Book Review: Blood Promise

TITLE: Blood Promise
Book 4 in the Vampire Academy series
AUTHOR: Richelle Mead
PUBLISHED: 2009
CATEGORY: Young adult
GENRE: vampires, romance, urban fantasy
PREMISE: Rose has split off from the academy in order to find Dimitri, now a Strigoi, and kill him. But as always, things don't go according to plan for Rose...
MY REVIEW: Before I start my annual gushing with these books (I can't help it, I love them) I will say one thing that kind of gets on my nerves about this series: Mead's constant summarizing. I don't need a rehash of every situation in this book, Mead. I love your books and it's very well explained so I really actually don't need you to remind me every book what the difference between Moroi and Strigoi and Dhamphirs are, what the political climate is like, who the queen is and so on. Trust me, I remember because this is one of my favorite book series going on right now. I know teenagers nowadays have the attention spans of knats sometimes but chances are, many of them remember too so could we cool it with the summarizing and recaps please?
Other then that teeny peev, this one totally lived up to Shadow Kiss. We got to see more of what the world was like outside of the academy, we got to meet new characters (even find out who Rose's dad is! I'm not going to give it away for those who haven't read this yet), and due to Rose's link with Lissa we got to see her side of things too and lets just say...Lissa kind of gets screwed with in this book. Granted some of it was her fault as well, but really she gets jerked around and her character kind of starts to take a turn back too. I mean in Shadow Kiss it was like she grew leaps and bounds (I loved her in Shadow Kiss) and then suddenly we're back to Lissa from book 1/2. Boo. Though that could possibly be because of what was going on with her. Don't know for sure. Will have see what happens with her character in Spirit Bound.
All in all, an excellent continuation of this series. Mead does not disappoint (aside from the annoying summarizing). This story is growing more complicated by the minute and I can't wait to see what happens next!
WHO SHOULD READ: Those who have read the first three books, Twilight fans, House of Night fans, vampire fans
MY RATING: Four and a half out of Five of Abe's wacky scarves

FOR THE FOLLOWING CHALLENGES:
12 by 12 in September
One Hundred Plus Books
YA Challenge
Finish that Series!

In My Mailbox (12)

This is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi over at The Story Siren that tells people what books we got or recieved over the week. I went a little crazy at Borders this week as it was the first time I'd been at a bookstore in a month and a half(and they were having a sale paranormal books) and I went to the library so I have quite a few books this week. Links go to the book's amazon webpage if you want more info on it:

From the library:
Mackayla Lane series book 2: Bloodfever by Karen Marie Moning
Children of the Red King series Book 1: Midnight for Charlie Bone by Jenny Nimmo.-I've heard next to nothing about this series yet it's been marketed in bookstores like whoa. So I'd thought I'd check it out.
Discworld: Tiffany Aching Book 3-Wintersmith by Terry Pratchett.-There's a new Tiffany Aching book coming out in October guys! Just in case you all don't know.

From Bookstore:
Mercy Thompson Book 1: Moon Called by Patricia Briggs.-I'm finally giving Briggs a shot since I've heard many good things about her work and finally figured out where to start and I've been digging these adult urban fantasy books I've been reading lately.
Parasol Protectorate series book 1: Soulless by Gail Carriger-another series I've been meaning to start and have heard good things about.
Paranormalcy by Kiersten White.-One I'm most excited about ;)
Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin.-awesome bargain book find.
Prophecy of the Sisters Trilogy Book 1 by Michelle Zink.-Heard many good things about this one. Can't wait to read.
I don't really have a link for them but I also managed to snag a Mockingjay bookmark and a Glee bookmark (that had Sue on it ;)) that I'm very happy about. Yes, I'm Gleek. Between Glee and Castle (my two favorite shows right now) premiering, the week of the twentieth can't come soon enough.
Anyway, that's all I got this week, what did you get in your mailbox?

Book Review: How to Train Your Dragon (and brief talk of 9/11)

TITLE: How to Train Your Dragon
Book 1 in the How to series
AUTHOR: Cressida Cowell
PUBLISHED: 2004
CATEGORY: Childrens
GENRE: fantasy, adventure
PREMISE: Hiccup is the useless son of the village chief. In order to prove himself, he must train a ferocious dragon...
MY REVIEW: First, I will address the question that probably will be the first asked: is the movie or book better? I feel really sacriledge by saying this, because I'm a book lover, but the movie...was kind of better. That doesn't mean this book is bad. It had it's good points to it. I for one kind of wish the movie had the friendship part between Fishlegs and Hiccup. But mostly the movie was stronger in story and ideas. However, for younger kids this book is great. But that's the thing: it's just for younger kids. Adults...really won't get much out of it like I did with the movie.
Now on to the book itself: I like the tone of the story. It's kind of cheeky/monty python style story telling. It's not at all historically accurate but the author isn't trying for that. She's trying for a fun fantasy that will appeal to kids and with this she definately succeeded. So if you have younger children they'll probably get a kick out of this.
But the issue is it isn't really readable outside the age market it's aiming for. For older kids (like possibly the Diary of Wimpy Kid) it'll probably seem childish and for everyone else much the same. That's fine though. Not every childrens book needs to appeal to everyone, it just sort of helps you know? So I'm really rather split on this book. Part of me feels it could have been a lot better, but I do also see that she's appealing to a younger market. It's good, but not great like the movie was. But I think the book and movie took very different approaches with it so really I guess it just depends on your taste.
WHO SHOULD READ: younger children just getting into fantasy
MY RATING: Three out of Five viking kids

FOR THE FOLLOWING CHALLENGES:
12 by 12 in September
One Hundred Plus Books
Support Your Local Library
First in a Series

Now, onto a bit I want to talk about: today is the anniversary of 9/11. I want to take a moment to send a shout out to all the families who lost loved ones in this tragedy, my thoughts and best wishes are with you. I also would like to thank all the men and women who have or are currently serving in the US armed forces for all your service. I most definately appreciate the sacrifice you all are making and hope you all make it home safely, and for those home from the Iraq war a definate thank you for serving as well, I'm sure you're glad to be home. That's really about all I have to say about it to be honest. I'm not from New York so it didn't extremely effect me so I don't feel like I should be getting on a talk box about the subject. But I will take the time to thank the armed forces. I have several family members who were in the army at various points (grandfathers were both in WWII, Uncle was in Vietnam, and my cousin was briefly serving overseas, he thankfully made it back with no problem) so I know it can be hard on them and hope it works out for them.

Book Review: Magic Burns

TITLE: Magic Burns
Book 2 in the Kate Daniels series
AUTHOR: Ilona Andrews
PUBLISHED: 2008
CATEGORY: Adult
GENRE: Urban fantasy, mystery
PREMISE: Kate is back and this time is responsible for a young girl while there are magic waves going on in the city. Then she learns of a plot to release demons into Atlanta...
MY REVIEW: The more I read this, the more I'm starting to like it despite the unoriginality of it. Kate is just fun. She's fun and spunky without being over the top. As with the last book, the highlights for me were any scene that she and Curran were in. Seriously, this is one of the best couples and they're not even together (yet)! Anytime they are near each other I just grin because I love watching them trade barbs and keep waiting for the UST to explode (but Andrews keeps teasing us...darn you Andrews; I mean that with love).
I also must say, Derek is becoming one of my favorites in this. How sweet was he with Julie? So much potential there, I kind of hope Julie shows up again just so we see awkward adolescent romance blossom (and it will also have a plus of making Kate and Curran interact more...just saying).
The mystery part of this wasn't terribly interesting, but other then that, it was a solid follow up. I look forward to reading more of it. Still rec this to all urban fantasy fans.
WHO SHOULD READ: those who read the first Kate Daniels book, urban fantasy fans, Kelley Armstrong fans
MY RATING: Four out of Five swords

FOR THE FOLLOWING CHALLENGES:
12 by 12 in September
One Hundred Plus Books
Support Your Local Library

Book Review: Ballad

TITLE: Ballad
Book 2 in the Gathering of Faerie series
AUTHOR: Maggie Stiefvater
PUBLISHED: 2009
CATEGORY: Young adult
GENRE: fantasy, faeries, romance
PREMISE: James and his friend Dee are still reeling from the consequences in Lament when a new faerie shows up as well as a new plot by the faerie queen...
MY REVIEW: While I liked Lament it was not my favorite. I think Stiefvater's Wolves of Mercy Falls series is much better. But I wanted to read the next book in this because it was from the point of view of my favorite character in Lament: James. Having it in James's point of view made for much more enjoyable reading I must say. He's not as whiny as Dee and this had less of the lovey dovey romance then Lament did (I actually think this one was far better developed then Dee and Luke).
Speaking of Dee may I just say how much I wanted to smack her in this book? Don't get me wrong, I understood where she was coming from but that does not in any way excuse the way she treated James in this book. To top it off, when her guy turns out to be an ass, she's suddenly all "oh no, you're the one I love!"? I don't think so honey. One of my major complaints is that James never looked at her in face and told her to go to hell like I kept wishing he would.
From the looks of things, this is going to be the last book in this series. Ah well. It's just as well, I don't think I (or other readers) would really be interested after this. I mean, James gets over Dee and all and after this book I am not interested at all in what happens to her because I now detest her. Now if there were a book about Paul, James's roommate I wouldn't really complain...but I don't think it'll happen. So probably best to just leave it at this.
WHO SHOULD READ: Those who have read Lament, faerie book fans
MY RATING: Four out of Five worry stones

FOR THE FOLLOWING CHALLENGES:
12 by 12 in Septembery
One Hundred Plus Books
YA Challenge
Support Your Local Library

Book Review: Shade

TITLE: Shade
Book 1 in the new Shade series
AUTHOR: Jeri Smith-Ready
PUBLISHED: 2010
CATEGORY: Young adult
GENRE: paranormal, romance
PREMISE: Aura is one of many who can now see ghosts. This doesn't really concern her though till her boyfriend dies, a new guy enters the picture, and things suddenly start happening to make her question her past and her gift...
MY REVIEW: I honestly had no clue what to expect from this series. I've never read the author's adult books before (though now I'm considering it), and I was actually just expecting a cheesy Mediator combined with Twilight rip off due to the rather poor summary the publisher gives us (really guys, you couldn't have written a better blurb than that?).
Thankfully this was a lot better then I was expecting. In fact I enjoyed it quite a bit and can't wait for the continuation of this series. One of the best things about this? REALISTIC TEENAGERS! Really! For a change the teens aren't stereotypes of what adults think (or rather wish) they were. Plus, they have personalities! I personally loved Aura even if she was a tad frustrating sometimes and Meghan is like one of the best book best friends ever. There was also some slightly heavy topics in it that the author didn't shy away from and quite a few twists that I wasn't expecting. Only complaint is the fact that I have to wait longer to find out what happens. Well...and the writing could have been a tad bit better (it was amatuerish and sometimes the book did drag).
But basically, the book was really good. I can't wait to see where the author takes this series and I plan on checking out her adult books now.
WHO SHOULD READ: fans of Cabot's Mediator series, paranormal romance fans
MY RATING: Four and a half out of Five red ribbons

FOR THE FOLLOWING CHALLENGES:
12 by 12 in September
One Hundred Plus Books
YA Challenge
First in a Series
Support Your Local Library

Book Review: Magic Under Glass

TITLE: Magic Under Glass
Book 1 of apparently 2 planned
AUTHOR: Jaclyn Dolamore
PUBLISHED: 2010
CATEGORY: Young adult
GENRE: fantasy, faeries
PREMISE: Nimera is whisked from her life as a trouser girl and taken to be a singer for a rich man named Hollin. However when she gets to Hollin's place she discovers secrets and a dangerous plot that will involve war with the faeries.
MY REVIEW: If some of you are wondering where you've heard about this book before, it is the one that was involved in that whitewashing controversy a few months ago. Basically what happened is the character has dark skin but for the original cover Bloombury used a white girl and people went up in arms and I don't blame them because whitewashing is wrong. Unfortunately because of that a rather good book got lost in the shuffle because people basically decided they weren't going to buy it or anything else Bloomsbury published (or I think that was the decision...not sure how it was resolved actually...people kind of just stopped talking about it). Now I did not buy this one, I borrowed it from the library and as you can see this cover is not whitewashed so please no yelling at me for going against any boycott that may be in existance.
Now actual story review. I enjoyed this book. Granted there were a few flaws as there always are with an author's first book. Characters could have been developed more, and I wish more time was spent making the romance believable because it seemed to come out of nothing more then a few conversations. But luckily for the most part this book is good. It was an interesting premise for a change, kind of a magical version of Jane Eyre if you will.
I also found the writing to be very decent, aside from lack of developement. I could easily picture stuff, there was suspense built, idea was unique, and despite the abrupt ending (which I'm sure leads into the sequel planned), it was a good book. I look forward to whatever else this author has planned for readers, and hope for her sake that her future books don't get caught up in controversy.
WHO SHOULD READ: Jane Eyre fans, fantasy fans
MY RATING: Four out of Five keys

FOR THE FOLLOWING CHALLENGES
12 by 12 in September
One Hundred Plus Books
YA Challenge
Support Your Local Library

In My Mailbox (11)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme started by Kristi over at The Story Siren telling people what new books we've received this week. The links provided go to the book's Amazon page if you want more info.

From the Library:
Kate Daniels Book 2: Magic Burns by Ilona Andrews. Yet another Urban I have gotten into. Mostly I'm reading this series to tide me over till the next Sookie Stackhouse though.
Morganville Vampires series Book 1: Glass Houses by Rachel Caine.-Have heard good things about this series. Plus after this and Blue Bloods I think I'm done with all the major vampire series books. One of my book goals this year has been to give each of them a try.
How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell.-Loved movie (coming to dvd in October guys!) so I thought I'd take a look at the series that inspired it.
Books of Faerie: Ballad by Maggie Stiefvater.-Lament wasn't my favorite of Stiefvaters (I much prefer her Wolves of Mercy Falls series), but I was lured to read the sequel because it promised to be more about my favorite character in Lament: James.

So that's all I got this week. What did you get in your mailbox?

Book Review(s): Dance With a Vampire and Coffin Club

TITLE: Dance With a Vampire and The Coffin Club
Books 4 and 5 in the Vampire Kisses series
AUTHOR: Ellen Screiber
PUBLISHED: 2007/2008
CATEGORY: Young adult
GENRE: Vampires, romance
PREMISE: In the next two books of the Vampire Kisses series, Raven deals with a pint sized vampire interested in the blood of her brother and the Coffin Club which is going in directions for vampires that aren't maybe that great...
MY REVIEW: I still enjoy this series. Once again, I must say it's not the best out there. The writing is average, there's little character developement (though to her credit the author does try), and many of the events happening are random and slightly chaotic.
But I can't help it, I enjoy it. Mostly because the author is aware it's slightly absurd and has fun with that fact. She plays on the stereotype of the goth girl obsessed with vampires. Raven is also frankly hilarious. I love seeing what she'll think of next. It's fun watching her interact with other people (particularly seeing her go head to head with her nemesis). Plus, some of the ideas of the vampires are interesting and she draws interesting parallels between vampires and outcasts and why teens would relate to them.
If you have read the first three books in this series, you know what to expect. If you want a fun vampire romp that are quick reads, I rec these books to you. I definately look forward to see what hijinks Raven gets up to in the next few books.
WHO SHOULD READ: Younger vampire fans, Twilight fans (the younger ones), vampire fans
MY RATING: Three and a half out of Five bats

FOR THE FOLLOWING CHALLENGES:
12 by 12 in September
One Hundred Plus Books
Finish That Series
YA Challenge
Support Your Local Library

September Releases

So there are lots of cool and interesting looking releases coming out this month. Here's my monthly list of ones I think you all may be interested in, ones that I'm interested in, or ones that look interesting period. If it has this next to it (!) that means I'm excited about it and you can probably expect a review sometime in the future.
Plain Kate by Erin Bow. Hardcover, released September 1rst (TODAY).
Fear: 13 Stories of Suspense and Horror by R.L.Stine (!, it's STINE? You expect me not be dorkishly happy he's still writing?)
The Presance: A Ghost Story by Eve Bunting. Paperback, released September 6th.
All Hallows Eve: 13 Stories by Vivian Vande Velde. Paperback, released September 6th.
Crusade by Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie. Hardcover, released September 7th (!)
Firelight by Sophie Jordan. Hardcover, released September 7th.
Cloth Trilogy 1: Immortal Beloved by Cate Tiernan. Hardcover, released September 7th.
Extraordinary by Nancy Werlin. Hardcover, released September 7th (!).
The Secret of Ka by Christopher Pike. Hardcover, released September 13th (!).
The Healer's Apprentice by Melanie Dickerson. Paperback, released September 14th.
The House of Dead Maids by Clare B. Dunkle. Hardcover, released September 14th.
Caster Chronicles Book 1: Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margeret Stohl. Paperback version, Released September 14th (highly rec, I loved this book)
Zombies V.S. Unicorns by various authors. Hardcover, released September 21rst (!, I'm Team Unicorn BTW, have been ever since I read Rampant...)
The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod: Twelth Grade Kills by Heather Brewer. Hardcover, released September 21rst.
Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick. Paperback version, released September 21rst (!).
The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff. Hardcover, released September 21rst (!).
Dead Beautiful by Yvonne Woon. Hardcover, released September 21rst (!).
Leland Sisters: Betraying Season by Marissa Doyle. Paperback, released September 28th.
Sphinx's Queen by Esther Friesner. Hardcover, released September 28th (!)
I Was Jane Austen's Best Friend by Cora Harison. Hardcover, released September 28th (!, yes, this sounds like a self insert fanfic on Jane Austen's life, do I care? Not really, damn my OCDness concerning anything Jane Austen related...)
Fallen Book 1: Fallen by Lauren Kate. Paperback version, released September 28th (!)
Dust City by Robert Paul Weston. Hardcover, released September 30th.

Plus, much more but these are the ones I'm most interested in this month. How about you guys? Which books are you eagerly awaiting in September?