Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken

Title: Brightly Woven

Author: Alexandra Bracken

Type: Young Adult Novel
Genre: Fantasy

Series: No

Pages: 354
Copyright: 2010

Publisher: Edmont

Rating: 3 out of 5


Summary: from Goodreads

The day the rains came was like any other, blistering air coating the canyon in a heavy stillness....

Just as the rains come after ten long, dry years, a young wizard, Wayland North, appears, to whisk Sydelle Mirabil away from her desert village. North needs an assistant, and Sydelle is eager to see the country - and to join him on his quest to stop the war that surely will destroy her home. But North has secrets - about himself, about why he chose Sydelle, about his real reasons for the journey. What does he want from her? And why does North's sworn enemy seem fascinated by Sydelle himself?

Through a journey that spans a country, magic and hard-won romance are woven together with precision and brilliant design by a first-time novelist.

Feelings:
Brightly Woven is Alexandra Bracken's debut novel. The back jacket flaps says that she wrote the story as a birthday present for a friend. I thought that was an interesting idea and it was one of the reasons that I picked up the book and didn't put it back on the shelf when I was wandering the library.

I enjoyed the story but there were times where they writing tripped a little. Sydelle is an interesting characters and it is really the characters that draw the reader in and keep them interested. Wayland North the first wizard Sydelle meets isn't your typical wizard nor do his intentions seem trustworthy all the time. However, he does seem to care about others. They characters were dimensional and worth learning about.

I didn't at first realize that this was written in first person which is normally a warning that I'm not going to like the book all that much. That wasn't the case with this story. I think that limiting the story by placing it in first person was necessary. Even a limited third person would have given the reader to much information to soon. Even as it is the reader figures out what is going on long before Sydelle does.

I would recommend this book to readers that enjoy fantasy and like reading debut authors.

Black Heart by Holly Black

Title: Black Heart
Author: Holly Black
Type: Young Adult Novel
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Yes, Book three Curse Workers
Pages: 296
Copyright: 2012
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Book
Rating: 3 out of 5

Summary: from Goodreads. 
In a world where Magic is illegal.Cassel Sharpe has the most deadly ability of all. With one touch, he can transform any object - including a person - into something else entirely. And that makes him a wanted man. The Feds are willing to forgive all his past crimes if he'll only leave his con artist family behind and go straight. But why does going straight feel so crooked?

For one thing, it means being on the opposite side of the law from Lila, the girl he loves. She's the daughter of a mob boss and getting ready to join the family business herself. Though Cassel is pretty sure she can never love him back, he can't stop obsessing over her. Which would be bad enough, even if her father wasn't keeping Cassel's mother prisoner in a posh apartment and threatening not to let her leave until she returns the priceless diamond she scammed off him years ago. Too bad she can't remember where she put it.

The Feds say they need Cassel to get rid of a powerful man who is spinning dangerously out of control. But if they want Cassel to use his unique talent to hurt people, what separates the good guys from the bad ones? Or is everyone just out to con him?

Time is running out, and all Cassel's magic and cleverness might not be enough to save him. With no easy answers and no one he can trust, love might be the most dangerous gamble of all.

Feelings: 
I enjoyed this book. The ending may have been a little too neat for me but I have to admit it wasn't exactly what I was expecting from the book and that is a good thing. I like not being able to predict everything that is going to happen in a story. There were many things in the story that were not surprising. Cassel learns something about humans in general in this story that I don't think we really saw in the other books.

Cassel once people know he is a transformation worker is in demand from all sides, government, rival mobs and even his family. Choosing one side is hard for Cassel. Who can he trust? His family that are con artists? The mob that will use him to kill people? The government that will also likely use him? Trust is a hard thing to come but and Cassel must use his ever instinct to over come but he will need some help.

The family relationship with Cassel his mother and brother is still strained but it seems like things will go back to normal, or at least normal for them. Cassel deceased father is introduced in this book, and I don't remember a single mention of him in the other books, besides maybe in passing. He is an interesting addition and adds a layer to the story that I don't think was there before.

This was a good ending for the series. It up loose ends from the other two books and didn't leave the reader with too many questions. Most books do leave the reader with a few questions about the future and this book did the same thing but I was satisfied that it was the conclusion.

I would recommend this to those that have read and enjoyed the other books in the series. 

The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black

Title: The Coldest Girl in Coldtown

Author: Holly Black

Type: Young Adult Novel
Genre: Fantasy

Series: No

Pages: 419
Copyright: 2013
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company

Rating: 3.5 out of 5


Summary: from Goodreads.

Tana lives in a world where walled cities called Coldtowns exist. In them, quarantined monsters and humans mingle in a decadently bloody mix of predator and prey. The only problem is, once you pass through Coldtown’s gates, you can never leave.

One morning, after a perfectly ordinary party, Tana wakes up surrounded by corpses. The only other survivors of this massacre are her exasperatingly endearing ex-boyfriend, infected and on the edge, and a mysterious boy burdened with a terrible secret. Shaken and determined, Tana enters a race against the clock to save the three of them the only way she knows how: by going straight to the wicked, opulent heart of Coldtown itself.

The Coldest Girl in Coldtown is a wholly original story of rage and revenge, of guilt and horror, and of love and loathing from bestselling and acclaimed author Holly Black.

Feelings: 
I enjoyed reading this, the newest book from Holly Black. It has a different feel from the Curse Workers series which I read. I think as a whole I liked this book more than the Curse Workers series which started out really strong but by the end I was finding a little less appealing as a world and story. 

This story follows Tana who wakes up at a party and finds that she has survived, while everyone else at the part has been killed, except for her ex-boyfriend, Aidan, that has been bitten and is infected, gone Cold craving human blood, and a chained vampire, Gavriel, by his bed. Tana finds them in the bed room when she is looking for her phone and thinking about how to get out. Once they leave the house where the massacre happened Gavriel takes charge and they drive to the closest Coldtown. Tana the only one that seems to want out of the Coldtown, if she isn't infected, gets a marker for turning in Gavriel. Inside the Coldtown the story picks up and we quickly see who people really are and what they are will to do for what they want. 

The story progresses quickly. It isn't exactly your typical vampire story but it was the differences from the normal story line of vampire stories that I found interesting. I would recommend this book to fans of Holly Black and those that like vampire stories. 

Pegasus by Robin McKinley

Title: Pegasus

Author: Robin McKinley

Type: Young Adult Novel
Genre: Fantasy

Series: Yes but no sign of other books yet.

Pages: 404
Copyright: 2010
Publisher: G. P. Putnam's Sons

Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary: from Goodreads
On her twelfth birthday, Princess Sylviianel is ceremonially bound to her own Pegasus, Ebon. For a thousand years humans and pegasi have lived in peace, relying on human magicians and pegasi shamans to converse. But close friends Sylvi and Ebon can talk. As their bond strengthens, can their friendship threaten to destroy the peace between their nations?

Feelings:

I really enjoyed this book. At first I was a little wary of the name and the subject but I was in one of my I’m in a hurry grab a few books (five) at the library. Of the five books this was the only book I did not know the author. The subject seemed like it might be hit or miss but as I said I was in a hurry so I didn’t spend as much time as I might have trying to talk myself out of checking it out. I’m glad I did check in out. The subject the relationship between pegasi and humans and why they are unable to speak to each other yet are able to maintain a friendly demeanor intrigued me.

Princess Sylviianel is 12 years old when the books opens. At the age of 12 royal humans are bond to a Pegasus. When they first meet at the binding Sylvi and her Pegasus, Ebon, can speak to each other in the same way that the pegasi conserves in their minds. The realization leads to a slip during the ceremony that alerts the others that they do not have the usual relationship of other humans and pegasi needing a speaker to translate between them.

From her unfolds a story of friendship between Sylvi and Ebon. There are those that hope that the relationship they have will strengthen the relationship and treaty between the pegasi and humans and those that think that they are strange and should be kept apart.

The story was beautifully written. I really liked parallels of human admiration of the pegasi and the pegasi of the humans. Robin McKinley is an author I will look for again.

I would recommend this book to young adults, female, and adults that enjoy a fresh story and beautiful descriptions.

The Song of the Quarkbeast by Jasper Fforde

Title: The Song of the Quarkbeast
Author: Jasper Fforde
Type: Young Adult Novel
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Yes Book 2 of "The Chronicles of Kazam" book one The Last Dragonslayer
Pages: 289
Copyright: 2013
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company
Rating: 3 out of 5


Summary: from Goodreads.

Long ago, magic began to fade, and the underemployed magicians of Kazam Mystical Arts Management have been forced to take any work their sixteen-year-old acting manager, Jennifer Strange, can scare up. But things are about to change. Magical power is finally on the rise, and King Snodd IV, of the Ununited Kingdoms knows that he who controls magic controls everything. Only one person stands between Snodd and his plans for a magic-grab--and that's Jennifer. 

Yet even smart and sensible Jennifer would have trouble against these powers-that-be. The king and his cronies will do anything to succeed--including ordering a just-might-be-rigged contest between Kazam and iMagic, Kazam's only competitor in the magic business. With underhanded shenanigans afoot, how can Kazam possibly win? 

Whatever happens, one this is certain: Jennifer Strange will not relinquish the noble powers of magic without a fight.

Feelings: 
When I finished reading this book I really thought it was going to be the last in the series. However, when I did a little looking, Jasper Fforde's website, I found that there will be four books in this series so two to come yet. I have enjoyed the series thus far so will look for the last two. Unlike some series though the end of the book doesn't leave you hanging and waiting for the next to be published. (The authors that do this shall not be named but we shall say it has been almost four years and I'm still waiting for the last in the trilogy.) Thank you Fforde for creating a neat package of a book that can stand without the next book.

Jennifer Strange, the main character, is not your typical sixteen year old she runs Kazam. The book is full of humor that is Fforde's specialty. While the last book told of Jennifer's exploits with dragon's this book is more about the workings of magic in the Ununited Kingdoms and beyond, and the struggle to control the magic.

This book was very easy to read and yes clearly a young adult novel it does have parts that may appeal more to adult readers. I would recommend this to fans of Jasper Fforde and to those that like quirky fantasy.

The Burning Sky by Sherry Thomas

Title: The Burning Sky

Author: Sherry Thomas

Type: Young Adult Novel
Genre: Fantasy

Series: Yes book one of The Elemental Trilogy

Pages: 464
Copyright: 2013

Publisher: Balzar + Bray

Rating: 3.5out of 5


Summary: from Goodreads

It all began with a ruined elixir and an accidental bolt of lightning…

Iolanthe Seabourne is the greatest elemental mage of her generation—or so she's being told. The one prophesied for years to be the savior of The Realm. It is her duty and destiny to face and defeat the Bane, the greatest mage tyrant the world has ever known. A suicide task for anyone let alone a sixteen-year-old girl with no training, facing a prophecy that foretells a fiery clash to the death.

Prince Titus of Elberon has sworn to protect Iolanthe at all costs but he's also a powerful mage committed to obliterating the Bane to avenge the death of his family—even if he must sacrifice both Iolanthe and himself to achieve his goal.

But Titus makes the terrifying mistake of falling in love with the girl who should have been only a means to an end. Now, with the servants of the Bane closing in, he must choose between his mission and her life.

Feelings: 
I enjoyed the story but it took me at least two chapters to start liking it. I wasn't sure if it was going to stand up or not but it does. The cover of the book is what really caught my eye when I was browsing books. I know that I should always judge books by their cover. That's why I occasionally read books cover blind. However, having a good cover goes a long way towards helping me pick up the book and read.

This is Sherry Thomas' first young adult fantasy novel. She has written romance novels in the past and I had hoped for a little more romance in here than was present. Yes there is young love but it wasn't exactly what I expected from the description of the book. The story is more about the kingdom and how it has fallen and how it might be saved by Iolanthe and Prince Titus. It is their story but it also focuses on the magic side.

The Burning Sky is the first in a trilogy and there is a good chance one will be waiting a while for the next books to come out so let me say a little bit about the ending without spoilers hopefully. The ending didn't have a cliff hanger that leaves you wanting to scream at the author. There were indications of where the next books would be headed but this one has a relatively satisfying end that I think most people could life with until the next book is released.  

Beauty Queens by Libba Bray

Title: Beauty Queens

Author: Libba Bray

Type: Novel
Genre: Young Adult

Series: No

Pages: 390
Copyright:  2011

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Rating: 3.5 out of 5


Summary: From Good reads.
The fifty contestants in the Miss Teen Dream pageant thought this was going to be a fun trip to the beach, where they could parade in their state-appropriate costumes and compete in front of the cameras. But sadly, their airplane had another idea, crashing on a desert island and leaving the survivors stranded with little food, little water, and practically no eyeliner.

What's a beauty queen to do? Continue to practice for the talent portion of the program - or wrestle snakes to the ground? Get a perfect tan - or learn to run wild? And what should happen when the sexy pirates show up?

Welcome to the heart of non-exfoliated darkness. Your tour guide? None other than Libba Bray, the hilarious, sensational, Printz Award-winning author of A Great and Terrible Beauty and Going Bovine. The result is a novel that will make you laugh, make you think, and make you never see beauty the same way again.






Feelings: 
This book is hilarious. I wasn't sure I was going to like it since it is beauty queens that are in a plane crash. They crash on a deserted island and to survive they must conquer the jungle and learn to be self sufficient.

The Corporation controls everything and these beauty queens become the exception. Which is just a little troublesome to the corporation.

We at The Corporation would like you to enjoy this story, but please me vigilant while you are reading. If you should happen to notice anything suspicious in the coming pages, do alert the proper authorities. Remember, it could be anything at all -- a subversive phrase, an improper thought or feeling let out of its genie bottle of repression, an idea that challenges the status quo, the suggestion that life may not be what it appears to be and that all you've taken for granted (malls, shopping, the relentless pursuit of a elusive happiness, prescription drugs ads, those annoying perfume samples in magazines that make your eyes water, the way anchormen and women shift easily from the jovial laughter of a story about a dog that hula-hoops to a grave report on a bus crash that has left five teenagers dead) may be of more consequential than the tattered hem of a dream, leaving you with a bottomless, free-fall feeling. (page 1-2)

This is a long quote I know but I think it gives you a good idea what is coming if you read the book. Yes this is the perspective of The Corporation and most of the story is from the Miss Teen Dream Pageant contestants that have survived the plane crash.

I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a good laugh and yes maybe just a little bit of a scar when it comes to how we perceive beauty.