Book Review: The Dream Thief (Drakon #2) by Shana Abe

 

Synopsis: Buried deep within the Carpathian Mountains lies the legendary dreaming diamond known as Draumr, the only gem with the power to enslave the drakon. Since childhood, Lady Amalia Langford, daughter of the clan's Alpha, has heard its haunting ballad but kept it secret, along with another rare Gift: Lia can hear the future. In it, she realizes that the diamond - along with the fate of the drakon - rests in the hands of Zane, a human...and her future lover. A master thief, Zane is the only man trusted by the drakon to bring them the stone. But Lia knows that he straddles two world and will become either her ally - or her overlord. Now, driven by the urgent song - and by her visions of Zane - Lia breaks every rule to join him. For to protect her tribe she must tie her destiny to that of the one man capable of stealing her future...and destroying her heart.

Normally with book series, the first book is typically the best one. And while I absolutely loved The Smoke Thief, The Dream Thief surpasses it in almost every way. It is darker, sexier, and more epic than the first book. 

The Dream Thief follows Amalia Langford, the daughter of Rue and Kit from the first book, and Zane who was also featured in The Smoke Thief as the hardened child-thief who had been taken in by Rue. Zane is all grown up now in The Dream Thief and he makes one hell of a sexy leading man. Hardened and cynical from his years in London's underbelly he wants nothing to do with love- he wants only power and money. It is so satisfying as a reader to see Zane's change of heart as he falls in love with Amalia - the moment when he actually realizes it is breathtakingly romantic. It made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. The redemption of a bad boy is a common trope in romance novels but I like how Zane doesn't have a complete personality overhaul - his character changes in a realistic and believable way while his charmingly sarcastic wit stays intact.

Lia is another wonderful character. Her terrifying visions of the future have made her desperate to save her family - even if it means sacrificing the man she loves. Her struggle with her duty to keep her tribe safe versus her attraction to Zane makes her into an intriguing and complex character. She doesn't have the same kind of strength as her mother, Rue - part of it is not being able to complete the Turn, despite her four other siblings being able to. She is determined, though - and not afraid to love a man who has the potential to tear her entire family apart. 

I enjoyed the whole 'quest' aspect of the story - it was definitely on a grander scale than the last book. I thought the climax of the book was spectacular and a little bit heart-wrenching to read - but this being a romance novel, we all know that it works out in the end. Well, maybe not everything. In these books, actions have consequences and those can be devastating. I'm looking forward to seeing how it all works out in the next three books.

If you like romantic stories that feature 'forbidden love', look no further. This one tops them all.

Who would play Zane in a movie:

The delightful Andrew Lee Potts, who played a devastatingly sexy Hatter on the SyFy miniseries Alice. He's able to play a charming rogue with a sarcastic sense of humor - he would be perfect.

Book Review: The Smoke Thief (Drakon #1) by Shana Abe

  

Synopsis: In this bewitching novel, Shana Abe transports us to an exhilarating world of romance, adventure, and magic. Here, among northern England's misted hills, live a race of extraordinarily beautiful and sensual beings with the ability to shape-shift from human to dragon and back again. Now their secret - and their - survival is threatened by two forbidden lovers...and a passion that will break every boundary.

Dubbed the Smoke Thief for a series of daring jewel thefts, Clarissa Rue Hawthorne didn't expect the drakon leader himself to come to London dangling the tribe's most valuable jewel as bait: the Langford Diamond. But Christoff, the charismatic Marquess of Langford, had to catch Clarissa before anyone else did - or risk exposing the entire clan to the world of ordinary mortals. He never expected that the outcast halfling he pursued would have a proposition of her own to save the drakon - a proposition so dangerous, so tempting, that Christoff will find it impossible to resist: to join forces with her.

Not since Benedict Cumberbatch lent his voice to Smaug in The Hobbit films have dragons been so sexy. This book has it all: fantasy, adventure, romance - and, of course, dragons.

The story takes place in eighteenth century England where Clarissa Hawthorne is treated as an outcast among her Drakon tribe - simply because her father was a human. Faking her death at the age of seventeen, she escapes to London and uses her unique ability to become a successful jewel thief. 

Unfortunately, the drakon do not take kindly to 'runners'. They are seen as a danger to the tribe and must be contained at all costs. That is why Christoff 'Kit' Langford, Alpha of the tribe, sees it as his personal duty to find Clarissa - and take her as his Alpha bride. 

I love the way Shana Abe revealed the magical world of the drakon. The prologue reveals the origins of the drakon and is so beautifully written, that it reads like an enchanting fairy tale. I got goosebumps when I read it. The entire book is written with such vivid, descriptive language that the reader is immediately sucked into the world and fully immersed in it. After reading it, I had to remind myself that shape-shifting dragons weren't actually real. :(

The chemistry between the two main characters is explosive. It builds and it builds and when they finally get together it is hot. The library scene in particular - well, I won't spoil it but I will say this - be prepared to take a cold shower after.

This book is so much more than a romance novel - it is the beginning of a truly exquisite fantasy series and I cannot wait to read the other books in the series. 

I'm On YouTube!

Hi, just wanted to let everyone know that I am starting my own YouTube channel, SuicideByBooks

I've only uploaded two videos so far, an introduction video and a Series Review of the Peter Grant series by Ben Aaronovitch.

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Book Review: Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosh

  

Allie Brosh writes the award-winning blog Hyperbole and a Half. This book is a collection of a few of her popular blog entries as well as some new material.

Having never read Brosh's blog, I wasn't sure what to expect when I started reading this book. All I knew about it was that it was apparently pretty funny.

Major fucking understatement.

I read this book in approximately three hours and laughed hysterically through most of that. The only other book that has made me laugh as hard was Let's Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson, another kick-ass lady blogger. And I'm not talking about the kind of laugh where you just blow air through your nose for a second. I'm talking about the kind of laughter that starts loud and then becomes completely silent as you're just writhing around on the couch gasping for air and if someone were to walk in on you they would call the paramedics because they would be under the impression that you were having some kind of seizure. Read this book in public at your own peril. People will think you have escaped from a mental institution.

The best parts of this book are the chapters featuring her dogs and the ones on depression. The cartoons of her dogs are hilarious and I have never read anything on depression that is so accurate while at the same time making me pee my pants. 

This is one of the funniest books I have ever read in my entire life. Buy it. Read it. Pee your pants.

Here's my Video review of Hyperbole and a Half

Book Review: Abhorsen (Abhorsen #3) by Garth Nix

  

Synopsis: The Abhorsen Sabriel and King Touchstone are missing, leaving only Lirael - newly come into her inheritance as the Abhorsen-in-Waiting - to stop the Destroyer. If Orannis's unspeakable powers are unleashed, it will mean the end of all Life. With only a vision from the Clayr to guide her and the help of her companions, Sam, the Disreputable Dog, and Mogget, Lirael must search in both Life and Death for some means to defeat the evil destructor -before it is too late...

The last book in the Abhorsen series is everything I hoped it would be: action-packed, emotional, with a bittersweet ending. Also, redemption for one of my favorite characters in the series. I can't tell you who it is because that would spoil the whole thing for anyone who has not read the Abhorsen series. (Seriously, get on that, these books are amazing.)

Lirael continues to grow and take on more responsibility and authority in this book. I love her ability to take charge and do what she has to do, even if it scares her. Also, her mysterious companion, the Disreputable Dog is revealed to be more than she originally let on.

I can't really write too much more about this book, otherwise I will spoil it. Let me finish off this review by saying that the Abhorsen series is one of the best fantasy series I have read in recent years. It's right up there with Kristin Cashore's Graceling and Leigh Bardugo's Shadow and Bone. I love the magic of the Old Kingdom and I love all the characters. I love how women share equality with men in the world Garth Nix has created. The Old Kingdom is a place where both women and men can have positions of power and nobody makes a big deal about it. It is also a place where Death is not as frightening as we humans usually make it out to be.

The Abhorsen series touches on some very powerful themes: love, sacrifice, power, fear and, of course, Life and Death. It is at times philosophical without being preachy. It is a highly entertaining fantasy series that will also make you think.

Here's my Video review of the Abhorsen series.

Book Review: Lirael (Abhorsen #2) by Garth Nix

 

From the back cover: Lirael has never felt like a true daughter of the Clayr. Now, two years past the time when she should have received the Sight that is the Clayr's birthright, she feels alone, abandoned, unsure of who she is. Nevertheless, the fate of the Old Kingdom lies in her hands. With only her faithful companion, the Disreputable Dog, Lirael must undertake a desperate mission against the growing shadow of an ancient evil. 

This second installment in the Abhorsen series takes place about twenty years after Sabriel. Lirael follows two main characters: Lirael, a daughter of the Clayr and Prince Sameth, son of King Touchstone and his Abhorsen Queen, Sabriel. 

Lirael's story starts when she is just fourteen. She is a supposed daughter of the Clayr although she has yet to be granted the Sight, the power that will enable her to see into the future. She is very insecure and depressed about her lack of power and feels she doesn't belong anywhere. At one point she even contemplates suicide. After a few missteps and a few dangerous adventures as a Third Assistant Librarian, Lirael sets out on an a journey to stop the evil that is threatening the Old Kingdom.

I liked Lirael a lot. I thought her progression from a shy, insecure girl to a strong, confident young woman was natural and believable. Even when she finds out what her true destiny is, she is still afraid and unsure at times but she faces her problems head on and doesn't run away from them.

Prince Sameth is another story. As the Abhorsen-in-Waiting it is to his disadvantage that he is afraid of everything to do with Death. Although, it's not surprising considering when he first went into Death he almost became the slave of an evil necromancer. Sam resists his duties as the Prince and the Abhorsen-in-Waiting. He makes some very bad decisions at first and I couldn't help shaking my head at the poor, naive Prince. However, he does make progress through the story and towards the end grows up a little and is almost admirable. 

Of course, there are reappearances from some of the characters in Sabriel including King Touchstone, Mogget the malevolent cat, and Sabriel herself. 

I loved this book. Lirael reveals more of the mythology and the history of the Old Kingdom. I loved seeing some of my favorite characters from Sabriel as well as getting to know the new characters introduced in this installment. I definitely recommend the Abhorsen series to anyone who likes strong female characters, epic fantasy, and a truly unique magic system. Also, talking animals. 

The book does not really have an ending as such. Instead it sets up for the third book in the series, Abhorsen, which I am currently reading now. So if you read this book, have the next one of the series on stand-by. You're going to want to read it right away.

Here's my Video review of the Abhorsen series.

Book Review: Sabriel (Abhorsen, #1) by Garth Nix

  

From the back cover: Sent to a boarding school in Ancelstierre as a young child, Sabriel has had little experience with the random power of Free Magic or the Dead who refuse to stay dead in the Old Kingdom. But during her final semester, her father, the Abhorsen, goes missing, and Sabriel knows she must enter the Old Kingdom to find him. She soon finds companions in Mogget, a cat whose aloof manner barely conceals its malevolent spirit, and Touchstone, a young Charter Mage long imprisoned by magic, now free in body but still trapped by painful memories. As the three travel deep into the Old Kingdom, threats mount on all sides. And every step brings them closer to a battle that will pit them against the true forces of life and death - and bring Sabriel face-to-face with her own destiny. 

Not since I read Kristen Cashore's Graceling, have I totally and absolutely fallen in love with a fantasy series. Sabriel has everything I'm looking for in a fantasy novel - a kickass heroine, an intriguing magic system, wonderful world-building, and a realistic, yet touching, romance. 

The beginning of the book is a bit slow and it took a couple of chapters for me to immerse myself in the world of the Old Kingdom. However, once I got used to the terminology and the magic system, I was hooked. And once the plot swings into action, it hardly ever lets up. I love how Garth Nix gradually reveals the world of the Old Kingdom and the Charter Magic by showing the reader through dialogue and action rather then slowing the story down with endless exposition. 

Another thing I liked about the book were the characters. Sabriel has got to be one of the most well-written female heroines I have ever come across. She is strong, intelligent, and capable - but far from perfect. She has her moments of weakness along the way - self-doubt, anger, frustration - but these flaws help make her more real. Touchstone, the young Charter Mage is another great character. He is less sure of himself than Sabriel - not surprising seeing as he's been imprisoned for two hundred years. He looks to Sabriel for leadership but I don't think that makes him weak - it makes him vulnerable and human. I loved the build up of romantic tension between Sabriel and Touchstone - it didn't seem forced and it didn't take away from the main focus of the story. 

Sabriel is technically a Young Adult novel but I highly recommend it to fantasy fans of all ages. It is a complex, well-written fantasy that will appeal to fans of Graceling and Lord of the Rings. 

Gotta go, I'm off to read the sequels. 

Here's my Video review of the Abhorsen series.