Waiting on Wednesday (147)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that highlights future releases that we are excitedly anticipating.

By Julie Kagawa
Publication Date: April 28, 2015

Ember Hill left the dragon organization Talon to take her chances with rebel dragon Cobalt and his crew of rogues. But Ember can't forget the sacrifice made for her by the human boy who could have killed her—Garret Xavier Sebastian, a soldier of the dragonslaying Order of St. George, the boy who saved her from a Talon assassin, knowing that by doing so, he'd signed his own death warrant. 

Determined to save Garret from execution, Ember must convince Cobalt to help her break into the Order's headquarters. With assassins after them and Ember's own brother helping Talon with the hunt, the rogues find an unexpected ally in Garret and a new perspective on the underground battle between Talon and St. George. 

A reckoning is brewing and the secrets hidden by both sides are shocking and deadly. Soon Ember must decide: Should she retreat to fight another day…or start an all-out war?






By Aaron Karo
Publication Date: May 5, 2015

A romantic comedy about high school, heartbreak, and having all the answers.

What if the secrets of dating and love were revealed in one simple formula? That's the tantalizing proposition high school senior Shane Chambliss offers the hopeless and hapless guys who come to him for relationship advice.

After the girl of his dreams breaks his heart, Shane devises a mysterious formula called the Galgorithm and establishes himself as the resident dating guru at Kingsview High School. But his attempts to master the art of romance go outrageously awry.

As Shane tries to navigate the ensuing drama, he must follow his heart, abandon all the rules, and ignore his own advice in a quest for true love. What he discovers, no formula could ever predict... 







By Kiera Cass
Publication Date: May 5, 2015

Twenty years ago, America Singer entered the Selection and won Prince Maxon’s heart. Now the time has come for Princess Eadlyn to hold a Selection of her own. Eadlyn doesn’t expect her Selection to be anything like her parents’ fairy-tale love story. But as the competition begins, she may discover that finding her own happily ever after isn’t as impossible as she always thought

The Iron Traitor (The Iron Fey: Call of the Forgotten #2) by Julie Kagawa

* * * *

After his unexpected journey into the lands of the fey, Ethan Chase just wants to get back to normal. Well, as "normal" as you can be when you see faeries every day of your life. Suddenly the former loner with the bad reputation has someone to try for-his girlfriend, Kenzie. Never mind that he's forbidden to see her again.

But when your name is Ethan Chase and your sister is one of the most powerful faeries in the Nevernever, "normal" simply isn't to be. For Ethan's nephew, Keirran, is missing, and may be on the verge of doing something unthinkable in the name of saving his own love. Something that will fracture the human and faery worlds forever, and give rise to the dangerous fey known as the Forgotten. As Ethan's and Keirran's fates entwine and Keirran slips further into darkness, Ethan's next choice may decide the fate of them all.

There’s a lot, A LOT of angst in this follow-up to The Iron Prince. Ethan and Kenzie survived their “adventures in New York”, at least that's how they're explaining their disappearance to everyone and are still embroiled in all the aftermath.  Ethan is accused of being a kidnapper, Kenzieis in the hospital, her ex is picking fights with him and Ethan’s parents are being more protective.  He continues to remain on high alert and worries about Kenzie since he hasn’t heard from her since they got back. Things are already looking less than stellar when his sister Meghan, The Iron Queen, shows up at their house. It’s an uncomfortable reunion made more so by her request of Ethan to remain mum about Keirran’s existence. Oh and speaking of Keirran, he’s gone missing and no one has a clue as to where he may be. That explains Meghan’s arrival. She’s hoping that may be Ethan has an idea or would be willing to help locate him. What to do? Help family or stay away from the very things that have destroyed his family?

Caught in that dilemma of self-preservation vs. loyalty and family, he is honestly left with no choice.  He, Kenzie (of course she wouldn’t let him go on his own) and Annwyl, the exiled Summer fey and Keirran’s love, travel to New Orleans to find him in one of the goblin markets.  They have concluded that Keirran is on the hunt for a cure for Annwyl’s deteriorating state – her very existence is in jeopardy.

I'm not exaggerating when I say there is a lot of anger this go round. Ethan has had enough of the mess that has been wreaked upon him and anyone he cares about. He’s angry at Meghan, at Ash, at the entire fey world and most of all angry at Keirran, believing that he is the reason why Meghan no longer acknowledges her human family. It's a valid but awful admission. Then there’s the question of trust. The fey are difficult creatures by nature and to trust and save one of them goes against his gut instincts. He's all the more confused when he receives a prophetic look into his future.

As with all her other books, Kagawa continues to infuse rich details that transport you back into the magical world. Familiar faces return to make the quest more fun and more grueling depending on what your perspective is. All in all, The Iron Traitor is another win for Kagawa featuring another rock solid cliffhanger of an ending that will make you want to shake your fist at her.

~ Bel

The Eternity Cure (Blood of Eden #2) by Julie Kagawa

* * * 1/2

Allison Sekemoto has vowed to rescue her creator, Kanin, who is being held hostage and tortured by the psychotic vampire Sarren. The call of blood leads her back to the beginning—New Covington and the Fringe, and a vampire prince who wants her dead yet may become her wary ally.

Even as Allie faces shocking revelations and heartbreak like she’s never known, a new strain of the Red Lung virus that decimated humanity is rising to threaten human and vampire alike.

I’ll just say it right now – I’ve become a bit tired of dystopian novels lately.  Not that they aren’t good stories but rather I've just been so worn out by tem.  As much as I love my reading escapes, escaping to a grim world where vampires are atop the food chain, humans are an endangered species and no one dares live on the surface, is not been my cup of tea lately. That is unless it’s Julie Kagawa.

I thought I’d have a harder time than I did getting back into Allison’s world but that wasn’t an issue at all. While the main plotline is that of Allison rescuing her creator, Kanin and also looking for a cure for the virus, the more compelling part for me was her constant inner debate about whether she should fully embrace her vampire nature or find a way to keep the human part of her intact. That was repeated throughout the book and though it could have been tedious, it drives home the message that she is indeed struggling to find her place.

Kanin is a fantastic mentor for her, a kind father figure (yes I used those words to describe a master vampire) who reminds her over and over that yes, she is a vampire but she has the choice to decide what kind of a vampire to be. Jackyl, the annoying menace from the previous book, toys with her conflicted emotions about life as a vampire and her unappetizing sympathies for humans aka bloodbags.  Complicating her life is the boy she left behind, Zeke. Her feelings for him help keep her humanity intact but she admits they could also destroy her.

All that happens during her downtime that consists of walking/running through underground mazes otherwise it’s undesirable encounters with infected humans, a major standoff with a psychotic, vengeful vampire and an errand for a not quite as psychotic, vengeful vampire. Seriously, those hits comes fast and furious that when she finally gets a chance to breathe and experience a very mundane pleasure that we take for granted, I thought "thank god because that girl can't catch a break!". 

The Eternity Cure delivers on action and a few tiny twists here and there to throw you off course as you enjoy the crazy journey.  And Allie is the perfect kick ass heroine you want to take you through it.

~ Bel

Waiting on Wednesday (58)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that highlights future releases that we are excitedly anticipating.


By Julie Kagawa
Publication Date: April 30, 2013



Allison Sekemoto has vowed to rescue her creator, Kanin, who is being held hostage and tortured by the psychotic vampire Sarren. The call of blood leads her back to the beginning—New Covington and the Fringe, and a vampire prince who wants her dead yet may become her wary ally.

Even as Allie faces shocking revelations and heartbreak like she’s never known, a new strain of the Red Lung virus that decimated humanity is rising to threaten human and vampire alike.

The Lost Prince by Julie Kagawa

* * * *

 

 

 

In Faery, there are always more tales to tell…

 

It has been thirteen years since Meghan Chase vanished into the Nevernever to become the Iron Queen, leaving her family and her half brother, Ethan, behind. But that doesn't mean the fey left them alone, or forgot about them. Now seventeen, Ethan Chase is an expert on all things faery and feels nothing but rage toward the creatures who stole his sister so long ago.

 

Bel's Top Three Reasons To Love The Iron Prince:

1) The book cover - have you seen it? It is hot!! What!?!
2) Grimalkin - who can't get enough of a dry-humored, sarcastic cat?
3) Puck - pure fun!

So if the above is not reason enough or doesn't qualify as a thorough review, then fine, I'll elaborate.

It's pure pleasure to return to Kagawa's world even if it comes with some baggage.  She starts off The Lost Prince with the same tone she set with the previous Iron Fey series.  From the beginning it’s clear that Ethan is troubled and spends a great deal of time putting measures in place to protect himself from the fey. His objective is to survive and to do so he’s put on the façade of the bad boy loser you don’t want to mess with let alone sneak a glance at. No matter, trouble still finds him. The fey always seem to discover who he is and that he has the sight. Not to mention that he also happens to be the brother of the Iron Queen.  And since he's had no contact with Meghan in years, he's just a little bitter.

When Ethan starts at a new school, he’s careful to go into full a-hole mode. Unfortunately, the fey world catches up to him. When he happens upon some jocks bullying a kid – and not any kid but someone Ethan recognizes as part fey – he can’t ignore it and confronts the bullies instead. Ethan learns that this kid, Todd has also been covorting with the fey not realizing how dangerous that is. Ethan is reluctantly dragged into Todd's mess. Along for the unexpected ride is Kenzie, a feisty, no-nonsense schoolmate who is not in the least bit intimidated by Ethan. She finds him to be a curiosity and is constantly in his face. Well, she got more than she bargained for!

So as the adventure begins Ethan and Kenzie are dragged through the Nevernever and encounter good old Grimalkin again. He does have a brief reunion with Meghan though it's bittersweet as he’s forced to confront his anger towards her.  Ethan also receives a surprise about his family but all that is put aside to fight a new nemesis threatening both the fey world and the mortal world where exiles are disappearing in droves, including Todd. This puts Ethan in the very unfathomable position of helping the very people he despises in order to save another.

The Lost Prince is like visiting an old friend. Everything is in its familiar place with some new additions but always with that gripping action we all love. This time most of the action takes place in the mortal world. Setting aside his bad memories and distrust of all things fey, Ethan summons all his knowledge and experience to work with them to find his friend and protect Kenzie.  It's almost therapeutic that he's finally confronting his nightmares. Ethan grows up quickly through the course of the book turning his animosity into motivation. As I mentioned at the top, it's pure pleasure to go on this spectacular adventure again!

~ Bel

 

 

A Peek in the Biblio-Bin (35)

Welcome to our Stacking the Shelves post! Stacking the Shelves (or as we like to call it, A Peek in the Biblio-Bin) has been created by the lovely ladies at Tynga Reviews.

Stacking the Shelves is a way for bloggers to share what books they have won, received for review, bought from the bookstore, borrowed from the library or friend, etc.

This is what we have in our bin this week. Tell us what's in your Biblio-bin!

For Review:
The Lost Prince by Julie Kagawa
Andy Squared by Jennifer Lavoie
Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

Bought:
Gambling Men by Amy Lane
Chase in Shadow by Amy Lane
Sidecar by Amy Lane

The Immortal Rules: Blood of Eden Book 1 by Julie Kagawa

* * * *

My vampire creator told me this:

“Sometime in your life, Allison Sekemoto, you will kill a human being. The question is not if it will happen, but when. Do you understand?”

I didn’t then, not really.

I DO NOW.

Allison Sekemoto survives in the fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten.

Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them. The vampires who keep human as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself is attacked – and given the ultimate choice. Die … or become one of the monsters.

Faced with her own mortality, Allis becomes what she despises most.  To survive, she must learn the rules of being immortal, including the most important: go long enough without human blood, and you will go mad.

Then Allie is forced to flee into the unknown, outside her city walls. There she joins a ragged band of humans who are seeking a legend – a possible sure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike.

But it isn’t easy to pass for human. Especially not around Zeke, who might see past the monster inside her. And Allie soon must decide what – and who – is worth dying for.

I’ll admit that I’ve been over the whole vampire genre for a while. With so much out there, it’s kind of hard to imagine that there's something different enough to capture my attention. Julie Kagawa had me devouring each page of this addictive and thrilling saga, showing that she can most definitely create another world as brilliantly as she has done with the Iron Fey series.

Allie is a survivor – hardcore with an abrasive personality. She is fiercely independent so don’t mess with this chick because she will literally cut you down!  One day, after leading a small group out to scavenge for food, they are attacked by rabids. A stranger comes to her rescue and offers her the choice of eternal life or a quick death. She chooses eternal life. And thus begins her journey as a vampire, a species she once abhorred and has now become. Her mentor, the one who turned her, is the master vampire, Kanin. He takes her on as his responsibility teaching her everything he can about being a vampire. He gives her routines to follow and has her studying as well. Yes folks, this vampire is learning her reading, writing and arithmetic. Discipline is how he has survived and he imparts this wisdom to her before they’re separated.

She meets up with a wandering group led by Jeb and his son, Zeke who are searching for Eden, a place they believe exists without vampires. Jeb, a former preacher, is certain that Eden holds all the answers to humanity's salvation. The book does have some religious undertones but it’s not overwhelming. While with this group, Allie becomes close to Zeke, Jeb’s second in command. His innocence and generosity stand in stark contrast to Allie’s eternal cynicism.  Being welcomed into a group who live and work together as a family, is new to her. So she tries to adapt the best she can though her Fringer past is hard to shake. She constantly finds herself at odds with Jeb’s strict rules. She doesn’t stand down which makes for very tense and heated moments. 

There are also many suspenseful moments but none to me are more spine chilling than when Allie has to fight her dual nature. Several times she’s overwhelmed by the Hunger and comes close to feeding off an innocent. The far-reaching ramifications hang heavy around her. The “will she? won’t she?” moments as she struggles to keep the monster at bay are intense. Tugging at her rational side is her new found friendship with Zeke. His gentle nature and naiveté help to anchor her human side. It’s how Allie has to work hard at holding on to her humanity that’s the most absorbing part of this story.

The book is divided into four parts marking the developing phases of her life. As she moves on with the group and grows attachments, she learns of a far bigger battle that must be waged leading her to unexpected encounters. As horrific as some of the situations can get, it's also exciting to watch Allie in action because simply put, she is bad ass!


The Immortal Rules pulses with never ending suspense. You truly get the feel that they are living in a broken world that's dangerous and unforgiving at every turn. And Allie, who begins the book looking out for herself, learns a bit about family and loyalty and also about what it is to be human.


~ Bel

Top Ten Books That Broke Nat's Heart A Little (or a lot)

This our first time participating in Top Ten Tuesday.  Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish .

It's no secret that I am a total sap when it comes to reading books so I thought it very fitting that I share with you....

Top Ten Books That Broke My Heart A Little (or a lot...)

If I Stay by Gail Forman -  Every page of this book broke my heart.  I am honestly not sure how I am still standing.

Where She Went by Gail Forman - How can the hot rockstar that has continued to love the girl that broke his heart in the most excruciating manner not be heart breaking?

Marley and Me by John Grogan - The only book that has made me cry more than this one is Gayle Forman's If I Stay.  Let's just say that I hugged our dear sweet dog for quite some time.

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott - Beth March.  Need I say more?  Oh and really Laurie and Jo?  Really?

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater - Not sure why but Sam's battle to keep his identity moved me more than I would have imagined. 

Again the Magic by Lisa Kleypas - Romance novels don't make me cry but this one DID break my heart a little.  The classic tale of a footman falling in love with the aristocrat's daughter was told with enough intensity that I found myself holding my breath more often than not.

The Fault In Our Stars by John Green - A story about teens and cancer.  Beautifully told by the great John Green.  Of course it broke my heart.

When He Was Wicked by Julia Quinn -  Michael is in love with his happily married cousin's wife.  Unrequited love of course causes broken hearts.  Particularly mine.

Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa - Oh Ash.  Your entire quest to become human was heart-wrenching. 

Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - Oh geez. Reasons this book broke my heart....Katniss, Prim, Rue, Peeta...should I keep going?

There you have it.  Books that broke my heart.   Now I think I need a tissue.....


~Nat

Bel's Top 10 of 2011

Coming up with my favorite 10 reads was no easy task, especially since I've been reading like a fiend for most of the year. But here’s my stab at it and in no particular order …

The Mortal Instruments Series

Like Nat, I have to cheat here because I just couldn't narrow it down. It's like picking out one puppy from the litter - it breaks your heart to separate it from its siblings. Not only do I enjoy the storyline and all the characters immensely, I just simply love Cassie Clare’s writing.  She is so good at writing snark and so good a writing non-smutty smut that we BiblioJunkies would just die if Ms. Clare decided to write an adult series. Can you begin to imagine how far she'd go? In all seriousness, I’ve said this before, this series opened the floodgates for me and because of it I’ve experienced a whole new genre.

Hush Hush & Crescendo

On the subject of snark – I do believe that people are familiar with my, um, deep, deep appreciation (read: lust) for Patch Cipriano. In fact, I'm a wee bit disappointed (gutted if I wanted to be melodramatic about it) that I didn't find him in my Christmas stocking. And I know I'm "cheating" again here by naming two books but seriously, it's Patch! Both are filled with plenty of great one-liners and images that make you want to scream in a good way. And that wicked ending in Crescendo had me all strung up. I simply can't get enough!

The Maze Runner

To me, The Maze Runner is the best of the series. James Dashner upped the ante by removing every one's memory and giving them a blank slate. How do you move forward from that with no reference points and no idea who to trust? Everything from the hellish environment to the relentless action left me banging my head for answers and utterly exhausted.

The Iron Knight

The Iron Fey series is one of the most spectacular and intricate out there but The Iron Knight is the one had the most effect on me. Ash is the ULTIMATE knight in shining armor. The trials he goes through make you ache. His resolve to be with his beloved Megan make you pine for him even more. It's no wonder he has such a rabid legion of fans. And with Puck and Grimalkin as travel companions, how can this not be a thrilling adventure?

Thirteen Reasons Why

My niece recommended this book saying it was one of her favorites.  I have to agree with her. I clung to every page of this story and felt a myriad of emotions because it had of its sensitivity and straightforward bluntness.  While the ending doesn’t exactly make you jump up and cheer, you still feel its quiet but hopeful impact. And sometimes subtle works best. 

Saving June

After having read Thirteen Reasons Why I thought, one - I’d be doing a comparison between these two books and two - I’d be spending a very depressing couple of weeks. I was sooo wrong because this turned out to be one of the best books I’ve read in years! Harrington’s effortless blending of humor and sarcasm balanced perfectly the serious side of the story. And adding to its awesomeness, this book came with its very own soundtrack.

  

The Likeness (non YA)

I love a good psychological mystery and Tana French delivers in this Irish thriller. The mixture of murder and suspense had me on edge throughout.  But what I enjoyed most was how each little plot twist had me gasping. Plus, it's set in Ireland where good things like U2, Snow Patrol, Two Door Cinema Club and Michael Fassbender come from ... not that they had anything to do with the book.

Firelight

Thank you, thank you Sophie Jordan for putting something different out there! I was already on a slight vampire/werewolf overload when I stumbled upon this Romeo and Juliet style dragon tale (ha! see what I did there?). I was so caught up in Will and Jacinda's connection and worried for them non-stop. And the cliffhangers for Firelight and its follow up, Vanish, left me hungry for more.

Clockwork Prince

Oh my! Cassandra Clare you really love to make us suffer. Aside from the excellent story, there are the gorgeous Will and Jem and that poor girl Tessa who has to look at both of them. Through all the publicity we were all made well aware of the DSBS. But boy was I a bit giddy with that other DSBS that came before it! I'm not ashamed to say that those pages have been bookmarked and I've re-read them a few times times. Oh Jem …

Cold Kiss

Morbid, creepy, morbidly fascinating - it didn’t hit me until recently how much I liked this book. It happened when I was listening to my iPod and a gorgeously haunting song came on that encompassed the book's entire theme - sorrow, loss and letting go. I instantly thought of Wren and Danny. It was one of those moments that made me shiver. While the storyline is set in a paranormal arena, Wren's deeply personal loss is one that anyone can understand.  

So there we have it.  Hope your New Year is filled with plenty of good books, surprises and much, much more!

Cheers!

~Bel

The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa

* * * * *

"I'd expected to die that day.  I was ready.  Being ordered by my True Name to walk away, leaving Meghan to die alone in the Iron Kingdom, nearly shattered me a second time.  If it wasn't for my oath to be with her again, I might've done something suicidal, like challenge Oberon to a battle before the entire Summer Court.  But now that I've made my promise, there is no turning back.  Abandoning my vow will unravel me, bit by bit, until there is nothing left.  Even if I wasn't determined to find a way to survive in the Iron Realm, I'd have no choice but to continue. 

I will be with her again, or I will die.  There aren't any other options."

I’ve only recently come to enjoy Julie Kagawa’s Iron Fey series.  I’m so glad I finally did!  The series has been so much fun so far and The Iron Knight will not disappoint.  This time the story is told from Ash’s perspective, which I’m certain will delight legions of Team Ash fans. 

When we last saw Ash and Meghan, she had released him from his duty as her knight and banished him from the Iron Realm for his own safety.  Ash made a solemn promise that he’d find a way to be with her again.  The Iron Knight follows him, accompanied by Puck on his journey to become human in order to reunite with Meghan.  Of course, Grimalkin is there as their trusted guide and to provide a cool head and quick wit.  As with the previous books, Kagawa has created a world so rich in detail that it’s easy to get immersed in it and not want to leave. I was so transfixed by the story that every time I was away from the book, I’d think, “I have to get back to Ash.”

Throughout his journey several things happen to Ash that make him question his motives.  I had never doubted his devotion to Meghan but it was an eye opener to watch him come to terms with his decision with who he is.  Is he following through on his promise because he’s a man of his word or is it because he is truly in love?  The trials along the way strengthen his resolve as he learns what it means to be “human”.  There are uncomfortable, gut-wrenching moments particularly when Ash is forced to face the horrendous actions of his past.  It's remarkable to see his once cruel and heartless side and still feel compassion for him.  And there are other moments when I admit I shed a tear or two.  Through it all Ash learns about friendship, loyalty, forgiveness, love and discovers his own humanity.

Among the many highlights of the book is the interaction between Ash and Puck.  We’re all already familiar with the animosity between them and how their once unlikely friendship turned to hatred.  The Iron Knight delves deeper into their estrangement by going beyond Puck’s non-stop banter and Ash’s cold shoulder treatment until they’re ultimately forced to confront each other. It's a tense moment where you're left holding your breath.

Coming to the end of The Iron Knight reminded me of the first time I read The Hobbit.  By the time it was all over and done, I felt like I had gone through everything that had happened in that span of time.  The story this time is less about Faery politics and more about the struggle to find redemption and the opportunity to reinvent oneself.  And the incredible descriptions have left fantastic images in my head that I wish I could see this world as a movie right now.  The Iron Knight easily deserves 5 stars.

~ Bel

Prince Caspian? Winter Prince? Tomato, Tomahto...

The Bibliojunkies have been catching up on Julie Kagawa's Iron Fey series and have of course fallen in love with Puck and Ash. Particularly Ash. Really. Who doesn't love the brooding yet loving Unseelie Prince? Even if he wasn't a love interest, he would be impossible to ignore. In my quest for fan art I instead found that the book lover world is all over a certain Prince Caspian playing the Winter Prince. And I have to say that with some pictures I found, I can't disagree....




Ash, you look so thoughful here.  Are you mourning your lost love? Don't worry.  We will comfort you.



Dear Ash.  You look so cold and evil....which we admit works for you.  Carry on. 





Since the cold doesn't bother you at all I can only assume you are wearing that scarf to so that you have something to tie the three of us girls up with later. Oh get your mind out of the gutter people.  He will tie us up to stop us from eliminating the competition.  You know, Meghan, the girl he so fiercely loves.  Actually, that's all kind of hot too.  

And before my ramblings become to spicy for this blog, I bid you all adieu....

~Nat