to keep their planet. Humanity itself divided up into Corporations instead of countries, totalling 30 in all, with Sofi's mother as the CEO of Corp 30.

Sofi and her brother Shilo are both part of a gamer team who represent their Corp at the FanFight III games, a fast ticket to fame.  Or to lost freedom.  Sofi and her coding team are the best of the best, and on track to win the third FanFight games when the games are targeted and attacked by forces unknown.  With Sofi barely escaping with her life and Shilo who knows where, the games are replaced with a quest for answers and finding her brother as Sofi must also ask for help from the one person on all of earth so loathes the most: Miguel, the young Ambassador to the Delonese.

Miguel plays the part of a playboy very well, but he also has bigger fish to fry than those offering one night stands.  Being blackmailed by some unknowns, he has to figure out who's trying to use him and why they need Corp 24 to go down in flames.


Sofi and Miguel are an unlikely pairing, but they work so well together in this book.  Sofi has all the tech knowledge Miguel needs to figure out what's going on, and Miguel has access to the Delonese, which Sofi is in desperate need of.  The speed at which things happen in this book will leave your mind reeling and have your heart hammering along with the characters as they discover twist upon twist involving the Corps and the Delonese.  I was shocked and stunned with where this story went, and am dying to read the next book to see what happens {seriously, that was a huge cliffhanger!}.

Mary Weber has quickly become one of my favorite authors, and this book did not disappoint.  While her Storm Siren trilogy was amazing, The Evaporation of Sofi Snow sheds light on something that is going on in our world today: human trafficking.  While we don't have to face off with aliens, we still have humans who are being kidnapped and sold into slavery, here in our very cities, towns, states.  There are over 25,000 people enslaved, and we need to protect ourselves and others against this and help fight for the freedom of those being oppressed.  I'm so grateful for authors who bring to light different causes and needs that we're facing in our own world through their writing.  Mary proves that it doesn't matter what you write about, you can always share your other passions and the world's needs through your stories.  Without being preachy or pushy; with compassion and a heart on fire.

The Wrath and The Dawn by by Renee Ahdieh | Review

Title: The Wrath and The Dawn
Author: Renee Ahdieh
Pages: 404
Publisher:  G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
Goodreads Rating: 4.18 stars
Published: May 12th, 2015
Source: Hardcover//Bought

Description:

One Life to One Dawn.

In a land ruled by a murderous boy-king, each dawn brings heartache to a new family. Khalid, the eighteen-year-old Caliph of Khorasan, is a monster. Each night he takes a new bride only to have a silk cord wrapped around her throat come morning. When sixteen-year-old Shahrzad's dearest friend falls victim to Khalid, Shahrzad vows vengeance and volunteers to be his next bride. Shahrzad is determined not only to stay alive, but to end the caliph's reign of terror once and for all.

Night after night, Shahrzad beguiles Khalid, weaving stories that enchant, ensuring her survival, though she knows each dawn could be her last. But something she never expected begins to happen: Khalid is nothing like what she'd imagined him to be. This monster is a boy with a tormented heart. Incredibly, Shahrzad finds herself falling in love. How is this possible? It's an unforgivable betrayal. Still, Shahrzad has come to understand all is not as it seems in this palace of marble and stone. She resolves to uncover whatever secrets lurk and, despite her love, be ready to take Khalid's life as retribution for the many lives he's stolen. Can their love survive this world of stories and secrets?


My Thoughts:

I'd seen this book floating around the blogsphere for a while, and then a few people had posted photos of the new covers on their Instagram pages.  But the real push to get this book and read it was when I saw my bookish soulmate gave it a 5 star review on Goodreads.  I've yet to read a book recommended by her that wasn't at least a 4 star read, and this did not disappoint.

Shahrzad is such a well written character - she has courage and guts; courage to do what she knows she needs to do and guts to actually get it done.  Although, she learns after a while that what she thought needed to be done isn't actually the case anymore.  She begins to have feelings for Khalid, and, while she doesn't let that blind her {well, not too much}, she does let it make her hesitate just enough {for what you'll have to read and find out!}.

There is so much to Khalid, and I feel like he didn't get much of the story he deserved.  Yes, I realize he's a secondary character, but, as Ariel in The Little Mermaid says "I want more!"  Maybe I'll get that in the second book; I guess I'll just have to wait and see.  His character was well written, and we as readers do get a great insight into him and his struggle with what he's been cursed to do {as well as those around him who know of the curse and are trying to make sure the worse of it does not come to pass}.

The setting of a desert land in need of water to keep the people healthy and thriving is just perfect, and I love diving into a bit of a different culture {even if a good deal of it is fictional}.  For her first novel, Renee Ahdieh did a subperb job bringing these characters to life and creating a world so alive you get sucked into it every time you open the pages!  I'm excited to read the sequel and see what happens to my beloved Shazi and Khalid!

Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff | Review

Title: Illuminae
Author: Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
Pages: 608
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Goodreads Rating: 4.32 stars
Published: October 20th, 2015
Soure: Handcover/from a friend

Description:

This morning, Kady thought breaking up with Ezra was the hardest thing she’d have to do. This afternoon, her planet was invaded.

The year is 2575, and two rival megacorporations are at war over a planet that’s little more than an ice-covered speck at the edge of the universe. Too bad nobody thought to warn the people living on it. With enemy fire raining down on them, Kady and Ezra—who are barely even talking to each other—are forced to fight their way onto an evacuating fleet, with an enemy warship in hot pursuit.

But their problems are just getting started. A deadly plague has broken out and is mutating, with terrifying results; the fleet's AI, which should be protecting them, may actually be their enemy; and nobody in charge will say what’s really going on. As Kady hacks into a tangled web of data to find the truth, it's clear only one person can help her bring it all to light: the ex-boyfriend she swore she'd never speak to again.

BRIEFING NOTE: Told through a fascinating dossier of hacked documents—including emails, schematics, military files, IMs, medical reports, interviews, and more—Illuminae is the first book in a heart-stopping, high-octane trilogy about lives interrupted, the price of truth, and the courage of everyday heroes. 



My Thoughts:

Oh my lands.  My thoughts are all over the place on this one!  I have yet to be disappointed by a book by Amie Kaufman... in fact, I think all the ones I've read by her I've given at least 4 stars.  The funny thing is I avoided reading this one because I wasnt' sure how I would feel about the layout and formatting of the story.  It didn't matter, because once I got into the story I was hooked.

Kady and Ezra are a typical young couple fresh from a breakup... who find themselves in a not-so-typical situation when their planet is attacked by a corporation wanting to wipe out the colony they're a part of and destroy any evidence of what that colony was {illegally} doing.

Honestly, I really don't think I can give a decent review of this book without spoilers!  Kaufman and Kristoff take the readers for an intense ride, with twists and turns.  Quite literally, actually, as certain parts of the book read in curves and swirls.  I have learned with all of the books I've read by Amie Kaufman, never take anything for face value and always keep reading.  I think that's the one bit of advice I would give any reader tackling on of her books: just keep reading.

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas | Review

Title: A Court of Mist and Fury
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Pages: 626
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Goodread rating: 4.71 stars
Published: May 3rd, 2016
Source: Hardcover/bought

Description:

Feyre survived Amarantha's clutches to return to the Spring Court—but at a steep cost. Though she now has the powers of the High Fae, her heart remains human, and it can't forget the terrible deeds she performed to save Tamlin's people.

Nor has Feyre forgotten her bargain with Rhysand, High Lord of the feared Night Court. As Feyre navigates its dark web of politics, passion, and dazzling power, a greater evil looms—and she might be key to stopping it. But only if she can harness her harrowing gifts, heal her fractured soul, and decide how she wishes to shape her future—and the future of a world cleaved in two.


My Thoughts:

Whoa.  Just... whoa.  Okay, first off, I'm not sure I can write this without spoilers.  So much happens in this book, I'm not sure where I can go with this review and not spoil something.  So, here I go...

Feyre was something special as a human, but as an immortal, she has Become something phenomenal.  Being Made High Fae by all seven of the High Lords of Prythian has left her with some of their power, and she soon learns its not just a little residual power.  Wanting to train and hone that power, she asks her soon-to-be husband if he or Lucien will teach her.  Scared of losing her if any of the other High Lords discover she has any of their powers, Tamlin puts her on lock down.  Triggering one of her unknown powers, she is then rescued by Morrigan and Rhysand, bringing her to the Night Court.

Rhysand is a complex character.  There are so many things the fae {and mortals} believe he is - cruel, uncaring, merciless, cold, Amarantha's whore.  Most of his Court {other than the Court of Dreamers} believe this is him - cold and calculating.  The Rhys we get to know in this book cares so much, it will make your heart ache.  He is beautiful and deep, and cares so much for his people, his true people in the hidden  city of Velaris.

The chemistry between Rhys and Feyre is a simmering creature in the background of the whole story, coming to quite an explosive apex.  About halfway through the book, I was rooting for them and their future together.  While Tamiln was good in his own way, no one likes the one they love suffocating them under the guise of protection.  Rhys was freedom, at the very least, and was exactly what Feyre needed when she needed it.

Watching Feyre come into her powers and seeing how strong she was becoming was one of my favorite parts throughout the book.  Her spirit was so strong as a human, and as an immortal High Fae, her body is beginning to match it.  While Tamlin wanted to stifle that, Rhys helped her hone them, teaching her as much as he could so she could defend herself, fight for herself.

Oh, and Tamlin... I just want to throttle his handsome neck.  He is so blinded by what he wants, he will do anything, anything to get it.  And Lucien's loyalty might just get him killed {but, please, no, not after the revelation at the end of the book!}, but I can't help but still love him!

While ACOTAR was amazing, I definitely enjoyed ACOMAF much, much more!  Tamlin was maybe a little too "vanilla" in the first book, but he went overboard with his alpha-male protective stance when it comes to Feyre.  If you are a fan of Maas' Throne of Glass series, you'll love this one {or so I'm told - I've only read ToG, but I'm planning on remedying that in the next few months!}.

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas | Review

Title: A Court of Thorns and Roses
Author: Sarah J Maas
Pages: 421
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Goodread Rating: 4.29 stars
Published: May 5, 2015
Source: Hardcover/bought

Description:

Feyre's survival rests upon her ability to hunt and kill – the forest where she lives is a cold, bleak place in the long winter months. So when she spots a deer in the forest being pursued by a wolf, she cannot resist fighting it for the flesh. But to do so, she must kill the predator and killing something so precious comes at a price ...

Dragged to a magical kingdom for the murder of a faerie, Feyre discovers that her captor, his face obscured by a jewelled mask, is hiding far more than his piercing green eyes would suggest. Feyre's presence at the court is closely guarded, and as she begins to learn why, her feelings for him turn from hostility to passion and the faerie lands become an even more dangerous place. Feyre must fight to break an ancient curse, or she will lose him forever.


My Thoughts:

I was  a little reluctant picking up this book.  Everyone was raving about how amazing it was {for quite a while now}.  And while I'd read Sarah J Maas' Throne of Glass when it was published about 5 years ago {and really loved it}, I was hesitant to pick this one up.  I remember loving Maas' ToG, but for some reason I never actually picked up any of the others in that series, and that's kind of stuck with me as far as reading A Court of Thorns and Roses.  That being said, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I got sucked into this book!

Maas gives us a pretty vivid description of Feyre's life, and it's rough.  Her sisters act entitled, even though they are lucky to survive through each winter with whatever Feyre can find to provide for them.  Her father, at best, is absent.  After being forced to flee, they've settled outside a small town, where Feyre can hunt to provide for them and try to keep them safe from they faeries over the wall.

Hunting one day leads Feyre to be taken by over the wall to the world of faerie as retribution for killing a wolf in order to spare the lives of her family.  But, instead of being treated as a prisoner, Feyre is taken in as more like a guest.  She has a fae lady's maid, charming chambers and free roam of most the mansion and grounds, and tends to dine with two very interesting fae gentlemen, Tamlin and Lucien.  Even though that means setting aside her hunting garb for dresses at times, Feyre still has her simmering wit and hunter's mind.

While Lucien seems to be more someone Feyre can converse with {only because he's as guarded as she is}, Tamlin sneaks into her thoughts more and more often, and after time Feyre discovers her curiosity of him has turned into interest in him {of course, like any good hate-to-love story it had to start out with the hate first!}.

While this book is advertised as young adult, it read more like New Adult with some of the steaminess and the gore.  And the steaminess {oh, did I already mention that?}.  I got back and forth between my like of books dealing with Fae, but this is definitely a book I like!  Since I purchased this knowing full well there are two more books out in the series {and I believe plans for at least a few more!}, I was expecting a massive cliffhanger.  Color me pink with pleasant surprise, because there wasn't!  While I'm excited to see where this story goes, I'm happy I didn't feel like I was hanging on a ledge, desperate for the next book.

Heartless by Marissa Meyer | Reiview

Title: Heartless
Author: Marissa Meyer
Page: 453
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Goodreads rating: 4.09 Stars
Published: November 8th, 2016
Source: Hardcover/Bought, Audiobook/Borrowed

Description:

Catherine may be one of the most desired girls in Wonderland and a favorite of the unmarried King, but her interests lie elsewhere. A talented baker, she wants to open a shop and create delectable pastries. But for her mother, such a goal is unthinkable for a woman who could be a queen.

At a royal ball where Cath is expected to receive the King’s marriage proposal, she meets handsome and mysterious Jest. For the first time, she feels the pull of true attraction. At the risk of offending the King and infuriating her parents, she and Jest enter into a secret courtship.

Cath is determined to choose her own destiny. But in a land thriving with magic, madness, and monsters, fate has other plans.


My Thoughts

*THIS CONTAINS SPOILERS*

I. Should. Have. Known!  You know how sometimes you pick up a book knowing it's a retelling, but you want to think its a retelling that twists the ending to be a "happily ever after"?  That was my hope for this book.  As a kid I had an extreme dislike for the Queen of Hearts, and while reading this I just knew there was absolutely no way Cath could ever be that horrid creature from Alice In Wonderland.  No. Way.  Marissa Meyer has a knack for taking things that have me going "there is just no way" and turning it so I'm saying that same phrase with a bit of awe in my voice.  Because there is.  And she always finds it.

Catherine {or Cath} is the daughter of one of the upperclass titled families, the only daughter of a Marquess and his wife.  She is full of life and joy, loving to pour her heart and time into baking, dreaming of a day when her and her lady's maid.  Her desire, passion and just joy made me look at her and say "there is just no way she's going to be the angry Queen of Hearts.  No way."  Oh, I should have known.

The secondary characters bring out so many different aspects of Cath, and, one by one, we see how each could bloom or shatter.  Maryanne, Jest, The King, and even Hatta bring out the different sides to Cath - friend, lover, subject, and ruler {sorry if I'm spelling anything wrong, I listened to the audiobook}.  I don't want to say too much, because it really could give the book away, but its amazing what actually happens - what Cath actively does and what she stands back and allows to happen.

Meyer takes this story and makes it so beautifully her own, but it's also apparant what inspired this story.  Much like her Lunar Chronicles, Meyer doesn't really re-tell the story, but takes elements from it and makes it her own unique masterpiece.  Any time I thought it was going to turn more towards the most recent Alice in Wonderland live-action film {you know, the one with Johnny Depp} or a little like the classic Disney film {honestly, one of my least favorite films}, it never did.

This book gave me a serious book hangover.  When I finished I just couldn't gather the words to describe the feeling, over than heartbroken.  This left me shattered and unable to really say anything other than "I should have known!!"  My husband nonchalantly said that to me as well when he was wondering why I should have known what was going to happen.  And, guys, I really should have known.  I should have.  But I still can't believe it.

The Great Pursuit by Wendy Higgins | Review

Title: The Great Pursuit
Author: Wendy Higgins
Pages: 512
Publisher: HarperTeen
Goodreads rating: 4.11 Stars
Published: March 7th, 2017
Source: Ebook/From Author

Description:

Lochlanach has traded the great beast for something far more terrible, a Lashed enemy veiled in beauty, deception, and a vengeance passed down through generations: Rozaria Rocato. And she’s offering the hunter Paxton Seabolt power and acceptance he could never receive in his homeland. Pax must decide how far he’s willing to go under her tutelage, knowing she is the opponent of Princess Aerity Lochson.

In a land where traditionalists dread change, the Lochlan throne must contend with mysterious foes and traitors, while attempting to keep revolt at bay. As dire circumstances strike the royal family, matters of the castle are left in Aerity’s hands. It's time to put aside her fears and grasp the reign, taking actions that have the potential to save or destroy her people.

One hunt has ended, but the pursuit for love and justice continue. In this sequel to The Great Hunt from New York Times bestselling author Wendy Higgins, political intrigue and romance intensify in another thrilling fantasy. Princess Aerity embraces a quest for identity and passion before making the ultimate sacrifice for her kingdom.


My Thoughts

*****If you haven't read The Great Hunt, this will have SPOILERS from that book!*****

Starting off exactly where The Great Hunt left off, we see Aerity newly engaged to Lief {who's a bit of a scoundrel, though he really, honestly doesn't even know any better, because that's how men in his country are expected to behave}.  She's coming to terms with being promised to him, when word gets out of more beasts, and Rozaria has begun demanding the Lashed be given the same rights as Unlashed or she will begin killing Unlashed throughout the kingdom.

While the king eventually gives in to Rozaria's demands, Paxton Seabolt is doing his best to get to safe area since he is now visibly Lashed {I told you, SPOILERS}.  While doing so, he unknowingly stumbles upon the one place he's trying to avoid: Rozaria's camp, filled with Lashed who support her in her quest for power.  With no way out, Pax decides the best way to help Lochlanach is from within the camp itself.

Aerity decides she must go find Pax if for no other reason then to really and truly say goodbye to him, which sends her all but careening into Rozaria's camp.  With the help of Paxton, she manages to get out, but that's just the beginning of her troubles.  With a kingdom to defend since her parents have been kidnapped, Aerity is finding herself in a slew of trouble and backed into a corner as Rozaria's plans for the kingdom of Lochlanach {and the surrounding kingdoms} become more and more despicable.

While this story mainly follows Aerity and Paxton, we still get a lot of Wyneth and Harrison, whom I just love {hey, Wendy, want to write a little story for them??}.  I love that the supporting characters in all of Wendy Higgins' books really support the main characters.  She has an enchanting way of writing that really makes you just love all the characters and feel for them.

It took me a while to get into this one {whereas I feel like I just devoured The Great Hunt}.  Granted, most of that is because this last month has been insane {we're moving}, and I've had very little time to sit and read.  That being said, when things calmed down, I was maybe 250 pages into the book and finished the other 250-ish pages in about 2 days.

Wires and Nerve, Volume 1 by Marissa Meyer | Review

Title: Wires and Nerve, Volume  1
Author: Marissa Meyer
Pages: 240
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Goodreads rating: 4.14 Stars
Published:January 31st,  2017
Source: Hardcover/bought

Description:

In her first graphic novel, #1 New York Times and USA Today bestseller Marissa Meyer follows Iko, the beloved android from the Lunar Chronicles, on a dangerous and romantic new adventure -- with a little help from Cinder and the Lunar team.

In her first graphic novel, bestselling author Marissa Meyer extends the world of the Lunar Chronicles with a brand-new, action-packed story about Iko, the android with a heart of (mechanized) gold. When rogue packs of wolf-hybrid soldiers threaten the tenuous peace alliance between Earth and Luna, Iko takes it upon herself to hunt down the soldiers' leader. She is soon working with a handsome royal guard who forces her to question everything she knows about love, loyalty, and her own humanity. With appearances by Cinder and the rest of the Rampion crew, this is a must-have for fans of the bestselling series.


My Thoughts:

I really love that, unlike a lot of graphic novels out there for YA series, this one actually expands on the original stories, picking up where they left off.  While it is really fun to see the graphic novel versions of some of the books I've thoroughly enjoyed, its even better when a series I've loved is expanded on.

Wires and Nerve brings Iko to the foreground of the story, expending on her as a character and showing just how human she can be {while still being very much an android}.  I listened to the audiobooks for three of the four {five, if you count Fairest} of the Lunar Chronicles, and I loved how Iko was read.  She quickly became one of my favorites - her spunk, vulnerability and desire to have a real, honest-to-goodness life were wonderful to read.

I would give this 5 stars, but the illustrations were not what I was expecting after having read a few of the other books that have been redone as graphic novels. But the storyline is great and takes the reader back into the Lunar world. It's pretty great to see Iko go off on her own and be a kick-butt hero!

The Golden Braid by Melanie Dickerson | Review

Title: The Golden Braid
Author: Melanie Dickerson
Pages: 320
Publisher: Zondervan
Goodreads rating: 4.06 Stars
Published:  November 1st, 2015
Source: Hardcover/gift

Description:

The one who needs rescuing isn’t always the one in the tower.

Rapunzel can throw a knife better than any man around. And her skills as an artist rival those of any artist she’s met. But for a woman in medieval times, the one skill she most desires is the hardest one to obtain: the ability to read.

After yet another young man asks for Rapunzel’s hand in marriage, Mother decides they need to move once again, but this time to a larger city. Rapunzel’s heart soars—surely there she can fulfill her dream. But Mother won’t let her close to a man. She claims that no man can be trusted.

After being rescued by a knight on the road to the city, and in turn rescuing him farther down the road, Rapunzel’s opportunity arrives at last. This knight, Sir Gerek, agrees to educate Rapunzel in order to pay back his debt. She just has to put up with his arrogant nature and single-minded focus on riches and prestige.

But this Rapunzel story is unlike any other and the mystery that she uncovers will change everything—except her happily ever after.


My Thoughts:

First, I"m a huge fan of Tangled, and my kids were on a Tangled kick for a while there, and I swear I was watching it at least once every few days.  I've always been a fan of Rapunzel, because *hello* HAIR.  I think a lot of young girls of my generation went through a phase with one person they looked up to or were enamored with having long hair.  Who has better hair than Rapunzel?  But I digress.

Melanie Dickerson's Rapunzel was very interesting.  I feel like this book had more layers that her others have been lacking.  And where the last couple books in this series have had leading ladies who were trying to be more self-sufficient and strong on their own, Rapunzel took the steps to do that.  In fact, if it weren't for a sad twist of fate, she would have succeeded {but where would the adventure and fun be in that?}.

Mother Gothel is as reclusive as she forces Rapunzel to be in most the book, and is constantly telling Rapunzel that men are evil and only ever want one thing, then they will leave you.  This is drilled into Rapunzel, but a time comes when she starts to see that Mother Gothel may be wrong about saying all men are like that.  With some of the new-found independence {and the knowledge she's gained by learning to read without Gothel's permission}, Rapunzel decides to go out on her own, getting a reputable job away from the oppressive house Gothel was running.

I don't want to spoil the book for any potential readers, but twists and turn and unexpected revelations keep this one of the more interesting books in the Hagenheim series.  I would definitely suggest this to those who enjoy YA fairytale retellings!  I would suggest starting with the first in the series {The Healer's Apprentice}, but that's definitely not a necessity {though you would find out histories to the leading ladies in the previous books}.

The Princess Spy by Melanie Dickerson | Mini Review

Title: The Princess Spy
Author: Melanie Dickerson
Pages: 292
Publisher: Zondervan
Goodreads rating: 3.99 Stars
Published:  November 4th, 2014
Source: Paperback/gift

Description

Margaretha has always been a romantic, and hopes her newest suitor, Lord Claybrook, is destined to be her one true love. But then an injured man is brought to the castle, claiming to be an English lord who was left for dead by Claybrook's men. She convinces herself "Lord Colin" is just an addled stranger, until Colin retrieves an heirloom she lost in a well and asks her to spy on Claybrook as repayment. Margaretha knows she could never be a spy---not only does she tend to talk too much, she's sure Colin is completely wrong about her potential betrothed. But she soon discovers her romantic notions may have been clouding her judgment about not only Colin but Claybrook as well. She soon finds herself running for her life--and it may be up to her to save her father and her family from one man's wicked plot.

My Thoughts

Another great book by Melanie Dickerson!  Although I'm not entirely sure what fairytale this is supposed to be a retelling of {is she done with the retellings?  Are these just going to be their own things now?  Or do I just really not know a good share of fairytales anymore?}.

Margaretha is a great character, as she has her faults and learns from them, but she's confident in what she knows {even if every now and then she's a little overconfident}.  Colin almost crashes into her life, and stays there as she's the only one in the castle who understands English in their German town {or at least the only one who knows English and also knows about Colin, since he's trying to avoid detection from the men who beat him and left him for dead}.

This story takes as unexpected turn about halfway through {I've noticed her books tend to do that... }, and it did seem to drag for a little bit.  I don't know if I was just waiting for something to happen and it was frustrating me that it would be so close and something would take away any progress made by the characters.  It didn't stop me from finishing the book {it takes a lot to put a book on my DNF [Did Not Finish] list}, and by the end I was back to singing Melanie Dickerson's praises again.

All of her Hagenheim books are easy YA reads, and I generally enjoy them all.  I'm looking forward to being able to pick up her next book in this series!

The Captive Maiden by Melanie Dickerson | Review

Title: The Captive Maiden
Author: Melanie Dickerson
Pages: 306
Publisher: Zondervan
Goodreads rating: 3.93 Stars
Published:  November 23, 2013
Source: Paperback/Bought

Description

Gisela's childhood was filled with laughter and visits from nobles such as the duke and his young son. But since her father's death, each day has been filled with nothering bu servitude to her stepmother. So when Gisela meets the duke's son, Valten-the boy she has daydreamed about for years-and learns he is throwing a ball, she vows to attend, even if it's only for a taste of a life she'll never have. To her surprise, she catches Valten's eye. Though he is rough around the edges, Gisela finds Valten has completely captured her heart. But other forces are bent  on keeping the two from falling further in love, putting Gisela in more danger than she ever imagined.

My Thoughts

I'm a big fan of Melanie Dickerson, and The Captive Maiden was no exception. The author has a way with fairytales that really just make you love them, and I do love how she brings God and scripture into each one.

Gisela is everything you would expect a Cinderella-esque heroine to be: beautiful, kind, caring... and mistreated.  She lives with her stepmother and two stepsisters in her father's house, trying to keep her stepmother from selling off all of her late father's beloved horses.  She shares the love her father had for the animals, preferring them to her step-family.

The book changes the meeting between Gisela and the prince {or in the case of this book, the young lord} much like the live-action Cinderella movie Disney released a couple years ago - a chance meeting in the woods.  Though Gisela isn't quite as whimsical as Lily James' Cinderella, she still has the kindness we all love in our little Cinder-girls.  While The Captive Maiden is a fairtale retelling, it does try to show a little how life would have actually been during that time period {although fairly loosely}.  Like needing a male escort to go to the market {or face unwanted attention from rude men} or being completely at the mercy of your family, not matter how much you disliked them and didn't agree with how they were running the family's affairs.

However, one thing that was much more fairytale than real was the leading man's choice on a wife: he was able to pick from any of the single, beautiful females of the land.  Lord Valten has been a little shafted in love, since his betrothed married his younger brother.  But he isn't too upset by that, as he hardly knew her, yet alone loved her, and his younger brother was quite in love with the girl {and she with him}.  After traveling and competing in tournaments for a while, Valten decided it was time to go home and settle down.  Enter Gisela and a chance meeting in the marketplace.  They quickly bond over their love of horses and both find the other very attractive.

While there was some typical, expected elements to this book, it took a rather unexpected turn a little over halfway through, and had at least one good "what in the world?" moment towards the end.  If you like fairytale retellings or just want to give one a whirl, this would be a great one to pick up.  Though I would suggest starting with the first one, as this is the fourth in a series and would ruin the others with some of the information causually thrown out later in the book.

Overall, it was a great quitck read and I would highly recommend it!

Passenger by Alexandra Bracken | Review

Title: Passenger
Author: Alexandra Bracken
Pages: 486
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Goodreads rating: 3.88 Stars
Published:  January 5, 2016
Source: Audiobook/Library, as well as Hardcover/bought

Description

Passage, n.
i. A brief section of music composed of a series of notes and flourishes.
ii. A journey by water; a voyage.
iii. The transition from one place to another, across space and time.

In one devastating night, violin prodigy Etta Spencer loses everything she knows and loves. Thrust into an unfamiliar world by a stranger with a dangerous agenda, Etta is certain of only one thing: she has traveled not just miles but years from home. And she’s inherited a legacy she knows nothing about from a family whose existence she’s never heard of. Until now.

Nicholas Carter is content with his life at sea, free from the Ironwoods—a powerful family in the colonies—and the servitude he’s known at their hands. But with the arrival of an unusual passenger on his ship comes the insistent pull of the past that he can’t escape and the family that won’t let him go so easily. Now the Ironwoods are searching for a stolen object of untold value, one they believe only Etta, Nicholas’ passenger, can find. In order to protect her, he must ensure she brings it back to them—whether she wants to or not.

Together, Etta and Nicholas embark on a perilous journey across centuries and continents, piecing together clues left behind by the traveler who will do anything to keep the object out of the Ironwoods’ grasp. But as they get closer to the truth of their search, and the deadly game the Ironwoods are playing, treacherous forces threaten to separate Etta not only from Nicholas but from her path home... forever.

My Thoughts

I mostly listened to the audiobook for this one, just reading the few times I curled up in bed with it.  So I had a difficult time getting into it because of the narrator's voice {very gravely/rough, and I was picturing something much different for a young girl, especially one musically inclined}.

Etta is very interesting.  She comes across a little naive and at the same time very stubborn.  She is comstantly saying how she can take care of herself, but then turns to Nicholas.  While I'm all for the damsel in distress or the heroine who can hold her own, Etta as a character seemed a little confused as to which one she wanted to be.  Or maybe she just thought she wanted to be the latter and kept finding herself in situations that made her more of the former {being tossed out of one's time period and landing in the middle of an ocean centeries apart could do that to anyone}.  Thankfully, Nicholas is there for her in both situations {usually}, so she can be either one she chooses.

Nicholas himself is used to time travel and moving between passages of time much more than Etta {she just discovered it when she walked through one with another girl}.  While Etta was completely ignorant of her ability to travel through various portals and passages to different times and places, Nicholas had been trained to do so.  He's there to navigate and show Etta how it's done while they're on a quest looking for a missing item the master of the time travelers wants.

The book took a couple unexpected turns, and the ending had me literally exclaiming "what? No!" very loudly in bed {thankfully my husband wasn't asleep yet}.  I have really enjoyed Alexandra Bracken's writing, and I get sucked into the worlds she creates each time {despite narrators with gravely voices}. I would definitely suggest picking this one up and giving it a go... or maybe just wait until next year, so you're not torturing yourself in anticipation for the next book like I am now!