Fiendish by Brenna Yovanoff

Title:Fiendish
Author: Brenna Yovanoff
Publisher: Razorbill
Release Date:August 14th 2014
Pages: Hardcover, 352 pages
Source: Library

Summary from Goodreads:
Clementine DeVore spent ten years trapped in a cellar, pinned down by willow roots, silenced and forgotten.

Now she’s out and determined to uncover who put her in that cellar and why.

When Clementine was a child, dangerous and inexplicable things started happening in New South Bend. The townsfolk blamed the fiendish people out in the Willows and burned their homes to the ground. But magic kept Clementine alive, walled up in the cellar for ten years, until a boy named Fisher sets her free. Back in the world, Clementine sets out to discover what happened all those years ago. But the truth gets muddled in her dangerous attraction to Fisher, the politics of New South Bend, and the Hollow, a fickle and terrifying place that seems increasingly temperamental ever since Clementine reemerged.

5 Reasons I DNF (Did Not Finish) this book

1. Strong start but slow middle: The beginning of the book started off quite strong; the reader is introduced to a young girl who some how survives in a cellar for years. When she is found, she is magically still living from the aid of a bag of 'tricks'.  Oh yea and her eyes are sewed shut. Creepy but intriguing.  That said bag of tricks, while the contents are explained, provided no insight as to how she survived.  I felt like I need more information.

2. Lack of details and explanation: The reader learns of Fiends yet they are never truly explained; it can be assumed they have some dark magic, evil, creepy powers and no one likes them.  All the creepiness just lingers in the air without any explanation

3. Lose of interest in characters: By the middle the book, I just felt impartial to all the characters.  Some odd events occur and instead of trying to piece together the details and make sense of it all I just no longer cared.  It was as this point I really decided I should put this book down.

4. Odd romance:  Clementine immediately feel in love with Fisher, which I guess is understandable since he is the guy that saved her.  I can understand her naivety to love and romance since she has been locked up but I just did not like the romance.

5. Overall confusing:  I really enjoyed Yovanoff's Paper Valentine so I had high hopes for Fiendish; I was hoping for a creepy, Pre-Halloween read.  Fiendish was pretty confusing with its lack of development and details leading to my overall lack of interest.

REVIEW: Rebel Spring (Falling Kingdoms #2) by Morgan Rhodes

Title: Rebel Spring
Series: Falling Kingdoms #2
Author: Morgan Rhodes
Publisher: Razorbill
Release Date: December 3, 2014
Pages: 416
Source: Library

Summary from Goodreads:

Love, power, and magic collide with war in the second book of the Falling Kingdoms series

Auranos has fallen and the three kingdoms—Auranos, Limeros, and Paelsia—are now united as one country called Mytica. But still, magic beckons, and with it the chance to rule not just Mytica, but the world...

When the evil King Gaius announces that a road is to be built into the Forbidden Mountains, formally linking all of Mytica together, he sets off a chain of events that will forever change the face of this land, forcing Cleo the dethroned princess, Magnus the reluctant heir, Lucia the haunted sorceress, and Jonas the desperate rebel to take steps they never could have imagined.

What I Liked

• Rebel Spring speaks to my inner fantasy lover. I love the backdrop of a conquered kingdom and blood thirsty ruler. I love the presence of magic and the threat of The Watchers who wield it. I love how every character has their own agenda and treachery is as natural as breathing. All of these things and more is what makes me love this book. And the multiple POVs makes sure there is never a dull moment. I was never bored. I was always invested, always anticipating what would happen next. 


• I understand how these characters can be unlikable to some, but I wouldn't want any others. I love their flaws. I love how there is so much more to each of them than the eye can see. Cleo appears weak and submissive but is a snake waiting to strike. Magnus appears to be his father's son but is, in fact, much more kind. Jonas seems hot-headed and selfish, and well... maybe he is, but he is blinded by the loss of his brother and his guilt over his role in the fall of Auranos. Lucia is well-intentioned, but is losing control of herself in the face of the magic she now possesses. And these are just the main characters. I think all of the characters, primary and secondary, are fascinating and they keep things interesting. 


• The character development in this sequel was stronger than in the first, but slightly at a cost to the plot. But I loved getting to know these characters better and their stories are becoming more closely woven together, their fates intertwined.


• I wouldn't exactly say that I welcome death and despair, but when it comes to fantasy, I think it makes for a stronger book. In worlds like these, it is not realistic that good always prevails. It is only natural that bad things will happen to good people, just as often as they may happen to bad people. And Morgan Rhodes understands this. This book wasn't as shocking as Falling Kingdoms was, but Morgan Rhodes is still not afraid to kill off characters, or have good characters suffer. She keeps it real. And I admire her guts.

What I Didn't

• As I mentioned, Rebel Spring is more character-driven than plot-driven I think. But believe me when I say, I was never bored with this book. There is so much going on in this world that plenty of things are still happening. And I think Rebel Spring sets up for a third book nicely. 

Bottom Line

Falling Kingdoms is one of my new favorite fantasy series. It doesn't exactly have the charm like some of my other favorites but it is gutsy, compelling, and unpredictable. The plot and world are simply awesome. The characters aren't perfect, but they are perfect for this book. I can't get enough. 

REVIEW: The Fiery Heart (Bloodlines #4) by Richelle Mead

Title: The Fiery Heart

Series: Bloodlines #4
Author: Richelle Mead

Publisher: Razorbill

Release Date: November 19, 2013

Pages: 438, Hardcover
Source: Library

Summary from Goodreads:

In The Indigo Spell, Sydney was torn between the Alchemist way of life and what her heart and gut were telling her to do. And in one breathtaking moment that Richelle Mead fans will never forget, she made a decision that shocked even her. . . .

But the struggle isn't over for Sydney. As she navigates the aftermath of her life-changing decision, she still finds herself pulled in too many directions at once. Her sister Zoe has arrived, and while Sydney longs to grow closer to her, there's still so much she must keep secret. Working with Marcus has changed the way she views the Alchemists, and Sydney must tread a careful path as she harnesses her profound magical ability to undermine the way of life she was raised to defend. Consumed by passion and vengeance, Sydney struggles to keep her secret life under wraps as the threat of exposure—and re-education—looms larger than ever.

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• I think one of Richelle Mead’s greatest talents is her character development. Not only are her characters memorable and unique, but the growth they experience over the course of a series is remarkable. Sydney is a perfect example of this. I always liked Sydney because I saw little pieces of myself in her but I wasn’t impressed by her as a protagonist at the start. She was relatively bland and not-fun in Bloodlines, which was a big change after having Rose as a protagonist in VA. But four books later, her character has become much more complex, much more appealing. She still has all the attributes that make her Sydney, but is less robot-like. Her opinions and actions have definitely evolved. Adrian’s character is experience an equally significant transformation, but in the opposite direction. He’s becoming more stable, among other things


• Sydrian <3. This book was largely about their relationship which has finally come to fruition. I am kind of fascinated by their romance because I don’t think two people could be more different yet work together so well. There were some growing pains, a whole lotta sexual tension, but mostly it was just sweet and honest. AND LONG OVERDUE J


• The ending. I knew it was coming but that didn’t make it any less nail-biting. I can’t wait to see what happens next. I have some predictions about what is going to happen. 

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• Adrian is probably my favorite character in existence. Yes, I love him that much. And I was thrilled to get his POV for the first time. But in the end, I couldn't help but feel a little disappointed in what I saw. I don't mind getting a sensitive, more stable Adrian. I think that is only inevitable when he is with Sydney. But this Adrian was a total bore. I feel like he lost what makes him him. He wasn't snarky, or fun. In fact, his POV made the snark seem like it was always just an act. 


• Also, essentially nothing noteworthy happened outside of Sydney and Adrian's relationship. Really, nothing. And don't get me wrong, I love Sydrian, but I needed more than that. In fact, after 400 pages of nothing but relationship woes, I was almost tired of Sydrian. 

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I love the world and characters that Richelle Mead created, so I always enjoy reading her books. But if I am being honest, this one was a bit of a let down. It is still a solid read, and I recommend readers to continue because this series does hold promise. Just.. don't have too high of expectations.