Gold Star Review - The Elite

The Elite 
by Kiera Cass
The Selection, book two

In America Singer’s world, a bride is chosen for the prince through an elaborate televised competition. In the second book of the Selection series, America is one of only six girls left in the running. But is it Prince Maxon—and life as the queen—she wants? Or is it Aspen, her first love? (Description from Amazon.com)

I have to admit that I was equal parts extremely excited and extremely nervous for this book. I really loved The Selection, a lot more than I had anticipated I would...it was a fast, easy read that drew me right in... (You can read my review here) I could not wait for the sequel, but I was terrified of "middle book syndrome, " you know, the middle book in a trilogy that really serves no purpose...the one that should just have never existed because the "trilogy" would have been better as a duet?  I was especially scared about this one because I knew it was going to focus so heavily on the romantic triangle in America's life.

I was so HAPPY when I read this book.  Yes, it focuses on the romantic issues, but it does so openly, honestly, without pretending to do anything else...AND, though I'm still a HUGE fan of Prince Maxon, I found myself wavering into Aspen's camp from time to time.  That *never* happens to me.  That means that Kiera Cass has basically written the MOST CONVINCING ROMANTIC TRIANGLE I think I've read to this point.  Super KUDOS to that... and a GOLD STAR!

Besides the romance and the interactions between the girls, which I continue to find fascinating (it's like watching ANTM, you know at some point there's going to be cat fights...they can't help it!), there was actually a lot more revealed about the politics and origin of America's world.  I loved how Cass revealed things through America's own education and felt that the world was really starting to come into focus around her.  I cannot wait to see how America faces the political prospects that face her in the next book...it should be *very* interesting... 

Full disclosure: Borrowed from my Library 

Winner - Vanish Swag

Okay, so I totally dropped the ball on this one and got caught up in family stuff and forgot to announce the VANISH SWAG giveaway winner!

So, very belatedly...

I am pleased to announce that the winner of the Team Draki Vanish Swag giveaway (via random drawing at random.org) is...

Read2Read!!

Read2Read, check your email...you have until Saturday, September 10th to contact me with your mailing address so I can send the swag out to you ASAP. Congratulations again!

Sirensong

Sirensong
by Jenna Black
Faeriewalker, book three

When Dana is invited to Faerie to be officially presented at the Seelie Court, it’s no easy decision. After all, everyone knows Titania, the Seelie Queen, wants her dead. But Titania claims not to be the one behind the death threats; and her son, Prince Henry, makes the decision a whole lot easier when he suggests Dana might be arrested for (supposedly) conspiring with her aunt Grace to usurp the Seelie throne. So she and her father better do as they're told . . .

The journey through Faerie is long—and treacherous. Dana thought it would be a good idea to have friends along, but her sort-of-boyfriend, Ethan, and her bodyguard’s son, Keane, just can’t seem to get along, and Kimber’s crush on Keane isn’t making things any easier. When a violent attack separates Dana from their caravan, the sexy Erlking saves her just in the nick of time . . . and makes it clear that he hasn’t given up on making her his own.

Arriving at Titania’s beautiful palace should be a relief. But Dana is soon implicated in an assassination attempt against Titania’s granddaughter, and is suddenly a fugitive, forced to leave her father behind as she and her friends flee for their lives. Will she be able to prove her innocence before the forces of the Seelie Court—or, worse, the Erlking—catch up with her? And will she save her father before he pays the ultimate price in her stead? (description from Amazon.com)

In this third book in the series, Dana actually ventures into the world of Faerie. Having seen what her faeriewalker powers can do in Avalon, I was really excited to see what they were like in Faerie. I was not disappointed.

I loved getting to see the court politics amongst the Fae. The formal dinners, the posturing, the attempted assassinations... Then there is the smaller version of this amongst just the family and friends that Dana has in Avalon! Her father, who is quietly demonstrative and a little overprotective. Her protectors, Finn, and his arrogant son, Keane. Of course there is also her best friend, Kimber, and her fantastically hot brother, Ethan.

Oh. Did I mention the Erlking? He is one of my all time favorite "bad boys." A man who makes no bones about what he wants to do (hunt people down), has no shame about forcing others to do his will, and yet, seems strangely compelled to protect Dana. I love to read the Erlking's interactions with Dana.

With danger, intrigue, magic, and lusty moments, this series is vastly entertaining. I cannot wait to find out what happens next!

The Demon Trapper's Daughter

The Demon Trapper's Daughter
by Jana Oliver
Demon Trappers, book one

Riley Blackthorne just needs a chance to prove herself – and that’s exactly what the demons are counting on…

Seventeen-year-old Riley, the only daughter of legendary Demon Trapper, Paul Blackthorne, has always dreamed of following in her father's footsteps. The good news is, with human society seriously disrupted by economic upheaval and Lucifer increasing the number of demons in all major cities, Atlanta’s local Trappers’ Guild needs all the help they can get – even from a girl. When she’s not keeping up with her homework or trying to manage her growing crush on fellow apprentice, Simon, Riley’s out saving distressed citizens from foul-mouthed little devils – Grade One Hellspawn only, of course, per the strict rules of the Guild. Life’s about as normal as can be for the average demon-trapping teen.

But then a Grade Five Geo-Fiend crashes Riley’s routine assignment at a library, jeopardizing her life and her chosen livelihood. And, as if that wasn’t bad enough, sudden tragedy strikes the Trappers’ Guild, spinning Riley down a more dangerous path than she ever could have imagined. As her whole world crashes down around her, who can Riley trust with her heart – and her life? (description from Amazon.com)

I got totally sucked into this world. The concept of a world where demons come out into the open and are hunted or trapped was just cool. I loved every time a new detail was added, helping to layer the complexities of the Demon Trappers world. With so many different types of demons and ways to combat them, I was never bored or able to predict how fights would go...

Riley was a great character, too. So easy to root for! With a famous father to follow and being the only girl in her Trappers' Guild, the odds are slightly stacked against her. Yet, Riley's allies are wonderful and willing to put things on the line for her. I loved seeing how all of the relationships around her developed. (Yes, I do have to admit to some, "Come on, come on, can't you see how he really feels about you??" moments, too!)

Though Oliver's writing read a little slower for me than some other authors, I never once wanted to put the book down. In fact, I'm really impatiently waiting for book two, Soul Thief to come out on August 30th!!

A Beautiful Dark

A Beautiful Dark
by Jocelyn Davies

Skye never questioned the story of her life. Her Aunt Jo adopted her after the death of her parents when she was just a child, and together they flip through memories the way some people flip through photo albums.

She never questioned if the stories were true.

Until the night of her 17th birthday, when the arrival of two strangers intrudes on her cozy life. Polar opposites, like fire and ice, Asher is dark and wild, while Devin is fair, cold, and aloof. Skye has no idea what they want—only that their presence coincides with the beginning of some shockingly strange events. Events that Skye, if she dares to think it, might be responsible for causing.

High up in the mountains of Boulder, Colorado, Skye finds herself caught in the middle of an ancient battle, one that began untold millennia ago. Torn between unpredictable Asher, whom she loves, and the infuriating Devin, who she can’t stay away from, her fate is murky as a starless night. And as the secrets of her true identity are revealed, Skye realizes that her destiny may reside in the Heavens—or somewhere darker. (description from the "Elevensies" website)

Angel books can be really hit or miss for me. Jocelyn Davies' debut is a spot on WINNER. I loved it. It has a very similar feel to Lauren Kate's Fallen, but only in the way it reads. A Beautiful Dark has its own unique "angel" mythology.

I loved Skye, Asher, and Devlin. There were sparks amongst them all, both figuratively and in actuality! What I really liked, though, was that there was a reason for the presented romantic triangle. It wasn't just that Skye was so quirky and thereby desirable that no boy could stay away from her. The time was spent on purpose first and the feelings came (well a little bit, anyway) later.

I was thoroughly intrigued by the mythology in this book. While I have heard similar ones before, it was particularly well presented and the follow-through of where the story took the mythology was amazing. I cannot wait for the next book, in what I'm assuming, no...desperately hoping is a series. There was quite a cliffhanger...

2011 Debut Author Challenge title

Smokin' Seventeen

Smokin' Seventeen
by Janet Evanovich
Stephanie Plum, book seventeen
(*not counting the in-between novels)

Dead bodies are showing up in shallow graves on the empty construction lot of Vincent Plum Bail Bonds. No one is sure who the killer is, or why the victims have been offed, but what is clear is that Stephanie’s name is on the killer’s list.

Short on time to find evidence proving the killer’s identity, Stephanie faces further complications when her family and friends decide that it’s time for her to choose between her longtime off-again-on-again boyfriend, Trenton cop Joe Morelli, and the bad boy in her life, security expert Ranger. Stephanie’s mom is encouraging Stephanie to dump them both and choose a former high school football star who’s just returned to town. Stephanie’s sidekick, Lula, is encouraging Stephanie to have a red-hot boudoir “bake-off.” And Grandma Bella, Morelli’s old-world grandmother, is encouraging Stephanie to move to a new state when she puts “the eye” on Stephanie.

With a cold-blooded killer after her, a handful of hot men, and a capture list that includes a dancing bear and a senior citizen vampire, Stephanie’s life looks like it’s about to go up in smoke. (description from Amazon.com)

OMG. How do I love this series? Let me count the ways!

1. Stephanie is both incompetent and surprisingly good at her job...
2. Ranger
3. Morelli
4. Lula...her crazy diets, her crazier wardrobe, and her propensity for shooting at suspects
5. Grandma Mazur...who doesn't love a "cute" little old grandma that carries a giant gun in her purse and wreaks havoc at funeral homes for fun?
6. Mooner...stoner extraordinaire
7. Stephanie's love of food...which will overcome the most extreme circumstances!
8. Bulgari body wash (Ummm...and the man who uses it...did I mention him already? Oh I did. Well...*sigh*)
9. Connie...the "connected" woman behind the scenes at the bail bonds office
10. Just to round things out --> RANGER. *omg*

These books make me snarf out loud! Every single time. I love poor Stephanie's propensity for blowing up cars, accidentally catching bad guys, and her understandable trouble choosing between two HOTT guys that want to be with her...

This particular volume caused me to laugh out loud so hard that I cried...within the first 50 pages! It doesn't get better than that. Let's just say that the perps Stephanie has to round up in this book are definitely hilarous (including a senior who thinks he's a vampire). The relationship drama heats up again...and I for one, LOVED it. The best part, though, is how even with all of the guy drama in Stephanie's life, she still knows that her girls mean more...the girlpower ending made me grin!

The Iron Witch

The Iron Witch
by Karen Mahoney
The Iron Witch, book one

When she was seven, a horrific fey attack killed Donna Underwood’s father and drove her mother mad. Her own nearly fatal injuries were fixed by alchemy—the iron tattoos branding her hands and arms. Now seventeen, Donna feels like a freak, doomed by the magical heritage that destroyed her parents and any chance she had for a normal life. Only her relationship with her best friend, Navin, is keeping her sane.

But when vicious wood elves abduct Navin, Donna is forced to accept her role in the centuries-old war between human alchemists and these darkest outcasts of Faerie. Assisted by Xan, a gorgeous guy with faery blood running through his veins and secrets of his own, Donna races to save Navin—even if it means betraying everything her parents fought to the death to protect. (description taken from Amazon.com)

I think when I read this book I may have been in a funky mood. There were parts I really loved, but I just couldn't get into it. I've heard such great things...every review I've read has been good, so I think I may just have been overloaded on this type of book...

Anyway, what I liked:
*The awesome way that the alchemists repaired Donna's arms by infusing them with iron. Everytime I pictured the silver swirls on her arms, all I could think was AWESOME!
*The boys. Both of them. I liked Xan and his revealed secret about having fairy blood and I liked Navin, Donna's "normal" friend. PS - Did I mention that he's Indian...very cool!
*Alchemy. I've always been fascinated with it...and I love how it was mixed with magic in this story.

*Sigh* I really did like a lot of the elements of this story! I'll have to make sure to read the second book in the series, The Wood Queen, to see if it really just was that I was in a funky mood when I read this one...