Review: Sweetly by Jackson Pearce

Sweetly (Fairy Tale Retellings #2) by Jackson Pearce
Format: Hardcover, 312 pages
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Supernatural
Published August 23, 2011 by Little Brown
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

My Rating: 5 out of 5

Goodreads Summary:

SWEETLY is a modernization of Hansel and Gretel and a companion book to SISTERS RED.

Twelve years ago, Gretchen, her twin sister, and her brother went looking for a witch in the forest. They found something. Maybe it was a witch, maybe a monster, they aren’t sure—they were running too fast to tell. Either way, Gretchen’s twin sister was never seen again.

Years later, after being thrown out of their house, Gretchen and Ansel find themselves in Live Oak, South Carolina, a place on the verge of becoming a ghost town. They move in with Sophia Kelly, a young and beautiful chocolatier owner who opens not only her home, but her heart to Gretchen and Ansel.

Yet the witch isn’t gone—it’s here, lurking in the forests of Live Oak, preying on Live Oak girls every year after Sophia Kelly’s infamous chocolate festival. But Gretchen is determined to stop running from witches in the forest, and start fighting back. Alongside Samuel Reynolds, a boy as quick with a gun as he is a sarcastic remark, Gretchen digs deeper into the mystery of not only what the witch is, but how it chooses its victims. Yet the further she investigates, the more she finds herself wondering who the real monster is, and if love can be as deadly as it is beautiful.

I believe I may have a new Jackson Pearce favorite.

Admittedly, she's only published 3 books (that I know of) but even though they're all fabulous in their own way, I really really really loved this one.  It's one of those rare books when I really had no idea where it would go, kept me second guessing, and the conclusion was 100% satisfying.

Sweetly is the second book in the Fairy Retelling series after Sisters Red.  Although there is a completely new protagonist and storyline, you see some familiar names and creatures from Sisters Red.  Pearce creates a world and story that you think you already know, and then changes it into something more beautiful than the original, and yet still recognizable.  And not gonna lie, the candy descriptions had me drooling lol.

Often with Young Adult books these days, I feel like the main focus on the book is the romance.  There is nothing wrong with this, in fact I ADORE books with romance and swoony boys (I'm a teenage girl, sue me).  But I thought it was very refreshing that in Sweetly the romance was a little off to the side, and the growth of Gretchen's character and self confidence was front and center.  Gretchen starts off as a meek girl who is controlled by her fear of the past and the unknown, to an independent, bold, and adventurous young woman.

What I loved most about Sweetly was how the author doesn't paint Sophie as an outright, evil villain; even though being a chocolatier, she falls in the "evil witch" role of this fairytale.  Throughout the book, I was always wondering whether she was genuinely sweet, or was it all an act.  I loved how she, and all the other characters, are all multi-dimensional and dynamic and change throughout the book.

I cannot really express how much I loved the ending without spoiling it... but I really loved it.  It was satisfying, but bittersweet.  I was a little sad to let these characters go, but to sum it up, the ending had everything I look for in an ending.  It also redefined my definition of happily ever after.

I am eagerly waiting for Jackson Pearce's future works, and she is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors.  As a slightly irrelevant note, Jackson Pearce is also hilarious on Youtube and Twitter, and she is giving away an ARC of Purity when her video about the loneliest whale in the world reaches 5,000 views, so you should go check out her and her books :)

Review: Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

Title: Daughter of Smoke and Bone
Author: Laini Taylor
Pages: 432
Publisher: Paperback, Little, Brown & Company (ARC)

From Goodreads:

In a dark and dusty shop, a devil's supply of human teeth grown dangerously low.

And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherworldly war.

Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she's prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands"; she speaks many languages—not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she's about to find out.

When one of the strangers—beautiful, haunted Akiva—fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?

My review:

This book was sooo good!

Now I'm here to tell you why.

Laini Taylor is an amazing writer. The way she added so much detail so that you could everything in your head was just amazing. She has a unique style of writing, which at first I was a little mystified by but then loved. Seeing everything was just made easier when she described it against something we already know.

For example: Eye's like a tiger.

Daughter of Smoke and Bone isn't just written in one point of view either, which is great because you get that chance to see the situation in the eyes of another person. I love when authors do this because it allows you to see what's going on in the character's head and therefore lead you to understand them better.

The big issue of the story on it's own isn't that unique, and it's something we've read more than once, but when it was added with all the different elements of the story it seems like its own unique story. It really goes well with the book since it allows you the see how the different sides of the war view not only the war itself but also each other and themselves.

I enjoyed how the different parts had their own little sentences to tell you what you could expect of the segment. It was great when you got to read about what happened in the past, so that you understood why characters were acting they way they were in the present.

The characters stay true to themselves, they didn't just magically change their way of speech or manner when something drastic happened. Sure, they adapted to the changes, but they did it in their character like way. It's something hard to describe, but I hope that made some sort of sense. They were also great characters to read about. Each one had a unique personality that made them stand out in the story and of course you just loved them (or hated them). I feel like some characters, such as Kaz, were suddenly forgotten about, their own little story either didn't end or just wasn't tied up nicely. But seeing as this is going to be a series (we can expect at least one more book since that could not have been the ending) I hope that Laini Taylor is going to bring them back in some way and tie it up.

Or not. It could be that Karou's journey in the human world is done and that for now on it'll take place elsewhere.

A few things confused me though, like the location of Elsewhere (mostly likely not called that). And where exactly is the shop? Is it in this intersection between Elsewhere and the Human world? And how the chimera's world is connected to the seraph's? Because if they were in the same world, I don't understand why the serphas went as far as they did with the door and the hands. (Don't want to spoil it! So that may sound confusing).

*mini spoiler: skip till end of spoiler if you don't want to read*

Karou and Akiva are so cute together! I knew that something was going to keep them apart though, their relationship(if that's what they had) just started off way too fast and without issue for it to keep going smoothly.

*End of mini spoiler*

The title of the book makes perfect sense by the end, and so does the cover! (The cover pictured here, in case they change it when they really publish it.)

I'm definitely going to have my eyes out for the next book.

Overall:

Did I fall in love with this book? Heck yes! I loved this book. I put off summer reading, which is due on Monday, to read this book. I spent consecutive hours reading this book, missing most of dinner, because I was just so captured and enraptured in it.

Would I recommend it to someone? Of course! Why wouldn't you read Daughter of Smoke and Bone?

Rating: 4.73/5

Karina

Mini Reviews: Shift, Blood Red Road, The Demon's Surrender

I clearly have a problem.  We can call this problem, "April takes forever to write reviews and eventually forgets everything that happened in the book".  So I'm just going to write mini reviews that aren't gonna be too in depth and maybe a little random because I have the memory span of a goldfish.  I also have this problem called "April sucks at writing" but we can save that discussion for another time.

Shift (Shade #2) by Jeri Smith-Ready
Published May 3rd, 2011 by Simon Pulse
Hardcover, 367 pages

(Summary from Goodreads)

Aura’s life is anything but easy. Her boyfriend, Logan, died, and his slides between ghost and shade have left her reeling. Aura knows he needs her now more than ever. She loves Logan, but she can’t deny her connection with the totally supportive, totally gorgeous Zachary. And she’s not sure that she wants to.

Logan and Zachary will fight to be the one by her side, but Aura needs them both to uncover the mystery of her past—the mystery of the Shift.

As Aura’s search uncovers new truths, she must decide whom to trust with her secrets…and her heart.

My Review:
Shift is an emotional roller coaster that you may not want to read in public, due to people giving you strange looks when you bust out laughing, blurt out "OMFG", and grin like a loon.  Not that I would know from personal experience, or anything like that.

In Shade, you are introduced to Aura's world where she and everyone born after her are able to see ghosts.  Shift explores more of the mythology of the world, which I loved!  The author does an excellent job with the ghost mythology, this coming from someone who generally doesn't like ghost books.  As much as I love the romance in these books, I hope to find out more of the mythology in Shine.

I just realized that in almost every book review, I talk about boys.  This one is no different.  I think the key to a great love triangle is you don't know who the girl/guy is going to end up with.  And Jeri Smith-Ready definitely knows how to write a great love triangle.  Even though this is the 2nd book in the series, I STILL can't figure out if I like Zachary or Logan more... but I think I'm starting to lean toward Zachary.  Love love love the prom scene ;)  I was a little confused with the introduction of Dylan and Aura making this awkward love quadrilateral.    Although looking back now I can kind of see where the author was going with it, I didn't really know what to think of it while I was reading.  It felt a little out of place and random in the book.

I really liked the usage of heritage and culture in these books.  Aura isn't just randomly Italian, Zachary isn't just randomly Scottish, etc.  The author incorporates history, ancestry, and culture into almost every character.  Personally, I think these give the characters more depth and they are more realistic to read.

4.5 out of 5 stars :)  Highly recommend this series to all readers, no matter what genre you prefer.

Blood Red Road (Dustlands #1) by Moira Young
Published June 7th, 2011 by Margaret K. McElderry Books
Hardcover, 459 pages

From Goodreads:

Saba has spent her whole life in Silverlake, a dried-up wasteland ravaged by constant sandstorms. The Wrecker civilization has long been destroyed, leaving only landfills for Saba and her family to scavenge from. That's fine by her, as long as her beloved twin brother Lugh is around. But when a monster sandstorm arrives, along with four cloaked horsemen, Saba's world is shattered. Lugh is captured, and Saba embarks on an epic quest to get him back.

Suddenly thrown into the lawless, ugly reality of the world outside of desolate Silverlake, Saba is lost without Lugh to guide her. So perhaps the most surprising thing of all is what Saba learns about herself: she's a fierce fighter, an unbeatable survivor, and a cunning opponent. And she has the power to take down a corrupt society from the inside. Teamed up with a handsome daredevil named Jack and a gang of girl revolutionaries called the Free Hawks, Saba stages a showdown that will change the course of her own civilization.

Blood Red Road has a searing pace, a poetically minimal writing style, violent action, and an epic love story. Moira Young is one of the most promising and startling new voices in teen fiction.

My Review:
One of the first things you notice about this book is the writing and the voice.  Although it takes some effort to tone down your inner editor, the way it is written allows Saba to have a really clear, distinct voice that stands out.  And it really helps you get into the mindset of the world of Blood Red Road.  I can understand how this could be a turn off for people, but I really liked it and thought it made this book unique.  Props to Moira Young for turning off the spell check.

Something that threw me off a little was Saba's relationship with her brother Lugh.  They were really close and Saba was willing to do anything to get Lugh back, but I couldn't really figure out why besides that they're twins.  Although this is a minor issue, it was at the back of my mind for the entire book because the main reason Saba even has this grand adventure is because she's trying to get Lugh back.

I really liked Saba as a character and her growth throughout the novel.  You can definitely see her mature at the end of the book through her relationships with other people.  I liked how she and Jack didn't exactly have instalove, they had issues like normal couples do.  A character I wished there was more of was DeMalo.  I really liked him, and although this doesn't really seem like a love triangle kind of book, I wouldn't mind if DeMalo was part of it. :)  I get vibes that he's gonna be in the next book, so April is happy.

What I appreciate is that Blood Red Road had a resolution, and didn't leave you with a heart in your throat cliffhanger.  Although it could have been an action-packed standalone, I really liked the ending and it probably gave this book rating half a star.

4 out of 5 stars.  Although it didn't exactly live up to my expectations, I still thoroughly enjoyed Blood Red Road and anticipate any upcoming books in this series :)

The Demon's Surrender (The Demon's Lexicon #3) by Sarah Rees Brennan
Published June 14th, 2011 by Margaret K. McElderry Books
Hardcover, 400 pages

From Goodreads:

The Goblin Market has always been the center of Sin’s world. But now the Market is at war with the magicians, and Sin’s place is in danger. Thrown out of the Market she loves, Sin is thrown together with brothers Nick and Alan—whom she’s always despised.

Alan has been marked by a magician and is being tortured so that the magicians can get to Nick. As Sin watches Alan struggle to protect the demon brother he loves, she begins to see him in a new light—but she and Mae are locked in a fierce rivalry over who will inherit the leadership of the Goblin Market, and a decisive battle with the Aventurine Circle is looming. Mae’s brother, Jamie, is holed up with the magicians, his loyalties in question. And Nick—well, who knows what a demon might do to save his brother? How far will Nick go to save Alan—and what will it cost them all?

My Review:
Honestly?  I don't think there was a possibility of me NOT liking this book.  Simply because I am completely in love with these characters and the author's writing.  The Demon's Surrender is from Sin's perspective, and I really came to love her despite her not being a prominent character in the previous books.  She was wholly devoted to her family and the Market.  And I liked how she grew to love Alan, despite how they felt each other before.  Somewhat random, but I really admire Sin and Mae, and pretty much every female in this series for their strength and refusal to let people walk all over them.

Because I am such a shallow person, we cannot leave this review without mentioning Alan and Nick.  Gotta love those Ryves boys.  From page one of The Demon's Lexicon, I was in love with Nick even though I describe him as a demonic sociopath frequently.  Demon's Covenant being from Mae's perspective, I was pretty smitten with Nick still.  Not gonna lie, the demon mark (hickey of death) scene was hot.  But in Demon's Surrender you get a closer look at Alan, and I fell in love with Alan.  He has the whole broken boy thing going on which makes me want to give a hug.  It's official.  Alan makes it onto the list.  Alan Ryves for life.  And Nick too.  Because there is no such thing as teams in this book, for me at least.

As usual, SRB gets all plot twisty, but I'm not gonna give anything away ;)  But I seriously love the title The Demon's Surrender, it fits this book perfectly.  I'm seriously getting teary eyed knowing this is the last book, but I am so glad that I picked up this series last year.  Will forever be one of my favorites.

5 out of 5 stars :) A perfect ending to a freaking amazing series that will never leave me.  I'd highly recommend this series to anyone, including my grandma, my goldfish, my biology teacher, etc.

Review: Tomorrow, When the War Began

Title: Tomorrow, When the War Began
Author: John Marsden
Pages: 304
Publisher: Scholastics Paperbacks

Goodreads Summary:

When Ellie and her friends return from a camping trip in the Australian bush, they find things hideously wrong--their families are gone. Gradually they begin to comprehend that their country has been invaded and everyone in their town has been taken prisoner. As the reality of the situation hits them, they must make a decision--run and hide, give themselves up and be with
their families, or fight back. An ALA Best Book for Young Adults.
--------------------------------------------------------
When Ellie and her friends go camping, they have no idea they're leaving their old lives behind forever. Despite a less-than-tragic food shortage and a secret crush or two, everything goes as planned. But a week later, they return home to find their houses empty and their pets starving. Something has gone wrong--horribly wrong. Before long, they realize the country has been invaded, and the entire town has been captured--including their families and all their friends. Ellie and the other survivors face an impossible decision: They can flee for the mountains or surrender. Or they can fight.

My review:

So I definitely saw the movie to this book first, without knowing there was a book series that went along with it. And I have to say, there are very few movie that are so close to the book.

Tomorrow, When the War Began is a book that looks at the line between man and animal, and crosses it.

One of the things I really enjoyed about John Marsden's writing was the way he stated what everyone knows. Humans give names to objects and then give them so much more significance. He gives an insight to how people change, drastically, when their lives are at stake. Becuase Darwin's theory of evolution applies here: only the fit can survive.

Everything Marsden's states through his characters (Ellie, Homer, Robyn, etc.) are so true. They act just like how anyone their age would. He didn't make the characters pre-prepared to survive. He didn't make them Eagle scouts or military kids or super geniuses. He gave everyone normal lives, normal jobs that you would find in that part of Australia. It just shows you how even the simplest things you learn everyday can help you survive.

Another thing about this book that I enjoyed was that it was in a way, a diary. It wasn't dated or anything, it was just Ellie's reflection of everything that had happened. She tells the story through her eyes, and then for everything that she hadn't been there for, someone told the story and she wrote it down. It always seemed like you were informed on everything that happened. There was no real dark secret that came back to ruin everything.

All in all, I really enjoyed this book. And even though this may not have been the best review, I suggest everyone read it.

Rating: 5/5 stars

Karina

Review: City of Fallen Angels

Title: City of Fallen Angels
Author: Cassandra Clare
Pages: 424 pages
Hardcover, Margaret K. McElderry Books

Goodreads Summary:

City of Fallen Angels takes place two months after the events of City of Glass. In it, a mysterious someone’s killing the Shadowhunters who used to be in Valentine’s Circle and displaying their bodies around New York City in a manner designed to provoke hostility between Downworlders and Shadowhunters, leaving tensions running high in the city and disrupting Clary’s plan to lead as normal a life as she can — training to be a Shadowhunter, and pursuing her relationship with Jace. As Jace and Clary delve into the issue of the murdered Shadowhunters, they discover a mystery that has deeply personal consequences for them — consequences that may strengthen their relationship, or rip it apart forever.

Meanwhile, internecine warfare among vampires is tearing the Downworld community apart, and only Simon — the Daylighter who everyone wants on their side — can decide the outcome; too bad he wants nothing to do with Downworld politics. Love, blood, betrayal and revenge: the stakes are higher than ever in City of Fallen Angels.

My Reveiw:

Dark. Suspensful. Intoxicating.

Cassandra Clare does it again in the newest installment of The Mortal Instruments series.

City of Fallen Angels takes place approximatley two months since the war in Idris, and things have seemed to returned to normal, or as normal as they can get with the circumstances.

With ever turn there is a new mystery, a new threat or just an old reoccuring one. I felt like I was reading all this from the shadows, or around a corner. Underworlders play a bigger part of this story. Demons, vampires, werewovles are no longer what they used to be. No longer seperate, but united under the Accords. I could never get a real sense of what was happening until everything started to unfold and in the event all the clues finally added up. Once again, Cassandra Clare leaves you guessing, never giving away anything until the last page. And even then, you're still left in the shadows. Because as long as there is light, you'll find darkness close by.

Jace and Clary's relationship intsenfies immensly. Finally free to be together, nothing seems able to be seperate them. If only this were true. I was already afraid that each, intesne, long passionate kiss they had was their last. That each touch would lead to something more. That each silence would be eternal.

Their's is the only relationship though. With Simon still caught between Isabelle and Maia there is sure to be trouble for this Daylighter. And with Alec away with Mangus, Simon will have no one to turn to when hell falls upon him. Unless he can steady his relationship with Jace. And the new guy? Oh you'll either love or hate the hate new. I'd tell you which one of those pertains to me, but why add even more of my influnce upon you?

This story was beautifully written. It made me laugh, it made me want to cry and it made me yell many times at it. I could see everything before my eyes, so much that when I set it down to go eat dinner, I came back wondering what movie I had been watching because it was just so good.

You will love this book because with each page turn trusts will be tested, relationships under strain and you'll be doubting everything you know. It is no wonder that Cassandra Clare's newest book takes you an emotional spin and keep you yearning for more.

Overall Rating: 4.83/5 stars

-Karina

P.S. Keep a look out for another version of this review, containg spoilers. These are mostly known as my after book vents. Link to be posted soon!