Review: Changeless by Gail Carriger

Title: Changeless

Author: Gail Carriger
Pages: 374
Publisher: Orbit
Reading Level: Adult

Publish Date: April 01, 2010.

Cover Rating: 

Rating: 

Alexia Tarabotti, the Lady Woolsey, awakens in the wee hours of the mid-afternoon to find her husband, who should be decently asleep like any normal werewolf, yelling at the top of his lungs. Then he disappears - leaving her to deal with a regiment of supernatural soldiers encamped on her doorstep, a plethora of exorcised ghosts, and an angry Queen Victoria.

But Alexia is armed with her trusty parasol, the latest fashions, and an arsenal of biting civility. Even when her investigations take her to Scotland, the backwater of ugly waistcoats, she is prepared: upending werewolf pack dynamics as only the soulless can.

She might even find time to track down her wayward husband, if she feels like it.

Taschima's POV:

Alexia Tabarotti doesn't stop surprising me. In the first book we meet her and, a few of us, fall in love with her, including oh so big and strong Lord Maccon. They get married and blah blah, something very unexpected since Alexia considered herself to be a lifelong single lady. Everything is going great in their marriage, until one day Lord Maccon wakes up screaming, something not unexpected because it occurs quite often but this time he packs his bag, figuratively, and flees. Why did her husband leave so suddenly? Why are the supernatural people turning human for bits of time? These are mysteries that only Alexia Maccon can solve...

This series NEVER lets down! it continues to posses the charm that the previous book had along with all the social rules which make the book more believable; Alexia has maids and help around the house, she can't go out of the country without a chaperon, and it would be a HORRIBLE thing for a scandal to occur, things like that.

But, if it's even possible, it's better then its previous installment!! We get to see Lady and Lord Maccon in their relationship as husband and wife and it's really fun and quite frankly a lil bit empowering to witness, she can handle that man like no other. We also get to see a bit of Lord Maccon's past, and more references to Lady Tabarotti's father; I swear that man's existence is cloaked in mystery.

We also take a trip to Scotland and meet some old friends of Lord Maccon, and as always someone is trying to kill someone, but who is it? And why?

The ending is by far the BEST part of the entire book!!!!!!!!! Not because it ended, oh far from it, but because it's kind of a cliffhanger, SUCH a good one!!! I was like, UGH WHYYY!! I want Blameless RIGHT NOW!!! I got to read the first chapter of Blameless (came along in the book) and it only left me wanting more.

A story which is hard to forget, with characters which are witty and charming in their own soulless ways. If you haven't read this series I strongly recommend you to give it a try! It might just be your perfect cup of tea.

Previous Installment:

(Click the pic, for my review!)

So I Started Reading Sweet Reckoning by Wendy Higgins...

Goodreads

"I pressed my knees together, shocked that I lay naked in front of Kaidan Rowe and he seemed not to care. He stood at the end of the bed, unclasping his belt, which made his cargo shorts droop low on his hips. I had to swallow as he unzipped them. 

This isn't happening.  I took a cue from his playbook and appeared slightly uninterested, keeping my eyes on his chest as his shorts dropped to the floor. Don't look, Anna, I told myself. Kaidan Rowe was nude, in all his glory, and I had to pretend to be unfazed. I couldn't be caught gawking as if it was something. I'd never seen. Which I hadn't, and didn't want to now. 

Not like this. He won't do it, I told myself. He won't. Not like this."

Anna and sweet hot Kaidan seem to be caught between a rock and a hot place. Sweet, innocent, Anna thinks she needs to not have sex, ever, in order to stay pure and be able to use the Sword of Righteousness. Everyone seems to be conspiring to take away her virginity however. To think, the fate of the world, or at least the Neph, depends on Anna keeping her pants on... Sillier things have been written about I guess lol Still, even as silly as the whole thing seems, I always seem to end up enjoying the silliness as well as everything else.

PS; The girl on the cover looks like Anna Paquin.

Throwback Thursday (3): Smart Pop Novels (2011), Favorite Authors on your Favorite Books!

Smart Pop essays are my favorite. The first one I ever read one was A New Dawn when I was riding my TWILIGHT SUPER FAN wave. When I read that book it was like I finally found the people who understood me. I found friends who wanted to go in depth and really TALK about the series... Or write. Whatever.

In this post, every Thursday, I showcase TWO titles of my own choosing. One will be a title I read, one will be a title that is currently seating on my TBR pile collecting e-dust. Every week I will have a different theme to this post, like for example today's showcase is about Smart Pop Titles. Mind you, after a while the themes might just repeat, but who cares as long as the titles stay fresh?

Mapping the World of Harry Potter
Edited by Mercedes Lackey, and your favorite authors...
Goodreads Rating: 4.26
Published April 5th 2011, by Smart Pop

Up-to-date through Book Six!

Mapping the World of the Sorcerer’s Apprentice offers a comprehensive look at the series through the eyes of leading science fiction and fantasy writers and religion, psychology and science experts. Topics range from feminism, fascism and the moral life of children to the true ownership of Severus Snape, Harry Potter as Luke Skywalker and Harry Potter and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

This book has not been authorized by J. K. Rowling, Warner Bros. or anyone associated with the Harry Potter books or films.

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Why I STILL want to read this title: Why would I NOT want to read this title?! It's a bunch of resourceful fans writing about the first literary world I fell in love with. Harry Potter is everything to me, and I love to read various points of view and uncover new information. Just seems like a fan's must have.

The Girl Who Was on Fire
Edited by Leah Wilson, and your favorite authors...
REVIEW here
Goodreads Rating: 3.96
Published April 5th 201, by SMART POP

Katniss Everdeen's adventures may have come to an end, but her story continues to blaze in the hearts of millions worldwide.

In The Girl Who Was on Fire, thirteen YA authors take you back to Panem with moving, dark, and funny pieces on Katniss, the Games, Gale and Peeta, reality TV, survival, and more. From the trilogy's darker themes of violence and social control to fashion and weaponry, the collection's exploration of the Hunger Games reveals exactly how rich, and how perilous, protagonist Katniss' world really is.

• How does the way the Games affect the brain explain Haymitch's drinking, Annie's distraction, and Wiress' speech problems?
• What does the rebellion have in common with the War on Terror?
• Why isn't the answer to "Peeta or Gale?" as interesting as the question itself?
• What should Panem have learned from the fates of other hedonistic societies throughout history and what can we?

The Girl Who Was On Fire covers all three books in the Hunger Games trilogy.

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I read it, and I might even read it again: The Girl who was on Fire was REALLY good. You can tell the authors took a lot of time on their essays, they were engaging and insightful. If you want to go more in depth into the world of Katniss Everdeen look no farther because this is what you have been looking for.

Anyways, I hope I brushed off some dust from some of your titles that are in TBR status. Hopefully I made you remember of those that fell through the cracks, and if anything made you aware of some oldies that are still very much relevant and dying to be read. If you have any suggestions, recommendations, please leave them in the comments!

Review: Soulless by Gail Carriger

Title: Soulless

Author: Gail Carriger

Series: The Parasol Protectorate

Book #: 1

Pages: 357

Publisher: Orbit

Reading Level: Adult

Spotlight: Characters

Rating: .5

"I am a preternatural"

Alexia Tarabotti is laboring under a great many social tribulations. First, she has no soul. Second, she's a spinster whose father is both Italian and dead. Third, she was rudely attacked by a vampire, breaking all standards of social etiquette. Where to go from there? From bad to worse apparently, for Alexia accidentally kills the vampire -- and then the appalling Lord Maccon (loud, messy, gorgeous, and werewolf) is sent by Queen Victoria to investigate.

With unexpected vampires appearing and expected vampires disappearing, everyone seems to believe Alexia responsible. Can she figure out what is actually happening to London's high society? Will her soulless ability to negate supernatural powers prove useful or just plain embarrassing? Finally, who is the real enemy, and do they have treacle tart?

Taschima:

I wasn't really expecting much, well besides vampires and werewolves, when I picked up this book, but I gotta say it was highly entertaining and it totally changed my mind about werewolves.

Alexia Tarabotti is what every girl in 19 century England wishes not to be. She is Italian thus has tanned skin color, a spinster, and a preternatural. Which means she does not have a soul. But she doesn't really mind the whole soulless thing. Her life is on normal route until a vampire rudely attacks her. Like really, he could just get a willing donor but no he went after Alexia. Ugh, then she goes and kills the vampire. By accident of course, still he is dead as a doornail. She is then dragged into a full on investigation with gorgeous, though slightly messy and loud, werewolf Lord Maccon. And here is where our story begins.

Gail Carriger managed to entertain me from beginning to end. Alexia is a strong female character who is way ahead of her time. She is independent and what some would call an Alpha. Which goes amazingly with the real werewolf Alpha Lord Maccon. Maccon is Alexia turned male, only more messy. He is a smexy werewolf. I sometimes had my doubts if this would be yet another threesome love because some other vampire came into view, but he is just a good (and I think gay) friend.

This book though it is fantasy/horror is dangerously close to being a romance novel. Some scenes with Alexia and the lord are quite foxy. But the blood and gore of the last scenes save the book.

The plot was good, it kept you guessing, but it wasn't what really kept you flipping the pages. The characters did. And the language. Oh let me not forget the bickering between the werewolf and Alexia; is something that should not be missed.

You will find werewolves, vampires, and ghosts (along with some other weird things in between). You know how some books are more concentrated on how the supernatural are and were they come from? Well this book is more concentrated on integrating the supernatural in society and how they have worked to improve or change things in society.

My favorite part of the book would have to be the exchange of Lord Akeldama and Alexia close to the end. Where they watch the sunset together. So sweet.

Anyways I can't wait for the next book. Ugh I have to wait till March... WHY?!?!

PS; What's with all the octopuses on the book? Never got that.

Review: Vengeance (Fracture #2) by Megan Miranda

Title: Vengeance
Author: Megan Miranda
Series: Fracture
Book #: 2
Pages: 353
Reading Level: YA
Book Rating: 
Goodreads Rating: 3.84
Published: Feb. 13th, 2014

Falcon Lake wants vengeance. And so, it seems, does someone else... An intense, heart-rending psychological thriller to accompany the chilling and seductive Fracture

When Decker drags his best friend Delaney’s lifeless body out of the frozen lake, he makes a deal: Anyone but her. Everyone but her. The lake releases her. It takes another...

All their friends blame Delaney for Carson’s death. But Decker knows the truth: Delaney is drawn to those who are dying, and she would have tried to help Carson.

Or so Decker believes until a body lies in front of him in a pool of water on his kitchen floor. Until he sees in Delaney’s eyes that she knew this would happen too – and she said nothing. Until he realises it isn’t the lake that is looking for revenge – Delaney is part of someone else’s plan.

This powerful and emotionally charged psychological thriller follows Megan Miranda’s stunning debut Fracture.

Taschima's POV:

From the point of view of a fan of Megan Miranda's characters and writing style Vengeance was a spectacular read that let you explore even further the characters we had come to adore, though one might still wonder if the novel was just to please fans who wanted a little more of the world because otherwise it was rather *and I am cringing when writing this word* needless. It was a good book, it really was, but the first title didn't lend itself to another one so it gives you the feeling that you can either take or leave Vengeance. If I were in your shoes though I would definitely take it.

For one it makes a lousy attempt at explaining why exactly Delaney has these "powers" of hers. It focuses more on Decker and his grief over losing a loved one, and while I love Decker I thought his character was a tad unfair in this title towards Delaney. He was being an ass, instead of talking things out he just flipped out and started throwing accusations. But I guess that is just how he reacts when confronted by grief... which is not at all flattering.  Other than Decker acting like an ass my main problem was that I wanted some sort of definite explanation on how exactly Delaney survived and how she got her powers. Right now it's kind of not here nor there, is it a miracle, the will of God, a scientific anomaly or a supernatural cause? I don't know, and that drives me nuts. I would have thought that if Fracture got a sequel it would be to unravel this ONE mystery first and foremost.

You may be thinking that I am being picky when it comes to Vengeance seeing as I said previously that I really liked the book, but that's just the thing, Vengeance had it's thing that bothered, but overall it was a fantastic read. I love getting to see Delaney and Decker again, and while I would have liked to be inside Delaney's head in some parts of the novel (two POVs would have been better than one) I still liked being inside Decker's head and seeing how he dealt with not only his new grief but the ghost of Delaney's death. He might have acted like a dick at times, but he was still Decker. You could tell he still cared.

So what is this novel really about? Delaney, Decker, and all their friends. They all seem to think the lake is coming for them, that it's cursed. So there's that threat at the back of your head, plus it seems someone is actually gunning to hurt Delaney and everyone around her, but why? Because she is the one person who survived? Because she can sense things other people can't? In truth Vengeance is about a lot of things, but most of them have to deal with death and how people deal with it once is at their doorstep.

I'd read it again.

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

Title: The Forever Song
Author: Julie Kagawa
Series: Blood of Eden
Book #: 3
Pages: 416
Reading Level: YA
Book Rating:
Goodreads Rating: 3.78
Published: April 1st, 2014

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, triumph is short-lived in the face of surviving forever alone.

Taschima's POV:

A fantastical ending full of high stakes, crazy villains, and romance that is just as fantastical as it is painfully real. The Forever Song was a fitting ending to this great series that single handedly kept vampires on the loop.

"He didn't know. I didn't care about Eden. I didn't care about his virus, or the cure, or the rest of the world. It make no difference to me if the humans found a cure for Rabidism, or if they could stop Sarren's new plague. Humans meant nothing to me, not anymore. They were food,, and I was a vampire. I was done pretending that I was anything less than a monster."

Allison Sekemoto, a girl after my own heart, has been utterly destroyed. The love of her life is now gone, and all she has to keep her going is sweet revenge. What does it matter if she lets the monster win? The monster keeps the hurt at bay, so she might as well give in to the sweet oblivion... Her, Kanin, and Jackal are out on the road pursuing Zeke's demented killer who is currently making his way to the only human safe zone left in the world (that they know of) in order to spread a mutated disease that will hit the restart button on the whole world. Time is definitely running out...

Not going to lie, there's a bit of angst in this title. A little more than a bit, true, but it's to be expected. Allison takes the news of Zeke's death pretty hard but then again who wouldn't react badly to the death of a loved one? She goes to a very dark place, but she is Allison and she has survived too much to fall down now and not get back up. She will go through a lot, she will get beaten down, but she always rises up to the occasion before it's too late. That's the magnificent thing about her, she rises up and beats the odds.

As for the side characters Jackal was a blast to have in this novel, as the previous one. He doesn't pretend to be good, he doesn't really care about the meat sacks around him but only that if they were to die his food supply would run out. He is however the much needed comic relief amongst all the blood and gore. Kanin on the other hand was a bit annoying in this title. He spent most of his time in silence mode, walking in the background and only making himself known when Allison and Jackal went for each other's throats; like an annoyed parent, which I guess he kind of is. I just wanted more from his character, but I guess there just wasn't anything else to get from him.

We all know Zeke is alive, we've known since the last title. Which is very good because it wasn't this huge secret to be revealed (which would have been a bit cliche if not completely anti climatic) but instead something we got to look forward to. And well, the waiting pays off, because dark and twisted Zeke is a sight to behold. [Spoiler] he then gets a little too emo for my taste, but he manages to bounce back [/Spoiler]

Even the big baddie was enjoyable! He is crazy and completely twisted. No gory details are left out so prepare for some very detailed sick deaths of dozens of meatsacks.

Overall I enjoyed this ending way more than I've enjoyed other endings in many beloved series. It was an ending, yet it gave Allison purpose for the future in a way that left it open enough for you to fill up the blanks. I don't believe that we will be seeing anymore of these characters in the future but I wouldn't complain if another title in the same world were to pop up... I'd throw money at that book like if it was the sole cure for Rabidism.

So I started reading Sea of Shadows by Kelley Armstrong...

... and I'm not going to lie, it's pretty freaking good!

Goodreads

"As I was saying, everyone comes back," Moria said. "Every Seeker. Every hound. Every volunteer. Every guard. They do their duty and they return, and all is well. You can't tell me that every Seeker has been perfect. They must make mistakes. It doesn't matter. I'm not even sure if the rituals matter at all. It is a kindness to the spirits of the damned, but would they truly rise up and attack? If it's never happened before, I'll wager it can't."
"Don't be blasphemous, Rya."
"If you don't fret, I'll not say scandalous things." Moria paused. "Which would be rather difficult, but since I'm quite certain you'll never stop fretting, I do believe I'm safe."
Ashyn threw her arms around her sister so abruptly that Moria ler out a yip of surprise. Ashyn smiled and hugged her until that rigid steel melted and Moria embraced her, whispering, "You're ready, Ash. I know you are."

Moria and Ashyn sisterly relationship takes front and center during the events of Sea of Shadows. They are both special, and both uniquely their own. They complement each other, each girl making up for what the other one lacks. Moria is strong spirited and isn't afraid to make a scene and get her point across...

"Before he could finish the sentence, her blade tip was digging into the bottom of his jaw.
"I am the Keeper of the Forest, boy," she said. "Do you think those pretty patterns on your arms give you the right to threaten me? They do not. Even if your father was still marshal, they would not. I will take your glowers. I will take your insults. I will take your warnings that you'll abandon me by the roadside if I do not keep pace. But you will not call me a liar. And you will not threaten me."

... while Ashyn is more gentle, and a dreamer. She is a romantic, yet at the same time she is not naive nor an idiot. She is kind and more easy spoken than Moira, with a leveled head on her shoulders. This is a little piece of Ashyn:

"It made a romantic tale. The young rogue, cheating death, returning to his grieving lover. But in reality...?Ashyn had always known that life did not resemble one of her book stories or Moria's bard tales, and yet there'd been part of her that hoped it did. The more she saw, the more she realized she was wrong. People made up those stories because it's what they wanted from their world. A place where goodness, kindness, and honor were rewarded. They were not rewarded."

Both voices are easy to tell apart so you will not be confused when reading since the tale is told from the two girl's POVs. Even though there is a name at the beginning of the title for which girl's turn it is to tell the tale, it is hardly ever needed. I find myself wishing this tale would not end! The writing is so good, and the situations are realistic yet infused with magic. I want to keep reading it forever... yet I am too close to the end to want to slow down.

Cover Reveal: The Young Elites by Marie Lu

Goodreads

"Some hate us, think us criminals to hang at the gallows. Some fear us, think us demons to burn at the stake. Some worship us, think us divine children of the gods.

But all know us."

---

Adelina Amouteru is a survivor of the blood plague: marked by a jagged scar, snow-white hair and lashes. Cast out by her family, Adelina has finally found a place to belong within the secret society of Young Elites. To some, the Elites are heroes, here to save innocents in desperate situations. But to the Inquisition Axis, the white-robed soldiers of Kenettra, they are monsters with demonic powers who must be brought to justice. As Adelina learns more about this perilous world where politics and magic clash, she soon realizes that her own powers may be in danger of bringing on an era of panic such as the world has never seen.

---

The new series, set in what Putnam described as a “Renaissance-like world,” is called The Young Elites. It follows three rival societies with supernatural powers battling for supremacy.

After Marie Lu's phenomenal Legend series we are all expecting great things from this author, and The Young Elites seems like it will deliver.  To me the summary's description of the world and circumstances resonates with the Legend series, in that special kids are trying to save their republic home in this gritty world who only sees them as enemies (Day's life story), but it still sounds wholly original at the same time (like super heroes in the Legend scenario).  I like the feel of the cover, the dark clouds, the FONT, the way the dagger replaces the T in "Elites", it's all very well done. My only complaint? Doesn't it seem like the cover is being cut off?

By putting the title below the author's name I know they are trying to emphasize Marie Lu's popularity but all it's doing is making the cover look awkward, to the point that I wouldn't mind buying this book in an e-book fashion because I would cringe a little if I saw this arrangement in person.

I am still waiting EAGERLY for this book though, NO LIE!

Morganville Vampires: T.V. Series/Show CASTing.

And the hits just keep coming. This one seems like it might be a good one. The Morganville Vampire series is soon to find a new outlet as a web-series through Geek and Sundry, my new best friends. Feek and Sundry is basically geek heaven which gives me hope as to how the web series will be approached and handled. Surely they know how important it is to us for them to stick to the story as closely as possible, because they very well may be huge fans too.

Felicia Day's Geek & Sundry is adding a vampire drama to its lineup of web series... Morganville: The Series, a web series based on the Morganville Vampires novels by Rachel Caine. Directed by Blake Calhoun, the series follows college student Claire Danvers who discovers that her rural college town is home to the last remaining vampires.

-Source

I for one am geedy with the news. As many of you know the Morganville Vampire series ended petty recently and we all were pretty bumped it about it... well, at least I know I was. It really left this huge crater sized hole in my reading pile. The series is just so familiar and lovable, and when it went away it was like I couldn't go back home again.

But now it's back! The main cast list is out as well, and they have certainly made some interesting choices...

Lindsay Seidel as CLAIRE DANVERS

Don't really know her from anything, she does a lot of voice acting. She looks normal enough to be Claire I guess.

Jordan Farris as SHANE COLLINS

RAWR SHANE! I never really liked Shane that much, it was more of a HATE sometimes like relationship between him and me, so I don't really care who plays him. He looks good, I just hope he can act the tough guy/real jackass part.

Ben Easter as MICHAEL GLASS

Eeehhhh... I have to see him in costume. He kind of fits the image in my face, but only in some pictures... sometimes. He does have those beautiful blue eyes...

Haileigh Todd as EVE ROSSER

SUPER FRESH off the press actress. I can't even find any other pictures of her online, so there you have it. This girl though... I think this is my favorite casting of the roommates. She has an EVE vibe, a different vibe.

Chase Ryan Jeffery as MYRNIN

Afomia Hailemeskel as MONICA MORRELL

I don't wanna be mean, but this girl looks waay too nice to be Monica. At least... I had a bitch pictured in my head. She kind of reminds me of Jillian Rose Reed from Awkward.

Amber Benson as AMELIE

She look bad ass in this picture! I love Amber Benson, ever since she played the role of TARA in Buffy. But IS she Amelie? That is yet to be seen. I myself imagined Amelie as this little light flower thing with claws and teeth, but always looking fragile. Amber Benson has incredible presence.

Robert Picardo as OLIVER

I bet he is a great actor, still I don't see him as Oliver. But then again, there is a reason he was cast into that role so, we shall wait and see. He kinf od reminds me of a suburban dad though, and Oliver is NOT that.

For more news and casting you can visit the official Morganville Vampires THE SERIES website, and LIKE them on Facebook!

Throwback Thursday (2): Kick Ass Chicks

The realm of kick ass chicks is one we all have visited once or twice, but there are still so much more options out there. So many kick ass chicks waiting to be found, so many stories left to be read..

In this post, every Thursday, I showcase TWO titles of my own choosing. One will be a title I read, one will be a title that is currently seating on my TBR pile collecting e-dust. Every week I will have a different theme to this post, like for example today's showcase is about 2010 YA titles. Mind you, after a while the themes might just repeat, but who cares as long as the titles stay fresh?

Prophecy
by Ellen Oh
Goodreads Rating: 3.43
Published January 13th, 2013, by HarperTeen

The greatest warrior in all of the Seven Kingdoms... is a girl with yellow eyes.

Kira’s the only female in the king’s army, and the prince’s bodyguard. She’s a demon slayer and an outcast, hated by nearly everyone in her home city of Hansong. And, she’s their only hope...

Murdered kings and discovered traitors point to a demon invasion, sending Kira on the run with the young prince. He may be the savior predicted in the Dragon King Prophecy, but the missing treasure of myth may be the true key. With only the guidance of the cryptic prophecy, Kira must battle demon soldiers, evil shaman, and the Demon Lord himself to find what was once lost and raise a prince into a king.

Intrigue and mystery, ancient lore and action-packed fantasy come together in this heart-stopping first book in a trilogy.

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Why I STILL want to read this title: We all need warrior women in our lives. I've read a lot of reviews by friends as well

Grave Mercy
by Robin LaFevers
REVIEW here
Goodreads Rating: 3.96
Published April 3rd 2012 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Why be the sheep, when you can be the wolf?

Seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters still serve the gods of old. Here she learns that the god of Death Himself has blessed her with dangerous gifts—and a violent destiny. If she chooses to stay at the convent, she will be trained as an assassin and serve as a handmaiden to Death. To claim her new life, she must destroy the lives of others.

Ismae’s most important assignment takes her straight into the high court of Brittany—where she finds herself woefully under prepared—not only for the deadly games of intrigue and treason, but for the impossible choices she must make. For how can she deliver Death’s vengeance upon a target who, against her will, has stolen her heart?

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I read it, and I might even read it again: This book was AWESOME. And the sequels are JUST as good. Ismae is the kind of kick ass chick that stays with you, and Robin LaFevers is a fantastic writer. Cannot wait for Mortal Heart. 

Anyways, I hope I brushed off some dust from some of your titles that are in TBR status. Hopefully I made you remember of those that fell through the cracks, and if anything made you aware of some oldies that are still very much relevant and dying to be read. If you have any suggestions, recommendations, please leave them in the comments!

YA Review: The Shadow Prince (Into the Dark #1) by Bree Despain

Title: The Shadow Prince
Author: Bree Despain
Series: Into the Dark
Book #: 1
Pages: 512
Reading Level: YA
Book Rating: .5
Goodreads Rating: 3.78
Published: April 1st, 2014

Haden Lord, the disgraced prince of the Underrealm, has been sent to the mortal world to entice a girl into returning with him to the land of the dead. Posing as a student at Olympus Hills High—a haven for children of the rich and famous—Haden must single out the one girl rumored to be able to restore immortality to his race.

Daphne Raines has dreams much bigger than her tiny southern Utah town, so when her rock star dad suddenly reappears, offering her full tuition to Olympus Hills High’s prestigious music program, she sees an opportunity to catch the break she needs to make it as a singer. But upon moving into her estranged father’s mansion in California, and attending her glamorous new school, Daphne soon realizes she isn’t the only student in Olympus who doesn’t quite belong.

Haden and Daphne—destined for each other—know nothing of the true stakes their fated courtship entails. As war between the gods brews, the teenagers’ lives collide. But Daphne won’t be wooed easily and when it seems their prophesied link could happen, Haden realizes something he never intended—he’s fallen in love. Now to save themselves, Haden and Daphne must rewrite their destinies. But as their destinies change, so do the fates of both their worlds.

Taschima's POV:

While I might not be the biggest fan of The Dark Divine I am a proud supporter os The Shadow Prince. Wow! Bree Despain managed to create not one but TWO interesting worlds in one read, and two distinct voices that propel you to read well into the night. Shadow prince is full of secrets, magic, and conflict.

Haden was a prince in the underworld, that is until he did something to piss off his father. Ever since then Haden has been subject to ridicule and mistreatment. Nobody vouches for him and the underworld people think of him as a fool, a nobody. Haden thus feels the need to prove himself more strongly than others. In an unexpected turn of events (for Haden anyways) the oracle chooses Haden in order to be a champion and complete a quest that will send Haden topside in order to bring back a Boon to the underworld (which is a human girl).

Daphne, said Boon, is a musical prodigy. She sings like an angel, even without having any sort of professinal training, and can hear the symphony inside all living things. She also has a famous father, who is a rock legend, and who decides out of the blue to take custody over Daphne in order to send her to the most private musical school in the country. Little does Daphne know that she is about to get more than she bargains for when she arrives unto said school.. and unto Haden's line of sight.

Haden can be an ass. I'll say it. At the beginning of the story he wants to prove himself so much that he does so by acting like a complete asshole, which is good conduct in the underworld. Once he goes topside he gets better, and it is hilarious to see him trying to acclimate to the rules of above. Seeing act human, and try to get the girl.

"You want to call me Father?" he says. "To be my heir? To have your honor restored?"
"Yes," I hiss through gritted teeth.
"Then you bring this girl to me," he says, squeezing the wound he's carved into my arm. It takes every last bit of strength I have not to scream . "You return victorious, and I will crown you as my heir and allow you to call me Father once again. But if you do not bring her to me when the gate between the Underrealm and the mortal world reopens in six month's time, then mark my words, your hair is not the only thing you will lose."

He is BASICALLY Zuko, for those of you who have watched Avatar: The Last Airbender. He wants to make up for this ridiculous thing he did when he was a kid that his father has always held agaisnt him, and changes his entire personality to please his father...

"I've always been able to read people by the tones and sounds that come off them-but at the moment, I wish I couldn't.

Daphne on the other hand was too good to be true. I mean, she was perfect. She is a saint, and a prodigy at music, and has a special musical power where she can hear the song of everything around her... It's too much sometimes. She has not ONE single flaw. I just wanted her to maybe be a bit more relatable. She seemed too far out of  reach, too surreal.

"You're a natural blond, naturally fit- hello, all the mayonnaise on that sandwhich- and most of all, you're a natural singer. I , on the other hand, have to go to a stylist every six weeks to keep my hair color fabulous, do an hour of pilates every morning to look this rocking, and I've had six different vocal coaches since I was five years old. Don't get me wrong, I know I'm talented, but I've had to work to get this voice. You just have it."

It says something when you have to agree with the bitch of the story.

The relationship between Daphne and one of Olympus High's students, Tobin, was a bit too easy to believe. They meet while casting for this role on a school play and he just looks at her from accross the theater and immediately decides they are going to be best buddies forever. Seriously? She isn't even trying to be friendly, people just seem to flock to her. Everybody of course except the queen bees of the school. Sigh, really?

Another thing, this novel is a big advertising venue for IPODS, IPADS, IPHONES... I ANYTHING. Also, Youtube and SWAROSKI crystals. A lot of scenes read like advertisement, and maybe it is or isn't, but if you are to advertise something it shouldn't be so obvious.

"It's an iPhone," he says. "And it's the most important tool you'll need in the mortal world."

Overall though, I enjoyed it. A lot. I enjoyed the new spin on the old tale of Persephone and Hades. I can see this series going places, interesting and exciting places. So I recommend it, and I will be picking up the second in the series because I am sure that it will be worth my time, not to mention money ;)

Review: Salvage by Alexandra Duncan

Title: Salvage
Author: Alexandra Duncan
Series: n/a
Book #: 1
Pages: 520
Reading Level: YA
Book Rating: 
Goodreads Rating: 3.89
Published: April 1st, 2014

Ava, a teenage girl living aboard the male-dominated deep space merchant ship Parastrata, faces betrayal, banishment, and death. Taking her fate into her own hands, she flees to the Gyre, a floating continent of garbage and scrap in the Pacific Ocean, in this thrilling, surprising, and thought-provoking debut novel that will appeal to fans of Across the Universe, by Beth Revis, and The Handmaid's Tale, by Margaret Atwood.

Taschima's POV:

Salvage was a surprisingly fantastic read! I mean when I read the summary I was interested, and the cover isn't half bad, but I didn't expect to like it this much, like reading for hours on end and only taking a break to eat liked it.This serious level of like is attributed to the story— it is fresh and unlike any other in the YA universe lately. It is an exciting read that will keep you up way past your bed time.

Ava is an outsider in her own ship. While she has lived in the Parastrata her whole life her grandfather came from the lowly planet Earth, therefore Ava has to work twice as hard to fit in due to her dark exotic looks. Everything was going well for Ava until the night before she was intended to marry, where one small mistake made out of love cost her her entire life. Betrayed and hunted Ava must run away to the last place she thinks she will be able to survive, Earth. With the help of a few true friends however Ava is able to escape the confines of the Parastrata ship and face a whole new set of obstacles in a world she barely even knows.

I loved how different Salvage is. It is refreshing and it deals with a lot of heavy issues. Out of the norm is the best way to describe Salvage. Ava is this barely there girl who does as she is said to do because she lives in this male dominated world aboard the Parastrata. In there the males are encouraged, and even expected, to take multiple wives, they get the coolest jobs (technological jobs for the most part), and they get to just be without looking over their shoulders. Ava buys into all of this of course, she was raised on the principles, but once she makes her escape and starts to learn about the real world her believes change right along with her. In Salvage there is a lot of character development that's for sure. I guess Ava is, at the end of the day, someone you learn to respect and really care for.

Of course not everything is perfect. For one thing the language can grate on your nerves. I know the author is trying to create her own world and the language is a part of that but instead of making me dive deeper into the world whenever a new phrase would pop up it would automatically snap me out of the reading trance. Infuriating? Yes, but you can learn how to live with it.

Salvage was a big project to take on for a debut author. It isn't simply about going on a straight forward journey and saving the world or a realm. It's more about going on a journey to find one's self worth, learning about the world and it's many faces and circumstances. And the ending? Was just perfect! I loved it, it tied everything up very nicely. As a stand alone novel it managed a lot, and made me interested in any future projects Alexandra Duncan might do.I recommend it wholeheartedly.