Review: The Faerie War

The Faerie War by Rachel Morgan

Publication Date: October 21, 2013
Genre: YA Fantasy
Creepy Hollow #3
Amazon/Barnes and Noble

The fate of the fae world is in her hands ...

Violet Fairdale is in big trouble. Her home is gone, her beloved forest lies in ruins, the guy she gave her heart to has deserted her—and she doesn’t remember any of it. The powerful Lord Draven is taking over, brainwashing guardians into fighting for him. No one is safe from the evil spreading throughout the fae world.

As alliances are forged between the remaining free fae, Vi struggles to reclaim her identity and figure out where she belongs in this new world. When someone from her past shows up, life gets even more complicated. He brings with him a long-forgotten weapon and an ancient prophecy that places Vi at the center of the fight against Draven. With the future of the fae world at stake, can Vi carry out the prophecy’s instructions before it’s too late?

The Faerie War was absolutely amazing! I devoured it and loved every second. I am so sad it is over though. The Creepy Hollow series is one you all should be thinking of adding to your library!

The Faerie War starts off with Violet... only she is a little different. Yep, she lost her memory. Everyone is preparing to go into hiding from the mysterious being destroying Creepy Hollow. The beginning was very exciting as you are plunged straight into the world with no time to be bored! Also, lucky for us, we get the second section from Ryn's point of view. I loved reading from his perspective, especially since he is such a unique and awesome character. We all fell for him in The Faerie Prince, but I promise he will impress you even more in this conclusion!

I can not not mention the wonderful humor. I laughed and smiled countless times.  The banter between Ryn and Violet is so entertaining! Also, the readers were introduced to some awesome characters such as Em of the London Guild. She was so cool! Her job is to provide comic relief for the team, as she put it! Em perfectly balances out Fin, who is very serious and subdued. Also, we meet Jamon, a Repticilla, in the beginning. At first, he is kind of unlikable, as he has an understandable-ish grudge against Violet. Eventually I grew to really enjoy his character.

We also meet Tilly, who has an important part in the book, but I won't tell you why in fear of spoiling the book! Tilly is also a pretty awesome character who, like Em, had some pretty awesome lines. Here is one I could relate to, this is said while she is welcoming Ryn and Violet into the house: "My mom would probably say 'Please excuse the mess' but, honestly, I think it looks fine." That line made me laugh inside. (Also, that line is from my memory so it may not be the exact quote.) In the beginning, we are led to believe that Tilly might not exactly be all there upstairs. Yeah, that scene was very entertaining!

The ending was epic. My mind was blown by the excellence of the final scenes. My emotions were running high as the darkness and climax approached and the very, very last chapters were so sweet and powerful. Overall, The Faerie War is an action packed read with an amazing romance and unique characters that have a special place in my heart. I know I will reread the series again and again!

*I received this book for free in exchange for a honest review. My thoughts above are 100% honest*

4.5/5 Stars

Other Books in the Series: 

Thanks for reading!

-Emily

Interview: Nicole Thomas

I am here today with an interview with the lovely Nicole Thomas. Her novel, Dreamer, is releasing soon and is part of a planned trilogy. I am reading the novel right now and am really enjoying the story!

Dreamer by Nicole Thomas

Publication Date: October 28th, 2013
Genre: Young Adult
Pages: 160

Someone is using Anna’s dreams as a weapon, and so far, they’ve gotten away with murder. Anna isn’t quite sure why those closest to her die when she dreams, but it’s enough to turn this teenager off REM sleep and relationships for good. She has more than enough blood on her hands without boys crushing on her and getting buried six feet underground as a result.

As of right now, Anna’s plan to avoid relationships with anyone outside her family has gone off without a hitch. And if it weren’t for her classmate, Liam, she would’ve continued to do so. Liam’s successfully flown under her social radar, and if he wants to avoid having his obituary in the local newspaper, he'd keep it that way. But when he confides in Anna and tells her he has dreams as well, he becomes an exception to the rule.

Okay, so his dreams might not be as dangerous, but it turns out his mother's were. Liam's mom is missing. His mom just turned eighteen when she fell completely off the grid, and Anna could be next.

----Interview with Nicole Thomas----

1. Can you describe your new book, Dreamer, in 3 words?

Parasite induced nightmares?

2. What was your first tiny piece of inspiration for Dreamer?

This is going to sound so cliche, but the first bit of inspiration I had came from one of my own dreams. It's been years, but I remember it vaguely. In the dream, there was this severe lightning storm. The thunder was really loud. At one point, I woke up, only to hear another loud crack outside our apartment along with a vibrant flash of blue light.

I literally freaked out. I was still kind of out of it, so it felt like a dream, even though it wasn't. I woke up my husband all panicked and told him something was wrong.

Turns out, one of the transformers outside our window blew. The telephone pole was on fire, and while I knew then that the dreams was influenced by what was happening in real life, I started to wonder what it would be like if it had happened in reverse. What would it be like if life mirrored our dreams?

3. Where is your favorite location to write?

At home. In fact, I'm not sure if I've ever written anywhere else. I always read about other authors writing at coffee shops to avoid distractions, but for me, being in a public space is a distraction. I like the quiet and comforts of home. I'm a very disciplined individual, so if I say I'm going to do something tomorrow, nine times out of ten (unless I'm unwell) it happens.

4. I love the way the chapters alternate points  of view between Anna and Liam! What was you favorite part about writing from the view point of Anna? Now, Liam?

Originally, Dreamer was only written from Anna's point of view in third person. However, during my first round of edits, I realized we were missing half of the picture and that we needed to be closer to the action, which is why I changed it to first person instead.

I like Anna's POV because it builds up the tension of the first book and a fair part of the series. She's our reminder of what's happened and what might be on the horizon.

Liam is a very unique individual. He tries so hard not to stalk Anna and be a pest. However, as the story goes on, he not only revels he's a dreamer as well, but he starts falling for her. He gives Dreamer the lighter scenes. There are even some laughable points. He compliments Anna's darker scenes with ones that give readers a chance to digest what's just happened. I also adore his personality.

5. What was the hardest and easiest part of writing Dreamer?

The hardest part of Dreamer as well as the rest of the series has been waiting for it to ferment. I've been known to write from the seat of my pants, but because Dreamer was influenced by a series of dreams, I've been waiting for some more of my own nightmares. I've used countless dreams as inspiration. I could've just as easily made them up, but it feels more real if I take them from personal experience.

I already know the last scenes of the series because of dreams I've been having. I've used dreams in my writing before, but never like this. Because of the basis to the Dreamerbound series, my lucid dreams are as important as ever.

I think the easiest part for me has been the addition of Liam's chapters. Once I realized he needed his own point of view in the books, I went to town. I ended up writing all of his chapters for Dreamer in the span of three or four days. I got to see him evolve more than I had originally when just writing through Anna's eyes.

6. What is your favorite color?

Purple. Love it.

7. When did you know you wanted to be an author?

Funny enough, it isn't so much I wanted to be an author but rather the fact that I cannot see myself not writing. I love to write. I've written novels, shorts, poetry and a memoir. The written word is lovely, and I envy those who can make these elaborate worlds just by writing about them. I'm hoping readers feel the same way about the world I've created for the Dreamerbound series.

8. Are you a cat or dog person (or neither)? 

Right now, we have one cat (and three rats, a tortoise, a cockatiel and a rabbit). I'd love to have a dog, but because we live an apartment, it wouldn't be fair for him/her. But once we get a bigger space, we're definitely getting a dog.

9. In a game of Truth or Dare, what option do you normally pick?

Always truth. I suck at dares as I normally wuss out. Or I get the really nasty dares that no one else wants to do.

10. What is something about yourself you always like to tell people?

I think the first thing folks realize about me when we first meet is that I'm an animal person. I'll almost always talk about my pets and family before I talk about myself (outside of author interviews, of course).

Dreamer is releasing on the 28th! Be on the lookout!

-Emily

Bookish Survey: Cast A Harry Potter Spell! Part One

Created by Flip That Page

This was such an awesome survey idea, created by Flip That Page, so I had to participate! I love Harry Potter spells, I have almost all of them memorized after years of studying to go to Hogwarts. Unfortunately, despite the intense studying I did as an 8-10 year old, I never received the Hogwarts letter. So, this is the perfect survey for me!

Also, I am separating this survey into two posts, this post is about casting the spells!

Now here is the list of spells and my answers. 

--------------------------------------------

Reparo

fixes damaged objects

A book that needs some serious fixing: Born of  Illusion by Teri Brown This novel had an outstanding premise, yet the book had boring writing and the characters were about as intriguing as cardboard boxes. (And, in the cardboards defense, at least you can slide down hills on the it. If you tried to ride Born Of Illusion down a grassy hill you would fail...)

Lumos

creates a narrow beam of light

A book that deserves more attention: The Faerie Guardian and The Faerie Prince by Rachel Morgan This series is so amazing! The characters are topnotch with a kickass female lead and Ryn, the love interest that always makes me laugh. Also, the plot is amazing with non-stop action. I don't know why the books are not well known to everyone

Nox

counters the effects of Lumos

An overhyped book: Significance by Shelly Crane I am sorry, but this was a downright terrible book... I laughed and rolled my eyes in the places I was supposed to swoon over Caleb or worry about Maggie. However, this is being made into a movie next year and the book has a 4.22 average rating on Goodreads. I can't believe it either.

Accio

summons an object from a significant distance

A book you’re anticipating: The Fiery Heart by Richelle Mead The Bloodlines Series is amazing. I cannot wait for the book to release! I want more adventure, humor, action, Adrian, and the rush of my many emotions running high! These books always have me holding my breath.

Alohomora

opens unlocked doors, unless bewitched

A book you want to be more open about:Any Classic out there. Yeah, I have problems reading them. I've started around three, but I have only finished one, and that was for a reading group. Also, in high school I will have to be more open about the classics. *sigh*

Expecto Patronum

conjures an incarnation of positive feelings

A book that made you cry, or at least want to: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak I was an emotional wreck when I finished the novel. Why Mr. Zusak? Why? How could you?... Bring back the lemon haired boy! Right. Now. (I am nearly crying just thinking about the The Book Thief.)

Morsmordre

conjures the Dark Mark

A book you wish to mark as one of your favorites: The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken I loved this book, even though I initially had strong doubts whether I would enjoy the story. Alexandra blew my mind with her amazing world, characters, and writing. Also, her novella for the series, In Time, is just as good!

Petrificus Totalus

petrifies victim

A book you wish to keep forever: The Song of the Lioness quartet. Alanna's journey was one one of my first Young Adult experiences! (I was still into Middle Grade back then.) I discovered the series around 3 years ago, and I haven't stopped reading since. Also, Alanna is such an amazing protagonist and Tortall is one of my favorite fantasy settings ever!

Protego

shield charm

An intimidating book you keep putting off: Daughter of Smoke and Bone I'm so scared I won't love it like everyone else. I mean, all the praise it has gotten is intimidating! However, once I read it, I hope Daughter of Smoke and Bone will become a favorite, especially since I already bought the second book, Days of Blood and Starlight.

Riddikulus

used against a boggart

A book with a deceiving synopsis: The Book of Broken Hearts I thought this book would be about a romance like the synopsis suggests, but I found the book to be more about family and mental illness. It was better than I had hoped!

Lacarnum Inflamarae

shoots fireballs

A book you wish to burn out of your mind completely: From Ashes by Molly McAdams This was a terrible and ridiculous book. Ugh. I hated it with a fiery passion.

Wingardium Leviosa

levitates objects

A book you wish to reread: If I keep a book on my shelf, it means I wish to reread it at some point. Most of my 300 books on my shelf have at least been read twice, and will continue to be reread and reread again. One I know I will reread soon is Through the Ever Night in preparation for Into the Still Blue.

Avada Kedavra

causes instant death

Worst book EVER: Fallen by Lauren Kate I was so bored reading this. The love interest has zero personality. I am not kidding. I just remember him being broody and not talking much. Our main character, Lucy, is a little pathetic and unrelatable. The characters could have fallen off a bridge and I would have just been glad the book ended. 

So, that was part one! What do you think of this awesome survey?

-Emily

Feature and Follow Friday #24

Hosted by Parajunkee an Alison Can Read

The Question: What are some of your favorite Magazines?

Ooh,  I have lots. Trust me. Magazines entertain me and I always enjoy seeing my subscriptions in the mailbox every month.



I love Dance Spirit, Pointe, Seventeen, and National Geographic!

Also, I like Time, especially since you get a copy every week. Sometimes I look at the American Girl catalogues because all the dolls are adorable!

Overall, I love magazines! While I definitely love books more, magazines are fun to flip through and I always like keeping interesting articles to read  and re-read or to pin onto my bulletin board. Also, I am supposed to read articles for school, so magazines are great for that too.

Do you have any favorite magazines?

-Emily

Cover Reveal: Scintillate

Today Tracy Clark and Entangled Teen are revealing the cover for book 1 in The Key of Light Trilogy, SCILTILLATE. Coming out February 2014!

On to the reveal!
Scintillate by Tracy Clark

Release Date: February 4, 2014
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Pages: 320
Goodreads/Amazon/Barnes & Noble

Cora Sandoval’s mother disappeared when she was five and living in Ireland. Since then, Dad has been more than overprotective and Cora is beginning to chafe under his confines. But even more troubling is the colorful light she is suddenly seeing around people. Everyone, that is, except herself—she glows a brilliant, sparkling silver.

Troubled by these strange flickerings and fearing she is being stalked, Cora is inexplicably drawn to Finn, a gorgeous Irish exchange student who makes her feel safe. Their attraction is instant, magnetic, and primal—but her father disapproves and Finn’s mother orders him home to Ireland upon hearing he’s fallen in love. After a fight with her father, Cora flees to Ireland, both to follow Finn and to look for her missing mother.

There she meets another silver-haloed person and discovers the meaning of her newfound powers and their role in a conspiracy spanning centuries—a conspiracy that could end her life and change mankind forever.

Scintillate is the first book in this lush and exciting new trilogy, full of romance, adventure and metaphysical mystery.

                                      Exclusive Excerpt!

Finn began to play. Voices descended into a respectful hush. Soft strums of the guitar lifted and fell on shafts of daylight from the windows. A small patch of sun warmed my exposed neck as I listened. The orange beads of his bracelet flashed as he plucked the strings with slender fingers. His head hung over the guitar in reverent concentration.

His playing was amazing, sweet and peaceful. For a while I let go of how bizarre my life had become. I was entranced long before Finn closed his eyes and opened his mouth to sing. His voice was rich, smooth suede, perfectly suited for the blues: soulful and vulnerable. The kind of voice that reaches inside and squeezes what’s tender.

When he sang an Irish bar song called “The Wild Rover,” he got the entire crowd to join in on the chorus. A couple of times during his performance, his gaze fell on me and lingered as if he sang directly to me. I rested my chin on my hand, hiding my smile behind my fingers. The last song was in a language I didn’t understand, but my soul spoke that language. Deep inside, something cracked open so that a bit of my truest self could peek out. His music was bluesy and mournful, eerily familiar, and it opened my heart in locked places. A tear landed on my wrist.

When the final chord of the last song reverberated through the coffeehouse, the audience jumped to its feet and applauded wildly. The force of energy from the crowd knocked the breath out of me, making me dizzy. I dared a look at the people in the room. The colors were unbelievable! Such power. It rolled toward Finn in a wave, a tsunami in slow motion. I had the impulse to leap in front of him, to protect him from it.

My body jerked in response to the thought, and I squeezed the sides of the wooden chair, willing myself to sit still. I couldn’t trust myself and the strong urge to protect him. But from what? The big, bad colors I could see but that were invisible to everyone else? He’d think I was crazy.

Maybe I was.

A chill spidered up my spine. The man with the crazy eyes and pure white aura leaned against the brick wall a couple feet away, staring intently at me. Icy fear spiked through me, making my fingers tingle and my breath come in quick bursts. The sounds of the room fell away. My heart sped and my aura sparked as I saw the roiling ball of the crowd’s energy pass over the man and collide with Finn. But rather than crush him, the energy crashed and blended with his own bright aura, making it grow and pulse fiercely. He seemed to absorb the light until the room grew dim to my eyes.

Untouched by the energy, the strange man moved closer and closer to me. I called out to Dun, but he couldn’t hear me over the shouts and clapping. I was so small in my chair amid the standing crowd. The man and his dark eyes were all I could see. I tried to leap up to run, to grab Dun’s arm, to call for help, but my chest jerked toward the stranger as if I’d been punched in the spine. I couldn’t draw breath, couldn’t move through the thick ice of my draining energy and rising panic. I was hit in the face with a blast of air. Then, a sudden flash of white.

The world tilted sideways, and I slid off.

About Tracy:

Tracy Clark is a young-adult writer because she believes teens deserve to know how much they matter and that regardless of what they're going through, they aren't alone. In other words, she writes books for her teen self.

She grew up a "valley girl" in Southern California but now resides in her home state of Nevada with her daughter and son. She's an unapologetic dog person who is currently owned by a cat. She is the recipient of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) Work in Progress Grant and a two-time participant in the prestigious Nevada SCBWI Mentor Program.

Her debut novel, SCINTILLATE, was inspired by her enchantment with metaphysics as a teen, seeing it as the real magic in life. Tracy is a part-time college student, a private pilot, and an irredeemable dreamer.

Website/Blog/Twitter/Facebook/Goodreads

Giveaway!

1 ebook of SCINTILLATE and a charm key US Only

1 eBook of SCINTILLATE International

a Rafflecopter giveaway

What do you think of the cover? I love all the shades of blue and the title font a lot!

-Emily

Book Trends: The Titles

So, I have been noticing a lot of book start with the sound "un" 

I actually really like the sound of all these titles. Especially Undeadly, which isn't actually a real word!

Do you like these titles? Why do you think the "un" words and titles are popular? 

Why not just say "Strong" instead of "Unbreakable"? Or "Supernatural" instead of "Unearthly? 

To me, the "un"s give the title an extra oomph. What do you think?

Thanks for reading! 

-Emily

This year's DNF pile

Here is where I "review" (more like just share my thoughts on) the books I simply couldn't finish. While reading my thoughts, please remember that I didn't read the whole novel so these are just my thoughts on the first 50% or so.

Born of Illusion by Anna Van Housen

Anna Van Housen has a secret. 

A gifted illusionist, Anna assists her mother, the renowned medium Marguerite Van Housen, in her stage show and séances, easily navigating the underground world of magicians, mediums, and mentalists in 1920’s New York. As the illegitimate daughter of Harry Houdini—or so Marguerite claims—sleight of hand illusions have never been a challenge for Anna. The real trick is keeping her own gifts secret from her opportunistic mother. Because while Marguerite’s own powers may be a sham, Anna possesses a true ability to sense people’s feelings and foretell the future.

But as Anna’s powers intensify, she begins to experience frightening visions of her mother in peril, which leads her to explore the powers she’s tried so long to hide. And when a mysterious young man named Cole moves into the flat downstairs, introducing Anna to a secret society that studies people with gifts like hers, she is forced to confront her past and rethink everything she’s ever known. Is her mother truly in danger, or are Anna’s visions merely illusion? And could the great Houdini really be her father, or is it just another of Marguerite’s tricks?

From Teri Brown comes a world bursting with magic, with romance, and the temptations of Jazz Age New York—and the story of a girl about to become the mistress of her own destiny.

Why did I not finish Born of Illusion?

This book just could not hold my interest! I found myself staring into space and I was never fully engaged so I finally just quit reading. Also, I read a lot of good reviews so I was very disappointed I could not get into it.

I think the big reason I did not finish Born of Illusion is thanks to the characters. I felt no connection to the characters, even Anna was kind of transparent to me, and the romance was "bleh".  Overall, this was not a hit with me!

The Time Fetch by Amy Herrick

Edward picks up what he thinks is a rock. He doesn’t know it is a sleeping Time Fetch—and touching it will release its foragers too soon and alter the entire fabric of time and space. Soon the bell rings to end class just as it has begun. Buses race down streets, too far behind schedule to stop for passengers. Buildings and sidewalks begin to disappear as the whole fabric of the universe starts to unravel. To try to stop the foragers, Edward must depend on the help of his classmates Feenix, Danton, and Brigit—whether he likes it or not. They all have touched the Fetch, and it has drawn them together in a strange and thrilling adventure. The boundaries between worlds and dimensions are blurred, and places and creatures on the other side are much like the ones they’ve always known—but slightly twisted, a little darker, and much more dangerous.

A fast-paced tale filled with mythology, danger, friendship, and a shocking centuries-old secret, The Time Fetch is sure to delight fans of fantasy adventure with its tale of ordinary kids who tumble into a magical situation.

For ages 10 and up, grades 5 and up.

Why did I not finish The Time Fetch?

The reason I stopped reading The Time Fetch is that I felt the characters were flat... and two things just got on my nerves.

1. The main character knocks over a girl's purse because everyone knows that allgirls hate it when their purse's contents are spilled onto the floor. And of course, "girly junk" comes flying out. And then the girl continues to growl in fury at him. UGH! There are so many things wrong with that scene. First, hmm, a bit stereotypical? Hmm? I know that this won't bother most people, but... I don't know, it just got on my nerves. (As I have stated above already.)

2. The author uses annoying phrases left and right. Probably because this is MG... but I am a middle-schooler and I know that back in 3rd-5th grade these childish phrases would still get on my nerves. (Note: These are from an ARC. So, they may be different in the hardbound copy.) Here are the examples: "A bee up her butt", "As if a bird had just pooped on his desk", "Wowie Zowie", and "Sunshiny Smile" 

In other words, this book was just not for me. So, bye! And if you TRULY think you would like this book, check out the positive reviews along with the negatives to make your decision. Also, ask friends for thier opinions!

Thanks for Reading!

-Emily

Have there been any books you just couldn't finish this year?