Incarnate by Jodi Meadows Book Review

Speechless by Jodi Meadows
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Release Date: January 31, 2012
374 pages, Newsoul series
Rating: 4 stars
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“There's always the option of deciding for yourself who you are and what you'll become.” 
― Jodi Meadows, Incarnate

Synopsis
New soul

Ana is new. For thousands of years in Range, a million souls have been reincarnated over and over, keeping their memories and experiences from previous lifetimes. When Ana was born, another soul vanished, and no one knows why.

No soul

Even Ana's own mother thinks she's a nosoul, an omen of worse things to come, and has kept her away from society. To escape her seclusion and learn whether she'll be reincarnated, Ana travels to the city of Heart, but its citizens are afraid of what her presence means. When dragons and sylph attack the city, is Ana to blame?

Heart

Sam believes Ana's new soul is good and worthwhile. When he stands up for her, their relationship blooms. But can he love someone who may live only once, and will Ana's enemies—human and creature alike—let them be together? Ana needs to uncover the mistake that gave her someone else's life, but will her quest threaten the peace of Heart and destroy the promise of reincarnation for all? (Goodreads)

My Thoughts
Incarnate was a phenomenal read. Anything with dragons and a masquerade is most likely my kind of book. I was surprised by its mixed reviews. It was such a fascinating read and the world Meadows built was breathtakingly beautiful. I can see why many people might find it a little strange. I mean, Sam has lived many lifetimes and is actually very old despite his young looks while Ana is only 18 years old. Plus, people have been reincarnated as different genders, so everyone has been both female and male. But I didn't find this unsettling. First of all, we all love vampire romances, and vampires are just as old, if not older, as Sam. And I found the reincarnation insanely creative and amusing as people were romantically involved in one life and related in another. 

The world Meadows builds in Incarnate is wild. It has so many otherworldly creatures, like sylph, unicorns, centaurs, and dragons. The city of Heart is actually alive, and its walls have a pulse. Everything outside the city walls has a deadly beauty. There were some creepy aspects. A doorless temple rising endlessly into the sky, an empty city just waiting for settlers, and the haunting moans of the sylph. 

Ana and Sam were wonderful together. As anybody can tell from earlier books I've read, I love me some romance though it isn't necessary for an awesome book. This romance developed at a leisurely place, but that made it all the more meaningful. Sam was such a sweetie, and I found myself sympathizing with Ana. She had been through a lot after being raised by a hateful mother. Li was one evil b***h. Despite all of her years of suffering, Ana managed to be strong. She really was a lovely character. 

And the masquerade. Got to love the masquerade. My favorite scene in the entire book!

I would have liked a little more action. And I don't mean Sam and Ana ripping each other's clothes off. There were a couple of dragon fights and sylph attacks, but I wanted to see more creatures and interactions between Ana and other characters. There was a lot of scenes with Sam and Ana, and also Stef and Sine from time to time, but I wanted more about the other characters. I know. I'm greedy. I have so many questions unanswered as well. About Heart, the reincarnations, the fantasy creatures, but I'm sure they'll be answered in the upcoming books. 

Overall, Incarnate was a fantastic read and I'd recommend it to any YA fantasy lovers. I cannot wait for the sequel Asunder which is expected on January 29, 2013! 

Happy reading,

Courtney

Dragonswood by Janet Lee Carey Book Review

Dragonswood by Janet Lee Carey
Publisher: Dial
Release Date: January 5, 2012
407 pages
Rating: 3 stars
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Synopsis
Wilde Island was once at peace. After the death of their Pendragon king, the king's regent holds the throne uneasily until the heir returns from the crusades while the younger prince searches the island for the stolen royal treasure. Tension rises between the three races of fey, dragon, and human who had lived in peace beforehand.

Tess finds herself drawn to the Dragonswood, the dead king's sanctuary for the dragons and fey, despite its danger. The forest offers her comfort and an escape from her father's abuse and an unwanted betrothal. When a witchhunter visits her town, Tess is nervous because she spends her time in Dragonswood and she sees visions of the past and future with her firesight. Tess and her two friends are caught in the witchhunter's sights, and they are forced to flee into the Dragonswood to escape trial and almost certain death. In order to survive in the wild, they have to rely on a mysterious huntsman. But Tess starts feeling something for this huntsman, and she is terrified of opening her heart to anyone when she has been abused by a man all her life.

My Thoughts
First off, DO NOT read the synopsis on Goodreads. It has two HUGE spoilers that don't reveal themselves until later in the story! Sure, it was a predictable outcome, but if you intend to read this book, you probably don't want spoilers.

Secondly, I bought Dragonswood mainly for the cover. It is beautiful. I still can't get enough of it. The dress, the creepily floating woman, the beautiful background and title. I always judge a book by its cover. Later on, I might read reviews and hear about popular books, but the cover is really the hook, line, and sinker.

I was looking forward to this book, and I hate to say I was disappointed. Dragonswood lacked a certain spark or oomph. It had so much potential with its fast pace and wild imagination, but this book seemed to be suffering from multiple personality disorder. Or maybe it was pumped up on fantasy steroids. There was just so much going on, and I found myself lost as to what this book was really about. A blacksmith's daughter who is trying to escape her abusive father? A girl accused of witchcraft trying to outrun her pursuers? An impostor trying to steal the Pendragon throne? A wood full of dragons and fey? A girl doubting her faith in God? This book just went in so many directions, and I honestly felt dizzy trying to focus on the storyline. All the jumbled elements didn't fall into place until halfway through the book. Up until then, I felt the plot was a little sloppy. The setting was 12th century England, but the time didn't seem to fit with these girls wanting independence from their fathers and men, and then they end up falling in love anyways. Maybe they learned that all men aren't abusive and controlling? The message was liberating but also confusing. Plus, some historical elements were just thrown in at random, such as a reference to King Arthur, and they did nothing to enrich the story.

The back of the book says there is an epic romance. I thought the romance was sweet, but definitely not epic. I can understand that the author was trying to be subtle with the romance, but I thought it was almost too subtle. Of course the reader can guess that the huntsman is the love interest, but there wasn't enough chemistry between Tess and Garth for most of the book.

I did enjoy reading this book despite its hyperactivity. It entertained me, and I was never bored. Plus, I loved the description and the vivid detail given to Dragonswood, DunGarrow, and the fey. I also fell in love with the dragons and the Pendragon royalty that had dragon blood in their veins and dragon scales on their skin. And I loved the huntsman. He was such a compelling character, and he was so sweet and understanding with Tess.

As for the ending, it was a little abrupt. The book seemed to be building up the tension between the races, but everything was wrapped up a little too neatly and I wanted more of a climax. I heard there is a sequel in the works and maybe that will reveal more, but I am not sure if I will even read it.

Happy reading,

Courtney

Seraphina by Rachel Hartman Book Review

Seraphina by Rachel Hartman
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Release Date: July 10, 2012
467 pages, Seraphina series
Rating: 4 stars
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“The world inside myself is vaster and richer than this paltry plane, peopled with mere galaxies and gods.” 
― Rachel Hartman, Seraphina

Synopsis

Four decades of peace have done little to ease the mistrust between humans and dragons in the kingdom of Goredd. Folding themselves into human shape, dragons attend court as ambassadors, and lend their rational, mathematical minds to universities as scholars and teachers. As the treaty's anniversary draws near, however, tensions are high.

Seraphina Dombegh has reason to fear both sides. An unusually gifted musician, she joins the court just as a member of the royal family is murdered—in suspiciously draconian fashion. Seraphina is drawn into the investigation, partnering with the captain of the Queen's Guard, the dangerously perceptive Prince Lucian Kiggs. While they begin to uncover hints of a sinister plot to destroy the peace, Seraphina struggles to protect her own secret, the secret behind her musical gift, one so terrible that its discovery could mean her very life.

In her exquisitely written fantasy debut, Rachel Hartman creates a rich, complex, and utterly original world. Seraphina's tortuous journey to self-acceptance is one readers will remember long after they've turned the final page. (Goodreads)

My Thoughts

I was really excited for Seraphina. I expected it to be a new fave, but I was disappointed when I first started reading. It took me awhile to really immerse myself in the story. I was bogged down by all the detail and, honestly, a little confused. There was just so much to digest, and I think the beginning could have started off smoother. There was a lot of stuff that needed clarifying. When I finished, I was still unsure about some of the saints, like St. Ogdo, and what the Tanamoot was. Maybe I just missed some key details. I'm not sure. The glossary helped a lot and I finally found out some stuff I wanted to, but that was at the end of the book so I finished before realizing it was there. 

It took me till almost halfway through, but I did eventually enjoy the book. Very much so. It was slow-paced in the beginning so I read slower. But once I reached about halfway, I couldn't put it down. I loved hearing about the religion and culture of Goredd. The festivities and the worshipping of different Saints was so intriguing. Goredd was described beautifully, and I found myself falling in love with all of its eccentricities: the Countdown Clock and the beehive skep, Quighole and Treaty Eve.  The inclusion of the psalters and philosophy also really added to the story. Prince Kiggs and Seraphina quoted philosophers frequently, and the language was beautiful. 

The music had a central theme throughout. At first, I was reminded of band concerts and my flute lessons, of band camp and so many awkward memories trying to play my open holed flute. But then the music built upon itself, growing in strength and meaning throughout the book. It flows wonderfully and it has such a strong place in the book, almost a character itself. I loved how the songs communicated mood and a longing for the past. The song lyrics were amusing at times and poignant at others. I found myself drawn into songs I couldn't even hear, and Seraphina's love for music worked well with the plot. 

I loved Seraphina. She was outspoken, sweet and lovable. She really proved her bravery, even though she did not believe in herself. Plus, her abilities were so unique and her mind so strange. I liked it. I loved Prince Kiggs. He was adorable. And even Glisselda who could be very clever, when she wasn't high maintenance, and there was something so endearing about her, how oblivious she was to awkwardness. How she could crumble in despair and then be authoritative in the next second. Plus, Abdo, Dame Okra, and Lars and well, I loved so many characters. Orma especially! He's probably my favorite, or Kiggs, or Abdo. All of them were so awesome. I found the dragons could be funny without even meaning to be. Hartmann did a great job with character development. I cracked up every time the scrawny sackbut player was mentioned. 

Despite the slow beginning, I did come to love Seraphina and I will continue reading the series in the future. The dragons were unique, and I liked how the story added a new twist to dragon mythology. 

Happy reading, 

Courtney 

P.S. Fat Cat Reads A Lot - Seraphina Review

Fat Cat aka Pudgy aka Callie decided to read Seraphina with me this week. She purred during the romance scenes. Hissed at the drama. Her review: 

Meow meow dragons. Meow meow fantastic. 

She gave it 3 tails out of 5. She was upset there were no cats.