From Goodreads: Twelve-year-old Artemis Fowl is a millionaire, a genius—and, above all, a criminal mastermind. But even Artemis doesn’t know what he’s taken on when he kidnaps a fairy, Captain Holly Short of the LEPrecon Unit.

These aren’t the fairies of bedtime stories; these fairies are armed and dangerous.

Artemis thinks he has them right where he wants them…but then they stop playing by the rules.
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I have heard amazing things about the Artemis Fowl Series for a very long time, but I haven’t picked up the series until now.  My first impression?  Well, Artemis is a genius, but his actions within the novel, kidnapping a faery, for one, put me off of him and I spent a lot of the novel really disliking him.  However, the more I read, the more I realized he was just putting on a façade.  Artemis is good at heart, though he’s committing multiple crimes, and I actually really liked him by the end. 

I was afraid that this novel might be a bit childish for my tastes, but I was so very wrong.  I actually spent much of the novel on pins and needles, dying to know what would happen next a Colfer entices the reader deeper into the story, jumping back and forth between scenes and giving the reader an omniscient glimpse into everything that is happening simultaneously, both above, and under, the ground.  This is a great read.

Overall, this is a really cute story that I think any MG, YA, or adult will really enjoy.  Colfer has a way with words and he spins an intriguing tale, giving the reader access to another world as he builds the race of the faeries, bringing everything to a head as Artemis and the faeries square off against one another.  I found a lot of the situations to be quite comical and the explanations to be perfect, making me an Artemis Fowl fan for life. Four stars.

I purchased a copy of this novel from Barnes and Nobel.

From Goodreads: A cross-cultural romance set during the fury of British imperialism and the social-cultural divide in early twentieth-century turbulent British India.

It’s the year 1911. King George the Fifth is due in Delhi for his coronation celebration. A devastating fire in the royal camp gives rise to speculations of sabotage and an assassination attempt by the Indian revolutionaries. Will the British police be able to unveil real cause of the blaze?

Raju, a college student, struggling to establish his identity in the charged atmosphere of India’s freedom struggle is caught up in the vortex of violent passions as two of his innocent friends are made scapegoats for the blaze, by the British police, and are murdered. Thus begins Raju’s relentless journey against colonial rule and the economic exploitation of India.

A passionate romance with Eileen, the daughter of a British officer, keeps Raju inspired in their roller-coaster ride against the backdrop of British imperialism, turbulent political conflicts, the fury of the freedom revolution, the catastrophic first World War and the racial, cultural and social divisions in the post-Edwardian era.

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Any readers of historical romance will really love this novel. Kaul has created a wonderful story dealing with amazing fictional characters during the British occupation of India in during the early 1900s. It’s a story of forbidden love, society ideals, betrayal, and danger as Raju and Eileen fall deeply in love and begin a love affair that could easily end in Raju’s death and Eileen’s banishment. What I thoroughly enjoyed about this novel is that there is so much character building and background information given that it’s like the reader is a part of the story. Though the novel is a bit long, it weaves together a very powerful historical romance, following the characters throughout the years as they grow and mature, fighting for what they believe.

Kaul is a fabulous writer, engrossing the reader in his story as the beautiful descriptions, the gripping action, and the sweeping romance all come together to create a wonderful novel that I couldn’t put down. I am not usually a reader of historical novels, yet Kaul’s historical fiction is fabulous and I would recommend it to anyone. Four stars.

I received a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.

From Goodreads: Two families. Four teens. A summer full of secrets.

Every summer, hidden away in a lakeside community in upstate New York, four teens leave behind their old identities…and escape from their everyday lives.

Yet back in Philadelphia during the school year, Alex cannot suppress his anger at his father (who killed himself), his mother (whom he blames for it), and the girls who give it up too easily. His younger brother, Kyle, is angry too—at his abusive brother, and at their mother who doesn’t seem to care. Meanwhile, in suburban New Jersey, Katie plays the role of Miss Perfect while trying to forget the nightmare that changed her life. But Julie, her younger sister, sees Katie only as everything she’s not. And their mother will never let Julie forget it.

Up at the lake, they can be anything, anyone. Free. But then Katie’s secret gets out, forcing each of them to face reality—before it tears them to pieces.

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This is a very gritty, real story dealing with the darker sides of life, love, and loss.  Told through the eyes of all four characters, Katie, Julie, Alex, and Kyle, Gelbwasser gives the reader a glimpse into the inner turmoil and miscommunications that run rampant among these four struggling teens as they try to find true love an acceptance.  It’s a heartbreaking tale full of abuse and distrust, making it a story for mature YA and beyond.  Readers should be aware that there is some cursing and many sexual encounters, both consensual and forced, within the text.  Yet, Gelbwasser does not exploit them—instead she treads lightly around these encounters, alluding to these actions more so then explaining them in vivid detail.  And, these allusions are more than enough for the reader to understand the dire circumstances of what is happening without it being written onto the page in explicit description.  Instead, Gelbwasser chooses an extremely tasteful way to present these dark circumstances and, though they are chilling and will promote feelings of extreme anger and hatred within the reader, the themes and overall truths make Pieces of Us a must read.

The only truly likeable character, in my opinion, is Kyle—and though he has his fair share of problems, dealing with an incompetent mother and his abusive brother, he seems to overcome his issues and care for others, though it is an immense struggle for him.  His understanding of Katie and his forgiving nature cause the reader to sympathize with him on a level that isn’t possible with the other characters as they relate their feelings and actions.  It is also interesting to note that, amongst all the narrators, Kyle is the only one who invokes the second person point of view, almost as if he has removed himself from the situation, flying high above it while placing the reader directly into his shoes through the constant use of “you” and not “I.”  This is a very interesting technique that Gelbwasser employs in her novel, and it works extremely well, creating a deeper connection between Kyle and the reader. 

Alex, however, is much harder to character to connect with due to his extremely nasty nature, and Gelbwasser has written him in such a way that he’s able to evoke strong emotions of hatred in the reader as he relays his story.  Though Alex’s issues stem a bit deeper than his brother’s, and his abuse at the hands of his mother’s johns has left him angry and despondent, his abuse of others, though blinded by his own anger, is inexcusable.  Yet, even though I despised him throughout much of the novel, Gelbwasser has done an amazing job creating him, as my feelings towards him are indeed extremely vivid and real. 

Katie is a little bit easier to understand and connect with as the story revolves mainly around her and her situation that inspires the downfall of all the characters, but at the same time, her choices made me livid.  Although the case can be made that she just didn’t know any better, and that her parents and their lack of parenting skills are at fault, in the end it is Katie who chose to make a bad situation worse through her naivety.  The overarching theme that Katie’s predicament presents is a wonderful one about standing up for oneself, about seeking help, yet that fact that Katie doesn’t is what helps to create feelings of anger towards her within the reader.  And yet, thousands of girls make the same decisions that Katie did everyday… and that realization makes it difficult to dislike her, or really be angry with her.  Instead, it’s almost pity one feels for her as her situation deteriorates.

While I’ll admit that I felt terrible for Julie throughout much of the novel, especially due to her mother’s treatment of her, she eventually turns into an ugly character by the end.  But again, Gelbwasser presents her in a very real light, and I understand her completely, making me wonder about my own reactions and what I would do in a similar situation if the tables were turned.  And this is why, even though the characters made me angry, livid even, I think Gelbwasser has created such a masterpiece.  These characters, and all they do, are very real, and it will make readers stop and think, to really analyze their lives and those of the people surrounding them.  Overall, Pieces of Us is a good story, though a bit depressing, and I spent much time yelling at the characters for their decisions.  No matter how bad a situation is, no one should ever let another person blackmail them or take advantage of them; and had the characters in this novel been blessed with a stable home and less anger to cloud their judgments, it would have turned out differently.  But, based on their upbringing and their lives, they really never had a chance… 

No, this novel isn’t one for happy endings, it doesn’t have a flowery story of love and happiness, but it does deal with reality, with healing.  Pieces of Us has an open ending, and though nothing is resolved, it alludes to healing for two of the characters, while leaving the other two characters’ future up to the readers’ imagination.  It’s not a clean ending, resolving the issues for the characters, and it may make some readers angry, but this gritty novel dealing with the darker sides of life, love, and loss is, indeed, amazing. 

Flux Books has been extremely gracious in allowing me to read an ARC of this novel, via Netgalley, prior to its release on March 8th, 2012.

From Goodreads: Mare Knotting discovers the beings that gave raise to myth, but what astounds her more than their reality is the fact that they are the children of angels.

A single, working mother and college student, Mare works hard to provide for her three-and-a-half year-old daughter, Clarissa – and she does it alone; Christian, Clarissa’s abandoning father and Mare’s ex-boyfriend, has never had anything to do with his daughter. Trying to make a good life for them, Mare enrolls – despite warning by fellow-classmate Daniel Stotts – in a financial-aid program, but when she turns in her results, inhuman beings pursue her. Daniel rescues Mare, but it doesn’t escape her notice that Daniel moves just as inhumanly as the things chasing her.

Once he has her to safety, Daniel explains the truth of the world to Mare; Ethereals – fallen angels and their descendents – exist… and they are where vampire and werewolf legends derive. But when Daniel alleges that he believes the corporation is truly working for Lucifer, Mare is more shocked to find that her research helped to create an army that Satan will use to try to defeat God with on Judgment Day and take over the world. Already enough to deal with, Mare then learns that Clarissa is the most powerful witch any Ethereal has ever seen – she takes to the Casting Language as if it were her native tongue.

All too much, Mare blacks out – and wakes to the realization of whom and what she truly is.

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Adamson has created a compelling story with great character building and enticing paranormal elements.  Different from the many fallen angel novels making their way to bookshelves across the world, Adamson gears her novel towards adults, focusing on the battle between good and evil through genetic mutations, creating an intense read as Mare learns the truth behind the myths and her own family background. 

I really enjoyed this novel, especially as Adamson creates such vivid characters that nearly jump off the pages.  Mare is a level-headed young woman struggling to do right by her child, born out of wedlock, and I truly enjoyed reading about this strong female lead.  Her priorities are in the right place, and though it’s a difficult endeavor to put herself through college and raise a child, she does a phenomenal job, and is believable—Adamson has created a strong woman that every reader can look up to.  I really enjoyed her as the lead character, and watching her struggle to decipher and understand the events happening around her was a lot of fun; I felt like I was there with her, figuring it out as the story progressed.

Daniel and Christian were also well-developed characters that I enjoyed, though I can’t say that I like one more than the other.  Like Mare, I am torn as both men offer such wonderful possibilities, and yet, Clarissa truly needs her father… Adamson’s ability to add a love story amongst the turmoil of war is amazing, and I was captivated as I read.  Overall, this is a great novel with superb explanations concerning witches, fallen angels and their abilities, as well as how and why Satan is attempting to create an army to take over the world.  I highly recommend it.  Four stars.

I received a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.

From Goodreads: I kill, therefore I am…

Voices slam through the corridor of his wounded mind. The words of his dead sister cry out. His parents’ taunts fill the silent room where he sits and waits–waits for the murderous rage, filling him with strength, driving him to kill, to touch the cold flesh, taste the warm blood–to feel alive again… A witness has seen him, but his killing only turns her on and now she wants to protect him. His wife suspects him, but the private detective she hired cannot stop him. Joe MacAree fears nothing–except that he may no longer be human. The thirst that drives him is relentless, moving deeper and deeper into his own shattering, private realm, where each murder is a delicious new gift of life, where revulsion is beauty, and the obsession will never let him go.

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This novel is extremely graphic.  It is horror, with blood and sex within the pages, and while I tend to avoid novels with any types of erotica in them as they don’t seem to lend anything to the story, this particular novel wouldn’t be a complete horror novel if these elements were missing.  Reed focuses on the past abuse of Joe MacAree, explaining his crazed and erotic tendencies towards his victims as he yearns to be the controller and not the controlled.  While he attempts to lead a normal everyday life with his wife Anne, his cryptic past eventually overshadows him, causing him to act out through murder.  And yet, he never meant for this to happen.   

Joe is an extremely twisted individual, relishing his power over others, literally thirsting for their blood.  He is a young woman’s nightmare and a psychologist’s fantasy, wrapped up in the erotica of watching the life slip from his victim’s eyes.  Yet, Joe wasn’t always this crazed.  Obsessed begins with the murder of a young mother-to-be, leaving her husband in an abject state as he attempts to come to terms with the gruesome discovery of her body, vowing to stop the murderer himself.  But Joe is not yet a refined killer, simply choosing his victims on a whim; he’s skittish, constantly admonishing himself and looking for forgiveness, yet unable to fight his obsession and change his ways.

Reed handles this novel beautifully as he shapes the character of Joe, taking him from one end of the sanity spectrum to the other.  Through Joe’s obsession to murder, his abusive past, and his wife’s rejection, Reed paints a vivid portrait of a man who is quickly losing touch with reality; Joe is extremely distorted and utterly complicated.  And, though Joe is an evil character, he is written so perfectly, truly encompassing sheer evil.  And, through Joe’s psychotic actions, those lives he’s touched through his murders begin to crumble as well.  A neighbor bound to a wheel chair begins to lose herself to fantasy through Joe’s quest for blood.  An abject husband tortures himself with the quest for revenge.  Joe’s wife loses her feelings of security, yet believes she can ultimately bring Joe back from the brink of insanity, though it may cost her her life.  Watching those around Joe begin to combust added to the horror of the novel and made for an epic ending.  This is true horror at its finest.  Four stars.

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

From Goodreads: Jennie Townsend is unlucky in love, so she is immediately suspicious when a mysterious new student named Nate tries to gain her friendship. But there is something special about Nate, and in spite of her best efforts Jennie finds her feelings for the boy growing deeper every day.

In fact, Nate is more special than Jennie can even imagine. He is a guardian angel, sent to protect Jennie during a most dangerous time in her life. To do so, he must first become close to her – but not too close. The rules for Protectors warn against physical contact and strictly forbid falling in love. But the more time Nate spends with Jennie, the harder the rules are to follow. Will Nate be able to save Jennie from a premature end, or will his own emotions – and Jennie’s – get in the way of completing the task for which he was specifically chosen?

With Unbreakable Love, Angela Carling has created a captivating story for young adult readers, with a refreshing twist on relationship issues. It is an ode to the magical power of true love, a tribute to belief in a benevolent higher power that watches over us and surrounds us every day of our lives.

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Carling has put together a really cute guardian angel love story.  And, while there are many books out there dealing with the topic of angels, I personally haven’t seen very many dealing with the good guardian angel, but more so the bad fallen angel.  This was a nice change, and I thoroughly enjoyed watching Nate and Jennie as they became intense friends.  While the pacing of the novel was a little fast, and it made it difficult to gage the exact amount of time that passes within the novel, it’s clear that Jennie and Nate have a slow budding relationship, though it seems to move quite quickly through the pages as Carling skips the boring segments of friendship building all together.  Some readers may not like that the novel tends to fast forward to the action, for instance asking about a dance that’s a few weeks away, and then, a few paragraphs later, suddenly being at the dance, but I kind of enjoyed this.  It’s apparent that Jennie and Nate’s friendship is blooming, but Carling makes sure that the story keeps a fast pace.  Yet, she still is able to flesh out her main characters without all bringing the novel to a standstill in action. This tactic won’t be enjoyable for everyone, especially those who really want to see the relationship slowly blooming, but I found it refreshing.

Nate’s struggle between his duty to protect Jennie and his growing love for her were really interesting to watch.  In order to protect her, he must keep his distance, but that’s also nearly impossible to do when love in involved.  I really enjoyed how Carling developed his struggle and, though at times it seems impossible that all will end well, the twist at the end brought a huge smile to my face.  Carling is an author to watch.  Four stars.

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

From Goodreads: Something is killing innocent people around Rylie Gresham’s town. The police think it’s a wild animal, but she has other suspicions. There are new kids at school, and they have a lot in common with her: gold eyes, super strength, and a habit of turning furry. It seems Rylie’s not the only werewolf around anymore.

It’s up to Rylie and her werewolf-hunting boyfriend, Seth, to stop the killings. But saving lives doesn’t come naturally to a monster, and territory battles could risk the life of her sickly aunt–not to mention her own. Rylie has no choice but to stand her ground, protect her home, and stop the murderers before anyone else gets hurt.

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This is another great book in the Seasons of the Moon series!  It’s a wonderful suspense novel, full of mystery and intrigue as many innocents are found dead in Rylie’s quiet little town, and with the arrival of two more werewolves, the evidence begins to point in their direction.  But, looks can be deceiving, and Rylie and Seth must figure out who the killer actually is before it’s too late…

I have always liked Rylie, and she’s matured even more in this novel, though so has her wolf side, which makes her life even more difficult.  Yet, I really enjoyed watching Rylie’s struggle between her human and wolf sides as Reine has written it so well, so lifelike. Although I wouldn’t say the idea of turning into a werewolf is real, Reine presents the struggles of the characters, especially Rylie, in a very vivid and real way.  As Rylie struggles to control herself and maintain her humanity in the presence of other werewolves, especially those on her territory, Reine gives Rylie a very believable demeanor.  And, while Rylie’s control is getting better, at the same time, it seems to be spiraling out of control, with Seth as her calming force, and his brother, Abel, as the instigator of the wolf, adding to the suspense of the novel.

Seth, of course, is just as dreamy as ever, and his impossible relationship with Rylie, he a werewolf hunter and she a werewolf, makes them a pair of star-crossed lovers that the reader can’t help but root for.  But, Seth’s brother is also taking a stand in this novel.  Abel, though much cruder than Seth, is changing as well, and his charm and wolfish side make him a worthy opponent to Seth when it comes to Rylie’s affection, creating almost a rift amongst them as the search for the killer.  And thus, there is a major shift in this novel, steering away from the lighter side of the first two novels and giving it a much darker feel, especially as Rylie makes some choices that left me absolutely livid with her. And, while the novel is still YA appropriate and completely clean, the reader gets the feeling that things are going to have to get much worse for Rylie, Seth, Abel, and Gwyn before they can get better, and I’m anxious to know where the next book in the series will take us, especially as Long Night Moon does not end on a happy note.  Four stars.   

 I received a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Also, the first two books in the series, Six Moon Summer and All Hallows Moon are FREE, TODAY ONLY, on AMAZON.  Hurry up and pick up your copy if you haven’t already done so!

From Goodreads: Before Audrey was the baker’s wife, she was the pastor’s wife.

Then a scandalous lie cost her husband a pastoral career. Now the two work side-by-side running a bakery, serving coffee, and baking fresh bread. But the hurt still pulls at Audrey.

Driving early one morning to the bakery, Audrey’s car strikes something-or someone-at a fog-shrouded intersection. She finds a motor scooter belonging to a local teacher. Blood is everywhere, but there’s no trace of a body.

Both the scooter and the blood belong to detective Jack Mansfield’s wife, and he’s certain that Audrey is behind Julie’s disappearance.

But the case dead-ends and the detective spirals into madness. When he takes her family and some patrons hostage at the bakery, Audrey is left with a soul-damaged ex-con and a cynical teen to solve the mystery. And she’ll never manage that unless she taps into something she would rather leave behind-her excruciating ability to feel other’s pain.

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This is a very interesting, very well written Christian fiction novel.  Truth be told, I normally won’t read Christian fiction because I find that it is usually extremely preachy, and I am not a fan of those types of books.  However, upon perusing the synopsis, I thought I’d give this book a go, and I’m very glad I did because Healy’s novel isn’t overtly preachy at all.  In fact, there’s even what some may call paranormal activity in that Audrey can physically feel people’s pain, but I think that may have more to do with God giving the faithful abilities to do his work rather than actual paranormal activity.  But, either way, it was a twist in the novel that, I’m not going to lie, I found a bit weird, but it didn’t overrun the novel and it’s placement made a lot more sense upon finishing the story, and it was in no way preachy.

This book deals more so with suspense than anything else.  While the Christian undertones are definitely there, I really felt like I was reading a mystery novel above all, and Healy does a phenomenal job drawing the reader into the story.  Set in a quiet community, Healy presents an intriguing story that looks into the hearts of its characters and presents a cautionary tale concerning religious overzealousness.  Jack Mansfield is what many refer to as a religious fanatic and, while some of the occurrences within the novel seem a little far-fetched, this is a great story that takes a hard look at people who take religious beliefs a bit too far, taking what they deem to be “God’s plans” into their own hands and acting out what they believe is His vengeance.  It’s a great social commentary on obsession and I really enjoyed it, especially because it’s very well written and readers can connect with the story.  I feel like we all know someone who takes their beliefs, whether religious, political, etc., to a level that makes them almost obsessive, and this was a great look into what life is life for those people and all those around them, and how dangerous it can become for all involved.  I also found that it sucked me right into the chaos as I attempted to figure out the truth concerning what really happened at the intersection and who was to blame, which made this an extremely fun read, even though it was a bit scary at times.  Four stars. 

Thomas Nelson has been extremely gracious in allowing me to read a copy of this novel via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

From Goodreads: René thinks he’s hit the jackpot!

After six months of no luck following college, he finds the perfect job with excellent benefits at The Power Company doing what he graduated in.

But a newly hired manager has a mysterious agenda. Employees disappear with no warning, and René is caught in a massive explosion that leaves the city of 8 million without power during a record-breaking heat wave. Riots rage and fires burn as the city plunges into chaos, and René finds himself framed for sabotage.

Only the intervention of a silent wanderer can save him and the rest of the city from a deadly power trip.

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This novel is a social commentary on big business and politics, focusing mainly on the “little” guy in the midst of it all.   Much of this novel centers around situations that those in the work force will recognize as true to life; though the exact events may not take place, the concepts surrounding them are everyday occurrences with which many readers will be able to connect.  Rene’s character represents the working class, he’s easily likeable, has been searching for a job in a terrible economy, and is extremely relieved to finally obtain a good job.  Of course, he’ll do anything to keep it, even if it’s giving up some of his free time and working on projects he’s not certified to do—having been out of a job so long, he can’t quit or he may never get another job again.  I really liked how similar the story was to so many people working in corporate America in today’s society, and the satiric nature of the story really made it a great read.

However, while this novel has a very interesting concept, and the synopsis makes it sounds like a real life drama, it actually lends itself to fantasy in that a mysterious superhero is in the mix.  In retrospect, the title portion of the novel, A Wandering Koala Tale, might give readers a heads up that this story isn’t exactly a real life drama, but I was surprised nonetheless and a bit confused by the sudden appearance of a superhero.  The Wandering Koala did show up in the very beginning of the story, creating a background for his character, but once the main story took over, I forgot all about the fantastical superhero and became completely focused on the main story at hand.  While I did like the mute Wandering Koala with ninja assassin like skills, and he did add some spice to the story, I wasn’t expecting the novel to take on a fantasy-like feel.  It’s a good read regardless, and Thomason is a great writer, but just be forewarned, there is a superhero within the pages.  Three stars.

I received a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.

From Goodreads: Is precognition a prescription for happiness or disaster?

The good things in life are coming together for Kristina Collins. She’s found her ideal home, her career is on track for mega success and the man of her dreams has finally come back into her life.

In Fate, the first installment of the Timeless Trilogy, Kris Collins discovers the benefits and risks of having precognitive visions while being stalked by a serial killer. Her friends can’t help her, the FBI can’t save her; she must save herself.

The Timeless Trilogy heroines, Kristina, Veronica, and Cassandra, each deal with paranormal abilities as they discover and rediscover eternal love.
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I really enjoyed that this is an adult novel, but not in the sexual sense.  It’s very well written, with a little romance, but it’s not over the top and it’s a very clean read.  While there is a serial killer on the loose, Grace spares her readers the gruesome details, leaving it all to the imagination, which, in my opinion, is sometimes more graphic than actually putting it in words, depending on the reader.  It is refreshing to read a well-written psychological thriller that not only glues the reader to the pages as it unfolds, but also keeps the plotline wholesome.  I love this genre, but very often I find that this type of writing gives too many bloody details, or revolves around a character’s sexual fantasies, and those things tend to make me ill.  Fate doesn’t do either, focusing mainly on Kris and her precognition as she comes to terms with her stalker.

What starts out as a routine story about three friends quickly turns into one woman’s nightmare as she is targeted by a relentless serial killer.  The fact that Kris’ pre-cognition tips her off that something terrible is coming deepens the suspense within the novel, and I really enjoyed it.  While I wasn’t sure where the story was headed in the very beginning, Grace quickly makes it clear as she sets up the background for the story through a sleepover at Kris’s secluded beach home.  Friends Roni and Cassie are more or less minor characters, but they help set the tone of the story prior to the plot thickening and the imminent danger being revealed.

I really liked that Kris didn’t attempt to battle her stalker all on her own.  This isn’t one of those silly horror stories where the main character is too stubborn to ask for help.  While Kris originally chalks up her premonitions to paranoia, when it becomes clear to her that she is in real danger, she seeks help.  This adds to the believability of the novel, and made me really like Kris as a character.  Although she is pre-cognitive, adding a paranormal feel to this novel, she isn’t stubborn and she makes logical choices, first alerting her dreamy neighbor, Nick, and then the police.  The cast of characters that Grace presents here are extremely interesting and easily likeable, all except the stalker, Damien, and I thoroughly enjoyed having an insider’s view into his mind as it allows the reader to see just how much of a twisted genius he really is.

This novel is a roller coaster ride of emotion, leaving the reader in constant suspense as s/he knows what’s coming, but not when it will happen.  This is a truly great read, and with a little more editing and fine-tuning in terms of the few grammatical errors and typos, this story will be perfect.  Overall, I am very impressed by this first novel in the trilogy, and will definitely be reading the next two novels, Spellbound and Destiny, especially as each sequel will focus on a different heroine.  In Fate, Roni and Cassie are only side characters, and the reader learns just enough about them to whet the appetite, but there is room for them to grow.  And it looks like that is exactly what Grace plans to do, giving both Roni and Cassie their own novel in this trilogy.  I can’t wait.  Four and a half stars for Fate.

I received a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.

The Seventh Throne Lands Top Cover Art and Ties for 3rd in Top Novel in the 2011 Tor.com Readers Choice Awards

Seventh Star Press is proud to announce that The Seventh Throne, the third title in Stephen Zimmer’s urban fantasy Rising Dawn Saga, won the Top Cover Art category and tied for 3rd in Top Novel in the 2011 Tor.com Readers Choice Awards.

The 2011 poll was conducted in January by Tor.com, the website for the world-renowned fantasy publisher Tor. The poll was open to all levels of authors and presses. Many SSP titles received votes, but The Seventh Throne emerged early as a top-ten contender and finished strong in the two categories it was eligible for. Patrick Rothfuss’ The Wise Man’s Fear won Top Novel of 2011, with Scott Sigler’s The All-Pro coming in second, and Brandon Sanderson’s The Alloy of Law tieing for third with Stephen Zimmer’s The Seventh Throne.

The Top Cover Art of 2011 award represents Matthew Perry’s first readers’ poll award for Seventh Star Press, though his reputation for producing outstanding artwork has been growing rapidly with his numerous illustrations and covers created over the past 3 years.

Author Stephen Zimmer also received recognition for his Harvey & Solomon short story “An Island Sojourn”, which placed fourth in the Top Short Story of 2011 category. The steampunk short story was from the Dreams of Steam II: Brass and Bolts anthology, edited by Kimberly Richardson, from Kerlak Publishing.

The Rising Dawn Saga was debuted in 2009 with the release of The Exodus Gate. The Storm Guardians, the second title, followed in 2010, and The Seventh Throne was released in August of 2011. Involving supernatural realms, a modern day setting, and filled with dystopian and apocalyptic undertones, the Rising Dawn Saga contains the depth, richness, and layers more commonly found in epic fantasy series. Drawing upon myths and lore from across the world, the saga follows the story of an ensemble of human and shape-shifting characters pitted against a movement called the Convergence.

The Convergence is guided at the elite levels of economic and political power, with the solitary goal of bringing the entire world under its control. With unprecedented technologies, and the support of dark powers from the Abyss, the Convergence looks unstoppable to Benedict Darwin, the An-Ki, and many others who struggle in a rapidly collapsing society. Provocative and engaging, the series enjoys a growing and loyal audience.

The fourth title of the projected seven book series is slated for the fourth quarter of 2012.

All of the Rising Dawn Saga books are available in softcover and a variety of eBook formats including the Kindle, Nook, iBookstore, and Sony-Compatible ePub options. The series has also inspired The Annals of the Rising Dawn, a new short story eBook series initiated with the recent release of Temples Rising. The short stories are set within the world unveiled in the Rising Dawn Saga.

For further information, and links to press and reviews, visit www.seventhstarpress.com. Matthew Perry’s site can be found at www.perrypixel.com and Stephen Zimmer’s can be found at www.stephenzimmer.com

Contact: C.C. James

Public Relations, Seventh Star Press

ccjames@seventhstarpress.com

Seventh Star Press is a small press publisher of speculative fiction located in Lexington Kentucky.

Goodreads: With nowhere else to run to but the Hollows, Kiera Hudson finds herself in a world like no other. Entrusted with a secret, she has to make her way to the mysterious Light House set hundreds of miles beneath the Earth. As she makes her journey, Kiera’s companions are being murdered one by one. But is the killer amongst them and is it Elias Munn?

Not knowing who to trust, who to love and who to believe, Kiera makes the most dangerous journey of her life, in search of the Elders hidden within the walls of the Dust Palace. With time running out, Kiera knows she must finally choose which race should live and which race should die.

The final installment in Kiera Hudson Series One.

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O’Rourke’s final book in the first Kiera Hudson Series has left me breathless, and I am on pins and needles waiting for the second series to begin.  O’Rouke is already hard at work writing his newest series, a continuation of the first Kiera Hudson Series that will take on a completely different perspective from what we’re used to, and you’ll see why when you finish Vampire Hallows!  

Wow!  This is such an epic read, and the entire series has been riveting, but overall, I have to say that this final novel is my favorite.  So many things happen in this novel, so many things change, so many characters die, friends become foes, foes become friends… and the one extremely well kept secret… the one I’ve been dying to know, have speculated about, and have bitten my nails to the quick about… is finally answered.  And, yes, it is shocking!!!  While I thought I knew who Elias Munn was on many an occasion as I read the entire series, I actually only got it right once, and that was only in a fleeting guess.  Upon the true revelation, I was flabbergasted and devastated, but O’Rouke has set it up so perfectly as this final novel grabs your attention, takes you for an amazing ride, and then leaves you dying for more. 

I am in awe of O’Rouke.  He’s flawlessly tied together five and a half books in this series, drawing upon events from past novels in order to bring it all together in this epic conclusion, while also setting the stage for the new series. I can’t even fathom how O’Rourke does it all, but he’s an amazing writer.  And you know what I love about this book the most?  While it’s dark, and it’s sad, by the end the reader is engulfed in happiness again.  It’s an emotional rollercoaster, but rest assured everything works out well in the end, and the next epic read is on the way, with the release of Kiera Hudson: Dead Flesh coming out in March!  Hallelujah, I am in love with this series and cannot wait for more!  Five stars.

I received a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.

From Goodreads: Good looking, athletic, and smart, Gil Marsh is the most popular kid at Uruk High School, even though he is only a junior. When Enko, a new kid from Montreal, shows up, Gil is wary. Yet Enko is easy going and matches Gil’s athletic prowess without being a threat. Soon, the two become inseparable friends, practicing, studying, and double-dating.

Then suddenly, to everyone’s shock, Enko succumbs to an aggressive cancer.

When Enko’s parents take his body and return to Canada, Gil is unable to even say good bye. He is inconsolable. Determined to find Enko’s grave, Gil sneaks away and heads north.

Closely based on the ancient story of Gilgamesh, the Sumerian King from 3000 BC, A. C. E. Bauer has carefully woven the classic elements of myth to follow Gil’s quest and explore the grief and growth of a young man.

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I am sorry to say that, while I had high hopes for this novel, I actually struggled with it for a few different reasons.  First, I found it to have a somewhat forced pacing and it just didn’t grab me.  Events seemed to happen in a very quick succession without giving the reader much time to digest the information.  For instance, one moment Gil and Enko hate each other, and the next moment they’re best friends, but I personally never felt like the story gave rise to these events.  They just seemed to appear on the page without much explanation for the reader.  I’m a reader that enjoys a story that takes place over time not only in the story, but also on the pages as well, and I didn’t find that within Gil Marsh.  Time does pass in the novel, a lot of time, but it tends to happen all on the same page, and I tend to have a bit of difficulty with that as a reader.

Second, I felt the same in terms of the characterization as I did with the pacing.  While the reader is given background knowledge, I never felt a direct connection with any of the characters.  Gil and Enko become best friends, but there isn’t anything to really solidify that for the reader; I never felt like they were fleshed out to any point that I could relate to them.  I also was confused by their relationship as, aside from becoming best friends seemingly overnight, the descriptions of their interrelations tend to give off a feel for a romantic relationship and not just a deep friendship.  Perhaps it was just my perception of the story as I read, but there were many different circumstances within the novel that made me question Gil and Enko’s actual relationship, such as Gil’s obsessive description of Enko being a beautiful boy, them holding each other, etc.  I don’t know if this is what Bauer was planning when she wrote the novel, and as I haven’t read the original story of “Gilgamesh,”  I can’t say if they’re supposed to be great friends or lovers, but I do know that these descriptions left me a bit confused.

Third, I found the journey into Canada to be a little bit strange.  Once Enko dies, Gil is devastated, which is understandable, but his journey into Canada with barely any money and no sure destination struck me as odd.  The fact that the journey seems to jump from one bad situation to the next also left me feeling somewhat depressed—I was hoping for a story that shows the healing process, but didn’t really find it as I read.

In all honesty, I found that this story isn’t really my style, mainly because of the lack of pacing and characterization.  I, personally, just wasn’t drawn into it; it was okay, but not for me.  Two stars. 

Random House Children’s Book has been extremely gracious in allowing me to read an ARC of this novel, via Netgalley, prior to its release on February 28, 2012.

From Goodreads: The year is 2021. Natural forces have changed our world. As the Earth’s magnetic poles have shifted, pressure on the planet’s mantle layer is building. The bottom line…earthquakes now wreak havoc in areas they have never occurred before.

In Mexico, members of an archaeological team investigate the remains of an ancient village uncovered by a quake; racing to prove their theories about the civilization that once lived there. But, disaster strikes when the accidental destruction of an artifact unleashes a worldwide agricultural plague.

Halfway across the continent, Douglas Abledan, a blind computer technologist, embarks on a long-anticipated vacation. On the plane to Chicago, he meets world-renowned agricultural pathologist Cara Cordelia, but their chance meeting could cost them both their lives.

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I really enjoy books that deal with the future, and while Blind Traveler’s Blues isn’t too far in the future, the technological advances and changes that I enjoy so much are present, and prove to be quite epic and interesting.  I loved Bennett’s descriptions of the gadgets Douglas uses throughout the story, and his character was phenomenal as well.  Having lost his eye sight in an accident a few years prior, Douglas is a kick butt hero relying on his other four senses, that of smell, hearing, touch, and taste.  The fact that he’s not exceptionally bitter or harboring a “woe is me” attitude quickly elevated him in my opinion, making him an easily likable hero that the reader can’t help but root for as the story progresses.

In terms of his abilities, Douglas is a normal person, and I really enjoyed that about this novel.  While his other senses are heightened, he doesn’t hold any superpowers and everything he is able to do makes perfect sense, even as he determines the real cause of death of a woman he met on a plane.  This was a great mystery novel, and it’s intertwining of the future, natural disasters, plagues, and murder provided a riveting read. 

I especially enjoyed the dramatic irony Bennett provided by allowing the reader to know who the villain was throughout the story.  While it is always nice to be surprised by the villains reveal at the end of a novel, I think the fact that the reader knows who, how, and why adds to the believability of Blind Traveler’s Blues.  Through knowing the villain’s identity and thoughts, we are able to see exactly how Douglas is able to piece everything together, even though he is blind, and it’s plausibility is stunning.   

This is a very well written novel and it is, in fact, a stand-alone sequel to another of Bennett’s novels, Blind Traveler Down A Dark River.  Having not yet read the prequel, I can personally attest to this novel’s ability to keep the reader up-to-date even though it is a sequel.  Rest assured, you don’t have to read the prequel to understand events in this great novel.  Four stars.

I received a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.

From Goodreads: 2 girls + 3 guys + 1 house – parents = 10 things April and her friends did that they (definitely, maybe, probably) shouldn’t have.

If given the opportunity, what sixteen-year-old wouldn’t jump at the chance to move in with a friend and live parent-free? Although maybe “opportunity” isn’t the right word, since April had to tell her dad a tiny little untruth to make it happen (see #1: “Lied to Our Parents”). But she and her housemate Vi are totally responsible and able to take care of themselves. How they ended up “Skipping School” (#3), “Throwing a Crazy Party” (#8), “Buying a Hot Tub” (#4), and, um, “Harboring a Fugitive” (#7) at all is kind of a mystery to them.

In this hilarious and bittersweet tale, Sarah Mlynowski mines the heart and mind of a girl on her own for the first time. To get through the year, April will have to juggle a love triangle, learn to do her own laundry, and accept that her carefully constructed world just might be falling apart . . . one thing-she-shouldn’t-have-done at a time.

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I have to admit that I put off reading this novel for a while because I was worried that it would be all about illicit behavior and sex, but I was pleasantly surprised to find out that it really wasn’t.  Yes, the parents are out of the picture due to some ingenious leg work by April and Vi, but it’s not just a tale about girls and boys gone wild.  It’s really more so a story of love, betrayal, and coming of age in the real world.  Growing up.  And it’s a really cute tale that took hold of me from the very beginning and didn’t let go until I turned the final page.  This was a fantastic read!

Now, while I don’t think some of the situations within the novel would actually come to pass, or are one hundred percent believable, I am able to easily overlook that because Mlynowski is such a superb story-teller!  The situations the girls find themselves in are comical on the one hand, yet present real life morals on the other.  And, the characterization within the novel is amazing!  I was afraid that April would be a bit bratty and selfish after reading the first few pages, but I found that I really took sides with her and cared about her as the story unfolded; she’s a very well written character that evoked protective feelings from me as I read.  I’d like to meet her in real life; I think she’d make a great friend, and I truly enjoyed reading about her rollercoaster of a ride junior year as she begins to figure herself out.

And yes, there is sex in this novel.  But, it’s tastefully done.  This YA novel doesn’t give the reader play-by-play erotic descriptions, but rather just brushes over the act, as it should.  I was very thankful for this, especially as I’m noticing that many YA novels are now leaning towards more explicit descriptions of the act in their books, and that’s not something I want to read about in my novels, especially a YA book.  I also loved that sex is not glorified as the end all be all of April and Vi’s lives, and that there are very real consequences involved.  This made the story very endearing to me, as well as the superb characterization, hilarious situations, and fabulous morals.  Mlynowski is an outstanding writer and I will definitely be reading more of her work!  Five stars!

I purchased this novel from Amazon.

Amazon | Kindle | Barnes and Noble

From Goodreads: My Little Pet Dragon is an amusing picture book featuring 28 adorable pieces of computer-generated artwork (similar to what you would see in a Pixar movie). The book is about 30 pages in all, and is best viewed in color.

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I don’t usually read or review children’s book as I have no children, but I saw this picture book the other day and thought I’d try it out.  I also came across the following information about it on goodreads:

“As an added bonus, 100% of the proceeds from each sale will be donated to the family of Alyssa Mowery. Last October, Alyssa was struck by a car while crossing the street with her friend Mia Decker (deceased) and sister Rain (minor injuries). Although Alyssa has awakened from her coma and said her first word since the accident, she has a long way to go. With your contribution and support, you can make a difference in this young girl’s life.”

Now, since the book was written, Alyssa Mowery has gone on to the road to recovery, which is awesome!! So, the proceeds from the book are no longer just going to her, but now to the author, which is certainly fair.  I think it is a rare author indeed who is willing to give up all of their profit in order to help someone else, and I found it really intriguing. The last author I saw to do something like this is Joshua Grover-David Patterson (and he’s still doing it), and so I like to support these authors, because I think their heart is in the right place.   

So, anyway, even though I don’t have children, I bought this book, and I read it too, because it’s very short.  Gordon has cute pictures of the baby dragon and all the things he does for his owner, like helping him brush his teeth and the like, so I think it’s good for really young children.