Suicide Reviews: The Glittering Court (The Glittering Court #1) by Richelle Mead

 Summary: Big and sweeping, spanning from the refined palaces of Osfrid to the gold dust and untamed forests of Adoria, The Glittering Court tells the story of Adelaide, an Osfridian countess who poses as her servant to escape an arranged marriage and start a new life in Adoria, the New World. But to do that, she must join the Glittering Court.

     Both a school and  a business venture, the Glittering Court is designed to transform impoverished girls into upper-class ladies who appear destined for powerful and wealthy marriages in the New World. Adelaide naturally excels in her training, and even makes a few friends: the fiery former laundress Tamsin and the beautiful Sirminican refugee Mira. She manages to keep her true identity hidden from all but one: the intriguing Cedric Thorn, son of the wealthy proprietor of the Glittering Court.

     When Adelaide discovers that Cedric is hiding a dangerous secret of his own, together they hatch a scheme to make the best of Adelaide's deception. Complications soon arise - first as they cross the treacherous seas from Osfrid to Adoria, and then when Adelaide catches the attention of a powerful governor.

     But no complication will prove quite as daunting as the potent attraction simmering between Adelaide and Cedric. An attraction that, if acted on, would scandalize the Glittering Court and make them both outcasts in wild, vastly uncharted lands...

Date Published: April 5, 2016

Published By: Razorbill

Number of Pages: 400

Rating: 3/5

It's nice to see Richelle Mead, author of the Vampire Academy and Bloodlines series, try her hand at writing a completely different kind of fantasy. You won't find any sexy vampires in The Glittering Court. The only thing that really makes it fantasy instead of historical fiction is that Mead assigned different names to all the countries and the established religion is slightly different. While it was interesting to see the parallels between the world of the book and established historical fact, I would have loved to see a bit more inventiveness when Mead created her fantasy world. 

The main characters are likable enough but I had trouble connecting with them. The romance between Adelaide and Cedric was a bit predictable and I couldn't really sense a lot of romantic tension between them. Their relationship seemed to develop too quickly. 

There is a sense of incompleteness to this novel - which is understandable seeing as the next two books in the series will tell the story from the POVs of two other characters. I could tell that there was something else going on behind the scenes - it was intriguing but also a little bit frustrating. 

The ending is a bit of a mess. It seemed to be all over the place and with those missing POVs, there was no sense that all of the loose ends were tied up neatly. I realize she can't give everything away and has to maintain a sense of mystery for the future installments but it just left me feeling disappointed. 

Here's what I liked: Mead continues to evolve as a writer and her descriptions are so vivid that I found the story playing like a movie in my head. There were some sentences in here that dazzled me. I also liked the feminist aspect of the book. I loved how the friendship between the three girls was portrayed in the first half of the book even though that aspect kind of got shoved aside in the second half.

I feel Richelle Mead is experimenting a little bit with this series and I applaud her for taking risks. However, there is room for improvement in the series and I'm looking forward to seeing what she does in the next two installments. 

Suicide Reviews: This Is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith

Summary: Graham Larkin and Ellie O'Neill meet - albeit virtually - when Graham accidentally sends Ellie an e-mail about his pet pig, Wilbur. The two seventeen-year-olds strike up an e-mail relationship, even though they don't even know each other's first name. 

In a witty and unforgettable correspondence, Graham and Ellie share details about their lives, hopes, and fears. But they don't tell each other everything: Graham doesn't know the secret hidden in Ellie's family tree, and Ellie is unaware of Graham's life in the spotlight.

When Graham seizes an opportunity to spend time in Ellie's tiny hometown of Henley, Maine, he takes their relationship from online to in person. But can two people from such different worlds be together despite the odds stacked against them? 

Date Published: April 2, 2013

Published By: Headline

Number of Pages: 404

Rating: 4/5

This book is meant to be read in the summer. It evokes the season so vividly that I felt I should be wearing a bikini and sipping on lemonade while I read it. But seeing as I read it while it's still technically winter, I had to settle for cozy socks and hot chocolate instead.

The one word that sums up This Is What Happy Looks Like is adorable. This is an adorable story with two adorable characters and it's all wrapped up in a sweet, adorable ending. It's pure, sugary fluff but you know what? There is absolutely nothing wrong with fluffy books. Sometimes you want to read something that is made up of sunshine, rainbows and unicorns.

Okay, I'm making this book sound like there's no depth to it but there is some really great character development going on and Graham and Ellie have to overcome obstacles in their budding relationship. I thought it was really interesting how Jennifer E. Smith explored what it might be like for a regular person to date a movie star. Graham and Ellie have to deal with paparazzi, overprotective mothers, and interfering managers.

Overall, This Is What Happy Looks Like is a fun, contemporary romance and will appeal to fans of romantic comedies like You've Got Mail and Win a Date with Tad Hamilton.

Suicide Reviews: The Start of Me and You by Emery Lord

  

Synopsis: It's been one year since it happened - when Paige Hancock's first boyfriend dies in a swimming accident. After shutting out everyone except her family and three best friends, Paige has decided it's finally time to rejoin the real world...and she has a plan:

1. Date a boy. Her old crush Ryan Chase is the perfect path to normalcy.

2. Attend parties: With her friends by her side, doable.

3. Join a club: Simple, it's high school after all. 

4. Travel: Well, a girl can dream.

5. Swim: Terrifying. Yet possible?

The new Paige feels ready for anything, but when Ryan's sweet, nerdy cousin Max moves to town and recruits Paige for the QuizBowl team (of all things!), her perfect plan is thrown for a serious loop. Starting over isn't easy, but Paige knows the scariest things are usually the most difficult. Can she face her fears and finally open herself up to life and love again?

Date Published: March 31, 2015

Published By: Bloomsbury

Number of Pages: 384

Rating: 5/5

I did not expect to love this book as much as I did. When I first started reading it I thought it was kind of predictable and Paige kind of annoyed me at first. I thought she was too concerned with being cool and of what other people thought of her. But then I remembered - that is exactly what it's like when you're in high school! You want to fit in and be well-liked so of course you want to be perceived as cool. Thankfully, Paige ends up letting her inner nerd shine through towards the end of the book.

I loved all of the other characters in the book. Paige's three best friends are well-rounded and fully fleshed out - different while still being recognizable as typical teenage girls. They all have their own personal lives and are not just there to be foils for Paige. I'm always pleased to see realistic representations of female friendships - sometimes they argue, or even fight but at the end of the day, they're always there for each other. 

Of course my favourite character was Max, Paige's love interest. But more than just a love interest, an actual fully-realized character in his own right. He's a nerdy, introverted guy who'd rather read than play sports - my dream guy, basically. I love how the relationship between Paige and Max develops throughout the story - they start out as friends and it takes a while for Paige to realizes that she actually has feelings for him. Just when it seems they're about to connect, disaster strikes and I was left seriously wondering if they would work things out.

I won't spoil it for you - but suffice it to say I was happy with the way things ended.

This isn't just a cute YA romance - it also deals with serious issues of loss and how to cope with it. It has some incredibly emotional moments. I even found myself tearing up at some points! (WHY ARE MY EYES LEAKING?) Even though the book has these heartbreaking moments, the overall tone of the book is inspirational. After I finished reading it, I found myself with a big stupid grin on my face and the urge to Try New Things! The Start of Me and You is one of my favourites now and deserves to be widely read.

This isn't Typical YA. This is YA at its best. 

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Book Boyfriends

  

It's Valentine's Day next week so this Top Ten Tuesday is all about literary love! Below is a list of my favorite book boyfriends! (Don't you wish fictional boys were real?)

1.) Ignifex from Cruel Beauty

 

Snarky, sexy, and oh so evil, Ignifex definitely whets my appetite for bad boys. If my father sold me into marriage with him, I wouldn't be too disappointed. 

2.) Tamlin from A Court of Thorns and Roses

Who doesn't want a man who can shapeshift into a terrifying beast? Okay, maybe it's just me because I had a crush on the Beast from the Disney movie when I was younger. But still, Tamlin is one sexy...you get the point. (That love scene between him and Feyre? Delicious.) 

3.) Carswell Thorne from The Lunar Chronicles

Suave, adventurous, and funny, Thorne is this generation's Han Solo. Sure, he's a bit of a player...but all of us Lunartics knows he's a romantic at heart. 

4.) Daemon Black from the Lux series

Another bad boy, Daemon Black is everything Edward Cullen should have been. Sure, he's moody and a tad overprotective, but seeing as he's fictional, I'm willing to overlook these faults. 

5.) Peeta Mellark from The Hunger Games

I will never understand people who prefer Gale over Peeta. He's sweet, thoughtful, introspective, caring - and he knows how to bake. And Josh Hutcherson played him perfectly in the films. 

6.) Levi from Fangirl

Another sweet, thoughtful guy, Levi is the type of person I would actually like to date in real life. 

7.) Augustus Waters from The Fault in Our Stars

Ignoring the obvious obstacle here (see the ending of TFIOS) Augustus Waters is perfection. Why couldn't I have met boys like him in high school? 

8.) Marko from Saga

What is it about those horns? 

9.) Hunter from Obsession

Basically the grown-up version of Daemon Black. Yes please. 

10.) Dimitri Belikov from Vampire Academy

Honestly, I really didn't start having a thing for him until the fifth book in the series. Now, I finally see the appeal of the sexy Russian half-vampire.

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

Suicide Reviews: The Siren by Kiera Cass

  

Synopsis: Years ago, Kahlen was rescued from drowning by the Ocean. To repay her debt, she has served as a Siren ever since, using her voice to lure countless strangers to their deaths. Though a single word from Kahlen can kill, she can't resist spending her days on land, watching ordinary people and longing for the day when she will be able to speak and laugh and live freely among them again. 

Kahlen is resigned to finishing her sentence in solitude...until she meets Akinli. Handsome, caring, and kind, Akinli is everything Kahlen ever dreamed of. And though she can't talk to him, they soon forge a connection neither of them can deny...and Kahlen doesn't want to. 

Falling in love with a human breaks all the Ocean's rules, and if the Ocean discovers Kahlen's feelings, she'll be forced leave Akinli for good. But for the first time in a lifetime of following the rules, Kahlen is determined to follow her heart.

Date Published: January 26, 2016

Published By: HarperTeen

Number of Pages: 336

Rating: 3/5

The Siren reads like a modern-day fairy tale that definitely has a bit of a Little Mermaid vibe. Having never read Kiera Cass's Selection series, I didn't really know what to expect reading this book. While I thought some parts were interesting and liked it for the most part, The Siren suffers from Typical YA Syndrome*. 

Kahlen is your Typical YA Heroine - she doesn't have much in the way of an actual personality except for the fact that she's obedient and knows how to dance the jitterbug. She'd much rather stay home and read than go out and party. Oh, and she yearns to fall in love and get married. Like, that's her goal in life. She looks at bridal magazines and fantasizes about what her wedding cake might look like. I'm sorry but after reading about other kickass YA heroines who can fall in love and still have other interests and motivations, the wedding-obsessed girl just doesn't do it for me. 

Then you have Akinli, your Typical YA Love Interest. He's kind, understanding, respectful, romantic, (not to mention cute!) - basically he's Manic Pixie Dream Boy 101. The moments between Kahlen and Akinli are very sweet and nice - but not very swoon-worthy. I just didn't feel like they had a lot of chemistry. And it doesn't help that they spend most of the book apart. They only spend a few days together in total and yet they are OMG SO IN LOVE! WE'RE, LIKE, SOUL MATES, GUYS. 

Here's what I liked - I liked the mythology in the book. The Ocean is this living, self-aware force that turns young girls into Sirens so they can lure people to their death so that the Ocean can survive. It's not really made clear why the Ocean needs to drown humans to sustain Herself but, still, it's a cool idea. 

I also liked the deep friendships that Kahlen formed with the other Sirens. Here, we see a group of girls that love each other and support each other through the years they are together. They don't always get along and sometimes conflict with each other but they care for each other as sisters, and it shows. So yay for Kiera Cass for portraying strong female friendships!

I felt the ending was a little rushed and it all felt too easy. There wasn't a lot of conflict and the climax was kind of 'ho-hum.' In short, it was a Typical YA Ending. 

You might enjoy The Siren if you're a fan of Kiera Cass's other books and/or like mermaid stories. If you're sick of Typical YA, skip it. 

*To me, a Typical YA Book is competently written and I might even enjoy it, but it is usually average and nothing about the story is original. 

Suicide Reviews: The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

  

Synopsis: The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not. Within the black-and-white-striped canvas tents is an utterly unique experience full of breathtaking amazements. It is called Le Cirque des Reves, and it is open only at night. 

But behind the scenes, a fierce competition is underway: a duel between two young magicians, Celia and Marco, who have been trained since childhood expressly for this purpose by their mercurial instructors. Unbeknownst to them both, this is a game in which only one can be left standing. Amidst the high stakes, Celia and Marco soon tumble headfirst into love, setting off a domino effect of dangerous consequences, and leaving the lives of everyone from the performers to the patrons hanging in the balance. 

Date Published: September 13, 2011

Published By: Anchor

Number of Pages: 512

Rating: 4/5

Fantasy and romance fans have been raving about The Night Circus ever since it was first published so I'm surprised it took me so long to pick it up. It has everything that could attract me as a reader: magic, dueling magicians, magic, a mysterious circus, magic, romance, and, oh yeah, magic!

Based on reviews I had a certain idea of what the plot would be and how the story would unfold. However, my preconceived notions were completely blown away. I had the notion that it would be a lot like The Prestige (you know, that movie where Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman try to kill each other with magic tricks) but with maybe more of a romantic flavor. Sure, both of these stories have the dueling magicians plotline in common but the similarities end there. 

First of all, Celia and Marco are hardly ever together. Celia works her magic within the circus, while Marco works from outside. So they don't get a lot of face time. Yes, they have a few stolen romantic moments, which are quite nice, but I found the love story felt sort of stifled because of the distance between the two characters. The romance simmers beneath the surface almost the entire book until it boils over in the climactic ending. So readers wanting a fast-paced, passionate romance won't find it here. Still, I think it worked in the story overall. 

Speaking of slow pacing, the entire story doesn't really get off the ground until about 200 pages in. I feel the author was taking her time fleshing out the characters and the plot to achieve a more dramatic effect at the end but there were times when I really wanted the action to pick up. I suppose I expected dueling magicians in the sense of like, wizard duels in Harry Potter but instead, Celia and Marco compete by building more and more extravagant exhibits for the circus. So, it's pretty light on action, too.

Okay, this is beginning to sound like I didn't enjoy the book at all. I actually really did like it (hence the 4/5 rating.) It was just different from what I expected.

The thing I enjoyed most about the book was the lyrical, vivid writing. Erin Morgenstern is a magician with words, weaving enchanting images that play out in the reader's mind like a movie. I could smell the popcorn, feel the canvas tents, see the incredible illusions being performed. Her imagination is truly staggering and, with descriptions like that, I don't begrudge her the 500 page count at all. 

The Night Circus is a magical reading experience and I'm so glad I finally got around to reading it. Some people want there to be a sequel but I think it works perfectly as a stand-alone novel. I would kill to see a film version, though. 

Suicide Reviews: The Winner's Crime (The Winner's Trilogy #2) by Marie Rutkoski

 

Synopsis: A royal wedding means one celebration after another: balls, fireworks, and revelry until dawn. But to Kestrel it means living in a cage of her own making. As the wedding approaches, she aches to tell Arin the truth about her engagement: that she agreed to marry the crown prince in exchange for Arin's freedom. But can Kestrel trust Arin? Can she even trust herself? 

Kestrel is becoming very good at deception. She's working as a spy in the court. If caught, she'll be exposed as a traitor to her country. Yet she can't help searching for a way to change her ruthless world...and she is close to uncovering a shocking secret.

This dazzling follow-up to The Winner's Curse reveals the high price of dangerous lies and untrustworthy alliances. The truth will come out, and when it does, Kestrel and Arin will learn just how much their crimes will cost them.

Date Published: March 3, 2015

Published By: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux

Number of Pages: 402

Rating: 5/5

I can sum up The Winner's Crime in one word: heartbreaking.

Here's why you should read it.

Kestrel continues to be a total badass, playing dangerous political games with the Valorian emperor in order to keep Arin safe. Unfortunately, this involves deceiving Arin to such an extent that he no longer trusts her. This, of course, leads to disastrous consequences and a devastating ending. 

The political machinations in The Winner's Crime are even more intricate and compelling than they were in the first book. Kestrel navigates through the highest levels of power with a corresponding level of risk. Arin, too is involved in risky politics as the new governor of Herran. Neither Arin nor Kestrel escape unscathed as they weave through the various power plays and treachery. 

I've always been partial to forbidden love stories but the Winner's series deals with the trope in a wonderfully fresh way. Neither Kestrel nor Arin are willing to do whatever it takes to be together - they both have other things to consider, other loyalties. But they can't help but love each other and this is what makes the story so devastating - whatever they try to do to protect each other only drives them further apart. 

Fans of traditional romance novels might not care for this book - there aren't a lot of gush-worthy moments between Arin and Kestrel in this installment in the series. The romance in the Winner's trilogy has a different heart to it - it is more real and more painful but ultimately, it will resonate with readers because it is honest and deep. 

 I'm glad The Winner's Crime is not the ending to the series and I cannot wait to get my hands on the third and final book. 

Suicide Reviews: The Winner's Curse (The Winner's Trilogy #1) by Marie Rutkoski

  

Synopsis: As a general's daughter in a vast empire that revels in war and enslaves those it conquers, seventeen-year-old Kestrel has two choices: she can join the military or get married. But Kestrel has other intentions. 

One day, she is startled to find a kindred spirit in a young slave up for auction. Arin's eyes seem to defy everything and everyone. Following her instinct, Kestrel buys him - with unexpected consequences. It's not long before she has to hide her growing love for Arin. But he, too, has a secret, and Kestrel quickly learns that the price she paid for a fellow human is much higher than she ever could have imagined.

Set in a richly imagined new world, The Winner's Curse is a story of deadly games where everything is at stake, and the gamble is whether you will keep your head or lose your heart.

Date Published: March 4, 2014

Published By: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux

Number of Pages: 355

Rating: 5/5

I am completely in awe of this book. It is everything I'm looking for in a romantic historical fantasy. The world-building is incredible, the characters are well-rounded and complex, and the writing is beautiful and lush.

Marie Rutkoski has managed to create a realistic fantasy world of astonishing complexity and depth. The two warring nations, the Valorians and the Herrani, each have their own separate cultures, histories, and languages. The world is so incredibly imaginative that I can feel the history lurking beneath the surface even if it isn't spelled out on the page. This is the kind of world-building that sucks you in and immerses you until you feel as if the story can't possibly be fiction - it must be based on fact. I think that's what every fantasy author strives to do and Marie Rutkoski has mastered it brilliantly - she even makes it look easy.

Kestrel might just be my new favorite heroine in YA fantasy literature. What I love most about her is that, unlike some YA heroines, she is unskilled with using weapons. She's not totally inadequate - she does know how to defend herself. But let's just say Katniss Everdeen could teach her a thing or two about how to use a bow and arrow.

Kestrel has different strengths- for one, she is incredibly smart and tactical. She assesses situations, analyzes her enemies, and uses her wits to gain the upper hand. She's not particularly romantic - which makes it so much more satisfying when she realizes that she has feelings for Arin.

The love between Arin and Kestrel is nowhere near instantaneous - Arin hates Kestrel at first, and everything she represents. Kestrel has her own prejudices about the Herrani but gradually overcomes them as she gets to know Arin. Both Arin and Kestrel are loyal to their respective tribes which makes the love between them even more devastating - they must choose between their love for each other and their loyalty to their people.

The ending is spectacular, wrapping up the first book perfectly but still leaving things open-ended enough for the sequel. I cannot wait to see what happens in the next book.

The Winner's Curse is perfect for fans of romantic fantasy - it's a complex, heartbreaking story that will leave you wanting more. If you loved Kristin Cashore's Graceling series, you'll love The Winner's Curse.

Suicide Reviews: Star of the Morning (Nine Kingdoms #1) by Lynn Kurland

  

Synopsis: Darkness covers the north, for the black mage has begun assault on the isolated kingdom of Neroche. Legend has it that only the two magical swords held in trust by Neroche's king can defeat the mage. Now the fate of the Nine Kingdoms rests in the hands of a woman destined to wield one of those blades...

The Mercenary

Morgan is a practical woman with no use for magic. Yet she feels compelled to offer her sword to the sorcerer king of Neroche. Her fateful decision will lead her to a magical destiny...and a man whose love will change her life forever.

The King

Adhemar of Neroche's connection to the magic of the land is fading. Helpless to defend his country against the black mage's forces, his only hope is to travel in disguise, searching for the one who was foretold to bring victory.

The Mage

Miach, the archmage of Neroche, is Adhemar's youngest brother - and duty bound to aid his king. Though they find what they seek, Miach will lose his heart in a way he never could have foreseen. 

In this land of dragons and mages, warrior maids and magical swords, nothing is as it seems. For the king is less than he should be, the mage is far more than he appears, and the mercenary will find that the magic in her blood brings her troubles she cannot face with a sword - and a love more powerful than she has ever imagined...

Date Published: December 5, 2006

Published By: Berkley Trade

Number of Pages: 336

Rating: 2/5

Well, this was a total snoozefest.

I was really hopeful that Star of the Morning would be an epic romantic fantasy that I could really sink my teeth into but instead I got a Lord of the Rings rip-off with a tepid romantic plot. 

First, let's discuss the plot. There really isn't much of one. Basically, Morgan meets Adhemar and Miach and they travel with her to Neroche so she can deliver a magical blade to the king. That's it. They are attacked by some 'dark creatures' along the way but the battle scenes are usually just a paragraph long and are so boring that calling them 'action' scenes is being disingenuous.

And as for these 'dark creatures?' I have absolutely no idea what they look like. They are described as 'foul' and 'something out of a nightmare.' Well, okay, but that's not really helpful when it comes to imagining what they look like. Maybe if she called them 'orcs' I would've been able to picture them better.

There is nothing original in the world of the Nine Kingdoms. It has elves, dwarfs, dragons, magic spells, wizards, etc. There is nothing in here that distinguishes it from a cliched fantasy story. The one dwarf character in the story carries a battleaxe, for god's sake. There's no sense of depth to the world which makes it hard to believe in. And if I don't believe in your world, I'm not going to care about the story. 

All of this might have been forgiven if the romance was compelling. But it's not. I didn't sense any sort of chemistry between Miach and Morgan and there was no sexual tension whatsoever. The most they do is hold hands. They're both like 'OMG WE JUST TOUCHED HANDS!' and I'm just sitting here like 'are you kidding me?' 

I understand that Lynn Kurland deliberately writes PG romance because that is what she's comfortable with. And that's totally fine. I don't think every romance novel needs to have sex in it. (Although I prefer the ones that do.) What I can't forgive is a romance where there is no tension. There are plenty of YA novels where the two romantic leads don't do anything more than kiss but there is still a sense of chemistry and heat. This is not the case with Star of the Morning. 

I would close by saying that just because I didn't enjoy this book doesn't mean that you won't. My review is no substitute for reading the book yourself and forming your own opinion.

Have your read Star of the Morning? If so, let me know what you thought of it in the comments below! 

  

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: 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.

Book Review: Queen of Dragons (Drakon #3) by Shana Abe

  

Synopsis: It's a stunning claim: the existence of a lost drakon tribe. And it comes from an intriguing source: a woman calling herself Princess Maricara of Transylvania. Alpha lord Kimber Langford, Earl of Chasen, can't ignore the possibility. For whoever this unknown princess may be, she's dangerous enough to know about his existence - and where to find him. And indeed, it isn't long before Maricara breaches the defenses of Darkfrith and the walls around Kimber's heart. Yet the princess arrives with urgent news: a mysterious serial killer is targeting the entire drakon race. To save their kind, Kimber and Mari must ally themselves body and soul in a battle that can spell their salvation, their extinction...or both.

It was such a treat to immerse myself back in the world of the Drakon with this third installment in the series. Queen of Dragons essentially picks up where The Dream Thief left off: Princess Maricara, only eleven in the previous book, is now nineteen and is (unknowingly) engaged to Kimber, the Alpha of the English Drakon. Kimber is the eldest son of Rue and Christoff, the couple from the first book. Kimber is a lot like his father: blonde, bold, and a little bit too domineering. Thankfully, Maricara is not one to be dominated easily.

Princess Maricara is my favorite character in this book. She is smart, powerful, and unwilling to compromise her freedom - even when she is in danger of falling in love with the man she swore she would never marry. The cat-and-mouse game between Kim and Mari is fun to read and while the romance is intriguing, I can't help feel like something is missing. 

I absolutely loved the first two books so anything after is destined to pale in comparison. Queen of Dragons is still a good read but I can't help but think it would work better if it were written as a strict fantasy and not a romance. I felt like if this were not marketed as a romance novel, there is no way Mari would have ended up with Kimber. There, I said it. I just didn't root for them the way I did for the previous two couples - Rue/Kit and Amalia/Zane. (Speaking of Zane, he makes a very surprising, and very welcome, guest appearance in this book. Really hoping we get more glimpses of Zane with Amalia in future books.)

My only complaint with this book is the romance. Everything else is spectacular - there is tons of drama, and action, and there seem to be a lot more dragon moments in this book, always a plus in my opinion. Shana Abe writes such vivid, beautiful sentences that I sometimes get goosebumps reading her books. There was one scene in particular that stands out in my mind. Basically, Mari is being accused by Kimber's councilmen that she is deliberately putting the tribe in danger - the tension builds and builds until it explodes and I actually could feel the emotions that Mari was feeling during that scene. I just get so sucked into these stories and into the world that Shana Abe has created that it starts to feel real. If that's not a mark of a talented writer, I don't know what is.

I have said it a thousand times before and I'll say it again: if you are not reading the Drakon series, you are missing out!