Days of Blood & Starlight (by Laini Taylor)

Posted on November 15, 2012 by setaian

Days of Blood & Starlight is book two of a trilogy. This review may contain spoilers.

For thousands of years Angels and Chimaera had fought a brutal war of attrition. In Daughter of Smoke & Bone the Chimaera’s greatest secret was discovered and the Angels pressed their advantage, defeating the Chimaera.

The war is over and the Chimaera armies have been decimated, but what follows war is not peace but genocide. The Angels have turned their attention to the innocent civilians and are hunting them down like animals.

Bitter and broken from what Akiva has done, Karou has joined a small group of Chimaera warriors who survived the final battle. They are led by Thiago, a narcissist and sociopath whose goal is not to protect Chimaera but to exact a bloody revenge. As the only surviving resurrectionist Thiago needs Karou to build him an army. She finds his tactics repugnant but can she stand up to him when she hasn’t got a single ally?

Akiva is crushed with guilt over what he has brought about. As he watches the genocide unfolding he makes a decision to turn against his own and protect the innocent Chimaera. But what can a single angel do in the face of so many?

Days of Blood & Starlight is as close to perfect as it’s possible to get. In parts it’s an extremely uncomfortable book to read and I literally had to put it down because I couldn’t go on. But before very long I just had to pick it up and continue. It’s a powerful story about good versus evil; love versus hate; hope versus despair.

Three Strong Words (by Becky S. Araujo)

Posted on November 4, 2012 by setaian

I originally reviewed this book as a guest reader for The Indie Bookshelf. The Indie Bookshelf is a blog created and run by a group of frighteningly talented women that supports independent authors. It is something like an Aladdin’s Cave for book lovers and a great place to find your next book.

http://www.theindiebookshelf.blogspot.com

I hate you. I never actually said those words aloud to him but in the beginning I sure did think it a lot. The thought of being near him sent nausea churning through my stomach and hearing his name caused my temper to flare to the point where I could almost feel my blood boil. Aiden Parker, every time I look at you three words always run around in my head. I hate you.

Aidan’s father is widely known as the most racist man in town. A man who enjoys beating up people of color for kicks.

When Esmeralda, a young Hispanic woman, is forced to do a joint school project with Aidan there are immediate fireworks. In her opinion, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree and she isn’t going to take any abuse from him. But over time she comes to realize that he is completely different to his father and their initial antagonism turns to attraction.

This book isn’t perfect. There are things which just didn’t work. There was a (thankfully) brief detour into a courtroom drama which fell flat and honestly didn’t belong in this book. But those little blips don’t add up to much and there are so many good things about this book that I can’t help but love it.

White Ninja (by Tiffany Hall)

Posted on October 1, 2012 by setaian

All the things I hate –– Chinese burns, pimples, cheese, answering questions in class –– are Christmas compared with having to walk through the gate to school.

Roxy Ran is a 13 year old girl who doesn’t quite fit in. She goes to school at Hindley Hall where she is getting some special treatment from the school bully, Hero. Then one day while rescuing a kitten Hero is attempting to flush down the toilet, Roxy discovers she has some super ninja powers.

All of a sudden she finds herself on a quest to find the White Warrior and the Tiger Scrolls before the powers of evil get them.

White Ninja is a very short and cute story for early teens and perhaps a little younger about a girl finding the strength to face her fears. Tiffany Hall manages to weave a subtle anti-bullying message into this story without ever preaching.

I think this book would be great for young people who find reading difficult. It’s great fun and easy to read.

Many thanks to Harper Collins and Netgalley for providing me with this ARC

Confessions of an Angry Girl

Posted on August 23, 2012 by setaian

As I get to the last turn, I suddenly see pom-poms in my peripheral vision. A few of the girls are lined up on the side of the track, like they’re cheering someone on. I’m tempted to look back to see who it is, but I’ll lose my stride if I do. I keep going. I get closer and closer to them, and I realize too late that it’s Lena, Susan and Regina. Just as I’m about to pass them, they chant, “How did Daddy’s Little Girl like the gynecologist?”

Rose is having a bad year. Her father was killed by an IED in Iraq. Her mother, consumed with guilt and grief, has become distant. Her brother has run off to college and seems to be doing just fine. Her best friend, Tracy, is only interested in having sex with her jerk of a boyfriend and becoming a cheerleader. To top it all off, Regina, one of the cheerleaders has it in for Rose. Regina is convinced that Rose is trying to steal her boyfriend Jamie…and maybe she is.

Before I know what I’m doing, I’m running across the lanes that separate me from the cheer bitches. It doesn’t matter that it’s three against one. After everything Regina has done to me, I want the satisfaction of hurting her. I run faster. I start screaming.
Lena and Susan look like deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming car⎯ I must seem like a complete maniac, flying at them, covered in blood, screaming like a madwoman⎯

Confessions of an Angry Girl resonates. It deals with a whole grab bag of issues facing young adults, including bullying; pier pressure; binge drinking; sex; anger; and grief, without ever preaching or getting sentimental. Louise Rozett doesn’t treat young adults like idiots, she tells her story and allows them to draw their own conclusions.

Tracy. Tracy told her I kissed Jamie.
I slam into Regina with every ounce of strength I have, knocking her to the ground.

If you liked Easy by Tammara Webber or Almost by Anne Eliot you will probably like Confessions of an Angry Girl.
Thanks to Harlequin and Netgalley for providing me with this ARC.

Almost (by Anne Eliot)

Posted on August 11, 2012 by setaian

Almost

Without another word, I turn my back and start for my Jeep, wondering if he can hear how loudly he’s made my heart pound.
“Okay then, see you after school, Jess. It’s a date. We’ll have some fun! Good luck on your afternoon final!”
He sounds like a stupid megaphone. When I don’t answer and hunch my shoulders, his low laugh adds a trail of goose bumps coursing down my neck.

As a high school freshman, Jess was drugged and almost raped at a party. That single night has defined every day of her life in the years since then. Unable to sleep at night because of the nightmares, she is perpetually tired. She survives on short naps in her car and Red Bull energy drinks.

When she meets Gray she comes up with a plan which will allay her parents’ fears and allow her to attend college. His job is to pretend to be her boyfriend and give her the air of normalcy. But he isn’t pretending, and he has a secret that could destroy any chance he has with her.

Almost took quite a while to get going. I think I was nearly 50% through before it finally had me hooked. Honestly, I could have walked away from it without any regrets…but I’m glad I didn’t. Despite the slow start and the difficult topic, this is a really good book, both satisfying and uplifting.

“I know I’m acting crazy but I’m in love with this girl. Major love. And I have no idea what to do about it, so it’s messing with my sanity.”

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