Jul 23 2013

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2013)

This week’s Top Ten Tuesday (hosted by The Broke and the Bookish) was supposed to be centered around words/subjects that deter me from picking up books. As I started compiling my list, it took on almost a negative aspect as I considered subjects outside of my wheelhouse. It felt like book-bashing, in a way, and didn’t leave me with any means to recommend titles. With that in mind, I decided to tweak this week’s topic a bit to make it more positive. Ahem:

Top Ten Words/Subjects that Almost Kept Me from Reading These Great Books!

Keep in mind as you explore my list that most of these were not on my reading list because of their subjects but ended up being an experiment gone very, very well when I finally did read them.

#1 Circus

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

The impression I’ve always held of circuses is that they are dirty, freaky, secretive institutions where animals are abused and people go missing… I may be watching too much TV. In any case, I’d never have the desire to read about a circus before, but something about the intrigue and romance of this book compelled me to open it. It’s still one of my favorites. :-)

#2 Werewolves/Vampires

Now, I’ll admit that I’ve pretty much devoured as many things on this subject as I could once I got hooked, but before this book, I was a supernatural hater. These creatures were gross and I really didn’t want anything to do with them… until a love story was introduced. All I can say is, I’m grateful to Handeland for opening up such a wide range of entertainment for me.

#3 Historical

The Sweetest Dark by Shana Abe

I read to escape reality, so the idea of reliving stories that I wanted to sleep through in grade school was a definite turnoff. I still can’t read totally historic novels, but have come to appreciate and even love those with a fantasy twist.

#4 Elves in Space

What an odd concept. This was an ultimate mix of fantasy, romance, urban fantasy, and science fiction. And you know what? It worked. I’m reading it for the second time and it’s still good.

#5 S&M

I wouldn’t say I’m comfortable with this subject, per se, but I’m definitely glad I didn’t let it deter me from reading these novels. They are some of the most epic, rich fantasies I’ve ever read with outstanding characters. They also have an element of history, too, but I didn’t know that before picking them up.

#6 Arthurian Lore

Wings by Aprilynne Pike

The tale of King Arthur and the Knights of the round table has been beaten to death in my brain. I avoid anything on the subject like the plague because I am just plain tired of the story. Wings was such a new take on the subject that it was actually my favorite part of these books.

#7 Mythology

Fablehaven by Brandon Mull

I don’t know if it’s my aversion to history or my undeniable need to escape reality when I read, but before this book, I had shunned everything so blatantly mythological. I viewed it as almost a copout – using creatures that already exists in history so you don’t have to create your own… Since, I’ve become much less of a snob and realize that some of the best tales come from putting your own spin on classic creations.

#8 Talking Deer

You heard me. Much like Watership Down, this is a book about the life struggles of a deer. It appealed to my love of nature and animals as well as the classic “good overcomes evil” storyline. I don’t think there’s anything I can say that a makes this book not sound lame – ha ha. Take my word for it, it was a good read.

#9 Candy Magic

The Candy Shop War by Brandon Mull

I never had any intention of reading this book, thinking it couldn’t possibly be anything other than juvenile and cheesy… then Mull rocked my world with Fablehaven, so I gave it a try. Although the subject matter is geared towards a younger audience, the writing is surprisingly sophisticated and creative. It made me feel like a kid again, but in a smart way.

#10 True Story

I don’t know if I could’ve read nonfiction unless it was animal-related. I actually have quite a collection of nature books, but they are so off subject that I don’t feature them on my blog. Instead of facts, Grogan recounts the events as if he were telling a story – filled with loads of creative embellishments that made me forget I was reading a nonfiction book. It was beautiful, and I will definitely be reading it again someday.

Well, there’s my list – I hope you enjoyed it! :-)

Jul 18 2013

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Coming Soon: Horde by Ann Aguirre

Title: Horde

Author: Ann Aguirre

Series: Enclave #3

Genre: Teen Fantasy

Release Date: October 29, 2013

The Overview: The horde is coming. Salvation is surrounded, monsters at the gates, and this time, they’re not going away. When Deuce, Fade, Stalker and Tegan set out, the odds are against them. But the odds have been stacked against Deuce from the moment she was born. She might not be a Huntress anymore, but she doesn’t run. With her knives in hand and her companions at her side, she will not falter, whether fighting for her life or Fade’s love. Ahead, the battle of a lifetime awaits. Freaks are everywhere, attacking settlements, setting up scouts, perimeters, and patrols. There hasn’t been a war like this in centuries, and humans have forgotten how to stand and fight. Unless Deuce can lead them. This time, however, more than the fate of a single enclave or outpost hangs in the balance. This time, Deuce carries the banner for the survival of all humanity.

Nik’s Notes:

This is the third book in a series that I have yet to read… But rest assured it is incredibly high in my TBR pile. I fell in love with this author’s adult Grimspace series and have since purchased everything she has on the market. I love her voice, her characters, and the way she writes relationships. I would say this is the teen series I am most looking forward to reading this summer.

Who else is excited for this release?

by Niki Hawkes

Jul 17 2013

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Your Pick for Nik – August’s Nominations!

It’s been a while since I’ve run this feature, and I miss it. For those of you new to our book club, here’s how it works:

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 will nominate titles from my TBR list and YOU will 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 – you can read it along with me!

Depicted below are my 10 nominees for August. Simply vote for your favorites, and let the best book win! At 10:00 am (MST) on Monday the 22nd I will announce the winner. Come the end of August, I will post a thorough review of the chosen title – and hopefully find out what you thought of it as well!

Voting starts today (July 17, 2013) and you’ll have all the way through the weekend to choose your favorites (Remember: YOU CAN VOTE FOR MORE THAN 1).

: Across the Universe by Beth Revis

: Leviathan Wakes by James Corey

: Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld

: Legend by Marie Lu

: Everneath by Brodi Ashton

: #8 Beyonders by Brandon Mull

: Sylo by D.J. MacHale (7/2)

: The Sharing Knife by Lois McMaster Bujold

: Orphans of Chaos by John C. Wright

: Faerie Wars

Title: Across the Universe

Author: Beth Revis

Genre: Teen Science Fiction

The Overview: Amy is a cryogenically frozen passenger aboard the vast spaceshipGodspeed. She expects to awaken on a new planet, 300 years in the future. But fifty years before Godspeed‘s scheduled landing, Amy’s cryo chamber is unplugged, and she is nearly killed. Now, Amy is caught inside an enclosed world where nothing makes sense.Godspeed‘s passengers have forfeited all control to Eldest, a tyrannical and frightening leader, and Elder, his rebellious and brilliant teenage heir. Amy desperately wants to trust Elder. But should she? All she knows is that she must race to unlock Godspeed‘s hidden secrets before whoever woke her tries to kill again.

Leviathan Wakes by James Corey

Title: Leviathan Wakes

Author: James Corey

Genre: Science Fiction

The Overview: Humanity has colonized the solar system – Mars, the Moon, the Asteroid Belt and beyond – but the stars are still out of our reach. Jim Holden is XO of an ice miner making runs from the rings of Saturn to the mining stations of the Belt. When he and his crew stumble upon a derelict ship, “The Scopuli,” they find themselves in possession of a secret they never wanted. A secret that someone is willing to kill for – and kill on a scale unfathomable to Jim and his crew. War is brewing in the system unless he can find out who left the ship and why. Detective Miller is looking for a girl. One girl in a system of billions, but her parents have money and money talks. When the trail leads him to “The Scopuli” and rebel sympathizer Holden, he realizes that this girl may be the key to everything. Holden and Miller must thread the needle between the Earth government, the Outer Planet revolutionaries, and secretive corporations – and the odds are against them. But out in the Belt, the rules are different, and one small ship can change the fate of the universe.

Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld

Title: Leviathan

Author: Scott Westerfeld

Genre: Teen Fantasy

The Overview: It is the cusp of World War I. The Austro-Hungarians and Germans have their Clankers, steam-driven iron machines loaded with guns and ammunition. The British Darwinists employ genetically fabricated animals as their weaponry. Their Leviathan is a whale airship, and the most masterful beast in the British fleet. Aleksandar Ferdinand, a Clanker, and Deryn Sharp, a Darwinist, are on opposite sides of the war. But their paths cross in the most unexpected way, taking them both aboard the Leviathan on a fantastical, around-the-world adventure….One that will change both their lives forever.

Title: Legend

Author: Marie Lu

Genre: Teen Fantasy

The Overview: What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic’s wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic’s highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country’s most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths—until the day June’s brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family’s survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias’s death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.

Everneath by Brodi Ashton

Title: Everneath

Author: Brodi Ashton

Genre: Teen Paranormal Fantasy

The Overview: Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath. Now she’s returned—to her old life, her family, her boyfriend—before she’s banished back to the underworld . . . this time forever. She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can’t find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.

Nikki longs to spend these precious months forgetting the Everneath and trying to reconnect with her boyfriend, Jack, the person most devastated by her disappearance—and the one person she loves more than anything. But there’s just one problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who enticed her to the Everneath in the first place, has followed Nikki home. Cole wants to take over the throne in the underworld and is convinced Nikki is the key to making it happen. And he’ll do whatever it takes to bring her back, this time as his queen.

As Nikki’s time on the Surface draws to a close and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she is forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole’s queen.

Title: Sylo

Author: D. J. MacHale

Genre: Teen Fantasy

The Overview: Fourteen-year-old Tucker Pierce prefers to fly under the radar. He’s used to navigating around summer tourists in his hometown on idyllic Pemberwick Island, Maine. He’s content to sit on the sidelines as a backup player on the high school football team. And though his best friend Quinn tells him to “go for it,” he’s too chicken to ask Tori Sleeper on a date. There’s always tomorrow, he figures. Then Pemberwick Island is invaded by a mysterious branch of the U.S. military called SYLO. And sitting on the sidelines is no longer an option for Tucker, because tomorrow may never come.

It’s up to Tucker, Quinn, and Tori to uncover the truth about the singing aircraft that appears only at night—and the stranger named Feit who’s pushing a red crystal he calls the Ruby that brings unique powers to all who take it. Tucker and his friends must rescue not just Pemberwick Island, but the fate of the world—and all before tomorrow is too late.

#8 Beyonders by Brandon Mull

Title: Beyonders

Author: Brandon Mull

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.

The Sharing Knife by Lois McMaster Bujold

Title: The Sharing Knife

Author: Lois McMaster Bujold

Genre: Fantasy

The Overview: 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.

Orphans of Chaos by John C. Wright

Title: Orphans of Chaos

Author: John C. Wright

Genre: Fantasy

The Overview: A bunch of smart kids at a boarding school discover that they aren’t human, nor are their teachers. A lot of magic happens.

Title: Faerie Wars

Author: Herbie Brennan

Genre: Teen Fantasy

The Overview: Henry Atherton thinks his life is spinning out of control. But nothing prepares him for the invisible portal in old man Fogarty’s backyard . . . and the unexpected stranger who comes through it.
Pyrgus Malvae, crown prince of the Faerie realm, is on the run. Too many people want the rebellious young heir dead: a scheming sorcerer, a powerful demon, the malignant leader of the Faeries of the Night, and maybe even a hidden traitor within his father’s court. Henry and Pyrgus come from very different worlds, but it may be up to Henry to save all of Faerie from being conquered by the Nightside, even if it means crossing over to a magical realm where nothing is ever what it seems . . . and no one can be trusted.

May the best book win! :)

Jul 11 2013

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Book Review: Spell Bound by Rachel Hawkins

Title: Spell Bound

Author: Rachel Hawkins

Series: Hex Hall #3

Genre: Teen Paranormal Romance

Rating: 4/5 stars

The Overview: Just as Sophie Mercer has come to accept her extraordinary magical powers as a demon, the Prodigium Council strips them away. Now Sophie is defenseless, alone, and at the mercy of her sworn enemies—the Brannicks, a family of warrior women who hunt down the Prodigium. Or at least that’s what Sophie thinks, until she makes a surprising discovery. The Brannicks know an epic war is coming, and they believe Sophie is the only one powerful enough to stop the world from ending. But without her magic, Sophie isn’t as confident.

The Review:

As I’ve already beat you over the head a couple of times with how much I enjoyed this series, I’m going to keep today’s review on the shorter side. This third and final book in the Hex Hall trilogy was actually my least favorite of the three, but only by a little. There was an element of predictability that stole a bit of momentum, but that is the only thing I didn’t like. Everything else added up to a great conclusion – I was really sad when it ended because these were a ton of fun to read.

My favorite part of Spell Bound was the exploration of three conflicting societies that were only alluded to up to this point; and also the introduction of a few new characters who added a new complexity to the story. I love learning about stuff in books, especially if it’s fantastical – so exploring these secret societies and their role in the supernatural world was a lot of fun. As for the new characters, they were just interesting. Hawkins really has a knack for creating relatable characters, and I can’t think of a single one I didn’t like at least a little.

I believe I mentioned in my review of Demon Glass (book #2) that my favorite part of this series was the love story. I liked both love interests equally and therefore felt more invested in her conflict of which one to choose.

Overall, this was a highly entertaining series and is one of the best ones I’ve read this year. I like them enough that I will most certainly be rereading them one day.

Recommendations: I recommend these to any teen paranormal fan who has already read the Vampire Academy books. They are the ultimate “fun” read, and I consider them in the top five must-reads for the genre.

Other books you might like:

: Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

: The Selection by Kiera Cass

: Glass Houses by Rachel Caine

: The Sweetest Dark by Shana Abe

: Dark Frost by Jennifer Estep

The Selection Review • The Sweetest Dark Review • Touch of Frost Review

by Niki Hawkes

Jun 30 2013

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June Review Recap!

This month was a little slow in the review department. Between getting all four wisdom teeth pulled and then spending a week in a cabin lacking Internet access I think I lost a good two weeks worth of quality posting. I had planned on having posts scheduled while I was on vacation but the wisdom teeth thing was rather sudden and unplanned. In any case, what I lacked in quantity this month I think was made up by quality – three of the books listed are some of my favorites that I’ve read ever!

June’s Reviews:

(click the covers to read full review)

The 5th Wave (5/5 stars!)

The Fifth Wave by Rick Yancey

Hex Hall (5/5 stars!)

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

The Elite (4/5 stars)

The Planet Thieves (4/5 stars)

And my favorite pick this month:

The Deepest Night (5/5 stars!)

Although not many were reviewed, there was certainly not a shortage of books to read. So, here’s to an excellent month of reviews in July – happy reading!

Jun 29 2013

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Your Pick for Nik! – June’s Review: The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

The Fifth Wave by Rick Yancey

Title: The 5th Wave

Author: Rick Yancey

Series: The 5th Wave

Genre: Teen Fantasy

Rating: 5/5 stars!

The Overview: After the 1st wave, only darkness remains. After the 2nd, only the lucky escape. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th wave, only one rule applies: trust no one.

Now, it’s the dawn of the 5th wave, and on a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from Them. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Who have scattered Earth’s last survivors. To stay alone is to stay alive, Cassie believes, until she meets Evan Walker. Beguiling and mysterious, Evan Walker may be Cassie’s only hope for rescuing her brother—or even saving herself. But Cassie must choose: between trust and despair, between defiance and surrender, between life and death. To give up or to get up.

The Review:

This book was positively brilliant! I was sold from the one-page prologue (which by the way is the best prologue I think I’ve ever read) and it only got better and better from there.

Writing: As great as the story is, it’s how it was written that makes it such a killer novel. I’ve never read a writing style quite like it – he doesn’t describe characters or settings in the traditional manner, but rather provides tons of drop in details; especially details that are relevant to the POV character. He also phases in and out between the past and the present at first which gave the beginning of the novel a neat dynamic. All of it was told in a cheeky, in-your-face voice that was as relatable as it was jaded. It set the tone right away and let us get inside the main protagonist’s head. I truly wish I have the chance to meet this author and learned from him some day – the level of masterful writing he showed while crafting this story blows my mind.

Story: This is the kind of story that makes me want to talk about it constantly. The plot was exciting and fresh, the conflicts of each character were raw and gritty, and the basic concept of the story was intricate and fascinating. Just when I thought I had it figured out, Yancey surprised me; and did so in a way that made me close the book, reeling about what I just read, and resist the urge to call someone and talk about it. Y’all have to read this book… I’m just saying.

There seems to be a theme in this review of things I’ve never seen done before – in this case, it’s Yancey’s take on alien invasion’s. It blows my mind. I particularly like the fact that I had no idea what the aliens’ motives were and was forced to discover it along with the characters. Nobody on earth knows what the hell is going on or why the aliens have decided to wipe them out, nor why they did so in a series of “waves.” It’s frightening because it’s so plausible – it scares the snot out of me because it’s a shocking look into people’s reactions to such an event – millions of speculations and theories but not one certainty… until the aliens attack, and then there’s just panic and ruthlessness. This book is definitely not an “upper,” lol, so don’t pick it up if you really need something to brighten your day. Not that it doesn’t lack hope, it’s just quite a bit more robust and thought-provoking than your average teen novel.

Setting: Yancey completely immerses you in this post-apocalyptic world. He gives earth a creepy foreboding atmosphere that raises the tension. It’s all subtle. Things like ransacked gas stations, vacant cities, and dead bodies always accompany this type of novel, but the author takes it a step further by reminding readers of the humanity lost with the main character’s outlook on all of these places. While I picture death and destruction all around, the character reminisces what it was like to eat a cheeseburger. While I imagine an empty school and feel despair it all the children that used to fill it, she remembers it as the only place she got to see the boy she has a crush on. While it seems given that everything has a memory, Yancey is the first writer I’ve read who really celebrates those memories to make the reader appreciate, well, everything. It also made the setting deeper, increased my emotional involvement (essential for me to love a book), and made me furious at those alien SOB’s for threatening it.

Characters: I am a huge fan of this main character. She manages to be both cynical and practical and compassionate and sentimental all at the same time. You get the impression that if not for the invasion she would have been a delightful person, but the hardships and necessity of surviving on her own has hardened her for survival. What’s more, she’s funny. There are a lot of sarcastic one-liners in here that made me love her even more. I would like to break down some of the elements I loved about the other characters, but I honestly don’t want to ruin the plot for anyone. Half of the profoundness of this book came from discovering whose perspective we’d be hearing from next. Suffice to say, I enjoyed them all and felt totally emotionally involved in each of their conflicts.

Pacing: Oh, the pacing! I have come to expect a fast-paced tension from dystopian’s and think this book had the same great momentum that made me fall in love with Wells’s Partials. It starts out with a bang and doesn’t let up until you finish the book at four in the morning and are utterly exhausted. The perspective switches took nothing away from the momentum of the story and, if anything, made it more pivotal to keep reading. Obligations had me reluctantly setting the book aside, but when I finally had an evening to pick it up, I was a goner. It had such a great flow with the writing and the story that I completely devoured it as fast as I could. I’d love to go back and reread it slower to fully appreciate its intricacies.

Overall, I spent the first half of the book dreading that the shoe would drop and all of the brilliance I had read so far would amount to nothing. I am so, so happy to report that the quality of this book never falters. I loved it and I plan on recommending it as often as I can.

Recommendations: This is perfect for dystopian fans who like “action” rather than “romantic” post-apocalyptic books. This is also a wonderful showcasing of how to write an exceptional book that grabs people, so I would recommend it to writers wanting to break into the teen market (especially those going for an edgier vibe). Finally, for those of us who haven’t read a really good alien invasion story in ages – our pleas have been answered!

Other books you might like: