Review: The Machinery by Gerrard Cowan

Published: September 10th 2015
Genre: fantasy/dystopian/sci-fi
Format: ebook
Source: provided for honest review

Goodreads Summary

For ten millennia, the leaders of the Overland have been Selected by the Machinery, an omnipotent machine gifted to their world in darker days.

The city has thrived in arts, science and war, crushing all enemies and expanding to encompass the entire Plateau.

But the Overland is not at ease, for the Machinery came with the Prophecy: it will break in the 10,000th year, Selecting just one leader who will bring Ruin to the world. And with the death of Strategist Kane, a Selection is set to occur…

For Apprentice Watcher Katrina Paprissi, the date has special significance. Life hasn’t been the same since she witnessed the kidnapping of her brother Alexander, the only person on the Plateau who knew the meaning of the Prophecy.

When the opportunity arises to find her brother, Katrina must travel into the depths of the Underland, the home of the Machinery, to confront the Operator himself and discover just what makes the world work…

Buy The Machinery Kindle Edition by Gerrard Cowan today at Amazon

‘It does not trust you. It knows you do not believe it.’ 

The Operator laughed, and the room seemed to darken. ‘I like you, Alexander. I like that you think you can talk to me, in such a way, about my own creation.’ 

‘You do not understand it fully, Operator. If you did, you would believe the words. Ruin is coming.’

The Good

I really enjoy some of the more powerful characters in the story. The Operator and Squatstout for instance. They really differ from one another while at the same time make it clear they are related.
I liked Katrina and found myself admiring her will to go on.  I enjoyed the ideal of the machine as it didn't care about your bloodline or pedigree when choosing a ruler. Today you could be selling plums and tomorrow you could be in charge of everyone and every thing.

The Bad

While I don't mind when the first book in a series leaves me with questions. I feel this one left me with a whole lot of questions.  Book two is pretty important to me as I'm hoping for some answers.

Conclusion

Overall I did enjoy this one. The world was different to what I normally experience. The characters were fun yet there were quite a few of them. Overall not much action takes place as it's more cloak and dagger then anything else. I would say if you are looking for something fresh with the cloak and dagger feel to it and don't mind when an answer leaves you with two more questions, then you should read this book.

Excerpts

‘Have you heard anything about it? Perhaps in some intellectual gathering?’ 
‘Oh yes, General. I’ve heard things. I did not believe them, being a rational man. But I was told that there are ghosts in there: ghosts in hidden rooms of bones.’ 
Brandione smiled and patted his assistant on the knee. ‘No, Farringer. It’s far too dangerous for ghosts. There are bones, though.’

Hood hurriedly opened the door, and Aranfal’s mouth fell open as the third member of the group of Doubters entered the room. ‘Can none of you people stay tied up?’ the Watcher asked. 

‘Oh, very good, very good! Can you stay tied up! Ha ha ha!’

‘And you will not leave my side.’ 
‘Understood.’ 
Aranfal sighed, repeating, ‘I must have gone mad.’ 

Squatstout grinned. ‘Happens to the best of us, my friend. It’s best to just go along for the ride.’

Katrina forced a smile for her superior. ‘How goes the night, Watcher Aranfal? Have we apprehended many Doubters?’ 

Aranfal snorted. ‘Many. There are always many, at things like this. It’s as if they can’t help it. Great events of the Overland draw them like moths to a flame; they must gaze upon the beauty of the world they would destroy, and shudder before its magnificence.’

Buy The Machinery Kindle Edition by Gerrard Cowan today at Amazon

Review: Nightwish (Echoes of Eternity, #1) by Sydney Bristow

Published: Published August 9th 2015
Genre: Paranormal/Urban Fantasy/Young Adult
Format: ebook
Source: provided for honest review

Goodreads Summary

Serena Sykes just discovered that the mother, identical twin sister, and niece she never knew existed…are the last remaining witches on the planet. That is, except for Serena, who recently received her own limited, albeit wildly erratic supernatural abilities. 

But her newfound family isn’t interested in helping her master those gifts. After all, Serena’s mother has been communicating beyond the veil with the first witch in their line, a sorceress named Zephora who hopes to return to this dimension and destroy an ancient curse that would unleash paranormal creatures across the globe. 

To help guide her in this new landscape, Serena turns to her grandmother, an elderly woman suffering from dementia and the only vampire in existence, a man who has his own mysterious agenda. With less than 48 hours to prevent her family from triggering a supernatural wasteland, Serena must learn to control her abilities…if she hopes to save the world!

Buy Nightwish (Echoes of Eternity, #1) by Sydney Bristow today at Amazon

“Quiet again?” 

“Well, you kinda just threw my world into a tailspin, so I think I’m entitled a few minutes to freak out.” 

He glanced at the time on the dashboard. “Okay. Three minutes starting… now!”

The Good

For starters Serena is witty and sarcastic. Her use of sarcasm to roll with the punches had me smiling through most of the story. Then the vampire Darius (who for some odd reason I picture as Spike from Buffy) seems to have an attitude problem. His personality fits for me as he wants to be taken seriously and expects people to respect his experience.  Some of the magic and how it's governed feels fun and fresh, while a few of the non humans that pop up give me hope for where the series is headed.

The Bad

My only real issue so far is how easily everyone just accepts the paranormal world. I get that it's all around us on TV and in books but dang. She tells people she's a witch and no one bats an eye.

The Romance

Lets start with Serena's friends Kendall and Brandon. She loves him and he's clueless to the fact. So she seems to constantly runs him down whenever another woman comes up. Then Serena ends up having strong chemistry with a Nolan Hart. but while he seems to be interested in her they are in a band together. So they do what they can to keep each other off limits.

Conclusion

I'm really glad I gave this one a chance. I like the magical history, the creatures and the personalities that have been shown so far. I also really have hopes for her sister Alexis to turn it around and not be such a turd in the punch bowl. This one is definitely worth reading if you enjoy paranormal stories with fun little twists.

Excerpts

“Interesting,” he said. “I threaten you with a death, and you… jest?” 
“Well, no, because if I jested… I’d be a jester, now wouldn’t I? And I’m not much for the bizarre shoes, the funky hat, and the freaky make-up. It’s all pretty disturbing.”


“I’m not a full-fledged vampire. I just have vampiric tendencies.” 
“Is that like psychotic tendencies? Some days you just have to go out and kill a person or two. And others, you’d rather just stay in and, what, watch Downton Abbey?”


“That depends on the witch. And the power she wields.” 
“So if I had super-strength, and you tried to bite me, I’d be able to rip your head off.” 
“You’re quite violent, aren’t you?”


“Stay away from her and Alexis, but practice your abilities— once you discover them.” 
“How do I do that? Hop on a broom and fly over to Hogwarts for a one-on-one with Hermione?” She gave me an impatient look. “Sorry. How do I protect myself?” A grave expression appeared on her face. 
“By killing them before they kill you!”


“Zephora’s granddaughter distorted the human form. She created many life-forms that most humans regard as folklore.” 
“Like Bigfoot?” Brandon asked. “Is he real? And don’t say he’s Chewbacca from Star Wars.” 
Darius examined him for a long moment. “You are a strange man.”

Buy Nightwish (Echoes of Eternity, #1) by Sydney Bristow today at Amazon

Fandom Mashups [4]

Fandom Mashups is a feature hosted by Lunar Rainbows Reviews. There's a different scenario each week, and you choose a "dream team" of five characters from five different fandoms whom you think are best suited for the situation.

This week's topic is:

You've succumbed to the Dark Side (they have cookies!). Who do you want as your mentors of evil?

1) Queen Levana - The Lunar Chronicles

Queen Levana from The Lunar Chronicles is one of my favorite villains ever. This woman has no regard for other's lives. She also has the terrifying ability of being able to control others through her thoughts. She is a hard-core tyrant and in her world, it's all about her.

2) Maleficent - Sleeping Beauty

via GIPHY

The Mistress of Evil would also have to be on my team. Who curses a baby to die on their sixteenth birthday because she's not invited to a christening? Since she has a thing about being left out, I'm definitely including her. I want her magic and dragon form on my team.

3) Rumplestiltskin - Once Upon a Time

via GIPHY

Rumple has obtained the powers of a sorcerer and become The Dark One. He's beyond cunning, always thinking 100 steps ahead of everyone else, and has power that puts others on edge. Plus, it's just really hard to know what he's going to do.

4) President Snow - Hunger Games

via GIPHY

This guy is calm and cool but underneath that put-together exterior is an incredibly ruthless tyrant. He poisoned his foes and took the poison himself so as not to come off as suspicious. Snow's breath has a permanent smell of blood from the sores from this poison because his antidote didn't get rid of all the effects. He kills people's loved ones to keep them in line and rules Panem with a fist of fear.

5) Magneto - X-Men

via GIPHY

His power is tremendous and he's also incredibly intelligent. I love that he's gone from super-villain to hero so he fights on the side he feels is right at the time. Plus, I just love Sir Ian McKellen.

Who would be on your dream team this week?

Sunday Cover Scramble [141]

Let's have some fun! I am going to post covers on here every Sunday that are scrambled up graphically, making it hard to tell what cover it is. I would like your guesses on what cover you think I've posted. I won't answer you until I'm posting the next one to let you know if you are right, allowing others to guess as well. Some will be hard, and others may be easy. Let me know in the comments if you'd like some more hints and I'll offer some more if no one guesses it correctly.


I am pulling covers off the Most Popular Page on Goodreads.

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

When life's kicking your butt...how about a theme song? [17]

My friend Robyn from robgirlbooks tasked us with coming up with a theme song each month, and I love it! Music is a VERY big part of my life.

This month is Wistful and Dreamy.

Young and Beautiful by Lana Del Ray

What is your choice this month??

Harry Potter Moment of the Week [86]

This is a meme hosted by Uncorked Thoughts and Lunar Rainbows.The idea is to share a favorite moment, magical item, character, spell, quote, object from the books, films or J.K.Rowling herself! Click the links to the blogs to see how to join up &  upcoming topics.

The Quibbler needs a new headline story! What do you come up with?

What's your headline idea?

Review: Dreams of Gods and Monsters (Daughter of Smoke and Bone #3) by Laini Taylor

Published: April 8, 2014 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Genre: YA, Paranormal Fantasy
Format: ebook
Source: Purchased

Goodreads Summary

In this thrilling conclusion to the Daughter of Smoke & Bone trilogy, Karou is still not ready to forgive Akiva for killing the only family she's ever known.

When a brutal angel army trespasses into the human world, Karou and Akiva must ally their enemy armies against the threat--and against larger dangers that loom on the horizon. They begin to hope that it might forge a way forward for their people. And, perhaps, for themselves--maybe even toward love.

From the streets of Rome to the caves of the Kirin and beyond, humans, chimaera, and seraphim will fight, strive, love, and die in an epic theater that transcends good and evil, right and wrong, friend and enemy.

"World peace for dinner," mused Mik, scratching his beard stubble. "Does that come with fries?"

Fearless Nearness

Finally Karou has her hope firmly in her heart and her allies close by her side. There's a new threat and it amazingly causes a temporary peace between the Chimeara and a certain group of Seraphim called The Misbegotten. Of course there's a lot of hardship with two warring people trying to get along, but it is also beautiful to see such life-long revenge turn into a tentative alliance. With the groups together, they are far more powerful than apart. It's one of my favorite things to see previous enemies team up to fight a greater threat.

In every book I feel like I add a new favorite character while still loving the ones from previous books that earned a place in my heart. In this one, Liriz joined the large group of Karou, Akiva, Zuzana, Mik, Issa, and Ziri that I already adored. It's been so great watching the growth of these characters. There was a lot of humor sprinkled throughout in the midst of this war that came from a variety of characters and had me giggling while reading.

I enjoyed a few surprises as well as some back-stabs from characters that I wasn't expecting it from.

Eclipsed by Storm-Hunter's Wings

I actually really disliked the Eliza parts all through the beginning and got to the point where I was just skimming the sections following her. It wasn't until later when her part to play became clear that her scenes were enjoyable for me.

Angel-Lover, Beast-Lover

It's apparent that these two should really be together, so when Akiva and Karou finally acknowledge that they belong together, it feels right. I'm beyond thankful that there's no love triangle in this series to speak of and throughout it all they only cared for each other.

I was also thrilled to see a new romance blossom between some other favorite characters.

And Unicorns for All

Dreams of Gods and Monsters is packed to the brim with action and twists, betrayals and unexpected allies, and ends on a note that suggests the story could continue. It's not all neatly wrapped up with a bow, and that's ok. It's a satisfying ending to this exquisitely written series.

Excerpts

Karou looked to him, found his eyes waiting for hers, and met them with a sting of clarity that was the final dissolution of the lie. It mattered. They mattered, and whatever it was that had made them not kill each other on Bullfinch beach all those years ago...mattered.

"We have so many enemies, Lisseth," said Karou, keeping her voice light. "Most of them are our birthright, inherited like a duty, but the ones we make for ourselves are special. We should choose them with care."

"The future is shadowed, and I can promise you nothing beyond this: We will fight for our world to the last echo of our souls, and if we are very strong and very lucky and very smart, we may live to rebuild some of what we've lost.

Sunday Cover Scramble [140]

Let's have some fun! I am going to post covers on here every Sunday that are scrambled up graphically, making it hard to tell what cover it is. I would like your guesses on what cover you think I've posted. I won't answer you until I'm posting the next one to let you know if you are right, allowing others to guess as well. Some will be hard, and others may be easy. Let me know in the comments if you'd like some more hints and I'll offer some more if no one guesses it correctly.


I am pulling covers off the Most Popular Page on Goodreads.

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Harry Potter Moment of the Week [85]

This is a meme hosted by Uncorked Thoughts and Lunar Rainbows.The idea is to share a favorite moment, magical item, character, spell, quote, object from the books, films or J.K.Rowling herself! Click the links to the blogs to see how to join up &  upcoming topics.

Favorite McGonagall Moment

via GIPHY

McGonagall is my favorite teacher! There are so many brilliant moments with her.

My absolute favorite would have to be this exchange between her and Umbridge though:


"I was wondering whether Mr Potter has quite the temperament for an Auror?" said Professor Umbridge sweetly.
"Were you?" said Professor McGonagall haughtily. "Well, Potter," she continued, as though there had been no interruption, "if you are serious in this ambition, I would advise you to concentrate hard on bringing your Transfiguration and Potions up to scratch. I see Professor Flitwick has graded you between 'Acceptable' and 'Exceeds Expectations' for the last two years, so your Charmwork seems satisfactory. As for Defence Against the Dark Arts, your marks have been generally high, Professor Lupin in particular thought you – are you quite sure you wouldn’t like a cough drop, Dolores?"
"Oh, no need, thank you, Minerva," simpered Professor Umbridge, who had just coughed her loudest yet. "I was just concerned that you might not have Harry’s most recent Defence Against the Dark Arts marks in front of you. I’m quite sure I slipped in a note."
"What, this thing?" said Professor McGonagall in a tone of revulsion, as she pulled a sheet of pink parchment from between the leaves of Harry’s folder. She glanced down it, her eyebrows slightly raised, then placed it back into the folder without comment.
"Yes, as I was saying, Potter, Professor Lupin thought you showed a pronounced aptitude for the subject, and obviously for an Auror –"
"Did you not understand my note, Minerva?" asked Professor Umbridge in honeyed tones, quite forgetting to cough.
"Of course I understood it," said Professor McGonagall, her teeth clenched so tightly the words came out a little muffled.
"Well, then, I am confused… I’m afraid I don’t quite understand how you can give Mr Potter false hope that –"
"False hope?" repeated Professor McGonagall, still refusing to look round at Professor Umbridge. "He has achieved high marks in all his Defence Against the Dark Arts tests –"
"I’m terribly sorry to have to contradict you, Minerva, but as you will see from my note, Harry has been achieving very poor results in his classes with me –"
"I should have made my meaning plainer," said Professor McGonagall, turning at last to look Umbridge directly in the eyes. "He has achieved high marks in all Defence Against the Dark Arts tests set by a competent teacher."
Professor Umbridge’s smile vanished as suddenly as a light bulb blowing. She sat back in her chair, turned a sheet on her clipboard and began scribbling very fast indeed, her bulging eyes rolling from side to side. Professor McGonagall turned back to Harry, her thin nostrils flared, her eyes burning.
[…]
"Well, you’ll need to demonstrate the ability to react well to pressure and so forth," said Professor McGonagall, "perseverance and dedication, because Auror training takes a further three years, not to mention very high skills in practical Defence. It will mean a lot more study even after you’ve left school, so unless you’re prepared to -"
"I think you will also find," said Umbridge, her voice very cold now, "that the Ministry looks into the records of those applying to be Aurors. Their criminal records."
"– unless you’re prepared to take even more exams after Hogwarts, you should really look at another –"
"Which means that this boy has as much chance of becoming an Auror as Dumbledore has of ever returning to this school."
"A very good chance, then," said Professor McGonagall.
"Potter has a criminal record," said Umbridge loudly.
"Potter has been cleared of all charges," said McGonagall, even more loudly.
Professor Umbridge stood up. She was so short that this did not make a great deal of difference, but her fussy, simpering demeanour had given place to a hard fury that made her broad, flabby face look oddly sinister.
"Potter has no chance whatsoever of becoming an Auror!"
Professor McGonagall got to her feet, too, and in her case this was a much more impressive move; she towered over Professor Umbridge.
"Potter," she said in ringing tones, "I will assist you to become an Auror if it is the last thing I do! If I have to coach you nightly, I will make sure you achieve the required results!"

What is your favorite McGonagall Moment?

Review: In The Seraphim City by Eirik Moe Dahll-Larssøn

Published: June 1st 2015
Genre: Thriller/Urban Fantasy/Sci-Fi
Format: ebook
Source: provided for honest review

Goodreads Summary

For centuries, the city grew. Aided by the Alchemists, it grew past any boundary, until its lower levels could no longer sustain life. It grew until its foundation fell, its core became decrepit, and it grew until it reached the sky. Only the Alchemists remain, shunned and hated, in the bowels of this monstrosity; in the rotted centre of the city called the Hive. Up above live the rest. On the Surface, and on the grand island floating in the sky, the Plateau. Few still fight for the rights of those forgotten - for the Alchemists who helped the city climb so high. They are left to rot at the city's feet. None seem to care, or even remember that they are still there, waiting to be let free. To smell the open air, and to see the sky again. None but Ian Allant. A man whose life was spent attempting to bridge the gap between the people above and those left below - and to bring light to the darkest corners of the city. Theodore Donovan is tasked with finding the people responsible for his death. He descends into the endless night below, and finds that there is more to the truth than he bargained for - and that Ian Allant's murder is perhaps better left unsolved.

In the Seraphim City by Eirik Dahll-Larssøn

“This is everything I have,” he said. He hesitated. When he spoke again, his voice was much lower, much darker than it had been. “You are not likely to come back from this,” he said. 

“What’s that supposed to mean?” 

“It means,” Ed said, still holding onto the folder, “That I suspect you are looking to pull a thread holding together a wound very frailly stitched. And once that wound opens, it will not easily close.”

The Good

So the main character Theodore Donovan makes for a great PI. He's resourceful and good at asking the right questions. He hates using a gun and unlike most of the people, he is willing to go down into the hive for information. I enjoyed the world development of Seraphim city and some of the different characters. The alchemist and their abilities really stood out to me. I love different...and for me this fit.

I also really liked all the twists and turns the story held.

The Bad

For me, I like action, the more the merrier to be honest. In this one, it felt like the action was minimal and far between. Though it did pick up towards the end. I guess if you like the slow build toward the action it won't bother you.

The Romance

Theo still works with his ex-wife. They are both willing to do what ever it takes to help the other, they're just no longer together. You can definitely tell they still love each other in my opinion.

The Conclusion

Overall, I enjoyed reading this one. If there is a 2nd book, I'll be ready to give it a read as well. I definitely have questions I need answered after this one. While the book doesn't end on a cliffhanger, it also doesn't really end. It felt like I got a 'tune in next time for what happens' next message. But if you enjoy Crime/thriller stories or Sci-Fi, you should give this one a read, it's worth it.

Excerpts

‘What is down there?’ I heard myself ask, feeling the Nothing before us, around us, above us, bearing down on me like a predator, like the Minotaur, waiting for its prey to stumble. 
Abiel answered my question. ‘More of the same,’ he said, in that monotone, dark voice that seemed to refuse to echo like my own voice did. ‘Cold, dark and ruin, and hunters in the night.’

“So what’s this for?” Janine asked, looking over the list. 
“Defence,” Theo said tersely, still scrolling down his phone list with a look of disdain on his face. 
“From what?” 
He looked up, shrugged, and sighed. “Whatever we might need defending from.”

Kenneth shot him a furtive look, frowning at the vague answer. “You being careful?” he asked. 
“Always.” 
“No, I mean careful,” Kenneth said, patting the gun in his back pocket. “Yeah?” 
“I don’t like guns, Ken,” Theo said, “You know I don’t.” 
“They might like you though, you give’em a chance.”

“Solheim Suny wants to see you,” he said quietly, menace in his voice. His cronies readied their guns; training them on him. Theo smiled. 
“Good,” he said happily, “I want to see him, too.” 
The Alchemist blinked. “What?” he asked flatly.

In the Seraphim City by Eirik Dahll-Larssøn

Fandom Mashups [3]

Fandom Mashups is a feature hosted by Lunar Rainbows Reviews. There's a different scenario each week, and you choose a "dream team" of five characters from five different fandoms whom you think are best suited for the situation.

This week's topic is:

Aliens are invading!  Who's going to help you protect the world?

1) Thor - The Avengers

via GIPHY

Being an alien himself, he is well-known all across the universe and can inspire fear just by being with us. With his hammer and flying capabilities, I think he's a shoo-in for this team.

2) R2-D2 - Star Wars

via GIPHY

Not only would R2-D2 just be fun to have around, he's amazing at rescuing his crew when they find themselves in trouble. I could always use someone having my back like that.

3) Daemon Black - Lux Chronicles

Another alien himself with some great superpowers, and he's fiercely protective of his Katy as well as his family. If aliens are invading, he'll join the team to keep them safe at all costs.

4) Cress - Lunar Chronicles

We already have the muscle and super powers so we need the girl with the amazing hacking and programming abilities. I feel like those aliens will be pretty technologically advanced to have come all the way here so we'll be needing an amazing techie on our side.

5) Riddick - Chronicles of Riddick

via GIPHY

He's a survivalist at heart. After all, he is the 'one man' that can beat the Necromongers when the arrive to destroy the human race. He once injects venom repeatedly so that he will become immune to the creatures. This guy is intense. If you haven't seen these movies, I recommend that you do.

Who would be on your dream team this week?

Sunday Cover Scramble [139]

Let's have some fun! I am going to post covers on here every Sunday that are scrambled up graphically, making it hard to tell what cover it is. I would like your guesses on what cover you think I've posted. I won't answer you until I'm posting the next one to let you know if you are right, allowing others to guess as well. Some will be hard, and others may be easy. Let me know in the comments if you'd like some more hints and I'll offer some more if no one guesses it correctly.


I am pulling covers off the Most Popular Page on Goodreads.

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Harry Potter Moment of the Week [84]

This is a meme hosted by Uncorked Thoughts and Lunar Rainbows.The idea is to share a favorite moment, magical item, character, spell, quote, object from the books, films or J.K.Rowling herself! Click the links to the blogs to see how to join up &  upcoming topics.

Rename the books from Draco's Point of View

via GIPHY

Draco Malfoy and the Forbidden Forest
Draco Malfoy and the Heir of Slytherin
Draco Malfoy and Hippogriff Injury
Draco Malfoy and the Durmstrangs
Draco Malfoy and the Inquisitorial Squad
Draco Malfoy and the Task
Draco Malfoy and the Lost Wand

Or

Draco Malfoy and How Not to Make Friends
Draco Malfoy Wishes He Was Slytherin's Heir
Draco Malfoy and the Slap Heard Round the World
Draco Malfoy and the Dreaded Mad-Eye Moody
Draco Malfoy and Weasley Really is our King
Draco Malfoy and It.Gets.Real.
Draco Malfoy and He Just Wants to go Home

What would your titles be?

Review: Days of Blood and Starlight (Daughter of Smoke and Bone #2) by Laini Taylor

Published: November 6, 2012 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Genre: YA, Paranormal Fantasy
Format: ebook
Source: Purchased

Goodreads Summary

Once upon a time, an angel and a devil fell in love and dared to imagine a world free of bloodshed and war.

This is not that world.

Art student and monster's apprentice Karou finally has the answers she has always sought. She knows who she is—and what she is. But with this knowledge comes another truth she would give anything to undo: She loved the enemy and he betrayed her, and a world suffered for it.

In this stunning sequel to the highly acclaimed Daughter of Smoke & Bone, Karou must decide how far she'll go to avenge her people. Filled with heartbreak and beauty, secrets and impossible choices, Days of Blood & Starlight finds Karou and Akiva on opposing sides as an age-old war stirs back to life.

While Karou and her allies build a monstrous army in a land of dust and starlight, Akiva wages a different sort of battle: a battle for redemption. For hope.

But can any hope be salvaged from the ashes of their broken dream?

Once upon a time, a girl lived in a sandcastle, making monsters to send through a hole in the sky.

Delicate Beauty

Days of Blood and Starlight was written just as beautifully as the first. However, Karou is not in the same place, mind or body, that she was before. She's living with the remaining Chimeara far away from her best friends Zuzana and Mik and so very alone. She is working beside someone she hates, but doesn't have a choice. I was constantly feeling so bad for Karou and teared up repeatedly while reading. This one is much darker than Daughter of Smoke and Bone yet still full of hope. She's doing this beautiful and important work for the Chimeara, and is treated like the cardboard tube of the toilet paper roll, so necessary but easily discarded. It seemed like as soon as she was given a bright light in the form of a friend and ally, that person would be ripped away for one reason or another.

There are two groups in this story, the Seraphim and the Chimeara. As with every group, it's so easy to see that there are both good and evil within on both sides. Akiva is with the Seraphim working from the inside trying to get others of his kind to show mercy and begin living another way. Karou is working tirelessly to bring more kind souls out in the Chimeara and is blocked at every pass. Together they are in parallel during the middle to the end of the story with similar circumstances happening on both sides. It was such a great and poignant read. I absolutely loved the inclusion of Zuzana and Mik and the bouyancy that they brought with them.

Black Hands and Splintered Souls

Really the only hard part about reading this one for me was how sad it got. I've never enjoyed being sad, and this one definitely pulled on my heart-strings.

It was also hard to watch Karou through the beginning of this one because she was so bent on revenge, but at the same time disgusting herself. She is so intensely mad at Akiva for his need for revenge, but reacts in the same way at first.

Like Magnets

Akiva becomes someone to really get behind, but Karou is heart broken and decides that her instant attraction to him was an incredible mistake. In this one, she questions what she really knows about him and whether she can move past the things he's done. Akiva, however, never wavers in his love for Karou.

Zuzana and Mik are the IT couple in this one. They are incredibly adorable together.

There is an attempted rape scene as well.

Never Seen Stars so Bright

Days of Blood and Starlight was full to the brim of conflict, hope for redemption, characters to loathe and characters to adore, incredible story-telling, and an interesting plot with a ton of development from the first one. Very recommended.

Excerpts

What exactly was her crime? Loving the enemy, that was a grave thing; setting him free, graver still, but they didn't know she had done that, and anyway...she had not told Akiva the chimeara's deepest secret. Thiago had. The White Wolf was blaming her for his own breach, keeping her isolated from the rest of the company, feeding steady lies in both directions. All to control her, and her magic, and it had been working neatly for him..."

Ziri will never forget Akiva's screams - absolute despair, rage, helplessness. It remained the worst thing he had ever heard. He had seen Thiago that day, too, a chill white presence on the palace balcony, motionless and unmoved. Ziri had begun to hate someone on that day, and it wasn't Akiva. "I don't know why, Karou," he said. "But I think the angel saved my life."

She let herself imagine, just for a moment: If Brimstone were here, what would be different? One thing, at least. I would be loved.

Fandom Mashups [2]

Fandom Mashups is a feature hosted by Lunar Rainbows Reviews. There's a different scenario each week, and you choose a "dream team" of five characters from five different fandoms whom you think are best suited for the situation.

This week's topic is:

You discover an injured animal but to help it, you have to be able to communicate with it.  Who do you ask for help?

1) Radagast the Brown - The Hobbit

via GIPHY

He has a strong affinity for animals. He is mainly concerned with the well being of the plant and animal world.  In the Hobbit movies, we watched him bring a hedgehog back to life and he communicates with rabbits which pull his sled.

2) Wonder Woman - DC Comics

via GIPHY

I'm obviously more of a Marvel fan overall, but one of my favorite DC characters is Wonder Woman. One power that people forget that she has is the ability to speak any language known to man and some that aren't. One of these is the ability to communicate with animals.

3) Professor Grubbly-Plank - Harry Potter

I don't think we ever saw Wilhelmina Grubbly-Plank in the movies except in the background at the teacher's table, but she was the Care of Magical Creatures teacher that filled in every time Hagrid was away. She took care of of Hedwig one time when she showed up in Harry's class with a torn wing.

4) Claire Bennet- Heroes

via GIPHY

Claire Bennet on the original Heroes show has rapid cellular regeneration which basically means the only ways she can die is by decapitation or being blown to bits. Further to that is that her blood can heal others. She had a dog on the show called Mr. Muggles that licked up her blood in one episode and was never able to be hurt afterwards and even showed up in an episode set far into the future when natural death should have happened for him. I'm so happy that Heroes Reborn is on because I love this show!

5) Tarzan

via GIPHY

Tarzan can learn new languages in days. He lives with animals and communicates with them naturally. He also is very protective of them.

Who would be on your dream team this week?

Sunday Cover Scramble [138]

Let's have some fun! I am going to post covers on here every Sunday that are scrambled up graphically, making it hard to tell what cover it is. I would like your guesses on what cover you think I've posted. I won't answer you until I'm posting the next one to let you know if you are right, allowing others to guess as well. Some will be hard, and others may be easy. Let me know in the comments if you'd like some more hints and I'll offer some more if no one guesses it correctly.


I am pulling covers off the Most Popular Page on Goodreads.

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Review: Daughter of Smoke and Bone (Daughter of Smoke and Bone #1) by Laini Taylor

Published: September 27th 2011 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Genre: YA, Paranormal Fantasy
Format: ebook
Source: Purchased

Goodreads Summary

Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.

In a dark and dusty shop, a devil’s supply of human teeth grows dangerously low.

And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherwordly war.

Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real, she’s prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands", she speaks many languages - not all of them human - and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she’s about to find out.

When beautiful, haunted Akiva fixes fiery eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?

It seemed like just another Monday, innocent but for its essential Mondayness, not to mention its Januaryness.

I had just read an epic book that left me with a book-hangover and was seeking out a new one that could match its greatness in order to move on. This one had been on my to-read list for quite some time and it did not disappoint.

Light to Fill the Darkness

The writing is the first thing I noticed. The descriptions are unique and beautiful though definitely not overly wordy. I've always loved stories about angels, in this case Seraphim, but part of what sets this one apart are the Chimeara. There are a lot of angel stories, but I assure you that this one is a complete original. In this series, the Chimeara are creatures of all kinds blended together with some human element. There is also a great back story and so many things that I haven't seen before like the collection of teeth and the dispense of wishes as coins.

The characters are a lot of fun. Karou is a human student that was raised by Chimeara and has no knowledge of where she came from. While she goes to art school during the day, she travels the world for her Chimeara guardian, Brimstone, by night running his errands in the collection of teeth. She constantly has to lie about her home life and job. I felt for her immediately. Her human best friend, Zuzana, is a tiny ball of fire (though not literally) and her Chimeara family are easy to love.

The Tears of the Moon

I wish there wasn't an insta-love to tarnish such a beautiful story, but it was explained away in an acceptable and fitting manner and overall ended up increasing the depth of the story.

Like Moths to a Flame

Akiva meets Karou and is drawn to her. She feels like her emptiness is filled when he is near. They are enemies from birth due to Akiva's war with her Chimeara family so they have a definite Romeo and Juliet feel of star-crossed lovers. I can only hope it doesn't end in the same tragic way for them.

To the Top of the Cathedral

Such a great start to the series! The back story and elements of the world are explained well and are not only unique but deeply interesting. The characters are full and loveable all with their individual priorities and personalities. The writing flows smoothly and the imagery is poetic. Definitely recommended.

Excerpts

Zuzana arched an eyebrow. She was a master of the eyebrow arch, and Karou envied her for it.

And Brimstone, of course - he was the star of the sketchbooks. Here he was shown with Kishmish perched on the curl of one of his great ram's horns. In the fantastical stories Karou told in her sketchbooks, Brimstone dealt in wishes. Sometimes she called him the Wishmonger; other times, simply "the grump."

His answer had neither confirmed nor denied her fear.
"Your life? You mean, your body? Your body is nothing but an envelope, Karou. Your soul is another matter, and it is not, as far as I know, in any immediate danger."
"An envelope?" She didn't like to think of her body as an envelope - something others might be able to open up and rifle through, remove things from like so many clipped coupons.

Harry Potter Moment of the Week [83]

This is a meme hosted by Uncorked Thoughts and Lunar Rainbows.The idea is to share a favorite moment, magical item, character, spell, quote, object from the books, films or J.K.Rowling herself! Click the links to the blogs to see how to join up &  upcoming topics.

Favorite Quote from Sorcerer's Stone

via GIPHY

There are so many amazing quotes from this series.

My absolute favorite quote in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is a wise one:

“It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live.” - Dumbledore

Some of my other fav's: 

“Ah, music," he said, wiping his eyes. "A magic beyond all we do here!” - Dumbledore

“I hope you're pleased with yourselves. We could all have been killed - or worse, expelled. Now if you don't mind, I'm going to bed.”  - Hermione

“There are some things you can't share without ending up liking each other, and knocking out a twelve-foot mountain troll is one of them.” - Rowling

“Now, you two – this year, you behave yourselves. If I get one more owl telling me you've – you've blown up a toilet or –"

"Blown up a toilet? We've never blown up a toilet."

"Great idea though, thanks, Mum.” 

“Do you mean ter tell me," he growled at the Dursleys, "that this boy—this boy!—knows nothin' abou'—about ANYTHING?"

Harry thought this was going a bit far. He had been to school, after all, and his marks weren't bad.

"I know some things," he said. "I can, you know, do math and stuff.” 

Which quote is your favorite from Sorcerer's Stone?