Review: ROSEBUSH by Michele Jaffe

Jane is found, near death in a rose bush, a victim of hit-and-run. She couldn’t move at all, and the memory of the night of the accident was lost to her. But when a threat was written in the bathroom mirror, she finds her voice and scream. She believes that someone was trying to kill her on that night, but failed to do so. And the killer is still trying to murder her. But who would want to kill her? After all, she’s  one of the popular girls in school, has a sweet boyfriend, and two awesome BFFs. Sometimes the truth is a very thorny thing.

Michele Jaffe brings us a powerful psychological and sexy thriller. Fast paced and in a smooth flow, Rosebush will have you hooked right from the beginning.

     Jane is a beautiful and popular girl in her school. At first she seems shallow, but as the story unfolds, she seems to gain more dept. Except for Jane, the other characters are pretty two dimensional and boring. Jaffe didn’t write her side characters well enough, though the boys are hawt.

     The novel is full of suspense, and Jaffe write the psychological part very well. The writing keeps you on edge, and there’s none awkward scenes in the novel. Still, some minimal parts of the novel appears shallower than it seems.

     Although the synopsis just look like another novel about a popular girl caught up in mystery, Rosebush is none of the ordinary. Jaffe puts a lot of new twists in the novel and keeps you guessing on every page, no matter the murderer or love interests. Yes, there are love interests, but the thriller is even better, although I find the reason of murder a little forced. Also, I love how the way Jane's relationship with her mother and step-father mend and build throughout the novel.

     A twisted psychological killer written by a new voice, Rosebush is one novel you ought not to miss. Jaffe show readers that she has the potential to be Stephen King in the YA world.

     Cover: A little boring for me. Maybe less rose. Or maybe a huge rose dripping with blood would be nice.

Ratings: 4 stars

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Review: DRAGON'S OATH by P.C & Kristin Cast

The novella follows Dragon Lankford as he ventures to the days when he first met Anastasia, at the funeral of his mate. Read the beautiful story of the couple when they’re young and Dragon’s  fight against Darkness.

     When the House of Night novels are withering and dying, the novella is a refreshing short read. It’s better than the full novels, probably because it doesn’t involve Neferet and Zoey. Written in the same way, a little more mature than the novels(it doesn’t involve teen perspective), Dragon’s Oath describes the heartbreaking love story of Dragon and Anastasia. The illustrations between the chapters are beautiful too, as the artist is a very talented individual. I just could droll over her lively drawings.

     When you feel tired of reading the novels, you’ll love the novella for the newness of it.

     I like this cover, but the US cover is better.

Ratings: 4 stars

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Review: VIRTUOSITY by Jessica Martinez

 Courtesy of Simon and Schuster Pulse It!

Carmen is a violinist in competing for first place in the prestigious Guarneri competition, for a one year contract, a tour around the world as the soloist and for the ownership of the most expensive and beautiful sounding violin in the world for a year. She has no competition, for she is the best among the best. That was before Jeremy King. Infuriating, arrogant, and the only one who could beat Carmen, he is the threat, as well as the love interest. Soon, Carmen begins to defy her mother/manager, go for late-night-outs, kisses Jeremy and surprisingly, she finds the passion for music that was long since lost. But she still can't tell Jeremy about her secret-her addiction with anxiety pills, no matter how charming he is, and there is absolutely no way she can let him win the competition too. Sick with her addiction, sick with people always telling her what to do, and sick of doing what's expected, she's heading for a crash, and being on the top means that you have an extra length to fall.

     Beautiful and inspiring, Virtuosity is a novel that strikes straight to the heart of readers, music lovers especially. Lyrical and brilliant, Martinez keeps you eager for the next line. There was never a dull moment, for it is full of tension, emotions and romance. 

     The characters are extremely relatable, especially Carmen. She is strong yet vulnerable, and able to confront her own fears and problems. Extremely talented, she leads an unusual life, yet still strives to live a normal teen life. It's hilarious yet sweet as hell.

     Jeremy King is an awkward, humorous yet awesome and talented British lad(why am I reading so many novels with British guys lately?). Completely believable, as Carmen is. Jeremy will be one of your favorite guys. The other characters are very human too, their actions and emotions make sense and will also catch your heart. Everyone has their stories, and their past make them who they are in the novel.

The relationships between the characters are expertly constructed too. I loved watching Carmen grow into the talented woman she is, Carmen's bombastic and sad relationship with her mother and Carmen's relationship with Jeremy.

     The world crafting is immensely successful. You sense the city Carmen is in, and you'll get the tension in between the lines. You'll understand more about the classical music world than you'll ever know. This is another reason why I love the novel. 

     Despite the novel is mainly about classical music, non-musical readers will find themselves sucked in by 

Carmen, Jeremy and the Guarneri, and understand everything they're going through. Every scene is well crafted, oozing with emotions and atmosphere when it's supposed to be. 

     The main reason I love this book is because of the music and drive. For me, Carmen's need to strive is that much more endearing and heart wrenching. Being a pianist myself, I understand Carmen's need to excel, to win, to be the best of the best, her passion. Even if you do not play an instrument or love music, you'll know and understand the feelings and actions Carmen have. Some parts-some despairing parts-I find my nose sore and eyes wet. This shows how good of a writer Martinez is. 

     Virtuosity is a wonderful debut novel from Jessica Martinez, fully capturing the voice and life of a child prodigy, turning in to a talented young woman, while she finds love in the brutal world of classical music. A definite job well done, clean and expertly executed.

     The cover is gorgeous! The exact profile of Carmen in my eyes. I can feel the passion and desperation, all at once.

Ratings: 4.5 stars

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Review: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO SURVIVE THE APOCALYPSE by Lucas Klauss

 Apocalypse fanatic Phillip Flowers is a fifteen year old on the track team. No matter how impossible practices might seem with the (devil) Mr. Farragut on his back , he always has his two friends, Asher and Mark to support him. One sunny afternoon(isn’t that how most stories start?), Phillip sprains his ankle and a girl, Rebekah comes to his aid. And of course, it was love at first sight for Phillip. Then Farragut, or Ferret, as Phillip prefer, sees them and questions the authenticity of Phillip’s sprain. Rebekah defends him and in a heated discussion(okay, so maybe I’m exaggerating),  Phillip promises to join in on Wednesday. But what is Wednesday? Youth Church! Eventually, with the help of Rebekah, atheist Phillip starts to believe in Jesus, and love. However, even Jesus couldn’t see the rotten disaster that’s heading their way.

Funny and witty, Klaus brings us a tale of faith, friendship and love. One of the few novels narrated by male protagonists, the pace is decent with hilarious moments in between. Klaus successfully constructed the voice of a fifteen year old boy, in doubt, in search, in love.

Phillip is a fleshed out character. Funny, awkward and smart, he couldn’t be a more perfect lead. His fascination with apocalypse is highly entertaining, and his honesty and awkwardness often getting him into 

trouble with Rebekah and his friends.

The other characters are well constructed too. Faithful Rebekah, single parent Mr. Flowers, Asher, a** hole Mark. Their causes and actions are well thought and have  a certain impact on how the plot unfolds. In short, they are life. You could find traits of friends and family not unlike the characters in the novel.  

The plot though, is a little lacking in action. Not that it’s a bad thing, since this isn’t dystopian or adventure. Everything keeps building up to the not-so-dramatic climax, then falls slowly to the end.

The love between Rebekah and Phillip is sweet and innocent, and it might bring our readers back to their first love. Also, the fights between Phillip and his friends are pretty realistic, such that it make me think about my own friends. There are also a few scenes that explore the aspect of motherly love, or rather the lack of it, and the cause. Klauss wrote the scenes well, as they captured emotions and guilt completely. The scenes fully demonstrate the effect of a broken family.

Klauss’ novel will make you think about your own faith. Why believe, how to believe, who to believe, as Phillip himself asks. There are some issues presented that I agree with, but I don’t necessarily agree with the interpretations of the Bible of one of the characters. Rebekah’s refusal to date a non Christian also annoys me, though it is more of a family cause.

Klauss’ debut, Everything You Need to Survive the Apocalypse is humorous and entertaining, showing what bring us together and what pull us apart. A truly deep and thought-provoking read. 

Cover: plain. Not the worst, but not the best either. Which means, I wouldn't be picking it up in the stores.

Ratings: 4 stars

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Review: TEMPTED, BURNED, AWAKENED, DESTINED by P.C & Kristin Cast

Tempted

After banishing Kalona, the group starts reorganizing and spends the night at Benedictine Alley. Zoey dump Erick after quarrelling with him for his jealousy. The kids went back to the Tulsa House of Night, and find Dragon’s mate, Anastasia Lankford dead, the doing of Rephaim, Kalona’s favorite Raven Mocker son. Aphrodite’s vision and Zoey’s dreams bring them to Venice, St. Clementine Isle, where the Vampire High Council is, and where Neferet and Kalona is. Meanwhile, Stevie Rae stays behind as Vampire High Priestess and tending an injured Raven Mocker-you guessed it – Rephaim. What danger will Zoey and her friends face now? Will anyone die, again?  

Burned

 Zoey’s soul is shattered as of witnessing someone’s –I’m not gonna tell you who- death. Stark, Darius and Aphrodite follow Kramisha’s prophetic poems to the Isle of Sgiach in Ireland, the island of an old warrior queen. Goddess Nyx seems to bless Aphrodite a lot, but she put more favor on the human prophetess as she decides to start speaking through Aphrodite. Back in Tulsa Stevie Rae continues to care for Rephaim until he recovers, while dealing with rogue red fledglings. If the three fail to watch out, they will get burned.

  

Awakened

Zoey has returned from the Otherworld and is spending time on Sgiach, learning how to use her powers and the old magick, still heartbroken and unwilling to face the real world. Back at the House of Night, Stevie Rae fights back to counteract the influence of Neferet and sort out her link to Rephaim. Both of them will learns that only by facing their secrets that they could survive.

Destined

Zoey Redbird has started a new House of Night in the tunnels with her friends, but is devastated when she finds out of her mother's death. Rephaim, gifted with human form at night by the Goddess, struggles to resist the pull of his father’s call and to retain his humanity. Aurox, Neferet’s vessel given by Darkness, does Neferet’s bidding but reminds Zoey of Heath.

    

     The House of Night series started out great, but sad to say, I have to agree with most of the reviewers. Starting from book 4 or 5, the scenes and plotlines has become redundant and repeating. Sure, the threats are different but are almost the same, by the villains and well, feel. A new threat is introduced, there are prophetic poems and visions, the group figure things out, they save the world at the nick of time. And the threat is always Neferet. I’m sick of her already! Please, the Casts should kill her off at least three books ago.

     Plot aside, the writing was realistic, though the swearing is getting out of hand. The Casts has a way of making you feel excited and eager for what’s happening next. The characters well developed but Aphrodite’s a lil’ annoying, Erick’s a lil’ clingy, Stark’s dumb sometimes and Zoey, please, you have responsibility, so stop slacking off. And I don't like the pop references(iPhones, iPads...). Too much and too way too much. If I re-read the novels years later I just might find myself wondering what those things were.

     Way to kill a series, I have to say. The series started with promising prospect but now, it’s getting bad. Real bad. Still, I love the House of Night series despite the repeative plot.

For the covers: Love ‘em all except for the Destined cover. Still, US covers are my favorite.

Ratings: 4 stars (half a star for the effort, even though the novels doesn’t deserve the rating)

* For mature readers

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Review: BEAUTIFUL CHAOS by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

 I just spent two hour writing the review of Virtuosity, and now I'm extremely lazy, so I'll make this extremely short.

     Ethan Wate and Lena Duchannes are facing higher stakes in this novel. Having the Order of the world broken, the strongest casters of the Duchanne family is finding a way to rebind the Order. But Sarafine is in their way, and John Breed is still missing. What will the star-crossed couple face this time? This is an exciting novel of paranormal suspense and forbidden romance.

     Beautiful Chaos is the next installment in the Southern Gothic Series. Almost without flaw, Garcia and Margaret bring us the fast moving world of Casters and mortal love.

     Ethan's voice is stronger than ever. He is always a solid character, having us readers wooing and ahhing for him. As is Lena. In this novel, she is more melancholy and depressed, and it's annoying that she's so gloomy this time. Well, we have emo chick, so we have a sunny girl, Liv. she is the perfect contrast to Lena, as pointed out in the novel. Malcon and Emma is as lovely as the past books, only Emma is darker than usual, in Ethan's words.

     The Caster world and mortal world is even more complete in this installment. The plot is full of stakes, but the authors throw in clues and reveal the result as if Ethan is dumb. He is not! And I can see the ending just right after the clue is dropped. 

     In Beautiful Chaos, every aspect of the novel is notched up a lot: pace, plot, stakes, characters, world building. Intriguing, dark and compelling, brace yourself for the mesmerizing world of Caster magic.

     The cover: simple, nice, dark, gorgeous.

Ratings: 4 stars

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Review: IRONSIDE: A MODERN FAERY TALE by Holly Black

In the realm of the Faery, it’s time for Roiben’s coronation. On the night of the coronation, Kaye, drunk from faery wine, declares her love for Roiben and asks for a quest. Roiben sends her on an impossible one: to find a faery that can tell an untruth, and everybody knows no faery can tell a lie, even the tiniest one. See how impossible the quest is? Miserable and convinced that she doesn’t belong anywhere, Kaye tells her mother the truth - that she is a changeling in the place of her daughter. So Kaye ventures to the Seelie Court to see Queen Silarial. In exchange for the human Kaye, she has to give out Roiben’s real name. She uses a fake one, and escapes with Ethine, Roiben’s sister. The two, along with Corny, Kaye’s gay friend, went into hiding. Later, Kaye finds out about the Seelie Queen’s plan, to let Roiben battle his sister to death for the Seelie throne. Will Kaye make it in time to warn Roiben? Or will she fail to save her love because of the quest?

     Author Holly Black brings us another tale of dark faery politics and dangerous love. Darker and deadlier than the previous novel, Tithe( I haven’t read Valiant, and judging by the summary, Valiant took place way before Tithe), Ironside is sexy and completely different from the norm. Language lively and expressively vivid, the plot is complete and not without a lot of twists and turns.

     Kaye, as always, is brave and very likeable. Roiben is his usual stay-away-from-me-as-you-will-hurt-yourself self. All of the characters are fully fleshed out and lively.

     Also, the relationship between Kaye and Roiben is as heartbreaking as ever. You’ll cry and laugh as Kaye dances a figurative dance of love with Roiben. I love how Kaye’s relationship with her mother shift and change into a deeper, truer relationship. The misunderstandings are cleared and lies busted, as Kaye learns that her mother’s love will never diminish, even if she’s a pixie.

    Intriguing and magickal, Ironside is a dark modern faery tale with a fresh angle. A job well done by Holly Black, though I wish there were more stories of Kaye and Roiben. Perhaps there are necessary full-stops for wonderful stories.

     Cover: This is a cover I Love! See how the well the black contrasts with the  shine?

Ratings: 5 stars

* For mature readers

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Review: TITHE: A MODERN FAERY TALE by Holly Black

Kaye Fierch, a sixteen-year-old girl who believed in faeries returns to her mother’s old home after an accident. She still believes in faeries, though her family and friends thought that it was her own imaginary. One night, after a friend tries to grope her, she runs and heads to the forest. There in the rain she meets Roiben, injured and bleeding to death. She saves him, and he leaves, leaving Kaye three ungranted wishes. Shortly after, Kaye receives a warning from her old faery friends, Lutie-loo and Spike to stay away from the “Dark One”, Roiben.  Kaye thought she wouldn’t see Roiben again, but one afternoon while dining in a restaurant with her friends, there Roiben was, rude and cruel, and he pisses Kaye off, but she learns his real name. One fateful night, Kaye’s faery friends tell her that she is a changeling, a pixie child left in the place of a human child since young. She is to become the sacrifice of “Tithe”, a ritual every seven years to bind solitary faeries to the Unseelie Court, only that it will not work, because Kaye is not a mortal.  She will do it, but will the faeries save her in time? Thus begins an adventure full of dangerous magick, deceiving fay and deadly romance.

     Author Holly Black brings you an enchanting tale of faery and magick, and Tithe may be one of my favorite novel. Dark and moody, this is a heavier and deadlier story than the other books I’d read. Fast moving and beautifully woven, unflinching and unforgiving, huge mistakes and deadly consequences, you would love this new age fairytale with some twists.

     The main character, Kaye is a fleshed out character, full of emotions and teen actions. However young she may be, Black’s character is very mature, and you’ll love her for her brains and bravery. Roiben is cold and distant, though there is a reason for that. He is handsome and able, a gentleman in a sea of rogues. Readers will love him for his past and his ethics, as well as his love for Kaye (ohh, big spoiler!!) and his naturally sad personality. The other characters are well constructed too, the Unseelie Queen, Seelie Queen, Kayes mother and many others. They are also highly believable and I could believe that they exist. A fine example of a great writing.

     The actions and mystery and gore and romance and suspense are fulfilling too. At least to my stomach. The building up was tense and just enough and the climax well constructed. And oh, what a cliff hanger! It just made me yearning for more.

  

     A work of art, Tithe is a dark faery tale with darker consequences, one readers with more mature taste will definitely love.

     The cover is simple, unusually how the red still conveys a dark, moody feeling. Though I still like the cover below better(well, it’s shinier and prettier).

Ratings: 4.5 stars(heehee, the writing definitely deserved 5 stars, but I seriously don’t like the cover)

 

* For mature readers(contains profanities and near disturbing images)

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Review: THE MERCHANT'S DAUGHTER by Melanie Dickerson(released on 29 Nov)

Courtesy of NetGalley(Zondervan)

Annabel Chapman is a young girl in medieval England. She is forced to serve her landlord, Lord Ranulf le Wyse to pay her family’s debt. She fears her new boss as rumors described him as a tough, unsmiling man with a disfigured face and an injured hand. Yet, when she goes to Lord le Wyse’s manor, she finds herself in the good care of the head servant, Miss Eustacia. Bailiff Tom, an old wicked man has his eyes on her, and tries to force himself on her, but when Annabel is under her lord’s care, Bailiff Tom leaves her alone, or so she thought. When Annabel finds herself having inappropriate feelings for her lord, she hides her feelings and acts indifferently. Little does she knows that her lord has the same feeling for her too, only that he is too aware of his bitter past with beautiful woman. Will the two be together in the end, or will they be separated by fate?

     Dickerson crafted a beautiful tale of love and bravery in medieval England, falling into the history-fiction genre. Moving in a decent pace, The Merchant’s Daughter is full of noble values and forbidden emotions, though lacking of adventure and action.

     The characters of the novel are genuine and highly believable. You get to feel their emotions, thoughts and feelings strongly. Annabel Chapman, the heroine, is very lovable, and almost perfect; a stark contrast to Lord le Wyse, distant and cold, marred and disfigured. Bailiff Tom and the other characters are, as well, very expressive and three-dimensional. You could almost grab them out from the words.

     The relationship between Annabel and the Lord is the complete kind. You could see their relationship develop and bloom, while you hang on every page hoping that they’ll get they deserved. The relationship between the other characters are dynamic too, absolutely reasonable and realistic.

     

     Another thing I like about The Merchant’s Daughter is the way no action, no word is waste. Every word, every gesture made sense and is crucial to the plot development. In simple words, every thing leads to the next.

     In the plot sense, there is no real climax in this novel. There is a lot of building up, leading to the not-so-epic climax. Climaxs, actually. This novel is more focused on the development of a relationship rather than the guts and gore. So those who favor action steer clear of this novel.

     In a nutshell, The Merchant’s Daughter is a heart-grabbing, slow brewing pot of a love tale, set in a beautiful medieval England.

     The cover is pretty, but not so much of my taste, though romantic and very artistic.

Ratings : 4.5 stars

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