Review: The Skull Throne by Peter V. Brett

Genre: Fantasy 
Series: Book Four of The Demon Cycle 
Pages: 681 
Copyright: 2015 
Publisher: Penguin Random House LLC 
Buy: Amazon

Summary: from Good Reads

The first three novels in New York Times bestselling author Peter V. Brett’s groundbreaking Demon Cycle series--The Warded Man, The Desert Spear, and The Daylight War--set a new standard for heroic fantasy. The powerful saga of humans winnowed to the brink of extinction by night-stalking demons, and the survivors who fight back, has kept readers breathless as they eagerly turned the pages. Now the thrilling fourth volume, The Skull Throne, raises the stakes as it carries the action in shocking new directions.

The Skull Throne of Krasia stands empty.

Built from the skulls of fallen generals and demon princes, it is a seat of honor and ancient, powerful magic, keeping the demon corelings at bay. From atop the throne, Ahmann Jardir was meant to conquer the known world, forging its isolated peoples into a unified army to rise up and end the demon war once and for all.

But Arlen Bales, the Warded Man, stood against this course, challenging Jardir to a duel he could not in honor refuse. Rather than risk defeat, Arlen cast them both from a precipice, leaving the world without a savior, and opening a struggle for succession that threatens to tear the Free Cities of Thesa apart.

In the south, Inevera, Jardir’s first wife, must find a way to keep their sons from killing each other and plunging their people into civil war as they strive for glory enough to make a claim on the throne.

In the north, Leesha Paper and Rojer Inn struggle to forge an alliance between the duchies of Angiers and Miln against the Krasians before it is too late.

Caught in the crossfire is the duchy of Lakton--rich and unprotected, ripe for conquest.

All the while, the corelings have been growing stronger, and without Arlen and Jardir there may be none strong enough to stop them. Only Renna Bales may know more about the fate of the missing men, but she, too, has disappeared...

Feelings: 
Like the other books in this series, I was drawn to and amazed by the world the Peter V. Brett creates. This series is on scale, at least in my opinion, with Song of Ice and Fire. Both kill characters when you least expect and don't when you wish they would. They tell the story from different characters perspectives switching between regions to tell the story of the whole world.

The Skull Throne engaged me emotionally, I was angry, excited, sad, and frustrated. I found there were times when I had to remember back to previous books, and it has been a while since I read The Daylight War, so I think I would have seen more depth in the story if I had read the previous book more recently. Even with the lapses in memory, this book was amazing. I was pleased with the arc in the story and surprised by the characters may times. I was very please to come to the ending without wanting to scream knowing the next book isn't due out until some time in 2018. I don't feel like there is much I can say about this book that won't give away key events, for this book or the previous books in the series. My advice is read the series. It is amazing.

Review: Skip Beat! Volume 10 by Yoshiki Nakamura

Genre: Shoujo 
Series: Volume 10 
Pages: 200 
Copyright: 2008 
Publisher: VIZ Media LLC 
Buy: Amazon

Summary: from Good Reads
Kyoko's been scouted for a role in this year's most anticipated drama, a remake of the classic Tsukimori. But shades of the past threaten to stifle the production as Kyoko struggles to get into the character of Mio, a young woman with a severely scarred face. Ms. Iizuka, the actress who played the original Mio, is now playing Kyoko's mother, and has grave doubts about Kyoko's ability to do justice to the role. She demands that Kyoko pass an acting test, and quit the production if she fails!

Feelings: 
Kyoko is about to become famous. She is playing a dark and troubled girl in an upcoming drama that Ren is in. She is worried about it because she doesn't want to play such a dark character. However, once she is convinced to play the character she isn't sure what she needs to do to make the character different from the previous version from 20 years earlier.

As Kyoko figures out how she is going to play Mio she struggles with the fact that her Mio is so different and she is worried that the director won't accept her interpretation.

Rogue Wave by Jennifer Donnelly

Title: Rogue Wave 
Author: Jennifer Donnelly 
Type: Young Adult Novel  
Genre: Fantasy 
Series: Waterfire Saga #2 
Pages: 313 
Copyright: 2015  
Publisher: Disney Hyperion 
Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Summary: from Good Reads
Serafina, Neela, Ling, Ava, Becca, and Astrid, six mermaids from realms scattered throughout the seas and freshwaters, were summoned by the leader of the river witches to learn an incredible truth: the mermaids are direct descendants of the Six Who Ruled-powerful mages who once governed the lost empire of Atlantis. The ancient evil that destroyed Atlantis is stirring again, and only the mermaids can defeat it. To do so, they need to find magical talismans that belonged to the Six.

Serafina believes her talisman was buried with an old shipwreck. While researching its location, she is almost discovered by a death rider patrol led by someone familiar. . . . The pain of seeing him turned traitor is devastating.

Neela travels to Matali to warn her parents of the grave threat facing their world. But they find her story outlandish; a sign that she needs to be confined to her chamber for rest and recovery. She escapes and travels to Kandina, where her talisman is in the possession of fearsome razormouth dragons.

As they hunt for their talismans, both Serafina and Neela find reserves of courage and cunning they didn't know they possessed. They face down danger and death, only to endure a game-changing betrayal, as shocking as a rogue wave.

Feelings: 
This book didn't include as many of the six mermaids from the last book as I thought it would. We focused on Serafina, Neela, and Ling. Ling only had a very short part in the book but the other mermaids were only mentioned in passing. Most of this story like the first was Serafina's story. I liked Serafina more in this story because she was stronger. Neela had grown a lot since the first story as well.

I'm interested to see if the next book tells the story of the other mermaids. Serafina has been central to the book so it seems like she will remain a central character but the other mermaids also have a part to play and it seems like their story will be important now as the search for the talismans continues.

I'm looking forward to the next in the series. I recommend this to those that enjoyed their first in the series, Deep Blue.

Skip Beat! (3-in-1 Edition) Volume 3: Includes Vols. 7, 8, & 9 byYoshiki Nakamura

Title: Skip Beat! (3-in-1 Edition) Volume 3 
Author: Yoshiki Nakamura 
Type: Manga  
Genre: Shoujo 
Series: Volumes 7, 8, & 9 
Pages: 592 
Copyright: 2012  
Publisher: VIZ Media LLC 
Rating: 3 out of 5


Summary: from Good Reads
Kyoko Mogami followed her true love Sho to Tokyo to support him while he made it big as an idol. But he’s casting her out now that he’s famous enough! Kyoko won’t suffer in silence—she’s going to get her sweet revenge by beating Sho in show biz!

Kyoko’s dreams are finally coming true! She’s landed a spot in Sho’s new video, and revenge is in sight! But vengeance isn’t as easy as she thought, and her rage starts to get in the way of her acting. When her performance catches the attention of some important people, Kyoko finds herself working with the terrifying Ren Tsuruga! Can she make it work, or will her growing fame be her downfall?!

Feelings:
Three volumes in one makes for a pretty big book. I did like this but I missed having the color cover. I don't mind reading the manga in black and white but there are times when having a little color is nice.

Kyoko is gaining fame. She is still a member of the Love Me Section but she is starting to have skill as an actress and is able to lead others. It was also nice to see the relationship between Kyoko and Ren change a little. 

Kyoko's revenge is finally in site or at least she thinks it is. She is going to use Sho as a stepping stone to launch her carier. She got an offer to be in his promo video and at first she wants to turn it down. But she decides it is an opportunity she isn't will to let pass. 

She struggles to act next to Sho but she is able to put aside her anger and really act shocking everyone. 

Sometimes the drawing makes Kyoko seem a little manic. She swings quickly from one emotion to the next. I know this is a manga having her act that way ads to the drama/tension. I do find it a bit hard to enjoy at times and sometimes it feels a but overdone. However, I'm really enjoying the series overall. 

Shadow Scale by Rachel Hartman

Title: Shadow Scale

Author: Rachel Hartman

Type: Young Adult Novel
Genre: Fantasy

Series: Seraphina #2

Pages: 608
Copyright:  2015

Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Rating: 3.5 out of 5


Summary: from Good Reads
Seraphina took the literary world by storm with 8 starred reviews and numerous “Best of” lists. At last, her eagerly awaited sequel has arrived—and with it comes an epic battle between humans and dragons.

The kingdom of Goredd: a world where humans and dragons share life with an uneasy balance, and those few who are both human and dragon must hide the truth. Seraphina is one of these, part girl, part dragon, who is reluctantly drawn into the politics of her world. When war breaks out between the dragons and humans, she must travel the lands to find those like herself—for she has an inexplicable connection to all of them, and together they will be able to fight the dragons in powerful, magical ways.

As Seraphina gathers this motley crew, she is pursued by humans who want to stop her. But the most terrifying is another half dragon, who can creep into people’s minds and take them over. Until now, Seraphina has kept her mind safe from intruders, but that also means she’s held back her own gift. It is time to make a choice: Cling to the safety of her old life, or embrace a powerful new destiny?

Feelings:
I was suprised by this book. I remember thinking after finishing the first in the series that it would be hard to have a second one that was as good as the first. I don't think this book was as strong as the first in the series but I did enjoy it.

Seraphina was still an interesting character to me and I was glad to see more of the dragon and half-dragon side of the story included in here. We focused less on Goredd and the people there are more on the kingdoms around Goredd, where Seraphina is searching for half-dragons.

The book didn't draw me in until the second half when Seraphina is traveling with the dragons. Seraphina herself seemed conflicted in this book, like the first, but she seemed to be doing less about it in this book. "I'm worried about this," seemed to be her way of dealing with it. She didn't really take action when it seemed like she should have been taking action.

The end of this book surprised me in how it wrapped everything up. I'm used to the trilogies that keep coming out and I didn't realize there wouldn't be a third until I got to the end and all of the conflicts had been solved. This was a fun series. I recommend it.

Skip Beat! Volume 6 by Yoshiki Nakamura

Title: Skip Beat! Volume 6
Author: Yoshiki Nakamura
Type: Manga
Genre: Shoujo
Series: Yes, Volume 6
Pages: 208
Copyright: 2007
Publisher: VIZ Media LLC
Rating: 3 out of 5


Summary: from Good Reads 
Superstar Ren's manager Yashiro comes down with a nasty cold, but Ren is in the middle of an important shoot and needs someone to look after him. In a feverish fit, Yashiro dares Kyoko to take over his job! Of course Kyoko accepts, but she's in way over her head with a pack of new responsibilities and the scorn of everyone who thinks she's doing a bad job. But the more time Ren spends with Kyoko the more he sees of her kind and gentle side. Will all her hassles be worth his change of heart?

Feelings:
Kyoko takes over as Ren's manager when his manager gets sick. Ren also gets sick. And Kyoko goes out of her way to care for him so he doesn't have to cancel any of his jobs.

I liked seeing the relationship change between Ren and Kyoko. 

The Heart of Betrayal by Mary E. Pearson

Title: The Heart of Betrayal
Author: Mary E. Pearson
Type: Young Adult Novel
Genre: Fantasy
Series: The Remnant Chronicles #2
Pages: 473
Copyright: 2015
Publisher: Henry Holt and Company
Rating: 4 out of 5


Summary: from Good Reads
Intrigue abounds in this hotly anticipated sequel to The Kiss of Deception!

Held captive in the barbarian kingdom of Venda, Lia and Rafe have little chance of escape. Desperate to save her life, Lia's erstwhile assassin, Kaden, has told the Vendan Komizar that she has the gift, and the Komizar's interest in Lia is greater than anyone could have foreseen.

Meanwhile, nothing is straightforward: there's Rafe, who lied to Lia, but has sacrificed his freedom to protect her; Kaden, who meant to assassinate her but has now saved her life; and the Vendans, whom Lia always believed to be barbarians. Now that she lives amongst them, however, she realizes that may be far from the truth. Wrestling with her upbringing, her gift, and her sense of self, Lia must make powerful choices that will affect her country... and her own destiny.

Feelings: 
I wasn't sure this would be  able to hold the same standards as the first book. I was surprised to find that I enjoyed this book as much as the first and maybe more. I liked getting to know the people that were seen as the enemy in the previous book and learning more about Kaden and Rafe.

There were four different points of view in this novel and I felt at times like it detracted from the story to switch back and forth. I was glad to know what was happening with Pauline in Morrighan but at times I thought maybe it would have been a better story if we didn't have her point of view included.k

I am looking forward to the next in the series. I'm hoping my library gets it soon after it is release and I don't have to wait months for its arrival.

Skip Beat! Volume 5 by Yoshiki Nakamura

Title: Skip Beat! Volume 5

Author: Yoshiki Nakamura

Type: Manga
Genre: Shoujo

Series: Yes, Volume 5

Pages: 208
Copyright:  2007

Publisher: VIZ Media LLC

Rating: 3 out of 5


Summary: from Good Reads
Kyoko lands a regular role on a TV show...as a giant chicken. Not content to settle for poultry recognition, Kyoko tries out for a big commercial. At the audition she runs into her Love Me rival Moko, who's having rival woes of her own. With a jealous rich girl out to bring them down, can Kyoko and Moko overcome their difficulties and act as a team to trounce the competition?

Feelings: 
In this volume Kyoko and Moko audition for a commercial and go up against Moko's childhood bully.

I liked the spontaneity of this volume it felt fun and a bit lighter than the previous volumes. 

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

Title: An Ember in the Ashes 
Author: Sabaa Tahir 
Type: Young Adult Novel 
Genre: Fantasy 
Series: Yes, An Ember in the Ashes #1 
Pages: 446 
Copyright: 2015 
Publisher: Razorbill 
Rating: 4 out of 5


Summary: from Good Reads
Laia is a slave.

Elias is a soldier.

Neither is free.

Under the Martial Empire, defiance is met with death. Those who do not vow their blood and bodies to the Emperor risk the execution of their loved ones and the destruction of all they hold dear.

It is in this brutal world, inspired by ancient Rome, that Laia lives with her grandparents and older brother. The family ekes out an existence in the Empire’s impoverished backstreets. They do not challenge the Empire. They’ve seen what happens to those who do.

But when Laia’s brother is arrested for treason, Laia is forced to make a decision. In exchange for help from rebels who promise to rescue her brother, she will risk her life to spy for them from within the Empire’s greatest military academy.

There, Laia meets Elias, the school’s finest soldier—and secretly, its most unwilling. Elias wants only to be free of the tyranny he’s being trained to enforce. He and Laia will soon realize that their destinies are intertwined—and that their choices will change the fate of the Empire itself.

Feelings: 
This book was not what I was expecting. It took me a little time to start liking it. It was worth the first three chapters of adjustment. I really enjoyed this book. Laia is worried about being like her parents and brother and through the story we see that she is more like them than she knows. We as readers see her in a way that she doesn't and I really liked that.

Elias struggles with who he is becoming and how it isn't what he would chose. He doesn't really have a choice though and it is the lack of choice that makes him want to break free.

I wasn't sure how the going back and forth between two narrators would work but I ended up really enjoying it. I recommend this book and am looking forward to the next in the series.