The Fall (ARC Review)

The Fall | Bethany Griffin

Published by: Greenwillow Books, October 7th 2014

Genre: YA, Gothic, Mystery

Pages: 400

Format: Ebook

Source: Greenwillow, via Edelweiss

Madeline Usher is doomed.

She has spent her life fighting fate, and she thought she was succeeding. Until she woke up in a coffin.

Ushers die young. Ushers are cursed. Ushers can never leave their house, a house that haunts and is haunted, a house that almost seems to have a mind of its own. Madeline’s life—revealed through short bursts of memory—has hinged around her desperate plan to escape, to save herself and her brother. Her only chance lies in destroying the house.

In the end, can Madeline keep her own sanity and bring the house down?The Fall is a literary psychological thriller, reimagining Edgar Allan Poe’s classic The Fall of the House of Usher.

The blurb says this book is psychological thriller, so after reading Feral I was extra excited for this. But it turned out to be a gothic novel. The tone of the book, the house, the villainous love interest, the curse, the creepy doctors in their tower ... yeah. Pure gothic. That's not to say I didn't like it, because I sorta did. Sorta.

I LOVE the atmosphere of this book, I like the writing, the set up, and I'm very fond of the premise. I love Poe so of course I would like this. I even liked the set up of the book, how it flipped between different years of Madeline's life but still managed to keep some semblance of sense. I was confused by the story but not by the book itself.

But that's where my like affair with this book ends. I was interested in the curse but I wasn't attached to any of the characters enough to wish for a cure. I liked the story enough to read the whole book but there wasn't enough oomph (can't think of another way to describe it) for me to be truly interested. The Fall was flat. It was on one level all the way through. I got bored several times but I wanted to reach the end to know what happened. But that ending - was it even an ending? I'm so miffed (though happy the dog was alright in the end.)

My favourite parts of this book were Lisbeth Usher's diary. Had The Fall had more of her parts, I might have liked it much more. To sum: an okay gothic novel with a creepy atmosphere.

(as a side note, I appreciated the inclusion of a same sex relationship, even if it was only hinted at)

Characters ★★☆☆☆

Setting/world building ★★★☆☆

Writing Style ★★★☆☆

Reading round up (44)

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. I am so tired this week.

15th September

Currently reading: Snow Like Ashes | Sara Raasch

Current page/percent: 43%

Read today: 22%

Thoughts: Theron is super hot and cute and alluring and I WANT ONE.

16th September

Currently reading: Snow Like Ashes | Sara Raasch

Current page/percent: 100%

Read today: 57%

Thoughts: The second half of this book is 100000000 times better than the first. Seriously warmed to Meira by the end and now deem her worthy of being with Theron my precious little cupcake.

17th September

I started The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff (171 pages read) because I feel wholly let down by the ending of the Wicked Lovely series and need more fae in my life, and this book is about a changeling. It's pretty alright so far. I like the feel of the book, and how music is a big part of Mackie's life - as it is mine. Mayhem is also creepy and eerie and I'm excited to meet the big bad!

18th September

Currently reading: The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff

Current page/percent: page 242

Read today: 242 pages

Thoughts: This was pretty good at the beginning but now it's AWESOME. I am thoroughly in love with Wolf and I'm breezing through this book.

19th September

I had a hell of a day today. My laptop went down HORRIFICALLY. It took me a whole day to get it back up, and it's right in the four days I cannot possibly lose days. Fingers crossed I can still get my book out on time but it's looking bad. Anyway, with nothing else to do, I read 34% of Trial by Fire which I hated with a passion at first but I'm starting to like it a little now. I also read 17% of Killer of Enemies by Joseph Bruchac because Trial By Fire was driving me mad and I needed to break it up. 

Also it's National Hispanic Heritage month and I'm wanting to read something to acknowledge that, so if you have any recs PLEASE leave them in a comment below!

20th September

Who is that supposed to be on the Trial By Fire cover? Darling Rowan or Despicable Tristan? I read 14% of Trial by fire, taking me to 48% and another 7% of Killer of Enemies, which is getting tedious with all the fighting. I get that it's what this book is about but it's repetitive.

21st September

Finished Trial By Fire (52%) and the ending was pretty awesome, with a promising lead into the second book.

Books finished this week: 3

(Loooooooong week)

I've recently been making more of an effort to buy indie books, spurred on by my enjoyment of Terah Edun's novels among others. Books I would consider because the plot sounds awesome but then decide against because they were self published I've started giving a chance.

Here's what I bought:

 Become | Ali Cross

Missing Royal | Konstaz Silverbow
Of Sea And Stone | Kate Avery Ellison
Timber Wolves Trilogy | Tammy Blackwell

Heard good stuff about Ellison's books, and I've read the debut by Konstanz Silverbow and while I didn't enjoy it, I'm willing to give her books another chance. Also that cover is SO pretty. That first book is actually free so check it out. Also check out the last one as well - you can get the whole trilogy right now for less than a pound. It's CRAZY.

I started work on a book I've been wanting to find time to write for a while now and I'm loving it. I'll also have a short story in the Legend Mirror available to read soon for anyone interested.

I have very little other news this week but THE WANDERING IS OUT TOMORROW!!! Huzzah!

The Replacement (Review)

The Replacement | Brenna Yovanoff

Published by: Simon & Schuster, January 1st 2011

Genre: YA, Urban Fantasy, Fairy Lore

Pages: 375

Format: Paperback

Source: Purchased

Though he lives in the small town of Gentry, Mackie comes from a world of tunnels and black, murky water, a world of living dead girls ruled by a little tattoed princess. He is a replacement - left in the crib of a human baby sixteen years ago when it was stolen away by the fey. Now, because of fatal allergies to iron, blood and consecrated ground, Mackie is slowly dying in the human world. Mackie would give anything just to be normal, to live quietly amongst humans, practice his bass guitar and spend time with his crush, Tate. But when Tate's baby sister goes missing, Mackie is drawn irrevocably into the underworld of Gentry, known as Mayhem, where he must face down the dark creatures and find his rightful place - in our world, or theirs.

I could tell you about the wonderful writing of this book, about it's genuine, flawed characters and its imaginative, complex worlds, but sometimes those things don't make a book. Sometimes the things I usually get all critical about take a backseat for the way a book makes me feel, and this book has me aching.

I liked this book for half of it, really enjoyed it for the second half, and I only realised on the last page, with pressure behind my eyes and a heaviness in my chest, that I'd fallen in love with it. The Replacement took me completely off guard. 

 Characters ★★★☆☆

Setting/world building ★★★★☆

Writing Style ★★★★☆

Blitz: Firebolt, by Adrienne Woods

Firebolt | Adrienne Woods

Expected September 19th 2014 from Fire Quill Publishing

Dragons. Right. Teenage girls don’t believe in fairy tales, and sixteen-year-old Elena Watkins was no different.

Until the night a fairy tale killed her father.

Now Elena is in a new world, and a new school. The cutest guy around may be an evil dragon, a prince wants Elena’s heart, and a long dead sorcerer may be waking up to kill her. Oh and the only way Elena’s going to graduate is on the back of a dragon of her own.

Teenage girls don’t believe in fairy tales. Now it’s time for Elena to believe in…herself.

About the Author:

Adrienne Woods was born and raised in South Africa, where she still lives with my husband, and two beautiful little girls. She always knew that I was going to be a writer but it only started to happen about four years ago, now she can’t stop writing.

Author’s website: www.authoradriennewoods.com

Twitter: erichb3
Blogs: Adrienne Woods Books and Reviews (http://woodsadrienne.wordpress.com)
The Dragonian Series: http://thedragonianseries.blogspot.com

Facebook page: The Dragonian Series (https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Dragonian-Series/301375039891281)

Fire Quill Publishing: http://www.firequillpublishing.com

International giveaway:

3 digital copies of Firebolt by Adrienne Woods

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Read on for a excerpt of Firebolt!

Darkest Mercy (Review)

Wicked Lovely: Darkest Mercy | Melissa Marr

Published by: HarperCollins, March 3rd 2011

Genre: YA, Urban Fantasy, Mythology

Pages: 327

Format: Paperback

Source: Purchased

Send the messengers for the Faery Courts. This is the end. 

The Summer King is missing; the Dark Court is bleeding; and a stranger walks the streets of Huntsdale, his presence signifying the deaths of powerful fey.

Aislinn tends to the Summer Court, searching for her absent king and yearning for Seth. Torn between his new queen and his old love, Keenan works from afar to strengthen his court against the coming war. Donia longs for fiery passion even as she coolly readies the Winter Court for battle. And Seth, sworn brother of the Dark King and heir to the High Queen, is about to make a mistake that could cost his life.

Love, despair, and betrayal ignite the Faery Courts, and in the final conflict, some will win...and some will lose everything.

The thrilling conclusion to Melissa Marr's New York Times bestselling Wicked Lovely series will leave readers breathless.

Oh Darkest Mercy, where do I begin? Were you everything I wanted? Yes and no. You wrapped up most character and relationship threads the way I (mostly) wanted but you left the story right open and I didn't like that. Also what the hell happened to Devlin, Ani, and Sorcha? You can't just have a whole book about a character, then abandon them in the final book for a big battle.

I liked Darkest Mercy but I didn't love it like I loved all the other books. The battle was epic and awesome, but I'm not sure about the rest of the book. It felt a lot like the second half of a book, because all the build up had been in the previous four books, but I was still missing that first half. The calm before the storm, I guess. So I didn't enjoy this as much as I expected. It still had Marr's wonderful writing and her complex relationship dynamics, and I do love that everyone got their happy ever after but ... I was missing something. And what, exactly, was the point of the Shadow court? What did they do? Nada.

*sigh* At least my OTPs are endgame.

 Characters ★★★★★

Setting/world building ★★★★☆

Writing Style ★★★★☆