Heart's Blood

It has been way too long since I've had time to post on my blog! I've had a crazy semester at college, 17 credits (which is a lot at my college)! Unfortunately this means that not only do I not have a lot of time to write, I don't have a lot of time to read. I did get a chance to read Juliet Marillier's book Heart's Blood (and you would to if you won it in a writing contest and it was signed by the lady herself!). The story follows a scribe, Caitrin as she flees her abusive family to a town with a hidden past.

The bad: This Marillier is more occultish than her others, which deal more with fairies and old beings. I guess I prefer the latter. On the back of the book it says that she was going for a more Gothic theme, which I can understand, and she certainly accomplished (with those drafty old halls and the compulsive looks of the shoulder *shudder*).

The good: This is an adaption of the classic Beauty and the Beast story line (it says so on the book itself), so we've got all those great themes of sacrifice and true love.

My view: I fell in love with Daughter of the Forest and I've devoured her books since. Lately I haven't really been getting into them. Wildwood Dancing, Cybele's Secret and Heir to Sevenwaters just didn't capture my attention. Heart's Blood is definitely a return to Marillier's earlier and better style. Though not up there with Daughter of the Forest and her other early ones, I certainly enjoyed this story. Heart's Blood is an elegant and atmospheric love story.

Perfect Chemistry

Here's the classic story: Perfect girl isn't really so perfect. Bad boy isn't really so bad. But when they meet, neither one can tell. Through a deepening relationship, they discover that they are more similar that they thought, and they're falling in love. (Okay, writing that made me realize that the story is really similar to Just Listen, but it's not that good. At all.)

The bad: Swearing, sexual monologues, sex itself (which is bad, as we all know :-) without any commitment. And the cover, seriously, I was embarrassed when my dad looked at it...

The good: I appreciated that this book dug into the whole gang thing, which is something I am completely out of touch with and can't judge it's accuracy, but I felt like this book treated it realistically (kinda). As opposed to the silly movies where the hero only has to say "no" and the bad guys go away... And of course, the whole "look beneath the surface" thing, which is valuable.

My view: I enjoyed the beginning, even considering the sexual atmosphere, but the end lost my interest. I really thought Brittany would be more savvy (which is not my new word). I really thought the author could have gone farther with the book. My one word:

Underdeveloped

Mr. Darcy's Diary

Everyone knows the story of Pride and Prejudice (except my dad, he lived for years thinking that it was a study of pride and prejudice, ha ha), and now it's time to hear it from Mr. Darcy's view point. We travel through his journal starting with Georgiana's near miss with Mr. Wickham and going through Mr. Darcy's ups and downs concerning Miss Elizabeth Bennett.

The bad: hmmm, nada

The good: It's Pride and Prejudice... So true love! There is also of course both Mr. Darcy and Lizzy's realizations that they have been prideful and prejudiced.

My view: Whenever I go into B&N I'm always confronted by a multitude of books using a Pride and Prejudice theme to help them sell, and to be honest, a lot of those books look pretty scary and leave me thinking What have you done to Mr. Darcy and Lizzy? Thankfully Mr. Darcy's Diary preserves the feelings and integrity of the original story (and if anyone should know, it would be me, yes, I've done a report on Jane Austen, yes, I've seen the 5 hour movie version more than three times, yes, I have read Pride and Prejudice, and yes, I own two copies of the book and two different movie versions). Also, this book has balanced the characters really well, making both Mr. Darcy and Lizzy imperfect but lovable.

The Princess and the Hound, A Favorite!

Love is not something that George thinks about. So when a neighboring kingdom offers their princess as a bride to ensure peace, he accepts. He understands that he will most likely never be able to love Princess Beatrice, because he can be honest with her. He can't tell her that he has the dreaded animal magic. Or can he confess his secret to the girl who never leaves her hound's side?

The good stuff: There are some good themes in this book, like toloerance, hope and persistance. But you can find that in many (okay, some) other books. What is really good about this book is how different it is.

The not so hot stuff: Nothing really.

Why I like it: This book has a strange writing stlye. And when you've read (or maybe you already have) as many books as I, you know that different is always going on a favorites list. Okay, I take that back. Book awards people seem to make this their policy, and poor decived people like me end up reading a buch of "different" crappy books. A certain element of moral depth and hope must also be encorporated. I wouldn't say that this book has moral depth, but it's an interesting read.

Just Listen, A Favorite!

This is a story about Anabel and her relationships (and I mean it in the broad term, not like she had bunches of boyfriends or anything). This is a story of Anabel discovering the truth about the people she knows, and herself. This also a story about Anabel and Owen, who meet over many lunches spent alone. This is a story about music.

The good stuff: Owen reaches out to Anabel when she needs it most, and he doesn't let her get away with anything less that the truth. He is committed to always telling the truth, an interesting idea! There is so much beauty in this book, it's all about building relationships that are supportive, and healing in families.

The not so hot stuff: This book addresses some issues that are serious, and aren't for the faint hearted. Eating disorders, rape, underage drinking and depression are all part of this book.

What I like about it: I can relate to Anabel, in fact, she is almost completely like me, it's scary. Her family is super similar to mine to. So every time I read this book (and it's been quite a few) I feel challenged to be the best I can be, especially in the honesty area. I know I'm always not telling the whole truth to keep the status-quo. Also, this book always has me dreaming of my own Owen (yet un-found) who is human, but is still trying to live up to his own standards. This is the perfect rainy afternoon read.

Wake

Janie (I just realised that I pretty much always start my reviews this way... oh well) is not a normal teenager. Actually, the story starts when she is eight, and is told in present tense, so she doesn't start a teenager. But back to my original point, Janie is not normal. When anyone around her sleeps, she jumps into their dreams. As you can imagine, this really sucks (haha, pun).

Even though her mother is a boozer, Janie does quite a bit of partaking herself (doesn't that sound old!) She also feels comfortable sleeping with other people, just sleeping though, thus far, there is a second book. And the requisite f-word makes it's appearance a few times. Also, Janie get sucked into peoples sex/naked at school/work dreams. Not so cool.

Janie's a pretty decent girl trying to live her life better than her mom. 'M not sure she's doing 100% on this, but it's not easy since she is completely responsible for her own life. Cable seems like a pretty nice guy, but you can never tell. I liked the direction the end was going... It was refreshing to have doing good for other people the moral of a teen story.

If you cut out all the bad stuff, I like this story. It was a fun read, and the writing style kept your mind on the story. But I can't cut out all the bad stuff, so I guess it was okay, with a good "moral" or whatever the modern equivalent of that is. Good point maybe? I should get out more often...

Beastly

Kyle is the guy who's got it all. And that sentence alone should make you realize what is going to happen in this book, yup, he's going to lose it. This modern retelling of Beauty and the Beast (my sister's favorite fairy tale) follows Kyle on his journey from the biggest jerk you can imagine (okay, not that big, but close) to discovering that he cares more about other people than himself.

Kyle starts out as a huge jerk, so you can imagine. He says horrible things to people, takes advantage of people and he's just nasty. There is also talk of someone groping someone else.

You all know the story of Beauty and the Beast, but it is even more touching to hear it from the Beast's side.

I thought this book was amazing! Not only do I love fairy tale retellings, but this book was funny and sweetly romantic. A definite must!

Dingo

Miguel works at his dad's store, which is full of old music and old comics. One day Lainey walks in, and Miguel's life will never be the same. And how lame is that? Lainey is accompanied by a dog who doesn't like Miguel. But Miguel is blinded by his instant attraction to Lainey that he is willing to go to any height to save her. From whatever.

There is some crude talk about masturbation, and the f-word gets tossed around a few times, along with other swearing.

Can't really think of anything impressive.

This author Charles DeLint was suppose to have changed the scope of fantasy writing. All I have to say is that if this is true, someone needs to change it again, because this book was really boring and predicable. And short, not that I wanted the story to go on any longer, but maybe if he had more room to expand the plot... Then again, maybe not.

Bewitching Season

Persephone Leland is a proper young lady living in soon to be Victorian England. Well she's not quite proper, there's the fact that she and her sister are witches. Taught by their long suffering governess, the two sisters are better versed in magic than manners. This may be why, when Persephone (know affectionately as Persy) is unable to speak to her child friend and tormentor Lochinvar, newly returned from the continent as a dashing young man. This is the real plot. The plot they (who ever they are) are going to try and sell you is that Persy is trying to rescue her kidnapped governess, but for as much page time as that gets, they (them again) might have just skipped it.

Persy and her sister Pen are the run of the mill witches. Not the interesting, mystical kind, but the kind that got bunches of people killed in the Salem Witch Trials. I enjoy the idea of magic, but I guess the word and idea of witches just kinda turns me off. Also Persy is just generally a dork to her sister and parents, something that really bothered me. Some (not me of course, certainly not) might consider the excessive and bad romance and 'regency' of the whole book a bad component of the book...

I guess that Persy trying to rescue her governess is noble...

I think this book is a waste of any girl's afternoon. Or evening, or morning or anytime of the day. It's just plain boring and vapid (oooh, good word). The heroine should have considered emulating her more interesting namesake instead of vacuously strutting around London.

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist

Nick's girlfriend just dumped him. Norah's boyfriend just dumped her. I sense a plot. Throw in some music, lots of crass junk, snatches of romance and lots of f-words and you've got Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist.

Lot's of swearing. It's not even educated swearing. It's like the authors thought, "This is a teen book. Teens swear. Let's use the f-word twice in every sentence and then teens can relate to this book." Not so much. Not only is it annoying and offencive, it's just plain confusing to try to figure out what everyone is saying through all the swearing and crude slang. Books aren't suppose to be just like real life, otherwise no one would read them. So then the authors deviate from the whole "let's stick to real life" thing and make Nick and Norah fall madly, passionately (aka hormonally) and (") truly (") (") in love ("). Whatever.

Well, in the morass of debauchery there is some very good romance. Nick and Norah both want what is best for the other (when they don't want to have sex). And sticking by friends is shown to be a good thing (but Norah takes it too far).

I would not recommend filling your mind with this crap. Even if there is some sweet stuff, it really isn't worth it.

A Certain Slant of Light

Helen has some issues. She is a ghost that has been living passively for more than a hundred years, following the lives of her hosts (whom she doesn't actually posses, they're just kinda like anchors that keep her here). One day as she is hanging around one of her host's classes she feels someone watching her. But she's invisible, right?

I'm going to have to give away the plot to tell you just how many things are wrong in this book. So she's a ghost, I can deal with that. But she thinks it is just fine to take over someonelse's body, since they're leaving it pretty much empty. That sounds like a good idea, NOT! And as soon as she gets this fifteen year old body the first thing she does is have sex with her love in the school theater. The body she has taken over belongs to a girl whoes parents are Christian fanatics. That's realistic, NOT! Then she completely defies them. Then (there are alot of those in this review) she kills herself just so she can be with her love. This seems to be a good way to deal with losing someone, NOT! Deep breath.

Hmmm, love?

I didn't really like this book, actually. It was more than just awful, the writing so patchy that it was hard to read. I'm okay with books being a little hazy just to preserve the mystery, but she took it overboard. As she did in many areas.

Heir to Sevenwaters

Clodagh (which is pronounced better than it looks) is the willful daughter of Sean of Sevenwaters. Enjoying a visit from her cousin (and more specifically, one of his men), she is plagued by the presence of Cathal, who is rude and annoying. Before the end, though, they must embark on a journey were their non-existent bond will be cemented and tested. Of course.

Things get a little racy between Clodagh and Cathal, but nothing really. As usual, the fairy-folk are the gods in this book, but they're so imperfect...

Hmmm, true love, honesty, self sacrifce are all involved, but not to a great degree. Clodagh gives everything up for what is importent to her.

I like this book, it wasn't great, but it was fine. I wish her stuff would stop being so task based (except Daughter of Sevenwaters, that was amazing). I feel like I'm reading one of those impossible fairytales, which are good in their place, but you never relate to the characters. But the cover is beautiful...

Graceling

Kasta has the grace of killing. Funny that the word grace is used, because it feels more like a curse to her. She is used by her uncle to get rid of or persuade enemies to capitulate to his laws (most of which involve him receiving lots of money). Until Kasta meets the charismatic Prince Po, she can't see anything new for her life. But he changes everything. But can she trust him? Mwhahahahaha (evil laugh).

Well, watch out for my minor spoiler, but Kasta and Po have sex. Not that I'm really against that... Do you really want to hear my sex sermon? Of course you do! What I think is that getting married before having sex is a good idea, because marriage is a symbolic commitment that every lover should have. But if you want to do with out marriage, fine by me, you should still be committed though. This maybe hopelessly old fashioned, but it will save me some heart ache. So what bothers me about Kasta and Po is that Kasta doesn't think she can trust Po with her freedom, and if you can't trust him, how can you love him?

Kasta is a really good character and so is Po. But let's start with Kasta. She is really committed to things, when she gets going there isn't anything that's going to stop her, and most often she is fighting for someone else. She is willing to risk life and limb (literally) for people she doesn't even know. Po is great because he is completely there for the people he cares about. He is willing to put other people first in his life, without losing his sense of self. He cares enough to put aside what he wants to give them what they need.

So, long enough review you think? But I really liked this book. It had some issues, but it was well written (though definitely a debut novel) and interesting. I would recommend it, it reminded me of the Heir Books, which is always a good thing.

Cybele's Secret

Paula and her father are travelling to Istanbul to investigate the existence of a ancient artifact, a statue of the goddess Cybele (hence the name of the book, which I keep forgetting and thinking it is the name of the main character... silly me). The mission becomes personal when Paula is visited by her sister, who lives in the otherworld.

Duarte is a pirate, as much as he likes to deny it. Cyblele's sect is kinda creepy actually (if I were Paula, I would have left it be!). As in all of Juliet Marillier's books, the otherworld is the accepted mystical force(s).

Paula seems to really respect her dad (I don't know why this is such a big deal for me, perhaps because I get along well with my mom, and yet everyone else seems to think parents are the worst). Her guard is also very dedicated to her well being, and genuinely cares about her. Also the bond beween sisters is really strong.

I thought this was an interesting read, but I didn't really like Paula that much, she just seemed to be too careless and unemotional. But it wasn't a bad book, just not as good as Juliet Marillier's other books.

Impossible

Lucy is, well actually her character doesn't have that much time to develop before we jump right in. But her mom is crazy, her adoptive parents are wonderful and so is her friend for forever. She's got everything going for her to break the curse that needs breaking, before she goes crazy too.

Character is raped. Maybe some swearing... Can't remember.

I thought the support and love Lucy gets is really the only good part about this book. Her whole family helps her out. It's pretty sweet.

Ahhhhhhhh, this was such a boring book. I was continually being surprised by how perfect everything worked out for Lucy. I mean, one bad thing happens (which Lucy seems to be able to just brush off, like I do lint) and the rest of the book is just one long saga of how everything goes well. Even when they were sloving the curse it was boring... and since that was the point of the book, I'd just skip this one.

Avalon High

So, I've kinda been a snob, because I disdained books by Meg Cabot after trying The Princess Diaries and disliking it. But this title caught my attention (I have a weakness for King Arthur) so I picked it up (along with Airhead, more on that later). This got me started on a big Meg Cabot streak, so watch out. Anyway, Ellie is the daughter of two proffessors on sabatical for a year. Consequently she starts attenting Avalon High and mets A. Will, Lance, Jennifer and Will's brother Marco. You figure out the rest.

Hmmm... Mystical stuff, if that is a bad thing.

Yay! (I just learned how to spell that) Lots of wonderful things, like loyalty, being yourself, breaking free (no singing) and fighting for your destiny. Also the parents seem pretty cool (hers at least).

This is totally my favorite Meg Cabot so far. The story was witty, fast paced and also had room to be reverent towards the mystical side of the Arthur legend. I really liked it!

4 Breaking Dawn

This is the last book following Bella's journey from normal human to possibly vampire? I can't really say much more than that; you don't want me to give away what happens (even though I pretty sure everyone knows).

Other than being a boring book, this book celebrates the insensitivity that comes with being a vampire. Disemboweling people is just part of the job, it seems. There is a lot of talk about Bella and Edward's (momentarily forgot his name) sex life, so if this bothers you...

Well, um, Edward is really committed to Bella for better or worse...?

BORING! The third book was so good because Edward was so completely committed to Bella's well being. It was also almost ruined because of Bella's consistent insensitivity and stubborn stupidity. In this book Edward fades into the background in favor of Bella, so the book is an emotional, illogical mess.

3 Eclipse

The last book left me yelling "MARRY HIM YOU IDIOT" (sorry to those who haven't read it and whom I just ruined it for) and wondering if I should even read the third book. Thankfully I had already ordered it and so I let it be. Because this is the best Twilight book.

It's the usual. And Bella is even more insistent the her and Edward have sex (you would think she only liked him because of his body...Probably true, that and he can make her a vapire) Lots of killing of bad guys by good guys (good thing?), and humans by vampires. Kinda disturbing that their best solution is death.

Okay, I'm not 'in love' with Edward, but he really is the best character. He shines (hehehe) in this story with selflessness and true love for Bella.

So I liked this story the best because it was about the stuff I find most interesting. Human relationships and how they change over time and with stress. I really loved Edward's and Bella's reaction to the troubles they face together. They are both so determined to stay together forever. If that's a good thing or not, they don't seem to care.

2 New Moon

So everything isn't perfect for the star crossed (what does that mean?) lovers Bella and Edward. In fact, things are so not good that Edward decides that Bella is really better off without him. Edward desperately doesn't want to leave, but he's so dangerous. Bella goes off the deep end.

Well, the book is kinda about blood sucking vampires, if that bothers you. Kinda the sames stuff as last book. And Bella lies to her dad a lot about just about everything. And she just can't function without Edward, LAME!

Ummmm, Jacob is a good friend. Edward is just trying to do the right thing.

I really didn't like this book, it was just a long book full of nonsense. It was way too long, like wading through pitch. There really isn't a story without Edward. He is totally the best character, and since Bella is his opposite, she really ruins the books. Which is too bad, because she's the one we're suppose to be rooting for...

1 Twilight

Sooooo, disconnected teenager that I am, I just read Twilight. Anyway, Bella is just trying to keep her life on track in a world that seems to try and force her off. Then she meets Edward (sad, but I had to think for a second) and she falls in love with the beautiful, yet odd, ummm, guy.

So, as most of you probably know Edward and his 'family' are vampires, they just live off of animal blood. So if you think vampires are the root of all evil (like my mom), don't read this book; there are better ones out there. There is some swearing... And Bella seems kinda obsessed with sex...

Really Edward is the best thing about this book. He's actually a good guy, a real gentleman. When Bella gets out of control, he's there to bring things back. And he genuinely cares about her. That's why a billion girls love these books.

I thought this book was fine, a romantic one time read. But it's completely overshadowed by the third book.