30. tra 2012.

Let Me In by Callie Croix


Book summary:

On leave for Thanksgiving, the last thing marine lieutenant Talia Barnett expects to find is Liam Brodie waiting for her at the airport. He's had a starring role in her fantasies for the past two years, and although she'd love to make them a reality, she has a dark secret that prevents her from taking things further.

A former marine, Liam's specialty is planning tactical operations, and that's just what he plans to do to win Talia. The woman has kept him at arm's length for too long, and this time he's finally going to claim her—body and heart.

What begins as comfort quickly turns hot. When Liam shows Talia a hint of the dominant nature inside him, the submissive part of her flares to life. Though she desires him, she's going back on deployment and doesn't want to dump all her drama on him. Will he find a way to break through the protective walls around her heart and convince her they have a future that goes far beyond the bedroom?

 This short novel is going to make your day much better if you're in the bed - but not for the reasons you think right away when you see cover of this book - if you're in the bed all day because you have flu. Like me.

It's known among my friends that I'm a big fan of novels with erotic elements especially if they are icluding alpha males with kink for dominance. Let me In by Callie Croix will be good chioice for all of you with lower tolerance for kinkiness. This is sweet story about two friends with personal problems that are keeping them apart. Obviously, Liam and Talia will work it out. Repeatedly.

Let Me In comes out on May 21st, so don't waste your time and check it out.

if you want to find out more about Callie Croix, visit her webpage or follow her on Twitter - @CallieCroix.

Until next time,

***NOTE! Copy of this book was kindly provided by publisher, Carina Press, via NetGalley.

29. tra 2012.

Immortal by Gene Doucette





Book summary:

   Surviving sixty thousand years takes cunning and more than a little luck. But in the twenty-first century, Adam confronts new dangers—someone has found out what he is, a demon is after him, and he has run out of places to hide.Worst of all, he has had entirely too much to drink.
   Immortal is a first person confessional penned by a man who is immortal, but not invincible. In an artful blending of sci-fi, adventure, fantasy, and humor, IMMORTAL introduces us to a world with vampires, demons and other “magical” creatures, yet a world without actual magic.
   Adam is a sixty thousand year old man. (Approximately.) He doesn’t age or get sick, but is otherwise entirely capable of being killed.His survival has hinged on an innate ability to adapt, his wits, and a fairly large dollop of luck. He makes for an excellent guide through history . . . when he’s sober.
Immortal is a contemporary fantasy for non-fantasy readers and fantasy enthusiasts alike.


      Did you ever wonder what would you do if you knew you'd never die? That you are going to live forever? I know I did. Actually, I was obsessed with that concept when I was much younger. I was terrified of death (and fascinated by it at the same time) - I was a weird kid, I know. That's when I started to get interested in paranormal, mythical creatures as vampires, other religions and their believes regarding life, death and immortality. I read Anne Rice's Vampire Lestat when I was 13 by pure luck - I found it in library while I was doing research for one of my school assigments. It's not the easiest book for thirteen year old girl with issues, trust me. Immortal by Gene Doucette is one of those books. It'll left you wondering and thinking, but with aftertaste of bitterness. Adam is one of the most interesting characters I've ever met. He's cynical, brutally honest about himself and everyone around him and even cold and calculated bastard when it's necessary. If you like fantasy, but you're not big fan of popular paranormal, adult and young adult, romance novels, I think you will enjoy reading Immortal.

   Second book, Hellenic Immortal, is coming out on May 3rd and blog tour starts today. Don't miss when it stops here on Ja čitam, a ti? on May 5th. We're  bringing you exlusive interview with Adam who sobered up enough to answer on some of our questions. If you want see what the blogosphere thinks about new Doucette's book, follow TWCS on Twittter for updates  - @twcs_pubhouse.

Until next time,
***NOTE! Copy of the book is kindly provided by the publisher, TWCS, via NetGalley. I'm not paid for writing review - I do this for free as lover of written word. All opinions in this review are personal.

28. tra 2012.

#DaemonInvasion + our team #DaeVision





I believe you all already know about DaemonInvasion coming soon! If you don't you can find all about it here 





So I'm part of the team called #DaeVision. You'll see us a lot on twitter, facebook and around. The #DaemonInvasion is going to start on May 15th. We still don't know how the task we'll look like but we'll be really grateful if you would support our team. 

We have facebook page     Team DaeVision - facebook   so if you have time please like our page. 

Now I should present you our team : 

Anjana @ Kindle and Me 

Juhina @ Maji Bookshelf

Trajce  @ I Love Teen Books

Adeeb @ BookVille 

Lisseth @ Read-A-holicZ 


Zemira @Zemmy89 



and there is me @tanychy_rhcp 

Also here is our first video @ youtube 

OK that's all for now! And yes one more thing don't forget to enter Obsidian GIVEAWAY @ Kindle and Me...


Until the next time, 


25. tra 2012.

The Immortal Rules (Blood of Eden, #1) by Julie Kagawa



In a future world, Vampires reign. Humans are blood cattle. And one girl will search for the key to save humanity.

Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten.

Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them. The vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself is attacked—and given the ultimate choice. Die… or become one of the monsters.

Faced with her own mortality, Allie becomes what she despises most. To survive, she must learn the rules of being immortal, including the most important: go long enough without human blood, and you will go mad.

Then Allie is forced to flee into the unknown, outside her city walls. There she joins a ragged band of humans who are seeking a legend—a possible cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike.

But it isn't easy to pass for human. Especially not around Zeke, who might see past the monster inside her. And Allie soon must decide what—and who—is worth dying for


I really have hard time rating this book. In some parts of the book I really enjoyed while I just wanted to skip some of them. I expected more originality here. Yes, I haven't read dystopian book with vampires but I don't see some really huge difference in general between this and some other dystopian story. But let me tell you more about the story.

Allie is young girl and main character of the story. She is living in the world after plague. Now the vampires are the rulers of the city where Allie lives. She and couple of her friends who are Unregistrated are trying to survive on the other side of the wall. Life there is hard, they need to fight for their lives and in the meantime they also need to stay away form vampires on the other side of the wall. Good thing in this book is that vampires are described like a bad-ass monsters. Not some creatures craving for love. They are blood-suckers and they live according to that. OK, except Allie later but she is young.

After going on the other side of the wall Allie and her friends get attacked. She is saved and only way to survive is to become who she hates the most - a vampire. She doesn't want to die in a way to disappear forever, so she dies and becomes creature of the dark. Her savior is Kanin who will try to learn her how to survive. After series of events (I don't want to put spoilers in this review) she is alone on her own. In her attempt to survive she discovers a group of humans who are trying to find paradise on destroyed earth. One member of that group is young boy Zeke. They are chased by group of dangerous people. Will they survive and find what they're looking for? What will happen between Zeke and Allie? Get the book and find out.

Point is that this book is not bad. Only it was painfully long, if it was 100 pages shorter I'm sure I would enjoy more. Other things that could have been better are: Allie, she is not bad character in general, but some of her decisions I couldn't understand; Zeke, he definitively isn't the character that I'll fall for. True, he is very young and naive, but still some of his decisions were disaster for me. If somebody asks me I'd prefer to see Kanin instead of him with Allie. But that doesn't mean that good old love-triangle won't be in the second book.

All in all, I can say that I expected more, because of all those 5 star reviews. Still, I expect book two to be better.

It's actually 3.5 stars.



I want to thank Harlequin Teen for providing me this arc.

Until the next time,

24. tra 2012.

Tanja's Top Ten All Time Favourite Characters In Books





As you probably know Top Ten Tuesday is meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. So this week the assignment is to write ten all time favourite characters in books. I know, not easy task.






1. Mr Darcy. You all know that he is character from Pride and Prejudice. I've read a lot of books with really brilliant characters but the truth is there is only one Mr Darcy.

2. Harry Potter, Hermione and Ron . I grew up with Harry Potter books and movies and they always remind me on my childhood. After reading all the books I knew what I want to become when "I grow up". Yes you know, a wizard. I'm still working on that, btw.

3. Rose and Dimka from Vampire Academy. I love both of them. Usually in book you always have one favourite character, but here I love them both. Rose is really strong and inspiring female character and Dimka, well he is Dimitry. He is all that you wish for.

4. Aiden and Alex form Covenant series. Pretty much same as Rose and Dimka, although I can say that Alex is great, but I must add Aiden is my favourite.

5. Will and Jem from The Infernal Devices series. No, I still don't know which one to choose, because they're both great. Will is maybe dark and cold, but I love his personality. Jem is sweetheart and I love sweethearts.

6.  Kiara from Rules of Attraction. She is one of the best female characters. I just love this girl. I won't talk about Fuentes brothers, there is no need for that. She is probably my favourite character in this whole series (yes even better than the brothers). 


7. The Little Prince. This is the book of my childhood. More then once I felt like I'm The Little Prince myself. 


8. Sam from The Wolves of Mercy Falls. Oh that boy. I mean he likes poesy, he plays guitar, he is really nice and gentleman. He works in library. Besides all that he has yellow eyes!  


9. Daemon form Obsidian. He is here just because he is one inception. He is really bad-boy, which I don't prefer and yes he is an idiot. But idiot who you will love. 


10. Tris from Divergent. I like strong female characters and Tris is definitively one of them, but the thing is that she is so young. I can't wait to see her growing up! I expect a lot! 


Those are the characters that first came into my mind! I've probably forgot somebody but well maybe I'll remember next time! 


Until the next time, 



22. tra 2012.

Significance by Shelly Crane






Book description:

Maggie is a seventeen year old girl who's had a bad year. She was smart and on track but then her mom left, her dad is depressed, she's graduating, barely, and her boyfriend of almost three years dumped her for a college football scholarship. Lately she thinks life is all about hanging on by a thread and is gripping tight with everything she has.

Then she meets Caleb. She saves his life and instantly knows there's something about him that's intriguing but she is supposed to be on her way to a date with his cousin. But things change when they touch, sparks ignite. Literally.

They imprint with each other and she sees their future life together flash before her eyes. She learns that not only is she his soul mate, and can feel his heartbeat in her chest, but there is a whole other world of people with gifts and abilities that she never knew existed. She herself is experiencing supernatural changes unlike anything she's ever felt before and she needs the touch of his skin to survive.

Now, not only has her dad come out of his depression to be a father again, and a pain as well, but Caleb's enemies know he's imprinted and are after Maggie to stop them both from gaining their abilities and take her from him.

Can Caleb save her or will they be forced to live without each other after just finding one another?
(Goodreads)

My review:

So... I blame it on the fact that I had a fever last three days. I felt like I was in the deepest pit of hell, I was cranky, it felt as if my lungs were on fire and I had a killer headache. So... as one of my girlfriends said, I needed something sappy.

Where to start? What I like or what I don't like? How I'm afraid of feminist wrath? Or how I'm torn between giving support to indie authors and wanting to strangle them for publishing their books in hurry without checking it out for, if necessary, millionth time and, for God's sake, good editor?

Let's begin with the most important irrelevant thing - cover. For indie novels, Shelly Crane has some pretty amazing covers. I had to say this because some publishers should learn from this woman - I know it's shallow, but cover is very important.

The story. Hmm... Interesting concept, it could be great book, but... You read book description on the beginning of this post, right? Well, that's it. The whole plot. On 330 pages. (I seemed much longer to me.) Lots of repetition, certain parts of plot are left hanging loose and others are overdone. The biggest "no" for me was ending - I don't want to spoil it for those who didn't read it, so I'll just put it like this: it should have finished after 26th chapter. That's actually common problem for self published authors - they don't know when to end or how to divide the manuscript. Next time, ask for help! Don't rush - it won't get you anywhere. Make second edition - upgraded!

The characters. Caleb and Maggie are sweet, but looking in general, character development is lacking. The whole story is just about their interaction - it would be more believable (and less repetitive) if author gave more attention to other aspects of their lives and to the other people in their lives. Because of whole imprinting thing, it would be better it Maggie and Caleb are, at least, twenty years old. We have Twilight-cliché - big, happy, supportive, rich family. And I'm annoyed with it.

Speaking of Twilight-clichés, Signifiance, obviously, goes in category of books written by obsessive Twilight fan. Enough said! If this book was reviewed by my friend  Zemira, she'd put it on this shelves: could-have-been-better, ahhh-my-eyes, get-to-the-point-already, hmmm, i-blame-twilight, mixed-feelings, why-the-hype and youve-got-to-be-kidding-me. And there are others reviews with lots of squealing, gushing, ahhs and ohhs, OMGs and WOWs and swooning... Where does it leaves me? Well, somewhere in the middle.

I believe this could be book worth reading but it needs lots of hard work and author's willingness to accept constructive criticism. I don't like to write negative reviews, but sometimes it's just the right thing that authors need to hear.





Until next time, 




21. tra 2012.

Obsidian (Lux, #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout


Starting over sucks.When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I'd pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring.... until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.And then he opened his mouth.Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something...unexpected happens. The hot alien living next door marks me.You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon's touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I'm getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades. If I don't kill him first, that is.


I was curious about this whole Daemon fever! Really, after hearing all that worshiping I had to read it. I really love Covenant series so I've guessed I might love this one. But not this much! Geez, I'm hooked!

I should start from the beginning, right? So after Shadows story follows second brother Deamon and Katy. Katy is new girl in town, besides that she has a blog that reviews books! Yes I know, cool girl (nice touch Jennifer) and she is also kick-butt girl. Her next door neighbors are twins Dee and Deamon. Dee is sweet girl, trying to live normal life and have a friends although that's kinda impossible and her brother Daemon, well I'll just quote it for you:
Beautiful face. Beautiful body. Horrible attitude. It was the holy trinity of hot boys.
I usually don't fall for bad boys and all that, but let's just say he is more than interesting.

You're probably already guessing that they aren't "normal", yes they're aliens. Like Katy says in this book I also thought that aliens aren't my kind of thing but this type of aliens are my type indeed. How's Katy gonna handle being new girl in town, her arrogant neighbor and aliens and Arums (I won't tell you what they are) around her, well you have to read this book to find out.

My point here is that you need to read this. My another point is if Jennifer ever puts Aiden and Damon in the same book, I'll break myself into two halves. Oh yes I’m overreacting but seriously choosing between them is mission impossible.

I'll stop drooling here. Hey, don't blame me! Jennifer please continue writing these books, we need them and you'll always have at least one reader and that would be me.
   





Until the next time,


20. tra 2012.

Reason to Breathe by Rebecca Donovan


Book summary:

He knows there’s something more to the girl sitting in the back of the class the moment he sees her. She’s beautiful, intelligent, and athletic – but she slips quietly through the crowded halls, trying not to exist. Determined to get to know the elusive girl, Evan soon discovers…
Emma Thomas is hiding a terrible a secret.

    It started really good, but than there was this whole Cindarella sindrom including her best friend in the role of the fairy godmother, hot new boy as the Price Charming and, of course, evil stepmother. Rebecca Donovan has an eye for the details, she keeps you completely indulged in the story - relationship between Emma and Evan will leave you wishing you were that girl that he wants to be with. Unfortunately, she ruined everything in the end. Fifty pages more would have made a big difference - confusing ending is not something that book like this needs. Before last chapter and epilogue I wanted to give Reason to Breathe four stars. This is one of the indie books with lots of potential, and I believe that girls are going to love this story. But, Rebecca, please do something about ending, cool down Cinderella stuff and find a good copy editor. 

   Book two, Bearly Breathing, is coming out in May this year, so lets hope that it would be better. If you want to find out more about author, her books or Reason to Breathe playlist, visit Rebecca's web-page. To read the sample of this novel go to Smashwords.






Until next time,

19. tra 2012.

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern


The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not. Within the black-and-white striped canvas tents is an utterly unique experience full of breathtaking amazements. It is called Le Cirque des Rêves, and it is only open at night. 
But behind the scenes, a fierce competition is underway—a duel between two young magicians, Celia and Marco, who have been trained since childhood expressly for this purpose by their mercurial instructors. Unbeknownst to them, this is a game in which only one can be left standing, and the circus is but the stage for a remarkable battle of imagination and will. Despite themselves, however, Celia and Marco tumble headfirst into love—a deep, magical love that makes the lights flicker and the room grow warm whenever they so much as brush hands. 

True love or not, the game must play out, and the fates of everyone involved, from the cast of extraordinary circus per­formers to the patrons, hang in the balance, suspended as precariously as the daring acrobats overhead. 

Written in rich, seductive prose, this spell-casting novel is a feast for the senses and the heart.


MY REVIEW 


"Like stepping into a fairy tale under a curtain of stars..."

Every time I start reading some book I expect that I'll step into a fairy tale under a curtain of stars. That means you'll forget about world around while you're reading it, you'll enter into a world full of magic. Now I guess you all expect me to say that this book is like that! Well, it is.

I expected that when I entered in Le Cirque des Rêves. I'll quote the author of the book, where is that perfectly described:
You think, as you walk away from Le Cirque des Rêves and into the creeping dawn, that you felt more awake within the confines of the circus. You are no longer quite certain which side of the fence is the dream.


This book is really good. Different from the others, full of interesting characters and when you read some book you almost always have some boring parts, when nothing happens. This book is not like that. It follows two different stories, on one side you have Celia and Marco and on another Bailey and Poppet. Book is full of events, full of stories. At some point I wondered why writer didn't separate those stories and wrote two completely different books, at the end I realized why.

I'll give this book 5 stars, but I know that many people won't like it. So if you don't like it, don't blame me. I'm still a child who wants to believe in magic.



Until the next time, 

16. tra 2012.

Taste Book Trailer and Excerpt Reveal





     We were excited when we got e-mail from Kate Evangelista asking us if we wanted to be part of big book trailer and excerpt reveal for her upcoming debut novel Taste. Of course we said yes! Tanychy and Glass are always looking forward to support new autors.

   First time when I read book summary on Goodreads I thought: "Hell, this smells like Demitri/Dimitri, Night Students (but unlike Vampire Knight they are not vampires - they are flesh eaters)...love triangle... annoying female character... Again???" I'm still thorn - I've read two excerpts, they seem interesting and made me believe that this would be right books for fans of Fallen by Lauren Kate. So, I picked the one I thought you, girls, will find the most intriguing - yes, it's about... bad boys!;)


 Taste Excerpt
 


I sat up and followed Calixta’s gaze upward. I rubbed my eyes. I didn’t know what I was seeing at first. A statue? ­My brain refused to snap together coherent thoughts.  I didn’t realize I’d fallen so close to one of the garden benches until I stared up at the boy that sat on one. He was strikingly beautiful. His tumble of blonde hair curled just above his sculpted cheekbones. He wore a silk shirt and a loosened cravat, like he’d become bored while dressing and decided to leave himself in disarray. His ivory skin and frozen position was what had me mistaking him for something carved from marble by Michelangelo. Then he sighed—a lonely, breathy proof of life. If I had to imagine what Lucifer looked like before he fell from heaven, the boy on the bench would certainly fulfill that image. My brain told me I had to look away, but I couldn’t.
“Luka,” Calixta said again, her voice unsure, almost nervous. It no longer contained the steel and bite she had threatened me with, which made me wonder who the boy was.
He leaned on his hands and crossed his legs, all the while keeping his eyes fixed on the night sky. His movements spoke of elegance and control. I’d encountered many people with breeding before, but his took on the air of arrogance and self-assuredness of someone used to getting what he wanted when he wanted it.
I only realized I’d been holding my breath when my lungs protested. I exhaled. My heart sputtered and restarted with a vengeance. Luka tore his gaze away from the stars and settled it on me. I’d expected pitch-black irises, like the other Night Students, but blue ice stared back at me.
“Human,” he whispered.
He reached out, and with a finger, followed an invisible trail down my cheek. I stiffened. His touch, cooler than Demitri’s, caused warm sparks to blossom on my face. He lifted his finger to his lips and licked its tip. He might as well have licked me from the way my body shivered.
Luka’s curious gaze held mine. “Leave us,” he said, but not to me.
“But—” Calixta protested like a spoiled child.
He spoke in a language I hadn’t heard before, remaining calm yet firm. The words had a rolling cadence I couldn’t quite follow, like rumbling thunder in the distance. They contained a harsh sensuality. The consonants were hard and the vowels were long and lilting.
Footsteps retreated behind me.
Luka reached out again.
It took me a minute to realize he wanted to help me up. I hesitated. He smiled. I smiled back timidly and took his hand, completely dazzled. Even with my uniform soaked from melted snow, I didn’t feel cold—all my attention was on him and the way his callused hand felt on mine. Without moving much from his seated position, he helped me stand.
“What’s your name?” he asked. He had a voice like a familiar lullaby. It filled my heart to the brim with comfort.
I swallowed and tried to stop gawking. “Phoenix.”
“The bird that rose from the ashes.” Luka bent his head and kissed the back of my hand. “It’s a pleasure meeting you.”
My cheeks warmed. My head reeled, not knowing what to think. I couldn’t understand why I felt drawn to him. And the strange connection frightened me.
From behind, someone gripped my arms and yanked me away before I could sort out the feelings Luka inspired in me. I found myself behind a towering figure yet again. Recognizing the blue-black silk for hair tied at the nape, relief washed over me. Calixta hadn’t come back to finish me off.
Demitri’s large hand wrapped around my wrist. Unlike the night before, no calm existed in his demeanor. He trembled like a junky in need of a fix. The coiled power in his tense muscles vibrated into me.
“What are you doing here?” Demitri asked.
I didn’t know he’d spoken to me until I saw his expressionless profile. I sighed.
“Phoenix.”
I flinched. The ruthless way he said my name punched all the air out of me. “You owe me answers,” I said with as much bravado as I could muster.
“I owe you nothing.” He glared. “In fact, you owe me your life.”
“I don’t think so.”
Ignoring my indignation, he faced Luka, who’d remained seated on the bench during my exchange with Demitri. “Why is she with you, Luka?”
“I wasn’t going to taste her, if that’s what you’re implying,” Luka said. “Although, she is simply delicious. I wouldn’t mind if you left us alone.”
There it was again. Taste. The word that kept coming up between these Night Students and I was connected to it in an increasingly uncomfortable way. To taste meant to sample, but what? My flesh? They had to be joking because the alternative wasn’t funny.
“The sins of the father …” Demitri left his sentence unfinished.
Luka’s smile shifted into a snarl. “Obey my command.” His chin lifted. “Kneel.”
Demitri’s stance went rigid. His grip tightened around my wrist.
Okay, weird just got weirder. Why would Luka want Demitri to kneel before him? I thought back to Eli and the others bowing to Demitri when he questioned them, but they didn’t kneel. Seriously? Were they all living on a different planet or something?
“Kneel.” Luka’s detestable smirk made his features sinister rather than angelic. The real Lucifer: a fallen angel.
Without letting go of my wrist, Demitri knelt down on one knee and bowed his head, his free hand flat at the center of his chest. “Your command has been obeyed,” he said formally.
Luka nodded once.
Demitri stood up and pulled me toward the school without telling me where we were going. Not having the time to thank Luka for saving me from Calixta, I risked a glance back. Luka smiled at me. His smile spoke of whispers, secrets, and promises to be shared on a later date.

If you want to know more about autor visit her web site, Twitter or Facebook and for special something by Kate go here.


     Taste Book Trailer




The Calling (Darkness Rising #2) by Kelley Armstrong





Maya and her friends--all of whom have supernatural powers--have been kidnapped after fleeing from a forest fire they suspect was deliberately set, and after a terrifying helicopter crash they find themselves pursued by evildoers in the Vancouver Island wilderness.








I won't post my review here as it contains spoilers but you can find it on Goodreads. Just click on this review 


REVIEW!


For all those reasons my rating is

Anyway, I just wanted to share something with all of you who like this series. As you all know this series is connected with Darkest Powers.
So apparently all short stories from  Darkest Powers trilogy are put together and  published as an ebook called Darkest Powers Bonus Pack.
Another think that bothers me is another short story. It's story with different characters but still connected with this whole story. First short story is called Kat and you can find it on that link, while second one called Hunting Kat is not free.
I don't have problem when authors continue some story by publishing sequel, when it's whole book of course, but when they are publishing all those short stories then I have problem. Especially when they aren't free.
If you are wondering why I'm reading this series when I have problem with all that the answer is simple because I really liked Darkest Power trilogy.
I just hope that this all will end with last book of this trilogy.

Until the next time,

13. tra 2012.

The Storyteller by Antonia Michaelis

Anna and Abel couldn’t be more different. They are both seventeen and in their last year of school, but while Anna lives in a nice old town house and comes from a well-to-do family, Abel, the school drug dealer, lives in a big, prisonlike tower block at the edge of town. Anna is afraid of him until she realizes that he is caring for his six-year-old sister on his own. Fascinated, Anna follows the two and listens as Abel tells little Micha the story of a tiny queen assailed by dark forces. It’s a beautiful fairy tale that Anna comes to see has a basis in reality. Abel is in real danger of losing Micha to their abusive father and to his own inability to make ends meet. Anna gradually falls in love with Abel, but when his “enemies” begin to turn up dead, she fears she has fallen for a murderer. Has she? 

Award-winning author Antonia Michaelis moves in a bold new direction with her latest novel: a dark, haunting, contemporary story that is part mystery, part romance, and part melodrama.

Few days ago our quote of the week was from this book. So we should write a review, right? Well, here you go. 

Have you ever read the book that you could find emotions on every singe page of it? No? Me neither. Until now. Don't worry I won't turn this into pathetic review, but I just want to prepare you. 

This book is special because of a lot of thing. Here you have story within a story. Story about Anna and Abel but also Abel will tell you one really special story. Both are beautiful and you'll love them. I'll tell you about both. 
First story about Abel and Anna. Is house with blue light a perfect one? Or not? This book will make you think about that. Anna and Abel are both going to the same High School, they knew about each other but they never talked to each other. Until one moment. Soon enough she enters into his world, but is he telling her everything? This book is so unpredictable until the last page. I really didn't see that coming at the end.
I want to tell you about other story, about Princess. I'm huge lover of fairy tales so you can only imagine my happiness when I've discovered one in this book. From the beginning of the story about Princes till meeting Rose girl and the dog I really enjoyed. Because these stories are connected I couldn't wait to hear the rest of the story. Antonia did the most amazing job. Writing story about Abel and Anna is really success but writing another fairy tale in this story is stunning. Even if you're thinking that you're too old for that kind of stories, trust me you are not. 

I'm sorry if I've confused you with this review, but it's hard to explain everything that I liked and not telling you a lot about story itself at the same time. Just keep in mind that this story is really something you need to read. 

Don't know who has translated this book into English, but whoever did that deserves an award. It's unwritten rule that translations are rarely as good as originals and I can confirm that. If the original version of this story is better than this translateed I can't help but wonder how this book isn't popular? I also wonder how many great books are out there waiting to be translated and found. I know that I'll keep my eyes open. 

Just one more thin I want to add and that is my favourite quote: 
Just a tiny little pain, 
Three days of heavy rain,
Three days of sunlight, 
Everything will be alright,
Just a tiny little pain. 


Until the next time

11. tra 2012.

Divergent by Veronica Roth





Book summary:

In a future Chicago, 16-year-old Beatrice Prior must choose among five predetermined factions to define her identity for the rest of her life, a decision made more difficult when she discovers that she is an anomaly who does not fit into any one group, and that the society she lives in is not perfect after all.



This book literally took my breath away! I mean LITERALLY! 

Ever since The Hunger Games I've became huge fan of dystopian novels and ever since then that was my favourite dystopian book. Until now. Now it shares that place with this book and hopefully with other books from this series. 

Here is what I like: 
  • Characters. Tris is definitively one strong and amazing character. She seems so mature and so everything. Even though she is great my favorite character here is Four. But not just two of them make this book with awesome characters. All the others: Christina, Al, Peter and so on. They all seem to show all the good and bad things in all factions. 
  • Second thing is story about five factions. If somebody asked me before this book to name five virtues which you can find in all of us and that they can determinate how people would act if one of them was dominant, I wouldn't know the answer. It looks like Veronica knew the right answers. It's hard for me to put myself in one faction, although I can tell were I would end up. Maybe I'll be able to tell more after I meet that faction better in Insurgent. 
  • Next thing is the story. Although you have no idea at first what's going on this book is so appealing. From the descriptions of society to the Tris choosing her faction and all about Four and his life. All those simulations help us to meet all characters better.  
  • Humor. I'd never think that I'd be laughing so hard within reading this book, because the whole idea is really serious but I did. I really laughed so much. 
  • Love. The love is not the primary thing in this story that's why I like it so much. Because it fits there just right. They are not just running for each other, they're trying to find the way to help people. In the meantime if in the story  you come across those pages filled with love you'll relax. Those parts are put in the right places because this book is so intense. 
  • Cover. I didn't understand it at first, but after reading it I do. It was a bit odd to see this cover as I didn't know what this symbol means. Now I know! It's beautiful and shiny also. 
This book has more than 400 pages but you won't be aware of that, trust me. It only took me few hours to read it. Of course now I want to turn back time as I have to wait until the Insurgent is out. But not for long, luckily!

Without further ado I welcome myself into the Divergent Nation and I also give this book 5 stars. 

Until the next time, 


10. tra 2012.

Quote of the Week






     This week we have special treat for you! We picked part of wonderful poem with which starts The Storyteller, novel by Antonia Michaelis.



I see you standing in the storm 
Holding the curse of youth 
Each of you with your story 
Each of you with your truth.

Some words will never be spoken 
Some stories never be told. 
This is the age you are broken 
Or turned into gold. 

I didn’t say the world was good. 
I hoped by now you understood 
Why I could never lie. 
I didn’t promise you a thing.
Don’t ask my wintervoice for spring 
Just spread your wings and fly. 


     It's rare these days that non-English novel gets so much attention - The Storyteller is originaly written in German. And we are very pleased because of that. You can find it on The Book Depository, Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Book summary (from Goodreads):

Anna and Abel couldn’t be more different. They are both seventeen and in their last year of school, but while Anna lives in a nice old town house and comes from a well-to-do family, Abel, the school drug dealer, lives in a big, prisonlike tower block at the edge of town. Anna is afraid of him until she realizes that he is caring for his six-year-old sister on his own. Fascinated, Anna follows the two and listens as Abel tells little Micha the story of a tiny queen assailed by dark forces. It’s a beautiful fairy tale that Anna comes to see has a basis in reality. Abel is in real danger of losing Micha to their abusive father and to his own inability to make ends meet. Anna gradually falls in love with Abel, but when his “enemies” begin to turn up dead, she fears she has fallen for a murderer. Has she?

Until next time, 

9. tra 2012.

Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin



Book description from Edelweiss:

A terribly romantic, atmospheric, and thrilling beginning of a two-book sequence.

In a smoldering city full of death and danger, a seventeen-year-old girl could be the salvation-or the destruction-of the entire human race . . . and of two boys' hearts. A breathtaking dystopian twist on Edgar Allan Poe's gothic tale for fans of Cassandra Clare and Holly Black.

The city was decimated by a deadly plague-halted only by Araby Worth's father, who invented masks that filter the virus out of the air. But the city has never recovered. Seventeen-year-old Araby hasn't, either. She doesn't want survival; she wants oblivion, so she can forget the horrors she has seen. Until she finds a spark of hope in the depths of the Debauchery Club: in Will, the club's unbearably magnetic proprietor, and in Elliott, the wickedly smart revolutionary. But what will she choose when a new terror sweeps the city and she alone holds the cure? Her own heart? Or the rest of the human race? A terribly romantic, atmospheric, and thrilling beginning of a two-book sequence that reimagines Edgar Allan Poe's gothic story. For fans of Cassandra Clare's The Infernal Devices series.

Here's what I think...

I do not have lots of stempunk novels on my "read" list so far, but I like the general idea behind this genre - alternate history and "what if?" base of the story. I was afraid to read Masque of the Red Death - my expectations were really high. 

It started shaky - I liked the the decadent atmosphere and descriptions, but characters seemed somehow superficial. I wasn't sure how I felt about it. But later I got caught up in its strange, dark, drug-abusing, glittery world. I've noticed that some reviewers who read this book didn't like the love triangle part of the story, and others had some problems with language (it's "too modern"). I have to say that I didn't pay too much attention to the language - I simply enjoyed in the twists.

Love story isn't predictable - I really can't tell what will happen in the next book and that's the reason why I like it. Nothing is as it seems and choices some of the characters are making have deeper reasoning. Unlike The Selection by Kiera Cass, I didn't have problems with the way author represented social and political background of the story. Actually, in this case I like that part of the plot much more than all personal aspects of it.

Here's what  Lauren DeStefano, author of The Chemical Garden series, said about Masque of the Red Death:

"Luscious, sultry and lingeringly tragic, this story has my heart. I can't stop thinking about this tale of a broken world held together by corsets and clock gears. Araby's voice stays with me even now, making me wary of the air I breathe."

I recommend this book to everyone who likes their heroines to be a little bit darker. Masque of the Red Death will be available on April 24th, so you won't have to wait much longer to get your copy of this amazing book.

If you want to learn more about  Bethany Griffin, go to her official web page - bethanygriffin.com. It's beautiful... 

Until next time, 

***NOTE! Copy of the book is kindly provided by the publisher, Greenwillow Books. I'm not paid for writing review - I do this for free as lover of written word. All opinions in this review are personal.

8. tra 2012.

We have a winner!







First, thank all of you for support and being the part of my first giveaway! We have a winner:

Lea K. , entery #585!!!

Congratulations!:)

The Selection by Kiera Cass


Book description from Edelweiss:


For thirty-five girls, the Selection is a dream come true. The chance to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To live in a castle and compete to win the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.

35 girls. 1 crown. The competition of a lifetime. Cinderella meets television's The Bachelor in this fresh dystopian romance.

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is a dream come true. The chance to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To live in a castle and compete to win the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.

All seventeen-year-old America Singer wants is a future with her secret boyfriend, Aspen. But when she is Selected, America grudgingly heads to the castle, all the while insisting that she has no interest in ruling a country divided by castes and plagued by violent rebel attacks. But much to her shock, her relationship with Maxon begins to bloom...and when she's unexpectedly confronted by her past, America is forced to choose between the life she thought she left behind and a future she never imagined.
Debut author Kiera Cass has crafted a totally unique dystopian world with an irresistible romance, a spirited protagonist, and plenty of high-stakes drama. Perfect for fans of Matched, this electrifying, futuristic fairy tale will leave readers clamoring for the next chapter in America's story.
Here's what I think...

Dystopian novels are quite popular lately - maybe because of the success of the Hunger Games or maybe because of the fact that vampire /werewolf theme became little bit worn out. They are still one of the most popular fantasy characters but there are lots of readers who are willing to read something different. If you're one of them, I think you should read The Selection by Kiera Cass.

As any novel of this genre, The Selection has usual plot: the girl living in the post-apocalyptic society of some kind, trying to make her own choices fighting with all limitations bared upon her by class, social status or, in this case, caste she belongs to and all rules determined by it. There's a boy, family, need to sacrifice  personal happiness for those she loves. And than there's the other boy and confusion and politics.

In general, this is not a bad book. It'll keep you entertained and some may find similarities with certain parts of The Hunger Games, Matched or Wither (I won't say anything else - I don't want to spoil it for you). Kiersten White, author of Paranormalcy, described book like this:
"Reality TV meets dystopian fairy tale in Kiera Cass's delightful debut. Charming, captivating, and filled with just the right amount of swoon!"
Swoon indeed! Reality TV - absolutely. It reminded me of all those dating TV shows. If you're a fan, you'll like the book. Me - not so much.

You may find it confusing in the beginning - what's the point of the selection and new society. Author is more focused on personal lives of characters than political background of the story. Later is represented only in glimpses and after about half of the book. In my opinion, that is the biggest flaw of The Selection - it makes the whole fictional world less believable. Because of this I think that younger readers will enjoy this book much more than older ones - thirteen year old girls enjoy fairytailish romance, they still don't like any "serious" topics in books they read (that's one of the reasons lots of readers didn't like that much third book in The Hunger Games trilogy).

The Selection will be available on April 24th  but author announced on her web page, kieracass.com, that the CW Network picked up her book for pilot. Cast is already selected and if you want to keep up for updates, check out The Selection IMDb page.

Happy reading, guys!
Until next time,

***NOTE! Copy of the book is kindly provided by the publisher, Harper Teen. I'm not paid for writing review - I do this for free as lover of written word. All opinions in this review are personal.

LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...