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: 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)

For more info about the book or author, please click here

Review : THE PLEDGE by Kimberly Derting

* courtesy of  Simon and Schuster Galley Grab program

Charlaina "Charlie" Hart tries to keep her daily routine while rebels are trying to overthrow the ruler, Queen Sabara in violent Ludania. She seems to be a normal girl in the Vendor class, but she is not what she seems to be, and neither is her little sister, Angelina. Charlie can understand Englaise, Pashon and other languages she shouldn't be able to understand, and if anyone finds out about her secret ability, it could mean not only her death, but also her family's. When she is unreasonably drawn to a handsome guy who seems to know her secret, the very fabric that builds her life starts to dissolve, while her parents wants to keep she and her sister hidden from the truth that will shatter life as they know it.

     I love The Pledge. Love. It. A little dystopian and a little fantasy. The idea that languages can separate you into classes, and you can't change which class you're born into is quite interesting. Harsh, I know. Too bad Derting didn't create new languages like what Christopher Paolini did in Eragon.

     The novel is well paced, there wasn't a page lacking of suspense and thrill. Language flowing and descriptive. It's told in Charlie's voice and the all-knowing narrator, since some of the moments crucial for understanding the plot doesn't happen to Charlie. I couldn't flip through (or rather, click through) the pages fast enough.

     Charlie strikes me as a very protective sister, and she has a very strong and clear voice. She's brave with very few flaws. She's in love with the prince, but I don't find the immediate irresistible draw to a stranger convincing. And I don't get why the prince likes her so much, even when he barely knows her. Perhaps a few more scenes from Derting could explain the romance. Charlie just wasn't as lively as Katniss Everdeen in the The Hunger Games (my review here). Angelina is just lovable, and honestly, I like her a little(just a little) more than the older sister. I would like to see Charlie's magical power develop in the sequel, since her power is so limited in The Pledge.

     The ending is sort of a closure for The Pledge, but written in a way that you're sure that there will be a sequel. Precise and gripping, I just can't wait for the next novel in the trilogy(yes, you heard me right : it's a trilogy!). 

     Overall, The Pledge is a decent novel. However, I read the novel because of it's plot instead of the characters.

     The cover is so dang gorgeous! Black, my sort of cover! Just the image of Charlie wasn't the one I imagined and there's no mention of a dress with hood made out of black silk.

Ratings : 4 stars

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** Check back on 14 October for an interview with Rhiannon Paille!

** Upcoming reviews of Passion and Divergent!

Review : BRIGHID'S QUEST by P.C Cast

The story happens three months after Cuchulainn leaving MacCallen Castle. Brighid, a centaur with High Shaman's blood in her veins, went to the Wasteland to bring back Cuchulainn. When she arrived, she found nothing as expected. The New Fomorians were lively and joyous, no trace of  darkness lurking inside them, but Cuchulainn's soul was shattered, wandering in the Spirit Realm.  So Brighid, Cuchulainn and the New Fomorians began a journey back to Partholon. Along the journey, Brighid and Cuchulainn had bonded, and developed a love they'd never acknowledge. Brighid's sister, Niam, brought a message that their mother had died of  one of the MacCallen soldiers' trap, and their brother was about to wage a war against them. Along with Cuchulainn, Brighid went to Centaur Plains. After overcoming a few obstacles, Brighid finally found who she is.

Brighid's Quest is the sequel to Elphame's Choice. It tells the story of Brighid, how she faced difficulties and choices, and found love along the way. Cast portrayed Brighid as a strong, stunning centaur, running away from her corrupted mother. In the core, Brighid's Quest has the same theme as Elphame's Choice- finding yourself. To me, the language was lively and colorful, fully describing the struggles and choices the characters faced. Perfect for fantasy and romance lovers.
* Mature reader required

The cover is a eye catcher, definitely! Love it!

Rating : 4 stars

 For more info about the book or author, please click here

Review : ELPHAME'S CHOICE by P.C Cast

The story took place in Partholon, where magic and miracle happens. Elphame, a young maiden whose lower body was fashioned like a centaur, went to rebuild MacCallen Castle, her ancestor’s living place. There, she found her ability to connect with stones, loads of followers, Dhianna Herd’s Brighid, and a sense of belonging. In a hunt, Elphame injured herself, and was bleeding to death, until a winged man with talons stopped her bleeding. The winged man was Lochlan, and he was a New Fomorian from the Wasteland beyond the mountains. Regardless of his dark heritage, Elphame sworn herself to Lochlan and him her. Elphame, MacCallen’s chieftain, had found love, so does Cuchulainn. He had won over little Brenna, a Healer who was scarred. Elphame cut her own wrist to let Lochlan’s tainted blood to flow in her veins to save the New Foorians. After that, the people at MacCallen Castle were learning to accept Lochlan, while broken hearted Cuchulainn went to the Wasteland to bring back the other Fomorian hybrids.

Elphame's Choice is a good read about choices and struggles. Cast's words crafted Partholon as a lively, serene place. Descriptions of scenes were solid and colorful, thus making the reading enjoyable. The book reveals how main character of the book, Elphame struggled to find a sense of belonging  She brought herself to MacCallen Castle, and finally found what she's been craving for. And she's not the only one to find her desires, Brenna, a scarred maiden found belonging and , yes, love at MacCallen Castle. Brighid, a centaur also went to MacCallen to find a place she would be accepted. The story also reveals Lochlan's struggles of whether or not to fulfill the Prophecy to save his people. As the plot builds, the author threw in an unexpected twist when Elphame cut her wrist to save the New Fomorians. The New Fomorians were saved, and Elphame had finally found what she's looking for- belonging and love. It's a lovely story of finding yourself, and about sacrifices and love.
 * Mature readers required

The cover portrays Elphame perfectly, though it isn't what I'd  expect after reading the book.

Ratings : 4 stars

For more info about the book or author, please click here