Tuesday, July 26, 2011

(Book Blog Tour) A Season of Transformation by Jayne Fordham (Review+Interview+Giveaway)

Genre:Young Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance
Publication.Date  March 31st 2011
Pages:258
Published By:  Jayne Fordham
WebsiteJayne Fordham

A Season of Transformation- Goodreads
My review copy:eBook from the author (thank you!)
Where to get: Lulu | Amazon





     A Season of Transformation is a young adult fantasy/ romance novel set in the contemporary world. It is the story of five young people drawn together to complete a Quest, to protect their town from destruction. In order to defeat the story’s villain, Maxvale, the five virtual strangers must come together and not only forge a bond of trust but become proficient with the ‘abilities’ temporarily bestowed upon them.

In the midst of the lead up to the battle each of the young people has their own personal struggles they are trying to deal with. Lucas, an adopted and bitter teenager struggles to become the person he wants to be whilst developing feelings for Makenna, a rich kid who doesn’t like his attitude. Bonnie is a ‘gothic’ that is dealing with an alcoholic father, Ben the school nerd and Adam the class clown are trying to break free from their high school stereotypes. Can these five teens put their differences aside to defeat Maxvale and save their town?
(goodreads.com)





     I scan the containers stacked side by side in matching Tupperware containers. Cornflakes, Weet-bix or Coco Pops? I think I’ll go with Cornflakes today- something reasonably healthy after the whole packet of fairy floss that I shared with Tamsin and Aliysha last night. Before I reach up to grab the container I stifle a yawn and rub my eyes and try to open them up real wide to help me feel more awake.
     I scream and jump backwards when my eyes re-focus. The Cornflakes are hovering outside the cupboard… in mid air. My eyes widen.”
"She extends her arms out in front of her. Well at least it feels like she is extending out her arms. But there is nothing there. She has no visible body, no hand no arms. How could this be?"
"'Have you cast some kind of spell on us?' Adam jokingly asks Bonnie.
  'I’m a gothic, not a witch', she replies sharply, obviously not finding him very funny."



             
     A Season of Transformation by Jayne Fordham is definitely one of my favorite reads this summer!  It’s a magical story, full of super likable characters, great action and sweet romance. This book is too charming and entertaining to miss out on!

     This great new young adult fantasy/romance novel tells a story of five teenagers from Catherine Vale, Australia. They’re all classmates at the local high school, but that’s about all they have in common. In fact, having never really spoken to one another, they neither know anything about each other nor do they wish to. Makeena is beautiful, smart, rich and very popular. Bonnie is a shy “gothic chick” who doesn’t like to stand out. Lucas, abandoned by his biological parents, is the troublesome adopted kid you should stay away from. Ben is the school nerd, the smart kid who always knows the answers to teacher’s questions. And finally, there’s also Adam, the class clown, who turns everything into a joke. So what, you may ask, could possibly bring those five kids together? How about an evil spirit of eighteenth century murderer, seeking revenge on the community of Catherine Vale? Yup! That could work! Makeena, Bonnie, Lucas, Ben and Adam are suddenly drawn to each other. A mysterious power seems to be guiding them, and they discover an antique box buried in the ground. From the message in the box they learn about the dark history of their town and how their ancestors fought and defeated the cold-blooded murderer, Brian Maxvale. They also learn that he vowed to come back every hundred years to haunt and slaughter the members of the small community. How can a group of teenagers stop a vile and blood-thirsty spirit? Well, they’re not just any teenagers! The five of them have innate abilities and strength that have now been activated due to the pending threat. Can they learn to control their powers and work together as a team before the evil spirit of Maxvale returns? 

     I liked this book a lot! It was a fast and enjoyable read. Although it’s a supernatural adventure, its main focus was on the developing friendship and romance between the five protagonists and I really liked that about it. Thanks to Jayne’s flawless storytelling, the book reads smoothly and before you know it, you’ll hit the virtual back cover. Although there was some awesome action here, this wasn’t an action-packed novel, which is good, because there’s plenty of room for that in the following installments. Bringing the characters to life through vivid and detailed descriptions was, in my opinion, a brilliant move on Jayne’s part. She made them seem so real! I quickly got very attached to them and wanted to know even more about them. I just love stories like that, when you don’t feel that you’re just a passive observer, but you actually get engaged in their stories and feel what they’re feeling

     Another great thing about this book is its solid plot and character development. I really enjoyed seeing the five seemingly unrelated people come together on a quest to save their town. I liked how they were slowly getting to know each other, forming a bond that was growing stronger with every day. The way Jayne tells it is not only believable but also quite lovely and exciting. The romance part was fantastic! Makeena is such a cool chick, and I just loved seeing her fall for Lucas. They’re like the most adorable book couple ever

     Most importantly the ending was phenomenal! Jayne Fordham skillfully tied up all the loose ends, delivering a satisfying conclusion to a deliciously captivating story. I was amazed at how perfectly balanced the whole thing was, how good it felt to get to know the characters and how fun it was to follow their stories. Hands down, it’s a really great read. 

     This book definitely tickled my inner geek. I am huge on stories involving supernatural powers, quests to save the world, cool actions, evil villains, revenge, etc .. A Season of Transformation reminds me in part of Heroes (TV Show) and in part of X-Men (cartoon, movies). It also reminds me of my childhood days when I used to watch Sailor Moon over and over again. It’s cool like that! Bewitching, sweet and often touching, this book was pure fun. I am looking forward to the release of the second book in this series!





This review is posted as a part of A Season of Transformation Virtual Book Tour organized by Jayne Fordham. For more blog stops, please visit her website: HERE.


And now the interview! Please give a warm welcome to Jayne!
E: Evie
JF: Jayne Fordham

E: Welcome to Bookish Jayne! Please tell us a little bit about yourself.
JF: Hi Evie, thanks for having me. I am an Australian indie author who works as a psychologist. A Season Of Transformation is my debut novel.
E: Who or what inspired you to write A Season of Transformation?
JF: I was writing short stories and I started a couple of novels but I just couldn’t come up with something that was really interesting. I was writing a lot of 'chic lit' and I just found it a bit boring. Then I read the Twilight series, probably my first encounter with the fantasy genre. Now I am hooked! It inspired me to add something new to my usual romance novels and to bulk up the plot a bit more. I began to think about the characters and then I had the vision of the box that the teens stumble upon where their abilities were evoked. It all took off from there...
E: Do you mind telling us how long did it take for you to write your book?
JF: The first draft took only three months to write. But the first draft has certainly evolved during the past two and a half years as I edited, re-drafted and restructured the story.
E: How would you describe the A Season of Transformation in 5 words?
JF: Teenagers with powers on mission
E: Are any of your characters based on people in your own life? Which one do you feel is the most like you?
JF: No, the characters are pretty much made up. Of course there are qualities in each that I have probably taken from people in my lives. I guess I mostly relate to the protagonist Makenna. She is caring, wants to do the right thing and looks for the good in people. She is also curious about people and as a psychologist; I tend to have those qualities too. But I’m probably not as assertive as Makenna. I am also quite shy when it comes to meeting new people, so I also relate to Bonnie a bit in that respect.
E: Where is your favorite place for writing? Do you have any special writing rituals?
JF: Hmm, well a  cup of tea and chocolate usually gets me motivated to sit down and start typing. I also need a tidy desk or I find ways to procrastinate. On sunny days I like to sit outside with a pen and notebook and seek inspiration that way.7. What advice would you give to aspiring authors who are interested in writing Young Adult Fantasy/Romance novels?
Well, I am by no means an expert! If you want to write in the young adult fantasy romance genre, then I suggest you just start writing it! What's exciting about writing is that you will always learn something new along the way. It has been great receiving feedback from readers as it will help me to continually improve my work.
E: What genres do you like to read in your free time?
JF: I have fairly eclectic tastes. I enjoy romance, paranormal, general literature and I’ve recently been getting into historical romance. I also like reading memoirs.
E: Which of your favorite books would you recommend everybody to read?
JFDefinitely Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen for those who enjoy classics. Now I am going to plug some Aussie authors. Historical fiction fans should check out The Wedding Shroud by Elisabeth Storrs. Crime (chic) fiction fans should check out author Marianne Delacourt's Sharp Shooter (Tara Sharp) series, for an outback romance novel read Fleur McDonald's Red Dust and for some teenage action hunt down John Marsden's Tomorrow series. That should keep you busy for awhile!
E: Do you have any other hobbies that you enjoy?
JF: Yes, I love to play soccer. I play in a local women’s competition and it is a lot of fun!
E: If you could have a paranormal power, what power would you want and why?
JF: Ah, well there have been a few bloggers who have asked me which superpower I would like out of the five my characters have in the novel. So it's nice to have a bit more choice because if I could have any power I think I would like to fly! Then I could travel anywhere in the world without paying ridiculous airline prices! It costs a fortune to leave Australia!
Random Questions:

- white or dark chocolate? White chocolate
- coffee or tea? Tea :)
- favorite fictional character? Elizabeth Bennett (Pride and Prejudice)- strong willed, determined and stubborn!
- favorite movie? It's a tie between The Notebook and Little Women.
- favorite song? Gosh that's a tough one. Anything sung by Aussie rock band Powderfinger.

- ebook or printed copy? Definitely a printed copy. Although I have just started using my brand new Kindle and I must admit it is very convenient!

Jayne, thank you so much for joining us today!  
I'm looking forward to reading and reviewing your books!


Giveaway Time! 
Interested in winning an e-copy of A Season of Transformation?

Rules:
Open to everyone
Ends: Sunday, August 7th

*Mandatory entry: Just leave a comment on this post! That's it! :)

❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤
About the Author
Evie is the Blogger behind Bookish. She enjoys reading many different genres, especially YA, Paranormal, Contemporary Fiction and Fantasy.
She loves talking to authors and is always happy to welcome them for interviews, and guest posts. She also likes spreading the love for awesome books and  chatting with fellow book-worms.
You can find Evie here: Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Shelfari | The Library Thing

Monday, July 25, 2011

(Book Blog Tour) Airel by Aaron Patterson and Chris White (Review)

Genre:Young Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal
Publication.Date  May 1st 2011
Pages:425
Published By:  Stone House Ink
WebsiteThe Worst Book Ever - Aaron Patterson's Website

Airel- Goodreads
My review copy:Book Tour ecopy
Where to get: Barnes and Noble | Amazon





     All Airel ever wanted to be was normal, to disappear into the crowd. But bloodlines can produce surprises, like sudden mysterious illness. Then there’s Michael Alexander, the new guy in school, who is impossibly gorgeous…and captivated by her. Somewhere in the back of her mind she can hear the sound of pages turning, and another, older story being written. It is the story of an ancient family, of great warriors, of the Sword of Light, and the struggle against an evil so terrible, so far-reaching, that it threatens everything she hopes for even now. Airel knew change would be inevitable as life went on. But can she hold on when murder and darkness begin to close in and take away everything she loves? Will she have what it takes when the truth is finally revealed?
(goodreads.com)





“Sometimes I watched all the popular girls, wondering if they actually had brains or if they just ran on batteries, plugging in at night to recharge their ever-so-perfect personalities. No bitterness here.”
"Something else drew me to him. Something that felt-dangerous. It wasn't 'I'm going to be suddenly git by a bus while crossing the street' dangerous; it was more biting down hard on an achy tooth. It was a delicious pain. It was as if the universe was not only calling my number, but that I realized I had been waiting in line all this time, and I was stunned to find the ticket in my hand. I held my breath without realizing it. The feeling was overpowering."
"I don't think I want to live with the ability to vomit without any warning. It doesn't really fit into my social agenda, doc."



             
     Fallen angels sure seem poised to become the new vampires with a similarly perfect blend of delicious mystery and sexy rebellion. Airel by Aaron Patterson and Chris White is a really good read, based on a well thought-out and skillfully executed plot. With its great atmosphere, beautiful characters, intriguing setting and some truly bone chilling moments, Airel is a promising beginning to a new series

     The story follows two separate plot lines, alternating between Boise, Idaho, in the present day and Arabia in 1250 B.C.  The main protagonist of this story is a teenage girl named Airel. There’s nothing extraordinary about her. She’s smart, loves reading books and could easily get straight A’s if she wanted to, but  she prefers to stay under the radar and blend in most of the time. Although she might not be the hottest girl in school, she’s not the ugliest one either – with her petite frame, long dark hair and brown eyes, she’s actually pretty cute-looking. Popularity is the last thing on Airel’s mind, she gets all the attention she needs from her best friend, Kim, and her loving parents. She seems perfectly content with her mundane yet happy life. But this idyllic life of hers is about to change. One morning, on her way to school, she decides to drop by her favorite coffee shop and pick up a coconut latte. That’s when she first meets himthe most gorgeous guy ever. The attraction is instantaneous, and Airel can’t help falling for the handsome stranger. The mysterious hottie turns out to be her new classmate, who recently moved to the town (surprise, surprise!) and against all odds he seems to be just as fascinated with Airel, as she is with him. Sounds like a perfect love story? Well, it’s not! Something weird is happening to Airel. She’s getting more and more beautiful every day– and I don’t mean it as in I-got-myself-a-new-awesome-makeup-kit kind of way, but it’s more like a holly-crap-I-look-like-a-goddess-(yay!)  sort of thing. And as cool as it sounds, it’s not the only change Airel’s experiencing. Her wounds are healing in a matter of seconds and every once in a while she spontaneously vomits (that’s what I call a unique blend of abilities! LOL). And like that wasn’t enough, there’s also the creepy killer who’s stalking her, she starts hearing voices in her head and her new boyfriend is not exactly who he claims to be! How much crazier can it get?

     The second storyline takes place in Arabia, in 1250 B.C and follows Kreios and an ancient family of fallen angels. Kreios is a grief-stricken husband who just lost the love of his life. His wife died while giving birth to his daughter and now he must do everything in his power to protect the newborn child from the Seer. With the evil forces pursuing them, the race against time begins. Will he be able to save his daughter? 

     This book started off rather slow, but once it picks up the momentum, it can be hard to put down. There were many aspects of it that I really enjoyed, but at the same time there were quite a few things that I didn’t like. For instance, I didn’t really dig the whole love-at-first-sight thing, and not because I don’t believe in it, I just didn’t feel it. The authors were trying really hard to emphasize the strong attraction between the lead characters, but I just didn’t see this amazing chemistry between them. For absolutely no reason other than physical beauty, the two become obsessed with each other. There was a constant thought train of "Oh he’s so handsome!", "Oh I can't stop staring at him!", "Oh his eyes are so beautiful!" etc.. One minute Airel and Micheal are on their first date and then next thing you know she’s willing to risk her own life to try and protect him. And she doesn’t even know the guy! It felt rushed and unnatural, and I would much rather see their relationship developing slowly over time

     The characters are vivid and interesting, but not developed enough. It was interesting to follow their stories, but I didn’t really feel emotionally attached to them. By the end of the novel, I didn't feel as if I knew them any better than I did in the beginning, and it’s a shame, because there is plenty of wasted potential there! I feel that the authors did a good job writing from the female character’s point of view, although it wasn’t as good as what Rusty Fischer pulled off in Zombies Don’t Cry

      I think Aaron Patterson and Chris White did a fantastic job integrating both plot lines. The transitions between the present and the past were very smooth, making it easy to follow the story line without getting lost or confused. The story started off slow and at the beginning it was hard to find the connection between both plot lines, but if you keep on reading you will be rewarded with the most phenomenal ending ever. Suddenly all the pieces fall into place and you’re amazed at how well though-out the whole thing was. 

     Overall, it was a good book, with solid and enjoyable plot. Airel is definitely a promising beginning of a new, intriguing series and I can’t wait to find out where the authors will take us in the next books!





This review is posted as a part of Airel Virtual Book Tour organized by Pump Up Your Book Tours!


Here's the complete tour schedule, happy hopping! 

Monday, June 6 Book reviewed at Cafe of Dreams Book Reviews
Tuesday, June 7 Guest blogging at Literarily Speaking
Wednesday, June 8 Book reviewed at Ramblings of a Teenage Bookworm
Thursday, June 9 Book spotlighted at As the Pages Turn
Friday, June 10 Guest blogging at The Bookworm
Tuesday, June 14 Interviewed LIVE at Blog Talk Radio’s A Book and a Chat with Barry Eva
Thursday, June 16 Book reviewed at Jagged Edge Reviews
Friday, June 17 Book spotlighted at Virginia Beach Publishing Examiner
Monday, June 20 Book reviewed at Bri Clark, the Belle of Boise
Tuesday, June 21 Book reviewed at Book Reviews by Molly
Wednesday, June 22 Book reviewed at The Phantom Paragrapher
Thursday, June 23 Guest participant at Literarily Speaking’s June Book Panel
Friday, June 24 Guest blogging & Book Giveaway at Lori’s Reading Corner
Monday, June 27 Interviewed at The Writer’s Life
Tuesday, June 28 Book reviewed at Letters Written Inside Out
Wednesday, June 29 Guest blogging at Literal Exposure
Thursday, June 30 Chat with Aaron at Pump Up Your Book Live! June Chat Party!
Tuesday, July 5 Guest blogging at AllVoices
Wednesday, July 6 Book reviewed at Bookish Delights
Thursday, July 7 Guest blogging at The Book Bin
Friday, July 8 Interviewed at Bookworm Lisa
Monday, July 11 Book reviewed at Annette’s Book Nook
Wednesday, July 13 Book reviewed at Avery’s Book Nook
Thursday, July 14 Book reviewed at Courtney’s Chitter Chatter
Tuesday, July 19 Book reviewed at Community Bookstop
Wednesday, July 20 Book reviewed at Reader Girls
Thursday, July 21 Guest blogging at The Write To Make a Living
Friday, July 22 Book reviewed at The Write To Make a Living
Monday, July 25 Book reviewed at Bookish
Tuesday, July 26 Book reviewed at Sharon’s Garden of Book Reviews
                             Book reviewed at Okbolover
Wednesday, July 27 Guest blogging at Lori’s Reading Corner
                                   Book reviewed at Just Another Book Addict
Thursday, July 28 Book reviewed at Taking Time for Mommy
                               Interviewed at Young Readers at Home
Friday, July 29 Book reviewed at Young Readers at Home

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Beauty Queens by Libba Bray (Review)


Genre:Young Adult, Adventure
Publication.Date  May 24th 2011
Pages:390
Published By:  Scholastic Press
WebsiteLibba Bray | Beauty Queens

Beauty Queens - Goodreads
My review copy:Provided by the publisher (thank you!)
Where to get: Barnes and Noble | Amazon      | Book Depository


The fifty contestants in the Miss Teen Dream pageant thought this was going to be a fun trip to the beach, where they could parade in their state-appropriate costumes and compete in front of the cameras. But sadly, their airplane had another idea crashing on a desert island and leaving the survivors stranded with little food, little water, and practically no eyeliner.

What's a beauty queen to do? Continue to practice for the talent portion of the program--or wrestle snakes to the ground? Get a perfect tan--or learn to run wild? And what should happen when the sexy pirates show up?

Welcome to the heart of non-exfoliated darkness. Your tour guide? None other than Libba Bray, the hilarious, sensational, Printz Award-winning author of A Great and Terrible Beauty and Going Bovine. The result is a novel that will make you laugh, make you think, and make you never see beauty the same way again.
(goodreads.com)


It’s super creepy. Like a haunted Chuck E. Cheese’s where the games all want to kill you and you never get your pizza.
 “Why do girls always feel like they have to apologize for giving an opinion or taking up space in the world? Have you ever noticed that?” Nicole asked. “You go on websites and some girl leaves a post and if it’s longer than three sentences or she’s expressing her thoughts about some topic, she usually ends with, ‘Sorry for the rant’ or ‘That may be dumb, but that’s what I think.
The most important quality in a friend is to be yourself. Unless you’re not a very nice person. Then you should try to be somebody else.
 “When you looked up to the sky and cried “Why?” sometimes the sky shrugged. Yet other times it answered with the warm assurance of linked hands. “Sorry,” it whispered on the wind. “Sorry for all the pain and loneliness and disappointment. But there is this, too.
 “Maybe girls need an island to find themselves. Maybe they need a place where no one’s watching them so they can be who they really are.
The world expected girls to pluck and primp and put on heels. Meanwhile, boys dressed in rumpled T-shirts and baggy pants and misplaced their combs, and yet you were supposed to fall at their feet? Unacceptable.
 “What's your favorite color?
Tiara's eyes darted left and right in fear and her smile was strained.
"Um. Thank you, Fabio. I personally believe that we have a duty such as...as Americans...to help other people who are not Americans such as the peoples of the China and the Alaska and the freedoms we enjoy in our great nation and such and that is my opinion which I personally believe will make us a stronger nation. Thank you.
Adina squeezed her hands against her head. "What are you even saying? You just made my brain die a little. You know, people, just beautiful isn't enough."

     
     What happens when a plane full of teenage beauty pageant contestants crashes on a deserted island? What if the supposedly deserted island is not deserted at all and there is something very suspicious going on there? Ever since I first read the synopsis of Beauty Queens by Libba Bray, I knew I had to get my hands on this novel. It sounded like a perfect summer read that had it all: a broad cast of interesting characters, dynamic action, masterfully crafted satire and plenty of good entertainment. I haven’t read any of Libba’s previous novels, and I started reading Beauty Queens knowing nothing about her writing style. To tell you the truth, this book exceeded all my expectations. I knew it was going to be fun, but I never expected to find depth and three-dimensional complexity in this book. What a pleasant surprise that was!

      This book begins with a plane crush. The Corporation’s Miss Teen Dream plane, with 50 beaming girls on board, is on its way to Paradise Cove, where the Forty First Annual Miss Teen Pageant will be taking place. It’s supposed to be a fun trip to the beach, where the girls will get to film their cute promotional videos, ride the waterslides, and practice their performance numbers. But then something goes wrong. There is an explosion and a lot of smoke, and then next thing they know, they’re falling, tumbling through the air and landing in the mound of warm sand. Only 13 of the girls survive the crash and if you think that’s the end of their problems.. well, you’re wrong! They’re stuck on a deserted (?) island, with very little food and even less survival skills. Is this every beauty queen’s worst nightmare or the beginning of a life-changing adventure? Well, you’ll just going to have to read it and find out!

     I had so much fun reading Beauty Queens! It was exciting and witty, and although I didn’t feel the need to stay up all night to finish it, it held my attention up until the last page. It’s definitely a book for people who can appreciate a good satire. And what a satire that was! I was deeply impressed with the way Libba Bray constructed this novel.  She crafted a deep, thought-provoking story that is absolutely hilarious and entertaining at the same time.  She tackled some heavy (and very relevant) subjects, like sexuality, gender, racism, self-worth, standards of beauty and objectification of women, and she did all that in a very subtle, enjoyable way. Honestly, I don’t know how she made this work. Just the idea of pampered teenage beauty queens stranded in wilderness and being forced to fight for survival was exhilarating to me. Add to that a skillfully incorporated pop culture satire and you’ll get a one-of-a-kind reading experience that not only makes you laugh, but also causes you to stop and think.  

     Every character in this book has a unique and compelling story to tell. As we learn more and more about each beauty queen, we begin to understand the motives behind their decisions to join the pageant. It’s really easy to get emotionally attached to them. I was amazed at how fast Libba’s characters grew on me, I never anticipated that (not a huge fan of air-headed look-at-me-I’m-perfect teenage girls). Thankfully, these girls turned out to be so much more than just pretty faces and beautiful bodies. Each one of them added something essential to the story. In the end I couldn’t decide which character was my favorite, I liked them all so very much! 

     Overall, this was a deliciously fun read. Fresh, unique, full of unexpected twists and wittiness, this book is a perfect summer read. Don’t hesitate to pick it up, you won’t regret!

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer (Nightshade series #2) (Review)


Genre:Young Adult, Paranormal Romance
Publication.Date  July 26th 2011
Pages:400
Published By:  Philomel (Penguin)
WebsiteAndrea Cremer  | Nightshade series
Nightshade - Goodreads
My review copy:ARC received from the publisher
Where to get: Barnes and Noble | Amazon | Book Depository


     This thrilling sequel to the much-talked-about Nightshade begins just where it ended-Calla Tor wakes up in the lair of the Searchers, her sworn enemy, and she's certain her days are numbered. But then the Searchers make her an offer-one that gives her the chance to destroy her former masters and save the pack-and the man-she left behind. Is Ren worth the price of her freedom? And will Shay stand by her side no matter what? Now in control of her own destiny, Calla must decide which battles are worth fighting and how many trials true love can endure and still survive.
(goodreads.com)


What if I could choose my own fate?
 I’d risked everything to save Shay. And I’d do it again in a heartbeat if it meant I could get back to my packmates. If I could save them.
“You don’t want to do that,” he said, stepping into my line of sight.
I answered with a growl.
And you don’t want to find out what I’m capable of when I’m cornered.

 "Are you sure she's an alpha?" Connor asked, tucking me against his chest when I stirred. "She doesn't look that tough"
(about Shay)"Oh, horrors, I've angered The Great One", Connor said. "Will I ever gain his forgiveness?" 
    
     Wolfsbane is the highly anticipated second installment of the Nightshade series by Andrea Cremer. It picks up exactly where the first novel left off. Those of you who have read Nightshade surely remember the heart stopping cliffhanger ending. Well, I don’t know about you, but for me it was almost as nerve-wrecking as the ending of Catching Fire (The Hunger Games #2). Talk about frustration! Ever since I read Nightshade, I have been dying to find out what happens next! What will happen to Calla and Shay? What about Ren? Who will Calla choose? So many questions and practically no answers! 

     Oh, how I’ve missed the world of Nightshade! I was very excited to get an ARC of Wolfsbane and just couldn’t wait to dive into it. You know how you sometimes read a book and you love everything about it? How sometimes the story, the setting, all the characters and the amazing chemistry between them is so irresistible that you can’t put the book down? And then you get so engrossed in the world created by the author, you get attached to the characters and you want more, more and more of it, and you end up being a total book-junkie, with blood-shot eyes, reading to the late night hours? And even taking a five minute break to fix yourself a meal or comb your messy hair, or pick up the phone that’s been ringing for the past 3 hours just seems like a total waste of time? Well, Wolfsbane is THAT kind of book. Just like me, you’ll be turned into a couch-zombie, frantically turning the pages to find out what happens next. 

     Was it as good as Nightshade? Yes, definitely. In many ways it was even better!  Because it’s the second book in the series, reading it felt like meeting a good old friend you haven’t seen in a long time. For me, it was a very sweet reunion. Calla is a great character. Actually, she’s one of my top favorite female lead characters ever. She’s strong, brave, beautiful, charismatic and sexy. She’s not afraid to follow her heart and fight for what she believes to be right. Yes, her indecisiveness sometimes annoys me, but I can’t really blame her for not being able to choose between gorgeous Ren and intriguing Shay – it’s not an easy decision! She’s tough yet very compassionate and full of passion, and this complexity of her character makes me like her even more. The same goes for all the other characters, and if you enjoyed the rich kaleidoscope of protagonists in Nightshade, you’re going to love Wolfsbane! If the first book was focused mainly on the Guardians’ world, and we got to know many Nightshades and Banes, the second book is all about introducing us to Searchers. And you know what?! They’re freakin’ awesome! Each one of them is essential to the story. Moreover, they’re unique and likeable and it’s all too easy to get emotionally attached to them. 

     Andrea Cremer knows exactly which strings to pull to elicit a strong emotional response from the reader. Wolfsbane is a perfectly balanced read. I’ve heard people complaining that Wolfsbane is slow-moving and yes, it’s not exactly what you’d call an action-packed read but, in my opinion, that’s a good thing. Andrea chose quality over quantity, serving us some well-thought-out and totally unpredictable twists and absolutely gut-wrenching actions. The story flows effortlessly from page one to the end. What I loved the most is that, unlike many YA novels out there, Wolfsbane actually makes sense. As we go deeper into the story, we learn more about the Guardians and their history, we discover the origins of the conflict between Searchers and Keepers, and we begin to connect all the dots. I don’t care much for writers who don’t bother explaining anything. Sure, I like action and unexpected turns, but I want it to be based on a solid plot. That’s exactly what we get here. Nightshade left us with a jaw-dropping cliffhanger and a bunch of loose ends, and I’m really glad that, instead of adding even more questions, Andrea provided us with some answers.  

     Another thing I really appreciate in YA books, is when the author is not afraid to kill some of his/her characters. No, I am not telling you who died, you’re going to have to read it and find out! Like I said, Cremer knows exactly which strings to pull to play on reader’s emotions! 

     My only complaint about Wolfsbane would be: not enough of Ren! He’s mentioned here and there, mostly as Calla’s mental chastity belt, but physically he appears only once and that’s definitely not enough for me.  I hope to see plenty more of him in Bloodrose

     Overall, I really loved reading Wolfsbane. It was an engrossing, sexy read and I can’t wait to find out how this story will end. I was blown away by both Andrea Cremer’s writing style and her ability to make  me care for her characters and feel what they’re feeling. This book moved me in a way that few novels have. I’m hopelessly in love with Nightshade world. 


What's next?








Bloodrose by Andrea Cremer (Book #3 in Nightshade series)
Expected publication: February 21st 2012 by Philomel

Is true love worth the ultimate sacrifice?
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...