Category Archives: Paperback
Succubus Revealed by Richelle Mead
Book: Succubus Revealed by Richelle Mead, Kensington Books, August 30, 2011
Genre: Adult Urban Fantasy
Format/pages: Trade Paperback 277 pages
Format read/Source: Own copy, read Sept. 2011
Series: Book #6 of the Georgina Kincaid series
Rating: 4 / 5 Stars
Order the Book: Amazon | IndieBound | Barnes & Noble
More Info: Goodreads
The final installment of the Georgina Kincaid series is an enjoyable and satisfying read. The ending was predictable, but I think it would be disappointing if it ended any other way. I was pleased that the main questions were resolved and felt a sense of closure with the end of Georgina’s story.
This time the story takes place at Christmas and our favorite succubus Georgina is working part-time as one of Santa’s elves at the mall. She and Seth are trying to make it work as a couple when she abruptly receives transfer instructions to move from Seattle to Las Vegas. It’s a dream job but the timing couldn’t be worse for Seth, as he can’t leave his brother’s family due to his sister in law’s cancer. Her friends think the timing of the transfer and the specifics are suspicious and help her get to the bottom of it.
All of Georgina’s friends are back and there is a fondue party, secret Santa drawing, and Jerome even enlists the gang to win a bowling tournament against his rival. The Christmas setting makes a nice backdrop to the story, and you’ll never guess who plays Santa! I’ve enjoyed this group of friends throughout the books and their humor that counteracts the sadness in Georgina’s life. And where else can you find a demon like Jerome who chooses to appear as a John Cusack look alike? Her friends really come through for her when she needs them.
This book ties up the loose ends very well and balances the storylines of Georgina’s contract, relationship, and Seth’s family illness. Even if you are not a fan of Georgina’s romantic choice, there is some gratifying character insight and redemption to be found in her circle of friends. Roman and Carter are standouts in particular. The action is weighted more heavily to the back half of the novel, but I still enjoyed the lighter moments with her friends and family in the first half.
I will miss this series but I’m satisfied with how it turned out. Though most fans will have predicted this series conclusion, the ending feels true and in keeping with the other books. Like Mead’s Vampire Academy, this series is also a cut above the competition with its unique plot, characters and romance. I hope the author will write another adult series in the future.
Related articles
- Countdown to Succubus Revealed (thereadingdate.com)
Vampire Academy: The Graphic Novel Review & Giveaway
Book: Vampire Academy: A Graphic Novel based on Richelle Mead’s series, adapted by Leigh Dragoon, Illustrated by Emma Vieceli, Razorbill books, August 23, 2011
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal Graphic Novel
Format/pages: Paperback 144 pages
Format read/Source: Received at SDCC, read July 27 2011
Rating: 4 / 5 Stars
Publisher’s summary:
After two years on the run, best friends Rose and Lissa are caught and returned to St. Vladimir’s Academy, a private high school for vampires and half-bloods. It’s filled with intrigue, danger – and even romance. Enter their dark, fascinating world through a new series of 144-page full-color graphic novels. The entire first Vampire Academy novel has been adapted for book one by Leigh Dragoon and overseen by Richelle Mead, while the beautiful art of acclaimed British illustrator Emma Vieceli brings the story to life.
Review:
Vampire Academy is the latest young adult series to get the graphic novel treatment, as we have seen recently with the Twilight series. As Vampire Academy is a favorite series of mine, I have a picture in my head of what the characters look like and I wondered how the graphic novel would compare. The writing in Vampire Academy is so descriptive and vivid it would seem to lend itself well to this format. This graphic novel is a fast paced and quick read, and surprisingly manages to include the entire story of the first book in its slim volume. Recommended for fans of the series and for those who want a quick visual look at what the series is all about.
I have not read too many graphic novels, but I found the artwork to be striking, and the emotions of the characters came through the pages. It is a treat to revisit a familiar story in this visual format and see scenes from the book come alive in the pages. The characters that most lined up with my expectations are Rose, Christian and Mason. Rose looks physically as I would expect and her tough and feisty yet vulnerable demeanor shines through. Dimitri looks a bit different than I would expect. He is more bulked up than I imagined, but at least he’s wearing his familiar brown duster and reading western novels. Even though the characters did not always line up with my expectations, I enjoyed looking at the scenes in this visual format. It gave me the opportunity to view the book again with fresh eyes.
The adaptation is impressive considering most of the major plot points are included from the original 332 page book. The book moves very swiftly through the story so every scene is important. Due to the book’s length and pacing some of the plot details are not fleshed out, so you may get more out of it if you have read the book first. The graphic novel does do a good job with getting the main points across and with the character traits.
The graphic novel is recommended for young adults due to language and sexual situations, as in the original book. The colorful graphic novel will make a great addition to your Vampire Academy library and give you a new way to look at the story. Graphic novel fans should enjoy reading this to get a taste of the Vampire Academy world before diving into the books.
This book will be released on August 23, the same day as Bloodlines.
The Giveaway has ended and the winner has been notified. Thanks to all who entered!
For more information:
Vampire Academy graphic novel exclusive preview from Scribd |USA Today VA Behind the scenes article | Goodreads | Amazon
Original Sin by Lisa Desrochers
Book: Original Sin (Personal Demons #2) by Lisa Desrochers, Tor Teen, July 5, 2011
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal
Format/pages: Trade Paperback 398 pages
Format read/Source: Book provided by publisher, read July 6 2011
Rating: 3.5 / 5 Stars
Original Sin continues the sinfully good story of a girl lovestruck over a demon and an angel. Luc the demon is now under his nemesis Gabe’s protective shield along with Frannie. Gabe can’t take the heat of this love triangle with Frannie and has reassigned his duties to heaven’s newest guardian, in a surprising choice. With demons now stalking Frannie and Luc at every corner, is the new guardian angel up to the task? The lines between good and evil blur as all your favorite characters from Personal Demons are put to the test by some menacing new demons.
In this sequel to Personal Demons, darker days have arrived. There is a sinister element clouded over Frannie and those close to her. As such, the action ramps up as the battle over good and evil rages on. The demons are swirling around Luc and Frannie providing temptation and looking for answers. How is Luc shedding his demonic persona? This installment has a darker edge and the suspenseful thrills even caused me to put the book down for small breaks between chapters. The romance, surprises, and mysteries kept me entertained throughout the book. Questions are answered as new discoveries, villains and mysteries are introduced to keep my interest going in the series.
Luc, Gabe, and Frannie are back again front and center in Original Sin. Luc is trying to live in his new skin and be worthy of Frannie’s love while battling his internal demons. Gabe is absent through much of the book, and without his influence the book takes a dark turn. Frannie does not handle the turmoil in her life well and her strength is weakening as she becomes very emotional in this book. Frannie’s dramatic tendencies can drag down the book at times, and her character could use a thicker skin. Luc and Frannie continue to share their POV in alternating chapters, along with a new character’s voice. The new characters are a little shady and mysterious. Frannie’s new guardian angel is a new character voice that gets to share their POV. And rounding out the cast are Lili, a new shy neighbor of Luc’s, and Rhenorian, a demon assigned to return Luc to hell.
I liked learning more about Frannie’s Sway, and am eager to see how she grows into this power. The mythology and hints about the origin of the characters is also of interest. The big picture is starting to take shape as we get more pieces of the puzzle. There are demons galore causing havoc and mayhem as their interest and intentions toward Frannie start to materialize. Ultimately, love and lust take center stage in Original Sin.
Fans of Personal Demons should enjoy this entertaining sequel. This time around the action is taken to the next level, with more steaminess, drama and mystery. A fun summer read and I look forward to seeing what happens next with this trio.
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Personal Demons by Lisa Desrochers
Book: Personal Demons, Tor Teen, September 14, 2010
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal
Format/pages: Trade Paperback 365 pages
Format read/Source: Own paperback, read July 3 2011
Rating: 3.5 / 5 Stars
Frannie is struggling with her faith due to a tragic family accident that she feels responsible for. She’s the outsider in her religious family and even gets kicked out of Catholic school. Now Frannie attends Haden “Hades” High and meets transfer student Lucifer “Luc” Cain. Frannie is drawn to bad boy Luc immediately, and he seems to pay her a lot of attention. However, his intentions are less than pure as he is on a mission to tag her soul for Hell. It’s not just demons that are interested in Frannie, though. Heaven has sent angel Gabriel to make sure Luc is not successful in his mission. Gabe is sent to help guide Frannie to make the right decision for her soul. Their mission becomes muddled though when both Gabe and Luc start to fall for Frannie. Who will ultimately claim her soul and her heart?
This book is entertaining with the battle over Frannie’s soul and the mystery of why Frannie’s soul is such a hot commodity. There is a sense of danger with Luc and the other demons that are after Frannie. But for the most part this book is about the love triangle between Frannie, Luc and Gabe. Frannie has a hold over both of them and seems to want whichever one she happens to be with at the time. It is interesting that Frannie manages to capture the romantic interest of two powerful beings and it makes their jobs all the more complicated. It adds more interest to the story to have a demon and angel as the romantic leads.
The book is told through alternating POV between Frannie and Luc. Since Luc gets to share his POV, it is easier to sympathize more with his side of things rather than Gabe’s. Gabe remains more of a mystery so it’s harder to connect with his character. I liked the alternating POV, although Luc comes across very juvenile for someone who is an ancient demon. The attraction to Luc (and Gabe) happens very quickly for Frannie, and she can be irritating with her mercurial behavior. One minute she professes her love for one character, and the next she is tempted by the other.
Personal Demons has an interesting good versus evil story going. This first installment provides a good jumping off point for the sequel with plenty to explore for these engaging characters. It is a fun, sexy, and fast paced read. Personal Demons should appeal to fans of romantic YA paranormal books such as Hush, Hush and Nightshade. Look for the sequel Original Sin in stores this week.
Entangled by Cat Clarke
Book: Entangled by Cat Clarke
Publisher: Quercus, January 6 2011
Genre: Young Adult
Format/pages: Paperback 372 pages
Format read: Own Paperback
Summary from publisher:
The same questions whirl round and round in my head: What does he want from me? How could I have let this happen? AM I GOING TO DIE? 17-year-old Grace wakes up in a white room, with table, pens and paper – and no clue how she got there. As Grace pours her tangled life onto the page, she is forced to remember everything she’s tried to forget. There’s falling hopelessly in love with the gorgeous Nat, and the unravelling of her relationship with her best friend Sal. But there’s something missing. As hard as she’s trying to remember, is there something she just can’t see? Grace must face the most important question of all. Why is she here? A story of dangerous secrets, intense friendships and electrifying attraction.
My Thoughts:
ENTANGLED is author Cat Clarke’s debut novel. It is the story of Grace, a suicidal teen, who suddenly finds herself being held captive in a white room by a mysterious man named Ethan. She is supplied with a table, paper and pens. She has no remembrance of how she arrived in this room. She decides to make the best of the situation and writes down her complicated life story.
I picked up this book because the cover intrigued me, and I felt like reading something contemporary. The book is gripping and intense. As it starts out, Grace has been abducted and I was worried about what might happen to her. As she sits down to write her story I became increasingly interested in her messy past and what led her to contemplate taking her own life.
Grace as a character is complicated and rough around the edges, yet vulnerable at times. She is a party girl and drinks, sleeps around and cuts herself. She does not have much in the way of family support. Grace has never had many friends before she meets Sal, who she begins an intense friendship with. Grace is a mess and heading on a downward spiral when she meets and falls hard for Nat. She feels that her life is turning around and that she has it all with her loyal best friend Sal and gorgeous boyfriend Nat.
The story is told in first person and is difficult to read sometimes, as Grace’s head is a dark place to be. The plot is full of pain and teenage angst, and Grace is brash and tough. I did ultimately feel sympathetic towards her, though her manner makes it hard at times. The character of Sal seemed well intentioned but I did not feel that I got to know her that well. Their intense friendship and falling out is one of the major themes of the book. Nat and Grace have a torrid love affair that makes Grace feel wanted and loved, and hopeful that her life is turning around. Nat’s brother Devon is a breakout character who I wish would have appeared more in the book.
The white room scenes helped to move the story along and provided a break between the flashbacks. These scenes and the character of Ethan kept me guessing what was going to happen next.
It is hard to put this book down once you are getting close to the end. The story has many twists and turns and surprises. Although I did have an idea how it was going to end, I still enjoyed the book to its conclusion. I liked this debut novel and felt that the author nailed Grace’s troubled voice, and also succeeded in sharing the intensities of friendships and relationships, and depression. The writing is well done, with a thoughtful and consuming plot. Recommended for older teens or adults due to the explicit themes.
ENTANGLED is a British novel that has not been released in the US. You can find it through Alibris or Amazon Marketplace.
For more information about the author, visit her online:
The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
Cover of The Iron King (Harlequin Teen)
Book Title: The Iron King (Iron Fey #1)
Author: Julie Kagawa
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Original publication date: February 1 2010
Genre: Young Adult
Format/pages: Trade Paperback 363 pages
Format read: Own copy
Date read: December 26 2010
Rating: 5 / 5 Stars
Summary from the back cover:
Meghan Chase has a secret destiny—one she could never have imagined…
Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan’s life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school…or at home.
When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she’s known is about to change.
But she could never have guessed the truth—that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she’ll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil no faery creature dare face…and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart.
My thoughts:
I’ve owned this book for many months now and I’m kicking myself that it has sat on my shelf for so long. My daughter picked it up over the holiday break and devoured the entire series in a matter of days and told me I had to read it. I have to say this book is worth the hype and is definitely one of the better series about faeries.
Meghan Chase has always felt like the odd girl out at school and home. She has one close friend, Robbie, who calls her princess. Her mother has a new husband and young son after Meghan’s father mysteriously disappeared. When strange things start happening on her sixteenth birthday she has to go on a quest to the faery land of Nevernever. Luckily she has her friend Robbie, who is actually a fae known as Puck, to escort her on her journey. This is really where the book took off for me, as Puck and Meghan leave the human world.
The protagonist Meghan is an average girl, and it’s easy to relate to her. She is somewhat feisty and brave and deals with the task at hand without too much self pity. She is facing some tough realities and challenges with courage and resourcefulness.
Meghan has Puck as her guide in the faery realm, and the Cheshire cat, Grimalkin. Some of the other characters making an appearance will be familiar to faery enthusiasts and those familiar with A Midsummer Night’s Dream such as King Oberon and Queen Titania. The characters overall are well drawn and come alive in the story.
The writing flows very well, and the story is well paced. The world building and descriptions are vivid and very detailed and it is easy to visualize Nevernever. The story is action packed, and it can be violent at times. The fey politics, and the Summer, Winter and Iron courts were really fascinating to me.
In addition to the faery adventures and politics, there is also a love story, or actually a love triangle. Puck is Meghan’s good friend and protector and knows her better than anyone and so is a natural fit for Meghan. But Meghan is drawn to bad boy Ash, the Winter prince. Ash is aloof and mysterious, and an enemy of Puck, but he and Meghan are pulled to each other. Both Puck and Ash seem to be fine choices for Meghan, and I wonder how the love triangle will play out. The romance aspect balances very well with the action and mythology of the story.
The Iron King is recommended for fans of young adult fantasy, faery fans, or fans of love triangles. The Iron King is one of my favorites of the year and I’ve already started the sequel The Iron Daughter, which I like even better.
After reading The Iron King, check out the novella Winter’s Passage. It adds more details to the story including some good Ash and Meghan scenes and segues nicely into The Iron Daughter.
For more information:
Amazon / Goodreads / Authors blog
Review: Freefall by Mindi Scott
Book Title: Freefall
Author: Mindi Scott
Publisher: Simon Pulse / Simon & Schuster
Original publication date: October 5 2010
Genre: Young Adult
Format/pages: Paperback, 315 Pages
Format read: Library book
Date read: November 23 2010
Rating: 4 / 5 Stars
Summary from the publisher:
How do you come back from the point of no return?
Seth McCoy was the last person to see his best friend, Isaac, alive, and the first to find him dead. It was just another night, just another party, just another time when Isaac drank too much and passed out on the lawn. Only this time, Isaac didn’t wake up.
Convinced that his own actions led to his friend’s death, Seth is torn between turning his life around . . . or losing himself completely.
Then he meets Rosetta: so beautiful and so different from everything and everyone he’s ever known. But Rosetta has secrets of her own, and Seth soon realizes he isn’t the only one who needs saving . . .
My Thoughts:
Freefall is a powerful debut from author Mindi Scott. I picked this up on a whim at the library not really knowing what to expect. I’m so glad I did! I found the story engaging and well written. Freefall is an impressive work of contemporary fiction that should appeal to both males and females who are looking for a realistic teen portrayal.
The challenges faced by the characters are relevant and believable. It was easy to relate with the issues brought up, such as guilt, making the right choices, and dealing with social anxiety. For example, I found myself nodding in agreement with the techniques brought up to deal with nerves before a performance such as deep breathing.
I was a little wary at first to find that the story is told from a male’s perspective and written by a female. However, I found the protagonist Seth’s voice authentic and believable. Seth is dealing with a lot: grief and guilt over losing his best friend, failing grades, alcohol abuse, and stage fright about playing bass for a live audience. He is trying to turn his life around, and falls for Rosetta, who has her own issues.
Seth is a likeable character and I was rooting for him to succeed. I also liked Seth’s relationship with Rosetta, although I would have liked to read a little more about her progress with her issues. Seth’s friend/nonenemy Kendall is a good side character that is in a unique position to understand Seth’s grief. Seth’s band mates, and former band mates, provide an interesting contrast and support Seth’s growth. I would have loved to take “Mrs. Dalloway’s” Interpersonal Communications class in high school.
The ending was satisfying and made me smile. Overall, I was impressed by Freefall and am looking forward to Ms. Scott’s next book. Would love a sequel to Freefall!
For more information:
