For the Love of Faerie!

Premise of Wondrous Strange:

Kelly is a young actress drawn to the mysterious and tranquil beauty of Central Park. Little does she know that the park serves as a gate to the land of Fae, a land she was born to rule. When Kelly meets Janus Guard, Sonny Flannery, her world, and her heart are twisted round. Will Kelly take up her birthright in time to save both her mortal world, and her homeland from impending destruction? Will Kelly let herself fall in love?

Premise of Darklight:

While Sonny Flannery is away, dealing with the aftermath of the Wild Hunt, Kelly is alone in New York City, rehearsing lines at the Avalon and wishing her true Romeo was by her side. When a strange man sends her tumbling back into the land of Fae, Kelly can hardly wait to be with Sonny once again! Sonny is changing, and even he cannot fathom the blood magick that rests within him, can Kelly save there love, or are they destined to end as Romeo and Juliet did?

My review

I’m reviewing them both because, people, it’s a trilogy, you can’t spoil the second one knowing there is a second one! I love these books, I really do. They aren’t life changing, they aren’t thought provoking, but they aren’t that typical trashy read you would associate with “Just a fun read.” Wondrous Strange begins the trilogy in a very whimsy way, the progression throughout the story- and into Darklight- is so moving, you go from Wondrous to Dark and then I am assuming we will hit the Tempest in “Tempestuous” which will be out this December! I can hardly wait! Livington is nothing if not subtle, many of her plot twists hitting you when you least expect them, after slowing simmering, sparking and burning! The pacing of the story is the number one reason these are such great books, some mysteries from “Wondrous” are being carried through to “Tempestuous,” which is such fun for me, as I am always guessing the plots too early to really enjoy them. These novels are tricking me left and right! I love it! The characters are very cool, The Janus Guard being filled with very unique personalities and handsome men, which, come on, you have to be excited about. The politics of the four fae courts are interesting and you’ll be surprised by some of the mythological creatures that reside in the four fae kingdom. My only complaint resides in the second book. I think the choice of “Romeo and Juliet” as the cornerstone for “Darklight” was superb, but I wanted more! I wanted more of the R+J plot influencing the story, instead of using the title and using a semblance of the ending. That is the only complaint however and these are a very clean read in my opinion. No cursing, no sex and the Magick isn’t sorcery, witchcraft and the like, this is a faerie book to be sure, but I don’t consider them to be filled with darkness or evil.

Cover concepts: Can I explain how much I love these covers? No, I can’t, but take a look and you will see! The W.S cover is very dreamlike and you see it as if through a Fae sleep, perfect! Darklight focuses more on the heroine herself, and of course that which she is wearing. Did the necklace seem too pretty for you? It did for me, and too small, but I still love the covers.

Names: I think the Goodfellow/Puck/Bob bit is a stitch and had to be mentioned! I also love the names of the Janus (I also love the use of Janus in this context!) especially when Livingston refers to Fennrys as “The Fennrys Wolf” it gives you a great visual for the human character. Bellamy, Maddox, Emmeline, Winslow (surname), Chloe and Fennrys are my top picks! Fennrys would be a gret way to get the Fenn/Finn nickname everyone is craving. And speaking of nicknames, but hello, I want my boyfriend to give me a cute pet name like 'Firecracker!'

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Contest!

You want to talk about a sweet giveaway? How about Jane by April Lindner and The D.U.F.F by Kody Keplinger. Chant with me, I want to win so bad it hurts, I want to win so bad it hurts!

Bree Tanner was created for a purpose, but even she has been kept in the dark, both literally and figuratively, as to what evil spurrs on the creation of blood-sucking vampires. When Bree meets Diego she finally sees a purpose to her strange existence and is happy to be by his side, even while he surreptitiously watches those around him, waiting for a chance to get the answers some would kill for. We know what happens, how did she get there, who did she meet along the way?
For a novella where you are already aware of what’s going on, and how things will end up, I was surprisingly pleased. I mean, it’s Twilight, right? Why wouldn’t you be happy? ;) I thought the flushed out character of Bree Tanner remained true to the original sketches and the plot structure did not contradict that of Eclipse, instead enhancing the Volturi’s involvement and driving a clear-cut path to the control exercised over a large bunch of blood-thirsty Vamps. If you had questions when you finished Eclipse read Bree Tanner, you’re eyes will be opened to this new world of Twilight and it’s sad characters.
Thoughts on the cover: It matched in with the Twilight covers, yet it had it’s own flair, something distinct from the Bella-centered world.
Thoughts on the names: I really love Bree, I think it’s fitting, as she is under twenty, this seems like a name that would have been given to a child that old. Overall I was not happy with the name selections, Riley and Bree were both such modern, trendy names, and I was really looking for that youth factor, something that set the aged Cullens, Carlisle, Esme, Rosalie ect. apart from the newly created, killer coven.

Price of Admission by Leslie Margolis

Someone has a secret, and it’s about to be Hollywood’s newest blockbuster!
Jasmine Green’s boyfriend has died, his brother, who she has been having an affair with, won’t speak to her. Her brother is cheating with their newest stepmother and Jasmine has been writing about it in her “diary,” written as a rather fetching screenplay. When Austin’s parents look through his belongings and discover the script amongst his things they automatically assume he wrote it, as a work of fiction and Jasmine’s own father Is more than happy to being production immediately, right after he reads it.
With a sleazy tabloid reporter on her tail how will Jasmine salvage her wrecked rep?
I loved this book, I have no idea what so ever why it’s not a more sought-after read, but I am proud to have it on my Mod-Podge Bookshelf.
The plot does sound a bit over-used, but that is sort of the beauty of it, Jasmine’s thoughts on her father’s latest, Harry-Potter meets Twilight movies are a great parallel to her over-dramatic Hollywood Hills lifestyle. Jasmine is a great character; she really acts her age, instead of being on of those teenagers who exist as if they were in their mid-twenties just because of their location. She’s down to Earth in a Head-in-th-Clouds scene.
Her best friend is gay, but not a typical gay guy, you know the one’s I mean, the drama-queen, Hollywood boys who you get sick of reading about because they lack all depth and interest. I would have actually liked to see this character go a little further, I found him appealing.
Cover thoughts: I like it, very Hollywood, very simple, but fresh.
Name thoughts: Jasmine was just the perfect name for the character, as well as Pilar, Pilar was such a visual for how this character held the family up.

The Princess and the Hound by Mette Ivie Harrison

The Princess and the Hound is a fantasy book, set in a realm of forgotten legend, frothing with mysterious abilities and a sense of superstition. A young prince will be marrying his betrothed very soon, but Princess Beatrice is aloof and awkward around her Husband-to-Be, the Prince George. Her only companion is the hound Merit, a hound who takes on the characteristics of a human. Who is the Prince’s true love? What happened to her?
The preface Is magical, absolutely beautiful with a true Celtic-tale appeal, you will feel confident in your choice based off of this foreword, but it is duping.
TPATH had so much potential, and I was bitterly disappointed by the choppy dialogue, the twisted, sometimes contrived love story and the forced conclusion. The story drags for about fifty or so extra pages at the end and though I recently read this book I can’t seem to remember why exactly the Princess was turned to a Hound. It’s really too bad, as I said the potential of this story was great.
Thoughts on the covers: Great covers! This is a trilogy thus far and the covers are magical, Celtic and true to the premise, the potential, oh the potential!
Thoughts on the names: Beatrice and Merit are both very interesting names and I think they are great counterparts.

Contest!

Alright, the lovely ladies over at Books Complete Me are holding a contest, a great contest and I wanted to let you know all about it!

Some of the prizes include ARC's and one is a book of your choice from The Book Depository under $15.

So what are you waiting for? Get to following!

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TELL ME A SECRET by Holly Cupala

Gabrielle's bookshelf: currently-reading



More of Gabrielle's books »

Jessica’s Guide to Dating on the Dark Side

Dark in a very sexy way this book doesn’t reek of overly Vamped cliché’s, nor does it seek to over-analyze the supernatural world of Vampires. Set in a modern setting a vampire prince has come to claim his bride, hoping to keep a family fued from escalating further. He gives Jessica a Manuel on growing-up undead. The manual itself, which the book is named for create’s a sense of childlike whimsy that really takes you out of the story at times. When Lucius hit’s his melancholy stride things do become touch and go for you love/disdain for his character, I think that was the author’s purpose, but it can throw you. The romance does sizzle, especially since Lucius insists on that fabulous chivalry too many young women dismiss as poppycock now’a’days. I think Jessica herself has a huge transformation, not just farm girl to vampire princess, the likeness of her beautiful mother Mihaela, but also girl to woman. Her final sacrifice and the telltale ending is thick in emotion and those who were left wanting by Twilight’s occasional “nice” (Hey, I like nice!) romance will really get a kick out of this near-tragedy. Jessica’s parents are the two most unlikely favorite characters, but they really change the dynamics of the novel for the best. The best thing is the love story. He helps her grow to love herself; he helps her become a woman and a princess. She really teaches him who he truly is beneath his wounds and as she continues to heal those hurts, he reveals more and more of himself to her.
In the end this book did not make it onto my Mod Podge Bookshelf, though I wish it’s next reader the best time reading it, I did thoroughly enjoy myself and hope you will too, if you pick up a copy. Also, read the online sequel, which I thought was even better than it’s published pre-cursor!
Thoughts on the cover: Great cover, truly, deeply, madly- I love this cover. They are posed, but the fullness of her dress and the fluidity of their pose seems to suggest you caught them mid-dance. Yes, there are fangs on this cover, no, I am not a fan of retractable fangs, but I think Lucius being a darker, in need of redeeming vampire, the fangs do seem to fit him.
Oh, how I love the names of the novel! Read it for nothing but the names! My favorites are Antanasia, Jessica’s name by Princess-ship, Lucius, which would fit in quite well with the Luca, Lucas, Luc names trending now. Mihaela just rolls of the tongue as does Reveka!

Scott Westerfeld's Uglies, Pretties, Specials, Extras series

This is a series review! I hope I don’t spoil any of the fun, but here is a brief synopsis of each book.
In Uglies, Tally, a fifteen year old living in a culture where people are turned ‘Pretty’ at age sixteen, there-by gaining the respect and elite privileges of Prettiness. Tally and Shay are two rebellious best friends, one of which, Shay, decides to go and join The Smoke, a band of outlaw uglies who insist on staying that way. When the head of the rumored Specials sends Tally out to find The Smoke and end their rebellion Tally is sure she can fulfill her mission, if for no other reason than to become Pretty! What Tally finds is a camp dedicated to preserving the old ways, ways that destroyed the world once before, but are somehow very freeing and yes, beautiful in its own way. When Tally meets David, an ugly, born and raised outside of Tally’s Pretty-centered society she begins to really see herself and this is the tipping point of her new found self-respect.
*Uglies Spoiler Alert!*
In Pretties Tally is finally one of the many, brain-washed beauties that in-habit her Pretty-City. She is in a group called the Crims with Shay and Peris. Zane is the pretty leader of their little group, intent on staying Bubbly! As Tally and Zane’s romance continues to grow and their bond deepens with the mutual knowledge of the nano-pills Tally continues to shake the legions that plague her mind and remembering the way things once appeared to Tally becomes easier and easier.
*Pretties Spoiler Alert!*
Specials begins with an epic party bust, better than the first two! Shay’s special Specials, The Cutters, are off to find the Smokies infiltrate spy and expose their tricks. The reader has the unique experience of seeing this society through the eyes of an protagonist turned antagonist. As a Special, Tally begins her journey by intimidating others and believing herself to be superior to all of those around her, even her ‘boss’ Shay and her love, Zane, who is barely hanging on, unable to fully heal from the brain damage the nano’s have caused him. Tally does find her way back to herself in time to fight against her society in the Diego War, but at what cost?
Extra’s is the fourth in the series, and quite possibly the final in the saga. This book is told from the perspective of Aya, a Japanese kicker in the time after the mind-rain. Tally is an immortal in this society, and everyone wants a piece of her high face rank. Kicking, or reporting, on oddities around the city is the fastest way to popularity. Lucky for Aya Fuse she has a story that could make her even more popular than Tally, but what will it mean if she exposes what she believes to be the truth behind a storage facility high in the mountains and the presence of strange, glowing creatures?
The UPSE Saga is a personal favorite, let’s just get that out of the way. All four sit proudly on my Mod Podge Bookshelf, along with the companion novel, aptly named, “Bubbly to Bogus.” Tally is also one of my very favorite heroines, I want to be Tally, if only for the complication’s her society places upon her shoulders and the way she overcomes them from within. Her problems never have the most tidy endings, instead rolling over into the next novel, all dependent on who her society will create next, using her body and brain as their personal playground.

The ‘Toys’ in these Scott Westerfeld books are so cool! Even being a girl, I want to ride a hover board! I love Tally's relationships’s with Shay, Zane and David. I’ll say it now, Zane is my literary love in this novel. There is just something so self-sacrificing about his character, and Tally really loves him, I mean really, really loves him.

The chilling ends of the Diego War in Specials are still tingling inside me as I imagine the scene Westerfeld painted so vividly, so painfully.

Extra’s is my least favorite, I wanted in equal parts to experience a new world and go with Tally on a new adventure, letting her and David’s new relationship go less unnoticed. I really didn’t feel like these desires were completely met, though the character’s were still great, the plot lacked something Special’s had left hanging- so perfectly- in the air, what with Tally’s final warning to the world at the end of the third novel. Well, perhaps I will get my wish completely fulfilled eventually, I think I would love a fifth book from David’s perspective, going back to being in an Uglies mind after the Mind-Rain would be so cool!

My favorite, as you may have guessed is Specials, I can’t even talk about it anymore without spoiling, what I feel you need to experience, in the moment. Pretties and Uglies are both amazing companion’s to each other, they are so different from the last two, which is the magic of these books. Though Westerfeld remains in one mind throughout the first three novels each time Tally goes under the knife your own perceptions of Tally’s world change, along with the vernacular, the tone of the novel and the body you are inhabiting as you tackle the world with Tally. Read these books!
A word on the covers: They are all so cool, though I think Aya looks too cool, almost Special in a way. I get that an Extra is different than an Ugly, but I wanted something less sexy, less powerful, but secretive from Aya. Tally on the Special’s cover is well, let’s just say it, she’s Icy! I don’t like the Pretties cover at all, but the Uglies cover is what caused me to delve into the books in the first place. There is that sense of mystery to self, you know that Tally isn’t even aware of her self, or her strength because she is hiding among all the greenery. Bubbly!
What is in a name? You know what I think the coolest name is in these books? It’s Shay’s nickname, which in this society is Shay-la; I think Shayla is so pretty! Tally is super cool and you come to appreciate it as you read. Zane is also pretty Bubbly.