REVIEW: Gated by Amy Christine Parker

Title: Gated
Author: Amy Christine Parker
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
Release Date: August 6th 2013
Pages: Hardcover, 352 pages
Source: Audiobook from the library

Summary from Goodreads:
Do the gates keep the unchosen out or the chosen in?

In Mandrodage Meadows, life seems perfect. The members of this isolated suburban community have thrived under Pioneer, the charismatic leader who saved them from their sad, damaged lives. Lyla Hamilton and her parents are original members of the flock. They moved here following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, looking to escape the evil in the world. Now seventeen, Lyla knows certain facts are not to be questioned:

Pioneer is her leader.

Will is her Intended.

The end of the world is near.

Like Noah before him, Pioneer has been told of the imminent destruction of humanity. He says his chosen must arm themselves to fight off the unchosen people, who will surely seek refuge in the compound's underground fortress--the Silo.

Lyla loves her family and friends, but given the choice, she prefers painting to target practice. And lately she'd rather think about a certain boy outside the compound than plan for married life in the Silo with Will. But with the end of days drawing near, she will have to pick up a gun, take a side, and let everyone know where she stands.

Lyla lives in a gated community where they are preparing to survive the Armageddon.  Their leader Pioneer is the guide to salvation and he alone makes all decisions which include punishments, activities, media, and even who you will marry. Even though the do not believe it, Lyla and her family are members of a cult.

I have always find the whole concept of cults interesting to read about.  Parker blends common traits and actions found in cults together to build the world in which Lyla lives.  While you can see the parallels to famous cult leaders and cults, the author does not seem to take the ideas as her own.  I really liked the fact that each chapter started with a quote from a real life cult leader or referenced a famous cult.  One of the strengths of the story was the research and background done on cult life which is seen in the thoughts and dialogue of the characters.

Gated's beginning almost had me giving up the book completely but since I truly hate doing that unless it is 100% worth DNF'ing, I kept going.  The second half of the story saved the book.  The writing did a good job of capturing what it would be like to be raised in a cult.  The character history was well done, for example it helped me see how Lyla's family even ended up in this situation.  The author also did not sugar coat the ending, it was a somewhat realistic ending that seemed honest and plausible.

There were two main issues I had with with book.  The first being the voice of Lyla, she seemed so immature and emotional at times.  She had a very young personality which other readers may be okay with, it is just not for me.  I know some of her nature and thoughts are because of her lack of life experience and because she lives in a controlled environment however she was still quite annoying at times.

The second issue is related to the overall tone and feel of the beginning of the book. I was always rolling my eyes at Lyla's "Ohhh Gosh Noo" mentality and her OHHH WILL/Cody moments **cue corny teenage predictable love scenes/dialogue**.  Once the story moved away from the development of the secondary characters and focused on the cult aspects it became more enjoyable.

Overall, I am not urging anyone to go out and read Gated.  The romance is pretty juvenile, the main character is almost impossible to relate to due to her upbringing, and the beginning is weak and all over the place.  That being said: If you are interested in cults or the whole idea of the apocalypse coming and needing to go into an underground bunker than I think you could truly enjoy this book. 

BLOG TOUR {Review #159 & Giveaway}: Relic by Renee Collins

Welcome to our stop on the blog tour for Relic by Renee Collins hosted by Jaime and Rachel of Rockstar Book Tours. You can follow the rest of the tour here. And don't forget to enter the giveaway to win a signed copy of Relic and set of almanac pages! Thanks for stopping by! :D

Title: Relic

Author: Renee Collins

Publisher: Entangled Teen

Release Date: August 27, 2013

Pages: 400
Find it: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, The Book Depository, Goodreads

Summary from Goodreads:

After a raging fire consumes her town and kills her parents, Maggie Davis is on her own to protect her younger sister and survive best she can in the Colorado town of Burning Mesa. In Maggie’s world, the bones of long-extinct magical creatures such as dragons and sirens are mined and traded for their residual magical elements, and harnessing these relics’ powers allows the user to wield fire, turn invisible, or heal even the worst of injuries.

Working in a local saloon, Maggie befriends the spirited showgirl Adelaide and falls for the roguish cowboy Landon. But when she proves to have a particular skill at harnessing the relics’ powers, Maggie is whisked away to the glamorous hacienda of Álvar Castilla, the wealthy young relic baron who runs Burning Mesa. Though his intentions aren’t always clear, Álvar trains Maggie in the world of relic magic. But when the mysterious fires reappear in their neighboring towns, Maggie must discover who is channeling relic magic for evil before it’s too late.

Relic is a thrilling adventure set in a wholly unique world, and a spell-binding story of love, trust, and the power of good.

Relic offers readers an irresistible mystery, an inspiring heroine and a pleasantly unusual world. Renee Collins triggered all the right emotions to keep my attention and leave me wanting more.

Relic begins with tragedy and I was instantly captured by the gravity of the situation. From the very beginning readers are plagued with the question of who is starting these unnatural fires that are destroying whole towns and for what purpose. And while I might not brag about my powers of perception, Renee Collins kept me guessing until the end. But the clues are all there for the talented mystery solver, steadily given and carefully woven throughout the story. I had one of those "ahhhh, I see" moments when the culprit was revealed. In the meantime, I enjoyed trying to figure out who that was.

In the beginning, circumstance forces Maggie to be incredibly brave and strong and I sympathized with her immediately. But she quickly earned more than just my sympathies. She proved herself time and time again to be a selfless, capable, and surprisingly clever young lady. But as a young heroine she lacked confidence and power. Yet these struggles are what made her relatable and believable as a character. She is definitely someone I see readers looking up to.

There is a romance in this story but it is not a dominating plot element, just a nice complement. It might feel a bit insta-love-y to some but I didn't really get that impression since it wasn't a huge focus. The love interest is actually one of the many interesting secondary characters. Renee Collins does a good job of building up the other characters in the story and having each of them have their own story. I am sure many readers, like myself, will be moved by Adelaide's story. I wanted to solve all her problems, and kick many a butt.

The setting for the story was more Wild Wild West than fantasy. In fact, I would consider it fantasy-light so if you aren't a big reader of fantasy I would not let that deter you. The fantasy element is mostly captured in the history and presence of relics. I myself, as a huge fantasy-lover, was fascinated by the relics. I found the fact that the bones of mythical beasts, long since extinct, could harness power and transfer that power to the user to be both a unique and welcome concept. I actually wish there was more attention paid to them in the story. They do play a critical role, and Maggie herself has a connection to them, but I  could have explored this idea endlessly.

It did take some time for me to become fully invested in the story. It's one of those books that sneaks up on you and you don't realize how bad you've got it until you've got it bad. But Relic is a worthwhile read and I urge readers to continue with the story if they begin to feel the same sentiment. Coming out of this book, my dominating thought is "I hope there is a sequel." Great debut, Renee Collins.

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About Renee: 

Renee Collins graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in History, and currently lives with her family in the shadow of the Colorado red-rock cliffs, thugh she hasn't unearthed a relic. Yet. Relic is her first novel.

Website/Blog/Twitter/Facebook/Goodreads
RELIC SERIES Facebook

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Giveaway:

A signed copy of RELIC and a printed signed set of RELIC almanac pages. US Only 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

REVIEW #135: If He Had Been With Me by Laura Nowlin

Title: If He Had Been With Me

Author: Laura Nowlin

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

Release Date: April 1, 2013

Pages: 330, Paperback
Source: Library

Summary from Goodreads:

If he had been with me, he wouldn't have died.

Throughout their whole childhood, Finn and Autumn were inseparable—they finished each other's sentences, they knew just what to say when the other person was hurting. But one incident in middle school puts them in separate social worlds come high school, and Autumn has been happily dating James for the last 2 years. But she's always wondered what if...

The night she's about to get the answer is also one of terrible tragedy.

I don't know how I feel about this book. Well, that's not entirely true. I feel sad, hopeless, angry, confused. Rather - I don't know if I like this book. I had no problem reading it. In fact, as I got closer to the end I didn't want to stop reading. I knew what was coming, but I didn't want to believe it. I had to read it for myself. And the pace was smooth and the reading was easy. But I don't know if I enjoyed myself while reading. This was not a happy book. And much of what happens seems juvenile in hindsight. 

But I can appreciate how Laura Nowlin told this story. There was something sadly poetic about it. Autumn and Finn obviously love each other but both are too scared to admit it. Through a series of misunderstandings they are forced apart and start dating separate people. Autumn sinks further and further into depression, while her and Finn grow further and further apart. But slowly destiny finds a way to bring them back together. Only to end in tragedy.

PS: I hated this ending with a passion.

I really enjoyed the flashbacks of memories between Autumn and Finn. Their friendship and eventual love was sweet and innocent. It kind of speaks to the idea of having a soulmate. But the reasons which kept them apart were stupid. I was so frustrated. And I hated how their story ended. Life sucks sometimes.

I am slowly realizing that I care a lot about the message that a book sends its readers. If I don't like the message or I think it's a bad one, I am inclined to not like the book (case in point Then You Were Gone). And this book doesn't really send a good message. I was sick of Autumn trying to convince herself to settle for Jamie. For 4 years he was good to her and she treated him like crap. But that wasn't even it really, I understand this happens in real life. It was the fact that this book treated teen pregnancy, suicide, and depression like they were no big thing. These are serious topics and shouldn't be treated lightly in a story. I don't think they were handled well here. 

This book wasn't really for me but I think maybe a younger audience would enjoy it more than I did. The writing style was smooth and the story between Autumn and Finn was, if not tragic, compelling. 

REVIEW #124: Reboot (Reboot #1) by Amy Tintera

Title: Reboot

Series: Reboot #1
Author: Amy Tintera

Publisher: Harper Teen

Release Date: May 7, 2013

Pages: 365, Hardcover
Source: Library

Summary from Goodreads:

Five years ago, Wren Connolly was shot three times in the chest. After 178 minutes she came back as a Reboot: stronger, faster, able to heal, and less emotional. The longer Reboots are dead, the less human they are when they return. Wren 178 is the deadliest Reboot in the Republic of Texas. Now seventeen years old, she serves as a soldier for HARC (Human Advancement and Repopulation Corporation).

Wren’s favorite part of the job is training new Reboots, but her latest newbie is the worst she’s ever seen. As a 22, Callum Reyes is practically human. His reflexes are too slow, he’s always asking questions, and his ever-present smile is freaking her out. Yet there’s something about him she can’t ignore. When Callum refuses to follow an order, Wren is given one last chance to get him in line—or she’ll have to eliminate him. Wren has never disobeyed before and knows if she does, she’ll be eliminated, too. But she has also never felt as alive as she does around Callum.

The perfect soldier is done taking orders.

 

Reboot is one of those books that is fast-paced and packed with action. Something was always happening and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough to find out what came next. You tell yourself, just one more page, one more, and before you know it you’ve finished the book because you just couldn’t put it down.

The synopsis does a good job introducing this story so I’ll skip right to what I really loved about this book - which was Wren mostly, but Wren and Callum together too. Wren, as a 178, is one of the deadliest Reboots. And let me tell you, she is totally badass. She is also considered the most inhuman. But Amy Tintera did an amazing job making Wren appear logical and matter-of-fact as opposed to cold and unforgiving. This portrayal was perfect because it left room for her to show emotion later and have it be believable. Wren might not be easily controlled by her emotions, or as quick to feel and show them, but with the right Trigger - Callum - she can feel as the others do.

And I say can because she wasn’t sure she could in the beginning. Everyone believed she was just a mindless shell and she started to believe that about herself too. It was amazing watching Callum slowly bring out her humanity and her slowly give in to it. I was happy to see her realize she wasn’t as dead as everyone thought. And it was a great moment when she stopped listening and started making her own decisions.

The relationship between Callum and Wren was both sweet and exciting and I loved watching it deepen. Humans are naturally scared of Reboots but even Reboots are scared of Wren. Very few Reboots engaged her and she really didn’t know how to handle Callum at first, who was all sunshine and rainbows and not afraid of her in the least. The stark contrast in their behaviors and mannerisms created an interesting dynamic and was a joy to experience.

So even though I’ve focused my review on Wren and Callum, there is other stuff going on, more or less involving restlessness and rebellion among the Reboots. This is where the action and adventure comes in and it’s good stuff. That’s all I’m going to say.

I expected to like this book. Even so, it exceeded my expectations. Wren and Callum are the type of characters that stand out. Kind of like how Day and June stand out in the Legend series and make it all the better. If you like that series, I expect you will enjoy this one. 

Favorite line:

"'Do that thing where you look blank, like you have no feelings at all.'

'I think that's just my face.'"

REVIEW #112: Poison by Bridget Zinn

Title: Poison

Author: Bridget Zinn

Publisher: Disney Hyperion

Release Date: March 12, 2013

Pages: 288, Hardcover

Summary from Goodreads:

Sixteen-year-old Kyra, a highly-skilled potions master, is the only one who knows her kingdom is on the verge of destruction—which means she’s the only one who can save it. Faced with no other choice, Kyra decides to do what she does best: poison the kingdom’s future ruler, who also happens to be her former best friend.

But, for the first time ever, her poisoned dart . . . misses.

Now a fugitive instead of a hero, Kyra is caught in a game of hide-and-seek with the king’s army and her potioner ex-boyfriend, Hal. At least she’s not alone. She’s armed with her vital potions, a too-cute pig, and Fred, the charming adventurer she can’t stop thinking about. Kyra is determined to get herself a second chance (at murder), but will she be able to find and defeat the princess before Hal and the army find her?

Kyra is not your typical murderer, and she’s certainly no damsel-in-distress—she’s the lovable and quick-witted hero of this romantic novel that has all the right ingredients to make teen girls swoon.

 

“It was the most ridiculous thing in the entire world: Kyra, would-be-assassin and master potioner, had resorted to hunting down her prey - her best friend the princess - with a piglet.”

My oh my what a pleasant surprise this book was! I must admit, I expected to find it a little cheesy, or at least young for my tastes, and while it was still a pretty innocent book, I found that I very much enjoyed it!

The story is simple but has all the right elements to entertain readers. Kyra is a master potioner and a witch. Is this the right time to mention how much I love a strong female lead? Kyra was talented, capable, funny, brave, selfless, and just AWESOME. She won me over pretty quickly with her dry humor and attitude toward life. Anyway, Kyra’s witch-ly talents allow her to see the future and, in one particular vision, she sees her best friend, the princess, destroying the world. As a last resort, Kyra realizes she must kill the princess to stop the vision from coming true.. Thus the adventure begins. Kyra’s first assassination attempt failed and now she is on the run from the King’s Army and chasing after the princess to finish the job. Enter a pig with special searching abilities, a ruggedly handsome traveler named Fred, and some ghoulish evil creatures, and you have a recipe for Poison.

So Kyra’s journey was fun to follow and was told at a really nice pace that kept my full attention. There was plenty of exciting action dispersed throughout the story and a pretty solid ending in my opinion. But the real adoration for this novel comes in the humorous writing. I have so many quotes to share so excuse me while I share ALL OF THEM *evil laugh*. But seriously, if you read anything all please read this excerpt that I took the time to type up after it cracked me up. :D

“Kyra looked at Fred skeptically. ‘I’m sure Fred can give us a few tips, at least, of how to act like men.’
‘Hey! I am more than capable of giving man lessons.’ Fred smiled broadly at Kyra. ‘What do you want to know?’
‘For one thing, we need to know how to walk.’
‘No problem. I’ve been walking most of my life.’ Fred held up a hand. ‘Stop and watch.’
The girls leaned up against an apple tree with Rosie at their feet.
‘First, you aren’t just acting like any kind of men; you’re going to be especially manly men. I picked you up to work for me, after all, and I wouldn’t choose just any men for that sort of thing. I need men who can fight and lift heavy things. You might want to spit occasionally.’
‘Why?’
‘It helps keep you from looking too smart. Now, because you are so manly, it naturally follows that you have large upper-arm muscles. Huge muscles, really. The way you let people know this is by slightly bending your elbows and holding your arms out from your body, like your muscles are so big they’re getting in the way.’
Kyra and Ariana bent their elbows and pushed their arms a couple of inches away from their bodies.
The edges of Fred’s lips quirked as though he was trying to restrain a smile. ‘Then you need ot let them know that not only are you muscular, you’re confident of your abilities in all areas. You accomplish this by swaggering when you walk. Langley, stay.’ He pointed for the dog to sit next to the girls.
Fred sauntered away from them under the lacey white boughs of the trees in a masculine strut.
‘Your turn.’
The girls copied Fred’s walk while he stood back and watched.
‘A little less hip swinging, Kyra.’
‘I’m not-‘
‘And don’t walk so close together. Imagine there’s at least one invisible guy between you at all times.’
Ariana leaned over and whispered in Kyra’s ear. ‘He wants us to imagine him between us. Guys are so weird.’
‘Men don’t whisper, but if you have to do it, at least do it the right way.’
Ariana and Kyra stopped walking and turned back to Fred.
‘If you find you need to whisper, you don’t get up close to the other person and lean into their ear. Stay where you are, a person’s-width apart, and put a hand up on the far side of your face like a shield.’ He demonstrated with his hand out straight from one side of his face. ‘Then turn your head slightly to the other person and say what you need to say.’
The girls exchanged a look.
‘No ‘best friends’ glances at each other like that , either. Or ‘dears’ and ‘darlings.’ Men insult each other every chance they get.’
‘Men don’t have best friends?’ Kyra asked.
‘You’d only know it by the ferocity of the insults. If a guy’s your really good pal, you let him have it at every opportunity.’
‘Got it, fathead.’ Ariana said."

And there is so much more where this came from:

“A few minutes later, a chuckle came from behind her. ‘Kitty don’t be alarmed, but this part of the forest seems to be populated by a bush I’ve never seen before.’ 

‘Hmmm. . . ?’ 

‘It seems to be sprouting women’s underthings.’ 

Kyra sat bolt upright. ‘Leave those underthings alone.’ 

Fred sat beside her. ‘I wouldn’t dream of touching such an unusual plant. It’s probably poisonous.’”

“Ariana dabbed sap about her lip and smoothed a chunk of her hair on each side, creating her mustache. ‘How does this look?’

‘Um. . . ‘

‘The only real answer to that is ‘great.’’

‘Looks great, Ari.’

‘Convincing and genuine?’

‘Uh-huh?’

Fred popped out of the woods wearing a black riding outfit with a long navy velvet cloak attached at the shoulders. ‘Ariana, there’s a small rodent on your face. Thought you should know.’‘It’s a mustache. Kyra assured me that it’s extremely convincing.’”

“’You know, kitty cat, you don’t need to go to such great lengths to find out my secrets. I’d tell you anything you wanted to know without truth serum.’

‘Ari, maybe we should get you out of here. No joke. You really are dangerous with this truth serum in you. You might say something you wished you hadn’t.’

‘Like that your mom scared me, but I think your dad is kind of cute, in an old-guy sort of way?’ ‘Exactly like that.’”

‘…I might stick around for a little while longer. There are some interesting things in the Kingdom of Mohr.’

‘Like what?’

‘Like a certain funny and extremely talented potioner.’

Kyra took a breath. ‘I have to warn you, Hal isn’t that great as a boyfriend. He’s pretty self-absorbed.’”

Ok ok I'll stop. But see what I mean? Pretty amusing stuff. This book is a lot of fun. A daring adventure with a few twists thrown in. A very clever and skillful female lead. And great writing with quite a bit of laughs. All in all, I'd say this is a great book when you are looking for some light action and fun.

REVIEW #105: If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch

Title: If You Find Me

Author: Emily Murdoch

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Release Date: March 26, 2013

Pages: 256, Hardcover

Summary from Goodreads:

A broken-down camper hidden deep in a national forest is the only home fifteen year-old Carey can remember. The trees keep guard over her threadbare existence, with the one bright spot being Carey’s younger sister, Jenessa, who depends on Carey for her very survival. All they have is each other, as their mentally ill mother comes and goes with greater frequency. Until that one fateful day their mother disappears for good, and two strangers arrive. Suddenly, the girls are taken from the woods and thrust into a bright and perplexing new world of high school, clothes and boys.

Now, Carey must face the truth of why her mother abducted her ten years ago, while haunted by a past that won’t let her go… a dark past that hides many a secret, including the reason Jenessa hasn’t spoken a word in over a year. Carey knows she must keep her sister close, and her secrets even closer, or risk watching her new life come crashing down.

 

If You Find Me is one of those contemporaries that pushes the limits, takes you outside of your comfort zone, forces you to think about uncomfortable realities, and makes you feel a wealth of emotions. It is a story that is both beautiful and heartbreaking. It is one of the best, most moving books I have ever read.

“Saint Joseph, if you’re still listening, please look out for us? We’re not in the woods anymore, and I’m not sure that’s a good thing. Please keep us safe, and help me keep Nessa safe. Help me remember the e-s in ‘don’t’, not to drop my g’s, and not to say ain’t.Most of all, please look out for Mama? No matter what she did.On beans I pray.” 

My heart went out to Carey. From such a young age she was forced to endure things that no child ever should. Her mother kidnapped her. Lied to her. Barely provided the most basic of needs. Beat her. And worse of all, sold her body to pay for her meth addiction. And despite it all, Carey grew into an amazing young woman. She is strong and capable and intelligent. She took complete care of her younger sister Jenessa and kept them both alive in the most unimaginable circumstances. And even when she was thrust into a new and overwhelming life, Jenessa came first. Her protection, love, compassion and care for her younger sister was so beautiful and touching. And the way she handled each new situation was beyond inspiring. Her inner strength is unparalleled. She is my favorite heroine. 

“Please don’t let me wake up. Please, Saint Joseph, don’t let this be a dream. Let me have this. Help me to know how to have this. Don’t let us wake up cold and hungry, Jenessa’s eyes, begging me to make it better. Please. Never again. I may not deserve it, but Jenessa does.“

This story was just so profound. I was moved by her history in the woods. I was mesmerized by her relationship with her younger sister. I was captivated by her adjustments to the outside world. At times she was back to being that 5 year old before she was kidnapped and had so much to learn. At other times she showed a maturity and understanding that far transcended her years. When she faced new obstacles she tackled them with such sense and good judgement, it was truly remarkable. All of a sudden she is getting doted on and introduced to conveniences she never imagined possible. She has to attend high school for the first time and all the drama that comes with it. And her sister Delaney gave her no warm welcome. Yet Carey even managed her with a certain firm directness and mended that relationship too. 

“’What’s your problem with me anyway?’ I say, the white heat filing my body. ‘I reckon you have everything a person could ask for. You even had my father. Why do you hate us so much?’Delaney laughs, a hollow, bitter sound. ‘Are you kidding me? I never had either one of them. Not even my own mother! It was all about you. It’s always been about you! Were you alive? Were you dead? Oh, there’s another sighting. No, it’s not her. Were you hungry? Safe? Warm? Carey this. Carey that, It was always All about you.’”

And she meets a boy, and he likes her. Before Ethan, the only males Carey new were the ones her Momma brought home. Carey didn't really know how to act or what to think. But Ethan was patient with her. He was kind and understanding. He showed her what was right and erased all the misconceptions brought on by her past. I loved the innocence of their relationship and their connection that spanned years. He was perfect for her. They were perfect together.

"'That girl in the woods is amazing. Don't you ever stop being that girl in the woods, you hear me? Braids and new clothes can't take away the best parts of you. You hold on tight to your heritage. That girl in the woods raised a baby, took care of her sister, kept her fed, warm, safe. That girl in the woods is special. Especially out here.'"

The writing was wonderful. Carey had to educate herself in the woods and as a result she spoke differently - 'backwoods' like. Murdoch embraced this in the dialogue, both internal and external. And the comparisons that Carey made between her old life and new really brought forth her past in the woods - the sounds and smells, the animals and landmarks, her experiences - all stayed with her and gave her an anchor in this new life. And occasionally Murdoch gave us a memory. Although most depicted the atrocities Carey had to face. They made me red with anger but really shook up my emotions.

"Jenessa turns to me, her eyes full of question marks. I shrug; even I know I'm out of my league. The keening ache washes over me again like creek water soothing a stone, and that fast, I'm pining for the crunch of leaves beneath my feet, the smoky campfire, the world I know with my eyes tight shut, and even the beans."

In all, If You Find Me was a story unlike anything I have ever read and by far one of the most powerful. Believe every good thing you hear about this book.

BLOG TOUR {Review #99, Dream Cast & Giveaway} Chantress (Chantress Trilogy #1) by Amy Butler Greenfield

Welcome to our blog tour stop for Chantress by Amy Butler Greenfield, hosted by Shane at Itching for Books. You can follow the tour here. And don't forget to check out the giveaway at the end of this post! Thanks for stopping by! :D

Title: Chantress
Series: Chantress Trilogy #1
Author: Amy Butler Greenfield
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Release Date: May 7th 2013
Pages: Hardcover, 336 pages
Source: Received for honest review through the publisher.

Summary from Goodreads:
Lucy’s Chantress magic will make her the most powerful—and most hunted—girl in England.

“Sing, and the darkness will find you.” This warning has haunted fifteen-year-old Lucy ever since she was eight and shipwrecked on a lonely island. Lucy’s guardian, Norrie, has lots of rules, but the most important is that Lucy must never sing. Not ever. Now it is 1667, Lucy is fifteen, and on All Hallows’ Eve, Lucy hears a tantalizing melody on the wind. She can’t help but sing—and she is swept into darkness.

When she awakes in England, Lucy hears powerful men discussing Chantresses—women who can sing magic into the world. They are hunting her, but she escapes and finds sanctuary with the Invisible College, an organization plotting to overthrow the nefarious Lord Protector. The only person powerful enough to bring about his downfall is a Chantress. And Lucy is the last one in England.

Lucy struggles to master the song-spells and harness her power, but the Lord Protector is moving quickly. And her feelings for Nat, an Invisible College apprentice and scientist who deeply distrusts her magic, only add to her confusion...

Time is running out, and the fate of England hangs in the balance in this entrancing novel that is atmospheric and lyrical, dangerous and romantic.

“To sing something into being, ‘in short,” said Penebrygg. “Or, if you like, to sing it into a form that bends it against its true nature. Enchantment—that is the work of a Chantress. And has been for time out of mind.”

Chantress slowly draws you into the world of magic and song, transporting the reader to old England. Lucy has always grown up knowing she was never to sing but the day she breaks that rule her whole life changes. Lucy is now one of the most hunted people in England for she is the only one who can undo the past spell of a Chantress which would be the demise of the Lord Protector. With the lessons of her godmother and the help of Nat and Penebrygg, Lucy must take down  the Lord Protector.

The magical and fantasy aspects of the story are quite well done. The setting of old England makes for a perfect dark and mysterious world.  The magic continues to build throughout the story but is something to fear. Magic of the Chantress is something of power, darkness and the unknown not just fluffy, light magic.  Lucy's magic can only be expressed and accessed through singing.

The characters were forgettable. I felt the romance between Nat and Lucy was a bit forced and very predictable.   Characters aside, my one main issue was the plot pacing. The lengthy descriptions and drawn out scenes while ‘lyrical’ were a bit slow. I felt like there could have been more action or slow building romance thrown into the plot to keep it moving.

I would recommend this if you are in the mood for a slower, more descriptive magical, fantasy story. Chantress was 3 stars; the twist on magic and the world building were enjoyable but the slow plot keeps me from giving it more stars.

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Amy Butler Greenfield was a grad student in history when she gave into temptation and became a writer. Since then, she has become an award-winning author. Born in Philadelphia, Amy grew up in the Adirondack Mountains and later studied history at Williams College, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Oxford. She now lives with her family in England, where she writes, bakes double-dark-chocolate cake, and plots mischief.

Official links: www.amybutlergreenfield.com | twitter.com/ab_greenfield

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In The Shadow of Blackbirds by Cat Winters

Title: In the Shadow of Blackbirds

Author: Cat Winters

Publisher: Amulet Books

Release Date: April 2, 2013

Pages: 400, Hardcover

Summary from Goodreads:

In 1918, the world seems on the verge of apocalypse. Americans roam the streets in gauze masks to ward off the deadly Spanish influenza, and the government ships young men to the front lines of a brutal war, creating an atmosphere of fear and confusion. Sixteen-year-old Mary Shelley Black watches as desperate mourners flock to séances and spirit photographers for comfort, but she herself has never believed in ghosts. During her bleakest moment, however, she’s forced to rethink her entire way of looking at life and death, for her first love—a boy who died in battle—returns in spirit form. But what does he want from her?

Review

There is so much I want to say about In the Shadow of Blackbirds because there is so much that deserves to be recognized. To keep my thoughts coherent I thought I’d break it up into sections.

The History -

I want to begin with a few facts to emphasize what a perilous time in history 1918 was.

Per www.spanishinfluenza.org, "According to reports, the 1918 Spanish Influenza affected 500 million worldwide and killed around 50 to hundred million of its victims which amounted to about 1-3% of total world population. It was considered as one among the deadliest of natural disasters or pandemics in the history of mankind."

Happening at the same time was World War 1. Per the ever trustworthy Wikipedia, "The total number of military and civilian casualties in World War I was over 37 million. There were over 16 million deaths and 20 million wounded ranking it among the deadliest conflicts in human history."

It’s safe to say that death was everywhere. This really set the stage for In the Shadow of Blackbirds. I imagine everyone felt some kind of loss. The threat of losing one’s own life was very real and sudden. Panic was high and hope was little, which drove people to act desperately and perhaps without reason.

The Setting -

Cat Winters does a wonderful job of portraying the fear and confusion felt by the people of this time. She captures the hardships and loss of war with stories of personal loss, women in the workforce, Red Cross clinics, war propaganda and more. The endless presence of sirens, the buildup of flu victims, orphaned children, and home flu remedies, are just a few of the reminders of the constant threat of sickness. The mood of 1918 is already bleak and scary but then you have to factor in the surge in spiritualism. The demand for spirit photos and séance’s only added to the hopeless, desperate and spooky feel of the story. And the historical pictures throughout this book were a great touch. It’s no wonder I didn’t have a peaceful night sleep while I was reading this book. But I loved it!

"Another siren screamed by. That old bully Death breathed down my neck and nipped at my skin, warning, Don't waste one spare second of time. If there are things you want to accomplish while you're still alive, you'd better do them soon. I'm coming."

And credit needs to be given to Cat Winters for bringing this story to life with her amazing writing and imagery. It was fantastic. It’s probably not the best example but I included an excerpt so you can experience the eerie tone of this book.

Excerpt -

"I removed my mask and splashed cool water over my sweating cheeks and nose. The peaked face staring back at me in the mirror above the sink belonged to a petrified kid, not a confident spirit medium. My skin lacked all color, and my hair seemed darker than usual. I already looked like a black-and-white photograph.

I dried my face on a limp yellow towel that reeked of dark-room chemicals. The noxious air inside the house kept me from inhaling deep enough to calm my racing heart. With my throat dry, I twisted the doorknob and walked across the hallway in my double-reinforced Boy Scout boots that could still help me run at a moment's notice.

I approached the bottom of the staircase, my pulse beating in the side of my neck. I could feel Stephen there, sitting the same way as when I saw him back in April. My left food slipped on a polished floorboard, but I righted myself, regained my balance, and inched further. The bottom step of the staircase came into view, along wit ha foot in a gray sock. The buzzing of electricity grew so loud my eardrums felt they would burst.

I stepped around the corner and saw him.

Black-red blood still covered his entire face and shirt, so close and clear and grotesque in the daylight. I shut my eyes and gagged."

The Story -

Disturbing but well-constructed setting aside, the main story focuses on the young Mary Shelley Black who has recently moved in with her aunt in San Diego after her father was arrested for "un-American like behavior". Soon after she arrives she learns that the love of her life, whom had earlier gone off to war, has died. But at his funeral she hears him speaking to her and then later he appears by her bedside. From his incoherent ramblings she can tell that he is tormented by these black birds and unable to let go. To help him find peace, Mary Shelley vows to discover the details surrounding his death and help him make sense of it. The more she starts to dig, the less sense she can make of what she knows and what she's been told. And his visits grow more powerful and threatening at time passes, some even possess Mary Shelley in mind and body. Between Stephen's ghostly presence and the flu pandemic, Mary Shelley is fighting agains the clock and death's seemingly inevitable embrace.

"The ate us when we died. They hovered on the edges of the trenches and stared down at us, watching us, waiting for us to get shot or bombed.
You've got to keep them from getting at your eyes, Stephen had told me when he spoke from the shadows of my bed. They'll take your beautiful eyes."

The ghostly mystery fit perfectly into the time period and enhanced nightmarish feel of the story. I enjoyed it immensely, as well as the many and unexpected plot twists. Everything in this book just complimented each other - the mystery, the setting, the discovery, the characters - the story was beautifully built and wrapped back around to the beginning. 

The Characters -

Like everything else in this book, the characters just worked. They were mysterious and interesting and each adding their own piece to the story. 

Mary Shelley's most distinguishable characteristic was her strength of will. 

"'I just buried a boy who meant the world to me, ma'am. I've seen corpses as blue as ripe huckleberries lying in front yards out there. There's no need to protect me from anything.' I shifted my sagging bad to my other hand. 'I'm tired of sitting around doing nothing.'"

Her personality was serious but expected under the circumstances and her stubborn and reasonable approach to things was well suited for the story. I also found her relationship with Stephen to be sweet - at least the glimpses of it we get to see in his letters and Mary Shelley's memories. Just a few more examples of the touches Cat Winters added to make this book something special.

Conclusion -

In the Shadow of Blackbirds was a beautiful and haunting story capturing the desperation, fear, and uncertainty of a devastating time in history. I seriously loved everything about this book. Cat Winters is incredibly talented and I highly recommend her book to readers. Especially if you are looking for an original, interesting, spooky, intricate, wonderfully written story. 

REVIEW #96: Pantomime (Pantomime #1) by Laura Lam

Title: Pantomime
Series:  Pantomime #1
Author: Laura Lam
Publisher: Strange Chemistry
Release Date: February 5th 2013
Pages: Paperback,392 pages
Source: Library

Summary from Goodreads:
R. H. Ragona’s Circus of Magic is the greatest circus of Ellada. Nestled among the glowing blue Penglass—remnants of a mysterious civilisation long gone—are wonders beyond the wildest imagination. It’s a place where anything seems possible, where if you close your eyes you can believe that the magic and knowledge of the vanished Chimaera is still there. It’s a place where anyone can hide.

Iphigenia Laurus, or Gene, the daughter of a noble family, is uncomfortable in corsets and crinoline, and prefers climbing trees to debutante balls. Micah Grey, a runaway living on the streets, joins the circus as an aerialist’s apprentice and soon becomes the circus’s rising star.

But Gene and Micah have balancing acts of their own to perform, and a secret in their blood that could unlock the mysteries of Ellada.

I struggled with Pantomime from the first chapter. The narration/POV switches without any indication. I thought I was reading a story about Gene but the beginning was about the runaway, Micah. Not only does the POV switch randomly, some parts of the story are flashbacks making it a bit of a mess.

Once I was able to get used to the narration, I was ready to dive right into the magical world of the circus and the mystery of the magic that was long lost. But unfortunately that never happened. The story just dragged on. I held hope and finished it to the end. The last 50 pages were not bad, the action picked up, there was murder, lies, romance all crashing together but it just wasn't enough to save the story.

The magical aspects of the story seemed forced and lacked development and explanation. I wanted to know more about the magic held within the town, the glowing Penglass, and the Chimaera. The romance while less forced was quite complicated and not necessarily bad but it was not something I am very used to reading. Gene was a strong and resilient character that never gave up. The secondary characters were also well developed, bizarre in their own way and suited circus life perfectly.

Pantomime was sadly almost a DNF for me but I would have to give it 1.5 stars. Others may be more interested in reading this book but I do recommend checking out the spoilers below if you are torn about reading. (Just so you have a heads up about what you are reading.) The lengthy descriptions and drawn out scenes slowed down the already messy plot. The romance was a bit strange and the magic was underdeveloped. The circus setting and characters were one of a kind and earned the story one star.

**SPOILERS**

I should have known I was getting myself into an interesting story when I picked up a story about the circus and Chimaera. Pantomime was nothing what I was expecting but again I did not really know what to expect. In full disclosure, the balancing act between Gene and Micah is a unique one. Gene and Micah are the same person. Iphigenia Laurus was born with both parts and has attraction for both guys and girls. 

**END SPOILERS**

Leah over at Uncorked Thoughts really enjoyed the story, so for a 4 star review check out Pantomime @Uncorked Thoughts

REVIEW #94: MILA 2.0 (MILA 2.0 #1) by Debra Driza

Title: MILA 2.0

Series: MILA 2.0 #1
Author: Debra Driza

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Release Date: March 12, 2013

Pages: 480, Hardcover
Source: ARC

Summary from Goodreads:

Mila was never meant to learn the truth about her identity. She was a girl living with her mother in a small Minnesota town. She was supposed to forget her past—that she was built in a secret computer science lab and programmed to do things real people would never do.

Now she has no choice but to run—from the dangerous operatives who want her terminated because she knows too much and from a mysterious group that wants to capture her alive and unlock her advanced technology. However, what Mila’s becoming is beyond anyone’s imagination, including her own, and it just might save her life.

Mila 2.0 is Debra Driza’s bold debut and the first book in a Bourne Identity-style trilogy that combines heart-pounding action with a riveting exploration of what it really means to be human. Fans of I Am Number Four will love Mila for who she is and what she longs to be—and a cliffhanger ending will leave them breathlessly awaiting the sequel.

 

“A false past, a false Mom and Dad. Everything about me false, false, false. 

It was like being buried alive in a landslide of hopelessness and despair. Except I wasn’t alive. That was the problem.”

Mila thinks she's a normal teenage girl, until she learns the truth. She is anything but.

“’Although the MILA 2.0-‘ The! THE! Like I was an object a thing! And 2.0? What did that even mean? ‘-is physically indistinguishable from an ordinary sixteen-year-old girl, its brain is actually a reverse-engineered nanocomputer, a complex mix of transistors and live cell technology that gives it unique capatilites. These include exceptional reflexes and strength, superhuman multitasking and memory skills, and the ability to hack computer systems, among many others. It can also evoke appropriate emotions, based on environmental and physical stimuli.’

I . . . what was this? A nanocomputer? Evoke appropriate emotions? Evoke? This person couldn’t possible be trying to tell me . . he couldn’t be saying . . . there was just no way. Of course my emotions were real. I felt things all the time.”

Even without all the action in this book, I still would have enjoyed it. I got totally sucked into the Mila's struggle to accept who, or rather what, she is. I can't imagine someone telling me I wasn't real and then seeing the proof with my own eyes, destroying any hope of it being untrue. (After she learns the truth, her "Mom" activates her android abilities). She looks and feels like a teenage girl. She has memories of growing up. She even cares about a boy. The truth threatens to take that all away.

“When he traced the scratch with his other hand, I swear something inside me flipped over completely. Somersaulted. Performed an entire circus act in less than five seconds. No way could a covert nanocomputer android spy feel like that.”

As if learning you are an android isn't bad enough, everyone wants a piece of her - the government, the Vita Obscura - to use her for what she is and what she can do.  But she doesn't want to be the monster they created her to be. While trying to avoid capture, she must learn to use her android  abilities - some which come as second-nature, others which take some adjusting to.

“I stared at the slot, my wrist, my entire arm, like they belonged to someone else. Like they were completely different alien entities.”

But her "father" finds her and he is ready to terminate her. He's convinced her emotions make her weak and unruly and he's already moved on to creating another Mila. Mila 3.0, better known as "Three". But he gives Mila one more opportunity to prove her worth. She is pitted against Three in a series of tests and if she can win she can stay alive.  He made sure to have leverage to make her play by the rules.

“Another MILA. Another girl formed using the exact same research that had created me. Well, not exactly the same. This MILA wouldn’t have my overreactive ‘emotional garbage.’ As Holland had so tactfully put it.”

I just found this entire book to be both thoughtful and thrilling. It was a unique twist on your typical Sci Fi action adventure. If I wasn't absorbed in her struggle for her humanity I was anxious for her to escape her father and excited for her kick some ass. Even though this is a big book I never once felt bored. It is full of emotion and adventure and discovery. I  I was invested from the first page to the very last word.

“Because despite the undeniable knowledge that I wasn’t human- or mostly human, anyway - despite the proof the computer screen had shown in the repair room, I still pictured my interior just the same as any other sixteen-year-old girl’s. Blood and guts and bones. A brain, and a functioning heart. Hopes and dreams, fears and sorrow. They could tell me the truth, but they couldn’t force me to accept it.”

 

This ARC was provided as part of the Debut Author Challenge ARC Tours