Book Review ~ Magic Harvest

Magic Harvest (Fairy Trafficking #1)

by Mary Karlik
published by Ink Monster
expected release date: September 18, 2018
genre: Fantasy, 

**Received egalley from netGalley and publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Summary (Goodreads): Layla was three when the dragon Fauth attacked the fairy festival, murdering her mum and stepfather. Some fairies think she should’ve been eaten too. They call her fuman because of her mixed blood, but being half human isn’t all bad. Even though she lacks magic, Layla is immune to iron sickness, and she can wield a sword with the skill of an elf.

Sixteen years later, when Layla’s half-sister is kidnapped and taken through a portal to the forbidden human realm, Layla rushes to the rescue. She’s older and stronger, and she’s not about to let her last living family member be taken from her without a fight. But the portal spits her out in Old Town Edinburgh where neither her sister or the kidnapper are anywhere to be found.

Stuck in a world she only knows from school books, Layla joins forces with unlikely allies to find her sister. But as she challenges magical creatures and becomes tangled in the dark world of fairy trafficking, magic harvesting, and murder, Layla will have to find the strength within if she is to survive and save her sister.

My Thoughts: There was a lot I liked and disliked about this book. The main problem I had was with Layla herself. Yes, she's a kickass female who is willing to do anything to protect/save her little sister. Unfortunately, she also doesn't always stop to think before she does something. Everything has to be her way even if her way is wrong. I did like that when Ian's team called her out on rushing into things and causing problems she seemed to take the criticism and grow. I could see liking her character in future books.
The setting mostly takes place in Edinburgh with a bit at the beginning in Fairy. While it would have been nice to see more of Fairy, the author did a good job with the real world as well. My favorite had to be the underground tunnels. I just wish most of the story hadn't taken place in the same three-ish places. It made parts of the story static and repetitive.
The only problem I had with the writing was with some of the bigger fight/action teams. Even after reading it a few times I'm not really sure what happened in the last bit other than the good guys won.
Overall, there was enough of a story and interesting characters that I can see myself reading book 2.

Rating: 4

Book Review ~ Being Alpha

Being Alpha (Alpha Girl #7)

by Aileen Erin
published by Ink Monster
released: July 17, 2018
genre: YA, Fantasy, Paranormal,

**Received from Ink Monster via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Summary (Goodreads): For the first time since Tessa met Dastien, life is quiet. The evil witch, Luciana, is six glorious feet under, St. Ailbe's is closed due to human trespassers, and people are finally getting used to the fact that supernaturals exist in the world. It seems like the perfect time for a honeymoon.
After traveling to Dastien's house in Provence, clubbing in Paris, and attending Meredith and Donovan's Full Moon Ceremony in Ireland, Tessa and Dastien head to the Caribbean. Their trip is turning out to be the honeymoon that fantasies are made of-sunset cruises, long walks on the beach, and every romantic cliché you can imagine. Tessa couldn't be happier. Except that Tessa's visions are on the fritz. She hopes that means that nothing is brewing. That everything is quiet because all is well. But Tessa's never been one to assume anything.
When she's magically attacked and nearly dies, Tessa knows she can't ignore the signs anymore. Something huge is going on. As much as she doesn't want to call an end to their six-week honeymoon, it's time to head back to Texas.
Whoever messed with Tessa is in for a rude awakening. Because if there's one thing fighting rogue witches and werewolves has taught her, it's how to be Alpha.

My Thoughts: I have mixed feelings on this one. I really loved the first six books of this series. I'm not sure if the author meant this as a transition book or what but it seemed to be a step back while not having a whole lot of substance.
A lot of this book felt like making already established characters seem lesser so Tessa seemed like more. I'll start with the demons. Someone besides Tessa, since she was one of the last to know, should have been able to figure out where/how the demons were getting through. At the very least Claudia. She has proven to be The witch so far in this series and yet she didn't notice a live circle when she was at the compound trying to cleanse it? I know Tessa was supposed to become this uber witch and coven leader but that didn't happen and she really is nowhere on the witch front at this point. Also, when did the demons get so stupid. In previous books they were smart enough to disguise themselves as children to make the wolves look bad to the humans but in this book they only travel between the compound and the abandoned school? They didn't try to attack the town, mall, school and cause as much chaos as possible? This is what happens when you bring back villians you've already beat.
Next is all the new characters. There were a bunch. I understand they were necessary to create this new thirteen power circle that connects all the supernaturals. I guess, personally, I just needed to know more about them in order for it to make sense. Beings that are as powerful as these don't normally give up anything, especially to a wolf that has only been one for a few months.
Which brings us to Tessa. I really like Tessa. The first five books were about her coming to terms with her new life as a wolf while also dealing with a crazy super witch possessed by a demon. She is still learning things both about herself, her mate, and the supernatural world in general. I have a hard time believing that everyone outside of her small group would just accept her as the leader. There is a difference between having a lot of power (which Tessa does) and being an Alpha (she's not at this time). She can push a lot of power out to get everyone's attention in a chaotic room but a real alpha would get everyone's attention just by walking into a room. Not saying she won't become an alpha but she is still growing into herself.
Overall, as I said, this just was a rehash of fighting a demon they had already beat and adding new characters without any real substance. I would love to get to know more about the added characters just maybe without Tessa being such a main part of the story. Let her grow, learn and become comfortable with herself and her new life.
I'll still give the next book a chance since I've been wanting a book about the Fae. I'm concerned with where the author went with Cossette and now Chris and this forbidden love. It seems to be more of a convenience (fan service) than anything that was already established with these characters.

Rating: 3 - 3.5

Book Review ~ The Bone Witch

The Bone Witch (The Bone Witch #1)

by Rin Chupeco
published by Sourcebooks Fire
release date: March 7, 2017
genre:  YA, Fantasy, Paranormal, 

**Received arc from publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Summary (Goodreads): Tea is different from the other witches in her family. Her gift for necromancy makes her a bone witch, who are feared and ostracized in the kingdom. For theirs is a powerful, elemental magic that can reach beyond the boundaries of the living—and of the human.

Great power comes at a price, forcing Tea to leave her homeland to train under the guidance of an older, wiser bone witch. There, Tea puts all of her energy into becoming an asha, learning to control her elemental magic and those beasts who will submit by no other force. And Tea must be strong—stronger than she even believes possible. Because war is brewing in the eight kingdoms, war that will threaten the sovereignty of her homeland…and threaten the very survival of those she loves.

My Thoughts: I've had a hard time reviewing this. I was initially drawn in by the gorgeous cover. Then I was intrigued by the world the author created. It kind of reminds me of geisha's magic. I even liked the characters. Tea and her mentor Mykaela along with Tea's newly risen from the dead brother take us on quite a journey.
Unfortunately, It couldn't keep my attention for any length of time.  I don't know if it was the jumping back and forth between Tea's story of how she trained as a bone witch and her current life that caused it but they never mixed for me. Also, while some books are under-descriptive, this one may have been too descriptive.
That said, I still liked the overall story and want to know more. I want to know why Tea ended up on that road marching with her beasts and a surprising friend(?) ready for war. That could also be part of the problem, I seemed to miss why she is going to war and what happened to her friends that she had throughout the whole book until this point. I will probably be reading book 2 when it comes out just to try and get some answers.

Rating: 4

Early Review ~ Spectacle

Spectacle (Menagerie #2)

by Rachel Vincent
published by Harlequin MIRA
expected release date: May 30, 2017
genre: Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal

**E-Galley received from publisher and netGalley in exchange for an honest review

Summary (Goodreads): When their coup of Metzger's Menagerie is discovered, Delilah and her fellow cryptids find their newly won freedom brutally stripped away as they are sold into The Savage Spectacle, a private collection of "exotic wildlife." Specializing in ruthless cryptid cage matches, safari-style creature hunts and living party favors, the Spectacle's owner, Willem Vandekamp, caters to the forbidden fetishes of the wealthy and powerful. At the Spectacle, any wish can be granted—for the right price.

But Vandekamp's closely guarded client list isn't the only secret being kept at the Spectacle. Beneath the beauty and brutality of life in the collection lie much darker truths, and no one is more determined than Delilah to strip the masks from the human monsters and drag all dark things into the light.

My Thoughts: I had a hard time reviewing this one. I liked the first one so much and could not wait to read this one. I wanted to know what the menagerie group would do with their freedom and what would cause them to end up at the Spectacle. Unfortunately, that was not to be found. We know from the summary that they get captured but it happened so fast and the reason that "they were found out" was just an excuse to get to the Spectacle.
Delilah is as she was in Menagerie, worried about everyone else and doing everything she can to try and free them all. There is a lot more mental torture in this one based on Vandekamp's technology that leads to many of horrible things that are done to the cryptids.
Speaking of horrible, the things that the clients pay for are as bad as you think they would be. Most you are told or hinted at and are (thankfully) not actually detailed, but some are. We usually just get the aftermath of preparing the cryptids for the next client, party, or sporting event.
Overall, this was a well written book but had too much of the same theme/storyline as book one. I'm not sure how I feel about where Delilah ends up at the end or how she got there. It kind of ruined a relationship that I liked the aspects of in Menagerie. Also, am I the only one that wanted to know what happened to the two little girls in the "secret hallway"? Delilah was the only one that could have remembered them and saved them but she doesn't do this. Are they still there locked in their cages? Will probably read the next book just to see what happens but not as enthusiastically waiting for it.

Rating: 4 

Arc Review ~ Gilded Cage

Gilded Cage (Dark Gifts #1)

by Vic James
published by Del Ray Books
release date: February 14, 2017
genre: YA, Fantasy, Dystopia

**e-galley received from netGalley and publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Summary (Goodreads): Not all are free. Not all are equal. Not all will be saved.
Our world belongs to the Equals — aristocrats with magical gifts — and all commoners must serve them for ten years. But behind the gates of England's grandest estate lies a power that could break the world.
A girl thirsts for love and knowledge.
Abi is a servant to England's most powerful family, but her spirit is free. So when she falls for one of the noble-born sons, Abi faces a terrible choice. Uncovering the family's secrets might win her liberty, but will her heart pay the price?
A boy dreams of revolution.
Abi's brother, Luke, is enslaved in a brutal factory town. Far from his family and cruelly oppressed, he makes friends whose ideals could cost him everything. Now Luke has discovered there may be a power even greater than magic: revolution.
And an aristocrat will remake the world with his dark gifts.
He is a shadow in the glittering world of the Equals, with mysterious powers no one else understands. But will he liberate—or destroy?

My Thoughts: I didn't think I would like this book after the first few chapters due to all the different POVs. Ended up really enjoying the world the author created along and their stories. Unfortunately, the happy feelings and looking forward to book 2 ended with the last two pages. I'll start with the things I did like.
Luke, he started as a typical teenage boy doing typical teenage boy things. This ended quickly when he is separated from his family and sent to a factory slave town. Luke had the most evolution as a character and you could really believe he had become the person he was at the end of the book. All the decisions he made fit into his character, even when the outcome was not what he expected.
The Jardine brothers. Even as evil as they can seem, well at least one seems evil, one crazy, and one not like the others, I still liked them. I wanted to know more, especially about Silyen, crazy and powerful, definitely an interesting combination. Gavar seems to be more than what you see on the surface. His care for his child and even for Daisy in his own way. Granted it's only because she takes care of the baby but still it shows there is more there.
Bouda, she's another that I should hate (and mostly do) but I want to see what she does going forward. She clearly is willing to do anything that gives her more power including marrying Gavar and possibly being in league with his dad. I'm most interested in her mystery contact that seems to have info that is counter to everything that we learn in this book.
Abi, the character that ruined the whole book for me. It's necessarily her but where the author took her in the last two pages. Throughout the whole book Abi is kinda forgettable even as a main character. She's smart, book smart but too much of a fairytale daydreamer. She would think about the fact that she needed to find a way to get Luke out of the slave town and then 2 seconds later she would be dreaming about Jenner and how great it would be if they could only be together. This is pretty much how all her chapters go with some variation here or there but she never actually does anything. Then all of the sudden the story is over, the servant and master are in love and sharing a kiss, then Abi does something that is so far out of character that it made no sense to me. It literally ruined everything for me, I was so looking forward to reading book two and finding out what happens next. But if these last pages are an indication of where the author is going then I don't know if I'll be reading. Continuation is a big part of any series and it fell apart for this character in one book. With Luke it was easy to believe that he became the man he was at the end because of what happened to him throughout the book both in the slave town and when he ended up at the Jardine's. Abi on the other hand had no growth but suddenly we are supposed to believe she went from a smart daydreamer to a UF kick-ass heroine. It just doesn't fit. Most won't have a problem with this but for me it just didn't make sense.
I don't usually read preview chapters but if there are any released for book two (Tarnished City) I may give them a try to see where the author goes with the book and Abi's character. Something will have to happen to Abi and her sudden plans to make me want to read the whole book.

Rating: 4 based on the book as a whole and not the part that bothered me at the end.

Book Review ~ Age of Myth

Age of Myth (Legends of The First Empire #1)

by Michael J Sullivan
published by Del Ray
expected release date: June 28, 2016
genre: Adult, Fantasy, 

**Received e-galley from NetGalley/publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Summary (Goodreads): Michael J. Sullivan's trailblazing career began with the breakout success of his Riyria series: full-bodied, spellbinding fantasy adventures whose imaginative scope and sympathetic characters won a devoted readership. Now, Sullivan's stunning hardcover debut, Age of Myth, inaugurates an original five-book series, and one of fantasy's finest next-generation storytellers continues to break new ground.

Since time immemorial, humans have worshipped the gods they call Fhrey, truly a race apart: invincible in battle, masters of magic, and seemingly immortal. But when a god falls to a human blade, the balance of power between men and those they thought were gods changes forever. Now, only a few stand between humankind and annihilation: Raithe, reluctant to embrace his destiny as the God Killer, Suri, a young seer burdened by signs of impending doom, and Persephone, who must overcome personal tragedy to lead her people. The Age of Myth is over; the time of rebellion has begun.

My Thoughts: I decided  to read this after seeing that I did not need to read the Riyria series in order to follow the story. We start with Raithe and his father coming in contact with a Fhrey who is not happy that they are hunting on the wrong side of the river. Through a series of events involving the Fhrey, his servants, Raithe, and his father, the Fhrey ends up dead and Raithe ends up as the god killer. While Raithe and one of the servants are around for the rest of the story this is really his biggest part of the book. I did like him and Persephone together and can't wait to see what happens with them next.
While trying to outrun the Fhreys that are hunting them down, Raithe ends up at Persephone's clans home. This is when everyone comes together in one place. Persephone and her friends, Raithe, a rogue group of Fhreys, and Suri. Suri was definitely my favorite and I hope we get more of her in the books to come.
The only thing I did not like was the showdown between the new clan chieftain and his group against Persephone and her friends/ allies. The only reason I didn't like it was where it took place. Up in the mountain away from the rest of the clan. Persephone got to find out what happened to her husband but no one else really does. They know what they are told by Persephone but, for me, it's convenient that they all just believe everything she tells them when just the day before they were fully behind the new chieftain and his group.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I'm looking forward to finding out the ramifications of the final battle. I feel like I should be wary of the conversation between the rogue Fhrey and the servant but I find myself more curious than disappointed. Unfortunately, even though all the books are written, we still have to wait a year for the next book to come out.

Rating: 4

Book Review ~ Hidden Huntress

Hidden Huntress (Malediction Trilogy #2)

by Danielle L Jensen
publisher Angry Robot
genre: YA, Fantasy, 

**Received egalley from netgalley and publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Summary (Goodreads): Sometimes, one must accomplish the impossible.
Beneath the mountain, the king’s reign of tyranny is absolute; the one troll with the capacity to challenge him is imprisoned for treason. Cécile has escaped the darkness of Trollus, but she learns all too quickly that she is not beyond the reach of the king’s power. Or his manipulation.
Recovered from her injuries, she now lives with her mother in Trianon and graces the opera stage every night. But by day she searches for the witch who has eluded the trolls for five hundred years. Whether she succeeds or fails, the costs to those she cares about will be high.
To find Anushka, she must delve into magic that is both dark and deadly. But the witch is a clever creature. And Cécile might not just be the hunter. She might also be the hunted…

My Thoughts: Stolen Songbird, the first book of the series, was a 5 star read for me unfortunately this one didn't quite reach that high. I'm not sure if this fell into middle book syndrome or because I thought I knew who the witch was at the end of book one and after the first couple chapters of this one I was sure.
Watching Cecile struggle with something that was so obvious did not make for an interesting read. Add in how horrible her mother, brother, and best friend were (whether it was to her or Tristan) and it was a struggle reading her POVs at times. Tristan was better, trying to repair things with his friends and figure out all the different power plays that had been put into motion while he was locked away.
I still like the magic and history of this world. Which was an even bigger factor in this book. Not just Anushka but Cecile and another witch she meets along her hunt. Cecile makes some choices that are questionable and could have an impact later on.
Overall, there were a lot of ups and downs in this one. I'm hoping that Cecile is not as conflicted and can move forward with what needs to be done. There's a battle brewing on three different fronts and I'm interested to see what sides Cecile and Tristan end up on in Warrior Witch.

Rating: 4

Book Review ~ Uprooted

Uprooted (Goodreads)

by Naomi Novik
published by Del rey
genre: Fantasy, YA,

Summary: “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.

My Thoughts: I kept passing over this one every time I saw it at the library. I finally decided at the end of the year to just grab it and give it a try. I'm glad I did. This is the first I've read from Naomi Novik and I enjoyed her writing.
I found the world and story unique and engaging. Once Agnieszka was "chosen" and taken to the tower I was hooked. While I didn't like all her crying at first, it seemed at odds with her character, when she finally got it together she became a strong character. The Dragon, while a nice contrast to Agnieszka, was kind of a flat character at times.
What made this story was the magic and the story of the Wood. The author did a great job showcasing the sharp contrasts between the Dragon's and Agnieszka's magic. This made the times that they joined their magic that much better.
Overall, I'm glad I took the time to read it. I cannot say that it's something I would read again which is why it's not a 5 rating but would definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys fantasy of any sort.

Rating: 4.5

Book Review ~ The Alchemist of Souls

The Alchemist of Souls 

by Anne Lyle
published by Angry Robot
genre: Adult, Fantasy, Historical Fiction.

Summary (Goodreads): When Tudor explorers returned from the New World, they brought back a name out of half-forgotten Viking legend: skraylings. Red-sailed ships followed in the explorers’ wake, bringing Native American goods--and a skrayling ambassador--to London. But what do these seemingly magical beings really want in Elizabeth I’s capital?

Mal Catlyn, a down-at-heel swordsman, is seconded to the ambassador's bodyguard, but assassination attempts are the least of his problems. What he learns about the skraylings and their unholy powers could cost England her new ally--and Mal his soul.

My Thoughts: I didn't enjoy reading this as much I enjoyed the overall story.
There was too much of Coby and the actors for me. Whenever the story veered away from Mal and his story I lost interest. I didn't care about the plays or who won the competition or even the fact that there was a competition. All the side characters stories felt the same and didn't add anything to the overall picture. I can see where the author was trying to take it all and get all the characters in the same place.
The other thing that was weird/off was the relationship between Mal and Coby. She is a young girl pretending to be a boy so she can work in the theater. Based on how her character is presented and how Mal's character is presented they don't make sense to me. She seems too young and based on other things that happened during the book not someone that he would normally take a notice of.
All of that said, I did like Mal and his story with the skraylings. Finding out about Mal and his brother's past and how it related to his getting the job of the Ambassador's bodyguard.
Overall, I'm still interested in the world that the author created and Mal's place in it. I'm hoping that the second book, that will not have so much focus on the theater, will keep my interest more.

Rating: 3.5

Book Review (Arc) ~Menagerie

Menagerie (Menagerie #1)

by Rachel Vincent
Published by MIRA
expected release date: September 29, 2015
genre: Adult, Mythology, Supernatural, Fantasy (dark),

**received e-arc from publisher and netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Summary (Goodreads): When Delilah Marlow visits a famous traveling carnival, Metzger's Menagerie, she is an ordinary woman in a not-quite-ordinary world. But under the macabre circus black-top, she discovers a fierce, sharp-clawed creature lurking just beneath her human veneer. Captured and put on exhibition, Delilah in her black swan burlesque costume is stripped of her worldly possessions, including her own name, as she's forced to "perform" in town after town.

But there is breathtaking beauty behind the seamy and grotesque reality of the carnival. Gallagher, her handler, is as kind as he is cryptic and strong. The other "attractions"—mermaids, minotaurs, gryphons and kelpies—are strange, yes, but they share a bond forged by the brutal realities of captivity. And as Delilah struggles for her freedom, and for her fellow menagerie, she'll discover a strength and a purpose she never knew existed.

Renowned author Rachel Vincent weaves an intoxicating blend of carnival magic and startling humanity in this intricately woven and powerful tale.

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book right from the start. This is a dark look at what happens when humans get scared and decide the only solution is to round up anything that is not 100% human and imprison them one way or another.

*I wasn't as bothered by things that made this dark the way others were. They were highly disturbing but that is what made this book so great. If the author hadn't shown how bad the cryptids had it, the rest of the story wouldn't of had the same meaning.
*The reveal of how Delilah was still 100% human but had cryptid abilities was interesting. I'm not as familiar with what she is (really trying not to spoil here) so I was glad that it was well explained.
*I had an idea of what Gallagher was and it was another good reveal for the reader and the others that were around when it took place.
*I liked his  and Delilah's relationship. I was glad Delilah did just auto trust everyone around her that showed her a bit of kindness once she was caged.
* I liked the oracles and how they brought everything full circle from Delilah's past to the present.

Overall, I'm looking forward to this series. While I'm not sure where the author is going to go with the next book I'm interested enough to find out. With the way things ended and with the cryptids looking for lost family it seems like it can only go bad but here's hoping there's enough good to counterbalance them.

Rating: 4.5 

Book Review (Arc) ~ Chivalrous (DNF)

Chivalrous (Valiant Hearts #2)

by Dina L Sleiman
published by Bethany House
genre: Historical Fiction, Christian Lit, Fantasy

**received e arc from publisher and netGalley in exchange for an honest review

Summary (Goodreads): Strong and adventurous Gwendolyn Barnes longs to be a knight like her chivalrous brothers. However, that is not an option for her, not even in the Arthurian-inspired Eden where she dwells. Her parents view her only as a marriage pawn, and her domineering father is determined to see her wed to a brutish man who will break her spirit.

When handsome, good-hearted Allen of Ellsworth arrives in Edendale searching for his place in the world, Gwendolyn spies in him the sort of fellow she could imagine marrying. Yet fate seems determined to keep them apart. Tournaments, intrigue, and battles--along with twists and turns aplenty--await these two as they struggle to find love, identity, and their true destinies.

My Thoughts: DNF: Unfortunately this just wasn't working for me. I really liked Gwendolyn. If it had only been her story told from her POV I might have been able to finish it but Allen's POV is what turned e off.
First, I didn't know this was a second in a series. It would not have been a problem if Allen hadn't been part of some love triangle in the first book. Knowing this and the fact that Merry was all he talked about in the part of the book I read made it difficult to see him as someone for Gwen. Also, I know it is christian lit, but Allen's POV was very preachy. The author did a good job of being subtle but still showing the other characters faith without over doing it just not with Allen.
Others will enjoy this. It has a great fantasy setting and Gwendolyn really is a great female lead. I just couldn't get past Allen's voice in the part of the story I read.

Book Review (Arc) ~ Warren the 13th and The All Seeing Eye

Warren the 13th and The All Seeing Eye

by Tania del Rio
Illustrated by Will Staehle
published by Quirk Books
expected release date: November 24, 2015
genre: Middle Grade, Fantasy, Mystery,

**received from publisher/netgalley in exchange for honest review.

Summary (Goodreads): Meet Warren the 13th, a cursed 12-year-old Victorian bellhop who’s terribly unlucky . . . yet perpetually optimistic, hard-working, and curious. Orphan Warren’s pride and joy is his family’s hotel, but he’s been miserable ever since his evil Aunt Anaconda took over the management. Anaconda believes a mysterious treasure known as the All-Seeing Eye is hidden somewhere on the grounds, and she’ll do anything to find it. If Warren wants to preserve his family’s legacy, he’ll need to find the treasure first—if the hotel’s many strange and wacky guests don’t beat him to it! This middle-grade adventure features gorgeous two-color illustrations on every page and a lavish two-column Victorian design that will pull young readers into a spooky and delightful mystery.

My Thoughts: I wanted to read this for two reasons. The first cover (here) caught my attention when I was scrolling through netgalley. The final cover and illustrations the author posted made me want it even more. The second reason is my son. He is not a fan of fiction books, reads mostly non-fiction, and I am always looking for stuff for him to read that will make his teachers happy. This is one I will be getting for him when it comes out.
Warren comes from a long line of Warrens, all eventually become owners/managers of the hotel. Unfortunately, our Warren receives the hotel before he is old enough to run it, leaving him and it in the care of his aunt and uncle. The uncle is lazy and spends all his time eating and sleeping and the aunt is evil, always coming up with new ways to torture/discipline Warren.
Anaconda fills the classic villain role well. She is evil, greedy, and will do anything to get what she wants. Power, power and more power. With the help of her sisters (and several others) they manage to tear apart the hotel looking for the Eye, all under the nose of the oblivious uncle.
There were many twists and turn along with all of Warrens ups and downs throughout the book. Warren, while not your typical leading character, is still great and you cannot help but root for him. There are many surprises and great side characters, meaning there is something for everyone.
As I said, I'll definitely be getting this for my son and personally, I'm most looking forward to seeing the final illustrations.

Rating: 4

Book Review ~ The Stars Never Rise

The Stars Never Rise 

by Rachel Vincent
published by Delacorte Press
genre: YA, Fantasy, Supernatural, Dystopia

Summary (Goodreads): Sixteen-year-old Nina Kane should be worrying about her immortal soul, but she's too busy trying to actually survive. Her town's population has been decimated by soul-consuming demons, and souls are in short supply. Watching over her younger sister, Mellie, and scraping together food and money are all that matters. The two of them are a family. They gave up on their deadbeat mom a long time ago.

When Nina discovers that Mellie is keeping a secret that threatens their very existence, she'll do anything to protect her. Because in New Temperance, sins are prosecuted as crimes by the brutal Church and its army of black-robed exorcists. And Mellie's sin has put her in serious trouble.

To keep them both alive, Nina will need to trust Finn, a fugitive with deep green eyes who has already saved her life once and who might just be an exorcist. But what kind of exorcist wears a hoodie?

Wanted by the Church and hunted by dark forces, Nina knows she can't survive on her own. She needs Finn and his group of rogue friends just as much as they need her.

My Thoughts: I always worry when everyone else loves a book. Hyped books don't always work for me. This one did. It is right up there as one of my favorite reads so far this year.
Even though the Church is in charge and everyone follows whatever they say, it wasn't a preaching/ religious story. It was clear from the beginning that everyone was under the thumb of the Church even if most didn't agree with what they were saying. Because of the demon invasion the Church rules by fear.
Nina was an interesting character for me. We kept being told that she was slow on the uptake and her sister was the smart one. For me, I'll take the slightly slower character that can survive in the world she lives in than the smart sister who is either incredibly selfish or not as smart as we are being told. Nina's new group of real exorcists are an interesting mix and have something for everyone.
The only thing that stopped this from being a five star for me was the romance. I liked the idea of Finn, at first he was one of the better characters. Unfortunately, the big reveal didn't work for me. It was just weird. I get the idea and could see how his situation greatly helped the group in their work but as not as far as being Nina's romantic interest. The situation just seemed to put her in a situation where she is just making out with random guys. Even if Finn is there, it's not really him. Like I said, I liked him as a character but not as a romantic interest.
Overall, for being a first in the series, the author grabbed me from the start and kept me until the end. I'm looking forward to seeing how the group does out in the wild dealing with everything that was figured out during this book.

Rating: 4.5

Book Review (Arc) ~ A Whole New World

A Whole New World

by Liz Braswell
published by Disney Press
expected release date: September 1, 2015
genre: YA, Fairy Tales, Re-Tellings, Fantasy,

*E-galley received from netGalley and publisher in exchange for honest review.

Summary (Goodreads): Welcome to a new YA series that reimagines classic Disney stories in surprising new ways. Each book asks the question: What if one key moment from a familiar Disney film was changed? This dark and daring version of Aladdin twists the original story with the question: What if Jafar was the first one to summon the Genie?

When Jafar steals the Genie’s lamp, he uses his first two wishes to become sultan and the most powerful sorcerer in the world. Agrabah lives in fear, waiting for his third and final wish.To stop the power-mad ruler, Aladdin and the deposed Princess Jasmine must unite the people of Agrabah in rebellion. But soon their fight for freedom threatens to tear the kingdom apart in a costly civil war.

What happens next? A Street Rat becomes a leader. A princess becomes a revolutionary. And readers will never look at the story of Aladdin in the same way again.

My Thoughts: This had all the elements to be a really great story for me. I love retellings, fairy tales, and Aladdin is one of my favorite Disney movies. Unfortunately, it just didn't work out for me. I didn't quite DNF but I skimmed most of the second half, hoping that something would happen to re-grab my attention.
It starts off well with the prologue taking us back to when Aladdin was little and his mother was still living. It was a nice look at his younger years and seeing how his mother influenced him as he grew. We also meet some street rats that are already friends and a Palace guard that plays a big part in the story.
Chapter 1 is where it starts to go downhill for me. It was line for line if not word for word the dialogue from the movie. From the moment it starts until Aladdin is in the cave of wonders and is handing the lamp to the old guy (Jafar). There was no deviation. Nothing that made this the re-telling it is supposed to be or the author's own version of Aladdin.
As we know Jafar gets the lamp and wishes to be Sultan. It pretty much matches the summary from there. Aladdin helps rescue Jasmine from the palace where Jafar is holding her until he can force her to wed him. They join up with the street rats, that we met when Aladdin was little, and build up the group that will assist them in getting rid of Jafar.
For me what this really needed was more Jafar. Because we see very little of him throughout I never felt he was as truly evil as the rebellion kept telling us. The story would have benefited more if we would have gotten some back and forth POVs from Jafar and then Jasmine/Aladdin.
Another thing that was missing were the side characters that I loved. What made the movie for me was Genie and he is barely around. We get little glimpses and meetings and while his character is different based on who is in charge of his lamp, I still wanted more.
I'll try to end this on a positive. I did like how Jasmine was more of a character. She was very pro active in trying to get back her city and seemed to be a bit more fleshed out as a character.
Some will like this more than I did. I just couldn't get fully back into it after the first part that was too exact to the movie. Even knowing this is from Disney I still would have preferred for the author to change it up in some way.

Rating: 3

Review ~ Fables Vol. 18; Cubs in Toyland

Fables Vol. 18; Cubs in Toyland

by Bill Willingham
Illustrated by Mark Buckingham, Gene Ha, Steve Leialoha
Genre: Graphic Novel, Adult, Fantasy, Fairy Tale Retelling

Summary (Goodreads): The most harrowing epic since the inception of the series starts when Snow and Bigby's cub Therese receives a Christmas gift from an unknown admirer. This red plastic boat may hold the key to a deep, disturbing secret that will incite a series of soul-crushing events for the denizens of Fabletown. Plus, a backup feature that shows how Bigby received his fate, drawn by artist Gene Ha.

My Thoughts: This may be my favorite volume. Not necessarily because of the story but I loved the graphics in this one.
It features the spoiled daughter of Snow and Bigby, Therese. Somehow she receives a plastic toy boat for Christmas. Therese ends up going on an adventure with said boat and ends up in Toyland. Unfortunately, being crowned the Queen of Toyland isn't everything Therese was hoping for. Everything is plastic or make believe which doesn't help a human cub survive. Through some eye opening experiences and great sacrifices by others Therese starts to grow up and finds away to not only save herself but the rest of the toys on this desolate place.
There is also a bit about the Fables moving back into the new Fabletown. I'm not sure where they are going with Spratt but she is not a favorite for me.
As I said, while the story was great, the graphics for this were some of my favorite in the series. There was something stark and creepy about the island and it's inhabitants. I cannot really say more than that but for me it worked.
The story and artwork of Bigby's fate was a nice addition/break from the main part of this volume.

Rating: 4.5-5

Review ~ Inherit the Wind

Inherit the Wind (Fables volume 17)

by Bill Willingham
Illustrated by Mark Buckingham, Joao Ruas, Steve Leialoha, Andrew Pepoy, P. Craig Russell, Adam Hughes
Genre: Adult, Graphic Novel, Fantasy, Fairy Tale Re-Telling,

Summary (Goodreads): The tights and capes have been stored away forever, but it remains to be seen if Haven and its refugee inhabitants have survived the onslaught of. Where do the Fables go from here? Bigby and Snow White's cubs try to move forward after learning a hard lesson about life and death. And the loveable, fan-favorite hero Bufkin the Flying Monkey gets into more trouble when he finally reaches his homeland of Oz. This volume collects Fables issues #108-#113.

My Thoughts: There were three main parts to this collection. Finding the next North Wind, Bufkin in Oz, and Spratt getting ready for the return of the fables. There was a bit about returning to The Farm but not a big part.
I enjoyed the tests etc to figure out which of the cubs would become the North Wind. Spratt's storyline seemed more like setting up for future stories/conflicts. So far, what I've read in the last two volumes, the Oz story is good but not really grabbing me.
My biggest problem with this volume is the transitions. Usually there is more flow between the stories. In this volume it seemed to be jumping around every few pages. It made it more difficult to follow some of the things happening.
The artwork was still as great as usual. I also liked the mini stories (fables) at the end. Both the writing and the artwork keeps me interested and I will be finishing up the main Fables volumes and then tracking down all the side stories.

Rating: 4

Book Review ~ Side Jobs

Side Jobs (Dresden Files #12.5)

by Jim Butcher
Published by Roc
genre: Adult, anthology, supernatural, fantasy

Summary (Goodreads): Here, together for the first time, are the shorter works of #1 New York Times bestselling author Jim Butcher-a compendium of cases that Harry and his cadre of allies managed to close in record time. The tales range from the deadly serious to the absurdly hilarious. Also included is a new, never-before-published novella that takes place after the cliff-hanger ending of the new April 2010 hardcover, Changes. This is a must-have collection for every devoted Harry Dresden fan as well as a perfect introduction for readers ready to meet Chicago's only professional wizard.

Contains:
+ "Restoration of Faith"
+ "Vignette"
+ "Something Borrowed" -- from My Big Fat Supernatural Wedding
+ "It's My Birthday Too" -- from Many Bloody Returns
+ "Heorot" -- from My Big Fat Supernatural Honeymoon
+ "Day Off" -- from Blood Lite
+ "Backup" -- novelette from Thomas' point of view, originally published by Subterranean Press
+ "The Warrior" -- novelette from Mean Streets
+ "Last Call" -- from Strange Brew
+ "Love Hurts" -- from Songs of Love and Death
+ Aftermath -- all-new novella from Murphy's point of view, set forty-five minutes after the end of Changes

My Thoughts: I will admit up front that I am an anthology junky. I own all but one of the books listed in the description.That said, just because I own them doesn't mean I've read them yet.
Even the ones I had read previously I enjoyed. I liked looking back at earlier times in the story-line.
Aftermath was my favorite for the reasons listed. It was interesting seeing things from Murphy's POV. Especially after how Changes ended. This story was also heavy with the werewolves working alongside Murphy. It also featured a bad guy/group that I found interesting even in the short amount of time we got with them. They were amphibian with acid spitting growths on walls.
Overall, If you are a fan of this series, you'll enjoy most of these stories. There are some that are better than others. One the author even tells you up front was his first attempt at writing a short story and it shows. I still liked the story (Restoration of Faith) even if the writing wasn't up to par. It was also nice to have the continuation between Changes going into Ghost Story.

Rating: Overall: 4

Book Review ~ Dead Heat

Dead Heat (Alpha & Omega #4)

by Patricia Briggs
published by Ace
Genre: Adult, PNR, Fantasy, Shifters, Supernatural,

Summary (Goodreads): For once, mated werewolves Charles and Anna are not traveling because of Charles’s role as his father’s enforcer. This time, their trip to Arizona is purely personal, as Charles plans to buy Anna a horse for her birthday. Or at least it starts out that way...

Charles and Anna soon discover that a dangerous Fae being is on the loose, replacing human children with simulacrums. The Fae’s cold war with humanity is about to heat up—and Charles and Anna are in the cross fire.

My Thoughts: It's saying something that the author got me to tear up over a side character that we just met in this book. This has been one of my favorite series since they started and this story was a great addition to the set.
Anna grew on me more in this story. She was still the same Omega, doing what she needed to do to help. It seemed more fluid, to me, rather than just a defiance thing. My favorite thing about this story was learning more about Charles' past. It humanized him in a way that we haven't gotten in previous books. Learning that he had actual friends and almost another family outside of his father and brother.
I also got the one thing I wanted more of from the previous book, the FBI and Cantrip agents. I'm not sure how they can be kept in future books but I would definitely like them to be. This goes along with the fae making it clear that they are following their own rules and choices are going to have to be made.
The only thing that kept pulling me slightly out of the book was all the horse trivia. I very much felt like Anna and could not understand half of what was being said. That said, there were some great horses with great personalities that added to the overall plot.
*On a side note. I finished Vision in Silver by Anne Bishop just before this and really noticed (and loved) the difference in the authors' worlds. We have a story in this book (Dead Heat) about a werewolf who stays in his wolf form for months and the author makes a point of stating this is not good in her world. Where as in ViS the wolfs cannot stand to be in human form for even a full day at times. I always like when the authors lay down the rules for the supernatural/magic in their world and then stick to it.

Rating: 4

Book Review ~ The Orphan Queen

The Orphan Queen (The Orphan Queen #1)

by Jodi Meadows
published by Katherine Tegen Books
Genre: YA, Fantasy,

Summary (Goodreads): Wilhelmina has a hundred identities.

She is a princess. When the Indigo Kingdom conquered her homeland, Wilhelmina and other orphaned children of nobility were taken to Skyvale, the Indigo Kingdom’s capital. Ten years later, they are the Ospreys, experts at stealth and theft. With them, Wilhelmina means to take back her throne.

She is a spy. Wil and her best friend, Melanie, infiltrate Skyvale Palace to study their foes. They assume the identities of nobles from a wraith-fallen kingdom, but enemies fill the palace, and Melanie’s behavior grows suspicious. With Osprey missions becoming increasingly dangerous and their leader more unstable, Wil can’t trust anyone.

She is a threat. Wraith is the toxic by-product of magic, and for a century using magic has been forbidden. Still the wraith pours across the continent, reshaping the land and animals into fresh horrors. Soon it will reach the Indigo Kingdom. Wilhelmina’s magic might be the key to stopping the wraith, but if the vigilante Black Knife discovers Wil’s magic, she will vanish like all the others

My Thoughts: I've said it before but, I'm always happy when a book lives up to the hype. Too often I find that I don't love some books as much as everyone else seems to. I really enjoyed this one. It grabbed and held on to my attention right from the start and didn't let go until the end. That doesn't mean it didn't have it problems but they were not enough to pull me out of the book (it did make it hard to put into words without spoiling the story).
The world that Jodi Meadows created was an interesting one. The landscape is slowly being taken over by the wraith. Taking out whole kingdoms on its westward path. I also liked that the magical by product had its own characteristics, like being harmed by sunlight/mirrors. This made it another character in the story.
The characters were, at times, basic fantasy types but still worked. The Ospreys are a dwindling group of orphans that were removed from their kingdom when it was taken over during the One Night War. I did have problems with some of Wil's personality. For someone who is the "queen" she didn't seem to have much control. We find out very early that Patrick is in control and Wil goes along with the group even when she knows it is the wrong choice. This does create many problems during the story. Wil's faith in Melanie, even at the end, didn't make a lot of sense either. With everything that takes place there should have been some concern on Wil's part not faith that Melanie would let her know what was happening.
On the other side is Tobiah, his cousin James, and the royal court, along with the vigilante Black Knife. James was my favorite of this group. You could tell that he loved his life but was also took his responsibilities seriously. Tobiah, on the other hand, seemed very sullen and always wanted to be somewhere other than where he was. It was obvious from the start that one of these two were going to be Black Knife and it took away from the reveal when it happened. The relationship between Wil and Black Knife could have been interesting but fell short, especially when you find out who it is.
Overall, I enjoyed this story, I just wish it had been a little tighter in some areas. Wil was a strong lead character until you put her in front of the group she was supposed to be leading. Tobiah became stronger and more likable as you found out about him but his choices to end the story didn't feel like they would all stick. Even with that I have to know what happens to these characters and the land being overrun by the wraith.

Rating: 4-4.5

Book Review ~ Dorothy Must Die

Dorothy Must Die (Dorothy Must Die #1)

by Danielle Paige
published by HarperCollins
Genre: YA, Re-Tellings, Fairy Tales, Fantasy

Summary (Goodreads): I didn't ask for any of this. I didn't ask to be some kind of hero.

But when your whole life gets swept up by a tornado - taking you with it - you have no choice but to go along, you know?

Sure, I've read the books. I've seen the movies. I know the song about the rainbow and the happy little bluebirds. But I never expected Oz to look like this. To be a place where Good Witches can't be trusted, Wicked Witches may just be the good guys, and winged monkeys can be executed for acts of rebellion. There's still a yellow brick road - but even that's crumbling.

What happened? Dorothy.

They say she found a way to come back to Oz. They say she seized power and the power went to her head. And now no one is safe.

My name is Amy Gumm - and I'm the other girl from Kansas.

I've been recruited by the Revolutionary Order of the Wicked.

I've been trained to fight.

My Thoughts: To Read or Not To Read. I hate when there is controversy surrounding an author of a book I really want to read. I'm not even sure what all is going on with this one, there seems to be two separate issues. I decided to let the book speak for itself. Books can still be good even when the author is not.
There were problems with this book but I couldn't put it down. It starts off with a very contemporary feel. Amy is the shy, quiet, poor girl that has no friends and is constantly dealing with her tormentor. We also find out that she has a pretty horrible home life. This of course leads to a freak storm that carries Amy, her trailer, and her mom's pet rat off to Oz.
The author created an Oz that is familiar but at the same time drained and lifeless from what we remember. Amy makes the obvious choice to make her way to the Emerald City. Along the way she makes friends with a munchkin and a flying monkey. These are not the characters that we met in the original. Both have been enslaved by Glinda and Dorothy. In order to not be under their thumbs some monkeys have chosen to cut off their wings so they cannot work. We also meet Pete who is not what he seems but we do not find that out until the end.
After getting into trouble at the palace, Amy finds herself with no choice but to join up with a group of "wicked" witches. This group includes Glinda's twin sister and the Witch of the North alongs with some others. They train Amy in everything she will need to infiltrate the palace and kill Dorothy.
As expected things don't go as planned. There are many deaths along the way and in the end Amy finds that killing Dorothy and righting Oz will not be an easy feat. To get to Dorothy she will first have to get rid of The Scarecrow, Cowardly Lion and Tin man.
A lot happened in this book but at the same time it didn't feel like anything was accomplished. There are too many groups trying to reach the same goal and it is hard to figure out who truly are the "good" guys in this world.

Rating: 3.5