Review: Threats of Sky and Sea

Threats of Sky and Sea by Jennifer Ellision

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Often in Fantasy, a humble hero or heroine will have their world turned upside down with a warning to flee some danger that is searching for them, and they get away just in time. But what happens when the warning doesn't come, and the heroine is captured? That’s what happens to Bree in Threats of Sky and Sea, and she is torn away from the humble world that is all she’s known, alienated from her father whom she realizes has lied to her, and thrown into a dangerous world at court under a cruel king. This world is so far beyond anything she’s prepared for, and how she learns to survive is the scope of this first novel. Learn she does, though, and she discovers much more than she bargained for.

Bree finds few friends at court, and most of them are spying on her or are in deeper danger than she is. It is not about political intrigue so much as Bree attempting to keep her head by not angering the capricious king too much, and trying to avoid other non-fatal physical abuse as much as possible (without much success).

I liked the magic system. It's based on the four elements: earth, air, fire and water. If someone is going to be an Elemental, the ability manifests when they turn 16. The king conscripts all who manifest, searching the realm for any who try to escape. So the dangers of court include hostile fire wielders and those who can spy on conversations carried on the wind. That's in addition to a king who is almost mad with power, who is known to send people to their deaths on the slightest whim.

There would have been too much hostility for me to be able to enjoy the book, except there is one character who is solid, honest, and a ray of light in an otherwise dark place. There’s also a tiny bit of a romance to lighten things up. It’s not the focus of the story at all, and at times I actually wished there was a little bit more build-up to it.

The ending did not surprise me, but it was suspenseful and dire, and it has me hoping for much more in the next book.

I normally don’t start new series before I know when they’re going to end. I hate waiting for sequels and have this fear of being left hanging forever in case they don’t get finished. But, I’ve been changing my mind lately and have started several this year. This one looked interesting and was available on NetGalley, so I went for it. And… I’m rewarded with a bit of a cliffhanger! Although it is a logical stopping point, now where is book two when I need it? I am looking forward to seeing what happens next, and how Bree grows into her discoveries. I have a feeling it’s all going to change.

**Received free arc for review.



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Review: Alias Hook

Alias Hook by Lisa Jensen

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



4.5 Stars. I didn't love this quite as much as some of my other 5 star books, but it was so much better than many that I’ve rated 4 stars. Days after finishing, I'm still looking back and thinking, wow that was good, so I'm going to round up to 5 stars.

Alias Hook was a fantastic re-imagining of Peter Pan. I absolutely loved it. It's not just a retelling or a fleshing out of the original tale, but completely turns the whole legend on its head. Jensen turned everything around in such a believable way. I feel like she thought of everything, the picture was so complete. I felt like I was in Neverland, and this was the true story of Peter Pan. It's so well done, so realistic, and the flipped take on the old story makes so much sense when you're looking at everything from an adult's perspective.

Neverland still feels magical, because it's still a fantastic place full of magic and legends like mermaids, fairies, and pirates. But it also feels real, treacherous and sad, with everything subject to the whim of a cruel boy who can never grow up. I can still see many of the scenes in my head, the world is so lushly described.

The story is told from the perspective of Captain Hook. He is a weary, desperate man under a curse that forces him to play his part as the adult villain in Neverland. He has been killed by Peter many times, but can never die, never find release from this endless childhood and endless parade of children who consider killing him and his men the best kind of sport. Now something in Neverland is finally changing, and Hook may finally have a chance to escape the curse if he can only figure out what the chance is before it's too late.

The idea of how Neverland works, with the Lost Boys and Wendies always changing, but Hook and Peter staying the same, was intriguing. I instantly felt sympathy for this man who may have started out a real pirate and a ruthless rogue, but who never deserved the 200 years of torment that he's endured under Peter Pan's tyranny. The story of how Hook got to Neverland, how his hand was lost, and of all of the losses over the years that gradually wearied him of this game of war and death, appealed to me right away. And I hated Peter immediately too, that ruthless, almost insane goblin of a child. I’m happy to say, I got exactly what I wanted for Hook out of this tale, and actually gained a measure of pity for Peter by the end, rather than just hating him. There’s emotional complexity to it, and it’s not all just black and white like fairy tales and retellings often are.

There is some romance in the book, and there are a couple of more explicit scenes so that I would only recommend this to adults. Those scenes and the romance are probably what bring my rating down from the full 5 stars. I felt that matters turned to the physical too suddenly. I prefer emotional and sweet romances where you see how a couple falls in love rather than them deciding to jump in bed all of the sudden. So that aspect didn’t appeal to me so much. At least the two people involved talked to each other and got to know each other first, and the romance doesn’t take over the story. It does fit as part of the whole, even though it brings a more modern view of relationships into it - a minor complaint that is completely based on my preferences in this area. It’s saying a lot that this one aspect didn’t detract from my appreciation of the book much at all.

Highly recommended, especially to those who enjoy classic tales retold. This one’s a gem!

**Received free arc for review through NetGalley.com. Many thanks to the publisher for a book I probably wouldn't have picked up otherwise.



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Review: Child of a Hidden Sea

Child of a Hidden Sea by A.M. Dellamonica

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



I received Child of a Hidden Sea for review from NetGalley shortly before it was released in June. It looked interesting - a seafaring-based portal world with political intrigue, mystery, and magic. It is also not a Young Adult novel, which definitely appealed. The synopsis promised to have plenty for me to love. Well, I liked it ok enough, but I can’t say I loved it. It was entertaining, and I am interested enough to read a sequel if there is one, but I also feel kind of ambivalent about it and am having a hard time putting my finger on why.

I enjoyed the sea-faring aspect, and the descriptions of the natural world were vivid and breathtaking. Sophie is a Marine Biologist in her life on Earth, and her excitement at the new species she encounters is infectious. It’s a world I would love to see for myself during a sea adventure - on a real, old fashioned ship without engines, of course. She is also a diver, which comes in handy a couple times during this adventure (I wonder what would have happened if she didn’t know how to dive or have equipment - but that’s beside the point).

Sophie's curiosity about this new world gets her in trouble, though, because curiosity is not encouraged here at all. The world is full of unfriendly, stuck up, or downright hostile people, so I found it difficult to like anyone or their cultures. This is an aspect of world building that I usually enjoy. Instead, all of the wonder is reserved for the pristine environment, and her difficulties adjusting to the new world are a lot closer to real life culture shock - without anyone sympathetic enough to help her find her way and learn the ways of the peoples. Also without even a common level of politeness. So I struggled to care about the fate of this completely thankless world full of prejudice, the heroine’s newly found family being the worst of them all.

The mystery is about Sophie’s history before she was adopted on Earth, as well as who was trying to kill her aunt and why. She has to learn the politics, history and culture well enough to put it together without much help from the natives, some of whom are jealous, suspicious and aggravatingly condescending. Again, I really just enjoyed the adventure of being at sea more than the intrigue of these incredibly rude and hostile people.

I did like the juxtaposition of magic and technology, and how technology is viewed as inferior on this world but Sophie uses it to help her solve the mystery and force the natives to accept her findings when they would gladly throw her under the bus - er, ship. I do feel as if Sophie is on her way to winning over some of the hostile people so that her future adventures might include some actual friendships and therefore a better appreciation for the more positive sides of the world’s cultures - hopefully.

I also discovered that there's something about portal fantasies in general that bothers me, that I’ve felt before when reading others but couldn’t identify. It's that the ported character has to speak realistically for someone from our world, with accent, slang, cultural references, etc. Obviously this is to be expected, but I find it jarring to have someone with an American accent referring to fast food restaurants, texting, and the internet while in a fantasy world. This is just me, but is another reason I felt some ambivalence about the story.

Overall, it was an entertaining read, a little different from other fantasies I’ve read lately. I will be interested in reading a sequel, if there is one. The ending was left open enough while still feeling complete.

**Received free arc for review.



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Review: Strange Sweet Song

Strange Sweet Song by Adi Rule

My rating: 0 of 5 stars



50 pages in, and I don't care. I get the point that Sing really wants to sing Angelique and be the best of the best as an arriving Freshman at an elite academy. I really get it. That's about all I get so far. Aside from a mysterious character who showed up on the roof, there's been nothing else except for talking about auditions. Another YA paranormal that spends too much time on schoolgirl rivalries, and it looks like infatuation will be part of it as well. I'm sure something interesting will happen with the Gothic theme and the monsters in the forest, but I'm also pretty sure it's going to take a lot of wading through the other usual stuff to get there. I've decided not to do this to myself anymore. I think I'm done with this genre.



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Review: Hollow World

Hollow World by Michael J. Sullivan

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



If you're a fan of Michael Sullivan's, you've probably heard by now that Hollow World is completely different from his Riyria Revelations series. It has a different tone, setting, and themes. There's a more modern feel with cultural references and modern language tossed about. But the sense of humor is still there, as well as the seemingly simple twists that somehow end up meaning more than I expected.

It starts out in the present-day with a man who has nothing to live for (and is dying anyway) and so decides to try out his time machine. The future that Ellis experiences is really strange, but also cool. There's a sense of wonder at Hollow World - it's not a Dystopia, which I appreciated. But the world is not without its problems, and Ellis finds himself right in the middle of them. Along the way, he discovers what living really is and what he really cares about (too late?).

I liked it. My main complaint is that I'd like to read more. I feel like I just got to know these people and had a small taste of their world, and I want to spend more time there. I hope there will be sequels.

**Received free arc for review



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Review: A Study in Ashes

A Study in Ashes by Emma Jane Holloway

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



The Baskerville Affair Trilogy was one of my reading highlights in 2013. I discovered it through NetGalley, and was lucky to receive all three books as arcs. I would have gladly paid for them, and will end up buying my own copies so I can re-read at some point and support the author. But without the arcs, I would have had to wait much longer to finish the series (3 months!). I couldn't wait even that long. I love that the three books were released so close together so that I didn't forget why I cared while waiting for the sequels. A Study in Ashes will be released on December 31, 2013 and I've been saving up my full review for the release.

The series is probably not for everyone, but for me it had the perfect blend of genres and elements that I can't resist - a Victorian historical setting, fantasy, mystery, politics, and a romance that doesn't overwhelm the plot. I didn't really have an opinion on Steampunk before reading this trilogy, but I enjoyed the mix of Steam and Magic in this world as well.

Although the middle book was actually a bit too dark for my tastes, A Study in Ashes rises out of that darkness. There's a better balance of despair and hope, and it moves a lot quicker. It doesn't all take place in one small area, and while the characters are on the move, they are also with each other much more than in the previous book.

So much happened in this book that it felt like it ended up in a completely different world, one that is detailed and complex and full of promise. It never got bogged down or slowed. I was completely satisfied with how it all wrapped up. A Study of Ashes was a wonderful read far surpassing the potential I saw at the beginning of the trilogy.

Action abounds in A Study of Ashes. It's not really in the historical mystery category anymore, even with the references to the Hound of Baskerville and cameo appearances by Sherlock Holmes. It has solidly moved into historical fantasy / steampunk adventure, with rebellion, an entire social order collapsing, and magic either clashing or combining with Steam. Yet with all this social upheaval, every character has their moment and their own personal struggle or challenge so that it never feels too big or remote. There are lots of threads, but each is given the right amount of attention.

I love a story that's complex enough for the multiple threads to combine seamlessly into a unified whole. This ranks in that category easily. I was happy with every bit of it (how often can you say that?). It looks like there's room for more to be written in this world although this is definitely an ending to the Baskerville Affair. I'll be snatching it up when that happens.

**Received free arc for review

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Oct 30, 2013:

Fresh from finishing, I can't think of anything I would change about this book. Full review to come once it's soaked in for a while.



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Review: Bellman & Black: A Ghost Story

Bellman & Black: A Ghost Story by Diane Setterfield

My rating: 1 of 5 stars



I got about a third of the way through, and it was just too much of a struggle to carry on. I struggled to get through the Thirteenth Tale when I read it as well, but I thought it was maybe just my frame of mind while I was reading it. I don't think so - I think I'm just not a fan. And I liked the Thirteenth Tale better than this one so far.

The thing is, Setterfield's books sound like ones that I would like. Some historical fiction with family secrets, mysteries, and a bit of the paranormal. But something in the way they're written - they're actually not my sort of book. I can't put my finger on what it is. For this one in particular, there are too many people who have died already, and I don't believe the 'tragic' events from the synopsis have properly started yet. The overall feel is going from bad to worse. All the while I'm actually kind of bored. And I don't want to stay with it.

I have too many other books on my to-read list to get stuck in one that I have to force myself to read. So I'm not. I'm sure there are lots of other people who will love this book for the same reasons I don't.

**Received free arc for review.

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Review: A Study in Darkness

A Study in Darkness by Emma Jane Holloway

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



True to its title, A Study in Darkness is much darker than the first book, A Study in Silks. Moving from the comfortable home and vibrant social sphere where we met Evelina Cooper, we now return with her to the desperate part of London where survival is almost impossible and a string of murders is taking place (yes, it's a new take on Jack the Ripper). The cast is scattered, each one dealing with problems resulting from the scandalous events of the Season largely in isolation from one another. It's a bleak outlook.

One thing I enjoy about this series is that there are so many villains - and I'm not always sure who is really a villain and who is just misguided or coming at the world from a different point of view. It keeps me guessing. However, there is an awful lot of the villains having the upper hand in this book, with few victories. That's why I enjoyed it much less than the first, simply because it was all dark and desperate. Anyone who reads my reviews knows that I don't like to read books that are dark and depressing, so it shouldn't be surprising that I was glad to finish this one. I really didn't feel the length of the first novel, but these 475 pages began to drag. I just hope that the title of the third book, A Study in Ashes, isn't an indication of another 450 pages of completely depressing material to come.

As far as the various mysteries go, there are never really any clues that help you along. I wanted to be solving something, but instead the characters were stuck without information, hopeless and at the end of their ropes, and so was I. Sherlock Holmes makes more than a cameo appearance but he is also unable to solve anything. I'm not sure how his involvement will go over with true Holmes fans, since I haven't read any of the originals and can't judge how consistent he is with the original character. But be warned that he takes on a larger role than he did in the first novel and you could love it or hate it.

Since the ending is a cliffhanger, and all is poised for disaster, I'm glad the last book is already due out and I do have the galley in hand to read. I just need a break before plunging into whatever comes next.


**Received free arc for review.



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Review: A Study in Silks

A Study in Silks by Emma Jane Holloway

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



A Study in Silks is still lingering in my mind. It ended up having depths to it that I really didn't expect from a historical mystery/romance. Often even when I enjoy a book, it's easy to move right on to the next one, but this is making me pause for a moment to absorb it all. I'm so thankful that I don't have to wait a year for the next two books, since they are all being released this year.

It's an intriguing mix of my favorite genres and this time I feel the mix worked really well. It has historical mystery, romance, and fantasy all mixed with Steampunk - a genre I'm beginning to explore.

The mystery is only a part of the whole, and isn't in the typical mystery style. Answers are revealed to the reader when the viewpoint shifts instead of when the heroine, Evelina, discovers them (and there are multiple viewpoints). At first I wasn't sure how I liked knowing more than Evelina, but it ended up having complexities that took me by surprise, avoiding easy answers and pat endings.

I should mention now that this is a Sherlock Holmes pastiche, and Evelina is the niece of Holmes. Enter murder in the respectable home where Evelina is a guest, and the underbelly of Victorian London takes on a new aspect. I'm not sure how well the Sherlock portion is done since I'm not an Arthur Conan Doyle aficionado. Without having a real frame of reference for the legend, I can't judge. But I can say this was a great story and his part was only a sliver of the whole.

The Fantasy and Steampunk version of London is very well done. I felt like it all fit together very well. Magic is pitted against Steam, and Steam against traditional political power. This is a dangerous mix in a city choked by the monopoly of Steam Barons, with Evelina caught in the thick of it, in danger of her own magic being exposed at every turn. Solving the murder could unravel everything. This makes for a much more dangerous London than we normally get.

With all the investigative drama and danger going on, Evelina is still a young lady in her first London season. She is a heroine who doesn't quite fit the social scene, having grown up in a circus and possessing outlawed magic. I was sure the romance was going to be typical 'regency' style courtship and manners (which was part of it), and it seemed ready to develop into a typical love-triangle debacle as well. But I was pleasantly surprised that even the romance didn't turn out as shallow as I feared. I'm ready to find out what happens next!

I'm trying to think if there's any reason I shouldn't give this 5 stars since I don't want to hand them out lightly. But for me it was the combination of favorite genres done well, it was entertaining, and didn't live down to my jaded expectations. I'm feeling generous.

**Received free arc for review.

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Review: The Crown Tower

The Crown Tower by Michael J. Sullivan

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



The Crown Tower is an enjoyable glimpse into the past of The Riyria Revelations. Not only do we get to see how Hadrian and Royce meet up, but we also learn more about Gwen, which was a pleasant surprise. She is one character who never had the spotlight in earlier books and I always wanted to know more about her.

I have to say this moved slowly, especially at the beginning. The element of surprise that I enjoyed so much in the original series was less apparent - of course, because this is a prequel and I already know the outcome. It could be different if this is your first Riyria book. But although knowing their history removed some of the element of discovery, I loved having the chance to go back to this world and to unveil some of the mystery of Hadrian and Royce. It made me miss the other characters that won't be appearing in the prequel, but it's full of adventure, and I can't wait to see where the next books takes us.

I wouldn't say the Crown Tower ends on a cliffhanger, but it ends at the beginning, if that makes any sense. It was really fun to live through "the forging," but now that I've experienced the legendary heist, I don't know exactly what will happen next. I need the sequel - good thing it's coming out tomorrow.

I don't recommend reading this without reading the original series first, because you'll miss references and might not know why you care about the characters. I think you'll come to care regardless, but it might feel a bit slow for a while. Once you've read the original series, you'll be happy for any crumbs you can get from this table and find this a treat that leaves you wishing for more.

**So excited to receive free arc for review!



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Review: Sworn to Raise

Sworn to Raise by Terah Edun

My rating: 2 of 5 stars



I'm going with the Goodreads description of 'It was ok' for two stars on this fantasy I picked up at Netgalley. It really is 'ok' and has potential, but it is still very rough around the edges, even for a galley. There are a lot of typos, and several times I got lost in sentences - run-ons are writing problems, not typos. So it could use some good editing.

The story itself is interesting, but feels disjointed or random at times. There's a makeover story, learning of magic and history, a bachelorette-type contest for a patron that includes a hunt as well as balls and a challenging maze, and there's political intrigue with the magical fate of the country at stake.

I found it quite entertaining, but something was missing - depth of most of the characters was lacking, and connections between events and other people besides the protagonist were loose. At times the actions of the other characters were drastic and unexpected, which added to the shock value, but I felt like I didn't know those characters well enough to expect that kind of action from them. The event that Ciardis spends the first half preparing for is also left incomplete. We only meet a couple of her prospective patrons and the book ends on the 3rd day of the event. Also, what happened to her friend? She is only present during Ciardis' training and then melts away.

This was only novella length, so I think it could have been longer and provided more complexity and closure on these plot points rather than waiting for a second book.

**Received free arc for review.

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Review: Journey of Dominion

Journey of Dominion by Shawna Thomas

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

**Some spoilers. Nothing very specific, but revealing aspects of the overall story arc.

The Triune Stones is one of those fantasy series that I really want to love but instead find myself feeling let down. I like the world, the quest, and the magic system. I like the healer-warrior aspect of the main character, and the cultures that she travels to. I am absorbed while reading, my attention captured.

So what is missing?

Journey of Dominion has a promising start. A few years have passed since the end of the previous book, and Ilythra has matured. I really liked her new supporting character, and was poised to forgive what was lacking in the first book and settle in to enjoy this one. And then, it just... stalled.

**Skip the next 2 paragraphs if you don't want spoilers**

Ilythra gets into a situation, doesn't recognize that she's in deep trouble, and spends the rest of the book unable to get herself out of it. If she had a clue and ever actually struggled or made a break for it, I would have been happier. Instead, she is completely powerless, entirely passive, and in the end has to be rescued. She is unable to use any of the multitude of opportunities to break free herself. I found this extremely frustrating. I feel like Ilythra should have been stronger somehow, able to do more for herself.

In addition, after this great struggle, nothing was accomplished towards the greater goal of the series. I expected at least some progress, but Ilythra can do no more than run away with her tail between her legs. There's also no resolution or help for the slavery and poverty in the city she ends up fleeing. I wish there had been something to show for her captivity, but there's really nothing. I suppose since this is the second in a trilogy, it could be setting up the last book (I sincerely hope these things are addressed in the third!). As far as I can tell, the only point of the second book is to show Ilythra how naive and powerless she really is, and to cast the fate of her quest into doubt.

**Done with spoilers**

I also have a problem with the attitude towards sexual relationships in this series. I prefer sex to be about love, not lust, and not something that characters try out with multiple people. In this series, Ilythra falls in lust with too many people too easily, and doesn't seem to understand what love is. She's really stupid about it, actually. I'm hoping the last book resolves this for me. I realize it's not something that would bother everyone, but I guess I'm old fashioned in my ideas about what makes a good romance.

All of that said, I am still really looking forward to reading the last book! I'm unwillingly hooked, I suppose. A lot needs to happen to satisfy me, but there's so much potential here for a really strong wrap-up. I hope it delivers, but am trying not to get my hopes up too much at the same time, given my ultimate disappointment with the first two books.

**Received free arc for review.

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Review: Black Spring

Black Spring by Alison Croggon

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Knowing this was a tribute to Wuthering Heights going in, I knew it was going to be dark, depressing, and tragic. And it was. It's not the type of book I usually enjoy, but I love Croggon's writing so I picked it up even knowing it was going to be nothing like her Pellinor series. And it wasn't.

Croggon succeeded at writing a beautifully dark tale of a young couple trapped in a harsh society with no place for either them, doomed by their passionate and rebellious natures. The setting is a historical fantasy version of the Northern Moors, where magicians enforce vendettas for generations, witches are killed on sight, and curses are an immediate danger. Lives are lived and lost with a sense of the completely unchangeable nature of this world, embedded in the land itself. It's haunting and tragic.

One negative - I was confused at first because the story starts out with a bored, rich man from the South deciding to get away from society by visiting the North, but it turns out that the story is not about him at all. His is just a wrapper for the real tale that he hears while he is there. I felt like the 'story within a story' aspect was not really needed, except for setting the mood.

I can't say I loved it or even really liked it, since I usually don't enjoy books that are so depressing and hopeless all the way through. However, I do feel that I can give it 3 stars because I did enjoy the atmospheric writing and can recognize a good Gothic tale when I read one, and because it is refreshing to read outside of my comfort zone sometimes.

**Received free arc for review.

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Review: Enchanted Ever After

Enchanted Ever After by Robin D. Owens

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Enchanted Ever After is the third in the Mystic Circle series, a Paranormal Romance / Urban Fantasy centered in Denver. The first book in the series was heavier on the Fantasy with romance on the side (a mix I prefer), but the second book disappointed me with the narrow focus on Paranormal Romance. I was happy to find this book returning to the larger concerns of the Urban Fantasy world that I enjoyed so much in the first book.

I really love the blend of magic and modern worlds in this series. There are the Lightfolk, who are magical beings with power based on the elements (earth, fire, air, water), politics involving the powerful Eight Lightfolk royals, Jenni Weavers as a significant supporting character, and continued danger from the Darkfolk (a situation that was only referenced in the background during book two). This magical world is blended with modern technology and gaming, career concerns, and suburban cul-de-sac living with coffee shops and block parties. It's an interesting meld.

The downside was the romance. Disappointingly, it was insta-love based on a mysterious physical attraction. I usually prefer to see how a couple falls in love or else I just don't believe it or feel it. Luckily for me, the romance was not the main focus in this one.

It seems to me that there's plenty of room left for more stories in this world. Nothing was tied up as far as the larger conflicts are concerned, but I can't tell whether Owens is planning another book or not. I would definitely enjoy more of this magical world, and hope there will be more in the Urban Fantasy focus rather than the PR focus.

**Received free arc for review.

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Review: A Cast of Stones

A Cast of Stones by Patrick W. Carr

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



A Cast of Stones is a Medieval-style fantasy with a Church, priests and monks as a major power in the kingdom. But other than the similarities to the religious background of Medieval Europe, the history and the magic of casting divine lots is unique enough that I felt like it took place in an unknown fantasy world. Although much was standard high fantasy fare (e.g. unknown peasant protagonist), this was still different enough to feel fresh to me.

The main character is a 'boy' of 18 who has been an alcoholic for several years. I found Errol hard to like at the beginning because he was always drowning himself in ale and didn't care too much about anything. But as the story progressed, he grew and changed, and I really began to enjoy his tale.

About half way through - once Errol came out of his alcohol-daze and began to understand what was going on around him - I had a hard time putting the book down. All-in-all, a quick, enjoyable fantasy, and I'm looking forward to the next one.

**Received free arc for review.

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Review: The Amulet of Samarkand

The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud

My rating: 2 of 5 stars



The Amulet of Samarkand is set in a modern-day London that is ruled by Magicians. It is written from the perspective of a djinni (demon) and an undervalued magician's apprentice. The plot is clever, and the dual POV take on magical power struggles is unique. The problem is, I didn't like any of the characters. The djinni came the closest because he's an interesting character with a sense of humor, but the boy... I didn't like him at all, and he's the most sympathetic human character we meet (I don't feel I can count the female caretakers since they are so removed from the reader).

Aside from not liking the characters, I also struggled to connect with them at all. The narration was very focused on what happened from an external vantage-point. Even the djinni's adventures, told in first-person, were still very remote. It felt very like a Middle-grade novel that a young boy might enjoy without missing the character development or the internal dialogue. That said, I think the themes make this more YA, so it should have offered a little more sophistication.

However it should be classified, mentally I could appreciate the plot, but something deeper was lacking and I couldn't really get into it myself. Maybe it's just that I don't enjoy these types of books geared more towards boys (I also struggled with The Lightning Thief and the Bobby Pendragon series), but I kept taking a break to read something more satisfying.


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Review: Journey of Awakening

Journey of Awakening by Shawna Thomas

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Journey of Awakening is the story of a young woman who has been sheltered her whole life on an island as her grandfather prepared her for a quest that she knows almost nothing about. She is skilled in healing with herbs and in meditation and sword-fighting. And completely ignorant about the wider world and what she must somehow accomplish, a task related to the mysterious pendant her father left her.

It's pretty typical fantasy - the quest, good vs. evil, a mysterious race long disappeared that needs to be discovered, talismans of magic and power, etc. Exactly the kind of fare I go for, basically. I don't really mind repetition of these types of themes at all. It's in the characters and the details of the world, magic, and peoples that I search for uniqueness - the same things I look for in non-fantasy are important, especially the depth and reality of the characters.

I do believe this book has potential. Although the world so far is fairly basic, I did like the take on magic, and the awareness of nature through meditation. I liked the combination of healer and fighter, and I think the quest is going to get more interesting in the next book - now that Sara has a clue what's going on.
But it took me a while to get into this first book enough to come to that conclusion.

One holdup for me, I think, was the main character. In spite of the difficulties Sara goes through from the beginning, for some reason I didn't really feel with her or connect with her until later in the book. There is some romance, but I didn't feel that it developed naturally, making what should be a big character development feel choppy and sudden. Maybe part of that is my fault, since I wasn't rooting for the love interest to work out (I'm not a big fan of polygamy). But it was too instant, regardless. I was hoping it was just a crush and would pass. But basically, a lot happened to Sara emotionally and I felt more like an observer.

Still, about halfway through, the story began to hit its stride, and I began to feel more involved. I believe the turning point came when it became about more than just Sara and her experiences and the focus turned to conflicts and challenges larger than one person.

It's not terribly unique or polished, and it doesn't meet my requirements for a great reading experience on all levels (hence the 3/5 stars), but I'm interested enough that I think I would pick up the second book.

**Received free arc for review.

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Review: Angel Burn

Angel Burn by L.A. Weatherly

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



A YA paranormal romance where the angels are the bad guys! Angels are actually beings from another dimension that come to earth to feed off the energy of humans, leaving them addicted and eventually killing them. Alex is a boy who has been assassinating these angels for most of his life. He meets up with Willow, his next target, only to discover that she is something different. Discoveries and danger follow for both, and of course there's a little bit of romance.

I really enjoyed this creative take on the modern mega church movement. For those who take their faith very seriously, it could be offensive, but I got some good laughs out of it. Some of the observations I felt were very apt.

Altogether, I found it a refreshing read, offering something new from a young adult novel with enough depth to satisfy an adult. (Admittedly, I haven't read any of the other angel series out there yet, so I don't know how this compares.)

**Received free arc for review.

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Review: The Iron Knight

The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



This is good quest fantasy - full of adventure and magical challenges. As the conclusion to Meghan's story, though, I missed her perspective. It focuses heavily on Ash's quest, and since his story takes him far away from Meghan, their relationship is mostly just the backdrop. For those looking for a more interactive romance, or for more about Meghan and her experiences as the Iron Queen, this may prove a little disappointing. But if you take it more as a companion novel about Ash, it's an enjoyable, fresh fantasy quest adventure.

**Received free arc for review.

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Review: Wrapped

Wrapped by Jennifer Bradbury

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Wrapped is a fun YA historical mystery with mummy unwrapping parties, artifacts and curses, secret museum excursions and a sinister plot. There's also Regency society to navigate, with an inappropriate romantic interest for the heroine.

It's entertaining but without the level of complexity that I'd usually reserve for a 4 star book. Still a fun, light read. From the ending, it sounds like there should be a sequel, so I'll be keeping my eye out for the next one.

**Received free arc for review.



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