Here we have three entries that show just how varied fantasy novels can be. There’s a historical, paranormal fantasy, a fantasy romantic comedy, and a graphic novel that is part steampunk, part epic fantasy. Let’s take a look! Title: These Vicious Masks Author: Tarun Shanker and Kelly Zekas Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars Release Date: February 9, 2016 Publisher: Swoon Reads Age Group: YA Source: Borrowed I’m so glad I read this absorbing paranormal historical story set in Victorian London. If you typically enjoy books placed in this setting, These Vicious Masks will not disappoint. There are all the usual trappings: young heroine who defies Society and its restrictive gender roles, a dashing gentleman (or two), and a paranormal mystery/quest driving its heart. Evelyn is our sassy, independent MC on a quest to save her gentle, kind-hearted sister from the hands of a devious mad scientist bent... Read more »
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In an effort to catch up on some of the books I have read but not reviewed I am going to do some mini reviews.
The Secrets of Attraction by Robin Constantine.
4 chocolate no bakes.
Sweet little romance. Robin Constantine is becoming one of my favorite contemporary YA romance authors. She has a way of creating chemistry on the page that is amazing!
I Was Here by Gayle Forman
3 frosted ginger cookies.
This one didn't quite have the magic that If I Stay did, but a good mystery/romance/coming of age book.
Complicit by Stephanie Kuehn
3 soft snickerdoodles.
Interesting mystery with some good twists. Kept me interested, but ultimately unfulfilled. Stephanie Kuehn definitely writes psychological mysteries where nothing is as they seem!
Shackled by Tom Leveen
4 yummy chocolate chip cookies.
This one probably deserves a longer review but I rad it last spring and want to get some thoughts posted about it. This was a great mystery. I felt so much for Pelly who I felt truly believed that she wouldn't heal properly until she solved the mystery of what happened to her friend. Her friend had been taken from a mall years before, when Pelly was with her (although she didn't see the incident) and it has frozen her. Her fears and anxieties were so strong she couldn't move forward in her life. When she thinks she sees her friend at a coffee shop she goes head first into figuring out if the girl is truly her friend. She does develop a relationship, but not totally romantic, with a guy, David, she works with at the coffee shop. This is book moves along at a fast pace and the mystery is very interesting. You root for Pelly to find Tara through the whole book because if anyone needs to heal, it's Pelly.
I have a nice little round up of April releases for you today! I think most of these have flown under the radar so far so I’m happy to shed a little spotlight here. We’ve got a dystopian (but sort of historical–you’ll see), a beautifully creative fantasy, and a science fiction-light romp that had me in stitches. Let’s dive in! Title: Rook Author: Sharon Cameron Rating: 3 stars This is one of those times where I fear I just couldn’t connect with a book not through any fault of its own, but because I just wasn’t really in the mood at the time. I saw this initially billed as a retelling of The Scarlet Pimpernel, and while the threads of relation are definitely there, this is mostly an original story. In a dystopian future, Sophia spends her days as an English gentlewoman, but in her spare time is a daring rebel... Read more »
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You know what, I put off too many mini reviews because I dread formatting them prettily or want to tie them together for a theme. Which is silly, so today’s the start of more casually structured mini reviews, which I think will still be useful even if they aren’t perfect! Today’s pairing actually do have a theme, though–both stories combine paranormal with suspense, and while I rated them both the same, I definitely thought one succeeded in what it set out to do more than the other. Title: The Cure for Dreaming Author: Cat Winters Rating: 3.5 stars Olivia Mead is fighting for women’s rights in the early 1900s–not an easy task when her father has her hypnotized in the hopes it will make her more obedient. What ends up happening is that she is somehow able to see the “truth” of what everyone’s character is, but unable to speak... Read more »
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As You Wish, by Jackson Pearce (2 Bookmarks)Cute book, readable, definitely great for the tween/young teen age. But I feel as if I'd read this book before. Viola is the MC who unknowingly wishes to be seen. Well voila, enter a Genie (or Jinn) who stalks her at first and demands that she make her requisite three wishes. Reason why Viola made wish. Her ex-boyfriend/best friend has come out of the closet and is more interested in the same sex. What is Viola to do? I think you know where this goes. Jinn (as she names him) is beautiful, ethereal, blah blah blah... You see where I'm going here?
The Van Alen Legacy, Melissa de la Cruz (2 Bookmarks)Schuyler and Oliver are on the run, Mimi is hooking up with Silver Blood and Bliss is surprise Allegra's daughter, who has some visitor in her body. This book was broken up in three parts. Schuyler, Mimi and Bliss. Bliss annoyed the hell out of me. She was not herself for most of the book because of this crazy sub-plot where she has been taken over by whoknowswhat. Mimi is Mimi and is looking for the watcher. Mimi also finds herself extremely drawn to the reformed Silver Blood, Kingsley Martin even though she should be bonded to her 'brother' Jack. I love the mythos of this story. Fallen angels, Caligula, being reborn over and over again. Charles Force aka Michael. Allegra Van Alen aka Gabriel, Jack Force aka Abbadon, Mimi Force aka Azrael. But these past two books have been literally going nowhere. Yes, there is action and romance, but I'm more confused than ever.
Such a sad thing you didn't enjoy As You Wish. I heard it was really cute and I really want to read it.
I <3 mini reviews :)
Its very hard feeling that you have not enjoy this as you want.