Aug 19 2013

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Your Pick for Nik! – September’s Selection!

Thank you all for your votes!

This month’s winner is… Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder!

A thorough review and discussion for this book will take place on Monday, September 30th, so there’s plenty of time to pick it up if you want to participate. For more information on the Your Pick for Nik! book club, click here.

If you want to participate officially, all you have to do is answer the questionnaire at the end of the book review when it posts (which will hopefully generate some awesome discussion). If you post your own review of the book, send me the URL and I will include a personalized link at the end of the review.

Here’s a look at what the book is about:

About to be executed for murder, Yelena is offered an extraordinary reprieve. She’ll eat the best meals, have rooms in the palace—and risk assassination by anyone trying to kill the Commander of Ixia. And so Yelena chooses to become a food taster. But the chief of security, leaving nothing to chance, deliberately feeds her Butterfly’s Dust—and only by appearing for her daily antidote will she delay an agonizing death from the poison. As Yelena tries to escape her new dilemma, disasters keep mounting. Rebels plot to seize Ixia and Yelena develops magical powers she can’t control. Her life is threatened again and choices must be made. But this time the outcomes aren’t so clear…

Aug 12 2013

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Your Pick for Nik! – September’s Nominations!

Your Pick for Nik! is a monthly feature where I turn over control of my reading list to you!

Here’s how it works: I have nominated titles from my TBR list and YOU get to choose which one gets featured. It can be one you’ve already read and want to discuss, one you want to read but wish to see my feedback on first, or – and this is my favorite part – one you want to read along with me!

Depicted below are my 10 nominees for September. Simply vote for your favorites, and let the best book win! At 10:00 am (MST) on Monday the 19th I will announce the winner. Come the end of September, I will post a thorough review of the chosen title – and hopefully find out what you thought of it as well!

Voting starts today (August 12, 2013) and you’ll have all the way through the weekend to choose your favorites (Remember: YOU CAN VOTE FOR MORE THAN 1).

Title: Poison Study

Author: Maria V. Snyder

Series: Poison Study #1

Genre: Fantasy

The Overview: About to be executed for murder, Yelena is offered an extraordinary reprieve. She’ll eat the best meals, have rooms in the palace—and risk assassination by anyone trying to kill the Commander of Ixia. And so Yelena chooses to become a food taster. But the chief of security, leaving nothing to chance, deliberately feeds her Butterfly’s Dust—and only by appearing for her daily antidote will she delay an agonizing death from the poison. As Yelena tries to escape her new dilemma, disasters keep mounting. Rebels plot to seize Ixia and Yelena develops magical powers she can’t control. Her life is threatened again and choices must be made. But this time the outcomes aren’t so clear…

Why It Nominated: having collected dust on my shelf for years, my interests in it was reignited when one of my favorite book bloggers (The Moonlight Library) included it in a couple of lists of her favorite books and characters of all time. I’ve already snuck a peek at the first couple of chapters, and it’s every bit as good as I was hoping it would be!

Title: Seraphina

Author: Rachel Hartman

Series: Seraphina #1

Genre: Teen Fantasy

The Overview: Four decades of peace have done little to ease the mistrust between humans and dragons in the kingdom of Goredd. Folding themselves into human shape, dragons attend court as ambassadors, and lend their rational, mathematical minds to universities as scholars and teachers. As the treaty’s anniversary draws near, however, tensions are high.

Seraphina Dombegh has reason to fear both sides. An unusually gifted musician, she joins the court just as a member of the royal family is murdered—in suspiciously draconian fashion. Seraphina is drawn into the investigation, partnering with the captain of the Queen’s Guard, the dangerously perceptive Prince Lucian Kiggs. While they begin to uncover hints of a sinister plot to destroy the peace, Seraphina struggles to protect her own secret, the secret behind her musical gift, one so terrible that its discovery could mean her very life.

Why It Nominated: it is a teen fantasy about dragons… I don’t know how I could’ve possibly neglected to pick this one up before now.

Title: Medalon

Author: Jennifer Fallon

Series: Hythrun Chronicles #1

Genre: Fantasy

The Overview: The small country of Medalon lies between the vast nation of Karien in the north and the nations of Fardohnya and Hythria in the south. For centuries the Medalonians co-existed peacefully with the Harshini, a magical race that abhors killing. But now they are gone and in their place the Sisters of the Blade rule Medalon from the Citadel. An elite army of Defenders enforces the Sisterhood’s oppressive rule. The Harshini and their demons are believed to be extinct and Medalon has an uneasy peace with its northern and southern neighbours. R’shiel Tenragan, daughter of the First Sister, and her half-brother Tarja find themselves caught up in the political infighting amongst the Sisters of the Blade. When their mother’s scheming becomes too much to bear, R’shiel and Tarja are determined to follow their own path and they flee the Citadel. Their lives take a turn neither could ever have imagined and the Defenders of Medalon hunt them as traitors.

Why It Nominated: I first read this series in my late teens and liked it so much I devoured it in a couple of days. Because I read it so fast, I remember practically nothing except that I loved it. I’ve been dying to pick this one up again.

Title: Ender’s Game

Author: Orson Scott Card

Series: Ender’s Saga #1

Genre: Science Fiction

The Overview: In order to develop a secure defense against a hostile alien race’s next attack, government agencies breed child geniuses and train them as soldiers. A brilliant young boy, Andrew “Ender” Wiggin lives with his kind but distant parents, his sadistic brother Peter, and the person he loves more than anyone else, his sister Valentine. Peter and Valentine were candidates for the soldier-training program but didn’t make the cut—young Ender is the Wiggin drafted to the orbiting Battle School for rigorous military training.

Why It’s Nominated: This one was nominated by one of my favorite followers who has exceptional taste in books. Even though I’ve already read this one, it was outstanding and I can’t think of a better time to reread it since the movie is right around the corner.

Title: False Memory

Author: Dan Krokos

Series: False Memory#1

Genre: Teen Fantasy

The Overview: Miranda wakes up alone on a park bench with no memory. In her panic, she releases a mysterious energy that incites pure terror in everyone around her. Except Peter, a boy who isn’t at all surprised by Miranda’s shocking ability.

Left with no choice but to trust this stranger, Miranda discovers she was trained to be a weapon and is part of an elite force of genetically-altered teens who possess flawless combat skills and powers strong enough to destroy a city. But adjusting to her old life isn’t easy—especially with Noah, the boyfriend she can’t remember loving. Then Miranda uncovers a dark truth that sets her team on the run. Suddenly her past doesn’t seem to matter… when there may not be a future.

Why It’s Nominated: I read and reviewed The Planet Thieves by this author and quite liked it. I’ve heard this series is even better, so that’s why I’m so eager to read it.

Title: Orphans of Chaos

Author: John C. Wright

Series: Chronicles of Chaos #1

Genre: Fantasy

The Overview: For Amelia and her friends, the strict English boarding school she lives in is all she has ever known. The sprawling estate, bordered by unknown territory on all four sides, is both orphanage, academy, and prison. The school has a large staff, but only five students, none of whom know what their real names are, or even how old they are. Precocious and rebellious, all five teenagers are more than just prodigies. Amelia can see in four dimensions. Victor can control the molecular arrangement of matter. Vanity can find secret passageways where none existed before. Colin is a psychic. Quentin is a warlock. And, as time goes by, they’re starting to suspect that none of them are entirely human . . .

Why It Nominated: Of all the books I’ve nominated over the last six months, I think this might be the one I’m most interested in reading. Despite all of the excellent books on the lists, this one gets my vote.

Title: Reap the Wild Wind

Author: Julie Czerneda

Series: Stratification #1

Genre: Science Fiction

The Overview: In the first book of the Stratification series, set in an earlier time in Czerneda’s Trade Pact Universe, the Clan has not yet learned how to manipulate the M’hir to travel between worlds. Instead, they are a people divided into small tribes, scattered over a fraction of their world, and prevented from advancing by two other powerful races who control both technology and terrain. Aliens begin exploring the Clan’s home planet, upsetting the delicate balance between the three intelligent races. It is a time, too, when one young woman is on the verge of mastering the forbidden power of the M’hir-a power that could prove to be the salvation or ruin of her entire species…

Why It’s Nominated: as my favorite science fiction author, is the only series I haven’t yet read from her.… It’s guaranteed to be amazing, though.

Title: Beyonders: A World Without Heroes

Author: Brandon Mull

Series: Beyonders #1

Genre: Young Reader

The Overview: Jason Walker has often wished his life could be a bit less predictable–until a routine day at the zoo ends with Jason suddenly transporting from the hippo tank to a place unlike anything he’s ever seen. In the past, the people of Lyrian welcomed visitors from the Beyond, but attitudes have changed since the wizard emperor Maldor rose to power. The brave resistors who opposed the emperor have been bought off or broken, leaving a realm where fear and suspicion prevail. In his search for a way home, Jason meets Rachel, who was also mysteriously drawn to Lyrian from our world. With the help of a few scattered rebels, Jason and Rachel become entangled in a quest to piece together the word of power that can destroy the emperor, and learn that their best hope to find a way home will be to save this world without heroes.

Why It’s Nominated: this is not the first time I’ve put this one up for votes, and it tends to win either second or third place. I’ve read everything else by this author and consider him my favorite young reader writer – aside from J.K. Rowling, of course. He says the third book in this series is his favorite one he’s ever written, and that gets me excited.

Title: Perdition

Author: Ann Aguirre

Series: The Dred Chronicles #1

Genre: Science Fiction

The Overview: The prison ship Perdition, a floating city where the Conglomerate’s most dangerous criminals are confined for life, orbits endlessly around a barren asteroid. Life inside is even more bleak. Hailed as the Dread Queen, inmate Dresdemona “Dred” Devos controls one of Perdition’s six territories, bordered on both sides by would-be kings eager to challenge her claim. Keeping them at bay requires constant vigilance, as well as a steady influx of new recruits to replace the fallen. Survival is a constant battle, and death is the only escape. Of the newest convicts, only one is worth Dred’s attention. The mercenary Jael, with his deadly gaze and attitude, may be the most dangerous criminal onboard. His combat skill could give her the edge she needs, if he doesn’t betray her first. Unfortunately, that’s what he does best. Winning Jael’s allegiance will be a challenge, but failure could be worse than death…

Why It Nominated: author of the Grimspace series, it’s no secret how much I love this writer. This is a spinoff series that revisits that world and I sincerely hope this one is just as good!

Title: The Dragon’s Path

Author: Daniel Abraham

Series: The Dagger and the Coin #1

Genre: Fantasy

The Overview: All paths lead to war…
Marcus’ hero days are behind him. He knows too well that even the smallest war still means somebody’s death. When his men are impressed into a doomed army, staying out of a battle he wants no part of requires some unorthodox steps. Cithrin is an orphan, ward of a banking house. Her job is to smuggle a nation’s wealth across a war zone, hiding the gold from both sides. She knows the secret life of commerce like a second language, but the strategies of trade will not defend her from swords. Geder, sole scion of a noble house, has more interest in philosophy than in swordplay. A poor excuse for a soldier, he is a pawn in these games. No one can predict what he will become. Falling pebbles can start a landslide. A spat between the Free Cities and the Severed Throne is spiraling out of control. A new player rises from the depths of history, fanning the flames that will sweep the entire region onto The Dragon’s Path-the path to war.

Why It’s Nominated: I consider Abraham to be one of the absolute best of the new generation of fantasy writers. His Long Price Quartet had me riveted from start to finish and I have vowed to read anything else he publishes… this one included.

Your votes are all appreciated!

Feel free to steal this button for your sidebar:

Happy reading everyone! :-)

Aug 7 2013

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Coming Soon: Burn by Julianna Baggott

Waiting on Wednesday is a feature hosted by Breaking the Spine. I’ve always loved seeing which books people are looking forward to and am happy to finally be participating. I have been doing a similar feature for about a year now, but somehow it seems more official, haha. This week I am anticipating:

February 4, 2014

Title: Burn

Author: Julianna Baggott

Series: Pure #3

Genre: Teen Fantasy

Release Date: February 4, 2014

The Overview: The fate of the world is more fragile than ever as Pures battle Wretches and former allies become potential enemies. Inside the Dome Patridge has taken his father’s place as leader of the Pures. His intent had been to bring down the Dome from the inside with the help of the secret resistance force led by Partridge’s former teacher Glassings. But from his new position of power, things don’t seem quite as clear. Perhaps his father had been right. Perhaps if the world is to survive it needs the Dome—and Partridge—to rule it. Outside the Dome Pressia and Bradwell continue piecing together the clues left to them by their parents from the time before the detonations. Soon they will be able to help heal the Wretches, freeing them from their monstrous fusings and the Dome’s oppression once and for all. But their success also depends on Partridge. Can they still trust their friend and ally to see their plan through? Or will a new war begin?

Nik’s Notes:

Having just finished Pure, the first book in this series, I am eager as ever to read the second book (Fuse) and will likely be doubly eager to read Burn by the time it comes out. I enjoyed the world building, the characters, and the layered plot and think anyone who loved the edgier dystopians like The Fifth Wave and Divergent should definitely check this series out! :-)

Pure was July’s Your Pick for Nik! – check out the review by clicking the cover below:

#1 Pure by Julianna Baggott

by Niki Hawkes

Jul 29 2013

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Your Pick for Nik! – July’s Review: Pure by Julianna Baggott

#1 Pure by Julianna Baggott

Title: Pure

Author: Julianna Baggott

Series: Pure #1

Genre: Dystopian Fiction

Rating: 4/5 stars

The Overview: We know you are here, our brothers and sisters . . .
Pressia barely remembers the Detonations or much about life during the Before. In her sleeping cabinet behind the rubble of an old barbershop where she lives with her grandfather, she thinks about what is lost-how the world went from amusement parks, movie theaters, birthday parties, fathers and mothers . . . to ash and dust, scars, permanent burns, and fused, damaged bodies. And now, at an age when everyone is required to turn themselves over to the militia to either be trained as a soldier or, if they are too damaged and weak, to be used as live targets, Pressia can no longer pretend to be small. Pressia is on the run.

Burn a Pure and Breathe the Ash . . .
There are those who escaped the apocalypse unmarked. Pures. They are tucked safely inside the Dome that protects their healthy, superior bodies. Yet Partridge, whose father is one of the most influential men in the Dome, feels isolated and lonely. Different. He thinks about loss-maybe just because his family is broken; his father is emotionally distant; his brother killed himself; and his mother never made it inside their shelter. Or maybe it’s his claustrophobia: his feeling that this Dome has become a swaddling of intensely rigid order. So when a slipped phrase suggests his mother might still be alive, Partridge risks his life to leave the Dome to find her.

When Pressia meets Partridge, their worlds shatter all over again.

The Review:

World-Building: the world building was actually pretty creative. Baggott essentially re-created the parameters for our world and, as a result, had to come up with new rules for how people were forced to interact with one another and the unforgiving environment around them. Her evolution of the world was raw, gritty, and filled with the unexpected. She essentially changed the biological aspects by which people are composed and backed it up with some feasible science – I love it when authors do that.

Character: There are multiple viewpoint characters in this book. I’ve mentioned before that the only way for many viewpoints to work for me is if they are each contributing towards the story’s progression. Every scene where we switch perspectives must add something to the overall arc of the story. It was handled quite well in this case, and I liked how each scene gave us a little more information about what was going on.

Story: The basic storyline was a major strength for me, mostly because it included what I’m going to call a “rose-petal” plot. Important things were revealed in layers (which is normally called a layered or “onion” plot) which is not an uncommon tool, but in this case the layers were pulled back quite delicately, little by little – no onion around here. I liked how subtle it was, I liked how there was no false tension or people withholding information, and I genuinely enjoyed discovering what was going on with the characters. I feel like it’s been a long time since I’ve seen writing tool used this well.

Writing: I don’t believe I’ve ever read a book written in third person present tense before. I found it a bit odd, to be honest. The voice didn’t blend into the background like most third person perspectives do (which was a bit distracting on occasion), but it also lacked the emotional involvement I usually feel with present tense writing. It’s almost as if combining these two writing styles negates all the benefits that, in theory, they should be enhancing. I think this was the main reason why I felt rather impartial to the characters through most of the story and couldn’t help but wonder how much more of an impact it would have had had she chosen a different style.

That’s not to say her writing was weak. She had many passages of beautiful and often gut-wrenching description. Her writing set a very distinct tone for the story, showcased some truly beautiful imagery, showed us what’s important to the characters without rubbing our noses in it, and wowed me with her ability to pull back the layers of the plot so delicately. I would love the chance to appreciate her voice in another format.

Pacing: Pacing was really difficult for me to discern in this book – and I think it had something to do with the odd writing style choice. It kept me so impartial that I couldn’t really feel the highs and lows that normally come from adventure, danger, wonder, and romance. It kept me at a distance to the point where everything sort of flat-lined for most of the book. Logically, I could see were things sped up and slowed down, but I couldn’t feel it. And that’s a problem.

Marketing: this book is officially categorized in the adult fiction section of the bookstore I work at. As fiction is not my usual forte, I might have overlooked this one entirely if I hadn’t stumbled upon the second book while doing research for my “upcoming releases” feature. All I have to say is, thank goodness for catchy covers.

The storyline initially sounded like a typical teen dystopian novel, so as I read I tried to keep an eye out for anything that would explain why it wasn’t marketed as a teen book. At first, I thought perhaps maybe it was going to be too violent – but then I considered how much more violent it can get than children slaughtering each other in an arena for the amusement of the Capitol. Then, I thought maybe the story was too gritty and frightening – but then I considered how much more disturbing and intense things got while reading about an alien invasion in a series of five waves. Okay then, maybe it has to do with language – but then I remembered a sarcastic, blue haired girl from an upcoming sequel of a teen dystopian (about, ironically, genetically mutated teens) dropping the F-bomb every couple of pages, and I know that’s out.

Everything I thought might have at one point made publishers wary of introducing to a teen audience turned out to be unfounded. My point? Perhaps this one should of been marketed differently to better reach its ideal demographic – teens. Besides, we all know us “adults” are devouring more of these books then actual teens, anyway. :)

Recommendations: While not my favorite dystopian on the market, it definitely was an enjoyable addition to the genre. I don’t see any reason why teens can pick this one up but would probably recommend it to those who prefer “action” dystopians like Hunger Games and The Fifth Wave over “romance” dystopian’s like Matched and Delirium.

Other books you might like:

: The Bane by Keary Taylor

: The Fifth Wave by Rick Yancey

: The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken

: Partials by Dan Wells

: Divergent by Veronica Roth

Discussion time! (May contain spoilers):

Who was your favorite character and why?

100% – Partridge. Of all the characters, I felt the most connected to him. I appreciated how brave he was and how love for his mother drove him unfalteringly, despite the sacrifices he had to make along the way.

Did anything surprise you in the story?

El Captain – when he was first introduced, I was actually a bit disappointed. I was expecting him to be a typical one-note villain that the author would keep bouncing to just to show us how “evil” yet “justified” he was. I was pleasantly surprised when he turned out to be a rather complex and totally human character. The author gained a lot of respect for me with this one.

What was your favorite/least favorite part of the book?

My favorite and least favorite parts of the book were actually the same thing: the atmosphere. I love how totally immersed into the setting I felt the entire time and the author did a great job setting the stakes in this world and showing us the dangers within it. It was incredibly well done, with pops of beauty that shone like beacons through the pages (i.e., the little mechanical creatures Pressia created). The reason it was my least favorite is that it was gloomy, gritty, and downright depressing. I stopped reading it right before bed because I think it was giving me bad dreams.

Where would you shelve this book? Adult fiction or teen dystopian?

As stated above, I don’t think this book would be out of place at all in the teen section.

Well, there you have it! I hope you enjoyed the review – I had a lot of fun composing it.

The questions are meant to generate conversation, so feel free to answer any or all in the comments area. :-)’s

Here’s a link to the world’s coolest librarian who read along with me and made this month my favorite Pick for Nik! ever! Check out her review at:

by Niki Hawkes

Jul 24 2013

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Coming Soon: Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson

I’ve been doing these “Coming Soon” posts since I started the blog last September, but it only recently occurred to me that I could convert them into the Waiting on Wednesday feature hosted by Breaking the Spine and Should be Reading. I already do the Top Ten Tuesday feature, and it’s one of my favorites – partly because it gives me the opportunity to connect with other book bloggers, but mostly because it gives you guys a solid feature to look forward to every week. Here’s one of the books that has me excited:

Title: Steelheart

Author: Brandon Sanderson

Series: Reckoners #1

Genre: Fantasy

Release Date: September 24, 2013

The Overview: Ten years ago, Calamity came. It was a burst in the sky that gave ordinary men and women extraordinary powers. The awed public started calling them Epics. But Epics are no friend of man. With incredible gifts came the desire to rule. And to rule man you must crush his wills.

Nobody fights the Epics… nobody but the Reckoners. A shadowy group of ordinary humans, they spend their lives studying Epics, finding their weaknesses, and then assassinating them. And David wants in. He wants Steelheart—the Epic who is said to be invincible. The Epic who killed David’s father. For years, like the Reckoners, David’s been studying, and planning—and he has something they need. Not an object, but an experience. He’s seen Steelheart bleed. And he wants revenge.

Nik’s Notes:

Brandon Sanderson amazes me with how many quality fantasy novels he puts out every year. He has so many projects going that we’re left guessing what he’s going to work on next. I love his originality when it comes to magic systems – especially those found in Warbreaker and Mistborn. As this is the start of a new series, I can only imagine what he’s going to come up with next – whatever it is, I’m sure it’s going to be exciting! If any of you fantasy buffs haven’t picked up a Sanderson book yet, you are sorely missing out. :-)

I will probably nominate Steelheart as one of our possible book club options in my Your Pick for Nik! feature. December’s pick was Warbreaker, and it was an excellent book. (click the cover below for the full review).

Jul 22 2013

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Your Pick for Nik! – August’s Selection!

Thank you all for your votes!

The Sharing Knife by Lois McMaster Bujold

This month’s winner is… The Sharing Knife by Lois McMaster Bujold!

A thorough review and discussion for this book will take place on Monday, September 2nd, so there’s plenty of time to pick it up if you want to participate. For more information on the Your Pick for Nik! book club, click here.

Here’s A look at what the book is about:

Troubled young Fawn Bluefield seeks a life beyond her family’s farm. Enroute to the city, she encounters a patrol of Lakewalkers. The necromancers armed with human bone knives fight “malices”, immortal entities that draw out life, enslaving humans and animals. Dag saves Fawn from a malice – at a devastating cost. Their fates are now bound in a remarkable journey.