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Sep 21 2012
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Book Review: Graceling by Kristin Cashore

Title: Graceling

Author: Kristin Cashore

Series: Graceling Realm #1

Genre: Teen Fantasy

Rating: 5/5 stars!

My Overview: The gorgeous cover and the overall concept of “Graceling” grabbed my attention right away. In the Seven Kingdoms, a few people are “graced” with special abilities (sort of like in the show Heroes). Those with useful graces like sight, fighting, or tracking live privileged lives in the service of their king. Katsa’s grace is killing, and she is recognized and feared across the land for her abilities.

 The Review:

It’s interesting how much I loved this book the first time I picked it up – so much so that I rated it in my top 3 favorite books of all time. I was totally mesmerized by the story, thought the characters were flawless, and knew the plot was well-developed and amazing. Ten years later, it’s still in my top 20, but it’s no longer anywhere near the top 3. I suspect that is due to my age (alas, I’m no longer a wistful teen), the list of truly amazing books I’ve read since, and my continual development as a writer. Now more than ever I demand more from what I read.

That said, I still think the overall concepts and storyline are interesting and well-told. The main character, despite having such a harsh grace, is strong and relatable, and I enjoyed seeing her development throughout the story.  I also liked that this book has a really sweet love story. I found it incredibly romantic, even in the re-read. I think anyone who likes the teen genre will also really enjoy it.

Recommendations: The next book by Cashore, “Fire,” is a companion novel rather than a sequel. I liked it, but not near as much as “Graceling,” as there were some major pacing issues and a few confusing concepts. It is still worth reading, however, as you gain some good back-history on a few characters. The true sequel is called “Bitterblue” and although I’m not very far along, it’s looking very promising.

Other books you might like:

by Niki Hawkes

Sep 19 2012
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Book Review: Endgame by Ann Aguirre

Title: Endgame

Author: Ann Aguirre

Series: Sirantha Jax #6

Genre: Science Fiction

Rating: 5/5 stars!

The Review: This particular book is the last of a six book series, and I am truly sad to see it end. I’m a fairly scattered reader, and often bounce around to other series before picking up sequels. Therefore, it is a true testament to how much I enjoyed this series that I actually read them all one after another.

Aguirre’s books have a fine balance of being both character and event driven, which I think really allows the reader feel involved in the story. Told in a unique writing style (first-person present tense), it made for a great deal of suspense and excitement. The only, and I mean only, complaint I have throughout all six books is that there were a few places in the first book that were a bit under-descriptive. That said, I didn’t have any problem with that moving forward; each book added an incredible momentum to the series and just kept getting better.

While the characters were dynamic and storyline was great, my favorite part of the series was the alien interactions. Particularly in “Doublebind” the third novel, we get immersed into a highly intelligent and fascinating alien race. This, along with other factors, made that book my favorite and solidified my love of the series as a whole.

Overall this series was fast-paced, well-written, clever, and totally absorbing! And different – I’ve never read anything quite like it.

Recommendations: Although the novels are set in space, they read more like urban fantasy than science fiction. Readers who dislike strong language an sexual content may want to skip this recommend.

Other books you might like:

by Niki Hawkes

Sep 15 2012
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Book Review: Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb

Title: Assassin’s Apprentice

Author: Robin Hobb

Series: The Farseer Trilogy #1

Genre: Fantasy

Rating: 5/5 stars!

The Overview: In a faraway land where members of the royal family are named for the virtues they embody, one young boy will become a walking enigma. Born on the wrong side of the sheets, Fitz, son of Chivalry Farseer, is a royal bastard, cast out into the world, friendless and lonely. Only his magical link with animals – the old art known as the Wit – gives him solace and companionship. But the Wit, if used too often, is a perilous magic, and one abhorred by the nobility. So when Fitz is finally adopted into the royal household, he must give up his old ways and embrace a new life of weaponry, scribing, courtly manners; and how to kill a man secretly, as he trains to become a royal assassin.

The Review:

Some stories fade from my memory the minute I finish the book. This story not only remained vividly in my mind months later, but I find I can recall tiniest details with minimal effort. That, to me, is the mark of a great book. Hobb has a unique writing style in the fantasy world, using a beautiful descriptive voice that effectively draws you into the story without being overwhelming. You can read two pages or fifty and come away feeling invested and satisfied. Her books are so evoking that she has become my go-to author whenever I need a guaranteed good read.

The characters are well-developed, relatable, dynamic, and quite simiply: brilliant. I often forget that I’m reading fantasy characters, as they sometimes seem like real people. Because of this, some of them are among my all-time favorites. Apart from being so well-developed, what I love most is they have flaws like everyone else, which make you cheer for them all the more.

Overall, “Assassin’s Apprentice” contains a highly memorable plot, exceptional characters, and the beautiful writing style that combines in a story that will take your breath away.

Recommendations: The Farseer trilogy is chronologically the first of four separate trilogies (Farseer, Liveship Traders, Tawny Man, and Rain Wilds – in that order) Each book is as good as the last, and what you take away from each novel just lends to an incredible momentum as the story progresses. Within each trilogy, there is an overall arch to the story that is highly satisfying enough to make them stand-alones, but the overall arch between all the books is so fantastic that it’s well worth your time to read them all.

Other books you might like:

by Niki Hawkes

Sep 9 2012
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Book Review: Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

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Title: Bloodlines

Author: Richelle Mead

Series: Bloodlines #1

Genre: Teen Paranormal Romance

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

The Overview: Sydney is an alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of human and vampires. They protect vampire secrets – and human lives. When Sydney is torn from her bed in the middle of the night, at first she thinks she’s still being punished for her complicated alliance with dhampir Rose Hathaway. But what unfolds is far worse. Jill Dragomir – the sister of Moroi Queen Lissa Dragomir – is in mortal danger, and the Moroi must send her into hiding. To avoid a civil war, Sydney is called upon to act as Jill’s guardian and protector, posing as her roommate in the last place anyone would think to look for vampire royalty – a human boarding school in Palm Springs, California. But instead of finding safety at Amberwood Prep, Sydney discovers the drama is only just beginning..

The Review:

First I want to preface this review by stating that Richelle Mead is definitely in my top 10 favorite authors of all time. I’ve read everything she’s ever published, and have yet to be disappointed in her works. Her characters are always rich and vibrant, her story lines are interesting and compelling, and her writing style is engaging and fun. Bloodlines is no exception.

Creating memorable characters is one of Mead’s greatest strengths, and she never fails to produce a leading lady that manages to be both kick-ass and totally relatable. This book is the first in a series and focuses a lot on developing the main characters. Although it is not as action-packed as some of her other works, have no fear! She has a way of building an incredible momentum that make for some of the most breath-catching scenes I’ve ever read. Bloodlines is a strong first installment in what promises to be an excellent series!

Recommendations: I highly recommend you read the “Vampire Academy” series before this one, as this story follows chronologically as a spinoff. You wont be disappointed!

Other books you might like:

  • “The Glass House” by Rachel Caine
  • “Marked” by P.C and Kristin Cast (MA)
  • “Wings” by Aprilynne Pike
  • “Succubus Blues” by Richelle Mead (MA)

by Niki Hawkes