Game of Thrones is a series (both book and TV) filled with fascinating characters. One of my favorite elements of this series is the way the characters change over time. I greatly admire the way George R.R. Martin is able to make readers change how they feel about these people.

Warning: This post does contain spoilers up to A Feast for Crows!

Characters I Love

Daenerys Stormborn

Dany is the reason I began watching Game of Thrones. I remember watching videos on Youtube, and after seeing Dany rise from the ashes with her dragons, I was fascinated. My respect for Dany has only grown as I read the books and watched the series. Dany begins as a rather obedient, pliable character, but as she grows up and comes into her own as khaleesi, Dany becomes an admirable character. I loved watching her go from a trapped victim at her brother’s hands to a strong leader in her own right. Dany also is not a perfect character. She makes mistakes, including trusting the woman who is – in some ways- responsible for Drogo’s death, but she learns from her mistakes and she does not allow them to make her bitter. Dany has also proven herself to be a clever leader. This is probably best evidenced in A Storm of Swords when Dany faces the slavers and ultimately triumphs repeatedly.

Brienne of Tarth

Ah, Brienne. I wasn’t sure about this character when she first appeared in season 2, but after reading A Storm of Swords and A Feast for Crows, I find her to be one of the most honorable, intriguing, and sympathetic characters of the series. Brienne’s back-story is quite sad. She is very much aware of the fact that she is not “pretty” and this has caused much distress throughout her life. She has been rejected by suitors, and mocked for her appearance. Plus, the fact that she has always seemed to prefer a sword rather than a needle has caused her even more difficulty in life. Brienne was in love with Renley, and his death nearly destroys her. However, she is convinced by Catelyn to escape Renley’s men. Brienne vows to Catelyn that she will deliver Jaime to King’s Landing and safely return Sansa and Arya to their mother. This journey begins a fascinating to new chapter in Brienne’s life as she and Jaime form an unlikely but heartfelt friendship. The bond between the two of them is utterly intriguing, and I think it brings out the best in both characters. Despite men repeatedly telling Brienne to give up her quest to save the Stark daughters, Brienne refuses, and she ends up journeying with Podrick Payne (Tyrion’s former squire) and one of Renley’s former knights. At the end of A Feast for Crows, Brienne’s fate is hanging in the balance, and if she does not survive, I will certainly be heartbroken. Brienne is one of the most original characters of the series.

Sansa Stark

Sansa is another reason I began to watch Game of Thrones. Watching her reaction to Ned’s death broke my heart, and, although I despised Sansa when I began watching season 1 and in the beginning of the first book, I have come to greatly respect her as a character. I was quite furious when I saw Sansa listed as one of the “Least Empowered Women” on this list. That may have been true at the start of the series, but I disagree with its truth as the series goes on. After Ned’s death, Sansa is forced to grow up, and she does so. Sansa proves adept at keeping herself alive, despite remaining as a virtual prisoner in King’s Landing. However, she is not completely compliant as evidenced by this moment. Sansa also proves to be intelligent and a capable leader. I have no doubt if Arya had been in Sansa’s place, she would certainly have provoked Joffrey to kill her. Sansa may not be as physically tough and capable as Arya, but she has her own form of quiet strength. I will admit that some of Sansa’s actions as “Alayne” disappointed me, but I still love Sansa and I have great hopes for her future.

Jaime Lannister

I struggle with this one….a lot. This is the man who threw Bran out a window. He ambushed Ned and his men in King’s Landing. He has not been known to be a good guy. I mean he loves Cersei, who is kind of evil and just a little bit insane and his sister. So how can I love him?! Well, it has to do with the journey he takes with Brienne. The way she changes him and in some ways inspires him. Ultimately, I think it has to do with the loss of his hand, and how that forces him to become a different man. And I truly believe he has changed from the man he was when he threw Bran out the window. Jaime has begun to care about people beyond Cersei. This is the man who jumped in a bear pit without a sword hand to rescue Brienne, and the man who does everything in his power to keep the vow he made to Catelyn Stark. In Jaime, Martin has created a brilliant character, and I’m falling in love with him.

Honorable Mentions 
Osha (more the TV version)
Ygritte
Sam
Margaery

Characters I Like

Arya Stark 

Arya was a character  I loved in the beginning of the series, and I still like her. However, I am not a huge fan of her storyline from A Clash of Kings and onward. While it is often interesting, I find myself having a hard time becoming engaged in her story. I admire her determination though, and if you’re looking for the definition of a survivor, look no further.

Tyrion Lannister

Before I read A Storm of Swords, Tyrion would certainly have been placed upon my “Characters I Love” list. However, I still have not been able to reconcile myself to the actions he takes at the end of that book. I understand why he does what he does, but I do admit that it does make me think somewhat less of him. Although, I do think Tywin’s death is certainly necessary to move the plot forward, and I could probably forgive him of that. I struggle with him murdering Shae as I do not think we have ever been shown that she was completely guilty. Shae’s actions were not good, but I do not believe that she deserved to die.

Honorable Mentions 
Robb Stark
Jorah Mormont
Jon Snow
Jaqen

Characters I Despise

Lysa (Tully) Arryn

Ach. I despise her so, so much. I know she has a sad background, but sympathy for that will only get her so far. I even tried to reason that she is just rather crazy and driven mad by her grief, but I still cannot agree with her actions. Lysa could definitely be diagnosed for something. She is extremely paranoid, although there is some justification for that, and she is exceedingly overprotective of her son. Then there is, of course, her obsession with Petyr Baelish. I think Lysa’s actions are understandable, but ultimately, unforgivable. She refuses to support Riverrun and Winterfell, which could have completely changed the course of the war. Also, there is her attempt to murder Sansa out of jealousy. Yes, I will admit I will not miss her.

Cersei (Lannister) Baratheon

Cersei is not a perfect fit as a character I despise. I certainly despise most of the actions Cersei takes, but I also find her to be absolutely fascinating. Cersei and Lysa actually have a few things in common. The biggest reason is certainly the way both women make poor decisions in the name of protecting their children. Also, Cersei, like Lysa, suffers from extreme paranoia. Cersei’s paranoia is rooted in her fear of Tyrion, which is ironic. I hate many of the things Cersei does. She is a schemer, a liar, a murderer, and a manipulator. I abhor the way she threatens Tommen into submission, but Cersei often amuses me. She repeatedly considers herself to be a lioness and Tywin’s best heir. However, her attempts to rule and to gain and keep power have consistently proven to be follies. For example, when she tries to destroy Margaery’s reputation, Cersei begins her own downfall.

Honorable Mentions
Stannis
Edmund Tully

Characters I Abhor

Petyr Baelish

I hate him. Hate. Hate. Hate. Petyr Baelish is a deplorable human being. He is a conniver, a manipulator, and a murderer. He played a crucial role in Ned’s downfall. He seduces Lysa and later murders her. He also has a creepy relationship with Sansa (probably because she reminds him of her mother who he was “in love with”). Supposedly, Petyr’s motivated by his love for Catelyn Stark. However, I do not believe he ever truly loved  Catelyn. If he had loved her he would have wanted her to be happy, and nothing he does ever works towards that idea. Petyr is a bitter man trapped by his jealousy and the grudge he has held because of Catelyn’s rejection.

Joffrey Baratheon

If there is a more despicable character than Petyr Baelish it is Joffrey. Joffrey is mindlessly cruel and only gains pleasure from the pain of other people. Joffrey is a horrible character before becoming king (sending the assassin after Bran, for example), but once he becomes king, the power certainly goes to his head. Joffrey thrives on suffering which is evidenced by his treatment not only of Sansa, but of anyone who annoys him, disappoints him, or perhaps just sees him on a bad day. Joffrey, had he lived, would certainly have followed in the mad king’s footsteps.

Honorable Mentions
Melisandre
Gregor Clegane
The Freys

Warning: This post does contain spoilers up to A Feast for Crows!

Game of Thrones is filled with marvelous and horrendous characters, and I could probably have written dozens of posts discussing the amazing cast Martin has created. Because I want people to continue to visit this blog, however, I decided to try to keep my ranting and fangirling short. 

Series: Game of Thrones/A Song of Fire & Ice #2

Author: George R.R. Martin

Read via: Purchased

Time is out of joint. The summer of peace and plenty, ten years long, is drawing to a close, and the harsh, chill winter approaches like an angry beast. Two great leaders—Lord Eddard Stark and Robert Baratheon—who held sway over and age of enforced peace are dead…victims of royal treachery. Now, from the ancient citadel of Dragonstone to the forbidding shores of Winterfell, chaos reigns, as pretenders to the Iron Throne of the Seven Kingdoms prepare to stake their claims through tempest, turmoil, and war. 

As a prophecy of doom cuts across the sky—a comet the color of blood and flame—six factions struggle for control of a divided land. Eddard’s son Robb has declared himself King in the North. In the south, Joffrey, the heir apparent, rules in name only, victim of the scheming courtiers who teem over King’s Landing. Robert’s two brothers each seek their own dominion, while a disfavored house turns once more to conquest. And a continent away, an exiled queen, the Mother of Dragons, risks everything to lead her precious brood across a hard hot desert to win back the crown that is rightfully hers.

The second season of Game of Thrones was, in my opinion, fabulous. I thought it built nicely on the first season, and I loved all of the character development. I knew going in that A Clash of Kings and season 2 of Game of Thrones had many more differences than book 1 and season 1. I must agree that the changes were definitely more pronounced when comparing this book to season 2, but I also found A Clash of Kings to be even more engaging than the first book.

Most of the characters that I loved (and hated) in book 1 return in A Clash of Kings. The loss of Ned (Eddard Stark) is deeply felt, and his loss has caused ripples throughout the land. Those who are most affected by his death are definitely his children. Sansa remains trapped in King’s Landing without any allies, and develops a strange but oddly interesting relationship with the Hound. However, she continually suffers physical and emotional abuse at the orders and hands of Joffrey. I know many people consider Sansa to be a weak, female character, but I think this book truly shows otherwise. To remain in such a hostile environment and manage to keep her life is truly remarkable. With the help of Yoren (a man of the Night’s Watch), Arya manages to escape King’s Landing after her father’s execution. Thus begins a long and twisting journey for Arya, and also allows her to form some fantastic new relationships. The bond between her, Gendry, and Hot Pie is both heartwarming and hilarious, but I must say I was most intrigued by the relationship between her and Jaqen H’ghar. However, I think my fascination with Jaqen stems from the actor who plays him in the series (who did a brilliant job!). Daenerys’ story in the book was slightly disappointing compared to her story in season 2. I do understand both plots, but I just love how kick a** Dany is with the Qartheen leaders on the TV series. Catelyn continues to be a compelling character, and her journey also introduces us to Brienne of Tarth. Brienne is an incredibly sympathetic character, but at the same time, she is exceedingly strong.

Of all the male characters, I think Jon and Tyrion had the most interesting tales to tell in this book. Though I must admit that my enjoyment of Jon’s storyline is at least partially driven by the introduction of Ygritte. She consistently challenges both Jon himself and his beliefs. Plus, as Jon travels beyond the wall, the stakes for everyone in the series rise. Winter is coming, and it has a bite. While Jon faces physical trials in the North, Tyrion must deal with the deathly dance also known as courtly intrigue. Tyrion is truly a brilliant Hand. He has no problem standing up to both Cersei and Joffrey, which is something that is desperately needed. Plus, Tyrion thrives on playing the game of thrones, and he is unarguably one of the smartest, most cunning leaders King’s Landing has had in a time. Stannis, Robb, Bran, and Theon all have stories of their own to tell as well, but I must admit theirs were not the best for me.

The plot of A Clash of Kings is intricate and contains even more action than its predecessor. The nation is at war, and this, of course, leads to many battles. The highlight is certainly the Battle of Blackwater Bay. This battle is not only a brilliant example of Tyrion’s great skill as a strategist, but it also proves a game-changer in many ways. In the North, the most chilling “battle” is Theon’s capture of Winterfell, and the subsequent destruction of the Stark’s home. My heart broke as I read of the deaths of the people of Winterfell.

Overall, A Clash of Kings was a heartbreaking, incredibly fascinating read. It builds upon the set up from the first book, but it also introduces many new characters while also reminding readers that no one is safe in this world. I was very impressed with A Clash of Kings, and I would highly recommend this series. After reading this book, I am even more in love with this series and its characters.

Cover: 3.5
Plot: 4
Writing: 4
Personally: 4

Overall: 3.8 out of 5

What is a strong heroine? 

Many feminists have been thrilled with the recent surge of strong heroines in young adult fiction, such as Katniss in The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins or Tris from the bestselling Divergent series by Veronica Roth, but others have taken a closer look at the current trends and realized an important fact. These strong heroines are not necessarily a celebration of feminine traits and abilities. Carina Chocano acknowledged this in an article in The New York Times saying, “The insistence on “strong female character” is not bad because it aspires to engender respect, it’s bad because it tries to compensate for an existing imbalance by stacking the deck in favor of the female character, by making her better, more deserving, higher-toned, more virtuous and deserving of respect, somehow.” The term strong heroine, unfortunately, seems to now be synonymous with a girl who can also be described as a “kick-ass heroine” and embodies traits that typically have belonged to male heroes. The message is that a heroine’s strength is directly related to her ability to take down twenty full-grown men or something of the sort. However, a strong heroine should not be considered as such simply because she has physical strength and prowess. The definition of a strong heroine needs to broaden in order to represent the many other ways there are for a heroine to be strong. A heroine’s strength needs to also be based on traits like intelligence, empathy, sacrificial love, and the ability to build relationships.

Young adult literature surged in popularity following the success of the Twilight novels by Stephenie Meyer, and the heroines of young adult literature have become common names in American households. Also, the heroines of these books have become role models for millions of teen girls. Unsurprisingly, comparisons are commonly made about the popular heroines who inhabit these fictitious worlds. Recently, these comparisons have been simplified into a debate that strives to determine which heroine is the strongest heroine.

The heroine of the Twilight series, Bella Swan, has continued to be a source of contention amongst both fans and critics of the books. Very rarely does one see the name Bella Swan alongside the phrase strong heroine. In fact, many people consider her to be a whiny, pathetic excuse for a heroine. Writer and illustrator Jared Axelrod, however, has a very different opinion. He considers clumsy, quiet Bella to be a strong heroine. His reasoning is simple, “Because [she] controls her own destiny. She makes her own choices, and deals with the obstacles of those choices until she gets what she wants. She does not take no for an answer, she does not submit to authority, and she does not accept the life she’s been handed.” He also notes that she is an example of a “Demeter heroine.” Young adult author Gail Carriger explains this particular type of heroine as follows, “Women in ancient myths often accomplish their quests through the building and maintaining of friendships and family groups. They use networks to complete tasks and engage in their version of the hero’s journey. I think it’s a problem that we often view this type of behavior as weak. We are obsessed with the idea that in order to succeed a hero/heroine must be strong and independent and act alone.”

Her theory, named for the Greek goddess, relies on the idea that classic feminine roles and ideals, such as building relationships and using these relationships to complete tasks, can also be considered heroic. Gail Carriger condemns the idea that a heroine must be someone who stands alone isolated from the people around her; she believes that a woman who uses her relationships to better her situation is just as effective as a strong woman who fights physically for a better situation.

Jared Axelrod also relates Bella to this type of heroine, “Bella’s strength comes from her relationships, especially the members of her adopted family.” He believes that Bella’s dedication to traditionally feminine roles is also the reason for much of the dislike regarding her as a character. “Bella is not a traditionally masculine character, like Buffy, who reaches her goals through violence and physical power…Because of this, she often placed in the only other role we have for women, that of the princess who must be saved. But Bella isn’t that character, anymore than she’s a fighter.” Much of the hatred directed at Bella seems to stem from the idea that she is weak. However, if one were to closely examine the decisions that she makes throughout the Twilight series, it would be evident that Bella often makes strong choices. She continually puts the lives of the people she loves above her own, and she repeatedly goes against what others tell her is the right thing to do. Bella is not alone in making decisions like these. Thankfully, there have been young adult writers who have successfully created heroines whose strength is not rooted simply in their physical prowess.

J.K. Rowling has created one of the best examples of this type of heroine. Hermione Granger may be adept with a wand, but her strength ultimately lies in her intelligence and her compassion. Hermione is a strong heroine because she is able to find solutions and answers that others cannot. She is also a compassionate and empathetic person which is best illustrated by her fervor to right the injustices of the society she lives in. Also, like Bella, Hermione understands that sacrifice is often an essential element of a heroine and that the relationships one forms are often crucial to success. Writer Sarah Seltzer described one example where Hermione is forced to make a sacrifice in an article for RH Reality Check, “She’s become an orphan by choice, sacrificing her family for the safety of her friends and the world. And that’s the kind of thing that heroes have to do.” Because of the love she feels for her parents, Hermione sacrifices her own relationship with them in order to save their lives. This small act requires no great physical strength, but it exhibits the enormous amount of emotional strength that Hermione has.

However, Hermione’s intelligence is likely her greatest asset as a heroine. Throughout the Harry Potter series, it is her quick thinking and knowledge that saves the lives of those around her. Laura Hibbard, in an article for The Huffington Post, acknowledged this fact, “In the later books, that [Hermione’s] unapologetic intelligence very obviously saves Harry Potter’s life on more than one occasion.” It could be argued that it is Hermione’s strong magic which gives her strength, but it must be acknowledged that magic, in the world of Harry Potter, is only useful if one has the knowledge of how to use it.

Both Bella and Hermione are important role models for young adult readers. Bella is a prime example of a strong heroine in the vein of a Demeter heroine. She continually uses her relationships to quench her needs, but, at the same time, she does not allow the people around her to control her decisions. Hermione, meanwhile, uses intelligence and empathy to sway the decisions of the people around her, and also to combat the problems that she faces. Both of these characters are shining examples that a woman does not have to be skilled with a sword or a bow in order to be strong.

A recent meme popular with book bloggers asked the bloggers to list and rank who they believed were the strongest young adult heroines. If one was to read these lists, there are several names that appear repeatedly. The first is Katniss, The Hunger Games. Following her are Tris, Divergent, and Rose, Vampire Academy. Calla, Nightshade, and Katsa, Graceling, also make more than one appearance. All of these heroines have three things in common; they are strong physically, adept fighters, and spurn many of the common feminine niceties. In a blog post simply titled “Young Adult Heroines” blogger Foz Meadows stated that many young adult writers seem to fear making their heroines too domestic because it will send an anti-feminist message to teen girls. This is a logical reason which could explain the propensity writers have to make their characters so physically assertive, and it is important to note that all of these physically assertive characters are certainly strong heroines. However, it is time for the definition of a strong heroine to change. A heroine’s strength needs to take into account important traits such as intelligence, empathy, sacrificial love, or the ability to build relationships.

More Related Articles:

-In Which I Talk About Why Kick-Butt Heroines Annoy Me
-“The Hunger Games” vs. “Twilight”
-Hollywood’s Year of Heroine Worship

Author: Melina Marchetta

Read via: Purchased

Abandoned by her mother on Jellicoe Road when she was eleven, Taylor Markham, now seventeen, is finally being confronted with her past. But as the reluctant leader of her boarding school dorm, there isn’t a lot of time for introspection. And while Hannah, the closest adult Taylor has to family, has disappeared, Jonah Griggs is back in town, moody stares and all.

In this absorbing story by Melina Marchetta, nothing is as it seems and every clue leads to more questions as Taylor tries to work out the connection between her mother dumping her, Hannah finding her then and her sudden departure now, a mysterious stranger who once whispered something in her ear, a boy in her dreams, five kids who lived on Jellicoe Road eighteen years ago, and the maddening and magnetic Jonah Griggs, who knows her better than she thinks he does. If Taylor can put together the pieces of her past, she might just be able to change her future.

Yes, I may be the last book blogger to read this book, but I am so glad that I finally did. Jellicoe Road and I may have gotten off to a rough start, but by the end, I was completely enchanted and in awe of the remarkable story Melina Marchetta has woven. Due to all the love for this book, I had very high expectations, and now I can say that I completely understand why this book is so beloved.

Taylor is a character who may be hard to like initially. She’s quite rough around the edges, and often her behavior is questionable. As the story unfolds, however, her motivations become clearer, and she becomes a truly remarkable woman. Griggs starts off similarly. For the first several chapters I admit I had no idea why so many people loved this character, but slowly, like Taylor, Griggs becomes someone completely fascinating. Of course, Taylor and Griggs are not the only characters. Raffy and Chaz Santangelo may be supporting characters, but I quickly came to be entranced not only by the characters themselves but by the intriguing history they shared. Plus, the dynamic between Raffy, Chaz, Taylor, and Griggs was amazing. The scenes with the four of them were some of my favorite moments. Jellicoe Road also tells the story of another foursome who lived years before this one, and Marchetta manages to beautifully weave together the lives of Narnie, Jude, Webb, and Tate with Taylor, Griggs, Raffy, and Chaz.

The Jellicoe Road has seen too much heartbreak and loss, but the road has also witnessed great beauty and love. All of these things are combined into a breathtaking tale which is filled with twists and turns. I must admit, at the beginning of the book, I had trouble keeping the storylines straight, and I was utterly confused as to how these stories fit together. If you feel this way, keep reading! As the story progresses so much becomes clearer, and all of the things that may seem like loose threads are threaded together.

Overall, Jellicoe Road was an unforgettable book that has kept me thinking long after I turned the last page. I would highly recommend this book. However, be warned that there are some unique things about this book. First, Melina Marchetta is an Australian author, so there are some cultural differences. Second, the plot is very intricate and will keep you one your toes. In the end, both of these things are positive attributes. Jellicoe Road is a must read, and I am already wanting to return to it.

Cover: 3.5
Plot: 4.5
Writing: 4.5
Personally: 4.5

Overall: 4.2 out of 5

Audiences now have a chance to return to the magical land of Oz with the new film “Oz the Great and Powerful”, which serves as a prequel, of sorts, for the classic 1939 film “The Wizard of Oz.” Disney’s new story strives to explain how a cowardly and womanizing young magician named Oscar Diggs becomes the mysterious and wonderful wizard of Oz. Unfortunately, the film relies more on its subpar special effects rather than the talents of its star-studded cast or the strength of L. Frank Baum’s stories.

The opening scenes of the film may startle young filmgoers with their sepia-toned visuals and a square film screen, but it is this type of moment where the film truly shines. Sam Raimi does a remarkable job of paying tribute to “The Wizard of Oz,” and the opening is the first of many beautiful examples of this. The initial scenes also give lead actor, James Franco, a chance to showcase his talent. In these early minutes, Mr. Franco allows the audience to laugh at Oscar, or Oz as he is nicknamed, to feel his desperation for greatness, and also his heartbreak as the girl he obviously cares for, played by the equally talented Michelle Williams, comes to tell him of her pending engagement. This short span of time gives him the most weighty material of the entire film, and he handles it with style.  Mr. Franco also seems much more at ease acting opposite living and breathing people rather than the animated companions that follow him for a greater portion of the film.

The fact is Disney’s new film barely qualifies as a live-action film. Oz’s two primary companions are a talking monkey, voiced by Zach Braff, and a broken china doll, voiced by Joey King, and even the three witches, each of whom play a crucial role in the land of Oz, also appear to have been touched up by Disney’s magical CGI wand. Like many of the characters, the landscape of Oz is also predominantly woven from visual effects. While this may allow for some extraordinary moments, it often serves to simply reinforce the fact that this story is magical, and it consistently pulls the viewer out of the story. The special effect designers do have a few shining moments, but there are far too many visuals that seem to be there just to be there. These type of visuals tend to be rather lacking. For example, the lion seen early into Oz’s visit to Oz is just sad when considering that Disney also was the company behind Aslan, the great lion in “The Chronicles of Narnia.” Sadly, there are very few shots that make Oz into something great and powerful.

The storyline suffers nearly as much as the special effects. “The Wizard of Oz” taught us that “there’s no place like home,” but at the end

of “Oz,” the message still isn’t clear. Perhaps, the idea to take away is that some men are conniving players who exist merely to turn women into evil witches. Of course, Oz does experience an epiphany when he realizes that magic is not the only key to greatness, so maybe that is the lesson we are meant to learn. Either way, there are many missteps during this journey on the yellow-brick road.

The cast of “Oz” does its best with the lackluster material granted to them as the people behind the curtain seem to have focused all their time and money on special effects. However, this hurts the film’s performance as a whole, and leaves viewers thinking of Oz as a pretty new thing which lacks any type of substance. “Oz” may dazzle the eye, but the storyline is fragmented and unbelievable.

Images from Google & Livejournal(I lost the link to the place where I got the trailer caps, sorry!!). 

Author: Kate Ellison

Read via: ARC from Publisher

They say first love never dies…

From critically acclaimed author Kate Ellison comes a heartbreaking mystery of mental illness, unspoken love, and murder. When sixteen-year-old artist Olivia Tithe is visited by the ghost of her first love, Lucas Stern, it’s only through scattered images and notes left behind that she can unravel the mystery of his death. 

There’s a catch: Olivia has gone colorblind, and there’s a good chance she’s losing her mind completely—just like her mother did. How else to explain seeing (and falling in love all over again with) someone who isn’t really there?

With the murder trial looming just nine days away, Olivia must follow her heart to the truth, no matter how painful. It’s the only way she can save herself.

The summary for this book intrigued me when I first read it, and when the opportunity arose to read this, I jumped. This is the first book I’ve read by Kate Ellison, and I cannot wait to read more. Notes from Ghost Town was a chilling read, and I was fascinated by it. Kate Ellison has created a wondrous blend that focuses on mental illness, grief, and mystery.

Olivia’s situation consistently tugs at the heartstrings. First of all, she’s struggling to come to terms with the loss of Lucas, her best friend from childhood and a boy she was on the verge of falling in love with. As if that isn’t enough, her mother is facing trial for Lucas’ murder. Kate Ellison does an amazing job of conveying the complex emotional state that Olivia faces, and she has created a setup that will keep readers guessing. Throughout the book, I was always wondering whether or not I could believe what Olivia thought was happening. She truly meets the definition of an unreliable narrator. Surrounding Olivia is a fantastic cast of characters Raina (her living best friend), Lucas, Austin (he reminds me a little bit of Logan from Veronica Mars), and her father top the list for me. All of them were realistically drawn, and I loved the way they interacted.

Notes from Ghost Town‘s main storyline is a murder mystery. However, the journey to uncover the murderer was much more interesting than discovering who it was. This was probably due to the fact that I was able to figure out who really committed the murder quite early on in the book. But there were just so many fantastic plots and subplots running through the story, I was entranced. There’s the relationship between Lucas and Olivia and how she comes to terms with his death, her budding romance with Austin, resident bad boy, Olivia’s struggle to face her mother’s mental illness and the way her father is moving on, and, of course, Olivia’s challenges regarding her own sanity.

Overall, Notes from Ghost Town was an amazing book that nicely blends mystery, romance, and drama. I also appreciated the realistic approach Kate Ellison takes regarding mental illness. I would definitely recommend this book, and the only issue I had with it was the somewhat predictable twists.

Cover: 3
Plot: 3
Writing: 3.5
Personally: 3.5

Overall: 3.2 out of 5

And thanks to the awesome people of Egmont USA, one lucky winner will get a brand-new hardcover copy of Notes from Ghost Town and a paperback copy of The Butterfly Clues. For more information about either book or their author, check out Kate Ellison’s Facebook page & her website!
*USA/CAN Only

a Rafflecopter giveaway

CONTEST POLICY 
01. You must be at least 13 years of age to enter.
02. You are not required to follow or spread the word (although both are very much appreciated). You just have to fill out the form.
03. The winner will have 48 hours to respond and claim their prize.
04. Closes for entries on April 1st at midnight.
05. This giveaway is open to US/CAN only.

Series: Companion novel to Mistwood

Author: Leah Cypess

Read via: Library

A stand-alone companion novel to the much-acclaimed MISTWOOD.  When Darri rides into Ghostland, a country where the living walk with the dead, she has only one goal: to rescue her younger sister Callie, who was sent to Ghostland as a hostage four years ago.  But Callie has changed in those four years, and now has secrets of her own.  In her quest to save her sister from herself, Darri will be forced to outmaneuver a handsome ghost prince, an ancient sorcerer, and a manipulative tribal warrior (who happens to be her brother).  When Darri discovers the source of the spell that has kept the dead in Ghostland chained to this earth, she faces a decision that will force her to reexamine beliefs she has never before questioned – and lead her into the heart of a conspiracy that threatens the very balance of power between the living and the dead.

I adored Mistwood! Absolutely, completely, fell in love with that book, so I had very high expectations for Nightspell. It took me ages to actually get my hands on a copy, but when I finally did it when to the top of my reading pile. Unfortunately, while I enjoyed it, this never really lived up to Mistwood. I am not even quite sure why, but it just never clicked with me.

The multiple narrators was both a good and bad thing. It allowed for various viewpoints into the story and setting, but it felt like it broke up the natural flow of the story. Whenever it seemed like I was beginning to connect with one of the characters, the point-of-view would change. Darri and Callie’s relationship was probably my favorite element of the story. I loved the exploration of the changing dynamic between the two of them. The only other character with whom I felt any real connection was Kestin. Although I feel like his potential for the story was never fully realized. Clarisse is the only character that makes the jump from Mistwood to Nightspell, and she remains devious and cunning.

The story and plot were full of potential. Just read the summary and you will realize that. Unfortunately it feels like much of that potential is lost. There are some truly brilliant moments in the story. There’s a huge plot twist that I absolutely adored. I did see it coming, so I was not shocked by it, but I loved the way the author handled it. I also liked the parts between Kestin and Clarisse and the scenes between Kestin and Darri.

Overall Nightspell was an interesting, nice little fantasy, but it never succeeded in realizing its full potential. If you are looking for a good fantasy to read, I would definitely recommend Mistwood over Nightspell. This was worth the read, but not something I will probably read again. I will be looking forward to see what the author does next though.

Cover: 4
Plot: 3.5
Writing: 2.5
Personally: 3

Overall: 3.2 out of 5

Series: A Song of Fire & Ice #1

Author: George R.R. Martin

Read via: Purchased

Long ago, in a time forgotten, a preternatural event threw the seasons out of balance. In a land where summers can last decades and winters a lifetime, trouble is brewing. The cold is returning, and in the frozen wastes to the north of Winterfell, sinister and supernatural forces are massing beyond the kingdom’s protective Wall. At the center of the conflict lie the Starks of Winterfell, a family as harsh and unyielding as the land they were born to. Sweeping from a land of brutal cold to a distant summertime kingdom of epicurean plenty, here is a tale of lords and ladies, soldiers and sorcerers, assassins and bastards, who come together in a time of grim omens.

Here an enigmatic band of warriors bear swords of no human metal; a tribe of fierce wildlings carry men off into madness; a cruel young dragon prince barters his sister to win back his throne; and a determined woman undertakes the most treacherous of journeys. Amid plots and counterplots, tragedy and betrayal, victory and terror, the fate of the Starks, their allies, and their enemies hangs perilously in the balance, as each endeavors to win that deadliest of conflicts: the game of thrones.

It seems as if everyone has heard of Game of Thrones. The HBO adaptation of George R.R. Martin’s books has become a popular and critical favorite. I must admit I was hesitant about the series, and after watching the pilot I still was not convinced. However, a few episodes in, and I was completely hooked. Unfortunately, TV seasons take a great deal of time to create, promote, air, etc. so I had to start reading the books in order to satisfy my own curiosity (Reading is such a hardship for me, I’m sure you understand my pain).

This book started off much the same way as the TV series did for me, slowly. The world-building and character introductions can become rather tedious, but by the end, it pays off greatly. The story may start slowly, and for the first half of the book much of the action is based around political intrigue and verbal spars. However, as the political climate moves toward war, the stakes rise for each and every character.

There are certainly many fabulous characters in this series. There are those to hate (Joffrey! I need him to die), to love (Arya, Tyrion, and Daenerys top this list for me), to admire (Ned, despite his faults), and to despise (Littlefinger!!). The list of characters that populate this series is enormous, and it is quite daunting as you begin. As the stories continue to weave together though, it becomes easy to keep track of the characters and become absorbed in their tales.

I had read previously that the initial season of HBO’s Game of Thrones was remarkably faithful to Martin’s book, and I definitely agree. Certainly, there are differences. The most obvious being the changing of many characters’ ages, but considering some of the content, this was very necessary for the network. I have seen many adaptations, and I would rank this as one of the best (Note: this is strictly a comparison of A Song of Fire & Ice / Game of Thrones and season 1 of Game of Thrones. I’ve heard the second season is not quite as faithful).

Overall, I found this to be a fascinating, entertaining start to what promises to be an unforgettable series. Martin manages to weave together the lives of an amazing number of individual characters, and he has also created a world which fantasy fans are sure to marvel at. I would highly recommend A Song of Fire & Ice and HBO’s Game of Thrones, although there is certainly material that is only appropriate for mature audiences.

Cover: 3
Plot: 4
Writing: 3.5
Personally: 3.5

Overall: 3.5 out of 5