Annette's Book Spot

Thursday, June 19, 2014

Book Review: The Quick, by Lauren Owen

For die-hard fans of vampire books, The Quick is not to be missed.

Wow. This one is hard to describe. Allow me to use the description from Amazon:

1892: James Norbury, a shy would-be poet newly down from Oxford, finds lodging with a charming young aristocrat. Through this new friendship, he is introduced to the drawing-rooms of high society and finds love in an unexpected quarter. Then, suddenly, he vanishes without a trace. Alarmed, his sister, Charlotte, sets out from their crumbling country estate determined to find him. In the sinister, labyrinthine London that greets her, she uncovers a hidden, supernatural city populated by unforgettable characters: a female rope walker turned vigilante, a street urchin with a deadly secret, and the chilling “Doctor Knife.” But the answer to her brother’s disappearance ultimately lies within the doors of the exclusive, secretive Aegolius Club, whose predatory members include the most ambitious, and most bloodthirsty, men in England.

And just let me say, that description is adequate, but not complete. The strength of The Quick is definitely the setting. Owen immerses you into this London world of blood suckers that is so believable it sends chills up your spine.

Every character is completely illustrated. Owen starts at the very beginning and we learn all the background of each character before we learn how they are related to the story. I enjoyed this technique, although some of these characters turned out to play fairly minor parts in the story, and these descriptions served to make this a very long book.

The Quick is not action packed. It's immersive. It's a character study. I actually stopped twice during my reading to read other books. I was interested in The Quick, but the plot was so plodding that I got tired of it. I'm really glad I finished it, but it is an investment in time.

And after all that imagery and following our characters through their entire lives, I really thought the end fizzled. When the end is revealed, my first thought was, "So?" Yes, I know it's supposed to make you wonder, but it's not the resolution that I'd hoped for.

The Quick has been compared to The Historian, and I can see why, although personally I preferred The Historian. It's also been compared to Anne Rice books, which I've never read, so I can't comment on that.

The Quick is definitely a literary book, and for the right reader, I highly recommend it.

Published by Random House, June 17, 2014
eARC obtained from Edelweiss
544 pages

Rating: 3.5/5

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Book Review: Dreams of Gods and Monsters, by Laini Taylor @lainitaylor

What an epic ending Dreams of Gods & Monsters is to an absolutely captivating trilogy.

Dreams of Gods & Monsters is over 600 pages long, and every page is important. There isn't a (beautiful) word wasted. The story is complex, with new characters and the continuation of a mythos so delicious and unique, that the reader finds himself hurtling towards the end wondering how this can possibly play out.

We have our usual main characters, Karou and Akiva, as well as Zuzana and Mik. There's a new character, Eliza, who doesn't seem to fit in, but don't worry -- she will. And every time we think things might be getting better, that they might possibly be in relative safety, all hell breaks loose again and they are back in utter peril.

Angels have appeared on Earth. About 1000 of them, led by Jael, and they want the citizens of Earth to help arm them because the angels have assured the Earth that demons are coming and they need all the help they can get.

Our beloved characters know that this is basically hogwash, and they need to find a way to stop Jael from taking over the earth, as well as Akiva's world.

Taylor does a good job of reminding us what happened in the first two books without retelling the entire story. And I needed that. Dreams of Gods & Monsters is one of those books that really makes you wonder about the mind of the author. How in the world can she come up with this stuff?

Of course there's a continuation of the romance (well, actually romances.) And I really loved the way things turned out for these couples.

It's a good, but not perfect ending. There is still much to do, and I'm wondering about a possible spin-off series? Please?

I'll read anything Taylor writes. Her world building and action-packed plotting are both superb. Some of the characters aren't really developed (too much action to have time for that) but all the important characters are well done.

I can't say enough about the Daughter of Smoke & Bone series. It is an investment, but you will not be disappointed. This is fantasy -- one of my least favorite genres -- but it's so well done, it doesn't seem like fantasy. Don't wait!

Published by Little, Brown BFYR, April 8, 2014
Personal copy
613 pages

Rating: 5/5

Monday, June 16, 2014

Book Review: Complicit, by Stephanie Kuehn

Complicit kept me guessing until the end. Even though I knew the narrator was "unreliable," I still wasn't sure what was really going on.

Jamie and Cate Henry have had a disturbing past. Their mom was shot in front of both of them. They were living a life of poverty, then were put into foster care. They were very lucky to both be adopted by a couple who had lost their two children in an accident.

So, yes, the first issue is that these are "replacement" kids for the Henrys, and some issues surely come with that. Secondly, two years ago Cate was put in juvenile detention for burning down a horse barn, killing some horses and severely injuring a girl. Jamie felt nothing but relief when this happened, because Cate had really scared him with the way she was acting.

Now Cate has been released and she's coming for Jamie.

Jamie has his own issues. When he gets stressed he has panic attacks. And sometimes his hands go numb. It could be for hours or for days. So, when he hears that Cate has been released, his hands immediately go numb. Jamie is a straight-A student and an excellent pianist. He has everything going for him. He's even developing a relationship with a girl. But all is not as it seems.

There are a lot of secrets that are slowly exposed as the story progresses. And there's one big secret revealed at the end, that most readers will guess, but it's still fun getting to that point. And oh, what a sinister ending. Would not have predicted that, but I thought it was perfect.

Complicit is a quick read that's full of surprises. I would recommend it to readers who enjoy twisted stories with unreliable narration.

Published by St. Martin's Griffin, June 24, 2014
eARC obtained from NetGalley
256 pages (qualifies for my Books You Can Read in a Day Challenge!)

Rating: 4/5

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Audio Book Review: The Kingdom of Little Wounds, by Susann Cokal

I'm not sure where to begin with my thoughts on The Kingdom of Little Wounds.

We're in some kingdom in the 16th century. The Kingdom of Little Wounds focuses on two people. Ava Bingen, who used to be a seamstress for the queen, but after pricking her with a needle, she gets demoted to nursemaid for the sick princesses and prince.

Midi Sorte is a black slave girl who cannot speak because her tongue is split. She is also a nurse for the children.

First of all, everyone in the kingdom is sick. Mostly with syphilis, it seems. All of the children, the queen, and the king. Secondly this book is gross. I've never read about puking and other bodily excrements in such great detail and so often. Not to mention the torturing and whippings. And lots of descriptions of death. And some violent sex. I just go the feeling that Cokal was trying for the shock value.

The story here is interesting. There's a lot of court intrigue. The bad guy is trying to get Ava and Midi to spy for him, and when they don't come up with enough, he forces himself upon them. Everyone is subject to the King's wishes. If something bad happens, someone will be thrown into prison and beheaded for sure.

There are brutal rapes. Yes plural. I didn't find them too explicit, but this really will push the limits for some YA readers.

Basically, our two main characters are fighting for their survival any way they can. I don't want to give too many specifics about the story. But what they end up doing is creative, exciting, dangerous, and very entertaining.

So. Did I like the book? Well, I guess yes. But, I really thought the violence was overdone, and the entire story moves very slowly. I thought maybe I should get a paper copy and read instead of listen, but by the time I could get the actual book, I was almost to the end. So I finished the audio.

The narrator, Susan Duerden, is good. The voices she used were distinctive and appropriate. It's just a long, slow book....

I liked the story -- the deceptions and the alliances. I know this has been described as a beautifully written book (it is a Printz Award Honor Book), but maybe that beauty is a bit too much for teens. I just can't think of very many teens I would recommend The Kingdom of Little Wounds to. The way it is written and the subject matter screamed "adult" to me -- even though the main characters are teens.

Published by Candlewick, 2013, audio by Brilliance Audio
Copy obtained from the library
576 pages

Rating: 3.5/5

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Book Review: Ruins, by Dan Wells

Wells fills Ruins, the third book in the Partials Sequence, with action, adventure, and lots of characters.

You really need to read Partials and Fragments before reading Ruins. Characters are separated and reunited. They are put in danger. New characters are introduced. New alliances are formed. And new bad guys appear!

Kira is still the main character, but we have many points of view. There was really a lot happening, and at times I felt a little whiplash from the changes in perspective. But it all comes together nicely and there are some exciting parts.

I didn't get the sense of urgency and non-stop pacing from Ruins like I did from Partials and Fragments. I'm not sure why -- this one took me four days to read, I think. That's a LONG time for me to get through a book and that might have something to do with my feelings about it.

You definitely have to read Ruins if you've read the other books. I would highly recommend the entire series, but Ruins just isn't my favorite of the three.

Published by Balzer + Bray, Marcy 11, 2014
Personal copy
451 pages

Rating: 4/5

Saturday, June 7, 2014

Stacking the Shelves - Book Store Haul

School is out and I stocked up on some books at the book store. I also received some ARCs for review.

For Review:

A Thousand Pieces of You, by Claudia Gray from Edelweiss

Catalyst, by S. J. Kincaid, from Edelwiess

Third book in the Insignia series!

Remember Me, by Romily Bernard from Edelweiss

Sequel to Find Me!

The Quick, by Lauren Owen from Edelweiss

Purchased:

The One, by Kiera Cass (already read and reviewed)

Third book in the Selection Series

Ruins, by Dan Wells

Third book in the Partials Sequence

Raging Star by Moira Young

Third book in the Dust Lands series

Dreams of Gods and Monsters, by Laini Taylor

Third book in the Daughter of Smoke and Bone series

Catching up on some of the new series books that have come out recently! How about you? Anything I should add to my list? Let me know in the comments. Be sure to visit our hosts, Team Tynga's Reviews and see all the other participating blogs.

Thursday, June 5, 2014

Book Review: The One, by Kiera Cass

The One is a very satisfying ending to The Selection trilogy.

As in The Selection and The Elite, I got really annoyed at Maxim and America's volatile relationship. How many times can you get mad at each other for a misunderstanding?? It happens over and over again. I understand it's because they don't trust each other, but why not? It's tiresome.

But....these stories are so compelling. I still wanted to devour every word and find out what happens! I read The One in one day. (Is that why it's titled that?)

I also enjoyed the political intrigue and America's involvement in it. I love her rebellious spirit. There's more about the rebellion and progress is made towards a more peaceful solution.

The ending was everything I hoped for. Yes, there was some sadness, but mostly happy stuff. I loved The One. (Even though I got annoyed with the romance.) If you haven't started the series, you should. This is a lot of fun. And if you've read the first two, you won't want to miss The One.

Published by HarperTeen, May 6, 2014
Purchased copy
323 pages (qualifies for my Books You Can Read in a Day Challenge!)

Rating: 4.5/5

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

DNF Book Review: Wicked Games by Sean Olin

I really had trouble connecting with the characters in Wicked Games, and I found the plot to be superficial and predictable.

I read almost half the book. Lilah and Carter have been going out for their entire high school careers. They are the couple everyone knows and everyone assumes will always be together. What people don't know is that things aren't perfect in this relationship -- far from it. Lilah suffers from depression (and it seems like manic/depression) and she's pretty nuts. So Carter can't imagine breaking up with her because he doesn't know what that will do to her.

He cheats on Lilah at a party with Jules, who he really falls for. But he can't leave Lilah. Lilah finds out that something is going on, and her revenge plot is just getting started at about the half way point of the book -- where I quit.

Wicked Games is written in third person, and while this usually doesn't bother me, in this book I felt this perspective really put distance between the reader and the characters. It's told from all three main character's perspectives -- but in the third person. I think I would have benefited from dual, first-person perspectives.

I thought the dialog felt forced, especially when Carter was with his friends. I spend my days with high school boys, and the silly banter of these teen boys just felt forced or stilted.

I didn't like the plot. Even though I don't know what eventually happened, I don't care, because out of the few scenarios that I can come up with I'm not really exited about any of them.

And when you don't care, you stop reading. Or at least I do...

Teens may enjoy this one. The cheating/revenge plot is not that uncommon, and many teen girls seem to gravitate toward these books. I know this was written for teens, so I understand that my perspective may not be accurate for the intended audience.

Published by Katherine Tegen Books, June 10, 2014
eARC obtained from Edelweiss
169/352 pages

Rating: DNF