A Story Untold

In My Mailbox (48)

noreply@blogger.com (A Story Untold) — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 19:59:00 +0000

::Thanks to the Story Siren for hosting IMM::

A Clash Of Kings(A Song Of Ice And Fire #2) by George R.R.Martin

(Isn't it a beauty?)

The Greatest Knight(William Marshall #1) by Elizabeth Chadwick

What did you get in your mailbox? :)

READING: Dragonswood by Janet Lee Carey

noreply@blogger.com (A Story Untold) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:11:00 +0000

Dragonswood by Janet Lee Carey

Publication date: January 5th, 2012
Published by: Penguin Young Readers Group
Genre: YA Fantasy, Fairies, Dragons
Rating: 5/5

Wilde Island is not at peace. The kingdom mourns the dead Pendragon king and awaits the return of his heir; the uneasy pact between dragons, fairies, and humans is strained; and the regent is funding a bloodthirsty witch hunt, hoping to rid the island of half-fey maidens.
Tess, daughter of a blacksmith, has visions of the future, but she still doesn't expect to be accused of witchcraft, forced to flee with her two best friends, or offered shelter by the handsome and enigmatic Garth Huntsman, a warden for Dragonswood. But Garth is the younger prince in disguise and Tess soon learns that her true father was fey, making them the center of an exciting, romantic adventure, and an ancient prophecy that will bring about peace between all three races - dragon, human, and fairy.

In addition to having an amazing cover, Dragonswood also happens to be an awesome book!

As I skimmed through information about Dragonswood, I found out that it is in fact the second book that takes place in the same world and not the first, which is Dragon's Keep. You don't have to read the first, however, if you want to read Dragonswood, it stands pretty well on its own.

There is a lot going on in Dragonswood. Witches, dragons, fairy kingdoms. There were a number of people who complained that the story was too dense. That, for me, is like saying that tomato soup has too much tomato in it. The genre is fantasy, right? It's in its job description to be dense and has a lot of supernatural elements in it and basically the wilder the author's imagination, the better. There is nothing "not-believable" or "far-fetched" when it comes to fantasy world building and the paranormal element. In a fantasy book, pretty much anything goes.Characters' relationship and everything mortal like is a whole other matter, though. Don't get these two mixed up! Fortunately, Dragonswood didn't have any problem in that arena, either.

I liked all the characters in Dragonswood. Tess is a rebel of sorts. She doesn't want what other girls her age want. She wants to escape her father's tyranny, ride away and never marry. Or rather she would marry if she found a man who would let her speak out of turn, ride, and basically be herself. She finds that man in Garth, even though initially she was really apprehensive when it came to him. What I would have wanted from Dragonswood character-wise, is a clear line between the good and the bad. There is a very mean and cruel character in the book who eventually gets a happy ending and it didn't quite sit well with me.

Overall, Dragonswood is beautifully written (love the medieval-like writing style), and its story wraps up in the end nicely, with no need for book 2,3,4…10. Those who enjoy a good love story wrapped around an epic adventure, you should definitely read Dragonswood!

READING: Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

noreply@blogger.com (A Story Untold) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:27:00 +0000

Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

Publication date: June 12th, 2007
Published by: HarperTeen
Genre: YA Paranormal, Fairies
Rating: 3,5/5

Rule #3: Don't stare at invisible faeries.
Aislinn has always seen faeries. Powerful and dangerous, they walk hidden in the mortal world. Aislinn fears their cruelty-especially if they learn of her Sight-and wishes she were as blind to their presence as other teens.

Rule #2: Don't speak to invisible faeries.
Now faeries are stalking her. One of them, Keenan, who is equal parts terrifying and alluring, is trying to talk to her, asking questions Aislinn is afraid to answer.

Rule #1: Don't ever attract their attention.
But it's too late. Keenan is the Summer King, who has sought his queen for nine centuries. Without her, summer itself will perish. His is determined that Aislinn will become the Summer Queen at any cost-regardless of her plans or desires.

Suddenly none of the rules that have kept Aislinn safe are working anymore, and everything is on the line: her freedom; her best friend, Seth; everything.

I know. Too little too late, uh? Wicked Lovely was published in 2007.

Almost 5 years ago, people!! And it's only now that I decided to read it after a lot of coaxing from friends.

Well, it surely wasn't the best book I read this year, but thanks to Donia, it wasn't the worst, either. As for the other characters, well.

In a nutshell, I didn't like Aislinn AT ALL, I thought Seth was the blandest goth ever, Keenan was somewhat interesting and Beira was like the witch in the TV show Once Upon A Time. And Donia was awesome :)

Let me start from the beginning. Reading into the first couple of chapters you might feel your jaw dropping a little and not in a "Dude, this is amazing" kind of way, but more in a "Dude, what the frak am I reading?" way. And the book pretty much continues on that theme. The reason for the jaw-dropping is that nowhere in the book is the fairy world explained. Nothing. Everything gets thrown in there to the point where you're sure there must be a 0,5 book you aren't aware of. There is no description of the fairy world, fairy subjects, hierarchy, rules. If I hadn't read a couple of fairy books before Wicked Lovely(pretty much the same rules apply)I would be completely lost. An exposition chapter would be much appreciated by the readers, in my opinion, because believe it or not, not all of us were born knowing what sprites and hags are. I know, shocker.

So, to cut right to the chase, Aislinn is one of those girls who don't want to lose their virginity no matter what. They prefer to get run over by a truck than lose the big V. Exaggeration? I think not. She herself says that she considers losing ones sight and ones virginity equally important.

What-who-what?? *blinking rapidly*

For my sanity's sake I decided to leave this little tidbit aside and respect her no-virginity-losing enthusiasm, even though I find it beyond moronic.

A bunch of chapters later, Aislinn still feels strongly about not losing her virginity and she talks about it with Seth. However, she adds that she has no problem doing eeeeeverything else.

No way.

I was patient and forgave a lot of things when it came to Aislinn, but that's where I drew my line with Wicked Lovely. No offense to the people that liked the book, but that is just ridiculous. When someone supports ideas like these is either a hypocrite or a complete idiot, in my book. My money is on the former.

Then there is Seth. Seth was a goth, with way too many piercings, and had a bet boa.

So, no.

Also he was pretty boring.

Keenan was not all that more interesting than Seth, but what I found intriguing about him was that he was not the emo third wheel I thought he'd be. He stood his ground, even when things didn't go exactly his way and didn't throw a hissy fit or get into a pissing contest with Seth.

Best character in Wicked Lovely in my opinion was Donia's. She was covered in ice and still showed more emotion that all the other characters combined. She was a melancholic, heart broken, ice fairy. And she had a cool pet(not at all like a boa!).

Also because of Donia and what happened to her character(no spoilers, don't worry. Although, I'm pretty sure all of you have read it), I consider reading book 2. I think it doesn't have Aislinn in it so yay!

Overall, Wicked Lovely was not a bad book. Its female protagonist was a miss, sure, but its story and the world Marr has created are interesting.

Maybe I'll pick the book with the Dark Fairies next. That would be cool, I guess.

READING: Double by Jenny Valentine

noreply@blogger.com (A Story Untold) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:35:00 +0000

Double by Jenny Valentine

Publication date: February 27th, 2012
Published by: Hyperion Books Of Children
Genre: YA Contemporary, Thriller
Rating: 4/5

When the sixteen-year-old runaway Chap is mistaken for a missing boy named Cassiel, his life changes dramatically. Chap takes on Cassiel’s identity, gaining the family and friends he’s always dreamed of having. But becoming someone else isn’t as easy as he hoped—and Chap isn’t the only one hiding a secret. As he teeters on the brink of discovery and begins to unravel the mystery behind Cassiel’s disappearance, Chap realizes that he’s in much deeper danger than he could have imagined.

After all, you can’t just steal a life and expect to get away with it.

Double is the story of a teenage runaway named Chap who is mistakingly taken for a boy, Cassiel, who went missing two years ago. Chap, homeless and abandoned himself, seizes the opportunity to finally live the life he always dreamed of, never minding the consequences.

Double was brilliantly written by Valentine. Her portrayal of Chap is amazing. He is so tormented, poor guy, throughout the whole book. On one hand, he knows what he is doing is wrong, stealing someone else's life and lying to the people who consider him their son and brother. On the other however, he wants that life more than anything, it's what he wanted his whole life and for something like that to be handed to him so easily, he couldn't just pass it by. Guilt eating away at him along with the constant fear that he's going to say or do something that will expose him, is ultimately more than he can handle and he decides to get to the bottom of Cassiel's mysterious disappearance before he and the people he comes to care about, fall completely apart.

All the other characters in Double were wonderfully written as well, even though the book undoubtedly revolves around Chap. I felt so bad for Cassiel's mother and what she went through when he disappeared and I couldn't help but be mad at Chap for deceiving her so. But as a reader, I felt the same dilemma he felt: go or stay? What's wrong for others in contrast to what's right for me.

Even though the ending was a little far-fetched in my opinion, Double is a very artfully written, quick read, full of suspense and mystery. Especially recommended to readers who don't necessarily expect a romance in a YA novel.

READING: Ruthless by Sara Shepard

noreply@blogger.com (A Story Untold) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 15:52:00 +0000

Ruthless by Sara Shepard

Publication date: December 6th, 2011
Published by: HarperTeen
Genre: YA Contemporary, Mystery
Rating: 4/5

For years scandal has rocked Rosewood, Pennsylvania—and high school seniors Aria, Emily, Hanna, and Spencer have always been at the center of the drama. They’ve lost friends, been targeted by a ruthless stalker named A, and narrowly escaped death. And it’s not over yet.

Aria’s love life is on the fritz. Emily’s exploring her wild side. Hanna’s kissing the enemy. And someone from Spencer’s past—someone she never thought she’d see again—is back to haunt her.

But none of that compares to what happened last spring break. It’s their darkest secret yet and guess who found out? Now A is determined to make them pay for their crime, and the only thing scarier than A is the fear that maybe, just maybe, they deserve what’s coming to them.

Ruthless was a good, fun, quick read, but there were some things in there that pissed the hell out of me!

I'm gonna comment on each girl's story separately:

Spencer: Well, that was surprising. And somewhat convenient. Just when Spencer's character was stuck in a rut, something bad she did from the past resurfaces to haunt her. And when I say bad, I mean way bad. Nothing the old Spencer we know and love would ever do. Alas, she did, and now she has to face the consequences. Along with Emily, poor girl, and Hanna.

Emily: Her story is connected to Spencer's. I like how one story line connects the three girls, even if Hanna and Emily have no idea about each other's roles in it. Emily I think is the most tragic character in the books. She is so kind and good in the point of pure stupidity, that everyone takes advantage of her and I can't but feel sorry for her. Let's not forget that her parents still have no idea she had a baby and her sister…well, she was not as accommodating as Emily would have wanted. She somehow always manages to be in the middle of a mess which she didn't make and has no idea how she got into. This time, love tricked her once again. She fell in love with a girl she shouldn't have (I guess she hasn't learned anything about her experience with Ali) and paid the price.

Hanna: Not much happening Hanna-wise in Ruthless. She is still trying to find herself after her break up with Mike and she is doesn't waste any time. She gets herself a new, sizzling hot boyfriend that nobody can know about. However, when Kate(step-sister from hell), points out something is completely off about Hanna's new bf, they team up (shocker!) to teach him a lesson. I have no idea if Kate is playing her or if she's genuinely trying to help her. Kate's offer of truce happens close to the end of the book so there's no way I could further gauge any reaction from her. That's what I wanna see most in book #11, Hanna and Kate as a team. Awesomeness!!

Aria: Still frustrated about Aria's chapters. And it's almost been two months now!

Everyone who is a PLL fan knows that there has been a lot of talk of Ezra's return. It's true. Gorgeous, sophisticated Ezra did return. Only to have his character utterly destroyed! Shepard transformed Ezra in this obnoxious, demanding guy who would make out with the first girl he sees, which is so unbelievable it sounds ridiculous. For me, Aria wasn't all sweet and innocent either. She talks big about changing her life and leaving Rosewood with someone she loves and all that romantic crap she thinks about constantly, but when push comes to shove and she has to decide, she backs away. That's no one's fault but her own. Anyway, I don't care about Aria. I care about Ezra and his character who was decimated in Ruthless. It was totally uncalled for and I hated it. I will just pretend Ezra is still in NY and never returned to Rosewood. Or was he in Philly? Whatever, I'll just pretend he never appeared in Ruthless. Period.

Book #11, Stunning, comes out June 1st. Hope it's about Tabitha, because the way Ruthless ends, it leaves the girls no other choice.

Plus, its the basic arch story so…

READING: Everneath by Brodi Ashton

noreply@blogger.com (A Story Untold) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:40:00 +0000

Everneath by Brodi Ashton

Publication date: January 24th, 2012
Published by: HarperCollins
Genre: YA, Mythology
Rating: 5/5

Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath, where immortals Feed on the emotions of despairing humans. Now she's returned- to her old life, her family, her friends- before being banished back to the underworld... this time forever.

She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can't find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.

Nikki longs to spend these months reconnecting with her boyfriend, Jack, the one person she loves more than anything. But there's a problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who first enticed her to the Everneath, has followed Nikki to the mortal world. And he'll do whatever it takes to bring her back- this time as his queen.

As Nikki's time grows short and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she's forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole's...

I don't know how I feel about YA Greek mythology re-tellings. Actually, that's a lie. I know what I feel: dread. Granted, I have not read a lot of books of that particular genre but I have read enough to avoid it altogether. So when a friend offered to lend me her ARC of Everneath I was like "Um…" , then I sighed in defeat and accepted the offer. Thankfully, I didn't regret it.

Everneath is beautifully written and Ashton manages to create a dark, haunting atmosphere around Nikki's story. Nikki has spent 100 years in the Underworld and only when she comes back (only a year has paced in the real world) does she realise the pain she has caused to the people who love her, all the while knowing that she must leave again. I like how Ashton portrayed both Nikki's longing to return, her desire to see the people she loves and explain to them what happened when she last left, and her apprehensiveness towards them, fearing how they will react. Especially, the boy she loves, Jack.

Jack is not the only one in the picture, though. Would it be a YA book without a love triangle? Nope. In all fairness, what's going on in Evernetath is not exactly a triangle, but two guys want the same girl, so for lack of a better word I'll call it a triangle. The other guy is Cole, mysterious, bad and immortal. He was Nikki's companion in the Everneath and now he wants her back whatever the cost. I loved Cole and Nikki's relationship so much! Even more than Jack and Nikki's. I have a thing for the underdogs. And the I-am-smug-but-for-a-very-good-reason kinda guys.

I really don't know what else I can say about Everneath. Everything I write sounds very close to a summary. The story is so dense, that the smallest mention could be spoilery.

Awesome writing, great story and characters. This books comes out today, folks. Go, buy, enjoy :)

In My Mailbox (47) + Contest Winner

noreply@blogger.com (A Story Untold) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 15:46:00 +0000

::Thanks to the Story Siren for hosting IMM::

Daughter Of The Blood(The Black Jewels #1) by Anne Bishop
(I'm dying to read this one, since...well, forever actually :)

First Drop Of Crimson(Night Huntress World #1) by Jeaniene Frost
(Thanks Anna <3)

The Name Of The Wind(The Kingkiller Chronicle #1) by Patrick Rothfuss
(If you have serious The Song Of Ice And Fire-withdrawal, rumor has it this is the one that'll get you through it. Hmm...)

The winner of The Girl Who Was On Fire-Movie Edition contest is:

Sara Kovach

A huge thanks to everyone who entered :)

READING: Hunting Lila by Sarah Alderson

noreply@blogger.com (A Story Untold) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 16:15:00 +0000

Hunting Lila by Sarah Alderson

Publication date: August 4th,2011
Published by: Simon & Schuster Childrens Books
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy, Sci-Fi
Rating: 4,5/5

17-year-old Lila has two secrets she's prepared to take to the grave. The first is that she can move things just by looking at them. The second is that she's been in love with her brother's best friend, Alex, since forever. Or thereabouts.After a mugging on the streets of South London goes horribly wrong and exposes her unique ability, Lila decides to run to the only people she can trust - her brother and Alex. They live in Southern California where they work for a secret organisation called The Unit, and Lila discovers that the two of them are hunting down the men who murdered her mother five years before. And that they've found them. Trying to uncover the truth of why her mother was killed, and the real remit of The Unit, Lila becomes a pawn in a dangerous game. Struggling to keep her secrets in a world where nothing and no one is quite as they seem, Lila quickly realises that she is not alone - there are others out there just like her - people with special powers -and her mother's killer is one of them...

Hunting Lila was admittedly an enjoyable, unputdownable book. Reading it was like watching a very good action movie: you may snort at some stuff that go down, but inwardly you know you love every minute of it!

I liked everything that went on in Hunting Lila. It had a well thought-out and imaginative plot. You never lose interest, as the story is filled with mystery and suspense till the very end. I liked all the characters, as well. Except for *unnecessary drumroll* Lila! I would have absolutely loved this book and I would have been proud to list it amongst my 2011 faves, had it not been for Lila and her over the top drama queen-ess. You'd think that with everything that has happened to her, I don't know, like her mother dying and her moving out of the country and being separated from her brother, she would be a little bit more…mature and down to earth. But turns out all she thinks about is Alex, Alex, Alex. I know, who can blame her, he's so hot blah blah. And OK, Lila does think about her mother's murder and the mystery that surrounds it once in a while, otherwise she wouldn't go back to her brother to look for answers. When it comes to Alex, though, she can't help but act all needy and like a spoiled little girl, which we assume she is not. "Does Alex want me?" "Does he look at me?" "If he does, what does it mean?" "What does it mean if he doesn't?" "What is this woman doing talking to him? Back off". I mean, it reached the point of obsession at one point and it was not good. Especially, since what I mostly wanted to read about was why her mother was murdered and what secret mission her brother and Alex were working on. Also, showing strength and bad-assness on one hand and turning to jelly whenever you see the guy you like on the other, didn't really register well with me. You can't do both, that's for sure.

That being said, I will definitely read Losing Lila, book #2, because I want to see what happens next so bad, that I'm willing to turn a blind eye to a 17-year-old's hysterics.

Well, not so sure about that, we'll see ;)

In My Mailbox (46)

noreply@blogger.com (A Story Untold) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 12:54:00 +0000

::Thanks to the Story Siren for hosting IMM::

Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly (GoodReads)

The Tea Rose(The Tea Rose #1) by Jennifer Donnely (GoodReads)
(keep hearing awesome things about Donnelly and I can't wait to read these two)

Storm Front(The Dresden Files #1) by Jim Butcher (GoodReads)
(UK covers are soooo much prettier than US ones-no comparison!)

The Spook's Sacrifice(The Last Apprentice/Wardstone Chronicles #6) by Joseph Delaney (GoodReads)
(read the first 2, loved them, and I just need to find the time to read the rest)

What did you get in your mailbox?

READING: The Girl Who Was On Fire-Movie Edition+GIVEAWAY!!

noreply@blogger.com (A Story Untold) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 17:29:00 +0000

The Girl Who Was On Fire:Movie Edition-Your Favorite Authors on Suzanne Collins' trilogy "The Hunger Games"

Publication date: February 7th, 2012
Published by: SmartPop Books
Genre: Anthology
Rating: 5/5

Includes access to special e-book only movie content!

Praised by writers from Stephen King to Stephenie Meyer, Suzanne Collins’ New York Times bestselling Hunger Games trilogy is dark, captivating and deeply thought-provoking. Part straight-up survivalist adventure, part rich allegory and part political thriller, the series has become a new YA favorite. A film version of the first book, The Hunger Games, starring Academy Award-nominated actress Jennifer Lawrence, will be released in March 2012.

The Girl Who Was on Fire - Movie Edition, released just in time for the release of the first Hunger Games film, includes three brand new essays from Brent Hartinger, Jackson Pearce, and Diana Peterfreund, to take readers even deeper into this challenging YA phenomenon.

The Girl Who Was On Fire-Movie Edition contains all the awesomeness of the first edition of The Girl Who Was On Fire, plus three brand new essays from Brent Hartinger, Jackson Pearce, and Diana Peterfreund, which I will discuss separately.

Brent Hartinger: Did the third book suck?

Brent talks about his disappointment in the last book of the series, Mockingjay, but also tries to support people who liked it.

I agree with Brent's opinion, more or less. I am one of the many (few?) who didn't like the Hunger Games ending. For completely different reasons that anyone else it seems, but I was disappointed nonetheless.

"There's apparently a fine line between "reluctant hero" and "cliche angst-y teen"

Agree 100%. That's why I think Katniss's reactions, emotions and behavior became so over the top, so melodramatic if you will, in the last book. Everyone is obsessed over her, and she can't help but think that she is indeed the centre and cause of everything. Yes, she is important to the world of Panem, no question about it. However, not THAT important that would justify her thinking that everything that happens in her dystopia world happens because of her.

I also agree about Brent's take on the love triangle. If you're looking for tormented lovers, pick another YA book, there're a lot of them about with that particular theme. Agreed, the Hunger Games trilogy is not at all about Katniss's love life, far from it actually. Or...at least it shouldn't have been. I've said this a million times: if you don't want readers, especially YA readers, to have romance-centered expectations, DO NOT ADD AN ANGSTY LOVE TRIANGLE. It's that simple. "Cheap" tricks like that are so beyond Hunger Games. Its amazing story spoke for itself, it didn't need anything else. If you want to add some romance to lighten the mood, sure, by all means. But choose a guy for Katniss to love and find comfort in. Not two guys. If you chose the latter, you have to prepare for the backlash, which is unfortunately unavoidable. When you add a love triangle in a book, you automatically split your fan-base into two sides. That means that in the end, you can only fully satisfy the one side, if that. If you want to talk numbers, that's approximately 50% of the readers. Why go through that? Why not target at 100%? I just don't get it.

Finally, the one thing that I don't agree with Brent is that The Hunger Games world is not morally grey. There is nothing grey and in-between about it. It's pitch black and corrupt to the core, and if that makes me a cynic, so be it.

Jackson Pearce: Gale: Knight, Cowboy, Badass

"Katniss wants to run away with those she loves, because her family, her inner circle, is more important to her that the general populace" Gale flatly tells Katniss " Don't you see? It can't be about just saving "us" anymore. Not if the rebellion's begun!"

Yes! Finally! Jackson very accurately compares the altruism and selflessness that describes a knight's, a hero's life, to Katniss's who from the very beginning declares that her family is her first priority. Gale does love his family obviously, but he loves the cause more.

I couldn't agree more. I don't know if that makes one character more likable than the other, what I do know however, is that visionaries and people who want to change the world have to put the greater good before themselves and their families and the people they love. If you want to lead a revolution, you have to put the populace's interests before yours. It doesn't work any other way. If your plan is to fight to save your ass, you're gonna fail and fail and fail. Or you're gonna succeed but you'll be no hero. There's this scene in Mockingjay I will never forget. The bombing in destrict 13 had started and everyone had rushed to the shelter except for Prim, who was not far behind. They had to close the door however, because they couldn't risk getting hit. Katnisss ordered for the door to stay open until Prim came, jeopardizing the life of everyone that was in the shelter. Did she care? Not in the least. Would she had done it for anyone else? Absolutely not. So, you realise, you cannot possibly do that, and still call yourself a hero. Cruel but true. For me, and for Jackson apparently, Gale is the real hero in the Hunger Games series. The leader of the revolution, willing to put his life on the line to save others. Finally, again, couldn't agree more when Jackson says that without Gale there would be no meadow for Katniss and Peeta's children to play at the end of Mockingjay:

"He's the reason the series had a happy ending".

"Peeta, with all his domesticated ador- ableness, is a man, whereas Gale is an archetype—someone pos- sible to lust over, possible to care for, possible to love, but fundamentally impossible to settle down with."

How right you are, Jackson. How right you are.

Diana Peterfreund: Hunger Game Theory

Diana writes a very illuminating essay about game strategy, its origins and its various sides and uses. Playing a game of two players entails a certain amount of thinking and strategizing if you want to win, or at least accomplish the best outcome for you. That's what Diana's essay is about, how two people's game strategies are connected and how one cannot possibly exist without the other.

She refers to Harry Potter's Quidditch and Ender's Game Battle School game. What first came to my mind when reading the Hunger Games is Battle Royale. For those of you who haven't heard of it, Battle Royale is a novel by Koushun Takami. It takes place in Japan, in an alternate timeline. Under the guise of a "study trip", a group of students are gassed on a bus, and then wake up in an evacuated school in a deserted island. They learn that they have been placed in an event called the Program. Officially a military research project, it is a means of terrorizing the population, of creating such paranoia as to make organized insurgency impossible. According to the rules, every year since 1947, 42 third-year high school students are isolated, and each student is required to fight to the death until one student remains. Their movements are tracked by metal collars, which contain tracking and listening devices. If any student should attempt to escape the Program, or enter declared forbidden zones, a bomb will be detonated in the collar, killing the wearer. If no one dies in a 24 hour time period, there will be no winner and all collars will be detonated simultaneously. After being briefed about the Program, the students are issued survival packs that include a map, compass, flashlight, food and water, and a random weapon or other item, which may be anything from a gun to a paper fan(summary mostly taken from Wiki).

Many argue that Battle Royale is more violent and bloody. Is it though?

"Win or lose. Kill or be killed. Every man for himself."

I think Diana answered my question.

"The only way to win the game is not to play at all"

I think the above phrase pretty much sums up the whole series. Diana reminds us what Haymitch told Katniss in Mockingjay, that they were all "still in the game". Whatever they do, it doesn't stop. It just goes around and around and around and for what? People never win, districts never win, it's always the Capitol. So the best strategy is to not have one, meaning not to play at all. I think that's what Katniss and Peeta realised when they thought about eating the berries, shaking the system to its core.

Great analytical essay on game theory based on psychological examples and politics.

GIVEAWAY
*One copy of The Girl Who Was On Fire-Movie Edition
*US and Canada only
*Ends January 18th
*Fill out this FORM
*Good luck :)

READING: Bloodrose by Andrea Cremer

noreply@blogger.com (A Story Untold) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 16:38:00 +0000

Bloodrose by Andrea Cremer

Publication date: January 3rd, 2012
Published by: Philomel
Genre: YA Paranormal, Werewolves
Rating: 3,5/5

The Ultimate Sacrifice.

Calla has always welcomed war. But now that the final battle is upon her, there’s more at stake than fighting. There’s saving Ren, even if it incurs Shay’s wrath. There’s keeping Ansel safe, even if he’s been branded a traitor. There’s proving herself as the pack’s alpha, facing unnamable horrors, and ridding the world of the Keepers’ magic once and for all. And then there’s deciding what to do when the war ends. If Calla makes it out alive, that is.

Whew, that's it. That's the end of the Nightshade series.

Saying it like that sounds depressing and sad, I know. Well, that's because it is.

It's been a weird ride for me, this series. Nightshade, book 1, I didn't much care for, Wolfsbane, book 2, I absolutely loved, and now Bloodrose, book 3, leaves me with an empty feeling towards an undeserving ending.

Let me elaborate:

Or rather before I elaborate, I must warn you there are some spoilers up ahead. I cannot possibly write this review without recounting some of the events that took place in Bloodrose. Don't worry though, you'll be warned. IN CAPS! :)

Now, where was I? Yes, Calla.

*long sigh, reeking of disappointment*

Why? Andrea, if you're reading this(I know there's not a chance in hell, but whatever), I'm asking you: why??? Why did you make the protagonist of your 3-books series, your female heroine, such an immature, spoiled, brat? It wasn't of course that I adored her in the first two books and her character changing shocked me, but still! I can't possibly believe in or support a heroine who makes out with two guys, at the same time, behind their backs. No, it's unacceptable to me. Call me a prude, I don't care. I'll silently endure the love triangle since I willingly chose to read it knowing it is in the book, but that doesn't justify everything. I don't care if she's a teen, an adult, an aunt, a mother, a sister. She just can't fool around with 2 guys at the same time and then, on top of it all, act all tormented because she doesn't know who to choose. It's, to put it simply, laughable. Also, it made me lose respect for the guys who were still drooling over her.

I fear this is gonna be a long review and I don't want it to be, because I know people hate long reviews. So, I'm gonna wrap it up real quick.

What I liked most about Bloodrose, were the action scenes. The tasks Shay and co. undertook in order to put all sword pieces together. They were indeed cool, and they reminded me of Harry Potter's trials in The Goblet Of Fire a little bit. I found myself still liking the Searchers but I seemed to have forgotten how childish Connor sounds. Was he like that in Wolfsbane, too? Does anyone remember? I don't remember him being such a dork, and not in a good way. Best scene in the book for me, and when I finally cracked a smile amidst all the wincing, was what Ren says to Connor concerning Adne. That's all I'm gonna say about it.

*DRUMROLL* SPOILERS COMING! BEWARE *DRUMROLL

So.

Ren.

Well, I didn't see that coming. I knew Calla wouldn't choose Ren in the end, that was obvious, at least to me. And to be totally honest with you, I was glad Ren didn't end up with Calla because she doesn't deserve him. But to go like that? Without even some last words? It was like his character never even existed. He was just gone, poof. OK, moving on.

Seriously now? Come on! That's just ridiculous. And to add insult to injury, Calla's life became much easier with Ren gone. She was starting to have doubts about Shay for a minute there(tell me you all saw that)but when Ren dies, she was like "No, no. It was Shay all along". Pfff come off it! I hated it that the death of an alleged loved one, worked to her advantage, and that it showed so much in the book. If Ren lived and Calla had to ultimately choose and she chose Shay, I wouldn't mind at all. I have no problem with Shay - I like him. But a decision like that shouldn't be given to her(like everything else it seems), she should have earned it and owned it. And she didn't it. And it was horrible.

*DRUMROLL* SPOILERS ARE LEAVING! GOODBYE SPOILERS *DRUMROLL*

When all is said and done, I can't help but feel disappointed in Bloodrose. And that angers me to no end, especially when I repeatedly told myself "Don't care whatever it happens, just don't, detach yourself completely". And I don't care what happened in the end, honest. I care about the way it happened. Also it's a bit difficult not to care at all after 3 books and several sleepless nights.

To me 3,5/5 is because I loved Wolfsbane and because of what Bloodrose could have and should have been.

Now, off to greener pastures!

In My Mailbox (45)

noreply@blogger.com (A Story Untold) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 17:29:00 +0000

::Thanks to the Story Siren for hosting IMM::

Heat Stroke(Weather Warden #2) by Rachel Caine (GoodReads)

Chill Factor(Weather Warden #3) by Rachel Caine (GoodReads)

Windfall(Weather Warden #4) by Rachel Caine (GoodReads)

Firestorm(Weather Warden #5) by Rachel Caine (GoodReads)

Thin Air(Weather Warden #6) by Rachel Caine (GoodReads)

Thanks Evi :)

What did you get in your mailbox?

Books Of 2012

noreply@blogger.com (A Story Untold) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 15:06:00 +0000

Here is where I will keep track of every book I read in 2012. I will write down the title of the book and the author (rating's on the side) and then link to my review, if I have written one. Said reviews will also be posted on Reviews by Title and Reviews by Author.

01. Something Wonderful-Judith McNaught (6/5)

02. Angelfall-Susan Ee (5/5)

03. Double-Jenny Valentine (4/5)
04. Bloodrose-Andrea Cremer (3,5/5)
05. A Feast For Crows-George R.R. Martin (5/5)
06. Prophecy Of The Sisters-Michelle Zink (3/5)
07. Everneath-Brodi Ashton (5/5)
08. The Girl Who Was On Fire-Movie Edition- Anthology (5/5)
09. Grave Mercy-R.L. LaFevers (5/5)
10. Wicked Lovely-Melissa Marr (3,5/5)
11. My Soul To Take-Rachel Vincent (2/5)
12. Dragonswood-Janet Lee Carey (5/5)
13. One For The Money-Janet Evanovich (4/5)

READING: Angelfall by Susan Ee

noreply@blogger.com (A Story Untold) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 17:15:00 +0000

Angelfall by Susan Ee

Publication date: May 21st, 2011
Published by: Feral Dream
Genre: YA Dystopian, Post Apocalyptic, Angels
Rating: 5/5

It's been six weeks since angels of the apocalypse descended to demolish the modern world. Street gangs rule the day while fear and superstition rule the night. When warrior angels fly away with a helpless little girl, her seventeen-year-old sister Penryn will do anything to get her back.

Anything, including making a deal with an enemy angel.

Raffe is a warrior who lies broken and wingless on the street. After eons of fighting his own battles, he finds himself being rescued from a desperate situation by a half-starved teenage girl.

Traveling through a dark and twisted Northern California, they have only each other to rely on for survival. Together, they journey toward the angels' stronghold in San Francisco where she'll risk everything to rescue her sister and he'll put himself at the mercy of his greatest enemies for the chance to be made whole again.

I have no idea how to start this review so I'm gonna get right to the point: the first 70 pages or so were good, but it was after that that the book's soul was really shown.

Honestly, I have never had so many of my friends telling me to read a particular book at the same time. And by "telling me" I mean "yelling at" me. After consulting several book sites and seeing readers' reactions to Angelfall, I said what the heck, I might as well read it and see what all the fuss is about.

Now I get it.

Angelfall is definitely not a conventional YA book. Susan Ee dared to cross the "politically correct" YA boundaries and create a fierce, blood-curdling world, where angels have brought the world as we know it to its knees and caused the eradication of most of its population. That got my attention from the get go. Angels, Godly creatures destroying the earth probably under God's orders? Talk about divine intervention! Definitely not the cookie cutter YA paranormal novel I was expecting. And I'm glad to say it didn't disappoint until the end.

Raffe and Penryn are the protagonists. Raffe is an angel and Penryn is a girl who is trying, along with her mother and her handicapped little sister, to survive in the wreck and havoc angel attacks left behind.

At first, I didn't know what to think of Raffe. Well, I had some thoughts but I didn't want to have them. Because they were *cough* kinda negative. Yeah, I know, impossible. Thing is, I thought he was the same smug jerk, six-pack/ broad shoulders ready to make every teen girl swoon-type of guy that regrettably lives in every YA book. Amazingly enough, while I was reading Angefall, I felt like I was experiencing Raffe's growing up, his gradually becoming serious and determined right before my eyes and I was so relieved my opinion of him had completely changed by the end.

As for Penryn, I liked her from the start. She is awesome (in the original sense of the word "awe") and admirable throughout the whole book.

I still don't know what to think of her mother, though. She was too paranoid on some occasions, at the point of schizophrenia, and too "motherly" and "sane" in others. I don't know if that makes any sense, but I felt her mental condition was somewhat inconsistent. Then again, she was paranoid. But sometimes it felt a little bit off to me.

Angelfall starts exactly the same way it ends. With a bang. With two amazing and incredibly intense and emotional scenes. First, we have the angel fight. I mean, what a way to start a book! I remember laying on my bed reading and I thought "OK, this is serious. We might have something here!"

As for the ending scene…well, I guess you'll have to read the book ;)

Grotesque and horrifyingly beautiful, Angefall will leave you raving for a long time after you finish it.

Read it. Now.

It's that time of the year...

noreply@blogger.com (A Story Untold) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 15:37:00 +0000

...for people all around the world to make tons of lists of eeeeverything. They even make lists of their own lists! Well, I'll try to refrain myself from doing that. What I'm gonna do, is make 2 lists: one of the 10 awesomest books I read in 2011 (some were published before 2011) and one of the worst books I read in 2011. It seems only fitting if you gonna express your gratitude for the good ones, that you have the right to nag about the bad ones, too.

So here goes:

FAVES OF 2011
(books are not listed by preference)

1. A Song Of Ice And Fire series by George R.R.Martin
2. The Fever series by Karen Marie Moning
3. Halfway To The Grave by Jeaniene Frost
4. Wither by Lauren DeStefano
5. Where She Went by Gayle Forman
6. Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer
7. Daughter Of Smoke And Bone by Laini Taylor
8. Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire
9. The Ivy series by Lauren Kunze&Rina Onur
10. The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

YOU JUST DIDN'T DO IT FOR ME, 2011 STYLE

1. Tris&Izzie by Matte Ivie Harrison
2. Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris
3. Hereafter by Tara Hudson
4. The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter
5. The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab
6. Flat-out Love by Jessica Park
7. Vicious Little Darlings by Katherine Easer
8. Possession by Elana Johnson
9. Silence by Becca Fitzpatrick
10. Wake Unto Me by Lisa Cach

Of course there are a lot of other books I loved and loathed in 2011 which didn't make it to the lists.

During 2011 I read 125 book and I'm very proud of myself, albeit exhausted from the stress of having to read books for reviews and posting reviews three times a week. So, I thought that if I want to continue having a book blog, I have to take it way less seriously and just relax and enjoy reading.
Of any kind! Not just YA! Guys, read all kinds of books. YAs are fine but it feels amazing to expand your reading horizons every now and then. You never know what you might discover!

And with these words of wisdom, I bid you farewell.

I wish you a very very happy New Year :)

Watch the SIRENZ trailer!

noreply@blogger.com (A Story Untold) — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 20:59:00 +0000

It's true! Trailer of SIRENZ by Charlotte Bennardo & Natalie Zaman is out!

Enjoy :)

Merry Christmas!

noreply@blogger.com (A Story Untold) — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 10:08:00 +0000

Since it's the holidays, I'll be updating sporadically. Once a week, if that.

After new year's however, everything will get back to normal!

Happy holidays everyone :)

ps. Karen, I hope you like the photo :P

READING: Every Other Day by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

noreply@blogger.com (A Story Untold) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 15:29:00 +0000

Every Other Day by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Publication date: December 27th, 2011
Published by: Egmont USA
Source: NetGalley
Genre: YA Paranormal, Sci Fi, Little bit of everything
Rating: 4,5/5

Every other day, Kali D'Angelo is a normal sixteen-year-old girl. She goes to public high school. She attends pep rallies. She's human.

And then every day in between . . .She's something else entirely.

Though she still looks like herself, every twenty-four hours predatory instincts take over and Kali becomes a feared demon-hunter with the undeniable urge to hunt, trap, and kill zombies, hellhounds, and other supernatural creatures. Kali has no idea why she is the way she is, but she gives in to instinct anyway. Even though the government considers it environmental terrorism.

When Kali notices a mark on the lower back of a popular girl at school, she knows instantly that the girl is marked for death by one of these creatures. Kali has twenty-four hours to save her and, unfortunately, she'll have to do it as a human. With the help of a few new friends, Kali takes a risk that her human body might not survive. . .and learns the secrets of her mysterious condition in the process.

This is the first book I'm reading by Jennifer Lynn Barnes. I've heard great things about the Raised by Wolves series but I never picked it up. I'm so glad I requested Every Other Day from NetGalley though, because it truly was awesome!!

Every Other Day sucked me in from the very first word. It is so eloquently written and with a spot on combination of sarcasm and humor, that I immediately knew we had a winner.

I loved the story and how original it was. First, I liked the idea that paranormal entities were not only known by the populace, but they were also scientifically recognised and accepted. It says at one point that Darwin's evolutionary theory includes, apart from the species known to man today, Homo Mortis, basically dead beings. I liked how she made zombies and vampires who are always so special in other books, seem like "ordinary" beings living on this planet since the beginning of time. Fun fact: hellhounds-endengered species, no hunting allowed. Yeah. It was THAT cool!

I liked Kali's character a lot. She had a little bit of Buffy in her, thankfully without the obnoxious parts! She was feisty, determined and willing to risk her life for others' without having a hero complex. Huge fan of the every other day concept: one day she's this bad ass fighter/killer, and the other she's just a plain mortal.

Her friend Skylar was OK, but to be honest I liked her brothers more, even if they didn't have as much book time as Skylar had.

I think what Barnes did in Every Other Day, was really daring: she added a guy character, Zev, the alleged "love interest", who did not come in contact with the heroine once in the book. He was constantly in her head. And we're talking about a one time deal here, a stand alone novel. It's not like it'll be a series and Barnes will have plenty of books ahead of her to build the relationship between them. And not only that, but till the end, I was not really sure that what they had between them was indeed romance, and not just the natural need to rely on each other even telepathically, in order to assuage the gravity of their situation. Zev was a cold voice in Kali's head throughout the whole book and the surprising thing is that it didn't take away from their incredible connection. I really have to applaud Barnes for doing something like that, because it takes some serious guts.

If you love paranormal adventures with a twist-with several twists, actually- and appreciate awesome writing, then Every Other Day is for you.

Totally recommend it. Read it!

READING: Hallowed by Cynthia Hand

noreply@blogger.com (A Story Untold) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 15:25:00 +0000

Hallowed by Cynthia Hand

Publication date: January 17th, 2012
Published by: HarperTeen
Genre: YA Paranormal, Angels
Source: NetGalley
Rating: 2,5/5

For months part-angel Clara Gardner trained to face the raging forest fire from her visions and rescue the alluring and mysterious Christian Prescott from the blaze. But nothing could prepare her for the fateful decisions she would be forced to make that day, or the startling revelation that her purpose—the task she was put on earth to accomplish—is not as straightforward as she thought. Now, torn between her increasingly complicated feelings for Christian and her love for her boyfriend, Tucker, Clara struggles to make sense of what she was supposed to do the day of the fire. And, as she is drawn further into the world of part angels and the growing conflict between White Wings and Black Wings, Clara learns of the terrifying new reality that she must face: Someone close to her will die in a matter of months. With her future uncertain, the only thing Clara knows for sure is that the fire was just the beginning.

I was not the biggest fan of the first book by Cynthia Hand, Unearthly. I liked it fine, but I was not crazy about it. Of course, I wouldn't miss a chance to read part 2, Hallowed, when I saw it on NetGalley. I don't know if it's the books' fault or mine though, because I think I enjoyed Hallowed even less than Unearthly.

I felt like Hallowed kinda lacked the innocence and playfulness Unearthly had. It seemed to me that it was more dark in a way and more fatalistic. Certainly glummer and more morose than its predecessor. Granted, the books are about the fight between the good angels and the bad, so one would think that as the story moves forward, books will get even darker and more ominous. Thing is though, there was no story evolving in Hallowed. Apart from one thing that was very important in Clara's life, there is nothing else going on to justify the creation of a whole book consisting of 416 pages! Obviously, Hand wanted to develop her characters and there was plenty of that in Hallowed. Everything that's in there has to do with Clara's relationship with either Tucker or Christian and how these relationships move forward or take a step back. We also take a peek at Clara's relationship with her mother, which I personally wasn't fond of, since Clara's mother is definitely not my favorite character.

The feeling I got while reading Hallowed is that Clara comes across as this very wise, learned, 80 year old woman. And she shouldn't have because she is 16! From the way she was written and her lines, I thought that she was a miserable girl that had to carry the whole world on her shoulders and she hated every minute of it. Naturally, seeing that she is a teen and wants nothing more than normal teenage-y stuff, like having boyfriend trouble, hanging out with friends and not doing her homework. What I got from Carla though, was that, even when she was with a boy and felt happy, she later felt regret for feeling happy because she had all these problems to solve and everyone depended on her to solve them. In other words, she had savior-syndrome. I think it was too much burden for a young girl to handle and eventually it cost the book its "frivolity", small amount of which is absolutely necessary in YA books.

I just wish there was more going on in Hallowed. That way the characters could get involved in action instead of sulking and brooding all the time, worrying about their dismal future. I'm not even gonna dwell on the triangle and who Clara ends up with blah blah. Clara's relationships with the boys is the whole book. If that's what you're into, then I absolutely recommend Hollowed.

READING: Working Stiff by Rachel Caine

noreply@blogger.com (A Story Untold) — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 15:26:00 +0000

Working Stiff by Rachel Caine

Publication date: August 2nd, 2011
Published by: Roc
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy, Crime
Rating: 4,5/5

Bryn Davis knows working at Fairview Mortuary isn't the most glamorous career choice, but at least it offers stable employment--until she discovers her bosses using a drug that resurrects the clientele as part of an extortion racket. Now, Bryn faces being terminated--literally, and with extreme prejudice.

Wit the help of corporate double-agent Patrick McCallister, Bryn has a chance to take down the bigger problem--pharmaceutical company Pharmadene, which treats death as the ultimate corporate loyalty program. She'd better do it fast, before she becomes a zombie slave--a real working stiff. She'd be better off dead...

Being a huge fan of Rachel Caine, I was really surprised(and dissapointed)at seeing Working Stiff having such low ratings. I shamefully admit that was the reason I avoided reading WS sooner. I didn't want to face the fact that Caine might actually have written something other than fantastic. Fortunately, I didn't have to, because Working Stiff was awesome!

OK I get it. Maybe not so many people want or need to know about the funeral home business. It's morbid and in generally not what you want to read on a nice, Sunday morning. But, to put simply, who cares? The story is not about the funeral home or how uncomfortable it makes you feel. It's about the characters and the semi-crime, semi-urban fantasy story behind it.

One of the reasons I love Rachel Caine's books is their characters, and how she makes the reader care about them, no matter how bizarre or unrelatable they are. You are with them, you root for them every step of the way. You care enough to want to finish the book and find out what ultimately happened to them, how they ended up. I don't know how she does it, but my hat's certainly off to her.

As for the story, it was original, interesting (funeral home included) and complex. That's why people didn't seem to like it, I suppose. I love complex stories, though. Aren't you guys bored of the same stuff being repeated over and over again? Don't you yearn for something different? If yes, go and pick up Working Stiff. You won't regret it.

And don't let the bad reviews out there mislead you :)

READING: Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout

noreply@blogger.com (A Story Untold) — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 15:20:00 +0000

Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Publication date: December 6th, 2011
Published by: Entangled Publishing
Genre: YA Paranormal, Sci-Fi
Rating: 4/5

Starting over sucks.

When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I’d pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring…. until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.

And then he opened his mouth.

Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something…unexpected happens.

The hot alien living next door marks me.

You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon’s touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I’m getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades.
If I don’t kill him first, that is.

Obsidian is the poster book for how a teen novel-enjoyable, not at all complicated, easy and simple-should be, in order to appeal to as many readers as possible. Whether that appealed to me personally or not, is a whole different matter.

Well to be honest, it did appeal to me. Kinda. OK it was good and I enjoyed it. But nothing was happening till 70% in! Zero action. I guess that has something to do with the fact that the paranormal element (vamp, were, faery, witch, octopus whatever) wasn't revealed until right about the middle of the book. I knew it before I picked up the book and I was still bored. Before all the "action", it was a typical contemp YA with school-hot boys-high school dance-drama. And it was all about Katy and Daemon. I know, duh. This normally wouldn't have bothered me much if I wasn't up to here in hot boys who are complete jerks whom female protagonists drool over even they repeatedly acknowledge their jerkiness, and in girls who go "I don't have a boyfriend and my love life sucks. I don't know why I'm invisible to boys. I'm told I have to die for curves, delicious lips and awesome hair. Oh well, I guess I'm too much of a plain Jane for guys to notice me".

*cue barf*

ARE.YOU. FREAKING. KIDDING. ME.

Maybe I'm getting grumpy at my old age, but please. Don't create characters who are beautiful and make them act like ordinary, girls-next door so teens can relate to them. It's wrong. I know that a book is fiction and it doesn't really matter but I also know that personally, I can make the distinction between reality and fiction. Unfortunately, from what I've seen out there, there are a lot of people who can't. Stop misleading them further.

Rant aside, I loved the fact that Katy was a book blogger. It was the first time I read the words "Waiting On Wednesday" or "It's Monday, what are you reading?" in an actual book and I couldn't help but smile. I liked Dee, Daemon's sister, I think she was genuinely sweet and generally a good person.

Daemon is kinda hot. OK, a lot. Teenagers out there, beware-he'll break your heart!

Obsidian is another run of the mill YA book with a nice pace, and a somewhat original plot. Fun, easy to finish but not a lot of action in there. I think I'll read book #2 when it comes out, just to see where the story's headed. As long as its cover is not as hideous as Obsidian's.

(Come on, guys! What were you thinking??)

READING: Half-Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout

noreply@blogger.com (A Story Untold) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 15:25:00 +0000

Half-Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Publication date: October 18th, 2011
Published by: Spencer Hill Press
Genre: YA Paranormal, Vampires
Rating: 3/5

The Hematoi descend from the unions of gods and mortals, and the children of two Hematoi-pure-bloods-have godlike powers. Children of Hematoi and mortals-well, not so much. Half-bloods only have two options: become trained Sentinels who hunt and kill daimons or become servants in the homes of the pures.Seventeen-year-old Alexandria would rather risk her life fighting than waste it scrubbing toilets, but she may end up slumming it anyway. There are several rules that students at the Covenant must follow. Alex has problems with them all, but especially rule #1:Relationships between pures and halfs are forbidden.Unfortunately, she's crushing hard on the totally hot pure-blood Aiden. But falling for Aiden isn't her biggest problem--staying alive long enough to graduate the Covenant and become a Sentinel is. If she fails in her duty, she faces a future worse than death or slavery: being turned into a daimon, and being hunted by Aiden. And that would kind of suck.

Let me start off by saying that those of you who have already read Half-Blood must have noticed its eery similarity to another very well known book of the genre. Come on, don't pretend you don't know what I'm talking about! Yes, Half-Blood is a great book. Yes, it has a nice romance and well built story. Yes, it has a very hot male character(or should I say hot male characters?) Half-Blood had all that and still couldn't reach Vampire Academy's (by Richelle Mead) potential, seeing as the former was almost identical to the latter.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not talking about plagiarism. Nothing of the kind. I'm just saying that the story of Half-Blood is exactly the same as the story in VA. And I don't use the word "exactly" lightly. The whole mythology, the Moroi, the Dhampir guardians, their frowned upon intimate relations, Dhampirs' infertility, Strigoi and so much more was pictured the exact same way in Half-Blood, under different names of course. Granted, there are a few differences that thankfully are there to help us readers tell the books apart. But overall, it's undoubtedly a repetition of Vampire Academy's story. That's why I feel I don't have to "review" it, tell you my thoughts about the characters and the plot(ha!). If you know me, you know I love VA so you know what my thoughts are on the book(s).

I'm really sorry if I sound totally obnoxious referencing Vampire Academy so much. You know, before I read Half-Blood friends who had already read it warned me about the inevitable VA comparison. But I never expected for those two to be so alike! And I agree with what people say that there's no originality in art, especially in literature. Besides, expecting to read something truly original in the YA paranormal genre is utopic, to say the least. However, I draw the line in reading the same(almost verbatim "copied")story in two different books. And between you and me, Vampire Academy was way better.

I mean no disrespect to Armentrout, on the contrary. I enjoyed her book and applaud her effort. It's obvious she can write and she can write very well. I just don't understand why she didn't choose to build a new paranormal world of her own, instead of borrowing one from another book. I don't know, I just feel she can do so much better. I enjoyed Half-Blood, no question about it, but in all fairness, probably because it made me want to read Vampire Academy again.

READING: Darker Still by Leanna Renee Hieber

noreply@blogger.com (A Story Untold) — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 15:33:00 +0000

Darker Still by Leanna Renee Hieber

Publication date: November 8th, 2011
Published by: Sourcebooks
Genre: Historical YA, Paranormal Mystery
Rating: 3,5/5

New York City, 1882. Seventeen-year-old Natalie Stewart's latest obsession is a painting of the handsome British Lord Denbury. Something in his striking blue eyes calls to her. As his incredibly life-like gaze seems to follow her, Natalie gets the uneasy feeling that details of the painting keep changing...

Jonathan Denbury's soul is trapped in the gilded painting by dark magic while his possessed body commits unspeakable crimes in the city slums. He must lure Natalie into the painting, for only together can they reverse the curse and free his damaged soul.

Darker Still couldn't have come at a worse time for me. I have tons of things on my mind and get easily distracted. So, admittedly I kinda struggled to finish it, it took me a while. That being said, I strongly believe that Darker Still is different from other YA because not only does it combine two genres (historical/paranormal), it's also written the way historical books are written, Jane Austen style, which is something you're either going to find innovative and intriguing or confusing and boring. I was both intrigued and bored.

I liked the characters. It didn't have a lot of them, only 3 major players and 2-3 who weren't important to the story. I liked Natalie. I liked her naivete, her shyness, which seemed real and believable throughout the book, even when she finally succumbs to Lord Denbury's charms. Lord Denbury was the obvious love interest, good looking and alluring. I just can't bring myself to call an 19 century lord "hot", sorry :)

Granted, the story Hieber chose to write isn't the most original, as the basic idea is inspired by Oscar Wilde's "The Picture Of Dorian Gray". Even though Darker Still isn't, understandably, as deep and existential as Dorian Gray was, it still made a good and entertaining read. It focused more on Natalie's and Lord Denbury's romance and how that came to be, rather than the paranormal part of the story and Denbury's malevolent half.

I would have liked more of that, I'm afraid. Not that I didn't enjoy the romance, quite the opposite. However, I think if the book was equal parts romance and actual plot/story, it would have a better flow and would be way easier to read and concentrate on. The flow of information and action was slow at times and that certainly didn't help to move the story forwards. I wanted more magic, more mythology and more bad guy scenes, which regretfully were very limited. Too bad, I kinda liked vicious Denbury!

If you like Victorian era type books and intricate but elegant writing, read Darker Still. Story-wise though, I wouldn't hold my breath if I were you.

READING: Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

noreply@blogger.com (A Story Untold) — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 16:04:00 +0000

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Publication date: November 15th, 2011
Published by: HarperCollins
Genre: YA Dystopian
Rating: 3,5/5

Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days.
The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal. As long as she doesn't hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don't fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.
The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war-- and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she's exactly what they need right now.
Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.

Again, another book I was expecting everything from and only got some. It not exactly left me disappointed but I was not thrilled, either.

First couple of pages in I was like "What the hell am I reading? What is this?" I didn't like the crossed out phrases at all. I thought they were completely unnecessary, pretentious and just plain bad. However, after a while I thought that maybe they were there to symbolize Juliette's gradual transformation from an almost savage being living in a filthy sanitarium, to someone who is loved and capable of loving back. So, if it was intentionally added by the author then I'm in the wrong. If not, well then I stand by my initial opinion and say again that I found it showy and this book didn't need anything showy in it.

The story itself was very powerful and intense. It was original, I'll give it that, and the ending shows that there's much more to the story, has a little twist there. Will I pick up the 2nd book? Sure, why not?
Adam, well. He was a hot/hero/to good to be true guy. Aren't they all? Nothing that distinctly awesome about Adam, don't get why all female readers swooned over him so.

All in all, Shatter Me was a good dystopian novel, as all dystopian novels are overall OK., because the genre is still relatively "new" in YA and not many writers have trampled all over it like with YA Paranormal. So, IMO dystopians can be exceptionally good or just good. Shatter Me was the latter. I hope next book will be the former.

READING: Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally

noreply@blogger.com (A Story Untold) — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 15:21:00 +0000

Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally

Publication date: December 1st, 2011
Published by: Sourcebooks Fire
Genre: YA Contemporary
Rating: 4/5

What girl doesn't want to be surrounded by gorgeous jocks day in and day out? Jordan Woods isn't just surrounded by hot guys, though-she leads them as the captain and quarterback of her high school football team. They all see her as one of the guys, and that's just fine. As long as she gets her athletic scholarship to a powerhouse university. But now there's a new guy in town who threatens her starting position... suddenly she's hoping he'll see her as more than just a teammate.

Catching Jordan reminded me so much of Friday Night Lights which is only one of my top 3 favorite shows ever, that I couldn't help but like it. Aside from that though, it's such an addictive read, that anyone who's a big sucker for contemporary romances will certainly love it.

Catching Jordan started really strong, describing the life of a high school senior quarterback. "Big deal", I hear you say. Well, this quarterback is a girl, and her name is Jordan.

In the 1st half we see how Jordan struggles to balance everything that goes on in her life. Football, a father who-in her opinion-doesn't care about her hopes and dreams, the new guy,Ty, who might be the first thing to get her mind off football and her best friend since forever, Henry.

I liked how Kenneally didn't make everything appear all fine and dandy in Jordan's life. She is a female quarterback. It's unusual and a lot of people have a problem with unusual. This apparently comes as a shock to Jordan when she realises that college coaches don't take her seriously as a football player. Her dad had told her like a million times, but did she listen? I'm not implying that his behavior was awesome and Jordan was wrong all along, but she could have cut him some slack and understand that he is her dad and whatever he says, he always has her best interest at heart, instead of putting her ego first. So yeah, I didn't like how she talked about her dad, especially after he pulled in some huge favors for her friends.

Now about the romance part. Annoying thing in love triangles? Hello, we meet again. You know what I'm talking about, when girl meets guy and he is so hot and sweet she falls immediately head over heels but then suddenly she realises she loves another and hot guy #1 becomes a jerk.

I hate that. Why? Because when I am introduced to a character whom my protagonist lusts, swoons and drools over and the writer spends page after page working up to the first kiss blah blah, I emotionally "invest" in him. I like him because he is a couple with my heroine. And since my heroine adores him, all the more reason for me to get attached to him. So you understand my frustration when the heroine, out of the blue, not only stops pining over him but also "invents" bad things about him and his behavior to make the other guy look good.

I'm NO fan of that. Even though in this particular book, I liked both guys equally.

That being said, Catching Jordan is an undoubtedly enjoyable book. That's what I love about contemporary YA novels. You may not like some stuff in there but when you turn the last page, you wish you could turn back the time and read them again for the first time. Catching Jordan is definitely one of those books.