W..W..W.. Wednesdays #17

W.W.W Wednesdays is a weekly event bought to you by MizB from Should Be Reading 

It's Wednesday and that means its time to let the world know what I've been reading. When I say the world, I mean this tiny corner of the internet that I call my blog. Hope everyone is having a good week.

What are you currently reading?

At the moment I am currently reading Champion by Marie Lu. I've barely scratched the surface with this but it's the last book in the trilogy and I can't wait to find out how it all ends.

What did you recently finish reading?

I just finished reading These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman & Megan Spooner.  It was an absolutely mesmerizing read about survival, hope and love. I completely fell in love with it. I also finished reading The Iron Traitor by Julie Kagawa. I think that Julie Kagawa might be the queen of evil cliffhangers.

What do you think you'll read next?

Up next for me will probably be The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes and Pawn by Aimee Carter

Thats all for me. Let me know what you guys are reading.

Review: The Chaos of Stars by Kiersten White

Title: The Chaos of Stars

Author: Kiersten White

Publisher: Harper Teen

Release Date: 10^th September 2013

Source: Bought

Rating: 3 out of 5

Description: Isadora’s family is seriously screwed up. Of course, as the human daughter of Egyptian gods, that pretty much comes with the territory. She’s also stuck with parents who barely notice her, and a house full of relatives who can’t be bothered to remember her name. After all, they are going to be around forever—and she’s a mere mortal. Isadora’s sick of living a life where she’s only worthy of a passing glance, and when she has the chance to move to San Diego with her brother, she jumps on it. But Isadora’s quickly finding that a “normal” life comes with plenty of its own epic complications—and that there’s no such thing as a clean break when it comes to family. Much as she wants to leave her past behind, she can’t shake the ominous dreams that foretell destruction for her entire family. When it turns out there may be truth in her nightmares, Isadora has to decide whether she can abandon her divine heritage after all.

With an emphasis on Egyptian mythology, The Chaos of Stars is a light agreeable read.  The mythology aspect is what drew my attention to this book, and Kiersten White delivers an enjoyable story that focuses on the daughter of Egyptian gods.  Where there are ancient gods there is sure to be drama. The Chaos of Stars takes the protagonist Isadora on a journey of self-discovery as she grows up and learns to love. Isadora learns a lot about family, love and friendship. Despite being a good read, there were a few aspects of the book that were a little disappointing such as the characters and the ending.

Isadora is the daughter of the Egyptian goddess Isis. Her family has a very complicated history that includes adultery, murder and drama, making her upbringing very unique. However, compared to the rest of her family she is mortal.  When an unforseen evil seeks to threaten her, Isis offers her the opportunity to move to San Francisco.  Isadora leaps at the chance to be away from her family only to discover that there is no way to escape family.  The strongest part of The Chaos of Stars is the mythology and the myths about the gods. I haven’t encountered Egyptian gods as much in my reading so I enjoyed getting to know the tales of Isis, Osiris, Anubis, Set and more.  The myths about the gods at the start of each chapter gave us an insight into Isadora’s family history and shed perspective on where Isadora was coming from. Egyptian mythology is vast and rich and I for one would love to read more books about these gods and goddesses.  As much as I enjoyed the mythology and Isadora’s journey, the plot left a little something to be desired. The majority of the revelations and excitement happen at the very end of the book. I would have liked to have seen more action throughout the book.

When we first meet Isadora she hates her family and all that they stand for. She believes that love brings nothing but pain. Right from the beginning she embarks on a wonderful character arc where she changes from a bitter girl who scorns love and family to one that is able to accept her family for who they are. Although I liked the character development, I wasn’t particularly fond of Isadora herself. There were some aspects of her personality that got on my nerves. She was mean, abrasive, dismissive and entitled at times.  I understand that she was angry at the start of the book but despite her self-discovery she still treated people the same as before. I enjoyed reading about her interior design plans and how she envisioned the changes that she would make to rooms. Her inside commentary about her family added humour to the story.

In San Francisco she meets Tyler, Scott and Ry. Her new friends have an impact on her and bring her out of her shell at little.  Ry started off as an interesting character. He challenged Isadora and her beliefs.  Their relationship was complicated. Unfortunately by the end of the book my opinion of Ry changed. His revelation came out the blue towards the very end and was not really explained properly. I could have handled the twist if it were explored more in detail, rather than just stated and rushed over. The ending of the book also felt rushed as most of the action happened right at the end and left me with quite a few questions about what was next for the characters. It would have also been nice to see more of the gods.

The Chaos of Stars is a good mythology based book. If you are looking for an easy book to read that is light and breezy than this might be for you.

Review: The Burning Sky by Sherry Thomas

Title: The Burning Sky

Author: Sherry Thomas

Publisher: NLA Digital Liaison, Balzer + Bray

Release Date: 15^th September 2013

Source: Bought

Rating: 4 out of 5

Description: Iolanthe Seabourne is the greatest elemental mage of her generation—or so she's being told. The one prophesied for years to be the savior of The Realm. It is her duty and destiny to face and defeat the Bane, the greatest mage tyrant the world has ever known. A suicide task for anyone let alone a sixteen-year-old girl with no training, facing a prophecy that foretells a fiery clash to the death. Prince Titus of Elberon has sworn to protect Iolanthe at all costs but he's also a powerful mage committed to obliterating the Bane to revenge the death of his family—even if he must sacrifice both Iolanthe and himself to achieve his goal. But Titus makes the terrifying mistake of falling in love with the girl who should have been only a means to an end. Now, with the servants of the Bane closing in, he must choose between his mission and her life.

The Burning Sky is simply magical and enchanting. There was so much unexpected richness contained within its pages. One things for sure; this book has plenty of personality unique entirely to itself. Sherry Thomas has created a world that you can immerse yourself, full of richness, intricate details and magical elements. The Burning Sky is a must read fantasy novel. There are magic spells, dragons, waring factions, portals, mages, wands and much more.  If I had to describe this book, I would say that it’s a cross between Harry Potter and She’s the Man. Yes you heard that right, there is cross-dressing magical fun to be had.

The book immediately demands attention with a preface that is guaranteed to stir your curiosity. You immediately want to know what this magical tale entails. It starts with a girl calling down lighting and setting in motion events that will change everything and fulfil a prophecy.  Iolanthe’s mage skills have made her a target for Atlantis. Together with Prince Titus she must find a way to survive and defeat destiny.  Themes of destiny and fate play a huge role in shaping the story and the motivations of one Prince. The Burning Sky isn’t your standard book. It’s a book that is intelligent and cleaver right from the world building to its characters. There is no extreme good luck bestowed upon its character, nor is there an all seeing entity that has all the answers. In short there is nothing convenient about this book. Every situation that Titus and Iolanthe find them selves in, they can only rely on themselves and each other. It makes for some very interesting schemes.  Titus and Iolanthe always have to be one step ahead.  

The world building of the Domain and Victorian England are intricate. There were multiple layers all woven seamlessly together into one big tapestry. There is the mage world of the Domain filled with magic and mythical creatures. It was also a kingdom under the tyranny of Atlantis. Along with the Domain, the non-mage world of 1800’s London also played a unique part of this story. The boy’s school of Eton and its student body were a wonderful addition to this story. It’s also where our cross-dressing heroine gets into all sorts of awkward situations. If these two different worlds weren’t enough there is also a crucible that transports people into a virtual reality filled with magic and trials. All three separate worlds fit seamlessly into Titus and Iolanthe’s story. There were so many small details that went into each world. Each world has their own rules and traditions. I also loved that there were footnotes to explain the technical aspects of magic. It prevented the book from information overload and for those who wanted to read the endnotes it provided a detailed view about the world.

The book takes a while to understand all the moving pieces, but once you do, you are in for one hell of an adventure. Iolanthe was not my favourite character to begin with. She is a little hesitant and frightened because of the situation she is thrust into. However she is a revelation as the story goes on. She is strong, vibrant, funny and intelligent. She is loyal and wonderful. I absolutely loved her.  The way she seamlessly becomes a boy to hide from Atlantis and interacts with her classmates is simply marvellous. She makes a convincing boy with all of her sharp wit.  Titus was smart and he was such an interesting character from the get go. He was cocky and arrogant to those around him but with Iolanthe he loyal and dedicated.  He wore his two personalities well. In fact both he and Iolanthe both have disguises and multiple facets, which were wonderful to explore. My only complaint about this book was that the romance felt a bit rushed at the beginning. I love the hate/love relationship these two exhibit. They compliment each other. I can’t wait to see what adventures these two get into next.

A fantastic fantasy read. Simply magical. 

W..W..W.. Wednesdays #16

W.W.W Wednesdays is a weekly event bought to you by MizB from Should Be Reading 

It's Wednesday and that means its time to let the world know what I've been reading. When I say the world, I mean this tiny corner of the internet that I call my blog. Hope everyone is having a good week.

What are you currently reading?

Currently I'm in the middle of The Iron Traitor by Julie Kagawa. I love the Iron Fey series and this book just pulls you back into the complicated world of the Fey.

What did you recently finish reading?

I just finished reading The Burning Sky by Sherry Thomas.  Such a great fantasy read. This book had a lot of personality. I also read The Chaos of Stars by Kiersten White. It has a solid mythology but the ending seemed a little rushed and the main protagonist was a little bit annoying.

What do you think you'll read next?

Up next for me will probably be The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes and Champion by Marie Lu.

Thats all for me. Let me know what you guys are reading.

Review: One & Only by Viv Daniels

Title: One & Only

Author: Viv Daniels

Publisher: Word for Word

Release Date: 8^th November 2013

Source: Bought

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Description: One night they can't forget...Tess McMann lives her life according to the secrets she's sworn to keep: the father who won't acknowledge her, the sister who doesn't know she exists, and the mother who's content playing mistress to a prominent businessman. When she meets the distractingly cute Dylan Kingsley at a prestigious summer program and falls in love, Tess allows herself to imagine a life beyond these secrets. But when summer ends, so does their relationship -- Dylan heads off to Canton College while Tess enrolls at the state university. One love they can't ignore...Two years later, a scholarship brings Tess to Canton and back into Dylan's life. Their attraction is as strong as ever, but Dylan has a girlfriend…who also happens to be Tess's legitimate half-sister. Tess refuses to follow in her mother's footsteps, which leaves her only one choice: break the rules she’s always followed, or allow Dylan to slip away for a second time. ...And only one chance to get things right.

One & Only is a swoony romantic read staring wonderful protagonists. Dylan and Tess’s story is realistic and different compared to other new adult book out in the market. It’s a welcome change of pace that showcases great character development. This is a thoroughly enjoyable story and one thing is for sure, Viv Daniels makes science sexy.

Tess has always lived a life full of secrets. She is the product of an affair between her mistress mother and her businessman father. All her life she has had to live in the shadows and could never acknowledge her father or her half-sister. Before she goes to University she meets Dylan Kingsley and falls in love with him, however at the end of the summer they go their separate ways. Two years later Dylan and Tess meet up again. All the feelings they had two years ago come rushing back. The only problem is that Dylan has a girlfriend. His girlfriend is none other than Tess’s half sister Hannah. Now Tess has to decide if she wants Dylan back and if she’s willing to follow in her parent’s footsteps.

This book has loads of tension, mainly between Tess and Dylan as they try to define their relationship. Viv Daniels does a great job maintaining the tension and suspense. The line between right and wrong and perceived notions is tightly navigated. Its what the whole book hinges on. The decisions Tess’s made and their consequences were the focal point for this story. The story was about Tess discovering herself and defining herself away from her parent’s relationship and learning how to be her own person.  It’s quite a tough job to portray a relationship that blurs the lines between cheating/steeling and Daniels does it so well because Tess’s struggle is genuine and she wants the best for her sister.

I love the journey that Tess goes on. When we first meet her she doesn’t want to go against her parents and is stuck with the decisions they force on her. She also has a tendency to runs away from relationships and friendships. However when the story picks pack up two years later Tess is a little more defiant, learning how to step out of her father hold and become her own person. She has many struggles that were well explored such as juggling a job and a demanding coursework along with finding time to make friends and be a normal human being. She shows so much growth as she figures out how to be her own person separate from her parents.

Dylan was a great love interest. He was also different from standard NA cutouts.  No tattooed up bad boy here. He was sexy and intelligent, compassionate and supportive. He helps Tess at every opportunity.  He always tells the truth and it’s an interesting contrast to all the secrets that Tess is keeping. It adds more tension to their relationship. Dylan also changes from when we first meet him but he dose not have as much character growth as Tess. He remains a constant. Sylvia and Annabeth were great friends who gave Tess perspective.  Hannah was not someone to hold a grudge and be vindictive. It was refreshing for her not to be a mean girl. I can’t wait to see where her story is going in her companion novel. I loved all of the passion Tess had for science and biomedical engineering. Both her and Dylan were driven and intelligent. They were the perfect combination as they complimented each other so well.

My only problem with One & Only was that Tess and Dylan pick up right where they left off. I wish that there was a longer period of them getting to know each other.  Although they have a definite connection. Also in my opinion Dylan seemed to forgive Tess for just leaving and never contacting him again very easily. I would have liked to have seen that he was more affected by that and maybe even a little angry.

If you want to read a story that stands out in the current NA market than I suggest One & Only. It a refreshing and enjoyable read.

Review: Perfect Ruin by Lauren DeStefano

Title: Perfect Ruin

Author: Lauren DeStefano

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Release Date: 1^st October 2013

Source: Bought

Rating: 4 out of 5

Description: On Internment, the floating island in the clouds where 16-year-old Morgan Stockhour lives, getting too close to the edge can lead to madness. Even though Morgan's older brother, Lex, was a Jumper, Morgan vows never to end up like him. She tries her best not to mind that her life is orderly and boring, and if she ever wonders about the ground, and why it is forbidden, she takes solace in best friend Pen and her betrothed, Basil. Then a murder, the first in a generation, rocks the city. With whispers swirling and fear on the wind, Morgan can no longer stop herself from investigating, especially when she meets Judas. He is the boy being blamed for the murder — betrothed to the victim — but Morgan is convinced of his innocence. Secrets lay at the heart of Internment, but nothing can prepare Morgan for what she will find — or who she will lose.

Imagine a floating city in the sky. Internment appears to be a perfect city, high above the earth. However in this seemingly ideal society there is a darkness lurking just beneath the surface. You only need to look hard enough. Perfect Ruin by Lauren DeStefano is a beautiful story set in an unforgettable setting with elegant writing and prose.  It’s a story that slowly pulls you into its web chapter by chapter as the secrets of Internment are unraveled and beliefs are challenged.  Perfect Ruin isn’t a standout book, nor is it one that is going hit you in the face with its unimaginable plot twists and fast pace. It’s an understated subtle book filled with so much symbolism and vision. The story moves at a slow pace that works so well for this book. It allows the reader to fully explore all the facets of Internment and its characters.

The overall story arc is reminiscent of many dystopian based YA novels. There is a utopian society that is not actually a utopia. The world is not as shiny and bright as the characters believe it to be, so in order for a better life a rebellion is staged and government secrets are exposed. Even if the story harkens back to previous novels, the way that this society is built, its characters and writing make this novel a lovely book to read. Morgan has lived a sheltered life.  After a murder occurs on Internment, Morgan’s life begins to unravel. It’s the first murder in a generation and it forces Morgan to discover certain secrets about the floating city and her own family.

There is so much richness in Perfect Ruin. Right from the start you can see how much detail has gone into building Internment. The people of the city have their own specific beliefs complete with traditions and rituals that are so similar to ones we know but different in their own right. They also have their own religion. DeStefano slowly pulls back the veil on this perfect society to expose the evil lurking in plain sight. The more secrets Morgan learns the more they challenge the truths she has always believed in. Since her brother Lex jumped, Morgan has seen the small injustices in her society but the murder pushes her to see the entire city in another perspective. Her dreamer personality and need for more than what the city can offer, place her in an ideal position to accept the secrets of Internment. Her reaction is very different from her best friend Pen. Pen like most of Internments citizens clings to the perceived safety the rules of the city offer and is reluctant to acknowledge the truth.  Basil’s acceptance of the truth stems from his love for Morgan and willingness to keep her safe. DeStefano wonderfully showcases the differing opinions of these characters.  

Perfect Ruin is a subtle book and carries a lot of symbolism. The book gives the phase “on the wrong side of the tracks” a whole new meaning. The poetic beautiful epigraphs at the beginning of each chapter provide insight into the rebellion and the darkness hidden in the city. It’s interesting to see how the Epigraphs start off as a contrast to the characters feelings but by end of the book their sayings align with the characters thoughts. Perfect Ruin makes you think about belief systems. It challenges the entire belief system that a society has been taught. The book also focuses on different types of love. The love between two bothered, the love between families and the love between siblings.  Lex and Morgan have a very close sibling relationship. I loved their relationship. Love is a driver for many of the actions in this book.  

Morgan was a daydreamer. She was very understated in this book. She prefers to be the person to keep the peace. She has a lot of internal strength, given all the personal hardship she has had to face. All the characters in this story was beautify flawed. Lex was a great character that faced many demons. I loved how much he cared for his sister and Alice. Amy was a wiser than she looks. Judas was a very interesting character; I wish we had gotten to know him better. He was a catalyst for Morgan and her subsequent actions.  Basil and Morgan’s relationship was very sweet. I do wish that there was more to Basil though, he was a little uninteresting.

The ending had so much possibility and suggests a new direction for the book. I cannot wait for the sequel. Perfect Ruin is a gorgeous story about a city in the sky. You must read about this floating city.

W..W..W.. Wednesdays #15

W.W.W Wednesdays is a weekly event bought to you by MizB from Should Be Reading 

It's Wednesday and that means its time to let the world know what I've been reading. When I say the world, I mean this tiny corner of the internet that I call my blog. Hope everyone is having a good week.

What are you currently reading?

Currently, I'm reading The Burning Sky by Sherry Thomas. So far it's a very interesting book and I am eager to see where the story is heading. It's a mix of Harry Potter and She's the Man.

What did you recently finish reading?

Recently I finished reading Perfect Ruin by Lauren Destefano. A beautiful story that was subtle and understated.  I also finished reading One & Only by Viv Daniels aka Diana Peterfreund. It was a good book but I was expecting more.

What do you think you'll read next?

Up next for me will probably be The Chaos of Stars by Kiersten White or The Iron Traitor by Julie Kagawa. I also want to read Jump by Sean Williams.

Thats all for me. Let me know what you guys are reading.