Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books I've Recently Added to My TBR

 

My TBR is already thousands of books long (I'm not kidding) and I still add more to it almost every day. Here are the Top 10 Books I've Recently Added to My TBR:

1.) Heartless by Marissa Meyer

After reading her epic Lunar Chronicles series, I will read anything and everything Marissa Meyer publishes. Her Alice in Wonderland adaptation, telling the origin story of the Queen of Hearts, will definitely be a must-read once it comes out in November.

2.) The Winner's Kiss (The Winner's Trilogy #3) by Marie Rutkoski

I finally got around to reading the first two books in this series just a few weeks ago and now I'm obsessed. I cannot wait to read the final book!

3.) The Last Star (The 5th Wave #3) by Rick Yancey

This is another series I just got caught up on this month. I'm excited to see how it all ends.

4.) Under the Skin by Michel Faber

My friend started a book club a few months ago and this is our most recent selection. I've seen the film adaptation already so it will be interesting to see what the book is like.

5.) My Life on the Road by Gloria Steinem

Speaking of book clubs, I was so excited when I heard Emma Watson was starting a feminist book club. I'm definitely excited to read the first selection. If you're interested in joining the club, here's the Goodreads page.

6.) United States of Japan by Peter Tieryas

This book comes out in March and it sounds amazing. The premise of the book is that the Axis powers won World War II and now the Japanese Empire rules over the western US states. How awesome does that sound? Plus, there's a giant robot on the cover!

7.) Truthwitch (The Witchlands #1) by Susan Dennard

This debut has been blowing up all over bookish social media so I might have to jump on the bandwagon soon...

8.) The Summer Dragon (The Evertide #1) by Todd Lockwood


The first book in a new series about dragons, politics, and war. SIGN.ME.UP.

9.) How to Read Literature Like a Professor: A Lively and Entertaining Guide to Reading Between the Lines by Thomas C. Foster


I've been wanting to become a more in-depth reader lately and this seems like a fun introduction to literary analysis.

10.) Anything Star Wars


I just saw The Force Awakens the other day and it blew my mind! After watching it, I immediately inducted myself into the Star Wars fandom and am desperate for more. Luckily, there are a ton of spin-off books for me to devour while I await Episode VIII.

Top Ten Tuesday is an original bookish meme created by The Broke and the Bookish.

Suicide Reviews: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

  

Synopsis: No one in the grip of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, with its mythic-minded hero and its man-made monster who reads Goethe and longs to be at peace with himself, can fail to notice how superior the original is to all the adaptations, imitations, and outright plagiarisms that have followed in its ample wake. Controversial for addressing the topic of artificially creating life in the nineteenth century, the most sympathetic character in the novel is the monster himself. But when Dr. Frankenstein, the 'father' of the creature, refuses to bring life to a companion for his creation, the plot takes an even darker turn. Mary Shelley's first novel, written at the instigation of Lord Byron and published in 1818, Frankenstein is one of English Romanticism's finest prose fiction works and a novel that has continued to inspire and terrify its readers. 

Date Published: March 11, 1818

Number of Pages: 231

Rating: 5/5

Most people are familiar with Frankenstein and his monster in some shape or form. Since Frankenstein's publication there have been numerous interpretations of the story in the form of plays, books, and films. And of course there are the Halloween decorations. 

What is so incredible to me is how much these adaptations differ from the original text. There is no sign of the hunchback assistant, Igor. The bride of the monster is never fully realized. And far from being the stiff, groaning creature we know from pop culture, Frankenstein's monster is actually articulate and learned, making lofty speeches about love and humanity. 

This story is often described as a work of horror. This is definitely true (what could be more horrifying than a man creating a living thing from dead body parts) but the work is also very philosophical. It raises some deep questions: are people born evil or does a prejudiced society make them that way? Who is the real monster: Frankenstein or the creature he created? Where is the line between ambition and obsession? Should we advance science as far as it can go - no matter the consequences? 

Don't be scared off by the philosophical aspect of the novel - Frankenstein is still highly entertaining. The most fascinating aspect of the book is when the monster tells his own tragic story - how he fled from Victor's lab, was chased by villagers, and how he came to educate himself and learn about the world. The tragic ending is fitting - how could a story like this possible have a happy ending?

Frankenstein has been around for almost 200 years and with good reason. It should be read by everyone in general and horror fans in particular. 

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Bookish Resolutions for 2016

 

1.) I resolve to read at least 100 books this year. I'll be keeping track on Goodreads. 

2.) I resolve to get caught up on Sarah J. Maas' Throne of Glass series. I loved A Court of Thorns and Roses and want to read all of her books so I can read them as they are released. 

 

3.) I resolve to attend more bookish events in my community this year. (Poetry readings, philosopher cafes, book festivals, etc.) I'd really like to meet more bookish people and get out of the house more.

4.) I resolve to support my local independent bookstores by purchasing from one of them at least once every two months.

5.) I resolve to spend less time on social media and more time reading. (No more mindlessly scrolling through Pinterest!)

6.) I resolve to join a REAL-LIFE book club this year. (Not just online ones!)

7.) I resolve to ALWAYS read the book before seeing the movie.

8.) I resolve to return to writing fiction and send at least one piece of writing out for publication.

9.) I resolve to tell an author if I love their book (through Twitter, Instagram, etc.) Also, to write a hand-written letter to my favorite author, J.K. Rowling.

10.) I resolve not to be personally offended if someone doesn't like one of my favorite books. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly tag originally created by The Broke and the Bookish.

Suicide Reviews: The Miniarturist by Jessie Burton

  

Synopsis: On a brisk autumn day in 1686, eighteen-year-old Nella Oortman arrives in Amsterdam to begin a new life as the wife of illustrious merchant trader Johannes Brandt. But her new home, while splendorous, is not welcoming. Johannes is kind yet distant, always locked in his study or at his warehouse office - leaving Nella alone with his sister, the sharp-tongued and forbidding Marian.

But Nella's life changes when Johannes presents her with an extraordinary wedding gift: a cabinet-sized replica of their home. To furnish her gift, Nella engages the services of a miniaturist - an elusive and enigmatic artist whose tiny creations mirror their real-life counterparts in eerie and unexpected ways...

Johannes's gift helps Nella pierce the closed world of the Brandt household. But as she uncovers its unusual secrets, she begins to understand - and fear - the escalating dangers that await them all. In this repressively pious society where gold is worshiped second only to God, to be different is a threat to the moral fabric of society, and not even a man as rich as Johannes is safe. Only one person seems to see the fate that awaits them. Is the miniaturist the key to their salvation...or the architect of their destruction? 

Enchanting, beautifully written and exquisitely suspenseful, The Miniaturist is a magnificent story of love and obsession, betrayal and retribution, appearance and truth.

Date Published: August 26, 2014

Published By: Ecco

Number of Pages: 400

Rating: 4/5

The Miniaturist is one of those books where I ended up reading a completely different story from what I was expecting. This seems to be happening a lot lately. (For my review of another unexpected story, see here.)

I was under the impression that Nella, a newly-married woman would end up having an affair with the Miniaturist, an artist who specializes in crafting miniature replicas.

Nope. Not even close.

Instead, The Miniaturist is a story of family secrets, gold, God, and betrayal. It's all very intriguing, actually, and I was pleased by the unique storyline. It has a bit of magical realism feel to it as well which makes the story all the more fascinating. Just who is the elusive Miniaturist? And just how much power does this mysterious figure have over Nella's life?

The Miniaturist seems to be well-researched and gives us a glimpse into 17th-century Dutch society. I loved how the author incorporated the infamous Dutch East India Company into her storyline. You might think the parts about trading and gold and guilds would be a bit dull but they're not. This is what I love about historical fiction - being able to travel back in time and get an idea about the way things were - and marvel at how much things have remained the same.

Jessie Burton writes beautifully, every sentence a polished gem. Her words flow like poetry, making every scene richer and more atmospheric. The vividness of her images helps to transport the reader even deeper into her world. Sights, sounds, smells, tastes - all are rendered so convincingly that I could almost feel the bitter wind of winter or taste the sugared marzipan.

If you're a historical fiction fan, or just have an appreciation for lyrical writing, I strongly urge you to give The Miniaturist a try.

Book Review: Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James

Yes, I did it. I read the infamous Fifty Shades of Grey, the first book in E.L. James' erotic trilogy. To be perfectly honest I did attempt to read this book when it first debuted in 2011. But I just couldn't do it. I got maybe halfway through before I gave up.

Now that the movie version has just been released, I resolved to read the entire book before I saw the film. And my review can be summed up in a single sentence:

This book woudn't be so bad if everything about it was completely different.

Don't get me wrong: I love erotica. I've been reading it since I was a teenager. For me, good erotica should be fun, sexy, and titillating. Unfortunately, Fifty Shades is not any of those things.

Let's start with the two main characters: Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey. Ana is the most naive character I have ever come across. She doesn't seem to know anything about sex. She's never kissed anyone, touched herself, touched anyone else, or even had a wet dream. I'm not against innocent, virginal characters but this is just ridiculous. In the 21st century, even if you're a virgin, it is almost impossible to go through puberty without at least thinking about sex. Sex is everywhere in our culture. The only explanation for Ana's innocence is that she time-traveled from an earlier era. Like the Victorian era. 

But of course, that all changes once she meets billionaire bad boy Christian Grey. Now I know that there are a lot of women (and I'm sure some men too) who think Mr. Grey is the epitome of the tortured, romantic male hero. I just don't get it. He's misogynistic, abusive, controlling, and emotionally unavailable. Everything is about him and his needs. Ana spends the entire book trying to please him, trying to figure out how to give him what he wants and he never seems to consider her needs at all. She protests the expensive gifts that he's giving her; he tells her she's overthinking things and should just be appreciative. She wants to have a serious discussion; he shuts down or distracts her by fucking her brains out instead. 

I'd like to point out that I have nothing against the BDSM community or people who like to experiment with their sexuality and express themselves in different ways. But this book is not about that. A sexual relationship between two (or more) adults should always be consensual. In Fifty Shades, Ana is unsure about the kind of lifestyle that Christian is into but she tries it because she wants to be with him and she's decided that it's the only way she can be with him. She's not doing it because she wants to. It seems Christian always has to coerce her into it. He says that she can walk away at anytime, but when she thinks she might leave (or even jokes about leaving) he immediately shows up and fucks her into submission. 

As far as plot goes, there really isn't one. It's basically Ana trying to decide what kind of relationship she wants to have with Christian and crying a lot because Christian doesn't care what she wants or needs. Oh, and there are a lot of repetitive sex scenes that aren't sexy. There was maybe one that I liked. 

The only thing that kept me reading was Ana's laughably bad inner monologue (or should I say dialogue since it consisted of her, Ana's 'subconscious', and her inner goddess.) But even the entertainment factor of the bad writing isn't enough to cover up the fact that this is a book about a woman being emotionally and physically abused by an emotionally stunted asshole. After a while it stops being funny and just becomes depressing. 

I will go see the movie because I am intrigued to see how this story will translate onto the big screen. And I will probably read the other two books in the series out of curiosity. Love it or hate it, Fifty Shades has become a cultural phenomenon and I think it's important to explore the message that this book sends out to readers. 

Book Review: And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini

 

Synopsis: It begins in 1952. Ten-year-old Abdullah and his younger sister, Pari, are everything to each other. What happens to them, at the despairing hand of their father, will test the unshakable bonds of family and irrevocably change not just their own lives, but those of multiple generations.

     In this tale revolving around not just parents and children but brothers and sisters, cousins and caretakers, Khaled Hosseini explores the many ways in which families nurture, wound, betray, honor, and sacrifice for one another; and how often we are surprised by the actions of those closest to us, at the times that matter most. Following its characters and the ramifications of their lives and choices and loves around the globe - from Kabul to Paris to San Francisco to the Greek island of Tinos - the story expands gradually outward, becoming more emotionally complex and powerful with each turning page.

I loved this book even though it broke my heart. Every chapter was so beautiful and moving and incredibly sad. But there was still a thread of hopefulness running throughout the entire story and it all ties together so beautifully at the end.

The book opens with a father telling a story to his son. The story is about a father sacrificing his own happiness so that his most beloved son could live in a land of paradise. I loved how the novel's plot drew parallels from the fairy tale and resonated throughout the book. Hosseini writes such lyrical sentences that at times, the book reads like poetry. There were several sentences where I had to stop and marvel at the way he put an idea into words. 

Ultimately, this book is about family and what we are willing - and sometimes, not willing - to do for the ones we love. It reminds us that we don't know how much time we will have with the ones we care most about and, even if we are apart from them, we will still love them and carry them in our hearts.

On the Nature of True Love: Inspired by The Fault in Our Stars

A bit spoilery. Maybe read TFIOS before reading this.

I recently reread The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. It is one of the most popular YA novels in recent years and is destined to become a classic. It is funny and heartbreaking and it is one of my favorite books of all time. But there is one part in the book that bothers me. It is when Isaac has just been dumped by his girlfriend and is talking to Hazel about true love:

' "I kept saying 'always' to her today, 'always always always,' and she just kept talking over me and not saying it back. It was like I was already gone, you know? 'Always' was a promise! How can you just break the promise?"

     "Sometimes people don't understand the promise they're making when they make them," I said.

     Isaac shot me a look. "Right, of course. But you keep the promise anyway. That's what love is. Love is keeping the promise anyway. Don't you believe in true love?"

     I didn't answer. I didn't have an answer. But I thought that if true love did exist, that was a pretty good definition of it. ' p. 60-61

'Love is keeping the promise anyway.'

When I read this part, I always think to myself, 'Um, no. No. Not even close.'

I can understand that some young people might think that this is a good definition of true love but when you think about it, it's actually a pretty poor one. 

Isaac's definition of true love isn't really about love at all. Isaac only says this because he wants his ex-girlfriend to have kept her promise to him. He feels that she owes it to him. I believe that true, unconditional love isn't about wanting anything from the other person. It isn't about holding them hostage because they made promises that they are unable to keep. Love is about accepting someone for who they are; it's about letting them go if they decide to walk away. Real love is nonjudgmental and contains no selfish wanting and no expectations. 

It is very clear that neither Isaac nor Monica know what true love is. Hazel's relationship with Augustus is closer to what true love really is. She's there for him until the very end, no matter how sick he gets. I suppose that's the point of the book. Isaac tries to define what true love is with words, while Hazel and Gus actually demonstrate it. 

So here's my definition of true love: 'Love is loving the person no matter what, even when they break their promise to you.'

So what do you think, my fellow bookworms? Do you agree with Isaac's definition? With mine? Totally disagree with both and have your own definition of true love? Let me know in the comments! 

Book Review: Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

 

Synopsis: Cath is a Simon Snow fan. Okay, the whole world is a Simon Snow fan...But for Cath, being a fan is her life - and she's really good at it. She and her twin sister, Wren, ensconced themselves in the Simon Snow series when they were just kids; it's what got them through their mother leaving. 

     Reading. Rereading. Hanging out in Simon Snow forums, writing Simon Snow fanfiction, dressing up like the characters for every movie premiere. 

     Cath's sister has mostly grown away from fandom, but Cath can't let it go. She doesn't want to. Now that they're going to college, Wren has told Cath she doesn't want to be roommates. Cath is on her own, completely outside of her comfort zone. She's got a surly roommate with a charming, always-around boyfriend; a fiction-writing professor who thinks fanfiction is the end of the civilized world; a handsome classmate who only wants to talk about words...and she can't stop worrying about her dad, who's loving and fragile and has never really been alone.

     For Cath, the question is: Can she do this? Can she make it without Wren holding her hand? Is she ready to start living her own life? And does she even want to move on if it means leaving Simon Snow behind?

This book is for every fangirl (and boy) who has ever walked the earth. It is for everyone who has read or written fanfiction and one point in their life. It is for the people who ship their favorite characters together in a book or on a TV show. (Sherlock/John all the way). It is for anyone who has had to explain what shipping is to their less nerdy peers. I am guilty of all of the above. 

I loved this book. It made me laugh, it made me cry, it even made me swoon at certain points. I can really relate with Cath; she's bookish and shy and terrified of the future. But what really makes her standout is her love of Simon Snow. (The Simon Snow series is fictional and a reference to the Harry Potter series.) Cath's enthusiasm is so infectious that you almost wish the Simon Snow series was real. There are little snippets of the books and Cath's fanfiction throughout the book and Rainbow Rowell just makes it seem so real. 

Fangirls are often a derided group. We are portrayed as hysterical, obsessive, screaming nutcases with no life outside of our particular fandom. In some cases I suppose that's true. I, personally, would never want one fandom to completely take over my life. Besides I belong to too many fandoms to completely immerse myself in just one: I'm a Potterhead, a Fannibal, a Sherlockian (and a Cumberbitch), as well as a fan of the Hunger Games. (Do Hunger Games fans have a name for themselves? Tributes? That doesn't seem right...)

The point is that enthusiasm for something, especially a girl's enthusiasm for something is regarded as trivial. Rainbow Rowell's Fangirl says the opposite. Fangirls should be proud of what they enjoy in whatever form they enjoy it in whether that's reading or writing fanfiction, cosplaying, making fan art, etc. But it also carries the important message that there is life outside of the fandom and we fangirls should try to enjoy it, too.

Book Review: The Deepest Night (The Sweetest Dark #2) by Shana Abe

 

Synopsis: It's 1915, and sixteen-year-old Lora Jones is finishing up her first year as a charity student at Iverson, a prestigious, gothic boarding school on England's southern coast. While she's always felt different from everyone around her, now she finally knows why: She is a drakon, a rare, enchanted being with astonishing magical abilities. 

    As war hits Britain's shores, and Lora reels from an unimaginable loss, she finds that her powers come with grave and dangerous responsibilities. At the request of Armand Louis, the darkly mysterious boy whose father owns Iverson, Lora will spend her summer at his lavish estate. To help the war effort - and to keep Lora near - Armand turns his home into a military hospital, where Lora will serve as a nurse. For Armand is inescapably drawn to her - bound to her by heart-deep secrets and a supernatural connection that runs thicker than blood.

     Yet while Lora tries to sort out her own feelings toward Armand, fate offers an unexpected surprise. Lora discovers there is another drakon, a prisoner of war being held in Germany. And that only she, with her newly honed Gifts, will be able to rescue him.

     With Armand at her side, Lora will cross enemy lines on an incredible mission - one that could bond her to Armand forever, or irrevocably tear them apart.

Shana Abe delivers another enchanting romance without sacrificing plot. I loved the previous book but The Deepest Night is better in almost every way - there is breathtaking romance, thrilling adventure, and gorgeous, lush prose that I practically salivate over.

I love the whole 'quest' aspect to this story - Lora and Armand must set out on a journey to rescue Armand's brother, Aubrey, a fighter pilot now captive in a German prison camp. The last hundred pages or so are chock-full of exciting, dangerous moments - Lora and Armand fight German soldiers on the ground, get chased by German fighter planes, and almost get captured (by Germans.) 

I love that there are so many more 'dragon scenes' in this book: Lora flies with Armand across the English channel, and Turns to dragon to fight the soldiers, etc. The transition between Lora's human form and her dragon form never feels jarring or unnatural - it all flows so well that it never feels weird to read parts where Lora refers to 'my wings' or 'my tail.' This is due to Shana Abe's impeccable world-building. She makes the fantasy of the Drakon come to life. 

The romance is so much better than the one in the last book. Without spoiling the previous book, it just feels like Lora is paired with the right guy - while at the same time never forgetting the one she lost - and that's one of the interesting struggles she faces. 

Lora is so badass in this book, it's almost frightening. Armand, too, grows as a character in leaps and bounds. I love how it's never just Armand saving Lora or Lora rescuing Armand - they save each other throughout the whole book.

I cannot recommend The Sweetest Dark series enough. READ THEM!

(The third book has not been published yet. It's listed on Goodreads as 'expected 2014' but it still doesn't have a title or a fixed release date. Hopefully late 2014/early 2015? I need to read the third book now!)

Book Review: The Sweetest Dark (The Sweetest Dark #1) by Shana Abe

 

Synopsis: Lora Jones has always known she's different. On the outside, she appears to be an ordinary sixteen-year-old girl. Yet Lora's been keeping a heartful of secrets: She hears songs that no one else can hear, dreams vividly of smoke and flight, and lives with a mysterious voice inside her that insists she's far more that what she seems.

     England, 1915. Raised in an orphanage in a rough corner of London, Lora quickly learns to hide her unique abilities and avoid attention. Then, much to her surprise, she is selected as the new charity student at Iverson, an elite boarding school on England's southern coast. Iverson's eerie, gothic castle is like nothing Lora has ever seen. And the two boys she meets will open her eyes and forever change her destiny. 

     Jesse is the school's groundskeeper - a beautiful boy who recognizes Lora for who and what she truly is. Armand is a darkly handsome and arrogant aristocrat who harbors a few closely guarded secrets of his own. Both hold the answers to her past. One is the key to her future. And both will aim to win her heart. As danger descends upon Iverson, Lora must harness the powers she's only just begun to understand, or else lose everything she dearly loves. 

The Sweetest Dark is a sort of companion/sequel YA series to Shana Abe's Drakon series. You don't have to read the Drakon series to enjoy The Sweetest Dark but you'll pick up on all of the hints of the previous series that Abe has scattered throughout. 

I loved this book just as much as I loved the previous series. It's full of adventure and romance and magic and is written in such gorgeous prose that you will want to slow down and savor every single word. You will also want to tear through it to find out how it ends.

Lora is one of my favorite YA heroines of all time and it's a shame that more people don't know about these books. It is so refreshing to read about a powerful female heroine that is strong and tough and doesn't let people walk all over her. She knows how to hold her own. Something else I love about her is that she's kind of a bitch, when she needs to be. She's always got a cutting remark on hand for the snobby, bullying girls she's forced to mingle with at Iverson. But she can also be vulnerable; she's hiding a lot of pain and trauma behind that tough exterior. She is just so well-rounded and real. 

Being a YA novel, this book suffers from the familiar love-triangle trope that, in my opinion, is getting a little tired. But I'm glad to say that Abe pulls it off in this book by making it a little bit more complicated than 'two boys drool over one girl and she can't decide between them.' Lora is sure whom she wants to be with - or at least she thinks she is. Without giving too much away, Shana Abe shows in her book that love is messy and complicated and, sometimes, we don't get the happy ending we want. 

I will say that my favorite of the two love interests is Armand. He definitely plays the part of the bad boy at first - drinking, reckless driving, a ladies' man. But it is slowly revealed that there is more to him and I love the relationship that evolves between Armand and Lora.

If you love romance mingled with magic and dragons, you will love this series. I think any YA fan will love this series. If you've read this book or the preceding Drakon series, let me know what you think in the comments!

Book Review: The Time Weaver (Drakon #5) by Shana Abe

 

Synopsis: Honor Carlisle may have been born into the drakon clan, but she's always felt like a stranger to her kin - an intuition that proves true when she discovers that she is a Time Weaver: a creature with the extraordinary ability to transport herself into the past of future.

     On one of her Weaves into the future, Honor encounters the very man she should most avoid: Alexandru of the Zaharen, prince of a rival tribe of drakon. As the two surrender to a desire that brings the present and future ever closer, they also risk fulfilling a terrible prophecy. Now Honor and Sandu must place their trust - and their lives - in each other's hands, and their faith in a magical love that could restore order to the drakon universe - or destroy it forever.

The fifth and final book in the Drakon series is a masterful work of fantasy that involves dragons, danger, and time travel. By far, this is the most complex book in the series.

Even though this is technically a romance novel, I didn't find either of the two main characters very compelling. I found Honor to be kind of bitchy and whiny and actually kind of boring. Her story is interesting but not her character. Same goes for Sandu. Not really that interesting, just kind of there. Also, the romance between them is kind of a snoozefest. Honestly, I didn't care whether they ended up together or not, which is something a reader should be emotionally invested in when reading a romance novel.

This sounds like it's heading for a bad review but I actually really liked this book and I'll tell you why.

LIA AND ZANE ARE IN THIS BOOK!!!!

Yes, Lia and Zane, my absolute favorite couple in the Drakon series, are featured in The Time Weaver. And I'm not talking cameo appearances here. They both are an integral part of the plot and I would even argue are the actual heroes of the book. It was so wonderful to see how their relationship has developed since The Dream Thief. The chemistry between them is just as hot as ever and I got so excited when they had a love scene. There were also some incredibly touching moments between them that gave me some pretty heavy feels. LIA AND ZANE FOREVER!

I thought the ending was perfect for both the book and the entire series. It even hinted at things to come: Shana Abe has written a companion/sequel YA series to the Drakon books, which I will be reading and reviewing next. 

Book Review: The Treasure Keeper (Drakon #4) by Shana Abe

 

Synopsis: She is a young drakon of untried powers. He is the powerful second son of the Alpha male from their clan of shapeshifting, supersensual beings. And what she is about to attempt will violate every taboo and break every law that bind the drakon together - and just may save them from destruction.

     A mere seamstress's daughter, Zoe Cyprienne Lane isn't even in the same league as Lord Rhys Langford. Nothing could be more shocking than the notion that she'd set out to find her childhood friend and first true love. But when news arrives in the Carpathian Mountains of Transylvania that Rhys is being held captive, that's just what she does. Guided by her own hidden gifts and her psychic link to Rhys - his presence and touch as electric as if he were beside her in the flesh - Zoe is his last lifeline to a world and a passion he thought he'd never regain. Only reunited, hunter and huntress, can they save the drakon from those who would destroy them all.

This is definitely the darkest and most complex novel in the Drakon series so far. There is an overwhelming sense of dread and heaviness while you read it and while Lord Rhys offers some comic relief with his dry wit and acerbic observations, this is not really a fun read. 

I shouldn't say it's not fun to read. It's a romance novel featuring shape-shifting dragons - of course it's fun to read. I suppose what I should say is that it is not as fun to read as the last three books. There seems to be a lot of death in this book along with pain and sorrow - and the twist at the ending is a little depressing and disturbing. Maybe other readers won't have such a problem with it - maybe it's just because I become so engrossed in these novels that the problems the characters face seem real to me and it affects my mood as I'm reading.

Lord Rhys Langford is definitely my favorite character. He's rebellious and sarcastic and doesn't apologize for his roguish nature - one of his sisters even describes him as 'piratical'. It's a shame he spends about half the novel as a sort of spirit/ghost thing that only Zoe, his love interest, can see, thanks to her psychic Gifts. Like the last novel, I was not left swooning over the romance between Rhys and Zoe. I thought there were some romantic moments between them but I don't think any other couple in the Drakon series will compare to the couples in The Smoke Thief (Rue/Kit) and The Dream Theif (Zane/Lia.)

The ending has a shocking twist and sets up for the next book, which is the final one in the series. If you like neat, tidy endings you might not like this book. Overall, I thought it was an exciting installment in the Drakon series even though it is definitely not my favorite. I'm excited to see how the story unfolds in the final book.

Reading Wish List: August 2014

August 5

1. Mortal Danger (Immortal Game #1) by Ann Aguirre

Genre: Young Adult Paranormal
What It's About: Edie Kramer, who attends an elite academy, seeks vengeance on her cruel classmates. To do that, she seeks the help of the powerful and mysterious Kian.

Anticipation Factor: 6/10. The possibility of a horror/romance novel is definitely intriguing. And I just love the creepily beautiful cover.

2. Of Metal and Wishes (Of Metal and Wishes #1) by Sarah Fine

Genre: Young Adult Paranormal
What It's About: Wen seeks vengeance on the men who torment her by turning to a ghost for help. But being protected by a supernatural spirit may have been more than she bargained for.
Anticipation Factor: 5/10. I feel like this book has a really cool premise but I am not dying to read it. Maybe it can wait until Halloween?

3. The Magician's Land (The Magicians #3) by Lev Grossman

Genre: Fantasy
What It's About: This is the final book in Grossman's Magicians trilogy, which has been described as Harry Potter/Chronicles of Narnia for adults.
Anticipation Factor: 7/10. I have not yet read the first two books but I am really excited to delve into this series now that all the books are published.

4. The Widow's House (The Dagger and the Coin #4) by Daniel Abraham

Genre: Fantasy
What It's About: Wars are waged in this fourth installment in Daniel Abraham's critically acclaimed fantasy series.
Anticipation Factor: 8/10. Another series I have not yet had a chance to read but am planning to in the next few months or so.

5. The Girl From the Well by Rin Chupeco

Genre: Young Adult Horror
What It's About: A ghost girl avenges her brutal death at the hands of a murderer by hunting down and killing other child killers. But when a mysterious boy moves into town, her death will never be the same.
Anticipation Factor: 6/10. August seems to be a good month for YA horror fiction, a genre I am always on the lookout for. I love the creepy cover and the fact that the book is based on a Japanese ghost story.

6. What We See When We Read by Peter Mendelsund

Genre: Non Fiction
What It's About: A book that details the psychology of what goes on in our heads when we read. Fully illustrated.
Anticipation Factor: 7/10. What bookworm doesn't love to read books about books and reading?

7. The Birth of Korean Cool: How One Nation is Conquering the World Through Pop Culture by Euny Hong

Genre: Non Fiction
What It's About: Documents the global takeover of Korean pop culture. Did someone say 'Gangnam Style?'
Anticipation Factor: 3/10. It sounds like an interesting read but I can wait for it.

8. Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay

Genre: Non Fiction/Essays
What It's About: Roxane Gay shares her views on politics, pop culture, and what it means to be a feminist in today's world.
Anticipation Factor: 6/10. I'm always looking to expand my feminist horizons and am ashamed to say that I have not yet read any of Roxane Gay's work. This book should be a good introduction.

9. Painted Horses by Malcolm Brooks

Genre: Historical Fiction
What It's About: Catherine Lemay is a young archaeologist heading to Montana to hopefully rescue some historical artifacts from a predicted flood. There she meets John H, one of the West's last true cowboys - and living a fugitive life in a canyon.
Anticipation Factor: 3/10. Honestly, I put this book on my list because of that gorgeous cover. I'm sure I'll read it one day. 

10. The End of Absence: Reclaiming What We've Lost in a World of Constant Connection by Michael Harris

Genre: Non Fiction
What It's About: An exploration into our increasingly digitally-centered lives - and what we're missing out on when we're constantly staring at our iPhones.
Anticipation Factor: 6/10. I think a book like this is very important in our world right now. We crave constant distraction and because of this we are losing the ability to be present, to be content by ourselves, to be silent. This book could be the wake-up call that people need - including me.

11. Soldier Girls: The Battles of Three Women at Home and at War by Helen Thorpe

Genre: Non Fiction
What It's About: Follows three female soldiers over twelve years as they face devastating struggles - both at war and at home.
Anticipation Factor: 8/10. We need more stories about female soldiers in our culture, both fiction and non fiction. I'm hoping this book starts a new trend of telling the stories of those who are too often ignored and unacknowledged.

12. Gates of Thread and Stone (Gates of Thread and Stone #1) by Lori M. Lee

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
What It's About: Kai has the ability to manipulate the threads of time. She must keep her ability a secret to stay alive. But when her beloved brother Reev goes missing, she will risk discovery to find the only family she's ever known.
Anticipation Factor: 8/10. This sounds like the start to a fun new fantasy series and it's already got a 4.5/5 rating on Goodreads.

13. I Was the Cat by Paul Tobin, Benjamin Dewey

Genre: Graphic Novel
What It's About: A cat tells his fascinating (and disturbing) story about how he's manipulated the state of the world over several lifetimes to Allison, a young journalist.
Anticipation Factor: 8/10. I love cats! Especially talking, morally ambiguous cats!

August 12

14. Sisters' Fate (The Cahill Witch Chronicles #3) by Jessica Spotswood

Genre: Young Adult Paranormal
What It's About: A trio of young witch sisters is battling the evil, murderous Brotherhood - all the while facing a chilling prophecy that says one Sister will take the life of another.

Anticipation Factor: 5/10. I've heard good things about this paranormal trilogy but have yet to pick up the first book.

15. Between the Spark and the Burn (Between #2) by April Genevieve Tucholke

Genre: Young Adult Paranormal
What It's About: The conclusion to Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea where Violet searches for the missing River West Redding.
Anticipation Factor: 3/10. Again, another series that I have not started. My TBR list is now in the thousands and I'm not even exaggerating. 

16. Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage by Haruki Murakami

Genre: Literary Fiction
What It's About: Tsukuru Tazaki doesn't know what happened when his four best friends from school suddenly all announced to him that they no longer wanted to see him. Years later, a woman named Sara helps him to find out what really happened.
Anticipation Factor: 10/10. NEW MURAKAMI! I CANNOT WAIT TO READ THIS BOOK!!!

17. The Supernatural Enhancements by Edgar Cantero

Genre: Paranormal Fantasy/Mystery
What It's About: A young man named A. inherits Axton House from an previously unknown relative. With his mute companion, Niamh, he explores the spooky secrets of the estate.
Anticipation Factor: 7/10. This book is being compared to the works of Neil Gaiman.

18. The Unfinished Life of Addison Stone by Adele Griffin

Genre: Young Adult Contemporary Fiction
What It's About: Street artist Addison Stone's violent death sends shock waves through her community. Interviews with her friends and family shed light on what really happened to her.
Anticipation Factor: 5/10.

19. Small Blessings by Martha Woodroof 

Genre: Contemporary Fiction
What It's About: An unfulfilled English professor living a quiet life is shocked to find out that a son he never knew about is on his way to meet him.
Anticipation Factor: 6/10. Judging by the cover, this promises to be one of those delightful bookish novels.

20. The Narrow Road to the Deep North by Richard Flanagan

Genre: Historical Fiction
What It's About: Tells the incredible story of Dorrigo Evans, a man who has traveled to some of the grimmest places on earth - and who is haunted by a past love affair.
Anticipation Factor: 7/10. I love sinking my teeth into a sweeping historical novel and this one has been getting fantastic reviews.

August 19

21. Dear Committee Members by Julie Schumacher

Genre: Literary Fiction/Humor
What It's About: An epistolary novel that tells the tale of one frustrated Creative Writing Professor whose belief in one of his talented students is not shared by those around him.
Anticipation Factor: 6/10. Reading this novel is bound to make me nostalgic for my old Creative Writing class and all the wonderful people I met there.

22. One Kick (Kick Lanagan #1) by Chelsea Cain

Genre: Thriller/Mystery
What It's About: Kick Lannigan was abducted at the age of six and disappeared with her kidnapper for six years. Now 21, Kick has worked hard to make sure she is no one's victim ever again.
Anticipation Factor: 6/10. 

23. We Are Not Ourselves by Matthew Thomas

Genre: Historical Fiction
What It's About: A family saga spanning generations about an American family struggling throughout the tumultuous 20th century.
Anticipation Factor: 6/10. 

24. Blackout by Tim Curran

Genre: Science Fiction
What It's About: Aliens with long black tentacles descend upon the earth and snatch people into the sky.
Anticipation Factor: 7/10. I love that cover depicting the alien's tentacles. I can't wait to add this to my collection.

August 26

25. A Little Something Different by Sandy Hall

Genre: Young Adult Contemporary
What It's About: A possible romance is budding between two creative writing students - and the entire story is told from fourteen different perspectives, including a squirrel's.
Anticipation Factor: 10/10. If I buy just one book in the month of August, it will be this one. The premise of this novel particularly appeals to me because I met my current boyfriend in my Creative Writing class.

26. Feral by Holly Schindler 

Genre: Young Adult Paranormal

What It's About: Claire Cain must unravel a disturbing mystery when she discovers the body of a fellow student surrounded by feral cats.

Anticipation Factor: 7/10. Because cats!

27. Rumble by Ellen Hopkins

Genre: Young Adult Contemporary
What It's About: A horrific accident leaves eighteen-year old Matt Turner questioning everything about his life and what he believes - or doesn't believe - in.
Anticipation Factor: 7/10. I've heard wonderful things about Ellen Hopkins' books.

28. Deliverance (Defiance #3) by C.J. Redwine

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
What It's About: The final novel in this dystopian fantasy series.
Anticipation Factor: 6/10. Add this to the growing list of series that I have not read yet. I've heard this series being compared to Graceling, which I love.

29. Amity by Micol Ostow

Genre: Young Adult Horror
What It's About: A YA retelling of The Amityville Horror
Anticipation Factor: 6/10. I love that so many horror novels are coming out this month and Amity has been compared to the works of Stephen King.

30. Lock In by John Scalzi

Genre: Science Fiction
What It's About: In the near future, a new virus leaves 1% of those infected 'locked in' - awake and aware but completely paralyzed.
Anticipation Factor: 7/10. Looking forward to reading this original sci-fi story. 

31. Last of the Independents (A Michael Drayton Mystery #1) by Sam Wiebe

Genre: Mystery/Crime Fiction
What It's About: A private investigator based in Vancouver is hired to find the missing son of a merchant.
Anticipation Factor: 5/10. Had to include this book, as it's based in Vancouver, Canada, my hometown. But it's also supposed to be a gripping read.

Release dates are subject to change.