Book Review: The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa

The Iron Knight (Iron Fey #4)

By Julie Kagawa

Release Date: October 26th, 2011

Number of Pages: 361

Format: Paperback

Source: Bought

Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Blurb from Goodreads:

Ash, former prince of the Winter Court, gave up everything. His title, his home, even his vow of loyalty. All for a girl… and all for nothing.

Unless he can earn a soul.

To cold, emotionless faery prince Ash, love was a weakness for mortals and fools. His own love had died a horrible death, killing any gentler feelings the Winter prince might have had. Or so he thought.

Then Meghan Chase—a half human, half fey slip of a girl— smashed through his barricades, binding him to her irrevocably with his oath to be her knight. And when all of Faery nearly fell to the Iron fey, she severed their bond to save his life. Meghan is now the Iron Queen, ruler of a realm where no Winter or Summer fey can survive.

With the (unwelcome) company of his archrival, Summer Court prankster Puck, and the infuriating cait sith Grimalkin, Ash begins a journey he is bound to see through to its end— a quest to find a way to honor his solemn vow to stand by Meghan’s side.

To survive in the Iron realm, Ash must have a soul and a mortal body. But the tests he must face to earn these things are impossible. At least, no one has ever passed to tell the tale.

And then Ash learns something that changes everything. A truth that turns reality upside down, challenges his darkest beliefs and shows him that, sometimes, it takes more than courage to make the ultimate sacrifice.

My Review:

I.Am.Left.Breathless.

It has been an amazingly wondrous magical journey. I feel so sad and yet happy that I have reached the end of my Iron Fey journey. The Iron Knight has been insightful where we, as readers and fans of Team Ash, got to delve deeper into the very essence and being of Ash. Why, how, what. The questions that swirled within me, they were cleared up in this book. I'm so proud of Ash.

He has bravely overcome all obstacles and pains to gain a soul. Not only that, to prove to everyone and most importantly himself - a chance for Meghan and him to really have a life together. I'm feeling rather sorrowful having to bade Ash, Meghan, Puck, Grim and the rest of the Fey folks farewell. *sniffles*

But, I'm a little comforted over the news that there will be a spin-off series focusing on Ethan Chase, Meghan's cute brother, as the protagonist. I'm really looking forward to it but at the mean time, I shall indulge myself in the bonus content included in the paperback copy of The Iron Knight. *I smell blood! (Scurries off to bonus content)

Book Review: The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa

The Iron Daughter (Iron Fey #2)

By Julie Kagawa

Release Date: August 1st, 2010

Number of Pages: 359

Format: Paperback

Source: Bought

Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Blurb from Goodreads:

Half Summer faery princess, half human, Meghan has never fit in anywhere. Deserted by the Winter prince she thought loved her, she is prisoner to the Winter faery queen. As war looms between Summer and Winter, Meghan knows that the real danger comes from the Iron fey—ironbound faeries that only she and her absent prince have seen. But no one believes her.

Worse, Meghan's own fey powers have been cut off. She's stuck in Faery with only her wits for help. Trusting anyone would be foolish. Trusting a seeming traitor could be deadly. But even as she grows a backbone of iron, Meghan can't help but hear the whispers of longing in her all-too-human heart.

My Review:

Breathtaking. Thrilling. Heartstopping. The stakes are higher than before. The Iron Daughter is a fantastic spin of action, romance and heartbreaks. Meghan was a mess in the first few chapters of the story. She was crying a lot in The Iron Daughter but thank god she snapped out of it and was the old Meghan we all loved again.

Ash is brilliant as always. I love how the challenges, obstacles and conflicts he faced in his relationship with Meghan were played out. It breaks my heart and there are questions swirling in me wanting answers.

Puck is the joker of the group. He is simply adorable and awesome as always. Although I do love him, my heart belongs to Ash.

All the characters that were in the first book are back: Grimm, Ironhorse and as well as new characters.

And I am so fond of Ethan, Meghan's cute 4 yo brother. Although his scenes were brief, he has always left a deep impression upon me. I can't wait to read the spinoff series focusing on an older him.

The Iron Daughter was simply wonderful. The pace was fast and 'read till' can't put it down' exhilarating. The Iron Fey series is a simply MUST read. Go grab it now!

Book Review: The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

The Iron King (Iron Fey #1)

By Julie Kagawa

Release Date: February 1st, 2010

Number of Pages: 363

Format: Paperback

Source: Bought

Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Blurb from Goodreads:

Meghan Chase has a secret destiny; one she could never have imagined.

Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan's life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school or at home.

When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she's known is about to change.

But she could never have guessed the truth - that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she'll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil no faery creature dare face; and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart.

My Review:

The story was a little slow going in the beginning. I found myself slogging through Part I. Fortunately things got better when all the actions started. Okay. I'm admitting it. Mostly when Ash made his appearance. Grim and Puck are funny characters. They were the antidepressant pills in the story.

The story has a depressing and dark atmosphere. Not much romance. Julie gave very brief but boy oh boy, very tension filled chemistry between Meghan and Ash. She really knows how to make us go "AHHHHH..I want moreee!!!!"

All in all, a pretty good read if you prefer action to romance.

Book Review: Nevermore by Kelly Creagh

Nevermore (Nevermore #1)

By Kelly Creagh

Release Date: August 31st, 2010

Number of Pages: 543

Format: Hardcover

Source: Bought

Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Blurb from Goodreads:

Cheerleader Isobel Lanley is horrified when she is paired with Varen Nethers for an English project, which is due—so unfair—on the day of the rival game. Cold and aloof, sardonic and sharp-tongued, Varen makes it clear he’d rather not have anything to do with her either. But when Isobel discovers strange writing in his journal, she can’t help but give this enigmatic boy with the piercing eyes another look.

Soon, Isobel finds herself making excuses to be with Varen. Steadily pulled away from her friends and her possessive boyfriend, Isobel ventures deeper and deeper into the dream world Varen has created through the pages of his notebook, a realm where the terrifying stories of Edgar Allan Poe come to life.

As her world begins to unravel around her, Isobel discovers that dreams, like words, hold more power than she ever imagined, and that the most frightening realities are those of the mind. Now she must find a way to reach Varen before he is consumed by the shadows of his own nightmares.

His life depends on it.

My Review:

**Minor Spoilers Ahead. You have been warned! Proceed at your own risk**

Oh. My. Freakin'. Good. Lord. I can't breathe. My heart just stopped beating when I turned the last page. It is such a beautifully written story. So poetic. So in tune with every cell and fiber of my being. The story flowed so fluidly and never was there a dull moment. At every page, the anticipation and adrenaline built up inside me. I was hooked to the spine of this book like how Isobel was hooked to Varen. How my heart aches just to think and utter his name.

The ending totally killed me. My heart was shattered into a million pieces. Waiting for a whole freakin' year - 2012 - just to read about Isobel and - owww - Varen again is totally driving me insane. I can't stop thinking about it. I can't stop staring at the hauntingly breathtaking cover. I so love the way Kelly Creagh crafted her story. So beautiful. So heartachingly gorgeous.

The characters and their relationships are so well written. So natural. She made you fall in love in the process - just like Isobel. Never in my literature life have I ever imagine to be so provoked over a Goth/Horror/Paranormal novel. So unforgettable. Isobel and Gwen. What can I say? They totally kickass. Go Girls! Danny oh Danny. Though you appear less, but you totally stole my attention. Varen Nethers. God.

Oh yeah..I forgot to thank Mr.Poe. My hugest gratitude to you. If it weren't for you, Varen and Isobel will cease to exist. And so will this book and its mind blowing contents.

And now I shall torture those who haven't read this book with a few teasers.

She'd never been kissed like that before - like the shell of her soul had evaporated.

My beautiful, my Isobel. My Love. You

ask me to wait. And so I wait.

For all of this, I know, is but a dream.

And when, in sleep, at last we wake,

I will see you again.

Book Review: The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer (Mara Dyer #1)

By Michelle Hodkin

Release Date: September 27th, 2011

Number of Pages: 452

Format: Hardcover

Source: Bought

Rating: ♥ ♥ 1/2

Blurb from Goodreads:

Mara Dyer doesn't think life can get any stranger than waking up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there.

It can.

She believes there must be more to the accident she can't remember that killed her friends and left her mysteriously unharmed.

There is.

She doesn't believe that after everything she's been through, she can fall in love.

She's wrong.

My Review:

It was between a 'it was ok' and 'like it' rating.

Erm, how do I start?! The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer was one insane mindtwist. When I started reading, I was haunted with so many questions and confusions over Mara and her hallucinations(if they were even that to began with). But by the end of the book, instead of being blessed with revelations and light at the mouth of the dark tunnel, I was further confounded. Not that those weren't good things. They were as I enjoyed the psychological twists but the whole thing just befuddled me and I had no idea what was real and what was just hallucinations. It left me musing whether this was a paranormal scenario like X-Files or it was just a psychological drama.

I can say that I did enjoy all the creepiness, the dead bodies and all the mysteries surrounding Mara *X-File or Criminal Minds music plays*. But...yes, there's a BIG but. BUT, I could already figure out that Mara possessed a super deadly power when she viscerally killed her next victim. Ah! The effects of reading too much mystery stories. Joy!

On the other hand, I did not see that coming concerning Noah. I really didn't. A bonus point there.

I also enjoyed the banters between Mara and Noah. They were very entertaining and I liked Mara a lot better when she was around Noah and her brothers because when alone, she tend to be all emo and stuff. I really liked her brothers though. They were such refreshing characters that helped lightened the dark aura of the book.

All in all, I was slightly let down as there were so much high expectations and hype for this book(note the awesome cover!). Also, my enthusiams for it were dampened by all the different things being mixed and concocted till' you don't know what the final results were supposed to be. Nevertheless, Michelle Hodkin did do a great job for mushing my brains - in a good way - and I applaud her for that.

Trailer:

Book Review: The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud

The Amulet of Samarkand (The Bartimaeus Trilogy #1)

By Jonathan Stroud

Release Date: May 12th, 2004

Number of Pages: 462

Format: Paperback

Source: Bought

Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Blurb from Goodreads:

Nathaniel is a magician's apprentice, taking his first lessons in the arts of magic. But when a devious hot-shot wizard named Simon Lovelace ruthlessly humiliates Nathaniel in front of his elders, Nathaniel decides to kick up his education a few notches and show Lovelace who's boss. With revenge on his mind, he summons the powerful djinni, Bartimaeus. But summoning Bartimaeus and controlling him are two different things entirely, and when Nathaniel sends the djinni out to steal Lovelace's greatest treasure, the Amulet of Samarkand, he finds himself caught up in a whirlwind of magical espionage, murder, and rebellion.

My Review:

It took some getting use to fully immerse myself in the world Stroud created. My mind tended to focus on a Victorian era London and I had to constantly remind myself that this was a modern London, ruled by magicians and their systems. The writing style and characterisation just gave off that Victorian feel.

Bartimaeus was an extremely unscrupulous djinn with an attitude to boot. He really had me laughing at all his quips and smart retorts. He really is something altogether.

Nathaniel was a veeeeeery determined and stubborn magician's apprentice. But I have to give him credit for his brilliance in absorbing knowledge and guts in his actions.

As I've commented in my goodreads status, it really frustrated me when knowing he was going to be a great magician some day but at the moment, he was young, lonely and rather helpless at the hands of Lovelace and even those boys+girl without Barti around. Again, I had to chastise myself that he was only 12 y/o but had managed to accomplish a rather disastrous feat.

Overall, The Amulet of Samarkand was an enjoyable and hilarious read.

Book Review: From Bad to Cursed by Katie Alender

From Bad to Cursed (Bad Girls Don't Die #2)

By Katie Alender

Release Date: June 14th, 2011

Number of Pages: 442

Format: Hardcover

Source: Bought

Rating: ♥ ♥ 1/2

Blurb from Goodreads:

Alexis is the last girl you'd expect to sell her soul. She already has everything she needs--an adorable boyfriend, the perfect best friend, and a little sister who's finally recovering after being possessed by an evil spirit, then institutionalized.

Alexis is thrilled when her sister joins a club; new friends are just what Kasey needs. It's strange, though, to see how fast the girls in The Sunshine Club go from dorky and antisocial to gorgeous and popular. Soon Alexis learns that the girls have pledged an oath to a seemingly benevolent spirit named Aralt. Worried that Kasey's in over her head again, Alexis and her best friend Megan decide to investigate by joining the club themselves. At first, their connection with Aralt seems harmless. Alexis trades in her pink hair and punky clothes for a mainstream look, and quickly finds herself reveling in her newfound elegance and success.

Instead of fighting off the supernatural, Alexis can hardly remember why she joined in the first place. Surely it wasn't to destroy Aralt...why would she hurt someone who has given her so much, and asked for so little in return?

My Review:

I didn't enjoy this as much as Bad Girls Don't Die. It didn't hold my interest like I expected it too. I found myself irritated at Alexis and losing my interest by the time I was almost halfway through. And I did the guilty thing - I sped read the rest. Urgh! Alexis was so, so, so self-absorbed, smug and downright snobbish (in a way) in the book. I got so irritated with her and all my liking for her in the first book flew out the window. Poor Carter! I have to agree with him to what he said to Alexis at the end of the book.

Alexis was so full of herself that she fell into a trap that she knew better not to. It could have been avoided but no! she was cocky and now everything's a huge mess which was worst than what happened in Bad Girls Don't Die. Alexis needs to learn to have faith and trust in those that care about her. She needs to learn to ask for help instead of bearing the responsibility and doing it all on her own.

Kasey was really likable in this book and Alexis was treating her like some suspect in a murder case from the start and I felt like slapping her. Gosh! Can't she be a sister instead of questioning and suspecting everything Kasey does? Fine, Kasey got herself into a mess before and hardly any blame could be put on Alexis's treatment to Kasey but still, she could be gentler in her ways.

I wish Carter could have played a bigger role in this book as he was hardly involved in anything in the first book. I feel like Carter was just an accessory. His romance with Alexis is sweet but not convincing and deep enough. I was hoping for progress as they only became an item at the end of the first book but instead, it went downhill here. And I still haven't commented on the plot? It's infuriating and my mind kept wandering off somewhere else. It's a merry-go-round, going in circles and tumbling down to the same thing. It reminds of the famous nursery rhyme Ring Around the Rosie. Let's sing along folks!

Ring-a-ring-a-roses,

A pocket full of posies;

Hush! hush! hush! hush!

We’re all tumbled down.

Nevertheless, I will still continue on with the series as I'm curious as to how the events will turn out. The cliffhanger at the end was good enough to make any readers curious.