Bitter Greens by Kate Forsyth Book Tour

Title: Bitter Greens

Author: Kate Forsyth

Series: Stand Alone

Pages: 496

Published: September 23rd 2014 by Thomas Dunne Books

ISBN: 9781250047533

Source: Arranged Tour

 Description: French novelist Charlotte-Rose de la Force has been banished from the court of Versailles by the Sun King, Louis XIV, after a series of scandalous love affairs. At the convent, she is comforted by an old nun, Sœur Seraphina, who tells her the tale of a young girl who, a hundred years earlier, is sold by her parents for a handful of bitter greens... After Margherita’s father steals parsley from the walled garden of the courtesan Selena Leonelli, he is threatened with having both hands cut off, unless he and his wife relinquish their precious little girl. Selena is the famous red-haired muse of the artist Tiziano, first painted by him in 1512 and still inspiring him at the time of his death. She is at the center of Renaissance life in Venice, a world of beauty and danger, seduction and betrayal, love and superstition.  Locked away in a tower, Margherita sings in the hope that someone will hear her. One day, a young man does. 

I Give This ...

  I wanted to love this.  It had all the cards, but for some reason I could just not connect with it.  I have no idea why.

Maybe it's the time period.  It's always amazing to me how books about certain characters come in groups. I had never heard of Athénaïs de Montespan, and yet this is the second book I've read this year that contains her as an important figure.   While I  find the story of the Sun King and his court to be interesting, the people themselves are a little hard to relate to.  So much of this story is told from the Charlotte's point of view, and she seems so vain at times.  The part of the story that I thought I would enjoy the most I ended up dragging through.  

I actually really enjoyed the story of Margherita.  The way the author set up the traditional fairy tale of Rapunzel was fascinating.  I've never actually read the original version having always thought it was by the Brother's Grimm.  I need to seek out this tale.  I liked the witch and her part in the story and her own reformation in the end.

So, in the end, I wasn't sure how I felt about this book.  It was dreadfully slow in parts.  But, others were quite enjoyable.  I didn't find it as awesome as others seem to.

About the Author

Kate Forsyth wrote her first novel at the age of seven, and is now the internationally bestselling & award-winning author of thirty books, ranging from picture books to poetry to novels for both adults and children. She was recently voted one of Australia’s Favourite 20 Novelists, and has been called ‘one of the finest writers of this generation. She is also an accredited master storyteller with the Australian Guild of Storytellers, and has told stories to both children and adults all over the world.

Her most recent book for adults is a historical novel called ‘The Wild Girl’, which tells the true, untold love story of Wilhelm Grimm and Dortchen Wild, the young woman who told him many of the world’s most famous fairy tales. Set during the Napoleonic Wars, ‘The Wild Girl’ is a story of love, war, heartbreak, and the redemptive power of storytelling, and was named the Most Memorable Love Story of 2013.

She is probably most famous for ‘Bitter Greens’, a retelling of the Rapunzel fairy tale interwoven with the dramatic life story of the woman who first told the tale, the 17th century French writer, Charlotte-Rose de la Force. ‘Bitter Greens’ has been called ‘the best fairy tale retelling since Angela Carter’, and has been nominated for a Norma K. Hemming Award, the Aurealis Award for Best Fantasy Fiction, and a Ditmar Award.

Her most recent book for children is ‘Grumpy Grandpa’, a charming picture book that shows people are not always what they seem.

Since ‘The Witches of Eileanan’ was named a Best First Novel of 1998 by Locus Magazine, Kate has won or been nominated for numerous awards, including a CYBIL Award in the US. She’s also the only author to win five Aurealis awards in a single year, for her Chain of Charms series – beginning with ‘The Gypsy Crown’ – which tells of the adventures of two Romany children in the time of the English Civil War. Book 5 of the series, ‘The Lightning Bolt’, was also a CBCA Notable Book.

Kate’s books have been published in 14 countries around the world, including the UK, the US, Russia, Germany, Japan, Turkey, Spain, Italy, Poland and Slovenia. She is currently undertaking a doctorate in fairytale retellings at the University of Technology, having already completed a BA in Literature and a MA in Creative Writing.

Kate is a direct descendant of Charlotte Waring, the author of the first book for children ever published in Australia, ‘A Mother’s Offering to her Children’. She lives by the sea in Sydney, Australia, with her husband, three children, and many thousands of books.

For more information please visit Kate Forsyth’s website and blog. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Goodreads.

Review - Midnight Thief (Midnight Thief #1) by Livia Blackburne

Title: Midnight Thief

Author: Livia Blackburne

Series: 1st

Pages: 376 

Published: July 8th 2014 by Disney-Hyperion 

ISBN: 9781423176381

Source: Publisher via Netgalley

Description: Growing up on Forge’s streets has taught Kyra how to stretch a coin. And when that’s not enough, her uncanny ability to scale walls and bypass guards helps her take what she needs. But when the leader of the Assassins Guild offers Kyra a lucrative job, she hesitates. She knows how to get by on her own, and she’s not sure she wants to play by his rules. But he’s persistent—and darkly attractive—and Kyra can’t quite resist his pull. Tristam of Brancel is a young Palace knight on a mission. After his best friend is brutally murdered by Demon Riders, a clan of vicious warriors who ride bloodthirsty wildcats, Tristam vows to take them down. But as his investigation deepens, he finds his efforts thwarted by a talented thief, one who sneaks past Palace defenses with uncanny ease. When a fateful raid throws Kyra and Tristam together, the two enemies realize that their best chance at survival—and vengeance—might be to join forces. And as their loyalties are tested to the breaking point, they learn a startling secret about Kyra’s past that threatens to reshape both their lives. In her arresting debut novel, Livia Blackburne creates a captivating world where intrigue prowls around every corner—and danger is a way of life. 

I Give This ...

This sounded like something that might be that it book, the one to rave about.  For awhile it really was.  I enjoyed so many aspects of this novel.  But, somewhere in the book an event occurred and the story took a different turn.  And one that just no longer resented with me.    

I really enjoyed Kyra.  Her ability to sneak into places undetected and leave the same way she came was fascinating.  That part of the story really drew me in.  I was hesitant when the Assassins Guild offered Kyra a place in their ranks.  But, I wasn't surprised that she accepted the offer.  I never felt it was about the money that was offered.  It was all about being able to prove that she could do the job and all it's challenges.  I think she also enjoyed skirting around those in charge without their knowing.  A way for her to prove that she was more than just a street urchin.  

I also really enjoyed Tristam.  He's your poster boy for someone who fully supports whatever government is in place.  To him, there's only black and white and no grey.  So, I think it's really hard for him to admit that Kyra might have got the best of him.  He never imagined that it was a women sneaking in and out without being seen.  I also like that as he gets to know here, he realizes that not everything is as clear cut as it seems.  That sometimes the good guy and the bad guy aren't always what you think.

So what happened?  It's actually really hard to explain without giving away something that I think is suppose to be a surprise, although an intricate part of the story.  Let's just say that there's something off about those Demon Riders and their wildcats.  I could see it coming, but I kept hoping the story wouldn't go there.  When it did, I was so disappointed.  I have no idea why the story effected me that way.

It's likely that I won't continue this story.  There are parts of me that are greatly intrigued.  But, I was put off by an element of the story that might be to much to overcome.    

 

Review - The Agincourt Bride (Catherine de Valois #1) by Joanna Hickson

Title: The Agincout Bride

Author: Joanna Hickson

Series: 1st

Pages: 578

Published: January 3rd 2013 by HarperCollins 

ISBN: 9780007446971

Source:  Publisher via Edelweiss

Description: When her own first child is tragically still-born, the young Mette is pressed into service as a wet-nurse at the court of the mad king, Charles VI of France. Her young charge is the princess, Catherine de Valois, caught up in the turbulence and chaos of life at court. Mette and the child forge a bond, one that transcends Mette’s lowly position. But as Catherine approaches womanhood, her unique position seals her fate as a pawn between two powerful dynasties. Her brother, The Dauphin and the dark and sinister, Duke of Burgundy will both use Catherine to further the cause of France. Catherine is powerless to stop them, but with the French defeat at the Battle of Agincourt, the tables turn and suddenly her currency has never been higher. But can Mette protect Catherine from forces at court who seek to harm her or will her loyalty to Catherine place her in even greater danger? 

 I Give This ...

I've read another book recently about  Catherine de Valois.  Given that Tudor England is perhaps my favorite period in history, I've been eager to read more about the women who started it all. This was an interesting addition to my knowledge of the time period.

The beginning is almost depressing to read.  I think one always thinks of the grandeur part of royalty.  But, these children lived in horrible conditions as barely an after thought of the King and Queen. It's not until the children become a pawn in some way or another that they are given any thought what so ever.   Mette feels she is the only stable figure in Catherine's life and forms a deep bond with the child.  This was the only part of the story that troubled me.  Mette seems to be willing to go to great lengths for Catherine, more so than even her own family.  She gives reasons, but just couldn't agree with them.

I found the history to be the most interesting part of this story.  Catherine had to witness a lot in her lifetime which I think explains a lot of how she reacted later in life.  Her mother had little care for her.  Her father didn't know she was most of the time.  She was sent away in her early years to be given the proper upbringing when her mother was influenced by one of the Dukes.  It seems it was always noticed what Catherine could do for France.  She was often used as a bargaining tool for King Henry V to stop warring with France.  In the end she was forced to choose between her brother the rightful heir to the throne and King Henry declaring war on France.  

I fear the thing that really drug this book down was it's length.  Granted I know this is a huge time period to cover, but it was very slow in parts and it seemed like the pages would drag on.  However, that won't stop me from reading the next book in the series. 

 

Review - The Taking (The Taking #1) by Kimberly Derting

Title: The Taking

Author: Kimberly Derting

Series: 1st

Pages: 357

Published: April 29th 2014 by HarperTeen 

ISBN: 9780062293602

Source: Publisher via Edelweiss

Description: A flash of white light . . . and then . . . nothing.  When sixteen-year-old Kyra Agnew wakes up behind a Dumpster at the Gas ’n’ Sip, she has no memory of how she got there. With a terrible headache and a major case of déjà vu, she heads home only to discover that five years have passed . . . yet she hasn’t aged a day. Everything else about Kyra’s old life is different. Her parents are divorced, her boyfriend, Austin, is in college and dating her best friend, and her dad has changed from an uptight neat-freak to a drunken conspiracy theorist who blames her five-year disappearance on little green men. Confused and lost, Kyra isn’t sure how to move forward unless she uncovers the truth. With Austin gone, she turns to Tyler, Austin’s annoying kid brother, who is now seventeen and who she has a sudden undeniable attraction to. As Tyler and Kyra retrace her steps from the fateful night of her disappearance, they discover strange phenomena that no one can explain, and they begin to wonder if Kyra’s father is not as crazy as he seems. There are others like her who have been taken . . . and returned. Kyra races to find an explanation and reclaim the life she once had, but what if the life she wants back is not her own? 

I Give This ...

  I'm not super found of alien books.  They usually just aren't my thing.  But, I wanted to give this a shot because I love Kimberly Derting.  Plus, one never knows...I might have loved it.

I really loved the premise of this story.  Kyra disappears in a flash of light and turns up 5 years later.  Her whole life is different, except in the case of her physical self.  This was a part of the story I found greatly intriguing.  She hasn't aged a day in those 5 years.  So, she stuck in a life were her family and friends have gone without her.  Nothing feels the same and she must learn to deal with it.

I was intrigued by Kyra's interactions with everyone.  She must learn to deal with the fact that her parents are divorced, her mother is remarried, she has a half brother, and her father might be considered a little crazy.  The hardest thing of all is realizing that the boy she made so plans with, had to make them without her.  I understood her anger at Austin, but I'm glad she got over it.  It was really his fault.  I absolutely adored her interactions with Tyler.  It was a little strange at first, but I just had to take in the account that Kyra was 16 despite the tie that had passed.  

What got me in the end was really the alien aspect.  Turns out Krya's dad might be entirely crazy.  Kyra did go "somewhere" for those 5 years.  There are those in secret branch of the government that are trying to contain all those who have disappeared only to return "different."   But, there are those who have experienced exactly what Krya has the are willing to help her.  It might be at Tyler's expense though, and this is were the story lost me.  

I'm not entirely positive I will read the next one.  I would like to see what happens to Tyler and I'm interested in what actually happens to those who have disappeared.  But, I'm still not sold on the alien aspect.

 

Review- The Forever Song (Blood of Eden #3) by Julie Kagawa

Title: The Forever Song

Author: Julie Kagawa

Series: 3rd (The Immortal Rules, The Eternity Cure)

Pages: 393

Published: April 15th 2014 by Harlequin Teen 

ISBN: 9780373211128

Source: Publisher via Netgalley

Description: Vengeance will be hers.  Allison Sekemoto once struggled with the question: human or monster? With the death of her love, Zeke, she has her answer.  Monster. Allie will embrace her cold vampire side to hunt down and end Sarren, the psychopathic vampire who murdered Zeke. But the trail is bloody and long, and Sarren has left many surprises for Allie and her companions - her creator Kanin, and her blood brother, Jackal. The trail is leading straight to the one place they must protect at any cost - the last vampire-free zone on Earth, Eden. And Sarren has one final, brutal shock in store for Allie.  In a ruined world where no life is sacred and former allies can turn on you in one heartbeat, Allie will face her darkest days. And if she succeeds, her triumph will be short-lived in the face of surviving forever alone. THE FINAL HUNT IS ON. 

I Give This ...

The end of another great series by Julie Kagawa.  It's always bittersweet.  This series has been a great addition to the vampire genre.  

I was a little afraid that Allison was losing herself for awhile.  I knew the thought of Zeke's death would be hard for Allisoon.  But, her humanity has been way to big a part of her.  I never thought that losing him would cause her to loose faith in it.  Thankfully she's not that way for long because she needs that spark to defeat Sarren.   Her humanity is what makes her special and one of the reasons Kanin admires her so much.   

Sarren manages to surprise me again with his sadistic nature.  He knows just how to lure in Allison and Kanin.   I felt like Sarren was just testing them most of the time.  If it turned out he managed to kill one of them along that way, that would be just an added bonus.  He wants them to know what he is doing and to be there to see him unleash his no virus and know that they can do nothing to stop it.

I felt the end was fitting for the whole story.   It was one of the books that left me doubting until the very end.  It wasn't a feel good happy ending though.  just enough hope that the world can start anew. 

Anxiously awaiting Julie Kagawa's next book! 

 

 

 

Review - The Boleyn Bride by Brandy Purdy

Title: The Boleyn Bride

Author: Brandy Purdy

Series: Stand Alone

Pages: 227

Published: February 25th 2014 by Kensington 

ISBN:  9780758273369

Source: Publisher via Netgalley

Description: At sixteen, Elizabeth Howard envisions a glorious life for herself as lady-in-waiting to the future queen, Catherine of Aragon. But when she is forced to marry Thomas Boleyn, a wealthy commoner, Elizabeth is left to stagnate in the countryside while her detested husband pursues his ambitions. There, she raises golden girl Mary, moody George, and ugly duckling Anne—while staving off boredom with a string of admirers. Until Henry VIII takes the throne. . . When Thomas finally brings his highborn wife to London, Elizabeth indulges in lavish diversions and dalliances—and catches the lusty king's eye. But those who enjoy Henry's fickle favor must also guard against his wrath. For while her husband's machinations bring Elizabeth and her children to the pinnacle of power, the distance to the scaffold is but a short one—and the Boleyn family's fortune may be turning. . . 

I Give This ...

 

Tudor Era, oh how you call to me.  However, I probably should have stayed away from this one.  I enjoyed learning about Anne and Mary Boleyn from a different perspective.  But, the Elizabeth Howard is this book is one of the most narcissistic women I have ever read about.    

I know that women of privilege can sometimes be a little out of touch with reality.   Even in Tudor England, were nobility women were still basically considered property, maybe even more so then.  But, I think Elizabeth takes the cake in that department.  She's well bread and beautiful, and she's not afraid to tell you about it every couple pages.  I was hoping that being forced to marry somebody that wasn't of her "standing" would knock her down a couple pegs.  Yet, it didn't take long to discover that he was horrible too.  He had little care for her personally, only what she could do for him.  

Children seem to be the common thread that weave all women together.  Somehow, the motherly instinct skipped right by Elizabeth.  Her children were basically beings that robbed of her youth and beauty.  Mary was pretty, so she received what little attention her mother had to give.  Never mind that it seems she was never taught even a little bit of common sense.   She was probably so starved for affection that she found it in whatever man was willing to offer it.   At least Anne was smart, almost too smart for her own good though.  I think it was her temper that got her in the end.  Nobody bested Henry VIII.  Although, I have to admit that the idea that all 3 women had relationships with Henry VIII to be a little disturbing. 

In the end, she kept talking about how she could have done things differently.   If only she had forgiven Mary, if only she had done this or that.  But, what really bugged me was Mary was still alive.  I wish she would have made that step to bridge the gap.  She might have redeemed herself a little.

I might have to seek out something else that might shed some more light on Elizabeth.  She couldn't have really been like this?

Review - The Queen's Choice (Heirs of Chrior #1) by Cayla Kluver

Title: The Queen's Choice

Author: Cayla Kluver

Series: 1st

Pages: 512

Published: January 28th 2014 by Harlequin Teen 

ISBN: 9780373210923

Source: Publisher via Netgalley

Description: Magic was seeping out of me, black and agonizing. I could see it drifting away. The magic that would let me pass the Road to reach home again.  When sixteen-year-old Anya learns that her aunt, Queen of the Faerie Kingdom of Chrior, will soon die, her grief is equalled only by her despair for the future of the kingdom. Her young cousin, Illumina, is unfit to rule, and Anya is determined not to take up the queen's mantle herself. Convinced that the only solution is to find Prince Zabriel, who long ago disappeared into the human realm of Warckum, and persuade him to take up his rightful crown, Anya journeys into the Warckum Territory to bring him home. But her journey is doomed to be more harrowing than she ever could have imagined. 

I Give This ...

I was really excited for this book.  I enjoyed Kluver's previous series immensely and I was hoping that she would grow as an author considering her age.  While this had a lot of elements that I came to enjoy from her previous works, this story was lacking some spark.

The story elements were greatly intriguing.   Fairy and humans worlds interact in ways that you don't typically see in books.  The two worlds seem to almost be at peace and fairies move freely about the human world.  But, not all is what it seems.  Fairies are disappearing at an alarming rate, and some fairies feel that there is a general feeling of unease in the human world.  There's always that risk of running into humans that aren't sympathetic to the fairies, but it was a risk some were willing to take.

Anya is one of those fairies.  I think she gets a thrill out of traveling throughout the human world.  She never sees the risk of it, which is something she always has a hard time explaining to those who never leave the fairy world.  I think this is were I had an issue with the story. Anya always acts without thinking.  When her aunt sends out Illumina, she never thinks about the reasoning behind this.  She just takes it upon herself to follow her out into the human world and do the work for her.  A mistake that costs her dearly.  But even after all that she goes through, it doesn't seem to change how she processes things.

I was unsure about Illumina.  I often thought she was just deeply misunderstood.  She may not have been keen to the human world.  But, I don't think she would have been as bad as a ruler as everyone thinks she will be.  I really believe she should be given the chance to prove herself and not counting her out for the very beginning.  The character I found most intriguing was Prince Zabriel.  He's a combination of both worlds and feels he doesn't fit in anywhere.

The story was also really slow.  There's a lot of world building here, but almost excessively so.  I found myself thinking less describing more doing in many points.  There were certain parts of the book that I was engrossed in.  But other parts, I found myself skimming.  I'm unsure how I feel about reading the next one.  Although, I'm sure I will when the time comes. 

 

 

Review - And We Stay by Jenny Hubbard

Title: And We Stay

Author: Jenny Hubbard

Series: Stand Alone

Pages: 240

Published: January 28th 2014 by Delacorte Press

ISBN: 9780385740579

Source: Publisher via Netgalley

Description: When high school senior Paul Wagoner walks into his school library with a stolen gun, he threatens his girlfriend Emily Beam, then takes his own life. In the wake of the tragedy, an angry and guilt-ridden Emily is shipped off to boarding school in Amherst, Massachusetts, where she encounters a ghostly presence who shares her name. The spirit of Emily Dickinson and two quirky girls offer helping hands, but it is up to Emily to heal her own damaged self.  This inventive story, told in verse and in prose, paints the aftermath of tragedy as a landscape where there is good behind the bad, hope inside the despair, and springtime under the snow.

I Give This ...

I was worried how this book would portray these events.  It's a  was delicate subject for sure.  It was lacking in the details and emotion I wanted.  And their are a few chain of events that just didn't sit well with me.

I never fully understood how Paul ended up shooting himself.  The events are told through flashbacks.  I almost would have liked something that expressed Paul's thoughts because Emily feels so disconnected from all of this.  His actions seem so intense for what happened.  I think he was trying to get his feeling heard and noticed, but either the author didn't convey this moment well....or Paul never meant to hurt anybody.  So, we're back to how did he end up shooting himself?  In the stomach no less.  I don't think that's a "normal" route to suicide.  

I did think Emily's emotions were completely valid.  I just didn't like how she got to were she was.  I think she handled the entire situation very poorly.  I'm not saying Paul's death is her fault.  I just think there are a lot of other ways she could have handled this.  Her parents reacted to the issues poorly as well.  But, in light of all of these, it's no wonder that Emily goes into a deep depression.  It's a lot of for any person to handle.

I think this book could have been great.  And maybe it's my own personal thoughts on certain events that happen in this book that sway my opinion.  It just wasn't all that I had hoped it would be. 

 

Review - All That Glows by Ryan Graudin

Title: All That Glows

Author: Ryan Graudin

Series: Stand Alone

Pages: 463

Published:  February 11th 2014 by HarperTeen 

ISBN: 9780062187413

Source: Publisher via Edelweiss

Description: Emrys—a fiery, red-headed Fae—always embraced her life in the Highlands, far from the city’s draining technology, until she’s sent to London to rejoin the Faery Guard. But this isn’t any normal assignment—she’s sent to guard Prince Richard: Britain’s notorious, partying bad boy and soon-to-be King. The prince’s careless ways and royal blood make him the irresistible for the dark spirits that feed on mortals. Sweet, disheveled, and alive with adventure—Richard is one charge who will put Emrys’s magic and heart to the test.  When an ancient force begins preying on the monarchy, Emrys must hunt through the London’s magical underworld, facing down Banshees, Black Dogs and Green Women to find the one who threatens Richard’s life. In this chaos of dark magic, palace murders and paparazzi, Emrys finds herself facing an impossible choice. For despite all her powers, Emrys has discovered a force that burns brighter than magic: love. 

First Line: The sickness hits even before I hit the outskirts of London.

I Give This ...  

I really waiver back and forth on my thoughts on this one.  I found aspects of it very intriguing.  However, the delivery wasn't all there.  It seemed like a watered down version of events.

Emrys wasn't quite the fairy I thought she was going to be.  She's suppose to be the young hardcore fairy that has risen up through the ranks quickly.  I get that the technology driven world makes her ill, but she's doesn't come across that way at all.  It's not very long before she's completely head over hills for Richard.  In the process she manages to forget centuries worth of training and rules.  

I did find the world this book is set up in to be extremely interesting.  I wasn't able to identify if this was present or future England just set with the fairy world intertwined.  I really enjoyed the background on how this system was set up.  I was intrigued in how this all seem to come to the ultimate war so quickly.   It kind of felt like I was missing some sort of back story.

This had potential.  But, it felt more middle grade fiction and lacking in substance.  

 

Review - A Study in Ashes (The Baskerville Affair #3) by Emma Jane Holloway

Title: A Study in Ashes

Author: Emma Jane Holloway

Series: 3rd (A Study in Silks, A Study in Darkness

Pages: 662

Published: December 31st 2013 by Del Rey

ISBN:  9780345537201

Source: Publisher via Edelweiss

Description: As part of her devil’s bargain with the industrial steam barons, Evelina Cooper is finally enrolled in the Ladies’ College of London. However, she’s attending as the Gold King’s pet magician, in handcuffs and forbidden contact with even her closest relation, the detective Sherlock Holmes.  Not even Niccolo, the dashing pirate captain, and his sentient airship can save her. But Evelina’s problems are only part of a larger war. The Baskerville Affair is finally coming to light, and the rebels are making their move to wrest power from the barons and restore it to Queen Victoria. Missing heirs and nightmare hounds are the order of the day—or at least that’s what Dr. Watson is telling the press. But their plans are doomed unless Evelina escapes to unite her magic with the rebels’ machines—and even then her powers aren’t what they used to be. A sorcerer has awakened a dark hunger in Evelina’s soul, and only he can keep her from end angering them all. The only problem is…he’s dead. 

First Line: "You are not welcome here," said the man in the quietly understated brown suit.

I Give This ...

I saw this through to the end and I must say I'm very proud of myself on this one.   It's out of my comfort zone, but it attracted my attention from the start.  Steampunk is hard for me and with no guarantee that I would like it, this was a stretch.  And with each book being hefty, this one comes in at just over 650 pages, they are time consuming as well.  

I was greatly impressed with how the characters grew in this final book.  There were definite possibilities of a love triangle in the series beginning.  But, each character followed their were they should (ok maybe not Tobias) and didn't sway.  I was pleased that even Tobias didn't always think with his head, I think he could have been happy in the end with Alice.  And really, I think Nick and Evelina are perfect for each other.  I think my favorite couple was Imogen and Bucky.  Bucky went above and beyond to prove his love for Imogen.

The events were honestly like reading about a chess match and that's were I struggled with this book.  At this many pages, you can bet there were a lot of moves.  I wasn't sure we would ever get to the final showdown.  I also seriously wondered if this story would have some sort of happy ending.  Our Gold King seemed to have all the pieces.  In the end, it all came down to Evelina and the power she could wield.  It's no wonder that she was frightened of it though.

I was completely satisfied with how this ended.  There's room for a spin off series, and I might read it just because I found it intriguing. 

 

Review - Elizabeth of York: A Tudor Queen and Her World by Alison Weir

Title: Elizabeth of York: A Tudor Queen and Her World

Author: Alison Weir

Series: Stand Alone

Pages: 572

Published: December 3rd 2013 by Ballantine Books 

ISBN: 9780345521361

Source: Publisher via Netgalley

 

Description: Many are familiar with the story of the much-married King Henry VIII of England and the celebrated reign of his daughter, Elizabeth I. But it is often forgotten that the life of the first Tudor queen, Elizabeth of York, Henry’s mother and Elizabeth’s grandmother, spanned one of England’s most dramatic and perilous periods. Now New York Times bestselling author and acclaimed historian Alison Weir presents the first modern biography of this extraordinary woman, whose very existence united the realm and ensured the survival of the Plantagenet bloodline.   Her birth was greeted with as much pomp and ceremony as that of a male heir. The first child of King Edward IV, Elizabeth enjoyed all the glittering trappings of royalty. But after the death of her father; the disappearance and probable murder of her brothers—the Princes in the Tower; and the usurpation of the throne by her calculating uncle Richard III, Elizabeth found her world turned upside-down: She and her siblings were declared bastards.  As Richard’s wife, Anne Neville, was dying, there were murmurs that the king sought to marry his niece Elizabeth, knowing that most people believed her to be England’s rightful queen. Weir addresses Elizabeth’s possible role in this and her covert support for Henry Tudor, the exiled pretender who defeated Richard at the Battle of Bosworth and was crowned Henry VII, first sovereign of the House of Tudor. Elizabeth’s subsequent marriage to Henry united the houses of York and Lancaster and signaled the end of the Wars of the Roses. For centuries historians have asserted that, as queen, she was kept under Henry’s firm grasp, but Weir shows that Elizabeth proved to be a model consort—pious and generous—who enjoyed the confidence of her husband, exerted a tangible and beneficial influence, and was revered by her son, the future King Henry VIII.   Drawing from a rich trove of historical records, Weir gives a long overdue and much-deserved look at this unforgettable princess whose line descends to today’s British monarch—a woman who overcame tragedy and danger to become one of England’s most beloved consorts.

First Line: Elizabeth of York's role in history was crucial, although in a less chauvinistic age it would, by right, have been more so.  

I Give This ...

  Honestly, it's really hard for me to give this an accurate rating.  I think I saw this book, the topic, and the author and said yes....without really reading the description.   Why does this matter?  I'm not big into nonfiction.  I love this time period, but a book presented in this manner just doesn't hold the same appeal.

However, I fought my way through this.  It honestly was work for me, but I did it!   There's a lot of information here.  It seems a lot of it comes from speculation as there is very little documented information out there to accurately portray how Elizabeth might have felt about anything.  We know the events and the politics and we know that Elizabeth was at the basis of a lot of things.  But, we will never truly know how she reacted to any of it.

When you put it all in this format, I found Elizabeth's life to be breathtaking.  She endured some much over life span.  From her fathers death, her uncle taking over the crown, the high likelihood of her brothers being murdered, the death of a child, and her own illness, you would think one person could not overcomes so much in one lifetime.  

I'll be the first to admit this was struggle but I'm glad I finished it!

Review - Defy (Defy #1) by Sara B. Larson

Title: Defy

Author: Sara B. Larson

Series: 1st

Pages: 336

Published: January 7th 2014 by Scholastic Press 

ISBN: 9780545597586

Source: Publisher via Netgalley

Description: Alexa Hollen is a fighter. Forced to disguise herself as a boy and serve in the king's army, Alex uses her quick wit and fierce sword-fighting skills to earn a spot on the elite prince's guard. But when a powerful sorcerer sneaks into the palace in the dead of night, even Alex, who is virtually unbeatable, can't prevent him from abducting her, her fellow guard and friend Rylan, and Prince Damian, taking them through the treacherous wilds of the jungle and deep into enemy territory.  The longer Alex is held captive with both Rylan and the prince, the more she realizes that she is not the only one who has been keeping dangerous secrets. And suddenly, after her own secret is revealed, Alex finds herself confronted with two men vying for her heart: the safe and steady Rylan, who has always cared for her, and the dark, intriguing Damian. With hidden foes lurking around every corner, is Alex strong enough to save herself and the kingdom she's sworn to protect? 

I Give This ...

This book held so much potential.  And the story really could have been very interesting had it been done correctly.  But sadly, the characters fall very short of their mark for me.

I was excited about the idea of a kick-ass girl hiding in plain sight as a boy.  Who would ever believe who she really was?  And I completely understood her reasoning behind wanting to do so.  The problem is that she's not very convincing to the reader.  If she's not fooling me, who is she fooling?  Oh wait....no one.  And that's a huge part of this story that bugged the crap out of me.  Turns out everybody important in the story has basically known all along that she's a girl.  What was the point then?   I also disliked how indecisive she was when it comes to Rylan and Damien.  She's had this crush on Rylan forever, but all of a sudden Damien shows a slight interest in her and she's all over that.

Our two male leads are slightly better.  Rylan has known for quite some time that Alexa is not a boy but has gone above and beyond to protect the secret.  It does make me wonder if that allure is part of the attraction.  Damien has known since the moment he meet her because he's got a secret of his own.   He only reveals the truth when it benefits him which really makes me question his true motives and the depths of he feelings.

It's sad that the characters overshadow the storyline because there is a lot here that could have been great.  A power hungry king that is abusing his nation, sorcerers, rebels, and everything in between.  I may read the next one because it seems everything is out in the open now, but I'm not sure. 

 

Review - Awakening (The Chrysalis Series #1) by Elene Sallinger (ADULT)

Title: Awakening

Author: Elene Sallinger

Series: 1st

Pages: 224

Published:  November 5th 2013 by Sourcebooks Casablanca 

ISBN:9781402289507

Source: Publisher via Netgalley

Description: River Rock, Vermont, 2011: This is the story of Claire Ryan and Evan Lang. Thirty-five-year-old Claire joins a local book club for romance readers in order to get over the breakdown of her 10-year relationship. There she meets book shop owner Evan, a dominant man who has never recovered from the sudden death of his submissive wife.  As their relationship develops and they embark on the path of Claire's submission, it becomes harder and harder for Evan to keep his emotional distance. Claire is open and responsive and he wants her badly, but refuses to let himself go. As Claire falls deeper in love with Evan, she realises that he is holding back and decides to end their relationship, forcing Evan to confront his own past and his feelings in order to save his new love.  

I Give This ...

 

I wasn't sure I was going to review this on my blog.  This site tends toward young adult with the occasional younger book thrown in.  But, I realized I'm a grown adult and I think most of my readers are as well.  

I've read a few BSDM books.  Some of it really is hard for me to take.  But, this one was presented in a very 'tasteful" fashion.  I think it would be good for those easing themselves in the genre.  I really liked Claire.  It's interesting to me that she came from a very abusive relationship.  While you constantly hear of women who claim they deserved their beatings, Claire actually craved it.  But, she never recognized that it was delivered in the wrong context.  It wasn't until her relationship is long over that she realized what it was she wanted.  But, these types of relationships take care and consideration.  They aren't to be entered into lightly.

I understood that Claire had an intense attraction to Evan.  But I was a little disappointed that she agreed to his terms.  I know she realized that she was not a replacement for his deceased wife, but Evan never realized that.  It was like he refused to see Claire for herself.  In turn, he was denying himself what he really wanted.  If her recognized Claire as a true submissive, he was doing her a great disservice by treating her the way he did.

I'm happy they finally admitted what they both needed.  I liked that this book was not just about the BSDM lifestyle but about the dynamics of the relationship.

 

 

 

Review - A Breath of Frost (The Lovegrove Legacy #1) by Alyxandra Harvey

Title: A Breath of Frost 

Author: Alyxandra Harvey

Series: 1st

Pages: 496

Published: January 7th 2014 by Walker Childrens

ISBN: 9780802734433

Source: Publisher via Netgalley

 

Description: In 1814, three cousins—Gretchen, Emma, and Penelope—discover their family lineage of witchcraft when a binding spell is broken, allowing their individual magical powers to manifest. Now, beyond the manicured gardens and ballrooms of Regency London, an alluring underworld available only to those with power is revealed to the cousins. By claiming their power, the three cousins have accidentally opened the gates to the underworld.  Now ghouls, hellhounds—and most terrifying of all, the spirits of dark witches known as the Greymalkin Sisters—are hunting and killing young debutante witches for their powers. And, somehow, Emma is connected to the murders…because she keeps finding the bodies. Can the cousins seal the gates before another witch is killed…or even worse, before their new gifts are stripped away? 

First Line: Breaking into a dead woman's house was easy work since she rarely complained.

  

 I Give This ...

 

I tend to gravitate to this author when I see her name pop up on a book.  But, I have to be honest and say I haven't been wowed since her vampire series.  I really hoped this book would spark that interest again.  Sadly, it wasn't quite so.

I really liked how close these three cousins are because when you learn about their mothers, you realize it couldn't easily have been that they have nothing to with each other.  They get through it all no matter what the costs.  When Emma accidentally breaks the binding spell and all hell breaks loose, Gretchen and Penelope never hesitant to be right behind her helping solve their complicated past.

And complicated it is.  I really think that's were this story lost me.  There's just a lot of details that padded the story to the point it was too much.  First the history of witchcraft isn't as simple as one would think.  There's also a hierarchy that's in place that just didn't work for me.   Which is funny because it's really everywhere.  I didn't enjoy how only those from aristocratic backgrounds that demonstrated powers could be trained and attend the academy.  I also still don't understand what The Order does.  Do the protect or control?

I wasn't disinterested to the point that I put the book down though.  I really wanted to know more about Emma's mother and why she put the binding spell in place.  I really enjoyed our brief glimpses we get of who she was and who she is now.  There's also a few great little twists to the story that helped bring the book up a little.  

I'm not giving up on this author yet.  I just don't think I connect with her paranormal historical fiction as much as I would like.  

 

Review - The Essence (The Pledge #2) by Kimberly Derting

Title: The Essence

Author: Kimberly Derting

Series: 2nd (The Pledge)

Pages: 352

Published: January 1st 2013 by Margaret K. McElderry 

ISBN: 9781442445598

Source: Personal Copy

Description: At the luminous conclusion of The Pledge, Charlaina defeated the tyrant Sabara and took her place as Queen of Ludania. But Charlie knows that Sabara has not disappeared: The evil queen’s Essence is fused to Charlie’s psyche, ready to arise at the first sign of weakness. Charlie is not weak, but she’s being pushed to the brink. In addition to suppressing the ever-present influence of Sabara, she’s busy being queen—and battling a growing resistance determined to return Ludania to its discriminatory caste system. Charlie wants to be the same girl Max loves, who Brook trusts, but she’s Your Majesty now, and she feels torn in two. As Charlie journeys to an annual summit to meet with leaders of nearby Queendoms—an event where her ability to understand all languages will be the utmost asset—she is faced with the ultimate betrayal. And the only person she can turn to for help is the evil soul residing within.

I Give This ...

 

This is one of those time that maybe it was too long since I read the last book in the series.  It's not the the events were unfamiliar.  It's more than the story seems different that how I remember the first book being.  

 I was indifferent to Charlie and her struggles as a new queen.  It seems the book glossed over some of the parts that might have made us better understand her.  She's put all these new policies into place, but I was surprised to read how much some of her people are unhappy with her changes.  I wasn't really expecting her to all of a sudden be the most popular Queen.  But, she doesn't seem to have a very strong hold of her kingdom.  I didn't ever even really get a feel that she was ruling in her right.  

The book picked up the pace a little when Charlie makes it to the summit.  But, this seems to be a party not a place for alliances to be made and broken.  There's a lot of talk on the proper way to greet each Queen and what everyone is wearing.  I found it kind of exhausting.

But, there's always something that sets you up to read the next book.  First, Sabara is still hanging on to Charlie.  And interestingly enough, she's not happy with a backseat role.  There's a couple instances were Charlie loses control and its Sabara pulling the strings.  Plus, there's a traitor in their mists, and that person may or may not be working for someone Charlie considers a friend.

Sadly, this book has that dreaded second book problem.  It's necessary to the storyline or you won't understand what happens next.  But, in the end it's likely to be my least favorite book in the series.