Review - Uprooted by Naomi Novik

 

 Uprooted 
By Naomi Novik
Published May 19th, 2015 by Del Rey
438 pages

5 stars - Positively Enchanting!!

Summary from Goodreads.com:

 “Our Dragon doesn’t eat the girls he takes, no matter what stories they tell outside our valley. We hear them sometimes, from travelers passing through. They talk as though we were doing human sacrifice, and he were a real dragon. Of course that’s not true: he may be a wizard and immortal, but he’s still a man, and our fathers would band together and kill him if he wanted to eat one of us every ten years. He protects us against the Wood, and we’re grateful, but not that grateful.”

Agnieszka loves her valley home, her quiet village, the forests and the bright shining river. But the corrupted Wood stands on the border, full of malevolent power, and its shadow lies over her life.

Her people rely on the cold, driven wizard known only as the Dragon to keep its powers at bay. But he demands a terrible price for his help: one young woman handed over to serve him for ten years, a fate almost as terrible as falling to the Wood.

The next choosing is fast approaching, and Agnieszka is afraid. She knows—everyone knows—that the Dragon will take Kasia: beautiful, graceful, brave Kasia, all the things Agnieszka isn’t, and her dearest friend in the world. And there is no way to save her.

But Agnieszka fears the wrong things. For when the Dragon comes, it is not Kasia he will choose.


Review:

I have been wanting to read Uprooted for such a long time! I had seen that so many of my favorite authors had blurbed it and I knew that I couldn't pass it up. I had wanted to wait until I could buy a hardcover of it because that cover is so nice, but I found it online at my library and quickly snatched it up. 

I was drawn into this book from the very first page. There is just something so magical about the writing and the setting of this book. I felt like I was there with Agnieszka and all the village people. I could picture the castle that held the fearful Dragon and I could picture the dreaded Wood that held creepy things. I could just picture it all and that really made me feel like I was at home in a way. 

Then there was Agnieszka. I absolutely loved her character. She had been raised to believe that Kasia would be the one taken by the Dragon. She thought she was normal and not much of anything to even be thought of being taken. She knew she had flaws and fears and she was fine with that. There were times throughout the entire book that she was afraid and I really enjoyed that. A lot of the time, our heroines are fearless or they try really hard to be strong and to be tough. But Agnieszka was actually quite real and I could relate. 

I don't want to say too much about the actual story because I don't want to give anything away. You should know hardly anything going into this book. :) 

All I can say is that I really enjoyed reading this book. It was positively enchanting to read.  It was magical and honest and full of so many good things, haha. The characters and their relationships were enjoyable to read and I loved how we got to know so many people. I loved how each of these characters grew and became different versions of themselves. I loved how this book had everything I like as well. There was magic, action, suspense, folklore, and romance. There was something for everyone and I would definitely recommend to anyone. Just read it and read it soon!

Vanessa

Review - A Madness So Discreet by Mindy McGinnis

 A Madness So Discreet
By Mindy McGinnis
Published October 6th, 2015 by Katherine Tegen Books
376 pages

4 stars - Awesome! 

Summary from Goodreads.com:

Grace Mae knows madness.

She keeps it locked away, along with her voice, trapped deep inside a brilliant mind that cannot forget horrific family secrets. Those secrets, along with the bulge in her belly, land her in a Boston insane asylum.

When her voice returns in a burst of violence, Grace is banished to the dark cellars, where her mind is discovered by a visiting doctor who dabbles in the new study of criminal psychology. With her keen eyes and sharp memory, Grace will make the perfect assistant at crime scenes. Escaping from Boston to the safety of an ethical Ohio asylum, Grace finds friendship and hope, hints of a life she should have had. But gruesome nights bring Grace and the doctor into the circle of a killer who stalks young women. Grace, continuing to operate under the cloak of madness, must hunt a murderer while she confronts the demons in her own past.

In this beautifully twisted historical thriller, Mindy McGinnis, acclaimed author of Not a Drop to Drink and In a Handful of Dust, explores the fine line between sanity and insanity, good and evil—and the madness that exists in all of us.

 Review:

I have to admit that I was a little disconcerted by the cover of this book. I had a feeling that it was going to be about something creepy and so I passed by it. But eventually I couldn't find anything else to read and this was available and the library so I picked it up. Turns out that it is actually more of a mystery/historical fiction/thriller type of novel which is just fine with me. :)

I actually really enjoyed reading A Madness So Discreet. I wasn't sure that I would because the reviews are kind of mixed. I really enjoyed the writing and the way all the characters interacted. The dialogue was witty and I was entertained the whole time. Plus, the criminal psychology topic was very interesting and reminded me of when I wanted to be a criminal profiler. ;) 

Grace Mae definitely had to go through a lot. Watching her go through everything and reading about what she had to go through was kind of hard, but it was worth it because she grew from it. Grace didn't let all the horrible things that happened to her stop her from growing and getting past them. 

I loved a few of the other characters as well because each one had their own little quirk. The girls that Grace befriended were such great friends and I enjoyed reading about their stories. Dr. Thornhollow is definitely kind of odd and I wasn't sure about it at first but he grew on me throughout the book. The conversations between him and Grace were always something to look forward to. Oh! And Falsteed was another odd character but I loved how he cared for Grace and was such a good friend. 

Overall this was such an interesting and captivating read for me. It was something that I wasn't expecting at all. I just fell into the story and couldn't stop reading until I knew how it ended. I wanted to know the outcome of all the characters that I had been introduced to. The whole topic in itself was something that just called to me. If you are interested in criminal psychology or in asylums, then you would definitely enjoy this. Don't get me wrong, there were definitely a few things that I wasn't fond of but that didn't stop me from enjoying this read. Check it out soon!

Vanessa

Review - Burning Glass by Kathryn Purdie

 

 Burning Glass (Burning Glass #1)
By Kathryn Purdie
Published March 1st, 2016 by Katherine Tegen Books
512 pages

3.5 stars - Good start!
 
Synopsis from Goodreads.com:

 Sonya was born with the rare gift to feel what those around her feel—both physically and emotionally—a gift she’s kept hidden from the empire for seventeen long years. After a reckless mistake wipes out all the other girls with similar abilities, Sonya is hauled off to the palace and forced to serve the emperor as his sovereign Auraseer.

Tasked with sensing the intentions of would-be assassins, Sonya is under constant pressure to protect the emperor. But Sonya’s power is untamed and reckless, and she can’t always decipher when other people’s impulses end and her own begin. In a palace full of warring emotions and looming darkness, Sonya fears that the biggest danger to the empire may be herself.

As she struggles to wrangle her abilities, Sonya seeks refuge in her tenuous alliances with the charming-yet-volatile Emperor Valko and his idealistic younger brother, Anton, the crown prince. But when threats of revolution pit the two brothers against each other, Sonya must choose which brother to trust—and which to betray.

Review:

The synopsis of this book had me pretty interested in reading it. The cover is awesome as well and so I was completely looking forward to giving this book a try. Unfortunately I didn't enjoy Burning Glass as much as I thought I would. The whole idea of the book was great but I feel like it fell flat. 

Sonya has the ability to feel what those around her feel - emotionally and physically. Even though there are others like her, she is still different. She is an Auraseer and, after a horrible accident, soon becomes the sovereign Auraseer for the Emperor Valko. Once in the palace she must deal with the emotions of all those around her while figuring out those of Emperor Valko and Prince Anton. 

I really liked the idea of Sonya being an empath of sorts. I thought it was interesting and I thought that there would be some even more intriguing twists. I was kind of disappointed. I kept thinking that Emperor Valko had some type of surprising secret that Sonya would figure out, but that wasn't the case. 

Then there was the whole love triangle. I don't always have a problem with a love triangle but only if it's done right. This one just didn't feel right. I felt like we got more of one side of the triangle until the end where things felt kind of rushed. 

Sonya, Anton, and Valko were pretty interesting but I felt like we didn't learn too much about them. This is supposed to be a trilogy so maybe we might learn even more about a few of the other characters. Either way I just felt like I couldn't fully connect with these characters. I liked Anton from the beginning but then I felt like I didn't get to know too much of him after. 

Overall, it was an interesting read. I kept reading because I wanted to know what the outcome would be, but I wasn't fully devoted to the book. I had all these thoughts about what would happen and then the ending turned out to be nothing like what I thought. 

Again, good story but maybe the next two will be better. 

Vanessa

Review: Wink Poppy Midnight by April Genevieve Tucholke

 

 Wink Poppy Midnight 
By April Genevieve Tucholke
Published March 22nd, 2016 by Dial Books
247 pages

4 stars - Intriguing Read!!

Summary from Goodreads.com:

 Every story needs a hero.
Every story needs a villain.
Every story needs a secret.

Wink is the odd, mysterious neighbor girl, wild red hair and freckles. Poppy is the blond bully and the beautiful, manipulative high school queen bee. Midnight is the sweet, uncertain boy caught between them. Wink. Poppy. Midnight. Two girls. One boy. Three voices that burst onto the page in short, sharp, bewitching chapters, and spiral swiftly and inexorably toward something terrible or tricky or tremendous.

What really happened?
Someone knows.
Someone is lying.


Review:

I was immediately drawn to the cover of this book. I love the black background with the bright colors all over. I just knew that I had to have this book. The synopsis was just as intriguing and promised an unreliable narrator which I pretty much forgot as soon as I got my hands on this book. 

Wink Poppy Midnight was not what I was expecting at all. To be honest, I'm not really sure what I was expecting but it wasn't this. I really enjoyed this reading experience. I loved the way Tucholke drew me into the book with her writing style. I just felt like I was actually there with the characters. It was an almost dream like feeling. 

Speaking of characters, each one was as intriguing as the other. Wink, Poppy, and Midnight each had their own stories and were apart of each others' stories. I enjoyed learning about why Poppy was the bully, why Wink was odd, and why Midnight was the boy stuck between them. 

I definitely did not see that ending coming. I was fully caught up in the story and thought I knew who the villain was and who the hero was, but I was definitely wrong. I absolutely loved the surprise twist and figuring it out with Midnight. I won't say anymore because it's best, in my opinion, to not know too much going into the book. 

Overall, this was a great read for me. I was intrigued from the beginning and I couldn't stop reading. I read in one day off and on. The writing style instantly transported me to the home of Wink, Poppy, and Midnight. And the storytelling aspect had me believing each character. Still not too sure how I feel about the ending but I can say that I will definitely remember it awhile from now. Definitely check this one out soon!! 

Vanessa

Review - Death Wish by Megan Tayte

Death Wish (Ceruleans #1)
By Megan Tayte
Published February 7th, 2015 by Heaven Afire
305 pages

4 stars - Awesome! 

 *I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. Thanks!*


 Summary from Goodreads:

IN SEARCH OF THE MEANING OF DEATH, SHE’LL FIND THE MEANING OF LIFE.

The Ceruleans: mere mortals infused with power over life and death. Five books; one question: If the might of the heavens were in your hands, would you be sinner or saint?

Seventeen-year-old Scarlett Blake is haunted by death. Her estranged sister has made the ultimate dramatic exit. Running away from school, joining a surfing fraternity, partying hard: that sounds like Sienna. But suicide? It makes no sense.

Following in her sister’s footsteps, Scarlett comes to an isolated English cove with grand plans to uncover the truth. Alone. But she hasn’t reckoned on meeting two boys who are determined to help her. Luke: the blue-eyed surfer who’ll see the real Scarlett, who’ll challenge her, who’ll save her. And Jude: the elusive drifter with a knack for turning up whenever Scarlett’s in need.

As Scarlett’s quest for the truth unravels, so too does her grip on reality as she’s always known it. Because there’s something strange going on in this little cove. A dead magpie circles the skies. A dead deer watches from the undergrowth. Hands glow with light. Warmth. Power.

What transpires is a summer of discovery. Of what it means to conquer fear. To fall in love. To choose life. To choose death.

To believe the impossible. 

Review:

Wow! I cannot tell you how good this book was. I can only imagine how great the rest of the series is. The whole idea of this series is definitely interesting and has me hooked.

I feel like this whole book was really an introduction to the action, suspense, and intrigue that the rest of the series will have. We were introduced to some pretty interesting characters, theories, and situations. I was trying to figure out what the big secret was most of the time and definitely didn't see it coming near the end. 

I also love how this book allows readers to get to know Scarlett and Luke and all the rest of her friends. The whole book had a cozy feeling to it and Tayte really knew how to set the scene. It felt like I was right there with Scarlett and her friends. I loved watching her make new friends and kind of figure herself out. Cara was such an awesome character as well. She was a great friend and I loved her personality and quirkiness. Chester was pretty great as well. :) 

Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book. I was hooked from the beginning and didn't want to stop reading until I knew what the big secret was. The whole idea of Ceruleans was interesting and I'm looking forward to learning more about them in the rest of the series. But I really enjoyed that we were able to take the time to care about the characters and learn a little about what is going on. The ending definitely makes you want the next book right then. I so want to know what will happen with Scarlett, her sister, Luke and Jude. 
  
Check this one out soon!  

Vanessa

Review - The Beautiful and the Cursed by Page Morgan

 

The Beautiful and the Cursed (The Dispossessed #1)
By Page Morgan
Published May 14th, 2013 by Delacorte Books for Young Readers
341 pages

4 stars - Fantastic! 

Synopsis from Goodreads.com: 

 After a bizarre accident, Ingrid Waverly is forced to leave London with her mother and younger sister, Gabby, trading a world full of fancy dresses and society events for the unfamiliar city of Paris.

In Paris there are no grand balls or glittering parties, and, disturbingly, the house Ingrid’s twin brother, Grayson, found for them isn’t a house at all. It’s an abandoned abbey, its roof lined with stone gargoyles that could almost be mistaken for living, breathing creatures.

And Grayson has gone missing.

No one seems to know of his whereabouts but Luc, a devastatingly handsome servant at their new home.

Ingrid is sure her twin isn’t dead—she can feel it deep in her soul—but she knows he’s in grave danger. It will be up to her and Gabby to navigate the twisted path to Grayson, a path that will lead Ingrid on a discovery of dark secrets and otherworldly truths. And she’ll learn that once they are uncovered, they can never again be buried.

Review:

I have found another winner! 

If you saw my review of Stolen Songbird by Danielle L. Jensen, then you know that I was in a terrible reading slump for awhile. Until I found Stolen Songbird that is. I immediately wanted to read the sequel to that beautiful book but was unfortunately unable to. So I went to my bookshelf and found another book. I was kind of nervous before starting The Beautiful and the Cursed because I wasn't quite sure that I would enjoy it, especially after reading a 5 star book. I was afraid that my slump would start all over again. Clearly I had nothing to worry about because this book is a pretty awesome start to, what I'm sure is going to be, a pretty awesome series. 

Ok, now to the review! 

I have only read one other series about gargoyles and demons and what not. The only reason I read the previous series was because I absolutely love the author. But I wasn't always sold on gargoyles and I was never really sure if I wanted to read about them. I think Page Morgan does a pretty good with gargoyles. Her descriptions and the history that she wrote was enough to keep me interested. The whole book had a darker and older sort of feel to it and I really felt like I was there with those characters. I haven't read too many Gothic novels and I really enjoyed the feel of this one. 

The characters themselves were interesting as well. It took a little longer to feel attached to them and, for that reason, I gave this book 4 stars. It was a little slow in certain parts but once I got closer to the end, I couldn't put it down! I had to know what would happen to Ingrid and her friends. There is a ton of action and suspense near the end. 

It feels like I haven't really said anything about this book, but it wasn't too long to begin with. Overall, I think that this is a great start to the series. I am really interested in seeing what happens next and I really wish that I would've bought the second book when I bought the first. The history of the gargoyles, demons, angels, and humans was interesting and I want to know more about it. Plus I just have to know what happens with Ingrid and Luc! I definitely recommend if you are interested in Gothic novels and gargoyles. 

Vanessa

Review - Stolen Songbird by Danielle L. Jensen

Stolen Songbird (The Malediction Trilogy #1)
By Danielle L. Jensen
Published April 1st, 2014 by Strange Chemistry
469 pages

5 stars - AMAZING!!


 Synopsis from Goodreads.com:

For five centuries, a witch’s curse has bound the trolls to their city beneath the mountain. When Cécile de Troyes is kidnapped and taken beneath the mountain, she realises that the trolls are relying on her to break the curse.

Cécile has only one thing on her mind: escape. But the trolls are clever, fast, and inhumanly strong. She will have to bide her time…


But the more time she spends with the trolls, the more she understands their plight. There is a rebellion brewing. And she just might be the one the trolls were looking for...


Review:
  
Wow. Just...wow. I have had this beautiful book sitting on my bookshelf for probably a year now! The masterpiece was sitting on my bookshelf when I could have been reading it! But, really. Stolen Songbird was such a fantastic read. I was in quite a reading slump when I finally decided to give this book a try. I had bought it because it sounded interesting and the ratings were pretty great, but I wasn't quite sure if it would be to my liking. I am so glad that all my fear was for nothing! I flew through this book so fast that it is safe to say that my reading slump is over.

I'm not sure if I can begin to explain why I loved this book, but I'll definitely try. Cecile and Tristan are my first reason. Those two characters were amazing in my opinion. I loved how strong Cecile was despite the fact that her whole life was taken from her. She was in a completely foreign place but she didn't ever give up hope that things would be alright in the end. Then there was Tristan. Sigh. ;) We get to read a few chapters here and there of Tristan's thoughts. I really enjoyed this because we got to learn more about Tristan and his motives. I won't say too much more for fear of spoiling. Oh, and let's not forget about the relationship between those two. :) Aside from them, there were a few other characters that were awesome as well. They were supportive friends and definitely humorous.

The whole story on how Trollus came to be was definitely interesting. I loved reading about the history of the trolls and realizing that I might know the secret of who they really are. This whole book really just caught my attention and didn't let go. I was intrigued by the characters and the setting. I wanted to know what the secrets that everyone was keeping were.

Overall, the whole book was such an enjoyable read and something that I really needed after days of not reading. I loved the characters and the world that Jensen created. I actually thought that this was a standalone book when I was reading it but I was glad to find out that this is actually a trilogy. I cannot wait to get my hands on the next book! I mean, that ending was something else and I absolutely have to know what happens next! Definitely pick up this book if you haven't yet. You will not regret it!!

Vanessa