Lindsey Fairleigh and Lindsey Pogue: Into The Fire

Book review, World of Books November 5, 2013 Comments: 3

into the fireI should warn you before I start, if you haven’t read After The Ending, there will be spoilers.

I feel lucky that I didn’t have to wait long before reading the next book in The Ending series. Although now I’m not sure if I still remembered enough of the previous book or the authors were so good to jog my memory with what happened in After The Ending (knowing myself, I’d say it’s the latter).

The story picks up where it left off and we are introduced to some new characters, some you know will be there (Gabe), some you have no idea existed (because they shouldn’t – Camille and Mase) and some you wouldn’t have expected in your wildest dreams. I’m not saying who. 😉

Considering the fact that After The Ending took our characters on a several months long journey, you will be interested to know this book takes place during one week. Who knew so much could happen in a week? And even though the story mostly switches between Dani and Zoe again, it’s from Dani’s perspective that we learn the most intriguing bits.

And those that would make you scream in frustration.

Also, at some point I really wanted to scream in frustration at both Dani and Zoe – I was just starting to think Zoe was the rational and cool-thinking one, after I got upset with Dani thinking with her heart, and then Zoe goes and does the same. And Dani turns smarter.

I’m blaming it on the fact that they are still young and facing a new world, not on the fact it suited the authors to move the story in that direction.

It was one of those books that make you turn into a reader who calls out for blood for the bad guys. It seems in this case, the BAD guy might be even worse than you thought but we’ll get to learn that in the next book.

So, to sum it up (I always wonder if I manage to convey through my thoughts how much I liked the book) – I practically inhaled it. Through my eyes of course. 😉

I received my copy through NetGalley.

P.S. I just want to add, this book deals with some unethical and immoral choices bad people make. It also deals with how people can act differently when faced with such problems and how difficult choosing the right path sometimes can be. Also, how easy it is for the bad guys to take over. 😦

Scott Lynch: The Republic of Thieves read along (part 2)

Book review November 4, 2013 Comments: 15
This week’s question were brought to us by Lisa from Over the Effing Rainbow and here they are:
Blood And Breath And Water: Patience tells Locke that the ritual to save him is serious business. She wasn’t kidding… What did you make of this scene, and do you think any of it might (perhaps literally) come back to haunt Locke?
Hmm, now you mentioned it, possibly. The end of the process sounded very scary, I admit. A bit exorcistic so I imagine there is something there that might come back to haunt Locke.
images (2)
Orphan’s Moon: Back to the childhood of the Gentlemen Bastards, and here we get another ritual, this one in service to the Nameless Thirteenth. It looks as though it might be Locke vs. Sabetha, round two – but this time Locke seems to be a little slow on that uptake… Who do you think deserves to be given the final oath? Locke or Sabetha?
Honestly, Sabetha. She is the one who actually strives towards her goals. It’s just very unlucky that Locke is obviously more attuned to the minds of others and can somehow make them believe what he wants them to believe. Not that he doesn’t strive, he does, but only when he learns he might actually lose something.
Across The Amathel: This chapter takes a breather for quite a bit of Eldren history, while Locke starts recovering. What do you think of the history lesson, and Patience’s ominous speculation regarding the Eldren? Is this something you’d like to know more about?
Hell yeah! Since the beginning of the series! I don’t think we got enough information here to assuage my curiosity, I should add.
I still hope we’ll learn all there is to learn about Eldren (from the perspective of the world of Locke and Jean).
Striking Sparks: The gang’s off to Espara, after a bad summer and a pretty thorough dressing-down from Chains, and we finally get to the source of the book’s title – they’re bound for the stage! What are your thoughts on this latest ‘challenge’ and the reasons for it?
I think Chains wants to see if they can work as a team when he isn’t there to oversee and get them out of trouble. I’m sure they’ll get into trouble and out of it again, I just wonder how much of it will be caused by their teenage brains. 😉
The Five-Year Game: Starting Position: The election gets underway with a party (as you do) and before it’s even over, the Deep Roots party has problems – and not just thanks to Sabetha. What do you make of Nikoros and his unfortunate habit?
He’s a liability. What it might lead to, I have no idea. It might not come to anything. Then again, it might. I’m thinking they should be paying more attention to what Sabetha has planned because I’m sure she’ll have a lot planned.
Bastards Abroad: The gang arrives in Espara, and already they’ve got problems (nicely mirroring the Five Year Game!)… This aside, we’ve also seen some more of what seems to be eating at Sabetha. Do you sympathize with her, or is Locke right to be frustrated with her?
I sympathize with her. Then again, she is so very stubborn. Possibly why Locke is frustrated with her, she reminds him of himself. 😉 But I’m still more on her side in this, for a change…
Check what my fellow readers thought about the questions:

Featured today at Olfactoria’s

World of Perfume October 30, 2013 Comments: 10

As part of her People in Perfumeland series!

I feel honored to have been asked. 🙂 So head on over there to read my answers.

Scott Lynch: The Republic of Thieves Read Along, Part I

Book review, World of Books October 28, 2013 Comments: 16

It’s time for another round of fun with Locke and Jean! 🙂

As with the previous two, I’m again participating in the read along of Scott Lynch’s Gentleman Bastards series.

This week’s questions were provided by Dab of Darkness and without further ado, here they are with my answers.

1) We get to reminisce with several old friends in this section – Carlo, Galdo, Chains. How did you like this? Bitter sweet or happy dance?
It did start a bit bittersweet for me but that was soon replaced by happiness of getting to enjoy those “carefree” days again. Actually, I wasn’t even aware hoe much I missed them until those parts appeared in this book. I guess Mr. Lynch considered our shock and sadness at seeing them gone. And that it also proved as a good background for the whole Locke-Sabetha situation.images (1)

2) Finally, the infamous Sabetha makes a physical appearance, albeit in Locke’s reminisces. What are your impressions? How do you think the romance, if there is to be one, will play out? 

Well, I actually got further along than designated for this week. My impressions in the beginning were that it seemed a bit too young to develop a burning love to last until Locke’s dying day (at least that’s what I gather from him it feels like).  I don’t know how it will play out (I’d rather not guess and then be proven wrong) but I certainly hope Locke gets some happiness in his love life.

3) After trying absolutely everything to save Locke, Jean still won’t give up. What did you think of that little pep talk he gave Locke concerning Patience’s offer of healing? 

Well, I know the story is centered about Locke more but Jean is to him what Hermione is to Harry Potter (I manage to put HP into everything). Jean is who has my vote of confidence to make it all happen for what Locke imagined. Because lets face it – Locke would be long dead without Jean while I don’t think the same is true for Jean.
Can I just say  my thoughts at that part were – Hit him as well for being such a pain in the ass! (the book is making me swear, I swear!)

4) Locke has a few caveats to working for the Bondsmage. Wise or just Locke grasping for some control over his life? What would you ask Patience?

Wise. Definitely wise. There is no way there is not an underlying current to all this we’re not seeing. I mean, it was expected it would be the Bondsmagi who would save Locke but now they did, I hope they get put down to earth a bit.
I actually think Patience is one of the “good” guys – it seems someone is working to kill her as well (her son’s faction I’m guessing).
What would I ask her? Actually nothing comes to mind instantly – I just cannot grasp the magnitude of their capabilities.

5) At the end of this section, we see that all is not as Patience laid it out. How much do you think Patience knows of the plot to off Locke and Jean? Do you see it interfering in the rigged election?

I see it as part of the rigged election. Experience so far has shown that Mr. Lynch manages to make it all somehow come together and there might be signs along the way but until you reach the end, they are generally undecipherable. 🙂 That said, I think the two (elections and getting killed) go together. I don’t think Patience knows anything about the particular plot (as I believe it concerns her life as well). But I do think she might believe that could be a real scenario.

We’ll see what happens next…

Please check the following blogs for their take on the part I:

Dab of Darkness

The Little Red Reviewer

Over the Effing Rainbow

Just Book Reading

Book Den

Many a True Nerd

Lynn’s Book Blog

Theft and Sorcery

Coffee, Cookies and Chili Peppers

Tethyan Books

Rosesthingamajig

Genkinahito’s Blog

Joma Fantasy

Books Without Any Pictures

Lizzy Ford: Cursed (Voodoo Nights, #1)

Book review, World of Books October 23, 2013 1 Comment

Some people are just great story tellers. In writing.

This isn’t out yet, I got my copy through NetGalley and as I tend to request more titles than I can possibly read, since I cannot tell from the blurbs how much am I going to like them. And now I have so many titles, I came up with a solution on which to read.

Basically, I start reading all of them (one at a time) and see which one catches my interest to keep on going. It is actually working even better than I expected. 🙂

So, to get back to Cursed. cursed

I wanted to include the blurb but after reading it, I decided against it. It is also the reason why I didn’t think this book might actually be that interesting. I’m glad I was proven wrong about that.

As you can tell from the series title, there is a lot of Voodoo in this book. I’m sure there are people out there who would believe the reality of voodoo stuff happening in this novel, but I’ll call it paranormal YA novel.

There is a hundreds years old curse still being played out in present day, concerning tree of the four main voodoo families living in New Orleans.

Jayden, is actually a descendant of two of those families and doesn’t believe in those superstitions. On the other hand, Adrienne does, as her family is the bearer of the curse which kills the firstborn of every generation, supposedly ending with Adrienne’s sister Theresa.

And this is where it all gets complicated. In a wonderfully good way.

Adrienne gets into Jayden’s rich boy world and school on a scholarship. And New Orleans is where all this takes place – the post-Katrina NO which is not a lovely, nice place, especially where Adrianne lives with her father.

I did wonder a bit about the fact that in YA novels characters are usually the last to understand a particular situation. I mean if Addy is so good with tarot cards, shouldn’t she have learned by now how to take heed of what they say? Also, some of her reasonings make no sense to me (I’m blaming it on the author) but I do understand that teenage years are not the most rational. 🙂

I was  apprehensive this book might end with a cliffhanger but it didn’t. Or not as much as you would fear. I mean, it’s obvious there are going to be sequels (soon I hope!) so the story will have to continue, but for my personal reading peace, my questions were answered and I don’t feel the need to pull my hair out before the next installment is out.

 

Molly Harper: How to Run with a Naked Werewolf

Book review, World of Books October 16, 2013 Comments: 3

I can see you all chuckling at my choice of titles to read. 😀

But this time the last laugh would definitely be mine. The book is just so much better than what the title might suggest. If you want to have a fun evening with a book, I would suggest this. Although you might want to start from the beginning of the series, I got my copy through NetGalley and only later realized there are actually two books before this one, although each story is for itself (the werewolf pack is the same).

How-to-Run-with-a-Naked-Werewolf

The thing is, the story of Anna/Tina is actually a good description of how easily a woman can fall prey to an emotional and afterwards a physical abuser. A story of rationalizations until you’re one of the abused women and have no idea where your life went wrong. Ok, Tina does but it’s not a happy realization.

We start the story where Anna and Caleb meet and of course, Caleb, the werewolf will help her deal with her own problems. Just by being a presence in her life, she will be the one doing all the work. Which is actually why I could read the novel and root for Tina without it ever becoming too much (because sometimes it can be too much for me and I cannot read on).

For such a light and fun read, Ms. Harper managed to get me thinking about many important things – how easily you get pulled into a sick relationship, how brave you need to be if you want to take control of your life, how life’s teachings aren’t easy but might be necessary to get you a happy life.

I’d say for a light, evening read, it’s actually a great value.

 

 

Lindsey Farleigh: Echo Prophecy (Echo Trilogy, #1)

Book review, World of Books October 14, 2013 Comments: 2

I decided to read this book after reading After the Ending and realizing I have another title from one of the authors of the novel. Seeing as it’s a romance novel, you know me, it went straight to the top of my TBR pile.

“Alexandra Larson isn’t human…but she doesn’t know that. As far as Lex is concerned, she’s simply an ambitious and independent archaeology grad student with a knack for deciphering ancient languages, especially the various forms of Egyptian. When she’s recruited to work on her dream excavation, her translating skills uncover the secret entrance to an underground Egyptian temple concealed within Djeser-Djeseru–the famous mortuary temple of Queen Hatchepsut. Lex is beyond thrilled by her discovery…as is the enigmatic and alluring excavation director, Marcus Bahur.

As the relationship between Lex and Marcus heats up, a series of shocking revelations leave the young archaeologist reeling. Once Lex discovers the truth of her ancient Egyptian roots–the truth of her more-than-human nature–the people she trusts most make one final, terrifying revelation: Lex is the central figure of a four-thousand-year-old prophecy. She is the only thing standing between the power to alter the very fabric of time and an evil megalomaniac…who also happens to be her father. As events set in motion over four millennia ago lead Lex and Marcus from Seattle to the heart of Egypt, the fate of mankind depends on one thing: the strength of Lex’s love. “echo

Sometimes I’m really amazed at the creativity and imagination writers have. Bringing alive the Egyptian history makes for an interesting read, although Lex leaves the reader a bit frustrated with the way she behaves. I kept hoping she would make Marcus suffer for being such an insufferable god (unfortunately) and she did (eventually), but then at other times, it feels like she’s giving him more hold in their relationship and she generally acts weak at one point and very strong at other points, so I was a bit doubtful of her success.

Luckily, she grew more and more into the person she was supposed to be and a love story always helps with making  a book worth a read. A point in favour for this book, even though it’s part of a trilogy, it ends without a cliffhanger.

Turns out, I really don’t like those… 😉

Basically, it’s a fun read if you enjoy your romance interspersed with history, gods and fights. 🙂

My lovely leather heaven – Cuirelle by Ramon Monegal

World of Perfume October 10, 2013 Comments: 40

I might not talk about leather perfumes much but I do love them. I just might not wear them as often as I might like as I don’t think my colleagues would approve as much as I do.

That said, I think Cuirelle by Ramon Monegal would never solicit any negative comments. Or at least it shouldn’t. It has become my go-to leather scent and I simply adore it.

Unfortunately for me, my decant ran out and the brand is not available in Croatia. But if I’m nothing if not persistent when it comes to something I love, so eventually a bottle will find its way into my collection.

cuirelle
So how does it smell? Heavenly.

😉

Notes: Somali Incense, Indonesian Patchouli, Bourbon Vetiver, Virginian Cedarwood, Cinnamon and Beehive Absolute.

I find it an incredible achievement that this perfume is well made that I, an incense-phobic never actually registered any incense-y problem in my nose.
Even smelling it now, knowing there is incense in there, I cannot smell it in its usual form. I can tease the buttery soft leather (the feeling of it, no buttery smell to it) and vetiver and cedar but incense is luckily missing from my perception.

Trying to tease the notes apart is a bit difficult, I thought there might have been some iris in here due to the most incredibly soft, leathery beginning of this perfume. It is just so seductive to my nose, it’s like a leather coat lined with incredibly soft fur, you just want to burrow your nose (well, all of yourself not just your nose) in it and never let go.

The fur lining the leather coat

The notes cannot describe the loveliness you smell. I thought there was a slight rum note in the beginning. Even though you can smell the incredible combination of woody notes smelling leathery, the only spiciness I detect is the one I attributed to rum. I’m sure cinnamon plays a huge role in that but I cannot smell it by itself. And I’m sure the beehive absolute is responsible for the amazing softness radiating from this perfume.

I would call this a perfect cashmere sweater perfume, along with some seductive leather on any part of your persona for a perfect fit.

That said, I’m not the person who wears clothes like that but I still find Cuirelle a perfect fit.  It makes me feel like I’m wearing clothes like that feeling completely at ease in them.

Leisurely seductive, in a sneaky way. 🙂 You’re enjoying your time with Cuirelle and suddenly you’re snared and you cannot live without it. perfect fit.  It makes me feel like I’m wearing clothes like that feeling completely at ease in them.

I warned you – that’s what happened to me. Proceed at your own peril.

Jennifer Lynn Barnes: The Naturals

Book review, World of Books October 8, 2013 1 Comment

This is a book made for me. The story, the pace, the length for an evening’s worth a read (I had a free evening), the thrill to see what happens, well written characters, it’s all there.

“Seventeen-year-old Cassie is a natural at reading people. Piecing together the tiniest details, she can tell you who you are and what you want. But, it’s not a skill that she’s ever taken seriously. That is, until the FBI come knocking: they’ve begun a classified program that uses exceptional teenagers to crack infamous cold cases, and they need Cassie. 

What Cassie doesn’t realize is that there’s more at risk than a few unsolved homicides – especially when she’s sent to live with a group of teens whose gifts are as unusual as her own. Soon, it becomes clear that no one in the Naturals program is what they seem. And when a new killer strikes, danger looms close. Caught in a lethal game of cat and mouse with a killer, the Naturals are going to have to use all of their gifts just to survive.”

Cassie leaves her large Italian family (who are so cool, in the Italian way, especially Nonna) to go to a school where kids like her learn how to use their natural talents. Of course, she meets two boys there (both haunted by their pasts in different ways) and is instantly pulled into the macabre life of tracking psychopaths through profiling.

What I loved so much about this book is the fact that there are no unnecessary detours to the story, unnecessary explanations, everything falls into place and makes for a thrilling crime YA novel.

naturalas

 

 

It’s just that reading  a YA novel where characters aren’t displaying signs of stupidity (they are young, not stupid, albeit I did wonder at some point here), where the story seems legitimate in the way it happens, where we skip through unnecessary scenes, well, now I think of it, it’s something that doesn’t happen that often. And I wish it did. Which might not seem like much of an endorsement but in my mind, it’s what makes a really good storyteller. I don’t need stuff explained like I’m a child, I can live with the story evolving without additional hints (you get enough of them here as well).

It might seem like a YA crime movie type of book being read in your mind but what’s wrong with that? I wish I knew in advance what novels are like this so I could read them more often.

And if I’m lucky (and I’m thinking I might be lucky in this), there will be more books in the series. If you wonder why that might make me happy when I usually rant against it, it’s the fact that the crime story ends with this book so there is no frustration until the next book comes out.

Thank you very much for that Ms. Barnes. 🙂

 

 

Kresley Cole: Endless Knight (The Arcana Chronicles)

Book review, World of Books October 6, 2013 Comments: 7

To sum up my thoughts about this book – Aaarrrrgggggghhhhh!!!!!

There I am, all immersed, last time I checked how much is left I see I have around 100 pages, so there’s enough to come yet and then suddenly – the cliffhanger end. Hence my summary. Each time I think about it, my mind screams in frustration.

But it’s all good. 🙂 The fact is, K. Cole writes in such a way that gets you hooked up on the story and once it ends, well, all there is left for you is to scream in frustration. Even when the story in the book is actually finished, the frustration stems from the fact that the wait to the next one is too long.

I should warn you now, there will be spoilers ahead.

The story continues exactly where Poison Princess ended, Evie coming into her powers, Jack having problems dealing with it and Death continuously haunting Evie. Along with other Arcana (characters from the Tarot, the Major Arcana where only one can survive), Teeth (humans who now crave human flesh because they are enchanted by Hierophant) and zombies.

In the beginning, I was reminded a lot of the Hunger Games, mostly because you have 22 kids where only one can survive (their arena being basically the US). And this is where the similarities end.endless-knight-250x375

Evie didn’t learn beforehand what she was so she’s still learning and finding her way among the ruins after the Flash, trying not to get killed, learning her powers (and the past lives in this power struggle) and figuring out boys.

Honestly, I didn’t see how K. Cole would turn the whole situation with Death into a love story but I knew it would happen. We got some seriously unexpected twists to the story and I was already wondering how come Evie got all turned up in her head around Jack but it turned out she only needed time to work things out.

As with Death as well. I completely understand now why she said she felt sorry for him when her grandma asked about his card. Which brings me to her Grandma from which Evie’s mother separated her as she kept telling Evie stories that were considered crazy. Seems that was a lucky call as families of the players turn them into vicious killing machines which luckily Evie isn’t this time around.

Basically, if you enjoy YA, you shouldn’t miss this series. And if you haven’t started yet, you might want to wait until book 3 comes out. 😉

What I especially loved about this book is the HP references (that is bound to be a plus to any book I read). But it’s not only the references themselves in the text, I also got reminded of what the fight in the HP is about from the words of Dumbledore. Those who are evil do not believe in the power of love and those who love don’t consider themselves strong because of it. That is the main reason I believe Evie is considered weak in this round even though she is the Empress – mercenaries have no time or inclination to love. And Evie loves many people. So, I’m hoping that will actually be what saves her and the people she loves this time. Although I cannot imagine that happening without one of her two male loves dying. 😦 Oh well, at least I’m prepared. 😉

I also wonder if Jack will turn out to be the Arcana card that comes into power only after killing another Arcana. I’m also wondering if we’ll meet other cards that haven’t made an appearance yet.

The Endless Knight from the title is Death (he’s millenia old because he was the winner in the last 3 rounds). But it’s also a very good play on words as in this book the sun and light slowly disappear all together and it’s what Evie needs for her powers. It’s becoming and endless night for her…

The Arcana Chronicles