Review: WANDERLOVE by Kirsten Hubbard

Bria tries to escape her present when she signed up for a tour group by herself. She was in the Guatemelian (is that right?) airport when she meet Rowan and Starling, to backpackers who thought she was one too. But when they meet again in a wet market, the truth was out. Rowan then invited Bria to his hotel for the night, not thinking Bria would go. His expectations proves wrong when Bria shows up, abandoning her tour group. She soon finds out that Rowan was just pulling her lake, only that she couldn’t go back to the hotel because the last boat is gone. Bria was compelled to stay, but swears that she’s outta there first thing in the morning. Starling, the wild backpacker who’s the sister of Rowan, asks Bria to stay and keep an eye on her brother. Eager to really experience backpacking, Bria agrees, only to find herself on an unexpectedly fruitful journey, making her understand the core destination: Wanderlove.

Wanderlove is a beautifully crafted novel of travelling, falling in love and essentially finding your own self.

I love the characters! Bria is sensitive and thoughtful, and the fact that she draws made her even more endearing to me. I understand her hunger to draw, and how the longer you dropped your pencil, the longer it takes you to pick up the pencil again. I connected with her and pitied her past, while yelling at her and Rowan to just kiss already. It was amazing to watch her grow from one who travels just to escape the past into a young woman who’s brave to live her life. Rowan, on the other hand, is an experienced backpacker with a sketchy past. I like his fun and semi-reckless personality, and the good guy hiding beneath that uncaring exterior. He, might have top my list of favorite guys. Starling is a charitable backpacker, in a doing charity work kind of way (she teaches in Guatemala). She is truly memorable, a caring elder sister to Rowan, a strong and slightly comedic presence in the novel. The other characters, such as the bead maker and Jack, are also enjoyable, but a little less crafted as their screen time is less. Hubbard did an excellent job of crafting the characters, especially the leads, her extreme details making the characters even more alive.

The author also made the relationship between Bria and Rowan realistically. There are awkward moments, insecure, feelings, wonderings, intimate moments and the romance scenes. Their relationship was a good one, slowly blossoming and growing. It was fun to see them engage each other, and to plain yell at them sometimes for being so, secretive. The dance around the truth for both of them is frustrating at times.

Another thing I love for in the novel is the scenes: carefree backpackers tracking the roads, beautiful lakes, children running along the streets. These are the vivid pictures Hubbard painted in my mind. Bria’s insight is in tuned with the scenery, complementing the pictures perfectly. There are drawings between the pages, showing how well Hubbard could draw. This is another favorite point of mine in Wanderlove. The drawings are able to portray Bria’s mood at that exact moment.

The prose, oh the prose! It was beautiful and mesmerizing. Hubbard is a really talented writer. She made my eyes water and laugh at the laptop screen like a mad woman. I felt the hollow of Bria, the ecstasy of travelling, the urge to flee, both literally and metaphorically. I felt Bria’s hesitation, Rowan’s elusiveness, Starling’s concern. I felt everything. I was so sad when the characters are hurting, and my heart ached when they ached, and when the story ended.

The only thing I didn’t like is the way clues were dropped but addressed way too late in the novel. Since it’s narrated completely by Bria, we don’t know anything else that she doesn’t know, but the clues were clear, yet somehow Bria couldn’t figure out the truth. In other words, the writer wishes to create suspense, but it wasn’t as successful as intended. Perhaps the clues should be a few lesser or more subtle.

Wanderlove is less a YA romance, but more about the concept itself: the love of endless travel to experience life, to understand yourself. In the end, I end up more than I bargained for. There are no exact words to describe this novel, you’ll have to read it to really get it.

The cover is beautiful, simple and warm, though I would prefer a hand drawn picture as a cover over this.

Ratings: 4.5 stars (I’ll be the first one in the bookstore to buy it!)

For more info about the book or author, please click here (it's a neat website, I assure you)

Review: THE NEW DEATH AND OTHERS by James Hutchings

This is a collection of witty short stories and humorous dark poems, published by the author himself. Since it's a collection, there's not much to comment on without giving the contents away, especially the plot.

Overall, it is highly entertaining and thought provoking. I love the witty stories and dark humor which is so dominant in the words, and especially love the poems. I find myself nodding to some of the points in the collection, and laughing at the funny/pathetic events. Good writing, and as I'd said, very funny. People who like short reads and dark humor(I'm repeating the word again!) should try this collection.

The cover is perfect with the content. Death, and brilliant thinking. I just want to LOL at it.

Ratings: 4 stars

Giveaway of The New Death and Others eBook
Guest Post with Hutchings
Interview with Hutchings

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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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 UNBECOMING OF MARA DYER by Michelle Hodkin

Courtesy of Simon and Schuster Pulse It!

Mara Dyer is in Miami, miles away from her home town and miles away from her best friend. Dead best friend, that is. And Mara was just waking up from a coma when she got the news, with no recollection of what had happened, even though they were together when the building collapsed on Mara, her BFF, her BFF's friend and Mara's boyfriend, Jude. So, now she's in Miami with no friends in a new private school. To make matters worse, she has hallucinations on the first day of school and land herself on the radar of the most popular girl on school, just because of one single guy, as most novels begin. Noah Shaw, the most unattainable and most beautiful British guy -yup, a Brit with a sexy accent- takes an interest in Mara. To top it off, she has to deal with sudden, violent recollection of the night that changed her life.

I have nothing to say. Except that it's awesome! Decently plotted and strategically planned, Hodkin wrote with a precision that moves you along the page. She caught the voice of a traumatized, angsty teen perfectly. Evenly paced, laced with suspense, thrill, mystery and -whatnot- romance, The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer is a novel you can't miss.

The protagonist, Mara Dyer is someone you'll remember and sympathize with. A beautiful, strong girl's life is turned upside down by the death of close friends, and she has to move to a new place, and she meets a totally hot guy, and she gets picked by a popular girl. Now, doesn't that sound familiar? Yet, Hodkin mixed this combo with paranormal and deep, moving relationship with family. You'll love her, as she's vulnerable and unbreakable at the same time.

Noah Shaw, the male interest, is as perfect as a guy you can get. Well, he's a playboy, but you see that change when he meets Mara. Attentive, sensitive and loaded, he is the perfect boyfriend. His relationship with Mara is real enough for me, but sometimes he's a little too perfect. 

Heartwarming moments of Mara with her brothers, Daniel and Joseph are genuine, and Hodkin created a couple of authentic siblings. The bickering and care of those three will sometimes make you go "aww...". And damn I wish I have a brother like Daniel. The dynamic of the family is genuine too, and when a string is pulled, a doll follow(sorry, crappy analogy, but you get what I mean). There's no wasted scene as every happening is crucial to add tension or to build the plot.

A little ramble on the paranormal front. Though there's a lot of romance and suspense, there's not a lot of visible paranormal. Well, it's there right from the beginning, but it become more pronounced as the plot grew. I have to say the paranormal is a little unexpected.

Tense, compact and vivid, with a heavy atmosphere and twisted romance, The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer is one novel you should read.

The cover is plain uh-mei-zing! Dark and moody, one of my faves!

Ratings: 4.5 stars

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

Review: THE LAST SONG by Nicholas Sparks

Seventeen-year-old Ronnie went to live with her father on Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina three years later after her parents' divorce. She resented her father, and refused to play the piano, the only thing that linked her father to her. In North Carolina, between ignores and fights, Ronnie met Will Blakelee, and fell for him. Ronnie was having a wonderful summer with Will, but the rocks shook when she found that her father has cancer, and has only months to live.

Sparks brings us a deeply moving story of love and pain, writes brilliantly about a young girl's first love and her love-hate relationship with her father. It was a exceptionally well crafted story, I was so moved that I'd actually cried several times when I was reading the book.

Starlet Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth take on the duty as cover models. Oh, so sweet!

Ratings : 4 stars

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

For more info about the movie, please click here