Once - Book Review

Once (Eve #2)
by Anna Carey

What is it about:
When you're being hunted, who can you trust?

For the first time since she escaped from her school many months ago, Eve can sleep soundly. She's living in Califia, a haven for women, protected from the terrifying fate that awaits orphaned girls in The New America.

But her safety came at a price: She was forced to abandon Caleb, the boy she loves, wounded and alone at the city gates. When Eve gets word that Caleb is in trouble, she sets out into the wild again to rescue him, only to be captured and brought to the City of Sand, the capital of The New America.

Trapped inside the City walls, Eve uncovers a shocking secret about her past--and is forced to confront the harsh reality of her future. When she discovers Caleb is alive, Eve attempts to flee her prison so they can be together--but the consequences could be deadly. She must make a desperate choice to save the ones she loves . . . or risk losing Caleb forever.

What did I think of it:
There's one thing that occurred to me when reading this book. In most Dystopian YA books there's horrible things happening to the women, but somehow those things never happen to the heroine. Somehow the heroine manages to escape the terrible things that happen to those around her. Not because she is strong or smart or something like that. No: she escapes those horrors because she's 'special'.

What's up with that?

Someone please give me the name of a Dystopian YA where the heroine is just as humiliated, tortured, etc.. as the others around her.

Now I have that off my chest, on to my further thoughts on Once.

I will confess I liked this book more than the first. The first was enjoyable, but full of plot holes and left me wondering about a lot. Most of all I couldn't understand why the king was so determined to get his hands on Eve.

Once did answer that question very nicely I must say.

The world building is still not making sense most of the time though, but overall this book felt more solid than Eve. I really liked some of the new characters Eve encounters in this book and Eve herself is growing up a bit, although she still acts rather unthinkingly at times and she's very gullible as well.

The setting is less interesting than in Eve. The city is just that: a city. I had hoped for it to have a bit more Dystopian feel to it, but alas. The story made up for it though.

So my grumblings on world building and setting aside this is a very enjoyable Dystopian YA read. It does end with quite a cliffhanger though and I will confess I already pre-ordered the last book in this trilogy because I have to know how this series will end.

Why should you read it:
It's a very enjoyable Dystopian YA read.

On McPig's Wishlist - The Night Itself

I decided to do a wishlist post on Thursday from now on, so I don't have two memes in a row. So from now on, expect reviews on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and teasers and wishlists on Tuesday and Thursday.


The Night Itself (The Name of the Blade #1)
by Zoë Marriott

When fifteen year old Mio Yamato furtively sneaks the katana - an ancestral Japanese sword - out of its hiding place in her parent's attic to help liven up her Christmas party costume, she has no idea of the darkness she is about to unleash on modern day London, or the family secrets that she is going to uncover.

The paralysing paranoia that descends on her before she gets to her friend's party is her first clue. The vivid and terrifying visions that nearly get her killed are a pretty good warning too.

The giant nine-tailed cat demon that comes after the sword and tries to rip her throat out? Overkill.

Seconds away from becoming kitty-food, Mio is saved by Shinobu, a mysterious warrior boy. But it's already too late. Mio has ruptured the veil between the mortal realm and the Underworld, and now the gods and monsters of ancient Japan stalk the streets of London, searching for her and the sword.

With the help of her best friend Jack, a fox spirit named Hikaru - and the devoted protection of the betwitchingly familiar Shinobu - Mio attempts to discover the true nature of the sword and its connection to the Yamato family. Because if she doesn't learn how to control the katana's incredible powers, she's in danger of being overwhelmed by them. And if she can't keep the sword safe from the terrible creatures who want it for their own, she'll lose not only her own life... but the love of a lifetime.

Expected publication: July 4th 2013 by Walker Books

Level 2 - Book Review

Level 2 (The Memory Chronicles #1)
by Lenore Appelhans

What is it about:
'I pause to look around the hive - all the podlike chambers are lit up as the drones shoot up on memories ... I've wanted to get out of here before, but now the tight quarters start to choke me. There has to be more to death than this.'

Felicia Ward is dead. Trapped in a stark white afterlife limbo, she spends endless days replaying memories, of her family, friends, boyfriend ... and of the guy who broke her heart. The guy who has just broken into Level 2 to find her.

Felicia learns that a rebellion is brewing, and it seems she is the key. Suspended between heaven and earth, she must make a choice. Between two worlds, two lives and two loves.

What did I think of it:
This was a nice enough read, but I couldn't help thinking that it could have been a lot better.

So there's these two sides: the bad guys and the rebellion. Felicia gets recruited by the rebellion and has to decide if she's OK with that.

In a case like that I want to see what the bad guys are like. What they're doing that's so horrible...

Yeah, not so much!

Only near the end of the book to we get a glimpse of the bad guys. For most part of the book it's the rebellion telling Felicia that the other side is wrong and Felicia taking their word for granted even though the rebellion isn't that fantastic with their actions itself either.

To top it all off: the book is written in present tense. I will confess I almost put the book down halfway through, but I was curious if the so called bad guys would finally show themselves, so I kept reading.

Apart from all that I also wondered about Felicia's priorities. In my opinion she isn't doing what I think she should be doing and isn't asking the questions she should be asking. Overall I didn't really like her I must confess. And then I'm not even talking about how much I disliked her bland boyfriend Neil, who she keeps pining over throughout the story.

All in all this is a fairly nice story if you don't look at it too closely and don't mind present tense too much. I don't think I'll be reading the sequel though.

Why should you read it:
It's a nice paranormal YA read.

Teaser Tuesdays - Tiger's Eye

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: - Grab your current read - Open to a random page - Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) - Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

I'm really enjoying this book, which I won in a giveaway at The Qwillery.


The reception was scratchy, like an untuned radio dial.
"Dead men tell no tales."
(page 157, Tiger's Eye by Barbra Annino)

Prized - Book Review

Prized (Birthmarked #2)
by Caragh M. O'Brien

What is it about:
Striking out into the wasteland with nothing but her baby sister, a handful of supplies, and a rumor to guide her, sixteen-year-old midwife Gaia Stone survives only to be captured by the people of Sylum, a dystopian society where women rule the men who drastically outnumber them, and a kiss is a crime. In order to see her sister again, Gaia must submit to their strict social code, but how can she deny her sense of justice, her curiosity, and everything in her heart that makes her whole?

What did I think of it:
What I liked about the first book, Birthmarked, is that there was no love triangle. This book however has a love square. And all the beard shaving! At least two beards are the victim of a razor blade.

Those things apart, this is a very cool read. I like the world O'Brien creates and I like how Gaia isn't some wonderteen as is the case with the heroine in many Dystopian YA books. Instead Gaia is insecure and afraid at times and makes some stupid mistakes. I really rooted for her to solve her problems and it was great to see her grow throughout the story.

Of her three admirers I will confess that I didn't like the love interest from the first book the best as is usually the case. I actually liked the minor love interest of the three the best, he's an intriguing character who could have had a lot more screen time in my opinion. I hope we'll see more of him in the next book.

The story itself is full of moral questions and makes you think. It was intense at times and I couldn't put the book down until I finished it.

I am really curious how this trilogy will end and I will be getting my trotters on the last book as soon as I can.

Why should you read it:
It's an intense Dystopian YA read.

Iron Guns, Blazing Hearts - Book Review

Iron Guns, Blazing Hearts
by Heather Massey
(ebook, novella)

What is it about:
The West just got a whole lot wilder.

A woman on a mission... Scientific achievement isn't enough for Violet Whitcomb. Life working alongside her renowned scientist father is filled with intellectual challenges, but what she truly craves is love and adventure. She’s resigned to a fate of academic pursuits…until a fateful trip across the American frontier changes everything. A rogue inventor known as the Iron Scorpion kidnaps Violet's father and she alone is left to plan his rescue.

A man with a secret... Logan McCoy knows firsthand going up against the Iron Scorpion is suicide, but he can't let Violet waltz into the villain's lair alone. She may be a stranger, but she's also the most compelling woman he's ever known.

A perilous quest... Their attraction is undeniable, but their alliance turns contentious when Violet insists on including a third partner on their mission: her father's latest invention and the world's most advanced automaton, Arthur. The reason for Logan's resistance isn't clear until Violet comes face-to-face with the Iron Scorpion's diabolical devices, and by then, it's far too late.

What did I think of it:
This is a very entertaining Western Steampunk romp.

Although there's a romance it doesn't take front seat. Instead this story is very action driven and it's cool action I can tell you. I loved the setting and the atmosphere of the story. It reminded me of the movie Wild Wild West in a good way.

Both Violet and Logan are fun characters and even though it's clear from the start that Logan isn't who Violet assumes he is I was rooting for them to succeed in their endeavors. I liked how Violet wasn't a helpless damsel in distress, instead she could handle herself and at times she was the one who saved the day.

The romance is subtle, maybe too subtle for those people who are looking for a passionate romance, but for me it worked. There's a definite connection between Violet and Logan, but because of the circumstances they find themselves in they can't act on it.

All in all this is a fun, quick read with lots of cool action and a nice romance to top it off. I hope Massey will write more stories in this setting.

Why should you read it:
It's a fun Western Steampunk Adventure Romance.


Expected publication: February 4th 2013 by Lyrical Press

January RAK

I received lots of cool books in January because it was my birthday. Most of them weren't RAK gifts, but I'll show them anyway.


I received Shaedes of Gray from Melliane
Once from Stella
And two Mangas from Beanie


I also received Second Grave on the Left from Melliane
And Left Hand Magic from Stella


And last, but not least:
I received Three Days to Dead from Susi





I send out a RAK myself in January as well and I'm joining RAK for February of course.

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RAK:

The RAK movement (=Random Acts of Kindness): it is an initiative organized by the Ladies at the Book Soulmates where everyone posts their whislists and then other people realize one (or more) wishes of a person. Meaning that they send some books to the lucky person they picked! Doesn't it sound fabulous?

Rules:

• Sign up each month you'd like to participate in.

• Show off your participation! Grab one of the buttons available :)

• Create a wish list and post it in the Google Doc located in each R.A.K post for the month.
{Post on your blog, Amazon, where ever as long as there's a link to it.}

• If you choose to do a R.A.K for someone, check out their wish list and contact that blogger for their address.

• At the end of the month, SHOW US YOUR R.A.K!

• Make a post saying 'Thank You' to whoever granted one of your wishes and share it with us :)

OPEN TO EVERYONE!

Let's keep our International bloggers in mind and in our hearts.

Remember, there's always the Book Depository and they offer FREE shipping!