Review: Fathomless by Jackson Pearce

Fathomless
(Fairytale Retellings #3)

Author: Jackson Pearce

Publication Date: September 4th, 2012

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Genre: Fantasy / Fairy Tale Retelling

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Synopsis:

Celia Reynolds is the youngest in a set of triplets and the one with the least valuable power. Anne can see the future, and Jane can see the present, but all Celia can see is the past. And the past seems so insignificant -- until Celia meets Lo. Lo doesn't know who she is. Or who she was. Once a human, she is now almost entirely a creature of the sea -- a nymph, an ocean girl, a mermaid -- all terms too pretty for the soulless monster she knows she's becoming. Lo clings to shreds of her former self, fighting to remember her past, even as she's tempted to embrace her dark immortality. When a handsome boy named Jude falls off a pier and into the ocean, Celia and Lo work together to rescue him from the waves. The two form a friendship, but soon they find themselves competing for Jude's affection. Lo wants more than that, though. According to the ocean girls, there's only one way for Lo to earn back her humanity. She must persuade a mortal to love her . . . and steal his soul.

My Thoughts: Alright, Jackson Pearce is so utterly amazing. This is the only the second book I've read by her, the first being Purity, I freaking loved them both!!! (I know, I'm terrible for not having read the other fairy tale retellings, but now I want to even more!!) I went in thinking this was about mermaids (Little Mermaid retelling, so yeah) but Lo is totally NOT a mermaid. I still don't really understand what she was, Pearce called her an ocean girl. No fins or flippers! Just two legs and the ability to walk on land, albeit painfully. So what exactly did I love about Fathomless?? EVERYTHING!! I started reading it and got completely hooked (no pun intended.. or was it?). I seriously was reading this book every spare moment I had, carrying it around to steal a few word here and there. Pearce has definitely made it into my favorite authors!

There are two (well three, kind of) protagonists in Fathomless. There is Celia, the triplet with the power to see the past and Lo, the ocean girl. Then of course there is Naida, who is Lo, or is she really? Lo and Naida are the same girl, yet they are so different. Each has a different voice, as the reader can plainly tell from reading. Celia is trying to help Lo/Naida remember her past, before she was an ocean girl. All Lo/Naida wants is to not forget, not lose herself again. Celia can help her remember. They meet after the rescue Jude, a boy who fell in the water. The both fall in love with him, but how can Lo even be with him? She lives in the water and the only way to become human again is to steal his soul, which means killing him, so what's the point really.

I will admit, the ending caught me slightly by surprise. I wasn't expecting it. Pearce has a way of writing that seems to keep me guessing and I really enjoy it. If you are looking for a book that will have you dragging it around, unable to put down, I think you should try something by her. I love her writing style, her characters, her imagination. It's just amazing. This was comepletely different from what I was expecting, and I couldn't be happier. There is just something great about a book when you finish it, close it and just stare at it with a giant grin. That is what this book did for me. So yes, yes you should read it!

St. Vladimir's Summer School: Remedial Classes

Jen at Jen Ryland/YA Romantics and Steph at The Fake Steph Dot Com  started the St. Vladimir's Summer School. So I figured I would tag along and read some Vampire Academy since I still hadn't read it!! Lauren at The Headless Owl has also joined us!

So last week I didn't finish Last Sacrifice for the Summer School. So I spent the last few days reading every spare moment I got and finally finished it, only a week late..

Last Sacrifice
(Vampire Academy #6)

Author: Richelle Mead

Publication Date: December 7th 2010

Publisher: Razorbill

Genre: Urban Fantasy / Paranormal

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Synopsis:

They come first. My vision was growing dimmer, the blackness and ghosts closing in. I swore it was like I could hear Robert whispering in my ear: The world of the dead won't give you up a second time. Just before the light completely vanished, I saw Dimitri's face join Lissa's. I wanted to smile. I decided then that if the two people I loved most were safe, I could leave this world.

The dead could finally have me.

Rose Hathaway has always played by her own rules. She broke the law when she ran away from St. Vladimir's Academy with her best friend and last surviving Dragomir princess, Lissa. She broke the law when she fell in love with her gorgeous, off-limits instructor, Dimitri. And she dared to defy Queen Tatiana, leader of the Moroi world, risking her life and reputation to protect generations of dhampir guardians to come.

Now the law has finally caught up with Rose - for a crime she didn't even commit. She's in prison for the highest offense imaginable: the assassination of a monarch. She'll need help from both Dimitri and Adrian to find the one living person who can stall her execution and force the Moroi elite to acknowledge a shocking new candidate for the royal throne: Vasilisa Dragomir.

But the clock on Rose's life is running out. Rose knows in her heart the world of the dead wants her back...and this time she is truly out of second chances. The big question is, when your whole life is about saving others, who will save you?

My Thoughts: I honestly can't believe that it took me so long to read this book. It wasn't because I didn't like it, I LOVED it! But I've just been so busy lately, so I never got a chance to finish it. So I'm slightly sad because the series is done, but there it always the Bloodlines series for me to read! Luckily, there are six books planned for that series as well.

Ok, so Last Sacrifice takes up where Spirit Bound left off, with Rose in jail. So much happens in this book. Rose's friends stage a jail break because they are running out of time to find Tatiana's killer (OMG, I couldn't believe who it was!!!) So they send Rose off to hide with Dimitri and Sydney, in a small town in the middle of no where. Of course, Rose isn't content to sit around waiting, she has her own agenda. So off she goes to find Lissa's illegitimate sibling to give Lissa a chance to vote in the council. Of course to give themselves more time, they have Lissa run for the throne, she can't win anyways. There are some very unlikely allies, heartbreak (<3 Adrian), sex and constant motion. Things are happening fast in this book, they can't go slowly because they are running out of time.

Rose changed so much in this book, at least I thought she did. She had a lot of realizations and made so many sacrifices. She does do something that made me sad, cheating on Adrian, but I guess that leaves him open for the Bloodlines series, so we'll get to read more about him  <3. Although his hurt made me very sad. Lissa is another character that grew a lot, growing into her royal role. I will admit that I teared up a few times while reading, I got so emotionally involved with the character's lives.  The character's are just so easy to fall in love with and want more from them. It's one of the reasons I'm sadabout this series ending, since there are some characters that likely won't continue on.

 Once again, Richelle Mead had me wanting to read non stop, even if I couldn't. When I wasn't reading, I was thinking about it, even dreaming about it. Oh how I wish I'd had an Adrian induced spirit dream!! I read all of these in e-format, but I'm definitely going to be purchasing these for my collection, it's become a favorite for me. This is a series you don't want to miss out on. I can't wait to dive into Bloodlines! So if you haven't read Vampire Academy yet, do it, you won't be sorry!

Review: Wake by Amanda Hocking

Wake
(Watersong #1)

Author: Amanda Hocking

Publication Date: August 7th, 2012

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Genre: Paranormal / Mythology

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Synopsis:

Gorgeous. Fearless. Dangerous. They're the kind of girls you envy; the kind of girls you want to hate. Strangers in town for the summer, Penn, Lexi and Thea have caught everyone's attention—but it’s Gemma who’s attracted theirs. She’s the one they’ve chosen to be part of their group.

Gemma seems to have it all—she’s carefree, pretty, and falling in love with Alex, the boy next door. He’s always been just a friend, but this summer they’ve taken their relationship to the next level, and now there’s no going back. Then one night, Gemma’s ordinary life changes forever. She’s taking a late night swim under the stars when she finds Penn, Lexi and Thea partying on the cove. They invite her to join them, and the next morning she wakes up on the beach feeling groggy and sick, knowing something is different.

Suddenly Gemma is stronger, faster, and more beautiful than ever. But her new powers come with a terrifying price. And as she uncovers the truth, she’s is forced to choose between staying with those she loves—or entering a new world brimming with dark hungers and unimaginable secrets.

My Thoughts: >When I first started reading Wake I thought I was about to start my second ever mermaid book. Note to everyone, there are NO mermaids. I also had no idea that there was going to be a mythological background story. I was so EXCITED for that!! I love mythology!! Needless to say, I throughly enjoyed reading Wake, it took me less than a day to read it and was a fairly easy and quick read. I actually hadn't read anything by Amanda Hocking before (although the Trylle series sits on my shelf, so I will get to it!!), so this was a very nice introducing into her writing style. I will be eagerly awaiting Lullaby, the next book in the Watersong series. I've very happy to see that there are 4 books planned in the series.

So I just have to say it, I love the cover of Wake!! It's so pretty. I'm really a fan of the underwater covers that have been coming out lately. Maybe because I like the blue that comes with it. The font that is used is also one that I'm a fan of. I find the cover fairly simple overall and it doesn't really give anything away in the book. So really enjoying the covers of this series, the one for Lullaby is on Goodreads and is equally as nice, they will look very nice on my shelf.

Wake follows Gemma and Harper, two sisters that are very different. Gemma is a star swimmer, she is hoping to get to the Olympics someday. She's carefree, pretty and has a thing for Alex, the bor next door. Harper has given up her childhood to look after Gemma after their mom was in an accident. She is smart and reserved and Alex is her oldest friend. It's all she can do to try and keep Gemma out of trouble. Suddenly boys are going missing, but Gemma is fearless and still continues her nightly swims in the bay. One thing the two sisters can agree on it the new girsl in town, Penn, Lexi and Thea are bad news. Gemma tries to avoid them, but they won't leave her alone. 

I enjoyed both Gemma and Harper as characters. I would say that Harper is a lot like me, so I was really able to relate to her. Gemma was a bit harder for me to relate with, but she was still a character that I enjoyed getting to know. Both girls are great characters who try to do what is right and they are both falling for guys that they least expected to fall for.

Overall this book really surprised me in that it wasn't exactly what I was expecting, in a good way. It was really enjoyable with great characters that I was able to relate with. The story was well written and had small surprises in it. If you like mythology, you should definitely add this one to your TBR. Amanda Hocking is a great  author and I will be reading more by her soon! With a bit of paranormal, mythology and romance, Wake has made it's way to one of my favorite reads. It's a book that I will be highly recommending. Definitely check out this series!

  

Thank you to Raincoast Books for the review copy!!

Review: Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake

Girl of Nightmares
(Anna #2)

Author: Kendare Blake

Publication Date: August 7th, 2012

Publisher: Tor Teen

Genre: Paranormal / Urban Fantasy

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Synopsis:

It's been months since the ghost of Anna Korlov opened a door to Hell in her basement and disappeared into it, but ghost-hunter Cas Lowood can't move on. His friends remind him that Anna sacrificed herself so that Cas could live—not walk around half dead. He knows they're right, but in Cas's eyes, no living girl he meets can compare to the dead girl he fell in love with. Now he's seeing Anna everywhere: sometimes when he's asleep and sometimes in waking nightmares. But something is very wrong...these aren't just daydreams. Anna seems tortured, torn apart in new and ever more gruesome ways every time she appears. Cas doesn't know what happened to Anna when she disappeared into Hell, but he knows she doesn't deserve whatever is happening to her now. Anna saved Cas more than once, and it's time for him to return the favor.

My Thoughts: Another amazing novel by Kendare Blake! This is the end of Anna's story, with an ending that I LOVED!! Just so you all know! I really enjoyed Anna Dressed in Blood and was expecting to like Girl of Nightmares just as much. Nope, I loved it so much more.

Cas suffers so much in Girl of Nightmares. Anna sacrificed herself for him and is in Hell being tortured by the Obeahman. Cas keeps seeing her, she is being tortured in so many different ways and he can see it. All he wants to do is help Anna, but everyone is telling him to leave it alone, she's where she's supposed to be. How can she be though? She has suffered enough and he knows it. So Cas searches for a way into Anna's Hell to rescue her. Everyone says it's impossible, but he knows there has to be a way.

Cas clearly loves Anna so much that he is willing to literally go to Hell for her. It makes me like him so much as a character. He would do anything it seems for her. Thomas and Caramel are there helping him along, although Caramel seems to be wavering and ready to leave their crazy lives. A new character is introduced in this one, Jestine, the girl who has been trained to take over Cas' job within the Order. They don't like how Cas goes about killing the ghosts, and selecting who he kills. They think he should just kill them all, even the harmless ones. Regardless, I liked Jestine's character and she definitely helped out more than once!

I feel that Girl of Nightmares had the perfect ending for the series. The pacing was good and the writing was just amazing! A lot of the questions I had while reading were answered, so I wasn't left feeling too sad, only sad in the fact that it was over and there was no more. It was a bit gruesome, but I at least was expecting it this time, unlike when I started Anna. The closure was great, it really was the perfect ending. I know, I'm gushing a bit. I will for sure be watching out for more by Kendare Blake. I hope she comes up with more amazing stories to share with us. This series is definitely one that I will be recommending to whoever will listen. If you haven't read this one yet, you need to.

 Thank you Macmillan and Raincoast Books for the review copy!

Review: The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa

The Iron Knight
(The Iron Fey #4)

Author: Julie Kagawa

Publication Date: October 26th, 2011

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Genre: Urban Fantasy

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Synopsis:

"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..."

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

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

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

To survive in the Iron Realm, Ash must have a soul and a mortal body. But the tests he must face to earn these things are impossible. And along the way Ash learns something that changes everything. A truth that challenges his darkest beliefs and shows him that, sometimes, it takes more than courage to make the ultimate sacrifice.

My Thoughts: Love, love, love, LOVE!!!!!!! Hey, did I say yet how much I freaking LOVED The Iron Knight. Excuse me while I gush some more.. I love Julie Kagawa and her amazing imagination. I love Ash! I love Grimalkin! I even love Puck, just not as much as Ash! *squeeee* Ok. I'll stop now.

I seriously cannot believe that I waited so long to read this book after finishing The Iron Queen. I'm just going to blame my total inability to actually read synopsis' before the book. Seriously, had I known this was in Ash's point of view?! I probably would have read it long ago!

So as I said, The Iron Knight is from Ash's point of view and I seriously love him as a protagonist! He made a vow to Meghan that he was going to find a way to be with her. Who better to ask for help finding a way than every one's favorite cat, Grimalkin, of course tracking him down isn't easy, even with Puck's "help". Ash has to give up his immortality and gain a soul to become mortal so that he can enter the Iron Kingdom. For that, he has to travel to the End of the World. With some unexpected allies (and one annoying friend) Ash heads out to make the ultimate sacrifice.

I can't help but love Ash. I'm 200% Team Ash and this book only made me love him more. How can I not love him? He is going to make the ultimate sacrifice to be with Meghan! He's going to travel to the End of the World to give up his immortality for love! He'll age while Meghan is immortal. That is a huge sacrifice for a faery. I have so much respect for him as a character! Plus he is totally swoon worthy. He should just come be with me as he is!

Once again, Julie Kagawa had me completely immersed in the world of Faery. Her imagination knows no bounds! I absolutely love her writing style. The saddest thing about this book? That it ended. I need more! I can't wait to get my hands on Iron's Prophecy and The Lost Prince. I'm so happy that these books are a part of my collection and that I've been able to share them with others. They are absolutely amazing and Julie is definitely in my top 10 authors! If you've yet to check her writing out, you have to! If Faeries are not your thing, then try The Immortal Rules, it's equally amazing! I strongly recommend The Iron Fey series though! You won't regret it! (I'm so going to get a grey cat to name Grimalkin).