Showing posts with label Reviews. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Reviews. Show all posts

Monday, 29 October 2012

ARC review: After Dark by Emi Gayle


After Dark (The 19th year #1)
by Emi Gayle
Pages: 247
Publisher: J. Taylor Publishing
Expected publication: October 31st 2012

Synopsis:

What eighteen year old Mac Thorne doesn’t know will probably kill her.

In exactly eight months, five days, three hours and thirteen minutes, Mac has to choose what she’ll be for the rest of her life.

She has no choice but to pick. As a Changeling, it’s her birthright. To Mac, it’s a birthchore. Like going to school with humans, interacting with humans, and pretending to be human during the pesky daylight hours.

Once darkness descends, Mac can change into any supernatural form that exists—which makes her as happy as she can be. That is, until Winn Thomas, the biggest geek in her senior class figures out there’s more to what hides in the dark than most are willing to acknowledge.

In this first of the 19th Year Trilogy, Winn might know more about Mac than even she does, and that knowledge could end their lives, unless Mac ensures the powers-that-be have no choice but to keep him around.


Review: 

*A big thank you to J. Taylor Publishing for providing me this ARC.

I read After Dark with no expectations and let me tell you, by the end of it i was already dying to read the next installment in the series. I loved everything in the book, especially, the characters. 

Mac (Mackenzie) Thorne is a Changeling and when she turns 19 she needs to chose what she wants to be. She's got a whole list to chose from; a dragon, a fae, a werewolf, a ghost, a vampire and many more. But the the problem is she doesn't know what she wants to be. As the time goes by she's being pressured by the Council. Then, when she meets Winn she might get her answer. He has got a book about the Changeling the Council and magical creatures.

As i said before, i loved the characters! Mac was a great protagonist. Along the way she was also funny . Winn was a great character as well. A nerd who's hot? Yes, please! *dies* and he's sooo cute! *dies*... again. They were so cute when they were together and when they were having their moments. I loved all of the secondary characters too. Though, i have to say Alina was my favourite. I loved her personality; she was a fun character and when Mac needed her she was there.

The story itself was also fantastic. There was enough mystery to keep me hanging and romance that made me go all gooey, particularly, with Winn , he was just so adorable! The pace, however, for me went downwards towards the end. The ending was a big surprise, but for some reason it felt like there was something missing. Despite this i still loved Emi Gayle's writing. I loved how i could feel as if i was actually Mac as a magical creature; it felt very realistic.

All in all, i really loved reading After Dark. The characters were all amazing and fun to read about. If you haven't added this to your TBR pile, then you need to, especially the paranormal readers. I can't wait to see what happens in Day After (The 19th Year, #2).


Find more about Emi Gayle at: Goodreads/ Her blog/ Her website/ Twitter/ Facebook

Friday, 14 September 2012

Review: The Day of First Sun by Sheryl Stienes


The Day of First Sun (#1)
by Sheryl Stienes
Pages: 308
Publisher:
Pub date: January 1st 2011

Synopsis:

When Princess Amelie of Amborix is murdered by magical means, Annie Pearce and Bobby “Cham” Chamsky of the Wizard’s Guard are called in by the FBI. Their job is to help solve the crime while keeping the non-magical world from discovering the existence of the Wizard Council.

During their investigation, Annie and Cham discover that Princess Amelie’s death is connected to a series of other crimes in the Chicago area. A larger plot involving, a vampire, a rogue wizard and an army of soul-less zombies is revealed, but can Annie and Cham discover who is responsible before The Day of First Sun?



Review:

*Given a copy in exchange for a honest review.

The Day of First Sun was a quick and easy read. When Princess Amelie and Jordan (her boyfriend) steal an orb they don't know that it could turn theirs and everyone else's world upside down. But, it's too late. When the FBI find Princess Amelie's lifeless body Annie Pierce and her partner, Bobby “Cham” Chamsky, are called in. Annie and Cham are Wizard's Guard. Princess Amelie of Amborix is murdered but with magic. When the murder rests on Jordan's shoulders it turns out this is part of a even bigger problem.

Annie as the main character i didn't really connect with. Actually, i didn't really connect with any of the character. However, I thought that Annie was a perfect heroine. She wasn't perfect in every way. She had flaws like us. Cham and Annie have been together as friends for their whole life. They've been in love with each other for so long. When Annie finally confesses and they were together i thought that there could have been more of them together, for longer.

Sheryl's writing is really easy to get and it flows really well together. I could see how this was all linked together, for example. Despite the fact that i could understand the plot easily there were two things that made my opinion for The Day of first Sun go down. One, i was expecting more action. From the synopsis it sounded to me as if it was more of a action and thrill. Secondly, the past. We knew most of the past but the things that i really wanted to know more about was Annie's past and how the non-magical (i.e FBI) and the magical (i.e Wizard's Guard) got together.

In conclusion, The Day of First Sun was an interesting read but there were some things that made me hesitant into loving it. Although i didn't connect with the characters i really liked Annie. I also liked how everything flowed together easily. I would recommend this to people who love mystery more than action.


Find more about Sheryl Stienes at: Goodreads/ Her website/ Her blog/ Twitter/ Facebook
Find The Day of First Sun on: Goodreads/ Shelfari/ Amazon UK/ Amazon US

Friday, 31 August 2012

Review: White Cat by Holly Black


White Cat (Curse Workers #1)
by Holly Black
pages: 336
Publisher: Indigo
Pub date: May 4th 2012 (first published)

Synopsis:

You're only a fingertip away from another world.

Cassel is cursed.

Cursed by a memory. He murdered the girl he loved - and he doesn't remember why.

In a world where magic is illegal and his family is a branded criminal, Cassel doesn't fit in. He has no magical talent - just a gift for getting into trouble.

Boarding school offers an escape, but then the dreams start. Dream that drive him home to unravel his past. Dreams that force him to confront who he really is and what he's really done. Cassel is about to discover that his family hides an incredible secret - one that will transform his life forever.




Review:

*Spoilers! Spoilers! Spoilers!

I actually have a history with this. I used to see White Cat in every book (well, almost) i used to read. It would be always be at the last few pages where i would always read "You're only a fingertip away from another world." Back then i thought: "mmm... OK it sounds like good read". When Black Heart (3rd book in the Curse Worker series) was released i finally researched it on Goodreads. I then found out it was by Holly Black and i was like: "isn't that the author that wrote The Spiderwrick chronicles?" Finally, I had made my decision that i had to get it. So, here i am writing a review of White Cat.

Cassel is like everyone in our world, except, in his world he's the odd one out. He's not a "Curse Worker", like his whole family. One of the things that made me interested in White Cat was the male POV. I couldn't really get Cassel most of the time. Maybe, it's because i'm in a males POV. Anyhow, i still liked to watch through his eyes. Lila, the girl he loved and killed i did kinda get. I was happy that she didn't forget her objective. She still wanted to be the head of her family when her father died and she still wanted to kill Cassel, for revenge. My other character that i have to talk to is Cassel's mother. Cassel's mother is my favourite character, because she was the only character that i could really imagine in real life.

The storyline is a different matter. It made me fall in love with it when i first read it. It is set in an alternative US where certain people have supernatural abilities, they are called "curse workers". There are a variety of different "Curse Workers". Some can control your dreams, some can control you and some, some can even change you into different objects. They can do this with just a touch. That's why a bare hands are like knives. Cassel, our protagonist, is not a "Curse Worker" which i doubted for a long time and in the end i was right. In addition, i also loved the criminal side of the "curse workers". Holly Black gave me what i needed of the criminal world of "Curse Workers" which i found really interesting. I would love to find out more about the criminal side in the next book. Despite loving the story i thought that it was slow paced for me. The only adrenaline that i felt was the ending. On the other hand, i really liked Holly Black's writing. Her description especially.

In conclusion, White Cat did and didn't meet my expectations. Even though, i didn't connect with Cassel i thought that all the character had something in them that made them real. I also thought that it was slow paced, but it all goes upwards with the storyline. Despite the bumpy ride in White Cat i'm looking forward to read Read Glove.


Find out more about Holly Black at: Goodreads/ Her blog/ Her website/ Twitter

Monday, 27 August 2012

Review: Prowl by Amber Garza


Prowl (Prowl Trilogy #1)
by Amber Garza
Pages: 216
Publisher: CreateSsace
Pub date: January 20th 2012

Synopsis:

Seventeen-year-old Mackenzie Smith is sent away to spend a boring summer at her grandma's. But then she meets Wesley. He tells her exactly what she wants to hear and has information about her past that no one else knows. It's almost like he can read her mind.

Only Wesley isn't who he seems.

By the time Mackenzie discovers his true identity it may be too late. She's in too deep and he won't let her go. Now Mackenzie must call on the strongest power of all in order to save her life.


Review:

*Given a copy in exchange for a honest review.

Frustrating and likable. That's how i would describe Prowl. There were things that frustrated me, but, at the same time, i was really interested in some things. Mackenzie is going over to her grandmother's for the summer. She thinks it's the best choice, after all, her mom doesn't even look after her. When she arrives at her grandma's it's all better until she meets Rhiannon her summer goes all wrong. Rhiannon introduces her to witch craft and the Ouija board. Mackenzie can't help but search for her dad through the spirit world and then she meets Wesley, a spirit. He tells her what she wants to know. Issac, the boy next door, tells her to not to trust witchcraft.

I think, the thing that really frustrated me was Mackenzie. She was so childish and annoying. Well, OK she was fine sometimes, but sometimes she was so stupid and it was so frustrating enough that i wanted to bang my head to the table. It was obvious that Wesley was wrong and doing things you shouldn't be and she was just ignoring it. If it was me i would be getting the hell out of there! *breathe in, breathe out* Anyway, moving on. The relationship between Mackenzie and Issac i was really worried about because i didn't want it to be insta-love. I was really glad when it wasn't. I liked Mackenzie and Issac together, however i felt like they didn't see much of them together. I would have loved to see if they were together more.

The plot and the writing were much better than the characters! Amber kept me hanging on the mystery of who Mackenzie's dad is and kept me guessing. And the shivers that Wesley gave me! I know that i will never play with Ouija boards (even though i wasn't going to). Definitely. Prowl does have Christian overtones, so i wouldn't recommend this to everyone. I didn't mind as i love learning about different cultures.

Overall, Prowl was a enjoyable read, even though i didn't connect with the character but it did keep me interested with a good plot. I would recommend this to people who are more interested in culture; Prowl isn't everyone's cup of tea.


Find more about Amber Garza at: Goodreads/ Her blog/ Facebook
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