Review: The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

Title: The Immortal Rules 
Author: Julie Kagawa
Published: April 24, 2012
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Series: Blood of Eden #1
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal, Dystopian
Pages: 485
Source: Library
Rating: 4 stars
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

“Sometime in your life, Alison Sekemoto, you will kill a human being. Accidentally or as a conscious, deliberate act. It is unavoidable. The question is not if it will happen, but when.”
― Julie Kagawa, The Immortal Rules

Synopsis
In a future world, vampires reign. Humans are blood cattle. And one girl will search for the key to save humanity. Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten.

Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of "them." The vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself is attacked--and given the ultimate choice. Die...or become one of the monsters.

Faced with her own mortality, Allie becomes what she despises most. To survive, she must learn the rules of being immortal, including the most important: go long enough without human blood, and you will go mad.

Then Allie is forced to flee into the unknown, outside her city walls. There she joins a ragged band of humans who are seeking a legend--a possible cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike.

But it isn't easy to pass for human. Especially not around Zeke, who might see past the monster inside her. And Allie soon must decide what--and who--is worth dying for. (Goodreads)

My Thoughts
Let me just preface this review by apologizing for neglecting my blog. First, there was Hurricane Sandy. Although Sandy had some great background noises for reading horror, with the howling of the wind and the torrential downpour of rain. Secondly, I have been suffering from migraine after migraine. So, reading has been slow going. My week of horror-filled books was kind of a failure, but hopefully next Halloween, I'll do much better and spread it throughout the entire month of October (less pressure).

Waiting on Wednesday (12) - Strands of Bronze and Gold by Jane Nickerson

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine, and it's where you post a book you are eagerly awaiting.

Strands of Bronze and Gold by Jane Nickerson

Hits Shelves on March 12, 2013

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Synopsis
The Bluebeard fairy tale retold. . . .

When seventeen-year-old Sophia Petheram’s beloved father dies, she receives an unexpected letter. An invitation—on fine ivory paper, in bold black handwriting—from the mysterious Monsieur Bernard de Cressac, her godfather. With no money and fewer options, Sophie accepts, leaving her humble childhood home for the astonishingly lavish Wyndriven Abbey, in the heart of Mississippi.

Sophie has always longed for a comfortable life, and she finds herself both attracted to and shocked by the charm and easy manners of her overgenerous guardian. But as she begins to piece together the mystery of his past, it’s as if, thread by thread, a silken net is tightening around her. And as she gathers stories and catches whispers of his former wives—all with hair as red as her own—in the forgotten corners of the abbey, Sophie knows she’s trapped in the passion and danger of de Cressac’s intoxicating world.

Glowing strands of romance, mystery, and suspense are woven into this breathtaking debut—a thrilling retelling of the “Bluebeard” fairy tale. (Goodreads)

My Thoughts

Besides that stunning cover, my main reason for wanting to read this book is that it's a Bluebeard retelling. For those of you unfamiliar with the Bluebeard folktale, Bluebeard is a violent nobleman who has a habit of killing his wives. He is greatly feared and avoided because of his blue beard, and, at first, he has trouble convincing another woman to marry him, but he finally succeeds. Before going away on a trip, he gives his new wife the keys to every room in his chateau, but he expressly forbids her to enter one particular room. The wife is overcome with curiosity, and she unlocks the room, only to find the dead bodies of all of her husband's former wives.

So, on that horrific note, this book should make for a fascinating tale! I can't wait to see how this turns out.

What are you waiting for this week?

Review: The Dark Half by Stephen King

Title: The Dark Half 
Author: Stephen King
Published: November 1, 1989
Publisher: Viking Adult
Genre: Adult Horror
Pages: 431
Source: Borrowed
Rating: 5 stars
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“But writers INVITE ghosts, maybe; along with actors and
artists, they are the only totally accepted mediums of our society. They make worlds that never
were, populate them with people who never existed, and then invite us to join them in their
fantasies. And we do it, don't we? Yes. We PAY to do it.”
― Stephen King, The Dark Half

Synopsis
In 1985, 39-year-old Stephen King announced in public that his pseudonymous alter ego, Richard Bachman, was dead. (Never mind that he revived him years later to write The Regulators.)

At the beginning of The Dark Half (1989), 39-year-old writer Thad Beaumont announces in public that his own pseudonym, George Stark, is dead.

Now, King didn't want to jettison the Bachman novel, titled Machine Dreams, that he was working on. So he incorporated it in The Dark Half as the crime oeuvre of George Stark, whose recurring hero/alter ego is an evil character named Alexis Machine.

Thad Beaumont's pseudonym is not so docile as Stephen King's, though, and George Stark bursts forth into reality. At that point, two stories kick into gear: a mystery-detective story about the crime spree of George Stark (or is it Alexis Machine?) and a horror story about Beaumont's struggle to catch up with his doppelganger and kill him dead. (Goodreads)

My Thoughts
Let me first preface this review by saying I worship Stephen King (pardon me if that sounds sacrilegious). I want to marry his mind. I'm usually a very open-minded individual who tries to respect others' opinions, but all of that goes out the window when it comes to King. I will defend his books until I'm in my grave, and I don't care if I'm being dramatic. It's the truth. My family loves Stephen King. My mom read me his books when I was in the womb. I was not allowed to read his works till I was older, but since then, I have enjoyed every single one of them that I have read thus far. And I will read every last one. Now that I've sang my praises for him, I guess I'll continue with an actual book review.

Review: Eon by Alison Goodman

Title: Eon 
Author: Alison Goodman
Published: December 26, 2008
Publisher: Puffin Canada
Series: Eon #1
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Pages: 531
Source: Purchased
Rating: 5 stars
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

“I found power in accepting the truth of who I am. It may not be a truth that others can accept, but I cannot live any other way. How would it be to live a lie every minute of your life.”
― Alison Goodman, Eon: Dragoneye Reborn

Synopsis
Eon has been studying the ancient art of Dragon Magic for four years, hoping he’ll become apprentice to one of the twelve energy dragons of good fortune. But he also has a dark secret. He is actually Eona, a sixteen-year-old girl who has been living a dangerous lie for the chance to become a Dragoneye, the human link to an energy dragon’s power. It is forbidden for females to practice the Dragon Magic and, if discovered, Eon faces a terrible death. But after a brilliant sword ceremony, Eon is catapulted into the treacherous world of the Imperial court, where his desperate lie comes to light. (Goodreads)

My Thoughts
Eon was nothing short of fantastic. I'm ashamed to admit that it took me almost an entire week to finish this book because I really should have been reading through it at a rip roaring pace. This week was more hectic than I imagined, so I had to put down this book against my will time and time again.

Just when I was wishing for a jaw dropping fantasy, Eon appeared like magic. This was an epic read I want to see turned into a movie. The attention to detail was amazing. The vivid descriptions of the Asian-inspired architecture and culture wowed me time and time again. The world Goodman built lacked nothing. History, religion, tradition, and culture were all skillfully interwoven. I loved the apartments decorated with painted screens, the beautiful robes the lords wore, and the rituals everyone painstakingly observed. The palace itself was amazing to read about with all its splendor. Every little gesture and symbol had significance, and I was crazy about it. Plus, the rich history made for some wonderful storytelling.

Catherynne M. Valente Reading and Book Signing

So, yesterday I met Catherynne M. Valente at my local bookstore! For those of you who are unfamiliar with her work, Cat Valente wrote The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making and The Girl Who Fell Beneath Fairyland and Led the Revels There. She also wrote a bunch of other books, but these are her recent ones.

Yes, I know, both those titles are quite the mouthful. I have yet to read these books (I just bought them recently so I could get them signed). But I'm so excited to! Look at those gorgeous covers.

Cat Valente and me

Cat Valente read from both books in the Fairyland series, but she read more from the sequel. There was also musical entertainment. Her friend S.J. sang songs that were inspired by the books and the various characters. There was even a sing-along sea shanty (well, river shanty). Valente was so nice, and I was thrilled to meet her. I will definitely be reading these books soon. 

Here's the awesome book trailer for The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making!

The singer in this video is S.J. who sang last night at the reading. She was great! Here's her site: http://www.skinnywhitechick.com/

Top Ten Books to Get Into the Halloween Spirit (9)

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted over at The Broke and the Bookish. Every week, you post a Top Ten list following a bookish theme. This week's Top Ten Tuesday is:

Top Ten Books to Get Into the Halloween Spirit

1. Pet Sematary by Stephen King - Just like almost every other King book, Pet Sematary is terrifying. I could not read this book at night. I had nightmares. I mean, what wouldn't be creepy about animals, and people, coming back to life not entirely their old selves? As in, I will kill you in your sleep or stare at you creepily. I could make this whole list Stephen King, but I'll give some variety.

2. Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill - From Stephen King's son, Heart-Shaped Box is a haunting read. Basically, a rock star buys a ghost off of an auction site. This is not just any ghost, but a vengeance seeking spirit. This book will definitely have you afraid of things that go bump in the night.

3. The Passage by Justin Cronin - Cronin's vampires do not sparkle in the daytime. They are deadly. That's why I love this book. It terrified me and thrilled me, and it was such a dark, horrific read. 

4. The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allan Poe - If I want creepy, I always turn to Poe. I'm in love with his mind. And this tale is one of my favorites. It's great to read during a thunderstorm in the dark of night. If you have a raven sitting on your chamber door, it's even better.

5. The Woman in Black by Susan Hill - While it wasn't as scary as the movie, The Woman in Black was still a frightening read. I was afraid to be alone at night. I mean, in a strange way, you could look at this book as a great example of woman's power. Don't mess with a woman or she'll go crazy and kill off the town's children. Great lesson. She definitely knows how to keep a grudge. 

6. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde - One of my favorite books. It's a psychological thriller and has some creeptastic moments. You're so vain. You probably think this song is about you. Don't you? That's Dorian's anthem.

7. The Call of Cthulhu by H.P. Lovecraft - If you're looking for some great horror, just pick up some Lovecraft. It will definitely put you in the Halloween spirit.

8. Dracula by Bram Stoker - This is near and dear to my heart. It's a classic everyone should read, even if they don't like vampires. So we can all hate Mina together.

9. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley - Another horrific classic. I'm seeing a trend here. When I go for horror, I go back to my old favorites. 

10. Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice - I have yet to read this entire series which I deeply regret. But  I definitely recommend the first book. The vampires are graceful and beautiful, but also deadly killers. The movie's a must see too! Brad Pitt, Antonio Banderas, Kirsten Dunst, and Tom Cruise all as vampires! Awesomesauce.

I could go on and on, but that would be annoying and cheating. So that's my Top Ten! I really enjoyed this one because I love Halloween and scary books! 

How about you? What scary books would you recommend?

Review: Mystic City by Theo Lawrence

Title: Mystic City 
Author: Theo Lawrence
Published: October 9, 2012
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Series: Mystic City #1
Genre: Young Adult Dystopian
Pages: 397
Source: Purchased
Rating: 3 stars
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“I always knew this story would break my heart”
― Theo Lawrence, Mystic City

Synopsis
Aria Rose, youngest scion of one of Mystic City's two ruling rival families, finds herself betrothed to Thomas Foster, the son of her parents' sworn enemies. The union of the two will end the generations-long political feud—and unite all those living in the Aeries, the privileged upper reaches of the city, against the banished mystics who dwell below in the Depths.

But Aria doesn't remember falling in love with Thomas; in fact, she wakes one day with huge gaps in her memory. And she can't conceive why her parents would have agreed to unite with the Fosters in the first place.

Only when Aria meets Hunter, a gorgeous rebel mystic from the Depths, does she start to have glimmers of recollection—and to understand that he holds the key to unlocking her past. The choices she makes can save or doom the city—including herself. (Goodreads)

My Thoughts
I have been eagerly anticipating Mystic City for a long time. The premise and cover together had me very excited for its release. The world building left nothing to be desired. Manhattan is completely reimagined into a mystical world divided between the people above and the people below. The rich and famous live far above the streets in dazzling skyscrapers soaring above the ground. The Aeries remain untouched by the destruction left behind by the climate change, and the buildings are connected by bridges and lightrails. The privileged never use the PODs (points of descent) to descend below. The PODs are for the servants that live far below in the Depths. The Depths are filled with the poor and the Mystics. The Mystics are prejudiced against because they possess unnatural powers and are perceived as a threat. Every Mystic must be registered and drained twice a year, but some undrained Mystics remain in hiding, escaping the power draining. The Mystics were sort of like X-Men, as they all possess different powers and are pretty much kickass. For the most part, they can heal but they also have unique abilities such as walking through buildings or summoning storms.

Book Blog Tour: The Violet Fox by Clare C. Marshall Review & Giveaway

Hi! Thanks for stopping by The Violet Fox Book Blog Tour!

This is my first book blog tour, and I'm very excited! It was so much fun, and I loved talking with Marshall and reading The Violet Fox! Today's stop will have a book review and a chance to win The Violet Fox and other goodies in a giveaway.

Title: The Violet Fox 
Author: Clare C. Marshall
Published: October 13, 2012
Publisher: Faery Ink Press
Series: The Violet Fox #1
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Pages: 288 pages
Source: Author (for book blog tour)
Rating: 3 stars
Goodreads | Amazon | Smashwords

Synopsis
There are two kinds of people in the land of Marlenia. The Marlenians, who live on the surface, and the Freetors, who are forced to live underground. The war between them ended two hundred years ago, but the Freetors still fight for the right to live under the sun. Fifteen-year-old Kiera Driscoll embodies the Freetors’ hopes as the Violet Fox. In a violet cape and mask, she sneaks around Marlenia City stealing food and freeing her people from slavery.

Then the Elders task her with a secret mission: retrieve a stolen tome that contains the secrets of Freetor magic, something the Marlenians both fear and covet. Kiera must disguise herself as a noblewoman and infiltrate the Marlenian castle before the Freetor-hating Advisor finds out her real identity, before her brother is imprisoned because of the secrets he hides, and before she falls any more in love with the prince she’s supposed to hate.

More is happening in the castle than she realizes, and Kiera is faced with a difficult choice. Will she be loyal to her people and their fight for freedom, or will she be loyal to her heart? (Goodreads)

My Thoughts

The Violet Fox was a delightful read. When I first read the premise, I knew this was my type of read. It has action, adventure, romance, and a strong heroine. Kiera is far from a weakling. She takes many risks, stealing as the Violet Fox, so that her people won't starve. Times are rough in the Undercity where the Freetors live. Food is scarce, and Fighters have to go on missions to the surface to steal food. The little food they steal is then rationed. If a Freetor is caught above, they are enslaved, left in the dungeon to rot, or killed in a public execution. Despite all of these dangers, Kiera continues to put her life on the line out of her concern for others. She may be reckless at times, but you have to admire her bravery and toughness. I certainly did. She seemed so much older than her fifteen years. 

Waiting on Wednesday (11) - Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers

It is that time of the week! Wednesday! We're halfway through the week. Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine. It is where bloggers can share a book they are eagerly waiting for.

Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers

Hits Shelves on April 2, 2013

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Synopsis
Sybella arrives at the convent’s doorstep half mad with grief and despair. Those that serve Death are only too happy to offer her refuge—but at a price. Naturally skilled in both the arts of death and seduction, the convent views Sybella as one of their most dangerous weapons.

But those assassin’s skills are little comfort when the convent returns her to a life that nearly drove her mad. Her father’s rage and brutality are terrifying, and her brother’s love is equally monstrous. And while Sybella is a weapon of justice wrought by the god of Death himself, He must give her a reason to live. When she discovers an unexpected ally imprisoned in the dungeons, will a daughter of Death find something other than vengeance to live for?

This heart-pounding sequel to Grave Mercy serves betrayal, treachery, and danger in equal measure, bringing readers back to fifteenth century Brittany and will keep them on the edge of their seats. (Goodreads)

Why I'm Waiting 

I loved Grave Mercy. It has been awhile since I've encountered any historical fiction. And then this series presented itself. I'm beyond excited for the sequel, Dark Triumph. The cover is stunning, and I'm a huge fan of Sybella. She's one tough cookie. Not to mention, I'm loving that the series will consist of companion novels and that the third book will star Annith. Can't wait!

What's your WoW this week?

Review: Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers

Title: Grave Mercy 
Author: Robin LaFevers
Published: April 3, 2012
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Series: His Fair Assassin #1
Genre: Young Adult Historical Fiction, Fantasy
Pages: 549
Source: Library
Rating: 4 stars
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

“When one consorts with assassins, one must expect to dance along the edge of a knife once or twice.”
― R.L. LaFevers, Grave Mercy

Synopsis
Seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters still serve the gods of old. Here she learns that the god of Death Himself has blessed her with dangerous gifts—and a violent destiny. If she chooses to stay at the convent, she will be trained as an assassin and serve as a handmaiden to Death. To claim her new life, she must destroy the lives of others.

Ismae’s most important assignment takes her straight into the high court of Brittany—where she finds herself woefully under prepared—not only for the deadly games of intrigue and treason, but for the impossible choices she must make. For how can she deliver Death’s vengeance upon a target who, against her will, has stolen her heart? (Goodreads)

My Thoughts
It has been far too long since I've read any historical fiction. Actually, that was a lie. I read The Dark Queen, set in Brittany under the rule of Catherine de Medici, last spring. It was an enjoyable read, and I certainly recommend it. Grave Mercy was the perfect choice for revisiting this genre, especially since it is a mix of fantasy and history. Luckily, I am a fan of both. The storytelling was excellent, and as far as I could tell, LaFevers researched this time period thoroughly. The vivid detailing of clothing, courtiers, and architecture made for an authenticity I greatly admired. The political intrigue also kept me reading, and that wonderful mystery of whodunnit. With Grave Mercy, suspects were everywhere in a court full of backstabbing, and the duchess of Brittany could never feel completely safe when her barons were easily bribed and a French ambassador lurked nearby.