Review: The Stone Demon by Karen Mahoney

The Stone Demon by Karen Mahoney

Paperback, 336 pages

Expected publication: April 8th 2013 by Flux
Source: ARC, NetGalley
Buy the book:  Amazon : B&N : Goodreads

From Goodreads:

After being tricked into opening the doorway to the Demon Realm by Aliette, the Wood Queen, Donna Underwood is faced with a terrible ultimatum from the newly released demon hordes. They demand that the alchemists deliver the Philosopher's Stone, or their reaper storm will plunge the world into a devastating modern-day Dark Age.

Donna is sent to London, England, where she must complete her alchemist's training and learn how to recreate the Stone. But time is running out. Between facing the vengeful demon king, Demian, and collecting the Stone's elements, Donna realizes she must give her own life in order to succeed. And this time, even braving death may not be enough to save the world.

 The final installment of the Iron Witch series will take you for a ride and truly does live up to its predecessors. Donna and the gang face hard losses and challenges to overcome Demian and his army. Thankfully, they form an amazing group that wrangles through these incidents with their traditional clever tact. The process and journey they take is not easy and sometimes they trip up on what should be the simplest tasks. Normally, this would bother me but in this case it actually fits the story with the events occurring. It actually helps keep the book from being completely predictable. There are times you will probably think of similar series, but there is just enough of the author's touch to make it her own. Mahoney's keys are in the details. It's the little things she puts in the plot and characters that really make the difference. The snide remarks and small descriptions of Donna's arms in events all play a part, do your best to pay attention. You will particularly love the background information that we are privy to in this book. Info on Donna, her family, and especially Xan will let the characters come full circle for you. They slide past that awkward teenage phase and you get to see them begin to evolve into adulthood.

It would be so easy to give so much away. To justly define the book I would simply say that Mahoney masterfully wraps up loose ends and throws enough quirks in to keep you guessing and consistently turning the page. The Stone Demon does not disappoint, especially for those that already love the series. These fans will probably be dancing by the end and it may not even be for the reasons they think!

Review: Flesh and Bone by Jonathan Maberry

Flesh & Bone by Jonathan Maberry

Hardcover, 469 pages

Published September 11th 2012 by Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
Source: Own
Buy the book:  Amazon : B&N : Goodreads

From Goodreads:

Reeling from the tragic events of Dust & Decay, Benny Imura and his friends plunge deep into the zombie-infested wastelands of the great Rot & Ruin. Benny, Nix, Lilah and Chong journey through a fierce wilderness that was once America, searching for the jet they saw in the skies months ago. If that jet exists then humanity itself must have survived…somewhere. Finding it is their best hope for having a future and a life worth living.

But the Ruin is far more dangerous than any of them can imagine. They are hunted by fierce animals escaped from zoos and circuses. They must raid zombie-infested towns for food and medical supplies. They discover the very real truth in the old saying: In the Rot & Ruin…everything wants to kill you.

And what is happening to the zombies? Swarms of them are coming from the east, devouring everything in their paths. These zoms are different. Faster, smarter, infinitely more dangerous. Has the zombie plague mutated, or is there something far more sinister behind this new invasion of the living dead?

In Flesh & Bone, Benny Imura, Nix Riley, Lou Chong and Lilah the Lost Girl are pitted against dangers greater than anything they've ever faced. To survive, each of them must rise to become the warriors Tom trained them to be.

 One of my favorite series and it just keeps getting better and better. This installment takes the previous dangers met by our heroes and makes them look like teardrops falling into a five gallon bucket. The Rot & Ruin brings some horrific surprises for Benny and his crew!

  The journey has already hurt them physically and mentally, but it continues to give our heroes grief. Things don't turn out anything like they thought they would. The cults they encounter are far more crazy than what they could have imagined. This takes their lives and journey into an entire new direction. The incident with Chong was one I was waiting for, just was not sure which character it would happen to. It will be interesting to see how the plot winds that one out. Especially with Lilah involved. We get to see so much more of her and her thoughts this time around and I loved every minute of it. She's become my favorite character. 
Benny and Nix take on some almost hilarious scary events. They are totally plausible, but also laughable because that is all I would be able to do in those situations. Its that sad and horrific and I would be screwed. You will really get to see these two grow up in this book. They are learning the complete in's and out's of a relationship and time will tell if it is something they want to hold on to. 

For a time their journeys are divided, but then combine again at the end. Both paths are filled will potholes, especially when they learn about the airplane and the real history of life after First Night. This opens a whole new can of worms to deal with. The crew's Sanctuary and new friends may not be all they are cracked up to be. From what we learn towards the end, Sanctuary could actually be anything but what it implies. The anxiety you will feel at the end of this book will make you extremely mad. There is so much left wide open, you will be sitting in a corner, rocking, and waiting for the final book in the series, Fire & Ash, to come out in September. Don't worry, you won't be alone. I will be patiently biting my nails until the end of this saga!

Review: Sacrifice by Cayla Kluver

Sacrifice by Cayla Kluver

Paperback, 438 pages

Published October 23rd 2012 by Harlequin Teen 

Source: ARC, NetGalley
Buy the Book: Amazon : B&N : Goodreads

From Goodreads:

This is not the time for the fight to end. Now is when the fight will begin. This is the time to regain what has been lost.

Alera

Queen of a fallen kingdom, secretly in love with the enemy.

Shaselle

Daughter of a murdered father, rebel with a cause.

One lives behind the former Hytanican palace walls and walks the razor's edge to keep the fragile peace in her beloved homeland. The other slips through the war-torn streets, seeking retribution for her family's tragedy, following whispers of insurgency.

Both face choices that will separate them from those they cannot help but love. As their stories intertwine, a conspiracy ignites that may end in slavery or death—or lead to freedom anew, if only each can face what must be sacrificed.

A phenomenal ending to a brilliant series. Period. 

I had questioned myself on whether I wanted to continue with the series after reading Legacy. I thought it was a good story, but took too long to get to where it was going. Thankfully I did carry on and this book was definitely worth the wait. 

The two POV's in this book was iffy to me and I did not think that it would work well. It ended up being a great compliment to the story, especially being able to see the conflicts from both sides. I loved the pacing and placement of action in this installment. It was right where it needed to be and always held my attention to keep flipping pages. The plot didn't necessarily go the way I thought it would, or should really, but I understand the concessions Kluver made and the results of them. The culminating events that decide Hytanica's fate will leave you breathless!

The characters are fully matured now and the reader gets to enjoy the effects of their full circle. Alera and Narian are the essential "life-bloods" of the story. Everything that is to be decided is determined by their actions and influence. It was wonderful to see Alera step-up from childhood and truly embrace being decisive and tactical ruler. She finally learned how to put her foot down and inspires her country to do so as well. Narian takes an interesting journey this time around. We get to learn so much more about him and this information ends up being a significant player in the game. I wasn't convinced until this book that he would be a suitable leader or counterpart to Alera. Shaselle offers a great alternate POV to the events. I believe she is the girl that Alera would have been had she not been born into higher level royalty. She is very perceptive, but there were many times I wondered what in the world she was thinking. That was always with a decision that I knew would bring her grief and ultimately did in the end. The other characters pretty much played out the story as I thought they would. We find out a little more information here and there, but you will probably find the background on London and someone else really interesting. 

Overall, this was my favorite book in the series. The characters and plot were right where they should be and Kluver's writing improved leaps and bounds. It is definitely worth the wait, but reading the previous books are a must. There is no starting in the middle of this series, you'd be completely lost. A highly recommended set of books by all means!

Review: Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

Hardcover, 563 pages

Published December 1st 2009 by Little, Brown and Company
Source: Own
Buy the book: Amazon : B&N : Goodreads

From Goodreads:

"There were no surprises in Gatlin County.
We were pretty much the epicenter of the middle of nowhere.
At least, that's what I thought.
Turns out, I couldn't have been more wrong.
There was a curse.
There was a girl.
And in the end, there was a grave."

Lena Duchannes is unlike anyone the small Southern town of Gatlin has ever seen, and she's struggling to conceal her power and a curse that has haunted her family for generations. But even within the overgrown gardens, murky swamps and crumbling graveyards of the forgotten South, a secret cannot stay hidden forever.

Ethan Wate, who has been counting the months until he can escape from Gatlin, is haunted by dreams of a beautiful girl he has never met. When Lena moves into the town's oldest and most infamous plantation, Ethan is inexplicably drawn to her and determined to uncover the connection between them.

In a town with no surprises, one secret could change everything.

There's a lot of "differences" in this book when compared to others. Love, love the different perspective taken on magic in this book.Another is the POV that it is written from, Ethan's, instead of the heroine's. That itself should tell you the thought that the authors put into this book. It comes from a male perspective in a period there were very few of them, even compared to today. 

There is A LOT of back story in the beginning of the book. Yes, it is somewhat long to a few people, but I see it as an essential tool. Otherwise, the rest of the story would not have the meaning that it did, especially Ethan's reason and purpose for his actions. The pacing in this book is awesome once you get the back story. You always want to just keep turning pages because something else is happening and you can't wait to see where it goes. The concept of Casters and other magical creatures in this book is eerie and utterly realistic. I've even had friends stop reading the book because they say it hit too close to home and they could see these events happening. It is that well written and reflects a lot of the southern aspects that I grew up in and love. Toss in the Gothic style southern POV on the setting and it is a fantastic foundation for magic.

The characters in this book are phenomenal, especially the villains. Ethan is a great example of a steadfast southern boy. He will absolutely make you laugh until you hurt and then melt your heart the next minute. I would like to keep him in a box just for safekeeping. Lena has so many layers to her that it takes the entire book to just begin to fold them back. It makes for long journey as you watch her spread her "magical" wings as the days to her claiming tick away. Even the supporting characters like Link and Macon are amazing. I could read books about either of them as well and be happy. Link is that friend that would not question you if you called him and said "I need your help, bring a shovel and a bag of lye." He would simply show up and nod his head. Macon is the parental figure that everyone wants growing up, but, be warned, he will break your heart by the end of the book. And the villains....wonderful. Creepy, mean people that makes you wonder and question if everyone has a side like that. You won't even look at your neighbor the same way again after getting to know these characters. 

Be prepared to be wowed and ready to crave more after this book. Actually, buy the set. You won't regret it.   

The movie is coming out on February 13th, learn more at IMDB!

Review: Dreamless by Josephine Angelini

Dreamless by Josephine Angelini

Hardcover, 487 pages

Published May 29th 2012 by HarperTeen 

Source: Own
Buy the book: Amazon : B&N : Goodreads

From Goodreads:

Can true love be forgotten?

As the only scion who can descend into the Underworld, Helen Hamilton has been given a nearly impossible task. By night she wanders through Hades, trying to stop the endless cycle of revenge that has cursed her family. By day she struggles to overcome the fatigue that is rapidly eroding her sanity. Without Lucas by her side, Helen is not sure she has the strength to go on.

Just as Helen is pushed to her breaking point, a mysterious new Scion comes to her rescue. Funny and brave, Orion shields her from the dangers of the Underworld. But time is running out--a ruthless foe plots against them, and the Furies' cry for blood is growing louder.

As the ancient Greek world collides with the mortal one, Helen's sheltered life on Nantucket descends into chaos. But the hardest task of all will be forgetting Lucas Delos.

Josephine Angelini's compelling saga becomes ever more intricate and spellbinding as an unforgettable love triangle emerges and the eternal cycle of revenge intensifies. Eagerly awaited, this sequel to the internationally bestselling Starcrossed delivers a gritty, action-packed love story that exceeds all expectations.

 Angelini continues to impress me. Reading through her books are like watching a vivid movie: all encompassing and surreal. The writing is as superb as Starcrossed and she takes the story to a whole new level this time around. 

Poor Helen has already been through so much and isn't even half way where she needs to be in life. Now she has to battle walking through Hades every night on top of everything else.Due to her journeys to the Underworld, Helen is pushed to her breaking point, physically and mentally, because of lack of sleep and rest. Sadly, I can understand where she is coming from. (Basically, she's going through the worst grad school experience ever, except with better purpose. :D) However, during her escapades she brings in a brand new character to the mix, Orion. He has an entrance to Hades as well, but he comes with more mysteries. I won't give away too much, but he is my favorite character thus far. Orion's perspective on life and particular situations is sometimes hilarious, but correct and informative too. And dear Lucas. It kills me to see what he has to go through just to keep everything going and keep people alive. The intricate web of character interactions lays a solid foundation for an amazing plot.

Get ready for a thrill ride with the storyline and plot in this one as well. If it wasn't steady paced and rolling, you were reading and flipping pages as quick as you can to see what happens next. It is simply. that. exciting. Sometimes it is simply the bad luck of the characters of course, but a good chunk of it was plot essentials and came at you from every angle. During the culminating events you will be holding your breath one minute and crying the next. And that ending...talk about leaving me wanting more. One word describes it all and it is what you will say when you finish the book: "Wow." 

Review: The Iron Legends by Julie Kagawa

The Iron Legends by Julie Kagawa

Paperback, 304 pages

Published August 28th 2012 by Harlequin Teen
Source: Own

Buy the Book: Amazon : B&N : Goodreads

From Goodreads:

Enter the world of the internationally bestselling Iron Fey series. Dangerous faeries. Heartbreaking romance. Thrilling action and limitless adventure. The world of the fey has never been so powerful. This collection includes three novellas set in the world of the Iron Fey plus the Guide to the Iron Fey with exclusive information about Julie Kagawa's unforgettable world of Faery.

Winter's Passage

Never make a promise to a faery. They always come to collect. Now Meghan Chase must fulfill her promise to Prince Ash of the Winter Court and embark upon a dangerous journey into the heart of enemy territory—while being pursued by a relentless new foe and guarding her own foolish heart.

Summer's Crossing

What can turn enemies into reluctant allies? A call from the Exile Queen, Leanansidhe, ties legendary prankster Puck to his archenemy, Prince Ash, on a journey that may end in betrayal and will set them both on an irreversible path.

Iron's Prophecy

Before she ever knew what she might become, Iron Queen Meghan Chase was warned by the oracle that her firstborn child would bring nothing but grief. And even as Meghan and Ash celebrate their long-awaited union, the prophecy stirs.…

Three Iron Fey novellas for the first time in print!

Oh, how do I love this series! The book includes two previously released, free novellas from Kagawa that connected Meghan's series and also the new novella that connects Meghan's to Ethan's new series, The Lost Prince: The Call of the Forgotten. As a true Iron Fey fan, I just had to have them all in print and settled on the bookshelf with its family. Not to mention that Iron's Prophecy is another continuation on Meghan and Ash's story. I'll read anything with Ash in it and it is no secret that this novella is where the couple learns to live life as a true couple and, um, expand upon things. I love "connecting" books like this that allow me to see how the characters grow even further and how their story affected their lives. It's been such a long time since I have read Winter's Passage and Summer's Crossing that I will not review them here. Winter's Passage is Ash's novella story that connects the first two books and Summer's Crossing is Puck's Story that connects the third and fourth books. My pick is Ash's story, but Puck's is hilarious due to his POV and sense of humor. I'll let you decide between the two, just be sure to read them! :)

As previously mentioned, Iron's Prophecy connects The Iron King series to the Call of the Forgotten series, falling in right after The Iron Knight. Here we learn of what life is like post "Ash's Crusade"/marriage to Meghan and find out about a new web that is weaving in the Iron Fey world. The synopsis basically gives away all of it to be honest. However, what you don't see is the maturity and regal persona that Meghan excretes as an experienced Iron Queen. In response to this new level of enlightenment, you also receive a deep relationship between Ash and Meghan as they solidify their life and family together. It truly is a great way to leave their story behind and allows readers to make the transition to Meghan's child and brother Ethan's story...with Puck tucked in for the ride!

The book also includes a Guide to the Iron Fey. I thought it was an awesome addition and would actually highly recommend this concept to other authors. It can help understand the story better and in this case provide some hilarious aspects of the world that you may have not realized otherwise.

Review: The Dark and Hollow Places by Carrie Ryan

The Dark and Hollow Places by Carrie Ryan

Ebook, 292 pages

Published March 22nd 2011 by Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Source: Own
Buy the Book: Amazon : B&N : Goodreads

From Goodreads:

There are many things that Annah would like to forget: the look on her sister's face before Annah left her behind in the Forest of Hands and Teeth, her first glimpse of the Horde as they swarmed the Dark City, the sear of the barbed wire that would scar her for life. But most of all, Annah would like to forget the morning Elias left her for the Recruiters. 
Annah's world stopped that day, and she's been waiting for Elias to come home ever since. Somehow, without him, her life doesn't feel much different than the dead that roam the wasted city around her. Until she meets Catcher, and everything feels alive again.
But Catcher has his own secrets. Dark, terrifying truths that link him to a past Annah has longed to forget, and to a future too deadly to consider. And now it's up to Annah: can she continue to live in a world covered in the blood of the living? Or is death the only escape from the Return's destruction?

So sad to reach the end of this series, but it has to stop somewhere like all the good ones. Lucky for us, this one ends after a whirlwind set of events and a new, impressive main character. Much like the second book, The Dead-Tossed Waves, it has a "companion" feel rather a sequel. At least this one has a concurrent time frame with its predecessor instead of being a generation after The Forest of Hands and Teeth. 

Annah impressed me from page one. She has lived a tough life and it just got worse after Elias left. Scarred from a childhood incident, she shields herself from human interaction and runs on survival mode. These characteristics make her shine, but do cause issues as she is met with a set of circumstances that she cannot control.They also made the story so great to read from her perspective, especially seeing Gabry in her eyes and recognizing their differences. It is amazing how their different childhoods affected each one of them. One child that is headstrong and the other is more of a "go with the flow" and adjust personality. Additionally, Annah's attitude vastly changes the lives of Tristan, Elias, and Gabry by pushing them over limits they couldn't even fathom and even breaking the mold on some of Tristan's misconceptions. 

Due to only hearing about Annah from the other characters' POV, we basically have to spend the first part of the book learning about her and her shaded past. It can be slow at times, but I promise it is interesting and really helps you understand her personality. The groundwork was laid better than with Gabry and I found that this helped me form a connection to Annah that I couldn't with her. After this period, however, the plot explodes and snowballs downhill in a gut-wrenching ride. The architectural descriptions and events in the Dark City were some of my favorites; they actually made me stop and think about "what if" and how our society would react in those situations. I also think that readers may be surprised how the so-called "love triangle/quadrangle" turns out. Yes, it was a little predictable, but it sure wasn't an easy resolution! The only thing I have to squabble about a little is the ending. It almost felt like an afterthought or a conclusion to a "middle of the series" book rather than a finale to a series. I read the last page and thought "That's it?" I think it needed an epilogue or another chapter to solidify it more. Otherwise, this was my favorite book and lead character of the series and definitely worth waiting for!

Review: The Lost Prince by Julie Kagawa

The Lost Prince by Julie Kagawa

Paperback, 379 pages

Published: October 23rd 2012 by Harlequin Teen
Source: ARC, NetGalley
Buy the Book: Amazon : B&N : Goodreads

From Goodreads:

Don't look at Them. Never let Them know you can see Them.That is Ethan Chase's unbreakable rule. Until the fey he avoids at all costs—including his reputation—begin to disappear, and Ethan is attacked. Now he must change the rules to protect his family. To save a girl he never thought he'd dare to fall for.

Ethan thought he had protected himself from his older sister's world—the land of Faery. His previous time in the Iron Realm left him with nothing but fear and disgust for the world Meghan Chase has made her home, a land of myth and talking cats, of magic and seductive enemies. But when destiny comes for Ethan, there is no escape from a danger long, long forgotten.

Kagawa is more than a writer to me. She is an artist that can vividly depict situations and characters to the point it feels as if I am there with them. The Lost Prince is no exception to this. We dive back into the Iron Fey world, but from the perspective of Meghan's younger brother, Ethan. I was curious to see how he would be woven into the storyline from the previous series. I have to say, I really love the direction the world is taking now. However, this book contains enormous spoilers for Meghan's series, so I would highly recommend reading those before beginning this one. This is one that is going on my "highly recommend" shelf for everyone!

Ethan is an interesting character to get to know. A first glance I thought he was going to be a horribly broody character that would be difficult to read. Well, I was wrong, at least about him being difficult to read. He is broody, but he definitely has his reasons. The world that his sister lives in has haunted and tormented him since he was child and the effects of that are ever present. While he considers this to be an annoyance, it actually works out in his favor when he is thrown into the mix of the Fey world. Along the way we get to meet some old friends, Meghan and Ash, and Ethan's perspective gives them a whole new maturity and meaning to me. It actually helped me understand and know them better, for the good and the bad of them. There is a whole new slew of new friends that we meet, including a particularly interesting Fey, Keirran. I am afraid to reveal too much, but I will say you would find the prequel novella, Iron Prophecy, highly entertaining in relevance to him. Love the character though, his history truly shows in his actions and personality. I can't wait to see more of him. It feels as if we barely got to know Kenzie St. James, even though we see her quite a bit, but I have a feeling we're going to get a lot closer to her as the story progresses. She has the perfect attitude and openness that Ethan needs in his life right now for stability and in a confidant. I believe she will continue to chip away those thick walls Ethan erected to protect his most precious asset, his heart.  

Oh, how I love the storyline in this series. It has a wonderful mixture of mystery, romance, and thrills that kept the pages turning. All of this with the addition of the awesome details Kagawa adds to make it truly her own. An example of this is with the Kali descriptions as Ethan is practicing and performing. Absolutely beautiful. There is also a well balanced amount of time spent on action and down-time. It keeps you heart in a constant push and shove and the pacing steady and exhilarating. The transition from the first series' plot to  this one is smooth and incorporates the previous concepts to the new seamlessly. I am very curious to see how the Forgotten play out and how Ethan, Kenzie, and Kierran determine the end game with them. They are a very intriguing antagonist. I have a feeling there is a whole other side of them that we haven't seen yet and it may not turn out the way it is originally implied. Everyone needs a champion for them, right? ;) 

Review: Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Hardcover, 525 pages

Published: May 1st 2012 by HarperTeen
Source: Purchased
Buy the Book:  Amazon : B&N : Goodreads

From Goodreads:

One choice can transform you--or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves--and herself--while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.

Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable--and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.

"New York Times" bestselling author Veronica Roth's much-anticipated second book of the dystopian "Divergent" series is another intoxicating thrill ride of a story, rich with hallmark twists, heartbreaks, romance, and powerful insights about human nature.

     Of course the anticipation for this book was high with everyone that had read Divergent last year. After that stunning debut, many were hoping the magic could be repeated with its sequel. Thankfully, hopes and dreams do come true occasionally and Roth knocked it out of the park again.
      We get to know the characters a lot more this time around. Tris and Four are really dynamic in this installment and their interactions were sometimes hit or miss with me. Their relationship has to go through several hurdles and they grow in their personalities as a result. Is it for the best? Eh, we will see next time around probably. I loved getting to know the other factions better this time. It was great learning some of their intricacies and downfalls within them. All this builds around a very hurtful betrayal by a character that might have been thought to be steady as a rock. Roth keeps the intrigue going as the character list evolves and digs deeper into turmoil.
     There was no lack of action in Insurgent, very much like Divergent. It is deeply entwined with the characters and the roller coaster of emotions that they go through, and subsequently you as well. Roth is clever with the situations that emerge and confront our heroes. She always provides a few events that make me stop and think, "Wait, what?!" Ugh, the ending though. It's sad that the book had to end, let alone leave you walking off the page like that. It only builds the anticipation for the next book which, by the way this is building, should be astronomical in proportions!