Review: The Glittering Court by Richelle Mead

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Series: The Glittering Court #1
Pages: 400
Copyright: 2016 
Publisher: Razorbill
Buy: Amazon

Summary: from Goodreads

Big and sweeping, spanning from the refined palaces of Osfrid to the gold dust and untamed forests of Adoria, The Glittering Court tells the story of Adelaide, an Osfridian countess who poses as her servant to escape an arranged marriage and start a new life in Adoria, the New World. But to do that, she must join the Glittering Court.

Both a school and a business venture, the Glittering Court is designed to transform impoverished girls into upper-class ladies who appear destined for powerful and wealthy marriages in the New World. Adelaide naturally excels in her training, and even makes a few friends: the fiery former laundress Tamsin and the beautiful Sirminican refugee Mira. She manages to keep her true identity hidden from all but one: the intriguing Cedric Thorn, son of the wealthy proprietor of the Glittering Court.

When Adelaide discovers that Cedric is hiding a dangerous secret of his own, together they hatch a scheme to make the best of Adelaide’s deception. Complications soon arise—first as they cross the treacherous seas from Osfrid to Adoria, and then when Adelaide catches the attention of a powerful governor.

But no complication will prove quite as daunting as the potent attraction simmering between Adelaide and Cedric. An attraction that, if acted on, would scandalize the Glittering Court and make them both outcasts in wild, vastly uncharted lands…

Feelings:

I enjoyed The Glittering Court by Richelle Mead more than I thought I would. My expectations were lowered a little when I realized the author had written the Vampire Academy series. While I liked The Glittering Court I would not have picked it up and read it if I had realized it was the same author that wrote Vampire Academy. This book was not a vampire book though, and I'm glad I read it.

I really enjoyed Adelaide, Cedric, Tamsin, and Mira. Adeaide was the first person narrator, and we know all of her secrets but we don't know the secrets of the other girls at the school Tamsin and Mira. We know they have reasons they joined the Glittering Court and are willing to make a dangerous trip to a dangerous new world. However, I didn't need to know their secrets. Knowing Adelaide and Cedric was enough for me. They had big secrets.

This was a little like a fantasy period drama and I liked the descriptions of the clothing and the difference between the two cultures. Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to have lived in a time where society was based on your history and your wealth. I imagine it would have felt limiting. The characters in this novel seemed to feel limited by and that was why they were willing to travel to a new world because they hoped it would provide a little freedom.

I recommend this book to anyone that enjoys historical fiction based in Victorian times. Yes, this is fantasy, but it has the same feel as many historical novels. This book stood by itself. It is part of a series but the next book in the series is from Mira's perspective and covers the same time as this book. I think I will probably end up reading it, but I don't feel like I'm missing something if I don't read it.

Review: Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Series: Snow Like Ashes #1
Pages: 422
Copyright: 2014
Publisher: Blazer + Bray
Buy: Amazon

Summary: from Good Reads

A heartbroken girl. A fierce warrior. A hero in the making.

Sixteen years ago the Kingdom of Winter was conquered and its citizens enslaved, leaving them without magic or a monarch. Now, the Winterians’ only hope for freedom is the eight survivors who managed to escape, and who have been waiting for the opportunity to steal back Winter’s magic and rebuild the kingdom ever since.

Orphaned as an infant during Winter’s defeat, Meira has lived her whole life as a refugee, raised by the Winterians’ general, Sir. Training to be a warrior—and desperately in love with her best friend, and future king, Mather — she would do anything to help her kingdom rise to power again.

So when scouts discover the location of the ancient locket that can restore Winter’s magic, Meira decides to go after it herself. Finally, she’s scaling towers, fighting enemy soldiers, and serving her kingdom just as she’s always dreamed she would. But the mission doesn’t go as planned, and Meira soon finds herself thrust into a world of evil magic and dangerous politics – and ultimately comes to realize that her destiny is not, never has been, her own.


Feelings: 

The world created in Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch was different than any other fantasy world I've come across. I found the idea of a circular world made up of an inner circle and outer circle interesting. The inner circle was composed of four kingdoms that each at one season year round. The outer circle was also four kingdoms, but they cycled through the seasons as our world does. 

I liked the characters but I didn't like any of them enough to say I had a favorite. I thought Meira was a little whinny at times, particularly when she didn't get what she wanted, which was often. Meira was the first person narrator so we see the other characters through her eyes. That may be why I didn't feel much of a connection with the other characters. Meira really likes Mather but I didn't find him to be that interesting of a character. He is the child King of winter, but he is a refugee like Meira and has no power to help his people. Maybe because he is only sixteen years old. The character I ended up liking the most was Theron, the son of the King of Cordellan. Theron had in many ways given up on his dream. However, while he was forced into the role of future king he remained true to who he was, and I liked that about him.

Snow Like Ashes was an enjoyable story of learning to be true to who you are. I recommend this story to those who enjoy very different world. I intend to read the next in the series. 

Review: The Impostor Queen by Sarah Fine

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Series: The Impostor Queen #1
Pages: 415
Copyright: 2016 
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Buy: Amazon

Summary: from Good Reads
Sixteen-year-old Elli was only a child when the Elders of Kupari chose her to succeed the Valtia, the queen who wields infinitely powerful ice and fire magic in service of her people. The only life Elli has known has been in the temple, surrounded by luxury, tutored by magic-wielding priests, preparing for the day when the queen perishes—and the ice and fire find a new home in Elli, who is prophesied to be the most powerful Valtia to ever rule.

But when the queen dies defending the kingdom from invading warriors, the magic doesn’t enter Elli. It’s nowhere to be found.

Disgraced, Elli flees to the outlands, home of banished criminals—some who would love to see the temple burn with all its priests inside. As she finds her footing in this new world, Elli uncovers devastating new information about the Kupari magic, those who wield it, and the prophecy that foretold her destiny. Torn between her love for her people and her growing loyalty to the banished, Elli struggles to understand the true role she was meant to play. But as war looms, she must choose the right side before the kingdom and its magic are completely destroyed.

Feelings:
I made the mistake of looking at a few reviews as well as the over all rating before I started reading this novel. It had a not so great over all rating. I normally look for an average of 4 stars, and this had 3.7 stars. I didn't think it was the best book, but I really enjoyed the story.

Elli seemed like a real person. She had fears and worries. I liked that about her. She also had disappointment but she learned to live with it and make the best of what she had. She was a very interesting character, and I enjoyed getting to know her as she grew throughout the novel.She knew what her short comings were outside of the temple and she did her best to learn and grow. She made mistakes, but she didn't obsess over them. She did obsess a little over what she wasn't and what sh actually was. It was interesting to see her learn about magic and her lack of it.

Another character I really liked was Oskar. He denied so much of himself because of fear. This is true of so many people, not just in fiction. We let fear hold us back because we are scared of what might happen. I could go off into a rant about the politics of fear, which is applicable to this novel. However, I won't. Oskar does learn from his fear and he changes. It was the growth in both of these characters that made me really like reading about them. I also enjoyed the family dynamic that was present in the outlands rebel camp. It was so different from the city.

I also liked the balance that magic had with fire and ice. Without a balance a person is consumed by the magic. Sarah Fines created an interesting world in The Impostor Queen. I recommend this novel and look forward to the next in the series.

Review: Exile by Anne Osterlund

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Series: Yes, Aurelia #2
Pages: 295
Copyright: 2001
Publisher: SPEAK
Buy: Amazon

Summary: from Good Reads
Crown princess Aurelia is a survivor. She survived attempted assassination. She survived the king's rejection. She survived her mother's abandonment. And now, in exile, she must survive her kingdom-from hostile crowds to raw frontier to desert sands. But even as unknown assailants track Aurelia and expedition guide Robert, she knows her greatest risk is falling in love...

Feelings: 
Exile by Anne Osterlund is the second novel in the trilogy and it picks up with Aurelia leaving the castle and her sister, who tried to killer her, to see her kingdom. Soon after they leave Aurelia is threatened again. She and Robert set off alone into the woods and the distance between them that was formed from a misunderstanding begins to fade. 

While I enjoyed this novel a lot, I think it was because I wanted to see the relationship between Aurelia and Robert grow and less about the adventure the characters were having. The relationship between the characters does grow but slowly. There wasn't as much time for them to relax with each other because they were being chased. However, there were a few good kisses. Is it bad that I liked this novel because of the kisses? Oh, well. I enjoy a good fantasy romance every once in a while. Maybe I read this novel partially for the adventure, which was fun, but if I'm honest it was mostly for the romance.

I think I preferred the first novel a little over this one but not much. I'm interested to see where the last novel takes Aurelia. She is such a great character. She knows how to  have fun and that makes her extremely likable.

Before Robert had even finished hitching the stallion, Aurelia had been whirled away into the festivities. She was laughing, her head thrown back, excitement rampant on her face. A far cry from the elegant, fuming princess he had witnessed less than three months ago at her sister's coming-out party. p. 147

I look forward to the last novel in the trilogy and recommend this one.

Review: Aurelia by Anne Osterlund

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Series: Yes, Aurelia #1
Pages: 246
Copyright: 2008 
Publisher: SPEAK
Buy: Amazon

Summary: from Good Reads
An impressive debut, equal parts commercial appeal and literary prowess.

Princess Aurelia is next in line to rule the kingdom of Tyralt, but she would rather be one of the common folk, free to learn and roam and . . . not marry the next tyrannical prince that comes courting. Naturally, the king wants Aurelia to marry for political power. Aurelia wants to marry for love. And someone in the kingdom wants her . . . dead. Assigned to investigate and protect Aurelia is Robert, the son of the king's former royal spy and one of Aurelia's oldest friends. As Aurelia and Robert slowly uncover clues as to who is threatening her, their friendship turns to romance. With everything possible on the line, her life, her kingdom, her heart, Aurelia is forced to take matters into her own hands, no matter the cost.

Feelings: 
This is the second time I have read this book. The first time I read it, it was a stand along novel. This time I read it so that I  could read the next in the series and understand what was going on. Most of the time when I reread a novel I find it to be diluted because I know the outcome. This was a little but I still enjoyed rereading the story.

Princess Aurelia is a likable character and her innocence is sweet. She is also strong and devious. From the minute Robert returns to the castle he is drawn to her. He remembers his childhood friend, but knows that he wants more than just a friend.

I really enjoyed the opening of this novel.

On the night of her younger sister's coming-out party, Aurelia almost died. Of boredom. Her ankle itched as though a single ant were casually creeping over her flesh. ... She longed to reach down and scratch, but years of royal training had not been entirely lost. She could not afford such a dramatic movement while her father was speaking.p.5

It gives you a good feel for the laughter and fun you will find. The book isn't all funny, and I know that part of me liked the novel for the romance, only a kiss. Sometimes it really makes a novel more enjoyable to have a little romance, and it did for this one.

When I first read this novel in 2009 it read like a stand alone novel so I was a little surprised when I realized it was part of a series. The second one came out a few years ago and the third comes out in October of 2016. I thought it was worth checking out the rest of this series and I'm glad I started back with the first one because I had forgotten much of this story. I recommend Aurelia by Anne Osterlund. It has Princesses, romance, poison, and a intrigue. Both Aurelia and Robert are fun characters.

Review: Bride of the Water God, Vol. 3 by Mi-Kyung Yun

Genre: Shoujo
Series: Volume 3
Pages: 186
Copyright: 2008
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Buy: Amazon

Summary: from Good Reads
Humor, drama, and a bit of horror combine, as human bride Soah tries to uncover the truth behind her strange husband's predicament and his previous wife's early, brutal demise. While Huye distracts her with flirtations and the dreadful goddess Murah becomes increasingly jealous, strong-willed Soah is determined to find out why her powerful, moody husband is cursed to live in the form of a little boy during the day, returning to his true, adult body at night. Soah's inner strength and determination saved her village from drought and famine in previous volumes — now she must pit her guts and guile against the unpredictable elemental gods in order to find happiness in the new world she's trapped in.

* Bride of the Water God, with its enchanting, romantic storyline and elaborate, breathtaking artwork, was the top-selling shojo manhwa in Korea in 2006.

Feelings: 
Soah is struggling to find out if Mui and Habaek are the same person, but before she can find anything out for sure she is sent back home. I'm not sure why but one of two things is happening one many of the other people do not know that Habaek and Mui are the same person or two they are all keeping it from Soah. 

Soah is sent back to her village and there she has no memory of her time in Habaek's kingdom. She is torn between wanting to know and not wanting to know. I enjoyed the differences between the world of the Gods and the human world in this volume.

The story does not move quickly between volumes, however, it slow pace of the story is made up for by the quality of the drawings.   

Review: The Heir by Kiera Cass

Genre: Dystopian Young Adult
Series: Yes, The Selection #4
Pages: 342
Copyright: 2015
Publisher: HarperTeen
Buy: Amazon

Summary: from Good Reads
Princess Eadlyn has grown up hearing endless stories about how her mother and father met. Twenty years ago, America Singer entered the Selection and won the heart of Prince Maxon—and they lived happily ever after. Eadlyn has always found their fairy-tale story romantic, but she has no interest in trying to repeat it. If it were up to her, she'd put off marriage for as long as possible.

But a princess's life is never entirely her own, and Eadlyn can't escape her very own Selection—no matter how fervently she protests.

Eadlyn doesn't expect her story to end in romance. But as the competition begins, one entry may just capture Eadlyn's heart, showing her all the possibilities that lie in front of her . . . and proving that finding her own happily ever after isn't as impossible as she's always thought.

Feelings: 
I thought the selection series ended with The One, but then I saw The Heir. First I wasn't going to read it because the end of the America Maxom story felt a little stretched to me, and I didn't enjoy it nearly as much as the first book. I kept seeing this book pop up, so I decided to give it a chance. It was enjoyable, but it isn't going to be one of my favorite books. The beginning felt a little forced and childish. I didn't like Eadlyn, the first person narrator. The first few chapters weren't my favorite and that made it difficult to enjoy the story. I started enjoying the story more when it got more romantic. Princess Eadlyn is a bit of a bitch. 

"Seven minutes. It should have been you. I'd much rather sit alone and scribble away instead of all that stupid paperwork. And this ridiculous Selection nonsense! Can't you see how dreadful this is?" p. 21

I think this a pretty good example of the kind of narrator Eadlyn is. Not my favorite. However, she does improve. Her interactions with the boys when they first arrive is amusing, and it shows that she does have a gentler side when she interacts with Henri.

The story feels like a repeat of the first novels, but with a new political problem. One that came about from the dissolving of the cast system. I'll be interested to see where that aspect of the story goes. As for the Selection from 35 boys for her husband, Princess Evelyn may not have it figured out, but I'm pretty sure I do. At least I have it narrowed down to three and I think I know who she will end up with.

This novel wasn't anything new, but I enjoyed spending a little more time with Maxon, America, and with the characters from the first three novels. Even though I think I know how this will end, I am curious if I will be surprised. I'm going to be continuing to the end. This has had a nice cliffhanger ending and I want to little closure.

Review: Bride of the Water God, Vol. 2 by Mi-Kyung Yun

Genre: Fantasy Manhwa
Series: Volume 2
Pages:  182
Copyright: 2008
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Buy: Amazon

Summary: from Good Reads
Habaek, the mysterious Water God, is cursed to live his days in the form of a little boy-while he turns back to his true adult self at night. His new human bride, Soah, thinks that she's been married to a child and has no idea that the attractive "Mui" is actually the adult Habaek. Surrounded by a cast of colorful elemental gods and their servants, Soah is tempted by flirtations from both "Mui" and the rascal Huye. When Tae-eul-jin-in spills Habaek's surprising secret, Soah audaciously plots to uncover the truth for herself. She has to be careful, though, so she doesn't anger the moody gods-including her powerful new husband!

* Bride of the Water God, with its enchanting, romantic storyline and elaborate, breathtaking artwork, was the top-selling shoujo manhwa in Korea in 2006.

Feelings:
Habaek and Mui are the same person. During the day Habeak is a child and at night he is an adult. In the first volume he mislead Soah into thinking he was two different people. Soah suspects that Mui and Habaek might be the same person, and she tries to find out if they are. 

The drawings are amazing in this volume like the last. I really enjoy that. The story is intriguing and I'm waiting to see what happens when Soah realizes that Mui is Habaek.  

Review: Serafina and the Black Cloak by Robert Beatty

Genre: Young Adult Historical Fantasy
Series: Serafina #1
Pages: 293
Copyright: 2015
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Buy: Amazon

Summary: from Good Reads
“Never go into the deep parts of the forest, for there are many dangers there, and they will ensnare your soul.”

Serafina has never had a reason to disobey her pa and venture beyond the grounds of the Biltmore estate. There’s plenty to explore in her grand home, although she must take care to never be seen. None of the rich folk upstairs know that Serafina exists; she and her pa, the estate’s maintenance man, have secretly lived in the basement for as long as Serafina can remember.

But when children at the estate start disappearing, only Serafina knows who the culprit is: a terrifying man in a black cloak who stalks Biltmore’s corridors at night. Following her own harrowing escape, Serafina risks everything by joining forces with Braeden Vanderbilt, the young nephew of the Biltmore’s owners. Braeden and Serafina must uncover the Man in the Black Cloak’s true identity . . . before all of the children vanish one by one.

Serafina’s hunt leads her into the very forest that she has been taught to fear. There she discovers a forgotten legacy of magic, one that is bound to her own identity. In order to save the children of Biltmore, Serafina must seek the answers that will unlock the puzzle of her past.

Feelings: 
Mythical creatures prowl the night, and Serafina just might be one of them. In Serafina and the Black Cloak by Robert Beatty, Serafina witnesses the disappearance of a girl and barely escapes. This was an interesting combination of history and fantasy. 

The book started out a bit slow, but it picked up near the end. I like that it included both historical elements about the Biltmore Estate and mythical/magical elements. Part of me wonders if I would have enjoyed the book as much as I did if it wasn't set locally. 

I really enjoyed the character Serafina, which was good because this was limited third person from her point of view. There are plenty of characters in the book but there are only three to five that I would consider well developed characters. Braeden Vanderbilt and Serafina's pa are the most developed of the characters. This is probably because Serafina has been hidden from humans by her father, who is afraid that she is so different she won't fit it. I thought at first I might not like this book because it was from a 12 year-old's perspective but Serafina was not a whiny child but a curious one. That made a big difference in my opinion of her.

Braeden and his dog Gidean make for interesting side kicks for this adventure. Gidean is a typical very loyal dog but he needed to be that in this story.

The man in the black cloak is bad but I never really got a feeling for the character to dislike him. Serafina was scared of him, but she was also curious about him and what the cloak was. Two chapters into the book, I was invested in the story enough to want to learn more.

I will be reading the next book in the series because I'm curious to see what happens with Serafina once she stops hiding. 

Review: Bride of the Water God, Vol. 1 by Mi-Kyung Yun

Genre: Fantasy Manhwa
Series: Volume 1
Pages:  184
Copyright: 2007
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Buy: Amazon

Summary: from Good Reads
When Soah's impoverished, desperate village decides to sacrifice her to the Water God Habaek to end a long drought, they believe that drowning one beautiful girl will save their entire community and bring much-needed rain. Not only is Soah surprised to be rescued by the Water God -- instead of killed -- she never imagined she'd be a welcomed guest in Habaek's magical kingdom, where an exciting new life awaits her! Most surprising, however, is the Water God himself... and how very different he is from the monster Soah imagined.

Feelings:
I really enjoy the drawings in this manhwa (Korean comic). The color drawings at the beginning of the volume are amazingly detailed. The story starts when Soah is sacrificed to the Water God Habaek. She thinks she is going to die but finds herself in a new land with Habaek as a child. She isn't sure what she thinks of the situation but she wants the best for her people who were dying because of drought. 

At the palace we also have Mui, who we only see at night.  Soah is confused about Mui because she only sees him at night. I am interested to see where the series goes. I am enjoying the story as well as the drawings which are the highlight.

Black Bird Volume 14 by Kanoko Sakurakouji

Genre: Shoujo
Series: Volume 14
Pages: 200
Copyright: 2012
Publisher: VIZ Media LLC
Buy: Amazon

Summary: from Good Reads
There is a world of myth and magic that intersects ours, and only a special few can see it. Misao Harada is one such person, and she wants nothing to do with magical realms. She just wants to have a normal high school life and maybe get a boyfriend. But she is the bride of demon prophecy, and her blood grants incredible powers, her flesh immortality. Now the demon realm is fighting over the right to her hand...or her life!

Feelings:
Kyo and Sho finally have the sibling fight that their father has seen coming for years. Misao doesn't want either of them to be hurt, but she knows that it isn't possible for them to both live. Sho has made it impossible for Kyo to show mercy.

This volume included a few interludes in the middle after the story arc of Sho finished. The last chapter in the volume began the final story arc for the series. I admit that while I have enjoyed the series to this point, it has begun to feel a bit stretched to me. I intend to finish the series as the end of this last story arc developed characters I'm interested in finding out more about.

Black Bird Volume 13 by Kanoko Sakurakouji

Genre: Shoujo
Series: Volume 13
Pages: 200
Copyright: 2012
Publisher: VIZ Media LLC
Buy: Amazon

Summary: from Good Reads
There is a world of myth and magic that intersects ours, and only a special few can see it. Misao Harada is one such person, and she wants nothing to do with magical realms. She just wants to have a normal high school life and maybe get a boyfriend. But she is the bride of demon prophecy, and her blood grants incredible powers, her flesh immortality. Now the demon realm is fighting over the right to her hand...or her life!

Sho's plans to plunge the world into chaos continue as he targets the Eight Daitengu, hoping to strip his brother Kyo of all his protectors. And now Sho has Hoki, whose secret past makes him easy prey.

Can Hoki stand up to Sho, or will his efforts to aid Kyo backfire?

Feelings:
This volume focused more on characters surrounding Kyo. I like the volumes where other characters are developed, besides Kyo, while the story arc is developed. Now that I think about it, Kyo is a static character in a lot of ways, he hasn't really changed much since the start of the series, he wants Misao and is willing to do anything to protect her and keep her for himself. That hasn't changed. It is the characters around Kyo that grow and learn from their mistakes. That is why I liked this volume and volume 12, they focused on building characters surrounding Kyo.

The story arc following the conflict between Sho and Kyo is again at the climax. It will be interesting to see what the outcome is of the conflict in the next volume. I hope I'm surprised, although I think I can predict what will happen now.

Review: Salvation by Anne Osterlund

Genre: Young Adult Romance
Series: No
Pages: 276
Copyright: 2013
Publisher: speak
Buy: Amazon

Summary: from Good Reads
A smart, unexpected romance from an award-winning author.

Salvador Resendez--Salva to his friends--appears to have it all. His Mexican immigrant family has high expectations, and Salva intends to fulfill them. He's student body president, quarterback of the football team, and has a near-perfect GPA. Everyone loves him.

Especially Beth Courant, AKA the walking disaster area. Dreamy and shy, Beth is used to blending into the background. But she's also smart, and she has serious plans for her future.

Popular guy and bookish girl--the two have almost nothing in common. Until fate throws them together and the attraction is irresistible. Soon Beth is pushing Salva to set his sights higher than ever--because she knows he has more to offer, more than even he realizes.

Then tragedy strikes--and threatens to destroy everything that Salva has worked for. Will Beth's love be enough to save him?

Thoughtful and romantic, this is a beautifully written story about following your heart and fulfilling your potential.

Feelings: 
This novel surprised me. I wasn't expecting an intelligent story that dealt with race, poverty, and high school. That is asking a lot of a young adult novel. I had previously read Aurelia, and enjoyed it so I thought I might read another book by the author. Salvation is very different. I thought their might be a fantasy element since the previous novel had it. However, this one is set in reality. 

There are small details throughout the novel that don't slam home the poverty and race issues the book covers but add to the story. They build the feeling of being stuck in a hard place.

Salva scanned the stark classroom. The seniors sat so frozen in their seats you'd have thought the air-conditioning was working. (p. 8)

Many of the characters in the novel are Hispanic and dealing with the racism and poverty of being the minority.

"You tell your real boss," the guy said to him, "I'm talkin' to someone who speaks English on the phone, not this Spanish flunky. This is America." (p. 109)

The sad thing is I've seen white Americans treat non-white Americans exactly this way. Reading it hopefully people will see how despicable these action is and how it reflects poorly on all Americans. I want to think of America as a place where we accept others for who they are. However, this is not the reality.

This novel doesn't allow the characters to feel sorry for themselves because they aren't going to the best school and their options are limited because of poverty and race. I respect that. The characters in this novel were strong. I enjoyed both Beth and Salva's perspective. They had dreams and they weren't going to be held back by the situation they found themselves in. Their relationship starts slowly. They are friends at first. Although they are both conflicted about their feelings, things progress in a fashion that you would expect from two shy teenagers.  For me the relationship was nice but it was the strength of the characters that made the story for me.

I recommend this book. I know I've only given it a three bird rating but that is because I prefer fantasy. This was very good for not being fantasy.

Black Bird Volume 12 by Kanoko Sakurakouji

Genre: Shoujo
Series: Volume12
Pages: 200
Copyright: 2012
Publisher: VIZ Media LLC
Buy: Amazon

Summary: from Good Reads
Sho’s manipulations have cast the demon world into chaos, and Kyo must leave the tengu village to help save the Kuzunoha clan from slaughter. But giving aid to one of his few remaining allies means he must leave Misao vulnerable to attack.


Kyo’s grandfather is able to cast a powerful shield over the tengu mansion, but while it keeps anyone from getting in, it also traps those who are inside. How can Misao justify locking herself away when Sho begins to menace the village’s most helpless members?

Feelings:
I enjoyed this volume more than the last few volumes. I think it was because it focused less on the conflict with Sho and more on internal conflicts and character building. It was interesting to see Zenki and Hoki expanded as characters because they have not been major characters in past volumes of this manga.


This volume was a turning point, if it hadn't been stronger than past volumes, I probably would have stopped reading the series at this point, but now my interest is renewed, and I am interested to see where the series leads.

Review: The People of Sparks by Jeanne DuPrau

Genre: Dystopian Fantasy 
Series: Book of Ember #2 
Pages: 338 
Copyright: 2004 
Publisher: Random House 
Buy: Amazon

Summary: from Good Reads
“It is green here and very big. Light comes from the sky…”

When Lina and Doon lead their people up from the underground city of Ember, they discover a surface world of color and life. The people of a small village called Sparks agree to help the Emberites, but the villagers have never had to share their world before. Soon differences between the two groups escalate, and it's up to Lina and Doon to find a way to avoid war!

In the riveting sequel to the highly acclaimed The City of Ember, Jeanne DuPrau explores the nature of conflict and the strength and courage necessary to overcome it.

Feelings: 
I really enjoyed this second book in the series. I was actually pretty happy with the ending of the first book, but this was a satisfying read to follow the first. This one also has an ending that doesn't leave you hanging. I really appreciate that. Many books I read do leave you hanging.

After they leave the city of Ember, things are very interesting for Lina and Doon. I liked that they tried so hard to get the people out of Ember, and that in the town of Spark they become more children but still struggle to make sure their people are taken care of. I think getting to know the people of Sparks better also made this an interesting story. 

I will continue to read the series, but I don't feel like I need to immediately pick up the next book.

Review: Black Bird Volume 9 by Kanoko Sakurakouji

Genre: Shoujo
Series: Volume 9
Pages: 200
Copyright: 2011
Publisher: VIZ Media LLC
Buy: Amazon

Summary: from Good Reads
He loves her blood, but does her love her?!

Misao and Kyo finally go all the way, and Misao can’t regret the new levels of intimacy, even though all the other demons seem to be able to tell that they are now lovers. But does Kyo feel the same way? Instead of bringing them closer, their new status seems to make him turn away from Misao. Is that just the nature of guys, be they human or demon? Or is there something darker behind Kyo’s sudden lack of warmth?

Feelings: 
I enjoyed the included chapters at the end that gave us some back story on Kyo. That was my favorite part of this volume.  The story of Kyo and Misao is getting to be a bit repetitive for me. They get closer and then Kyo pushes her away. I think that is going to happen again, and I don't really enjoy reading that. I think I would rather read a volume where Kyo and Misao are working together towards the same goal. But if that happened, where would the conflict come from. The build up to sex is finally over, so we have to have a new conflict to keep the story going.

I'm hoping it will be something that brings the characters together rather than pushing them apart. I think it is wishful thinking though.

Review: Black Bird Volume 8 by Kanoko Sakurakouji

Genre: Shoujo 
Series: Volume 8 
Pages: 200 
Copyright: 2011 
Publisher: VIZ Media LLC 
Buy: Amazon


Summary: from Good Reads
There is a world of myth and magic that intersects ours, and only a special few can see it. Misao Harada is one such person, and she wants nothing to do with magical realms. She just wants to have a normal high school life and maybe get a boyfriend. But she is the bride of demon prophecy, and her blood grants incredible powers, her flesh immortality. Now the demon realm is fighting over the right to her hand...or her life!

Raiko, the demon hunter who has been staying at Misao's house, is determined to save her--even if that's the last thing she wants! Kyo won't allow a threat to Misao to go unchecked and plans to take care of the problem in his own special way. Misao, however, hopes that she can broker a peace between Raiko and Kyo before things get out of hand. But when Raiko's attempts to "free" Misao fail, he hatches a devious new plan that will use Misao's bond with Kyo to destroy him!

Feelings: 
Raiko leaves Kyo with a hard choice life or death. To live he must make Misao is bride. However, he has been worried about what will happen if he does this.

This volume was fun we got to see Kyo when he was weak. I think I prefer him needing help. Looking forward to continuing the series.