Book Review: Iron Fey #4: The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa

RATING:

My name—my True Name—is Ashallayn’darkmyr Tallyn.I am the last remaining son of Mab, Queen of the Unseelie Court. And I am dead to her.My fall began, as many stories do, with a girl…

 

 Book 1: The Iron King review

Book 2: The Iron Daughter review

Book 3: The Iron Queen review

*****

 IMMEASURABLE.

The Iron Knight left me in awe. Ash was bared like you’ve never seen him before: indecisive, faltering, broken. But the resilience of his character and the relentless pursuit of his happiness ultimately marked this finale as one of the most satisfying fey series EVER. I uber-love the Epilogue – it was so full of wonder, victory, and possibilities. Julie Kagawa, thank you for dedicating this book to Team Ash. I, for one, was moved. I thought I knew my Winter Prince; guess I was wrong. But how i revel at my mistake!

Ash (together with Puck, Grimalkin and two other surprising companions) went out to seek a soul so he can be with Meghan (now, the Iron Queen). What started out as a quest for true love turned out to be an eye opener for the former son of Mab. He was ridiculed for wanting a soul to become human. Does he even know what it’s like to become one? No. But his vow to find Meghan ties his essence; breaking it would mean death. Uhh… did Meghan changed him? because I could not see the Unseelie Prince anywhere in this book (okay, maybe once). His character was developed as though he was human already. I’m not ranting – just sayin’ that there are times that i found Ash unfaithful to Meghan, and thought that he was only bound by duty and the promise he made, not by his love for the Iron Queen. Oh well, i still love him. And i will say that nothing compares to what Ash went through. NOTHING.

I love Puck’s flippancy contrasting Ash’s grimness. I hate Grimalkin in this book, though. I will grudgingly admit that i love the ‘dog’ far more than the ‘cat’. First half was one amazing adventure after another, i could not almost keep up! Second half was sorrowful but understanding and peace came in the end. It was very, very nice.

The Iron Knight is on a somber note compared to the first 3 books. There are times i felt helpless and defenseless like Ash. But when Kagawa wove her magic to wrap up the ending, it was exactly as i wanted it! *sigh* So which love is greater: Meghan’s or Ash’s? After reading this book, I’d say…Ash’s.

Publisher: Harlequin

Imprint: HarlequinTeen

Pub Date: 10/25/2011

 Thank you NetGalley and Lisa Wray for granting my galley request.

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.: maria :.

“giving up is the ultimate tragedy.”

Spooktacular Giveaway Hop: International

 

[This giveaway hop is hosted by I Am a Reader, Not A Writer and The Diary of a Bookworm.]

I will order one book (from The Book Depository) from this list for ONE lucky winner!

RULES:

• Must subscribe to this blog via Email or RSS feed (You will find the subscribe button on topmost left sidebar of my blog – click the SIGN ME UP! or FEEDBURNER COUNT button)

NOTES:

• Giveaway will be done via Rafflecopter 
• Opens Internationally, as long as The Book Depository ships to your country
• You don’t have to own a blog site to enter
• Contests ends October 31st, ONE winner will be drawn 

 

Click HERE (Tip: Please open this link in NEW tab or NEW window so you can still view this blog post) to enter this fabulous giveaway!!!

Click HERE to hop away to other giveaways! List is at the bottom of the blog post.

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.: maria :.

“giving up is the ultimate tragedy.”

Book Review: Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon

RATING:

Their love was meant to be.

When Megan Rosenberg moves to Ireland, everything in her life seems to fall into place. After growing up in America, she’s surprised to find herself feeling at home in her new school. She connects with a group of friends, and she is instantly drawn to darkly handsome Adam DeRÍs.

But Megan is about to discover that her feelings for Adam are tied to a fate that was sealed long ago—and that the passion and power that brought them together could be their ultimate destruction.

*****

JUVENILE.

Carrier of the Mark got me frowning from beginning to end. The characters were unimpressive, the writing is terrible, and the dialogues are sooo cheesy. You would think that for a book cover so stunning, the story will follow through. But no. Have you been waiting for this book? Please stop waiting. It’s not worth the hype, at least to me.

Megan reminded me of Luce from the Fallen series. Co-dependent, always swooning over the male lead. C’mon! How many times do i have to read about Megan falling into Adam’s arms, going into Adam’s arms, wanting Adam’s arms around her?!?!! I can only take a little sappiness, thank you very much. Heroines like her makes me want to hurl big time. Adam is no different. He’s kissing Megan the first time he acknowledged her after weeks of ignoring her. Then, it’s ‘let’s make out’ or ‘come here, beautiful’ or ‘i can’t take my eyes off you’. Ugh.

One thing i can say for the story: Too Much Information. I got lost in the neutral gene/royal blood/marked One talk. Can we just simplify things, Ms Leigh Fallon? The mythology and elements are interesting; too bad it doesn’t get better.

Carrier of the Mark reminded me of Twilight (which i liked) and Starcrossed (which i don’t). =( I think i’m better off reading fanfic than this book.

Publisher: HarperCollins

Imprint: HarperTeen

Pub Date: 10/04/2011

Many Thanks to Kai and Precious of Pinoy Book Tours for the chance to read their ARC copy!

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.: maria :.

“giving up is the ultimate tragedy.”

Book Review: Virtuosity by Jessica Martinez

Rating: 

Now is not the time for Carmen to fall in love. And Jeremy is hands-down the wrong guy for her to fall for. He is infuriating, arrogant, and the only person who can stand in the way of Carmen getting the one thing she wants most: to win the prestigious Guarneri competition. Carmen’s whole life is violin, and until she met Jeremy, her whole focus was winning. But what if Jeremy isn’t just hot…what if Jeremy is better?

Carmen knows that kissing Jeremy can’t end well, but she just can’t stay away. Nobody else understands her–and riles her up–like he does. Still, she can’t trust him with her biggest secret: She is so desperate to win she takes anti-anxiety drugs to perform, and what started as an easy fix has become a hungry addiction. Carmen is sick of not feeling anything on stage and even more sick of always doing what she’s told, doing what’s expected.

Sometimes, being on top just means you have a long way to fall….

*****

HOPEFUL.

Virtuosity surprised me in more ways than i expected. It started a little boring but when things picked up, boredom was the last thing on my mind. Martinez wrote beautifully that even a nonclassical-music/violin lover like me could be so entranced by her story.

Carmen is a music prodigy and with that came a not-so-normal childhood. When she met Jeremy, she longed for the simple things: staying out late for a date, going to a jazz bar without sneaking out, liking a boy and him liking her back just because she’s a girl, not a top class violinist. Carmen fought for what she think is right, stood by her choice, and rebelled when choices were taken away from her. What she went through was sad, unfair, but sweet. Jeremy is a complex character. Charming and irritating at the same time. He was so brave because it took guts for him to ask something of Carmen for his dream and for his family.

The twist got me dumbfounded. It was real, hurtful, and unbelievable. Nonetheless, the book ends with a note of hope and full of choices which i love. Virtuosity is about realizing life wrapped around by different kinds of love: selfish, romantic, unconditional. Most of all, it gives the readers the idea on how choices are and will always be in their hands, should they choose to live and to love according to what or who they are.

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Imprint: Simon Pulse

Pub Date: 10/18/2011

Thank you Simon & Schuster Galley Grab for the free e-copy.

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.: maria :.

“giving up is the ultimate tragedy.”

Book Review: Shut Out by Kody Keplinger

Rating: 

Most high school sports teams have rivalries with other schools. At Hamilton High, it’s a civil war: the football team versus the soccer team. And for her part, Lissa is sick of it. Her quarterback boyfriend, Randy, is always ditching her to go pick a fight with the soccer team or to prank their locker room. And on three separate occasions Randy’s car has been egged while he and Lissa were inside, making out. She is done competing with a bunch of sweaty boys for her own boyfriend’s attention. 

Lissa decides to end the rivalry once and for all: she and the other players’ girlfriends go on a hookup strike. The boys won’t get any action from them until the football and soccer teams make peace. What they don’t count on is a new sort of rivalry: an impossible girls-against-boys showdown that hinges on who will cave to their libidos first. And Lissa never sees her own sexual tension with the leader of the boys, Cash Sterling, coming.

*****

I’d never felt like this, like I wanted to climb into another person’s skin.

BLUNT.

Shut Out is mediocre compared to Keplinger’s The DUFF, but it still has its own merits. It showcased another round of sex-questioning issues that i found very interesting yet realistic. Truly, this is another book that has a no-holds-barred sex theme that subdues the notion of not FREELY talking about it.

Lissa is a hypocrite when her secret was divulged in the middle of the sex strike. It was irksome, and i cannot understand why she had the idea in the first place. Her OCD is relatable – it calms her when things get out of control. Cash is… endearing. Although i’m skeptic that he’s a flirt and yet doesn’t know anything about dating, he is really likeable. There are those Lissa-Cash moments that are supercharged with electricity! I love Chloe the most, among the characters. She’s funny, feisty, and loyal. Those sex punchlines of hers are so hilarious! Chloe is as real as it gets.

Shut Out is a fun read to fill your time when you just want to have a good time reading. It fell short for me though, so i reread my fave scenes from The Duff after finishing Shut Out. Toinks!

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.: maria :.

“giving up is the ultimate tragedy.”

Book Review: The Lover’s Dictionary by David Levithan

Rating: 

basis, n. 

There has to be a moment at the beginning when you wonder whether you’re in love with the person or in love with the feeling of love itself. 

If the moment doesn’t pass, that’s it—you’re done. And if the moment does pass, it never goes that far. It stands in the distance, ready for whenever you want it back. Sometimes it’s even there when you thought you were searching for something else, like an escape route, or your lover’s face. 

How does one talk about love? Do we even have the right words to describe something that can be both utterly mundane and completely transcendent, pulling us out of our everyday lives and making us feel a part of something greater than ourselves? Taking a unique approach to this problem, the nameless narrator of David Levithan’s The Lover’s Dictionary has constructed the story of his relationship as a dictionary. Through these short entries, he provides an intimate window into the great events and quotidian trifles of being within a couple, giving us an indelible and deeply moving portrait of love in our time.

*****

livid, adj. 
Fuck You for cheating on me. Fuck you for reducing it to the word cheating. As if this were a card game, and you sneaked a look at my hand. Who came up with the term cheating, anyway? A cheater, I imagine. Someone who thought liar was too harsh. Someone who thought devastator was too emotional.

UNFORGETTABLE.

The Lover’s Dictionary turned me into this mushy lil marshmallow. I felt a lot of emotions when reading this: i smiled a lot because i can relate. i harbored resentment when trust was broken. i felt complete when despite the frustrating times, the couple worked out their differences. Truly, The Lover’s Dictionary is a haven for hopeless romantics!

I love how Levithan presented his story – through snippets of the couple’s lives encased in vocabulary words. I basically have to read between the lines and i loved that. This kind of storytelling was so unique and effective it made me think: a word can really have a whole lot of meaning, right? Arrears. Dumbfounded. Libidinous.

The Lover’s Dictionary is a quick read (211 pgs) but the writing will stay with me for a very, very long time. If you’re in a mature relationship who needs guidance, or you just can’t resist a romantic read, try this Levithan book. It sure made me sigh and realize how wonderful it is to have someone to love… and love me back that much. =)

Special thanks to Tina for lending me her copy while we were on vacation!

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.: maria :.

“giving up is the ultimate tragedy.”

Book Review: Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake

RATING:

Cas Lowood has inherited an unusual vocation: He kills the dead.

So did his father before him, until he was gruesomely murdered by a ghost he sought to kill. Now, armed with his father’s mysterious and deadly athame, Cas travels the country with his kitchen-witch mother and their spirit-sniffing cat. Together they follow legends and local lore, trying to keep up with the murderous dead—keeping pesky things like the future and friends at bay.

When they arrive in a new town in search of a ghost the locals call Anna Dressed in Blood, Cas doesn’t expect anything outside of the ordinary: track, hunt, kill. What he finds instead is a girl entangled in curses and rage, a ghost like he’s never faced before. She still wears the dress she wore on the day of her brutal murder in 1958: once white, now stained red and dripping with blood. Since her death, Anna has killed any and every person who has dared to step into the deserted Victorian she used to call home.

But she, for whatever reason, spares Cas’s life.

*****

SCARY.

Anna Dressed in Blood could’ve been a 5, if not for the romance that felt forced and nonsense. Blake has great moves in terrifying readers; i held my breath more than once on separate occasions! Thrilling and maniacal, Anna Dressed in Blood is one of the most frightening YA books i’ve read so far.

Cas started out as strong in character, but when Anna came along, he appeared scatterbrained and incapable. Are guys really like that? Hmmm. LOL. Anyway, Cas is just an average male lead for me. He could’ve been great, but his character’s development became null in the end. Anna was so kick-ass on the first scene! Cold, ruthless, merciless. Then Cas started hanging out at her house, and there Anna began to show some emotions or what was left of it. She’s okay, i mean i loved her when she’s the “Queen of Death”, but the solidity of her character when she’s not the “Queen of Death” did not hold much for me. Perhaps i just want her to be at her baddest?

The horror aspect is fantastic. Voodoo magic has that air of mystery and fright that i don’t wanna dwell in the middle of the night. The romance part is negligible. Lemme just say that a relationship between a human and a ghost is just uncomprehensible to me.

Anna Dressed in Blood is a good halloween read. If you’re up for some jolly ‘ol scare, this book won’t disappoint. Well, just don’t mind the romance and you’ll be good.

#20 Off-the-Shelf Reading Challenge 2011

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.: maria :.

“giving up is the ultimate tragedy.”

Elated: Where did my week go?!!!

Yep, i was beach bumming with my Goodreads – The Filipino Group buddies. =)

I brought Anna Dressed in Blood with me for this trip.

Did you spot it on the image?

Talk about a spooky read when i’m not at the comforts of my own home!

Almost no book review this past week but i did finish FIVE books.

But fun’s over. I have reviews to write, together with Anna. 😉

 

Shut Out, Kody Keplinger – 3 stars

Virtuosity, Jessica Martinez – 4 stars

Saving Francesca, Melina Marchetta – 4 stars

The Lover’s Dictionary, David Levithan – 4 stars

 

Did you have a great time this past week?

I know i did!

 

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.: maria :.

“giving up is the ultimate tragedy.”

Book Review: Perfect Chemistry #3: Chain Reaction by Simone Elkeles

Rating: 

Luis Fuentes has always been sheltered from the gang violence that nearly destroyed his brothers’ lives. But that didn’t stop him from taking risks—whether he’s scaling a mountain in the Rockies or dreaming of a future as an astronaut, Luis can’t stop looking for the next thrill.
Nikki Cruz lives her life by three rules—boys lie to get their way, don’t trust a boy who says “I love you,” and never date a boy from the south side of Fairfield. Her parents may be from Mexico, but as a doctor’s daughter, she has more in common with her north-side neighbors than the Latino Blood at her school. Then she meets Luis at Alex’s wedding, and suddenly, she’s tempted to break all her rules.

Getting Nikki to take a chance on a southsider is Luis’s biggest challenge, until he finds himself targeted by Chuy Soto, the new head of the Latino Blood. When Chuy reveals a disturbing secret about Luis’s family, the youngest Fuentes finds himself questioning everything he’s ever believed to be true. Will his feelings for Nikki be enough to stop Luis from entering a dark and violent world and permanently living on the edge?

Book 1: Perfect Chemistry review | Book 2: Rules of Attraction review

*****

WANTING MORE.

Chain Reaction left me disappointed. Sure, there are good moments here and there; unfortunately, it was not packed with the same punch as Perfect Chemistry (my fave among the three)  and Rules of Attraction. My conclusion for the series? I still (and will always) have the hots for Alex Fuentes! Brit, oh you rich, lucky, white girl. =)

Luis is not as cool as I thought he’d be – the only points he got from me is that he’s pretty smart and ambitious. He was like coasting the sidelines while Alex and Carlos are in the scenes with him – he barely registered as the male lead! He’s less charming than Alex and less arrogant than Carlos. This made me think: Is he really a Fuentes? Believe me, Luis asked this very same question to himself. I love Brittany, so-so for Kiara, but for Nikki – man, I don’t like her AT ALL. She was heartbroken so it’s ok for her to poison her best friend Kendall’s relationship with her cynicism? Yeah, right. She acts high and mighty (boo!), and she treats Luis like crap. Nikki got hurt but it doesn’t give her the right to hurt other people back. Carlos made all the difference in this book. He stole the show from Luis! Carlos is still funny, cocky and uber-sweet. Then there’s Alex and Brit trademark banters. Yeah!

There’s this line where Nikki (or was it Luis?) says she’s falling for Luis because she likes talking to him. Uh, wait a minute. There was no talking involved between them, only kissing and groping. Then, the dialogue went sappy to sappier until the end. Yep, it was annoying.

Chain Reaction is still likeable but I’ve had better romance than Luis and Nikki. Did Simone Elkeles ran out of gas? Because Chain Reaction did not live up to the Perfect Chemistry series hype.

#19 Off-the-Shelf challenge 2011

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.: maria :.

“giving up is the ultimate tragedy.”

Book Review: The Heroes of Olympus #2: The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan

RATING:

(The Heroes of Olympus #2)

Percy is confused. When he awoke from his long sleep, he didn’t know much more than his name. His brain fuzz is lingering, even after the wolf Lupa tol him he is a demigod and trained him to fight with the pen/sword in his pocket. Somehow Percy manages to make it to a camp for half-bloods, despite the fact that he has to keep killing monsters along the way. But the camp doesn’t ring and bells with him. The only thing he can recall from his past is another name: Annabeth 

Hazel is supposed to be dead. When she lived before, she didn’t do a very good job of it. Sure, she was an obedient daughter, even when her mother was possessed by greed. But that was the problem – when the Voice took over he mother and commanded Hazel to use her “gift” for and evil purpose, Hazel couldn’t say no. Now because of her mistake, the future of the world is at risk. Hazel wished she could ride away from it all on the stallion that appears in her dreams. 

Frank is a klutz. His grandmother says he is descended from heroes and can be anything he wants to be, but he doesn’t see it. He doesn’t even know who his father is. He keeps hoping Apollo will claim him, because the only thing he is good at is archery – although not good enough to win camp war games. His bulky physique makes him feel like an ox, especially infront of Hazel, his closest friend at camp. He trusts her completely – enough to share the secret he holds close to his heart. 

*****

Percy frowned. “You hold a feast for tuna?”

RIDICULOUSLY FUNNY.

The Son of Neptune first captivated me with that oh-so-cool cover (Percy is so bad-ass!), then i started reading… and man, i really miss Percy Jackson!!! He now thinks before he speaks, he became perceptive, and he is more powerful than before. Rick Riordan, thank you for making Percy Jackson grow up. I love him now more than ever. =)

Percy is in Camp Jupiter, gaining new friends like Hazel and Frank, and enemies as well, like Octavian. They embarked on a quest that will push them to discover their potentials as they become the demigods included in the Prophecy of Seven. Riordan took a story pattern similar to The Lost Hero but this sequel is hands down more fun and engaging! I admit that i can’t wait to read those chapters with Percy’s POV (Hazel’s & Frank’s are not as entertaining as Percy’s), so imagine my glee every time I read his chapters – loads and loads of humor! Despite Percy’s memorable deadpans, it is obvious that here is a demigod who has the wits and the moves that can topple down any monster or giant Gaea will throw at him. I will say this again: Percy is a (demi)GOD!

Although there are few inconsistencies that i found, I did not mind them much. I enjoyed the The Son of Neptune because it is such a feel-good book! Riordan got me laughing and laughing all throughout. I really like Mars far more than Ares. Arion is one indignant horse, err, stallion. LOL

Are you a fan of Percy Jackson? If yes, then better grab a copy now! You would want to know how Terminus (the boundary god) had me LMAO every single minute! If no, well then, it’s about time you meet the greatest demigod there ever is. After all, he is the son of Poseidon (or Neptune, whatever).

#18 Off-the-Shelf Reading Challenge 2011

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.: maria :.

“giving up is the ultimate tragedy.”