Crimson Bound (ARC Review)

Crimson Bound | Rosamund Hodge

Published by: Balzer+Bray, May 5th 2015

Genre: YA, Fantasy, Retelling

Pages: 448

Format: Ebook

Source: Balzer+Bray, via Edelweiss

When Rachelle was fifteen she was good—apprenticed to her aunt and in training to protect her village from dark magic. But she was also reckless— straying from the forest path in search of a way to free her world from the threat of eternal darkness. After an illicit meeting goes dreadfully wrong, Rachelle is forced to make a terrible choice that binds her to the very evil she had hoped to defeat.

Three years later, Rachelle has given her life to serving the realm, fighting deadly creatures in an effort to atone. When the king orders her to guard his son Armand—the man she hates most—Rachelle forces Armand to help her find the legendary sword that might save their world. As the two become unexpected allies, they uncover far-reaching conspiracies, hidden magic, and a love that may be their undoing. In a palace built on unbelievable wealth and dangerous secrets, can Rachelle discover the truth and stop the fall of endless night?

Inspired by the classic fairy tale Little Red Riding Hood, Crimson Bound is an exhilarating tale of darkness, love, and redemption.

(This is a standalone novel, not part of the Cruel Beauty Universe.)

For the most part of this book, I was enjoying it but I wasn't in love with it. But now I've finished Crimson Bound, I seem to remember the same thing happening to me with Cruel Beauty. The thing about Rosamund Hodge is her stories creep up on me. I enjoy reading them, their fantasy elements, their wonderful worlds, and their effortlessly real characters, but it isn't until everything starts to go to pot and my heart is absolutely wrecked that I discover I love the story. There's a part in this book where Rachelle says she didn't realise she trusted Armand until that trust was broken. That's the way of this book for me.

Crimson Bound had all the wondrous torment I expected, the terrible and alluring magic, the twisty, painful plot, and the heart-pounding desperation. There are so many parts of this story that I enjoyed. I loved the clever inclusion of woodwife charms, how it was set in historical France and still had that high fantasy enchantment, how the Forest was a character in itself, how Rachelle was always yearning to be good even when she had the purest intentions of all of them. Throughout the pages of this book I felt despondency, soaring hope, staggering betrayal, hopelessness, aching love, and purest hate - and the effect is that I'm left reeling, confused, and satisfied all at the same time.

My reviews of Hodge's books are always founded more in emotions than any sort of rational criticism, and that speaks the most about how much I love these books, because even while I didn't love Crimson Bound for half of it, I fell deep by the end and I would now recommend it to literally everyone. To sum up my feelings in actual words: A flawless, taut, devastating story of hope and heroes and salvation.

Characters ★★★★★

Setting/world building ★★★★☆

Writing ★★★★★

Blitz: Stolen Art by Ruth Silver

Stolen Art | Ruth Silver

Expected April 28, 2015 from Lazy Day Publishing

Genres: Young Adult, Sci-Fi, Romance

Sixteen-year-old Madeline has been living on the streets, biding her time until she's eighteen. With little to no money, she takes on a heist in hopes of making ends meet. What could possibly go wrong?

Everything.

Getting caught is just the beginning of Madeline's adventure as she meets Weston and discovers the secret of where she came from.

Fans of Orphan Black, The X-Files, and Fringe will fall head over heels for STOLEN ART.

Recommended: 15+

Add to Goodreads

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About the Author

Ruth Silver is the best-selling author of the Aberrant trilogy. With a passion for writing and a love of story-telling, Ruth is actively writing multiple series under her name as well as the pen name Ravyn Rayne. Her interests include traveling, reading, and photography. Her favorite vacation destination is Australia. Ruth currently resides in Plainfield, Illinois.

Follow Ruth here

Blog- http://writeawaybliss.com

Facebook- http://facebook.com/writeawaybliss

Twitter- http://twitter.com/writeawaybliss

Looking for a steamier read? Check her out here

Blog- http://ravynrayne.com

Facebook- http://facebook.com/ravynraynereads

Twitter- http://twitter.com/blushingravyn

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Read on for an excerpt of Stolen Art!!

A Magic Dark and Bright (ARC Review)

The Asylum Saga: A Magic Dark and Bright | Jenny Adams Perinovic

Published by: Bookish Girl Press, April 28th 2015

Genre: YA, Gothic, Paranormal, Ghosts

Pages: 368

Format: Ebook

Source: Author

She meant to help a ghost...not unleash a curse.

Amelia Dupree hasn’t seen the Woman in White since the night her brother died. 

The ghost seems to have disappeared from the woods surrounding Asylum, Pennsylvania—that is, until Charlie Blue moves into the creepy old MacAllister House next door. Amelia can’t help liking him, even though she spent her childhood thinking his grandmother was a witch. And she definitely can’t ignore the connection between his arrival and the Woman in White’s return. 

Then Amelia learns that the Woman in White is a prisoner, trapped between the worlds of the living and the dead. Devastated by the idea that her brother could be suffering a similar fate, Amelia decides to do whatever it takes to help the Woman in White find peace--and Charlie agrees to help her.

But when Amelia’s classmates start to drown in the Susquehanna River, one right after another, rumors swirl as people begin to connect the timing of Charlie’s arrival with the unexplained deaths. As Charlie and Amelia uncover the dark history of Asylum, they realize they may have unleashed an unspeakable evil. One they have to stop before everything they love is destroyed.

Oh man, this book is good. Crazy, mind-blowingly good.

I knew from page one that I was going to like A Magic Dark and Bright. It had that tense atmosphere that just makes a gothic novel. The combination of suspense, mystery, and contemporary magic hooked me right away. Parts of the book had me on edge, parts had me desperate for answers, and the romance that built between Amelia and Charlie added the perfect amount of light to balance it all.

I loved the characters, fell for them instantly. I hated the villain (and, trying not to spoil anything, it is SO obvious who the sketchy bad guy is.) I even liked one of the parentals, which never happens in this genre for me. A Magic Dark and Bright has everything I love: a string of unexplained murders; a lush setting; a creepy old house rife with secrets; interwoven history; and romance to die for. 

This book is Beautiful Creatures meets Anna Dressed In Blood meets something you've never read before. A perfect gothic mystery. Highly recommend.

Characters ★★★★☆

Setting/world building ★★★★☆

Writing ★★★★☆

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Cold Burn of Magic (ARC Review)

Black Blade: Cold Burn of Magic | Jennifer Estep

Published by: Kensington Books, April 28th 2015

Genre: YA, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, Monsters, Magic

Pages: 368

Format: Ebook

Source: Kensington, via Netgalley

There Be Monsters Here. . .

It's not as great as you'd think, living in a tourist town that's known as "the most magical place in America." Same boring high school, just twice as many monsters under the bridges and rival Families killing each other for power. 

I try to keep out of it. I've got my mom's bloodiron sword and my slightly illegal home in the basement of the municipal library. And a couple of Talents I try to keep quiet, including very light fingers and a way with a lock pick. 

But then some nasty characters bring their Family feud into my friend's pawn shop, and I have to make a call--get involved, or watch a cute guy die because I didn't. I guess I made the wrong choice, because now I'm stuck putting everything on the line for Devon Sinclair. My mom was murdered because of the Families, and it looks like I'm going to end up just like her. . .

Cold Burn of Magic introduces a killer new urban fantasy series and a memorable world of monsters and magicks.

In the Black Blade series monsters and humans live side by side in a contemporary tourist trap town, ruled over by Families - mob-like families of humans with magic called Talents. Lila, hiding from her mother's murder and harbouring a rare and valuable Talent, stays as far from the Families as possible, until she saves the life of Devon, the son of a Family head, and is dragged into the drama and danger of the Families.

This series is imaginative. I loved all the elements of magic, and how the monsters had a traditional vibe about them. I especially liked how they weren't shifters, since we only usually see monsters in YA if they have a super-mega-hot human form too. This book harks back to the monsters of old stories, with bridge tolls and lochness monsters, and it's really cool. I enjoyed the Talents, too, and while they weren't exactly unique I liked Lila's Talent - being able to absorb others' Talents. The mob angle was pretty awesome too and made this feel really original.

The characters were pretty average, not amazing but not bad. I think Devon was my favourite, with how vulnerable yet capable he was, despite being the male love interest in an UF. He swerved the whole alpha male thing and I liked him better for it. Lila, the MC, was likable and tough, hiding her fears behind attitude and fights. I didn't have any problem with her, and I did connect with her, but I wouldn't say much else for her character.

I enjoyed the setting and monsters of Cold Burn of Magic and I'm excited to see where the story goes next. An original, entertaining book!

Characters ★★★★☆

Setting/world building ★★★★☆

Writing ★★★★☆

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Cover reveal: Last Siege of Haven

Last Siege of Haven | Ty Drago

(The Undertakers #4)

Expected May 11, 2015 Month9Books 

While away on an undercover mission, Undertaker Will Ritter has made an unthinkable alliance…with a Corpse! But though Robert Dillin (aka ‘The Zombie Prince’) is indeed one of those alien invaders who animate and possess the bodies of the dead — unlike the rest of his kind, Dillin isn’t evil. In fact, he wants to help. And Will needs that help, because the Queen of the Dead has learned the location of Haven, the Undertakers’ secret HQ, and is planning a massive and deadly assault.

With the last day of the Corpse War finally upon them, Will and his friends find themselves in a desperate race to close the Rift between worlds and forever kill the Corpses. But can they do before Haven is overrun?

For that matter, can they do it at all?

Link to Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23344384-last-siege-of-haven

Pre-order Links:

Amazon

ABOUT TY DRAGO:

Ty Drago does his writing just across the river from Philadelphia, where the Undertakers novels take place.  In addition to The Undertakers: Rise of the Corpses,The Undertakers: Queen of the Dead, and The Undertakers: Secret of the Corpse Eater, he is the author of The Franklin Affair and Phobos, as well as short stories and articles that have appeared in numerous publications, including Writer’s Digest.  He currently lives in southern New Jersey with his wife and best friend, the real Helene Drago née Boettcher.

Author Links:  Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Giveaway!

(Winner will be drawn May 1, 2015):

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Ferals (ARC Review)

Ferals: Ferals | Jacob Grey
Published in the UK as Ferals: The Crow Talker, out March 26th

Published by: HarperCollins, April 28th 2015

Genre: MG, Fantasy

Pages: 288

Format: Ebook

Source: HarperCollins, via Edelweiss

A sinister threat. A city in danger. A boy with the power to command the crows. Ferals is the first book in a dark, action-packed trilogy that’s partThe Graveyard Book, part Batman, and all high-octane adventure.

Blackstone was once a thriving metropolis. But that was before the Dark Summer—a wave of violence and crime that swept through the city eight years ago, orchestrated by the fearsome Spinning Man. Now the Spinning Man is on the move again, and a boy named Caw is about to be caught in his web.

Caw has never questioned his ability to communicate with crows. But as the threat of a new Dark Summer looms, Caw discovers the underground world of Blackstone’s ferals—those with the power to speak to and control animals. Caw is one of them. And to save his city, he must quickly master abilities he never knew he had . . . and prepare to defeat a darkness he never could have imagined.

I'm really sad this book had so many insects in it, because I think it would have been amazing. But I just kept cringing and flinching at every scene with a tonne of spiders and roaches and I almost backed out of the book and stopped reading. I'm glad I didn't though, because the book itself grew in strength in the last half.

I liked Caw, but I didn't have that much of an opinion in him. Mostly I liked his interaction with the crows, and how he refused to back down when his friend was in danger. Lydia, I didn't form an opinion either. Crumb, I didn't like for most of the book, same with Pip although that guy grew on me. The villains felt like carbon copies of a bunch of other villains, but maybe that's to be expected in a book compared to Batman. The setting was fine but it didn't really feel there. Not so much a problem as a personal gripe, though.

The magic is the best thing about this book. Ferals can communicate with and control animals, some cool like crows and foxes, some disgusting like cockroaches. I know this is a book for teenage boys and I know some teenage boys love insects, but it really drew the book down for me. Along with the slow start, this book wasn't as good as it could have been.

Great concept and awesome crows but too many insects for me personally.

Characters ★★★☆☆

Setting/world building ★★★☆☆

Writing ★★★☆☆

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Cover Reveal: Darkness Brutal by Rachel A. Marks

Darkness Brutal by Rachel A. Marks 

(The Dark Cycle #1) 

Expected July 1st 2015 from Skyscape

Genres: Urban Fantasy, Young Adult

Aidan O’Linn’s childhood ended the night he saw a demon kill his mother and mark his sister, Ava, with Darkness. Since then, every three years the demons have returned to try to claim her. Living in the gritty, forgotten corners of Los Angeles, Aidan has managed to protect his sister, but he knows that even his powers to fight demons and speak dead languages won’t keep her safe for much longer.

In desperation, Aidan seeks out the help of Sid, the enigmatic leader of a rag-tag group of teens who run LA Paranormal, an Internet reality show that fights demons and ghosts. With them, Aidan believes he’s finally found a haven for Ava. But then he meets Kara, a broken girl who can spin a hypnotic web of passionate energy, and she awakens powers inside of him he didn’t know he had―and unleashes a new era of war between the forces of Light and the forces of Darkness.

With the fate of humanity in his hands, can Aidan keep the Darkness held back and accept his terrifying destiny, or will he and his sister fall to the same fate as their mother?

About the Author:

Rachel A. Marks is a cancer survivor, a writer and artist, a surfer and dirt-bike rider, chocolate lover and keeper of faerie secrets. Her four kids and amazing hubby put up with her nerdiness with tremendous grace, even when she makes them watch Buffy or Smallville re-runs for days on end. She was voted: Most Likely To Survive A Zombie Apocalypse, but hopes she'll never have to test the theory. Darkness Brutal is her first novel.

Author links:

https://twitter.com/RachelAnneMarks

https://www.facebook.com/RachelAnneMarks

http://www.rachelannemarks.com/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4094113.Rachel_A_Marks

Reading round up (74)

Reading round up is a weekly journal where I record my daily reading progress, my thoughts on each book as I read it, and any books I've acquired during the week.

13th April

I read 13% of Magonia by Maria Dahvana Headley, bringing me to 71%. I wanted to finish it today but my reading time got swallowed by writing 5K words.

14th April

AGAIN WITH THE NOT FINISHING A BOOK. Agh. I'm furious with myself and beginning to feel like a failure WHICH IS FUN. So I'm at 86% with Magonia and I do actually like it a fair bit.

15th April

I read 14% of Magonia, FINISHING THE DAMN THING FINALLY. It was great and I loved it but I'm sure I'll love it much more the next time I read. 

I also started Supervision by Alison Stine (19%), which started off bad (with a rly dumb move by the MC) but got better. The MC is Asian and maybe dead?? We'll see.

I also read Molly Danger/Princeless (60-ish pages) and it was full of lady power. Yaaaaaaaaaas girls, slaaaaaay. I love girls.

16th April

Loving Supervision. It's so sweet yet chilling and creepy, and holds a spotlight to parental neglect and abuse. A fab gothic novel tbh. I read 46%, bringing me to 67%. 

I ALSO read a bunch of single comic issues which I can't be bothered to list here, started Fight Like A Girl by David Pinckney and Soo Lee (20% read) and Harley Quinn, vol 1: Hot In The City by Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti (13%), which is of course crazy and awesome. I LOVED the first comic.

17th April

Finished Supervision (33%) and I Love it so damn much. The characters have a permanent place in my heart.

I also started Starborn by Lucy Hounsom, though I've only read 3%.

18th April

I read 2% of Starborn. Tbh I didn't even try to read this. I also read 29% of Harley Quinn, vol 1, bringing me to 42%. It's too cool. She's too sweet. I love everything about this.

19th April

Read 8% of Starborn, bringing me to 13%, and 36% of Harley Quinn, vol 1, which continues to be awesome. My love for Harley/Ivy is still very strong.

Books finished this week: 3
Books DNF'd this week: 0

For review:

Too lazy to link but here's what I got for review this week. Mostly Harper+imprints tbh :)

Bought:

Touch of Frost | Jennifer Estep

This has been on my list for what feels like decades.

I also got these AMAZON FREEBIES:

Arena One | Morgan Rice 

(I read the first part of this YEARS ago. Wanted to finish it ever since)

Rat Queens, vol 1: Sass and Sorcery

Molly Danger/Princeless FCBD

Magonia

For The Right To Learn (scheduled for 26th August)

Supervision

Harley Quinn, vol 1: Hot In The City