Review: Pandemonium (Delirium #2) by Lauren Oliver

Title: Pandemonium (Delirium #2)
Author: Lauren Oliver
Published: Feb 28, 2012
Publisher: HarperTeen
Format: Ebook; 329pg
Source: Purchased
ISBN: 006197806X
Purchase:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Book Depository

Synopsis:

I’m pushing aside
the memory of my nightmare,
pushing aside thoughts of Alex,
pushing aside thoughts of Hana
and my old school,
push,
push,
push,
like Raven taught me to do.
The old life is dead.
But the old Lena is dead too.
I buried her.
I left her beyond a fence,
behind a wall of smoke and flame.

Lauren Oliver delivers an electrifying follow-up to her acclaimed New York Times bestseller, Delirium. This riveting, brilliant novel crackles with the fire of fierce defiance, forbidden romance, and the sparks of a revolution about to ignite.

Wow! This book was so good. Pandemonium is another brilliant novel from Lauren Oliver. I thought Delirium was amazing, but Pandemonium even topped that!

At the beginning of Pandemonium, we are introduced to the Lena of "now". Lena has gone undercover, living among the Cured as one of them. She is in the DFA, a movement that promotes the Cure. The poster child of the DFA is Julian Fineman, son of a prominent government official. Julian has been petitioning to get his procedure done, even though it will most likely kill him. This makes him the perfect example for the brainwashed citizens.

I loved the way the Chapters were split between "now" and "then" and the way Oliver delicately wove them together to tell a beautiful story. I also just love the character of Lena. She is so strong and I can't wait to see what she does next in Requiem. The ending is a bombshell and was absolutely perfect. It was also interesting to learn more about Raven and Tack. I really liked how the new character of Julian was introduced and really grew to like the guy!

Overall, Pandemonium was a fantastic read that gripped my attention and really had me empathizing with the characters. So far, I am loving this series...fingers crossed the final book is as good as the first two.

5 stars to Pandemonium!

Review: Uninvited (Uninvited #1) by Sophie Jordan

Title: Uninvited (Uninvited #1)
Author: Sophie Jordan
Published: Jan 28, 2014
Publisher: HarperTeen
Format: Ebook; 384pg
Source: Edelweiss
ISBN: 0062233653

Synopsis:

The Scarlet Letter meets Minority Report in bestselling author Sophie Jordan's chilling new novel about a teenage girl who is ostracized when her genetic test proves she's destined to become a murderer.

When Davy Hamilton's tests come back positive for Homicidal Tendency Syndrome (HTS)-aka the kill gene-she loses everything. Her boyfriend ditches her, her parents are scared of her, and she can forget about her bright future at Juilliard. Davy doesn't feel any different, but genes don't lie. One day she will kill someone.

Only Sean, a fellow HTS carrier, can relate to her new life. Davy wants to trust him; maybe he's not as dangerous as he seems. Or maybe Davy is just as deadly.

The first in a two-book series, Uninvited tackles intriguing questions about free will, identity, and human nature. Steeped in New York Times bestselling author Sophie Jordan's trademark mix of gripping action and breathless romance, this suspenseful tale is perfect for fans of James Patterson, Michelle Hodkin, and Lisa McMann.

Uninvited follows the story of Davina Hamilton, or Davy. Davy has a great life with a hot boyfriend, a great best friend and she is also a musical prodigy getting ready to go to Julliard. Then one day Davy and her family are told she is a carrier of Homicidal Tendency Syndrome (HTS) otherwise known as the Kill Gene. The government has decided that anyone that has DNA testing positive for HTS be segregated from the "normal" population. If any sort of violent act is committed, the carrier is then tattooed on their neck for all to see. Davy finds this out the hard way.

I found it very interesting how people treated Davy differently after finding out she had been diagnosed with HTS. All her friends and even her own parents acted totally different towards her, thinking she could "snap" at any moment. I really liked the character of Davy's brother because he was one of the only ones to support her the whole way through this mess. After being marked a carrier, Davy is transferred to "The Cage," an alternative classroom for carriers. This is where she meets Sean O'Rourke, a character I imagined as Channing Tatum throughout the whole book for some weird reason. Anyways, an unlikely friendship develops between Sean and Davy, even though Davy is terrified of him at first. I really wish I could have learned more about Sean, but that would detract from his mystery.

This plot was fast paced and kept my attention. I couldn't wait to pick up this novel where I had to leave off. It was a very interesting concept about the kill gene. I could totally see this happening in the future and that's a little scary!

Overall, a fantastic read with a highly charged story!

5 stars to Uninvited!

Review: Astrid, The Dragonslayer's Sword by Resa Nelson

Title: Astrid, The Dragonslayer's Blacksmith
Author: Resa Nelson
Published: Dec 10, 2013
Format: Ebook; 109pg
Source: Author
Purchase:
Amazon

Synopsis:

Astrid constantly worries about her place in the village of Guell. She loves being the apprentice of Guell’s blacksmith, Temple. But Temple bought her from a childseller many years ago, which means Astrid has no blood kin in Guell. If anything should happen to Temple she’s likely to lose her home, her work, and her sweetheart, DiStephan, the dragonslayer’s son.

One day Astrid’s worst fear comes true when Temple and DiStephan fail to return from a short journey to a nearby village. A teenage boy named Finehurst arrives in Guell, claiming to be Temple’s nephew and rightful heir – and insisting that he saw Temple and DiStephan killed by a dragon. The villagers are divided in their opinion of Finehurst, but Astrid is soon thrown out of her own home, desperate to find a way to regain it. Before the dragonslayer goes in search of his missing son DiStephan and Astrid’s mentor Temple, he sets forth a challenge for Finehurst and Astrid to prove their blacksmithing skills by forging a dagger. Normally, Astrid would be confident, but the village’s iron supplies are so low that she doesn’t know how she can possibly make a dagger that can prove her worth.

Astrid, The Dragonslayer’s Blacksmith is an all new mini novel that takes place in Resa Nelson’s Dragonslayer world (the 4-book series includes The Dragonslayer’s Sword, The Iron Maiden, The Stone of Darkness, and The Dragon’s Egg). Appropriate for adults and teens, ages 14 and up.

I just love the world Resa Nelson has created with the Dragonslayer series! I read all of the Dragonslayer books and loved them and the same is true with this mini-novel.

In Astrid, the Dragonslayer's Blacksmith, we re-visit the character of Astrid. When she was a child, Astrid was sold to the Village of Guell's blacksmith, Temple. Luckily, Temple was a good man and took her into his home and taught her everything he knew about blacksmithing. Temple even taught Astrid the secret to making a strong Dragonslayer's sword, a secret Astrid protects fiercely.

One day, Temple and the local Dragonslayer's son, DiStephan, embark on a journey to retrieve Temple's nephew, Finehurst, from a close village. Finehurst brings nothing but trouble with him and the news of a dragon attacking and killing Temple and DiStephan! Of course, Astrid is highly suspicious of Finehurst, and seeks the truth she knows he is refusing to share...

I wouldn't say this story is high octane, but it is enjoyable to read. Especially, if you are a fan of Nelson's Dragonslayer series. I really empathized with Astrid as she lost everything that was rightfully hers. And I nearly shouted with glee as she figured out a solution to the iron shortage problem. The only thing that even bugged me was that the synopsis gave so much of the story away. But, hey, that is no big problem at all.

5 stars to Astrid, The Dragonslayer's Blacksmith!

Review: Panic by Lauren Oliver

Title: Panic
Author: Lauren Oliver
Published: March 4, 2014
Publisher: HarperCollins
Format: Ebook; 416pg
ISBN: 0062014552
Source: Edelweiss
Purchase:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble

Synopsis:

Panic began as so many things do in Carp, a dead-end town of 12,000 people in the middle of nowhere: because it was summer, and there was nothing else to do.

Heather never thought she would compete in Panic, a legendary game played by graduating seniors, where the stakes are high and the payoff is even higher. She’d never thought of herself as fearless, the kind of person who would fight to stand out. But when she finds something, and someone, to fight for, she will discover that she is braver than she ever thought.

Dodge has never been afraid of Panic. His secret will fuel him, and get him all the way through the game, he’s sure of it. But what he doesn't know is that he’s not the only one with a secret. Everyone has something to play for.

For Heather and Dodge, the game will bring new alliances, unexpected revelations, and the possibility of first love for each of them—and the knowledge that sometimes the very things we fear are those we need the most.

Panic. It's a game of facing fear and winning the jackpot. In the tiny town of Carp, there is really nothing else to do, no hope to ever leave. For people like Heather and Dodge that feel they have nothing left to lose, Panic is everything.

Heather lives in the Fresh Pines mobile home park with her little sister Lily and her very messed up mother, Krista. Heather didn't intend to join Panic. But she did and it's not exactly something you can get out of once you're in. Dodge Mason has been waiting for his Senior year just so that he could join Panic. Several years ago his sister participated and never walked away, so Dodge is out for revenge.

I loved the character of Heather. Her growth was remarkable as she struggles to maintain her grip on things. Dodge was an unlikely favorite as well. Although, his motives remained the same throughout the novel, he did eventually grow some. Bishop was another character I enjoyed reading about because of his struggles as well. Nat, Heather's best friend, got on my nerves a bit, but still was an interesting character.

Panic is a fresh, innovative and heart-pounding novel. I absolutely LOVED this book. Lauren Oliver is a fantastic writer. I already knew this from reading Delirium, but she set the bar even higher with Panic. This story is so fast-paced and exciting! Panic is one of my new favorite books.

Overall, this novel is Perfect and one of the best books I have read in a long time!

5 stars to Panic!

Review: Suitcase of Stars by Pierdomenico Baccalario

Title: Suitcase of Stars (Enchanted Emporium #1)

Author: Pierdomenico Baccalario
Illustrator: Iacopa Bruno
Publish Date: Jan 1, 2014
Publisher: Enchanted Emporium
Format: ACSM; 250pg
Source: Netgalley

Synopsis:

Have you heard of Cinderella’s glass slipper? What about Sinbad the Sailor’s Flying Carpet? In this world, there are many magical items—but only one place where they’re safe: the Enchanted Emporium. For centuries, seven families have competed for ownership of the Emporium—and some of them are willing to do whatever it takes to get their hands on the powerful items housed within. Only Aiby Lily and her friend Finley have what it takes to stop the Emporium from falling into the wrong hands.

I really loved the illustrations after each chapter that advertise the magical items of the Emporium. Usually, the illustrations are listing a product mentioned in the proceeding chapter. It's a fun way to answer questions without going into tons of dialogue and it is just super cool.

Suitcase of Stars is a delightful tale of magic. It was a super quick, really fun read. I enjoyed the writing style of Baccalario because it had a great flow and really made me excited to keep reading.

I loved how much the character of Finley grew during the novel. He believed in himself way more by the end of the book, that was obvious. Also, I loved Patches, Finley's dog. The Lily family, especially Aiby, were so interesting! I really can't wait to see what happens in Book Two now!

5 stars to Suitcase of Stars!

Review: Clockwork Princess (Infernal Devices #3) by Cassandra Clare

Title: Clockwork Princess (Infernal Devices #3)
Author: Cassandra Clare
Published: March 19, 2013; 570pg
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
ISBN13: 9781416975908
Source: Purchased
Purchase:
Barnes and Noble
Amazon
Book Depository

Synopsis:

A net of shadows begins to tighten around the Shadowhunters of the London Institute. Mortmain plans to use his Infernal Devices, an army of pitiless automatons, to destroy the Shadowhunters. He needs only one last item to complete his plan: he needs Tessa Gray.

Charlotte Branwell, head of the London Institute, is desperate to find Mortmain before he strikes. But when Mortmain abducts Tessa, the boys who lay equal claim to her heart, Jem and Will, will do anything to save her. For though Tessa and Jem are now engaged, Will is as much in love with her as ever.

As those who love Tessa rally to rescue her from Mortmain’s clutches, Tessa realizes that the only person who can save her is herself. But can a single girl, even one who can command the power of angels, face down an entire army?

Danger and betrayal, secrets and enchantment, and the tangled threads of love and loss intertwine as the Shadowhunters are pushed to the very brink of destruction in the breathtaking conclusion to the Infernal Devices trilogy.

REVIEW

Sometimes, it seems harder for me to review a book I loved than one I didn't. I have been pondering for days what to write in my review for Clockwork Princess and am still no closer to coherent thought. Everything that pops into my head would be a spoiler in my review. And I really detest spoilers in reviews! But, I am going to try to give it another shot. So, here goes nothing!

Basically, Tessa Gray, a shape-shifter of unknown origins, is desired by the evil Mortmain to complete his plans. Mortmain has raised a clockwork army in the hopes of destroying Shadowhunters. Well, Shadowhunters don't take kindly to people hell bent on destroying them. And two Shadowhunters in particular, Will and Jem, are both in love with Tessa and will do anything to protect her.

Will and Jem. Jem and Will. Oh, poor Tessa having to choose between these two men. She is engaged to a dying Jem and loves him dearly. But she is also in love with Will and the poor girl is just beside herself with guilt and worry. I won't tell you what happens, but all is well in the end!

This book was exquisite. I loved the characters, who are all very endearing. Even the Lightwood brothers kind of got on my good side by the end. The plot was brilliant. I had no idea what was going to happen next and was so sad when I finished this book, because well, that was the end. But, I did LOVE the way the book ended!

This book is now one of my favorites. Personally, I think it is the best writing that Clare has done yet. Good thing there is another Mortal Instruments book coming soon or I might have really been upset! Oh, I need to read the Magnus Bane stories too. I bet they rock because everyone loves Magnus!

Ok, that's probably enough from me!

5 stars to Clockwork Princess!

Review: The Man Who Walked in Darkness by Chris Strange

Title: The Man Who Walked in Darkness
Author: Chris Strange
Published: June 21, 2013
Publisher: Cheeky Minion
Format: E-book; 400pg
Source: Author
ISBN: 1490409955
Purchase at:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble

Synopsis:

Miles is back for another round of hardboiled pulp action in the two-fisted sequel to The Man Who Crossed Worlds.

Freelance Tunneler Miles Franco is having a bad time of it. He’s facing a trial that could see him spend the rest of his days in prison. Hallucinations of dead men haunt him day and night. And to top it all off, one of his bandmates has been poisoned by a toxin from another world.

Miles doesn’t take kindly to people killing his friends. Now he’ll have to walk the darkest road he’s ever been down. With corrupt corporations on one side and fanatical interdimensional gangsters on the other, he doesn’t hold out any hope he’ll come out of this alive. But he has a promise to keep.

And Miles will burn every last world to the ground if it gets him answers.

REVIEW

"So here's how it is. The name's Miles Franco, and I'm a freelance Tunneler. You see, there's our world, and then there's another one, the one some asshole named Heaven. A world of instability and randomness, a cruel parody of our world, populated by a race called the Vei. Sometimes people want to cross worlds or send stuff through without going through the proper channels. That's where I come in. I open Tunnels and transport people between the worlds, or I can tap into the chaos of Heaven and alter things in our world. I do that, and then I get paid. It's a living."

The Man Who Walked In Darkness is one of the most captivating books I have read. As is the Chris Strange standard, the story grabs you right from the beginning and never lets you take a breather. The plot is simple enough, right? There are the good guys, the bad guys, the good guys you think are bad guys and vice versa and then there is Miles. Well, maybe not that simple...

Miles is obviously the catalyst of the story and damn he does a good job of effing things up most the time. Miles Franco is one of my absolute favorite characters! He is stubborn as hell and hard to keep down. The poor guy sure can take an ass whoopin though! I was first introduced to Miles Franco in The Man Who Crossed Worlds and loved it. My review is HERE if you are interested.

The gang is back. All of the supporting characters, like Detective Vivian Reed, Desmond and Tania, are dedicated to helping Miles survive. Sometimes, even risking their own lives for his. But, even through the surly quips that are classic Franco, you can tell he obviously cares for them just as much.

Chris Strange is an amazing author with a solid voice. I cannot give him enough praise. His story-telling ability is definitely top notch in my opinion. His characters are full of life and depth that is rare these days. The noir style with the sci-fi edge is brilliant. Basically, if you can handle some violence and language then I highly recommend The Man Who Walked In Darkness.

5 stars for The Man Who Walked in Darkness!

Review: The Mad Scientist's Daughter

Title: The Mad Scientist's Daughter
Author: Cassandra Rose Clarke
Format: EBook
Source: Netgalley
Published: Jan 29, 2013
Publisher: Angry Robot
ISBN: 0857662651

Synopsis:
The Mad Scientist’s Daughter is the heartbreaking story of the journey from childhood to adulthood, with an intriguing science fictional twist.

There’s never been anyone - or anything - quite like Finn.

He looks, and acts human, though he has no desire to be. He was programmed to assist his owners, and performs his duties to perfection. A billion-dollar construct, his primary task is to tutor Cat.

When the government grants rights to the ever-increasing robot population, however, Finn struggles to find his place in the world.

REVIEW

Oh wow. Just woah. This book made me cry (for real) several times. I tried to put it down, but I just couldn't. The Mad Scientist's Daughter made me feel such empathy for Cat and Finn. I couldn't believe how emotionally attached I got to these characters.

Seeing Cat grow from a child into a broken woman was the part that got to me the most. Richard Feversham is a douchebag too. I just really had to say that. Anyways, Cat always had a vulnerability under her numb outer shell. The inner and outer struggles she experiences are gut-wrenching. Her relationship with Finn is so heartbreaking. And her father was a heartfelt character as well.

About midway through the book I was like WTF? Is going on here? Would it be an abomination if a human fell in love with an android? I don't think so. Love is love. You can't stop the inevitable.

So, this book is beautiful. The story will draw you in so fast because it is so original. You might be weirded out by some stuff that happens (I was at first), but in the end it makes total sense.

5 stars to The Mad Scientist's Daughter.

Review: Dash & Lily's Book of Dares

Title: Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares
Author: Rachel Cohn, David Levithan
Published: Oct 26, 2010
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
ISBN: 0375866590
Format: E-Book
Source: Netgalley

Synopsis:
“I’ve left some clues for you.
If you want them, turn the page.
If you don’t, put the book back on the shelf, please.”

So begins the latest whirlwind romance from the bestselling authors ofNick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist. Lily has left a red notebook full of challenges on a favorite bookstore shelf, waiting for just the right guy to come along and accept its dares. But is Dash that right guy? Or are Dash and Lily only destined to trade dares, dreams, and desires in the notebook they pass back and forth at locations across New York? Could their in-person selves possibly connect as well as their notebook versions? Or will they be a comic mismatch of disastrous proportions?

Rachel Cohn and David Levithan have written a love story that will have readers perusing bookstore shelves, looking and longing for a love (and a red notebook) of their own.

REVIEW:

Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares was such an endearing piece of work. I was immediately interested in Dash. He just seems like my kind of snarly guy. And what I might have liked best about Dash is that he stayed himself, even in situations where it would have seemed easier to be someone else. Lily was all over the map with her thoughts and sense of self. However, watching her grow into the girl she is at the end of the book is totally worth it.

I very much enjoyed the supporting characters as well, even those with the smallest parts. Mrs. Basil E. was perhaps my favorite sense of humor throughout the book. Boomer was the perfect best friend for Dash because he is loyal and optimistic.

This book was really cute and fun and I loved the alternating points of view throughout the book between Dash and Lily. Overall, a very highly recommended read. Oh, especially for Christmas time! I didn't realize it when I started but the entire book mainly occurs around Christmas. Felt a bit odd reading it in March. LoL.

5 stars to Dash and Lily's Book of Dares.

Review: Shadowhunters & Downworlders...

Title: Shadowhunters and Downworlder’s: A Mortal Instrument's Reader

Authors Who Contributed:
Holly Black / Kendare Blake / Gwenda Bond / Sarah Rees Brennan / Rachel Caine / Sarah Cross / Kami Garcia / Michelle Hodkin / Kelly Link / Kate Milford / Diana Peterfreund / Sara Ryan / Scott Tracey / Robin Wasserman

Published: Jan 29, 2013
Publisher: SmartPop
ISBN: 1937856224
Source: Netgalley
Format: E-book

Synopsis: Cassandra Clare’s Mortal Instruments series, epic urban fantasy set in a richly imagined world of shadowhunters, vampires, werewolves, fairies, and more, has captured the imaginations and loyalty of hundreds of thousands of YA readers. Originally a trilogy (City of Bones, City of Ashes, City of Glass), the series has extended to six titles, plus a prequel trilogy, the Infernal Devices, and a planned sequel series, the Dark Artifices. A feature film is planned for 2013.

Shadowhunters and Downworlders, edited by Clare (who provides an introduction to the book and to each piece), is a collection of YA authors writing about the series and its world.

REVIEW:

Although all the essays were extraordinary, there were two essays that stood out for me. Here is some more of my opinion of them…

The first essay by Kate Milford, Unhomely Places, truly captured my attention. She spoke of the “uncanny” which is usually associated with the occult. She used Freud’s work as an explanation almost as to how Clary must adjust from being “mundane” to realizing she can see the world in a whole new way. I also loved Milford’s view of New York City and how she intertwined the work of Freud into her own to get her point across. Sometimes things are scary and what you think you know is not true. The beauty is in accepting the “uncanny” that Milford speaks of so much. Her own story of adaptation from Maryland to New York is fantastic as well.

Second, Kami Garcia's article comparing Simon to the "Duckie effect" was absolutely hilarious! By far my favorite chapter, Garcia uses several 80s movies to showcase how the best friend guy always gets the shaft for the bad guy that the girl falls in love with. One of these movies is Pretty In Pink, where Duckie is so in love with Andie and she never loves him back. As Garcia puts it, "Until then, like crop circles, UFO's, the Bermuda Triangle, and ESP, the Duckie effect is an unexplained phenomenon. Only one thing is certain: Even if he's an adorable Jewish vampire, the best friend never gets the girl."

There are several references to the fact that Simon is a Jewish vampire throughout many of the essays. I thought it was interesting how the only symbols that would harm him were Jewish symbols. Also, I wondered why such a fascination with Jewish vampires.

Overall, this is an excellent Reader companion to The Mortal Instruments series. After reading it, I want to go back and re-read The Mortal Instruments series and look at it in a whole new way. Knowing more about the characters and the setting and the emotions that drives the action is going to make going back into this series amazing.

Excellent companion to the Mortal Instruments series.

5 stars.

Tour: The Dragon's Egg by Resa Nelson (Guest Post)

Welcome to my stop on the tour for

The Dragon's Egg by Resa Nelson!

This is the fourth and final book of the Dragonslayer series.

This post is long but very well worth it!

Title: The Dragon's Egg (Dragonslayer #4)
Author: Resa Nelson
Publisher: Mundania
Published: Nov 13, 2012
ISBN: 1606593560
Source: Author
Format: E-book
Purchase:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble

Synopsis:

In the fourth and final book of the Dragonslayer series, Mandulane's army is poised to attack the Northlands in the name of a powerful god, but in truth Mandulane is using the act of spreading this new faith as a way to disguise his own personal greed and hunger for power. Astrid has succeeded in warning her beloved country of imminent danger, and the Northlanders scramble to set up a clever defense, never realizing a spy in their midst is poised to take critical information directly to Mandulane. After sacrificing herself in order to set her brother Drageen free for the sake of protecting the Northlands, Astrid finds herself controlled by the stone of light. Although it forces her path of destiny, Astrid learns she must make one final choice about who she wants to be. Most important of all, her new sweetheart Trep encounters a dragon that entrusts him with the care of a dragon's egg. Trep embraces a dangerous journey and accepts the duty of protecting the unhatched dragon, knowing that its safety could impact the fate of the entire world.

REVIEW:

I really love the Dragonslayer series by Resa Nelson! I finished the final book of the series today and it was breathtaking. The Dragon's Egg is a brilliant wrap-up to the series. I love how everything just seemed to meld together and flow along so well. The story continues Astrid's journey in life, love and war. She struggles to do what is right at all times. Astrid is such a multi-faceted character. She is pretty high on my list of best heroines ever. 

Mandulane (the bad guy) cracked me up with his clotheshorse obsession. And the introduction of Killing Crow was a nice touch. It was also very interesting to have Dragreen come back into play. I just love all of the characters that Nelson has developed so well!

The ending was bitter sweet. I just did not want this series to end. It's just too good! But, the story took a natural course and everyone ended up where they needed to be. 

I highly recommend the Dragonslayer series. It will be unlike anything else you've read, but I bet you will love it like I did. Or I hope!

5 stars to The Dragon's Egg.

Resa Nelson doesn't just talk the talk, oh no,

this woman walks the walk too!

When she offered to do a Guest Post,

I immediately knew what it needed to be about!

Blacksmithing!

In the Dragonslayer books, Astrid makes her trade

at one point by being a blacksmith.

The writing was just so realistic.

I had read that Nelson herself was a blacksmith,

so I asked her to write about that.

It is super interesting!

GUEST POST

How I Learned Blacksmithing to Create a Female 

Blacksmith in my Dragonslayer World

by Resa Nelson

When I began writing my Dragonslayer series, I knew my main character Astrid would become a blacksmith.  But after reading books about blacksmithing tools and techniques, I needed more.  I always want to get inside the skin of my characters, so I found out where I could take a course in blacksmithing and signed up.

For 10 weeks, Tuesday became my blacksmithing day.  Late in the afternoon I’d drive 90 minutes, stop for a quick dinner, and then learn how to iron and steel for the next 3 hours.  Of course, all of my classmates were big, burly men.  At first I couldn’t keep up with them.  At the end of each class I had a half-finished project that was completely useless.  Even though my main goal was to learn basic blacksmithing techniques and get a feel for what it feels like to be a blacksmith, I still wanted to complete my assignments.

I asked my teacher and fellow students for advice and took it.  First, I found the smallest hammer that felt comfortable in my hand.  Next, I choked up on the handle the same way you choke up on a baseball bat.  Both of these decisions gave me better control of the hammer.  That made my blows more efficient, which meant I could hammer faster and get better results.  I also decided to become ambidextrous.  By switching the hammer back and forth from hand to hand every so often, it gave each of my arms time to rest and recover.  By doing all those things I was finally able to keep up with my male classmates!

During my blacksmithing course I’d sometimes come early to take notes on details like the way the smoke of a blacksmithing fire changes color while you build it.  The way it smells.  The way it clings to your skin.  Or the different colors the iron turns while being heated and what those colors mean.  But nothing beats my experience of being the only woman in a group of fledgling blacksmiths and having to learn how to keep up with them.

Some writers I’ve met turn their noses up at the idea of doing research, but I can’t imagine how I could have written my Dragonslayer series without the experience of taking a course in blacksmithing. 

You’re welcome to sample the Dragonslayer series by downloading a free ebook of two short stories I wrote that take place in that world.  There’s no information gathering or obligation—just a simple download at http://www.resanelson.com/files.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Resa Nelson’s first novel, The Dragonslayer’s Sword, was nominated for the Nebula Award and was also a Finalist for the EPPIE Award. This medieval fantasy novel is based on a short story first published in the premiere issue of Science Fiction Age magazine and ranked 2nd in that magazine's first Readers Top Ten Poll. The Dragonslayer's Sword is Book 1 in her 4-book Dragonslayer series, which also includes The Iron Maiden (Book 2), The Stone of Darkness (Book 3), and The Dragon’s Egg (Book 4).

Resa's standalone novel, Our Lady of the Absolute, is a fantasy/mystery/thriller about a modern-day society based on ancient Egypt. Midwest Book Review gave this book a 5-star review, calling it "a riveting fantasy, very highly recommended."

She has been selling fiction professionally since 1988. She is a longtime member of SFWA (Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America) and is a graduate of the Clarion SF Workshop.  Resa was also the TV/Movie Columnist for Realms of Fantasy magazine for 13 years and was a contributor to SCI FI magazine. She has sold over 200 articles to magazines in the United States and the United Kingdom.

Resa lives in Massachusetts.  Visit her website at http://www.resanelson.com.

If you would like to contact Resa Nelson, here is her info...

Website:  http://www.resanelson.com

Email: ContactResa@aol.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/ResaNelson

Goodreads Page: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1998294.Resa_Nelson

If you would like to buy a copy,

they are available through:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Mundania Press (get a 10% discount at checkout with the coupon code MP10)

Farewell to Astrid the Dragonslayer!

I enjoyed following her along on her adventures.

Review: Fire Country by David Estes

Hello all.

I finally sat down and wrote my review of 

Fire Country by David Estes.

Fire Country is Book One in the Country Saga.

It was published February 1st, 2013.

You can purchase here:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble Nook Book

Title: Fire Country (Country Saga #1)
Author: David Estes
Format: Ebook
Source: Author
Published: Jan 29, 2013
Publisher: ShareARead
ISBN13: 9781301505821

Synopsis:

In a changed world where the sky bleeds red, winter is hotter than hell and full of sandstorms, and summer's even hotter with raging fires that roam the desert-like country, the Heaters manage to survive, barely.

Due to toxic air, life expectancies are so low the only way the tribe can survive is by forcing women to procreate when they turn sixteen and every three years thereafter. It is their duty as Bearers.

Fifteen-year-old Siena is a Youngling, soon to be a Bearer, when she starts hearing rumors of another tribe of all women, called the Wild Ones. They are known to kidnap Youngling girls before the Call, the ceremony in which Bearers are given a husband with whom to bear children with.

As the desert sands run out on her life's hourglass, Siena must uncover the truth about the Wild Ones while untangling the web of lies and deceit her father has masterfully spun.

REVIEW:

David Estes has done it again! Fire Country is a blazin’ success!

Fire Country is a story of love, pain, loss, and hope. As usual, the writing of David Estes brought Fire Country to life. I could almost feel the heat coming off of my Kindle. LoL It is highly interesting to me that Estes’ seems to do so well with Dystopian themed novels. I mean, he looks like such a happy guy!

Fire Country was an assault to the senses. The world that Estes created was a scorcher full of sandstorms and blazin' heat. Fire Country is a harsh world with stubborn laws and impossible odds of avoiding the inevitable. The life expectancy in Fire Country is about 30 years. This is because people catch the Fire, a horrible, feverish death.

The story of Siena is a heartbreaker. Siena was an excellent female lead that grew from “scrawny” to strong right in front of my eyes. She struggles with the prospect of becoming a "Bearer" that is required to breed at age 16 with a man selected at random from the village. Should she do what she has been taught is right or follow her heart? This question appears repeatedly throughout the novel and I enjoyed Siena's inner struggle with "right and wrong."

The relationship between Circ and Siena had such an honest existence. They will do anything to protect each other, including putting their own lives in jeopardy. I thought the story that existed between them was the best part of the book.

Overall, this book is darker than The Dwellers Saga. But, Estes covers even some brutal subject matter with a gentle hand. The only thing that sort of confused me was the way Siena would talk in slang sometimes and then be very sophisticated at other times. Maybe it was just me, but it was as if her inner struggle was also with being a child (slang) or an adult (sophisticated). Well, no matter what, David Estes still got my attention and made me think. That is what I love about his work so much. It makes me think.

5 stars to Fire Country.

About the Author: David Estes

David Estes was born in El Paso, Texas but moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania when he was very young. He grew up in Pittsburgh and then went to Penn State for college. Eventually moved to Sydney, Australia where he met his wife. A reader all his life, he began writing novels for the children's and YA markets in 2010. He´s a writer with OCD, a love of dancing and singing (but only when no one is looking or listening), a mad-skilled ping-pong player, and prefers writing at the swimming pool to writing at a table

You can follow David at:

Blog

Author Facebook Page

Twitter

Goodreads

Goodreads fan page

Check out the sisters series to the Country Saga,

The Dwellers!

Review: ZED: A Cosmic Tale by Michel Gagne

Title: Zed: A Cosmic Tale
Author: Michel Gagne
Format: E-book
Source: Netgalley
Published: Nov 25, 2002
Publisher: Gagne Intl Press
ISBN: 0971905304
Goodreads
Author Website
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Synopsis:

When Zed goes to planet Xandria to demonstrate his invention in front of the galaxy's hierarchy, something goes wrong, terribly wrong. Meet a most unusual cast of characters including: Krah, the loudest band in the universe, Maxuss, a sadistic tyrant, Macku and his incredible spaceship, and our unlikely hero Zed who gets caught in a deadly chain of traumatic events. An intense sci-fi series that will make you laugh one second and shock you the next.

Review:

Zed is a stellar graphic novel. The artwork and story are absolutely spellbinding. The main subjects of Zed are faith and war. These are tough topics for any writer, but Gagne handles them with humor. Gagne also has a talent for telling a story with just a picture. Zed really was amazing to experience. But, if this graphic novel was in color, some parts would have been a little gruesome for my taste. Overall, I would recommend this to anyone that needs a good laugh. 

5 stars to Zed for making me think about my part in the universe.

And I am almost positive that as long as you are signed in to Netgalley.com, you can get this book without having to be approved. The ONLY down thing for me was that the file is in .acsm format, so you have to download another Adobe program to read it on you computer. Really not that big of a deal, so go check it out!! Just click HERE!

Review: Nexus by Ramez Naam

Title: Nexus (Nexus #1)
Author: Ramez Naam
Format: Ebook
Source: Netgalley
Published: December 18, 2012
Publisher: Angry Robot
ISBN: 0857662937
Purchase:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble

Synopsis:

Mankind gets an upgrade

In the near future, the experimental nano-drug Nexus can link humans together, mind to mind. There are some who want to improve it. There are some who want to eradicate it. And there are others who just want to exploit it.

When a young scientist is caught improving Nexus, he’s thrust over his head into a world of danger and international espionage – for there is far more at stake than anyone realizes.

From the halls of academe to the halls of power, from the headquarters of an elite US agency in Washington DC to a secret lab beneath a top university in Shanghai, from the underground parties of San Francisco to the illegal biotech markets of Bangkok, from an international neuroscience conference to a remote monastery in the mountains of Thailand – Nexus is a thrill ride through a future on the brink of explosion.

REVIEW:

First of all, I would like to thank Netgalley and Angry Robot publishing company for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book in exchange for an honest review!

Nexus was definitely a thriller! This book made me think and I love books like that. The message of the book was strong. Should we as humans be allowed to enhance ourselves? What would the government do to control the mere humans? How far will their "protection" go?

"In space," she said, "no one can hear you dance." This line absolutely cracked me up. This book starts off light and has moments of fun. But, is actually a high octane mega trip with lots of action. The character of Sam (the narc) is a complete bad ass, made to fight. She has her reasons for becoming what she is, but should she be listening to her government superiors? Her inner battle is brutal and raw.

But overall, it is a story of Kaden Lane and his fight to do what he thinks is right. You see, Kaden is the creator of Nexus 5 which is a drug that interlinks human brains to share information, thoughts, feelings. The "good" and the bad guys both want the Nexus 5 secret and will stop at nothing to obtain it. .. or destroy him.

As you all know, I am a sucker for anything Albert Einstein. Well, at several points in the book, Kade reflects upon some of Einstein's thoughts. "The problems we currently face can't be solved at the level of thinking that created them." Of course, this made me fall in love with this book even more!

There are also some highly important side characters that assist in moving the plot along greatly. Also, most of the book takes place in Thailand and Naam's world building is brilliant. I could see everything through his writing.

At the very end of the book, there is a section called Extras. It details Naam's own encounters with neuroscience and some of the advances he has seen in restoring sight, hearing and limb function through outside stimuli. The last paragraph of this section encompasses Naam's views:

"To understand a thing is to gain the power to change it. We're surging in our understanding of our own makeup – our genes, our bodies, and especially our minds. The next few decades will be more full of wonders than even the greatest science fiction." – Ramez Naam

There is so much more I could say about this book, but I know I would have spoilers and I really hate reviews with spoilers!

So, I will end with this.

If you had the opportunity to take a drug and be able to interlink your mind with other humans, would you do it?

5 stars to Nexus for being such a trip!

Review: Rape Girl by Alina Klein

Title: RAPE GIRL
Author: Alina Klein
Published: June 4, 2012
Publisher: namelos llc
ASIN: B00891HZ3M
ISBN: 1608981231
(ISBN13: 9781608981236)
Format: E-book
Source: Netgalley
Read: 01.01.13
Purchase:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble

Synopsis:

"Hey, look. It’s that girl. That rape girl, right?"

Valerie always wanted to be the smart girl. The pretty girl. The popular girl.

But not the rape girl.

That’s who she is now. Rape Girl. Because everyone seems to think they know the truth about what happened with Adam that day, and they don’t think Valerie’s telling it.

Before, she had a best friend, a crush, and a close-knit family. After, she has a court case, a support group, and a house full of strangers.

The real truth is, nothing will ever be the same.

RAPE GIRL is the compelling story of a survivor who does the right thing and suffers for it. It is also the story of a young woman’s struggle to find the strength in herself to fight back

REVIEW:

RAPE GIRL is a short story with a powerful message. It follows the journey of Valerie after she is raped. Valerie is brave enough to tell that she was raped. The aftermath of her revealing the horrible truth is absolutely devastating. I know this is really how people are too and that is part of what made this book so outstanding.

Kline maintained the perfect mixture of happy and sad, defeated and triumphant. Her writing gripped onto me and would not let me go. It was so honest and emotional. The characters all had their parts to play and Kline manipulated their puppet strings with ease and grace. This is a delicate subject matter and it was handled well. The ending gives me hope that people can heal.

5 stars to Rape Girl.

This was an excellent first book of 2013.

If the rest even come close to being this good,

I'll be doing great!

Review: Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloane

Title: Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore
Author: Robin Sloane
Format: Hardcover; 288 pages
Published: Oct 2, 2012
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
ISBN: 0374214913
Source: Library
Purchase Here:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble

Synopsis:
A gleeful and exhilarating tale of global conspiracy, complex code-breaking, high-tech data visualization, young love, rollicking adventure, and the secret to eternal life—mostly set in a hole-in-the-wall San Francisco bookstore

The Great Recession has shuffled Clay Jannon out of his life as a San Francisco Web-design drone—and serendipity, sheer curiosity, and the ability to climb a ladder like a monkey has landed him a new gig working the night shift at Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore. But after just a few days on the job, Clay begins to realize that this store is even more curious than the name suggests. There are only a few customers, but they come in repeatedly and never seem to actually buy anything, instead “checking out” impossibly obscure volumes from strange corners of the store, all according to some elaborate, long-standing arrangement with the gnomic Mr. Penumbra. The store must be a front for something larger, Clay concludes, and soon he’s embarked on a complex analysis of the customers’ behavior and roped his friends into helping to figure out just what’s going on. But once they bring their findings to Mr. Penumbra, it turns out the secrets extend far outside the walls of the bookstore.

With irresistible brio and dazzling intelligence, Robin Sloan has crafted a literary adventure story for the twenty-first century, evoking both the fairy-tale charm of Haruki Murakami and the enthusiastic novel-of-ideas wizardry of Neal Stephenson or a young Umberto Eco, but with a unique and feisty sensibility that’s rare to the world of literary fiction. Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore is exactly what it sounds like: an establishment you have to enter and will never want to leave, a modern-day cabinet of wonders ready to give a jolt of energy to every curious reader, no matter the time of day.

REVIEW:

Clay Jannon is down on his luck. Then he ventures into Mr. Penumbra's 24 Hour Bookstore looking for a job… and in it he finds more than he could ever have imagined. During his adventures, Jannon runs into some pretty extraordinary people. Luckily, Jannon is smart enough to recruit these unlikely players in solving an extraordinary puzzle. Of course, there is a secret society that doesn't necessarily want that to happen any time soon…

This book was reminiscent of Ready Player One by Ernest Cline, but for book nerds instead of gamers. There were many references to pop culture icons such as Google and the book had instances where you felt like you were "in on the joke." Sloan's writing made me feel like I was listening to a friend tell an amazing story. It really is a gem.

The characters in this world were engaging and I found myself really invested in finding out what happened to them. And I really didn't expect the places this book would go, but it was a wonderful surprise! Another awesome surprise? The cover of Mr. Penumbra's 24 Hour Bookstore GLOWS IN THE DARK!

The following is the first paragraph of

Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore...

"Lost in the shadows of the shelves, I almost fall off the ladder. I am exactly halfway up. The floor of the bookstore is far below me, the surface of the planet I've left behind. The tops of the shelves loom high above me, and it's dark up there - the books are packed in close, and they don't let any light through. The air might be thinner, too. I think I see a bat."

5 stars to Mr. Penumbra's 24 Hour Bookstore for taking me on a great adventure!

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