The Burning Sky // Sherry Thomas

The Burning Sky (★★★★☆)
By: Sherry Thomas
Series: Elemental Trilogy (1)
Genres: Fantasy ~ Sword & Sorcery
Pages: 485
Format: eBook

Atlantis has returned. Or perhaps they never left. They rule under a being called Bane, and hunt for Mages of exceptional power.

Iolanthe is just such a Mage, which she discovers in the most unfortunate of ways, attracting the attention of not only Atlantis, but of the local ruling prince - who attempts to come to her rescue when he sees an omen of his fate yet to come.

Upon escaping the initial reach of Atlantis, Iolanthe finds herself unceremoniously dumped in London - a non-mage territory, at the not-so tender mercy of an exiled Mage. Though the Prince's earlier attempts to rescue Iolanthe were unsuccessful, he this time manages to free her from the grip of the insane exile, and entrench her firmly into the ranks of Eaton seniors via way of a pre-fabricated story and much magic and manipulation.

The story doesn't progress quite as quickly from there, which I am thankful for as it was easier to enjoy the latter 2/3 of the book much more than the first part. Thomas does not seem to be a very "descriptive" writer, in terms that we don't get very much input on how to visualize these characters, but there is certainly no shortage of personality to aid our imaginations!

Some of the inconsistencies can be jarring.

It is made very clear that Iolanthe and Tidus exist in the 1800's. However, when we read entries supposedly made by Tidus' mother in a journal she had kept in Tidus' early years, they were only dated in the 1100's. At one point, when there is some portal-hopping going on, it almost seems to skip a step from Iolanthe's side to get to where Tidus is.

I do have a tendency to hold on to that kind of detail where others might not, so to others it may not be as big of a deal as it is to me. However, it did detract for me from a read that was otherwise by far more consistent than many others I have read.

Usually don't give YA fiction of any variety such a high rating.

In almost all cases - such as this one - I actually forget that the characters are so young. Their depth and strength and overall development seems far above that of your typical teenager/young adult would have. Granted, the circumstances are far different from what an ordinary YA would experience, but I struggle to think that young adults of this day and age would conduct themselves so well were they faced with the same conflicts Thomas' characters did.

On top of that, being a person interested in spiritual ideas, Thomas introduced some very interesting points for me to ponder. I would have loved to see some expansion (particularly on the "what has been seen should not be changed", as opposed to the pervading belief of fate/destiny that it cannot be changed), but I understand - 'twas not the point of the book!

But not without it's flaws...

And at that, there's really only two that made me cringe. Certain "devices" should be left to the screen - and even then, they have passed the point of being cliche and overdone. Iolanthe also seems to be suspiciously good at everything - she essentially has no faults - which makes the whole charade of her being at Eaton rather boring until nearing the end of the book. Yet even then, her wit and skill save the day - again, and again, and again. (The Prince must be getting a complex by now...)

The only other complaint that I could have, if you could consider it a complaint, is that by only 40% of the way through the book, I felt as if I should already be nearing the end for how quickly the story progressed. It took quite some time after the first arc of the story completed to feel engaged again.

Would I recommend this book?

Despite not giving it a full five star rating (for the issues mentioned above), the answer would be a resounding yes. There is romantic - not sexual - tension between Tidus and Iolanthe, which is both complicated and made amusing by the fact she is attending an all-boys school under false pretenses. There is drama, though quickly snuffed by Iolanthe's brilliance. But overall, there is a unique alternate-history fantasy where Mages are openly accepted and used by the ruling government, until they outlive their purpose. There are characters with more than enough personality to keep you interested, and a heroine who you will find yourself cheering for before you even notice it (because let's admit it - she starts out as kind of a snit...)

Raven // Suzy Turner

Raven (★☆☆☆☆)
By: Suzy Turner
Series: The Raven Saga (1)
Genres: Urban Fantasy, Young Adult
Pages: 258
Format: eBook
Features: Shapeshiftrers

Lilly Taylor isn't really Lilly Taylor. In fact, after her parents mysteriously disappear from their London flat one day, she ends up living in Canada with family she didn't even know she had, learning secrets that would likely send even the most well-adjusted, real-life teenager off to wallow in, well, the stuff of parent's nightmares.

Not Lilly, though.  Nope, Lilly spends a night sleeping and all is good in the world. Of course she has questions - who wouldn't? But, this is a young adult novel and thus everything must come easy, right?

I confess, I'm not the target audience for this kind of book. Yet, I have read many young adult novels that have had a compelling story with characters I grow to care for. Characters who respond in a way a normal human being might, who suffer, live and breathe as we do. This is not something you find in Raven.

I gave the book one star, purely because despite all temptation to remove the book both off of my Kindle and delete it entirely from my Amazon order history, something kept me going.  Then again, there were plenty of things that kept me going only to have them succinctly and completely removed with no conflict or resolution. The only conflict we see in Raven is the hope that Lilly's father is still alive, and the confrontation with her father's wife.

Now, I won't spoil it for you, but expect that encounter to end well, very anticlimactically. In fact, if I were to compare this book to sex... lots of talk, very little follow-through. Though, I'll give the author another chance on account of it being her first time and all.

Daughter of Smoke and Bone // Laini Taylor

Daughter of Smoke and Bone (★★★★☆)
By: Laini Taylor
Series: Daughter of Smoke and Bone (1)
Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy ~ Urban
Pages: 420
Format: eBook
Features: Where to begin???

Well, now.

I like to read. A lot. Typically when I read a book by a new author, if I find I enjoy it, I'll set it aside and come back to it later, read it again, and think about whether or not I'll pursue additional works by the same author.

That is NOT the case here. Laini Taylor has captured my imagination with Daughter of Smoke and Bone. The end is merely alluded to in the title, not to be understood until you manage to make it all the way through to the end. And what an amazing end it was.

I had my doubts early on. Karou talking about her drawings of Brimstone and the others made me think of something more along the lines of comic book characters. When the narrative went into conversations she had with these creatures, I raised my eyebrow and wondered what I had gotten myself into. And, wishes? Simple, silly wishes based off of a bead?

Then we actually get to MEET Brimstone, and the entire dynamic changes. We hear more about the other kinds of wishes, and his job of collecting teeth, we see the relationship that Karou has with the chimaera inhabiting the shop. We start getting glimpses hear and there into Karou, her life, and her "job". The split life of someone who works for creatures who don't dare show their faces outside the shop on one side, and who attends an arts school who has friends and relationships on the other side.

Of the chimaera who are merely shopkeepers and caregivers in need of teeth to carry out some unknown purpose on one side, and highly valuable members of an entire race of beings on the other side.

The intricacies of these relationships are handled very well. I was pleased with the continuity, the flow of the story and of the writing. It moved at a very good pace to keep me engaged without being overwhelmed or bored.

Then the angel appeared. It was as if from that point on, the entire story became one gigantic whirlwind of "WTF?!" - which was appropriate considering, had this all been real, Karou's life probably would be about there as well.

The ending revelation wasn't as big of a surprise as I'd hoped, and it was there that I started feeling things got a little too drawn out - a little too... cookie-cutter. From that point on until the end, everything pretty much went as expected, which was a sad turn from earlier.

No matter how you look at it, though, Taylor spins a good story. My imagination was thoroughly engaged, visualizing these characters with all these different features, the remarkable dress of Karou's, the whole idea of... well, I won't spoil that for you. It's one of the biggest curiosities of Karou's throughout the book, and now I can certainly understand why. I thought it was pretty brilliant, myself.

If you're looking for the next great thing in fantasy set in modern times, this is a book you definitely need to add to your collection.

The Coveted // Laura Thalassa

The Coveted (★★★★☆)
By: Laura Thalassa
Series: The Unearthly (2)
Genres: Young Adult, Urban Fantasy
Pages: 312
Format: Paperback
Features: Vampires, Witches, Fairies, Seers, Shifters

As required:
I received this book through one of the Goodreads giveaways.

Now, for the good stuff.

I haven’t read the first one. Haven’t even LOOKED at the first one. But after reading this, I want to. It’s next on my “to buy” list.

When the “vampire” aspect was brought in, I admit I rolled my eyes – I’m not a big vampire book fan. However, Laura Thalassa definitely put a spin on the whole world that made it an enjoyable read. Seers and Witches and Fairies and… shifters? Point being, it included different types of “supernaturals” or “mythologicals” than just the requisite vampires and shifters and other “baddies” you often find. I mean hey, if you’re going to go creative on one aspect of the supernatural, why not just assume they all exist as well and have as much fun as possible?

Now, while it’s apparent that the heroine could be considered a young adult, this doesn’t necessarily read like a YA novel, which was a VERY pleasant surprise. I find her closest friends to be a good balance for her and actually bring something to the story.

There’s not a lot I can criticize about this book. I wasn’t hopeful at first, but as I read I found myself engaged and unwilling to put the book down. I was worried about the relationship between Gab and Andre, but was pleasantly surprised with their interaction. For the situations they were in, the situation I picked up on them leaving just a few months ago, and for Gab’s headspace, it had just the right amount of tension without going overboard and shattering that element.

I am interested in following this story futher. I want to know why the Devil is after her – and I definitely want to know about this whole “vampire/siren” thing. And what’s up with the fates involvement? There are questions left unanswered that intrigue me, and I definitely want to find out more.

Timebound // Rysa Walker

Timebound (★★★★★)
By: Rysa Walker
Series: Timebound (1)
Genres: Young Adult, Science Fiction
Pages: 258
Format: eBook
Features: time travel

I got this book as a Kindle First pick.

Now, that being said, after my first Kindle First Pick, I wasn’t expecting much. Plus, I see a LOT of repeat in fiction being written these days.

The subject matter alone made me sit up and pay attention. Rysa Walker has managed to create a unique and memorable experience with this book that I haven’t encountered in a very long time.

I won’t say much more other than I could praise this book all day no matter how crazy it made me sound. I really just wish everybody who encounters this will give it a try. It’s not your typical romance, as it deals with a protagonist that’s still in high school.

One bad thing. Since I got this through the first reads program… I have to wait even LONGER for the second book!

Witchy, Witchy // Penelope King

Witchy, Witchy (★★★☆☆)
By: Penelope King
Series: Spellbound (1)
Genres: Young Adult, Paranormal
Pages: 329
Format: eBook
Features: Witches

I’ve heard a lot of fuss about these books, and I have to wonder why. Then again, I also have to wonder if I read too much or watch too many fantasy-type series on TV, because most of what I read these days reminds me of some other book or show or author. This one… just more of the same.

I had a number of moments where I flashed back to The Craft and The Secret Circle. Only difference is here (so far at least) there’s only 3 witches, but they’re still all teenage girls.

One thing I do like about Witchy, Witchy (though at the same time makes it too YA for my tastes) is these girls deal with normal, every day, teenage girl problems. Not all of their problems are magical, and they don’t try to use their magic to solve those problems, either. What a relief!

I think Penelope King has taken a much more realistic approach to the world of witchcraft in fiction than I’ve seen to date. Real people mean real problems, whereas magic has its own set of problems, and, occasionally, the two will overlap and, well, that’s when crap hits the fan.

I may continue to read on just because there are obviously a number of years ahead of these girls and I hope to see the books grow with them

Divergent (★★★☆☆)
By: Veronica Roth
Series: Divergent (1)
Genres: Urban Fantasy, Young Adult, Dystopian Society
Pages: 501
Format: eBook

Look, just being honest, this one struck me as a very mediocre book. The synopsis was engaging, had me intrigued and I debated a long time before finally purchasing because I’m not typically a fan of YA fiction (which this strikes me as).

With that out of the way, I do have to applaud Roth on her imagination. It’s something I’m seeing a lot these days – authors with a lot of imagination, a lot of great ideas, but lacking either the technical skill or the time to really do them justice. Roth, unfortunately, falls into this category for me.

The idea of factions is reminiscent of old-school India (and I only say that because I’m not as familiar with the cultural arrangements of modern India as I am with the historical). A few of the classes in the book escape me, but the correlations that stand out to me the most are Brahmin/Abnegation (responsible for the “morality” of the people), Kshatriya/Dauntless (the warriors), and the Untouchables/Factionless (the ones who live separate from society and have the really crappy jobs).

Implementing this kind of a system into a modern setting, very possibly in the US itself, is… sobering. The thought that a society would become so self-destructive that they would turn to a caste-like system in order to save themselves, where there is a LARGE gap between factions (socially speaking, at least) and families can be torn apart just by where interests lay… it’s a bleak picture of the world in deed, and Roth does a great job of illustrating it.

With an engaging premise and a solid world to build on, I was genuinely hopeful I wouldn’t be disappointed by the characters… but I was. (To be fair, this is where I am usually let down the most in a book). This is also usually why I stay away from YA reads, as due to both the age of the main characters and the age of the intended reader, things are not nearly as developed as I prefer.

For a YA read, this would more than likely be one of the more superior reads available these days. From a book fiend who has read everything from Jane Eyre at age 12 to Harry Potter at age 25, it just doesn’t measure up.