News and some changes

Hey everyone! I hope you had a very lovely weekend.

Sorry I've been missing the last few days, life's a little #%@$% and apparently "she can't be ignored" *rolls eyes* The heat in my neck of the woods is killing me!! And the humidity sucks. So that makes reading a little difficult. That and studying, but I manage to ignore that last part :P

I thought long and hard and I realized I needed to do some changes in my reviews, specifically with my rating method. During the Wicked Wildfire Read-A-Thon I read a book that... confused me. While the writing style, the character development, the psychology of each character were asking for the highest rating I could give, it was also a book that made me so uncomfortable I simply couldn't give it more than 2 cups. That doesn't mean the book was bad. But it was so out of my league and certain scenes made me squirm (and not in a good way). So that is why I'll have a secondary rating system that will be only for showing my comfort level while reading the books I'll be reviewing. I'm going to use Jolly Rogers for that. (I'm a geek, ok? :P) I'm going to have that explained better in my Review Policy & Rating System page.

The second change is that I'm going to use icons for various genres. I though they looked cool and fun and also helps the reader know the genres/main idea behind the book/age restrictions and what not. So I put my non-existent drawing skills to use and so far so good. I hope that I'll start using these icons by second week of July. The designs are mine, inspired either by real objects or crazy stuff from my imagination. I can't wait to start using them. They'll probably look as bad and ugly as you're imagining them, but I'm actually very proud of them *shrugs*

That's it for now. No major changes, just small things I felt were needed ;)

Book Review: Eversworn by Hailey Edwards (+18)

Author: Hailey Edwards
Series: Daughters of Askara #3
My Rating: 5 cups
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Publication Date: June 26th 2012
Blurb (from Goodreads):

Steal the salt. Bind the grimoire. Escape the male.

When an exchange of stolen goods in the Feriana marketplace turns sour, Isabeau stumbles from the encounter bruised and laden with new orders to complete an even larger heist. With her child’s life at stake, there’s no room for error—or allies. 

Armed with a lethal book of spells, she strikes a dangerous bargain with Roland Bernhard. Steal a shipment of salt from the Feriana colony, and she’ll have her freedom—and her daughter. It’s all she’s ever wanted. At least it was…until she runs into Dillon Preston.

Dillon is out of commission after a mine explosion, and itching for a distraction. He gets it when the female who saved his leg arrives at the colony with nothing but flimsy excuses and even flimsier attire. She’s after something, but is it him—or the salt?

Trapped in a desperate bid to gain true freedom, Isabeau is willing to sacrifice her life for her daughter’s, but Dillon has other plans. He wants a package deal, and he’s not willing to lose either female, even if it means the future king of Sere’s head will roll.

Warning: This title contains a heroine desperate to save her daughter and a hero determined to make them a family. It also includes wings, horns and other assorted appendages.(less)

I really enjoyed this story. You get to see so much more magic being used than in the previous two books and you also get to see the negative part of overusing that magic and the responsibility that comes with using magic and glamour. I liked that part a lot, being able to see the not so pretty side of magic.

We get to learn more about the background of this world, though I'm sure there are more details we haven't learned yet. I liked how the story of how the Evanti were enslaved. I love a good history tale, be it real or fictional, and this one was amazing. I can only hope we'll get to learn more about the world in the future.

I liked the love story between Isabeau and Dillon. I liked the changes they brought in each other and the chemistry between them. Oh, and Dillon was sooooo sexy. I loved his true form, without the glamour and all that magic covering him. And I have to say, he was funny at times. Or maybe that's just my twisted sense of humor? Anyway, I enjoyed his character. And I loved how he protected Isabeau's daughter. You gotta love a big, bad-ass demon who manages to get wrapped around a little girl's finger in an instant. I have a feeling she'll be a little troublemaker :D

Isabeau was surprising. She's the opposite of what we know about how her people are. She's aware of what magic does to people and how it can corrupt and destroy and so she doesn't use it unless necessary. I also respected her for not trying to lie about the things she did, even if it meant losing a dear friend. She accepted the consequences without making excuses and I loved that about her. Her story also managed to break my heart a little.

I know it's too early, but I am SO ready for book 4. I can't wait to go back into that world and learn more and more about it.

Blog Tour Promo: Shadows of Kings by Jack Whitsel

  


SHADOWS OF KINGS

by Jack Whitsel

BLURB:

Steel and sorcery clash as the Harhn incursion sweeps through the Hugue. Mankind faces its greatest peril without the Order Knights of legend to defend them. Crusading deep in the frontier, the Order is unaware of the savage beasts threatening their homeland as the Hugue realms muster their armies for war.

Between a cunning Harhn sorcerer, and an alliance forged with the decadent Darkfey, the horde threatens to extinguish the domains of men. Only Lord Baudouin and Lady Lucia, a Dragon Maiden from the Order, stand in the enemy’s path. One must find the strength to unify the realms. The other must discover the strength within her, while coming to terms with the agendas of her Order. But only together will there be any hope to repel the onslaught, and preserve the future for a mysterious girl they do not know.

Chapter excerpt: http://twilighttimesbooks.com/ShadowsofKings_ch1.html





Author Bio:



Jack Whitsel is a native Californian, but has made Oregon his home since 1982. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree of Finance from Portland State University, but studies medieval history in his spare time. His favorite genres are fantasy and historical fiction with a medieval emphasis. Shadows of Kings, the first novel of the Dragon Rising Series is the love child born of these two passions.


“I love the elements of fantasy when mixed with the gritty aspects of a medieval society,” states the author.


Website: http://www.jackwhitsel.com
Blog: http://jwhitsel.wordpress.com
Facebook fanpage: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shadows-of-Kings-Book-one-of-the-Dragon-Rising-Series/119975978113722
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JackWhitsel 

Purchase info:

Title: Shadows of Kings
Author: Jack Whitsel
Author web site: http://www.jackwhitsel.com
Publisher: Twilight Times Books
url: http://twilighttimesbooks.com/
Genre: Fantasy
Print ISBN: 978-1-60619-223-8
Format: trade paperback
Distributors: Brodart, Follett, Ingram

eBook ISBN: 978-1-60619-222-1
Format: ebook in pdf, ePub, Kindle, Mobi, PRC, etc.


Distributors: Amazon Kindle; Apple iBookstore; BN.com Nook; eReader; Fictionwise; Kobo Books; OmniLit; Sony eBookstore, etc.




Excerpt from SHADOWS OF KINGS

"Great Dragon, be with me. Let your strength be my own. Let your countenance…"

Her prayer was cut short by the sound of air whistling around her. Arrows rained upon the Harhn from a group of archers approaching from her left. The arrows slew all the Wargunds, but the sorcerer had deflected their lethal intent while catching some of them in midflight. With a force of will, he suspended the shafts momentarily before hurling them at Lucia. Five arrows were deflected by her magic, but one got through, striking her left shoulder. She cried out from the pain, instinctively favoring the wound with her right hand. The act did not dispel the magical shield erected around Narvauth, but its intensity had lessened. She refocused all her remaining strength at him, disregarding her own protection. The next attack was directed at the necromancer, but was easily deflected from the Harhn’s waning strength. The Horgund followed up with another attack directed at Lucia. Every hair rose on her body from the impending attack. When the lightning struck, it sucked all the air from her lungs and singed the cloak wrapped around her body. The assault knocked her to the ground and caused her muscles to mildly spasm. Seconds that felt like hours elapsed before she could catch her breath and regain her faculties. Once she willed herself into an upright position, the air escaped her lungs again. She clutched her throat, but her mortal hands gave no relief to the unseen grip squeezing her esophagus. Her head ached and spun. Rivulets of blood began to flow from her nose from the concentration she exerted to dispel the assault. The more she focused, the more the pounding in her skull intensified. The Horgund slowly advanced, his magically imbued grip still firmly around her throat. The spell would have crushed her throat by now if it were not for the energy she instinctively allocated before the assault. But her mind began to strain as unconsciousness tried to claim her. Lucia fell sideways, her lungs still desperately attempting to capture some of the night air. Then she heard a deep voice say, "It is done."

Air abruptly entered Lucia’s lungs, forcing a fit of gagging. Her eyes drifted to the necromancer. His staff was pointed at the Harhn sorcerer; the ruby at its head glowing with an infernal red glimmer.

The Horgund was paralyzed as Narvauth’s spell lifted him off the ground. The necromancer was uttering a new incantation that differed from the deep monotone chant used for awakening the dead. His mouth stretched open as if muscle and bone could not restrain his jaw. Lucia covered her nose and mouth as the stench of rotting flesh filled her nostrils beyond anything she had experienced while in the necromancer’s presence. A black fog poured from Narvauth’s mouth engulfing the Harhn in darkness. The shroud of death entered into every cavity, causing the Horgund to spasm and gurgle with unsettling shrieks. She still lay upon the ground, her eyes glued on the horror being unleashed upon their adversary. When she caught her breath and fully regained her senses, she realized the black fog was not fog at all. Her eyes widened in fright and awe as the swarm of insect-like apparitions invaded the Harhn’s body. When his struggling ceased, Narvauth released his grip, allowing the limp body to plummet to the ground.

Lucia rolled on her back and gave a quick prayer of thanks, enjoying the air flowing freely through her lungs despite the stench of decay that shared every inhale. She stared at the stars twinkling in the clear sky, and aside from being drenched with the smell of the graveyard, she felt at peace. She had fulfilled her role, lifting a heavy burden that sat so heavily upon her shoulders. But regardless of her moment of satisfaction, she knew there was more to do.

Lucia was startled when Narvauth approached. His skin was paler, almost glowing underneath the moonlight.

"My lady," he said, extending his bony hand to her.

She took it, surprised at the strength hoisting her from the ground. The gaping jaw that released the swarm from the abyss had returned to normal, but she could still feel the residue of his craft emanating from his person.

"Well?" she asked as she applied sorcery to the wound on her shoulder.

"The fullness of the spell has been cast and cannot be undone until I will it so…or negated by means far grander than my own, which is unlikely," Narvauth said with a near smug tone.

"It appears to be working," Lucia said, observing the host of knights as they charged into the panicked mob.

"Of course it’s working," he said, admiring his handiwork before turning to Lucia. "You did well, Viscountess. I trust you are all right?"

Lucia caught his eyes peering at her nose. She became self-conscious, wiping the blood away with her sleeve. "Yes…I’m fine. What now?"

"I shall have my share of ale before retiring for the evening. Then…I shall make for Verslund upon the dawn."

"But there is another Horde at Yalveth. There is still much to be done," she said.

"Indeed. But I must answer to my master just as you must answer those within the Order," he said calmly.

"But…the army needs you," she said, surprised how the words flowed so freely from her tongue. Just minutes before she had loathed his presence, but now she despaired from the thought of his absence.

The necromancer chuckled, his pale fingers moving a straying strand of hair from her face. "The army is in good hands, my lady. They have you."

Day 27 – The most surprising plot twist or ending

I'll have to choose In Love With An Angel (original title: Innamorata di un angelo) by Federica Bosco - read my review here.

SPOILER ALERT.

The whole book is built upon a love story so beautiful and innocent, a forbidden love, an unlikely love. You'd think there's a HEA in there somewhere, right? Or at least a HFN (Happy For Now)? Wrong. At the end of the novel, out of the blue, the heroine's lover drowns and (obviously!) dies and the heroine ends up in a coma, after trying to kill herself. While I get the idea that in some cases authors either choose or have to kill a certain character, I have to wonder why kill a main character? Why write one of those dream-like love stories, just to tear it apart in just a few pages? Yes, I know, there will be a second and a third book in this series, but I'm still trying to reconcile with the fact that Pat died and Mia is in a coma.

Anyway, this is the most surprising plot twist that is still fresh in my head. There have been others, but this is the most recent.

What about you?

Wicked Wildfire Read-A-Thon Day 1

Hey everyone! Welcome to the Read-a-Thon!

This is my first read-a-thon and I am very, very excited. Like I said before, I am way behind with my reading, I really do need to get back on track. I have a "couple" of books I hope I finish during this RAT. Also, many reviews need to be written and posted. Thank God it's too hot outside for me to want to go take long walks in the sun or to have a distraction. Well, maybe on Sunday, when I give in and go to the beach, but until then I know I'll be happy to be in my chilly, cozy reader's cave :D

Here are some of the books I hope I finish during this RAT:

Dark Passage 

Differential Equations

The Stone Of Darkness

Alison Wonderland

Code Name Verity

Hourglass

Yeah, so I do hope I read these and get to review them and the other reviews that are sitting on my computer or on papers waiting to be typed and posted.

So if you want to join me in this RAT, just click on the challenge button on the beginning of the post and sign up! 

Day 26 – A book that changed your opinion about something

Besides Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings there has been one book that changed the way I saw things at a time. I remember I was about 12 when I first read Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Now, for a girl who doesn't like classical books, it seems unlikely that this book is, to this day, one of my favorite books I've read over the years (and there have been a few since then).

The thing that this book changed for me was the actual reading experience. At the time I first read it my English wasn't what you'd call "good".It was terrible, actually. But I remember I wanted to read it in English, desperately so. I have no idea what made me want to read it in English, but there you have it. I also remember the cover. It looked something like this, only my copy was a shade darker, or so I remember it.

See how he's leaning over her, either to whisper a secret or to take a better look at her, now that she's sleeping? *sigh* I loved the cover! Anyway, I remember I struggled while reading it, but I made it to the end. I remember rereading the book in my mother language years later and feeling a little...cheated? The translation was perfect, flawless, but it still wasn't the same. So you could say that this book changed the way I look at the idea of reading translated books. Of course, if the original language is one that I don't know, I'll read the translation :P

But other than that, I can't say a book changed my opinion about a specific subject.

What about you? Did you ever read a book that changed your opinion about something?