A Dark and Creepy Comparison - Here There Are Monsters vs. Never-Contented Things

How frustrating is it when you go into a book with high expectations and then find yourself utterly disappointed? How amazing is it when you start a book not really hoping to enjoy it and then find yourself immediately sucked in?

I had both of those experiences in the last few months and with two books that were seemingly similar and so I thought it would be fun to compare them.

Never-Contented Things
by Sarah Porter

The first book was Never-Contented Things by Sarah Porter. (Borrowed from my Local Library)

Prince and his fairy courtiers are staggeringly beautiful, unrelentingly cruel, and exhausted by the tedium of the centuries ― until they meet foster-siblings Josh and Ksenia. Drawn in by their vivid emotions, undying love for each other, and passion for life, Prince will stop at nothing to possess them.

First seduced and then entrapped by the fairies, Josh and Ksenia learn that the fairies' otherworldly gifts come at a terrible price ― and they must risk everything in order to reclaim their freedom.

I read this one back in April and marked it as a 2 star read.  I have to admit that I got sucked in by the premise and the stunningly creepy cover. I love dark fae stories so I thought this was going to be right up my alley... and it should have been.  All the elements were there.  Creepy, mean fae.  Humans making sacrifices to save themselves and each other. Walking between the realms.  BUT... although I loved the premise, something about the execution just didn't work for me.  Neither main character was totally likeable (in fact Josh was downright aggravating) but that can work if done well (think The Cruel Prince by Holly Black) and the Fae weren't very well fleshed out.  I was way more interested in the introspective journey Ksenia has to take that is largely self-directed, than the "punishments" or cruelties of the fae. I found myself anxious for the book to just BE OVER about two-thirds of the way through, and I powered through to the end since it was a shorter novel, but I didn't even find the end totally satisfying.  I'd had high hopes for this one and sadly the reality fell very short. 

Here There are Monsters
by Amelinda Berube

Book two was Here There Are Monsters by Amelinda Berube. (ARC received from Sourcebooks after the Book Expo - publishes on August 1, 2019)

I devoured this one last night.  I sat down to read at about 7:30 p.m. and finished it just before 10:30 p.m. A one-sitting read! I gave this book a 4.5 star rating.

Sixteen-year-old Skye is done playing the knight in shining armor for her insufferable younger sister, Deirdre. Moving across the country seems like the perfect chance to start over.

In their isolated new neighborhood, Skye manages to fit in, but Deirdre withdraws from everyone, becoming fixated on the swampy woods behind their house and building monstrous sculptures out of sticks and bones.

Then Deirdre disappears. And when something awful comes scratching at Skye's window in the middle of the night, claiming she's the only one who can save Deirdre, Skye knows she will stop at nothing to bring her sister home.

Now, this, THIS is what I'd been hoping for with the first book! This book held my attention from start to finish. It doled out backstory in dribs and drabs... just enough to keep whetting my appetite to read.  I felt sympathy for both Skye and Deirdre...until I didn't... and even then, I could feel how trapped they both felt.  This book explored their relationship to each other and everyone else in a brilliant way.  And this dark fantasy had the perfect blend of goose-bump inducing setting and creepy creatures that made me shiver.  

There was a gritty realism that I felt was missing in the first book, possibly because this one takes place in our world, while the other skips into a blend of ours and the fae, without truly committing to either.  The resolution of Here There Are Monsters left me slightly heartbroken and perfectly satisfied which was exactly what I'd hoped for as the book went on.  I hadn't been sure what to expect after reading the other book, and this type of slightly "horror" novel isn't my usual fare, but I really, truly enjoyed this book and I know I'll be recommending it to others in the future!! 

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
The Folk of the Air, book one
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2018
ARC owned in personal collection from BEA 2017

Of course I want to be like them. They’re beautiful as blades forged in some divine fire. They will live forever.

And Cardan is even more beautiful than the rest. I hate him more than all the others. I hate him so much that sometimes when I look at him, I can hardly breathe.

Oh, how do I love my dark faeries. And no one does dark faeries quite as well as Holly Black.

For about six months this book was lost in a pile of books I'd gotten at the Book Expo. Just lingering on the floor in my "library room" forgotten. I cannot believe it took until the book was actually published for me to remember exactly how excited I was that Holly Black was going back to writing the dark fae that I LOVED so much in her earliest books!! (If you haven't read her Modern Faerie Tales series, start with Tithe)

After so much hype online in the last few months as bookstagrammers have been absolutely lauding this book I finally convinced myself that since I owned the ARC I was not stepping outside of my reading challenge parameters and allowed myself to dive in. *happy sigh*

Jude is the type of strong/fragile female character I love the most. She is weak, technically, in the land of the Fae. She recognizes her weakness and works to overcome it in whatever ways she possibly can, using all of the tools - smarts, manipulations, physical strength - that she can pull into her arsenal. AND SHE LARGELY SUCCEEDS. Seeing a character who has tremendous odds to overcome gain even the smallest victories just makes my heart sing. And Holly Black is a master at weaving from a scene where she is bullied and made small right into one where she outmaneuvers whatever foe she faces just then.

I cannot wait for the second book, The Wicked King, due out in 2019.
Recommended for readers who like dark fantasy and especially dark fae.

Gold Star Review: The Falconer

The Falconer 
by Elizabeth May
Falconer series, book one

Lady Aileana Kameron, the only daughter of the Marquess of Douglas, was destined for a life carefully planned around Edinburgh’s social events – right up until a faery killed her mother.

Now it’s the 1844 winter season and Aileana slaughters faeries in secret, in between the endless round of parties, tea and balls. Armed with modified percussion pistols and explosives, she sheds her aristocratic facade every night to go hunting. She’s determined to track down the faery who murdered her mother, and to destroy any who prey on humans in the city’s many dark alleyways.

But the balance between high society and her private war is a delicate one, and as the fae infiltrate the ballroom and Aileana’s father returns home, she has decisions to make. How much is she willing to lose – and just how far will Aileana go for revenge? (Description from Goodreads.com) 

This book gripped me from page one and never let go.  It's action-packed with a good side of "feels."  Exactly the type of book that I love most - steampunk with dark faeries and a little romance.  The best thing is that this book reads like a great historical fiction, with just elements of steampunk to give May's world atmosphere without being overwhelming.  

The main character, Aileana, is a great heroine.  One who can act the part she's supposed to play while still being true to herself.  At first, she wants to deny both parts of herself, embracing neither, but then she realizes that she has to acknowledge both what is expected of her and what she wants and NEEDS for herself. She will not let anyone, not even the men who seem to want the best for her, stand in her way.  Spunky through to the end.  

Dark faeries.  Oh how I love dark faeries.  There are some great ones in this book.  Beautiful and destructive.  Bold and dangerous.  Looking to destroy the world.  

I *CANNOT* wait until book two comes out.  Definitely worth a big 'ol GOLD STAR. 

Full disclosure: Borrowed from my Library 

The Immortal Circus

The Immortal Circus

by A.R. Kahler

 

Murdered contortionists aren’t exactly what Vivienne signed up for when she ran away to join the circus. But like most things under the big top, nothing is what it seems. With a past she can't quite remember, Vivienne finds that running away forever might not be as appealing as it once sounded—because forever means something quite different at the Cirque des Immortels.

Aided by her friends Kingston—a feisty stage magician whose magic is quickly stealing her heart—and his sarcastic assistant Melody, Vivienne finds herself racing against the clock to discover the culprit behind a series of deaths that should be impossible. However, the answer she seeks might reveal more about her own bloody past—and future—than she bargains for.


The show's just beginning.


Step right up... (description from Amazon.com)

Wow. This was my first experience getting a Kindle "serial," and it was actually pretty cool. I paid a one-time purchase price for this ebook and then had five segments delivered to my Kindle App automatically as they were released.  They were two weeks apart and it was sort of like waiting to see the next episode in your favorite TV show... the sense of anticipation definitely kept me hanging, ready to devour the next part of Viv's story.

Fans of Laurell K. Hamilton will devour this book.  It is the same dark, decadent, and dangerous type of world.  Secrets and dark twists lingered around every corner.  Though I'm not always a fan of amnesia stories, here it really worked because it was tied into Vivienne's contract with the circus and as the story unfolded more and more was revealed until we realize we don't really know Vivienne at all. 

If you like dark, twisted stories, check out this title.  I'm really hoping that a sequel is in the works!

Full disclosure: Serial ebook purchased for my Kindle App

What's On My Hold List?

 

Welcome to the September 2012 edition

of

"What's on My Hold List?"

 

One of the most beautiful things about working in a Library is that I have the ability to put lots of things on hold and read them *before* I buy!! These are some of the books that I'm currently waiting for, though I may buy one or two of them after reading, as well.

Blackwood

by Gwenda Bond

 

 

The Crown of Embers

by Rae Carson

sequel to The Girl of Fire and Thorns

 

 

Delusion in Death

by J.D. Robb

In Death series, book 44

 

Fever Moon: the graphic novel

by Karen Marie Moning

 

Hidden

by Sophie Jordan

Firelight, book three





The Mark of Athena

by Rick Riordan

The Heroes of Olympus, book three

 

Two Weeks' Notice

by Rachel Caine

The Revivalist, book two

 

 

You can click on each title to go to their Amazon page for a description...

 

So, these are the books I'm waiting anxiously to get my hands on...what are you waiting for??



Tempestuous

Tempestuous
by Lesley Livingston
Wondrous Strange, book three

"I don't love Sonny Flannery."

That's the lie Kelley Winslow told to protect the boy she loves from a power he doesn't know he possesses. Devastated, Sonny retreats—to a haven for Lost Fae that's hidden deep underneath New York City.

But Kelley's not about to let things end in heartbreak. To get Sonny back, she's got to find out who's after his magick—and how to use her own. She's got to uncover who's recruiting Janus Guards to murderously hunt innocent Faerie. She's got to help rebuild the shattered theater company she called family. And she's got to do it all without getting dangerously distracted by the Fennrys Wolf, whose legendary heart of stone seems to melt whenever he's around Kelley. (description taken from Amazon.com)

What a great ending to the series. Besides having breathtaking covers (all three of them...I could just drool over them all day...), I love the complexities of the characters, the multilayered twists and turns of the plot, and the multitude of Shakespearean references!

It's been awhile since I read Darklight - probably the day it came out - and I had worried that I would have some issues remembering all that had happened, but Livingston does an excellent job bringing readers up to speed in a very lighthanded way. In fact, she sets up the plot so well that I was a little worried that the plot would not wrap up to my satisfaction before the end of the book and I knew that this was the end...

Livingston not only wrapped everything up...she did it well, with style, and even though I am totally satisfied as a reader, I would most definitely pick up another Wondrous Strange book if ever one appeared on the shelves!!

I don't want to give any spoilers away so I won't give too many details, but the persons who released the gates between the realms, allowing the Fae to enter the mortal world, are revealed. Their dastardly plot seems to be impossible to foil, but Kelley, Sonny, Fenn and their friends all find out exactly what they are made of and what sacrifices they are willing to make for each other and the world. Interesting, heartbreaking, and loyal decisions are made...friendships are forged and broken...love is lost, mended, and born.

Loved it!

Shadowfever

Shadowfever
by Karen Marie Moning
Fever series, book five

“Evil is a completely different creature, Mac. Evil is bad that believes it’s good.”

MacKayla Lane was just a child when she and her sister, Alina, were given up for adoption and banished from Ireland forever.

Twenty years later, Alina is dead and Mac has returned to the country that expelled them to hunt her sister’s murderer. But after discovering that she descends from a bloodline both gifted and cursed, Mac is plunged into a secret history: an ancient conflict between humans and immortals who have lived concealed among us for thousands of years.

What follows is a shocking chain of events with devastating consequences, and now Mac struggles to cope with grief while continuing her mission to acquire and control the Sinsar Dubh—a book of dark, forbidden magic scribed by the mythical Unseelie King, containing the power to create and destroy worlds.

In an epic battle between humans and Fae, the hunter becomes the hunted when the Sinsar Dubh turns on Mac and begins mowing a deadly path through those she loves. Who can she turn to? Who can she trust? Who is the woman haunting her dreams? More important, who is Mac herself and what is the destiny she glimpses in the black and crimson designs of an ancient tarot card?

From the luxury of the Lord Master’s penthouse to the sordid depths of an Unseelie nightclub, from the erotic bed of her lover to the terrifying bed of the Unseelie King, Mac’s journey will force her to face the truth of her exile, and to make a choice that will either save the world . . . or destroy it. (description taken from Amazon.com)

Whew. Let me first say that this was a LOT of book. I think that Moning could possibly have split this book in two with just a little tweaking...though I probably would not have wanted to wait for the final chapters!

Second. Let me say that if you haven't read Moning's previous Highlander series, this book will make you want to go and check them out. The Keltar clan gets quite a bit involved in this final book and all that hot testosterone running around is definitely causing me to check my book schedule to see when I can fit some re-reads in!

Okay. On to the meaty stuff (no pun intended...ugh...unseelie flesh. *shudders*) Anyway, I'm going to try not to get all spoiler-y on you and be kind of generically pleased...
I was very happy when Mac finally faces her fears - all of them, mortal, self doubts, and yes! romantic - and a new world opens up for her. I was devastated when the partial truth came out that someone very close to Mac had been indirectly responsible for Alina's death. I was smiling at odd moments when touches of humanity were remembered...a birthday party, a special sign...My heart broke a little for everyone who had lost someone near and dear to them.

This was a book full of emotions. Good, bad, confusing, gutwrenching...
Every time I thought I had a grip on things, that I knew, finally knew what was going on, Moning threw me for another loop.

Overall I was pleased...and sad to see this series end. I'm hoping that the way this book ended, though, we'll be seeing another related series start up shortly...

2011 Shifter Challenge title

Shadow Grail:Legacies

Legacies
by MercedesLackey and Rosemary Edghill
Shadow Grail, book one

Who—or what—is stalking the students at Oakhurst Academy?

In the wake of the accident that killed her family, Spirit White is spirited away to Oakhurst Academy, a combination school and orphanage in the middle of Montana. There she learns she is a legacy—not only to the school, which her parents also attended, but to magic.

All the students at Oakhurst have magical powers, and although Spirit’s hasn’t manifested itself yet, the administrators insist she has one. Spirit isn’t sure she cares. Devastated by the loss of her family, she finds comfort with a group of friends: Burke Hallows, Lachlann Spears, Muirin Shae, and Adelaide Lake.

But something strange is going on at Oakhurst. Students start disappearing under mysterious circumstances, and the school seems to be trying to cover it up. Spirit and her friends must find out what’s happening—before one of them becomes the next victim… (description taken from Amazon.com)

I think this is a good start to an interesting new series. I really loved the first half of the book. The setup, describing Oakhurst Academy, introducing the magic and the teens, was really well done and intriguing. Spirit is a good character...spunky, yet unsure of herself in the new situation and without visible magic like the others. I loved her relationships with the other teens in her group.

My only complaint about this book was that when the revelation comes about what is happening to the disappearing students, the problem is addressed and "solved" almost too quickly. I felt like that part of the book could have been slightly more fleshed out.

I am definitely looking forward to reading the second book in the series, Conspiracies, though, and trying to figure out what type of magic Spirit has...

In My Mailbox - January 23, 2011

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme, hosted by Kristi at the Story Siren, inspired by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie. Every week bloggers can share what they received in the mail or at the bookstore or at the library. The goal is that everyone can be exposed to more books this way!

For Review:


Lips Touch: Three Times by Laini Taylor
Unearthly by Cynthia Hand
Three Quarters Dead by Richard Peck


From the Library:


Tempestuous by Lesley Livingston
Shadowfever by Karen Marie Moning


On My Nook:


The Healer's Apprentice by Melanie Dickerson
The Thirteenth Chime by Emma Michaels

How the Male BF always gets overlooked...or my review of The Iron King

The Iron King
by Julie Kagawa

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. (description taken from Amazon.com)

Okay. I cannot believe that it took me this long to pick up this book... With my love of dark fae books and fantasy in general, I should have known that I would love this book. However, I think that this series felt the same way for me that The Hunger Games trilogy did for a lot of people right before Mockingjay came out. I'd heard so much buzz that I kind of kept saying, "I don't want to read this just because everyone else has...I want to find my own books."

*Sigh* I should know better!! Almost all of the bloggers I follow are into the same type of books that I am and I trust their opinions. I was just being way too stubborn with this one...I put the second book on hold at the Library the moment, literally the moment that I put The Iron King down. I loved it.

Now on to the real discussion...

I really enjoyed the combination of modern technology and fae culture in this series. The Iron Fey is a fascinating concept that I'm surprised had not been come up with sooner...the blending of ancient faerie mythology and modern culture was just incredible.

Now. I'm all for a girl meeting a guy and falling in love, but it just broke my heart in this book that Meghan cannot see the wonderful thing she already had going...

In my opinion, Male Best Friends get overlooked WAY too often in books and movies. Perfect example...in Dirty Dancing, Baby chooses to go with the flashy dance instructor instead of the funny guy friend that is willing to carry watermelons for her! He was cute, totally into her, and yes, I suppose less exciting, but way more reliable!!

*Spoilers Ahead!!*
In The Iron King, Puck literally watches over Meghan for years. He is her bodyguard, her friend, her confidante... but the moment that Meghan sees Ash, Puck becomes a second class friend. It's obvious that Puck has real feelings for Meghan, she starts to realize it, and just passes him right by.

It nearly broke my heart on page 248 when Puck says,
"I would have gotten you there!" Puck roared. "Me! You don't need his help!Don't you trust me to keep you safe? I would've given everything for you. Why didn't you think I'd be enough?"

I mean, you could feel his pain....his betrayal...
I just wanted to reach out and shake Meghan.

*End Spoilers*

I have to say that my husband was one of those Male Best Friends and choosing to date him was one of the best decisions of my life. I always want to shout to characters - "Look! Look at _____! He's right there...give him a chance."

Okay. That's the end of my rant. Anyway, though I had that problem with the romance, I really loved this book. If you, like me, kept putting this one off...STOP! Go out and read it. NOW. :)