The 57 Lives of Alex Wayfare (DNF Review)

Alex Wayfare: The 57 Lives of Alex Wayfare | M. G. Buehrlen

Published by: Strange Chemistry, March 4th 2014

Genre: YA, Science Fiction

Pages: 368

Format: Ebook

Source: Strange Chemistry via Netgalley (sorry for the delay!)

For as long as 17-year-old Alex Wayfare can remember, she has had visions of the past. Visions that make her feel like she’s really on a ship bound for America, living in Jamestown during the Starving Time, or riding the original Ferris wheel at the World’s Fair.

But these brushes with history pull her from her daily life without warning, sometimes leaving her with strange lasting effects and wounds she can’t explain. Trying to excuse away the aftereffects has booked her more time in the principal’s office than in any of her classes and a permanent place at the bottom of the social hierarchy. Alex is desperate to find out what her visions mean and get rid of them.

It isn’t until she meets Porter, a stranger who knows more than should be possible about her, that she learns the truth: Her visions aren’t really visions. Alex is a Descender – capable of traveling back in time by accessing Limbo, the space between Life and Afterlife. Alex is one soul with fifty-six past lives, fifty-six histories.

Fifty-six lifetimes to explore: the prospect is irresistible to Alex, especially when the same mysterious boy with soulful blue eyes keeps showing up in each of them. But the more she descends, the more it becomes apparent that someone doesn’t want Alex to travel again. Ever.

And will stop at nothing to make this life her last.

I tried so hard to get into this book but I just couldn't. I thought I would love it but I didn't even like it, which is really bizarre since I've been anticipating this book for so long. It had time travel in it for God's sake - I was bound to love it. Except I didn't, which makes me extra sad.

Like I've done with other DNF books, I made a list of good and bad points:

What I liked:

The love interest was as unique as you could possibly get

The limbo aspect of the story was really intriguing

It's the most creative use of time travel I've read

What I didn't:

I just could not connect with the protagonist. At all.

There was something about the parts of the book that were in the past that I just couldn't get into. My reading felt ... flat. There was nothing to keep my interest, even though lots of things were happening.

Even the parts in the present didn't hook me. I was just reading for the sake of reading, and not enjoying it.

Conclusion: 

Wanted to love this book so much, but I just don't think me and The 57 Lives of Alex Wayfare are meant to be friends.

(No star rating since I DNF)

Side note: Will these DNF books ever end? I'm either reading spectacular books right now, or I'm not finishing them.

The Gathering Dark, A.K.A. Shadow And Bone (Review)

The Grisha: The Gathering Dark | Leigh Bardugo

Published by: Indigo, June 7th 2012

Genre: YA, High fantasy

Pages: 310

Format: Paperback

Source: Bought

The Shadow Fold, a swathe of impenetrable darkness, crawling with monsters that feast on human flesh, is slowly destroying the once-great nation of Ravka.

Alina, a pale, lonely orphan, discovers a unique power that thrusts her into the lavish world of the kingdom’s magical elite—the Grisha. Could she be the key to unravelling the dark fabric of the Shadow Fold and setting Ravka free?

The Darkling, a creature of seductive charm and terrifying power, leader of the Grisha. If Alina is to fulfil her destiny, she must discover how to unlock her gift and face up to her dangerous attraction to him.

But what of Mal, Alina’s childhood best friend? As Alina contemplates her dazzling new future, why can’t she ever quite forget him?

Glorious. Epic. Irresistible. Romance.

I have a lot of thoughts about The Gathering Dark but I don't know where to begin. I loved some aspects of it and was really underwhelmed by others. I thought that Leigh Bardugo's world building was second to none, that her imagination and craft was wonderful, but there was just something holding me back from being completely enamoured by it.

I loved the Darkling, liked Alina well enough, and tolerated Mal - which is to say, I had the same experience with a love triangle as I usually do. The plot was gripping, the stakes high, and I loved the way everything played out.

But I still didn't utterly love it. Not sure why. Hoping the next book will draw me further into the world of The Grisha.

Characters ★★★☆☆

Setting/world building ★★★★★

Writing Style ★★★★☆

Cover reveal: Sage by Christina Channelle

I know that - what we are. But why do you hate me? Escape. It was the only word pounding through fallen angel Sage Cross’ mind when her world came crashing in. Fallon was nothing but a painful memory, something she wanted - no, needed - to forget. Now she has a chance to let that part of her past go and be in a place where she can finally heal. A place where lamia and lapsus don’t exist and she can just be… Sage. But of course, it doesn't last. Nothing ever lasts. Her happily mediocre life with her cat familiar, Sunny, and best friends, Janie and Perkins, is nothing but a mirage. Especially when a brooding vampire - first name Adam, last name irrelevant - takes root in her life. Someone who hates her for simply existing, yet she is unable to get him out of her mind. Or her heart. With her brother and friends in danger, Sage is the key to either ending it all or causing the destruction of not one, but two supernatural beings. Fallen angels. Lapsus. Vampires. Lamia. Who will survive? Sage, the final installment in the Blood Crave Series.

Freebie Download

Grab your free copy of Fallen Tears, A Blood Crave Novella on Smashwords.

Click Here to download your free copy and enter the coupon code: XQ59M

The coupon code expires April 30th 2014.

While your there, why not pick up a copy of each book in the series in anticipation of the release of Sage. Check out Goodreads for more infomation on Book One: Dahlia ● Fallen Tears Novella ● Book Two: Rowan and Book Three: Sage

Giveaway

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About the Author

Yes, you are currently staring at a pair of shoes. Yes, Christina Channelle is shy. A dreamer, Christina holds two degrees in health sciences but has always had a passion for writing. You will find her reading other young adult novels, or typing a new story up on her computer. A TV junkie (Scandal and Walking Dead, anyone?) she has a close relationship to many characters, both fictional and real. She resides in Ontario, Canada.

You can find Christina via her Website ● Facebook ● Twitter and Goodreads  

The Winner's Curse (ARC Review)

The Winner's Trilogy: The Winner's Curse | Marie Rutkoski

Published by: Bloomsbury, April 10th 2014

Genre: YA, High fantasy

Pages: 368

Format: Ebook

Source: Bloomsbury via Netgalley

Kestrel lives the lavish lifestyle of a Valorian General’s only daughter, and such riches come at a cost for Valoria’s captives – and for her. As the Herrani face death or slavery, Kestrel’s destiny is shaped by her father. He gives her two choices: join his army or get married. Desperate to realise her own future and knowing that it will invite scandal, she pays a small fortune for a handsome Herrani blacksmith at a slave auction. Arin not only plays Kestrel’s power games, he understands what she needs and soon she is torn between loyalty to her people and her feelings for him. But Arin is not all he seems and Kestrel will learn that the price she paid for him is much higher than she ever could have imagined.

The first novel in a stunning new trilogy, The Winner’s Curse is a story of romance, rumours and rebellion, where dirty secrets and careless alliances can be deadly – and everything is at stake.

I've been trying to write this review for three days and I just don't know what to say about The Winner's Curse. It is such a good book, but not only that: it raises very important questions of race, social class, and status.

I loved The Winner's Curse from start to finish. It captured my attention when Kestrel's father wanted her to join his army  - equal fighting opportunities for men and women? I love you.

The romance is exquisite. There's no other word for it. Marie Rutkoski has woven a bright and emotional relationship from two people who could not be more different, nor more alike. And they fit together perfectly.

But they couldn't have ended happily in this book, could they? Of course not. I so very nearly cried, and I'm rarely moved by books. But Kestrel and Arin's strained relationship was tearing me apart.

The other thing to mention about this book is the politics - oh how wonderful and complicated the politics and rebellion of The Winner's Curse is! I loved seeing things from the different perspectives, and how Rutkoski explored the different ways manipulation and compromise plays out in negotiation and war.

A brilliant start to a series that promises to thrill and have me biting my nails. I await the next book with greedy hands.

Characters ★★★★★

Setting/world building ★★★★★

Writing Style ★★★★★

Reading round up (21)

Reading round up is a weekly journal where I record my daily reading progress and my thoughts on each book as I read it. Starting Camp Nano this week so my reading should be interesting. Will I read more because I'm in a more productive mood, or will I read less because busy?

31st March

Started Proxy by Alex London (19%) and whoa is this good so far, and Amity by Micol Ostow (5%) and I'm not impressed yet.

1st April

Continued with Amity to 19% (read 14%) and I'm still very much on the fence. BUT but but butttt I bought Gilded Ashes by Rosamund Hodge (Cruel Beauty) and started reading it (4%) and it's HOLY SHIT AMAZING already!

2nd April

Finished Gilded Ashes (read 94%) and lord knows I can't wait until Rosamund Hodge's next book. I mean literally. I CAN'T FUCKIN' WAIT. I'm not gonna last. I need it right the goddamn now. I'm sorry for the cursing but this author!!

3rd April

Currently reading: Proxy | Alex London

Current page/percent: 46%

# of pages/percentage read today: 27%

Thoughts: Shipping Knox and Syd SO hard.

4th April

Wanted a book to read when I'm not feeling in a Proxy mood and lord knows Amity was not it, so I started The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski (21%). You know the book. Everyone knows the book. It's great so far.

5th April

Currently reading: The Winner's Curse | Marie Rutkoski

Current page/percent: 60%

# of pages/percentage read today: 39%

Thoughts: Oh! The angst!

6th April

Currently reading: The Winner's Curse | Marie Rutkoski
Current page/percent: 100%

# of pages/percentage read today: 40%

Thoughts: These two are killing me.

Books finished this week: 2