Review: Frostborn by Lou Anders

Read (August 12 - 23, 2014)

Book: Frostborn (Thrones and Bones #1) by Lou Anders
Publication Date: August 5, 2014
Publisher: Crown Books for Young Readers
Pages: 352
Genre/s: Middle Grade, Fantasy
Source: Publisher via Netgalley

Meet Karn. He is destined to take over the family farm in Norrøngard. His only problem? He’d rather be playing the board game Thrones and Bones.

Enter Thianna. Half human, half frost giantess. She’s too tall to blend in with other humans but too short to be taken seriously as a giant.

When family intrigues force Karn and Thianna to flee into the wilderness, they have to keep their sense of humor and their wits about them. But survival can be challenging when you’re being chased by a 1,500-year-old dragon, Helltoppr the undead warrior and his undead minions, an evil uncle, wyverns, and an assortment of trolls and giants. — (source)

Karn is the son of a hauld and will one day inherit his father's farm. Owning a farm means responsibilities and Karn is not exactly jumping up and down at this prospect. Also, it's absolutely not as exciting as playing his treasured Thrones and Bones set and maybe traveling the world someday. Thianna is a half-giantess bullied by giants because of her ungiant-like height and skills. No matter how hard she proves herself, it's never enough for these discriminating giants to accept her as one of their own.

One is from Norrøngard, where the humans reside and one is from Ymiria, the frozen land of the giants. Little do they know that their fates are about to intertwine as both of them go on a quest to protect and to save those they hold dear.

Karn and Thianna are likeable. Naive but resourceful and clever when needed. They both started on a separate adventure but the two of them would eventually team up when they met along the way. They are definitely stronger and more productive when together. They have their own set of strengths and what the other lack, the other fulfills.

Anders' storytelling is really clever at parts. As a more mature reader than, say, to whom this book is intended for, I appreciated how parallels were drawn together in the narrative. I am not sure if this is intended so it would appeal to older readers or it's just Anders' writing style. Either way, it's remarkably done. Light and rollicking, Frostborn would ultimately charm its younger readers. Special shoutout to the dragons and wyverns, which are fantastically added and provided sassiness that Thianna and Karn sometimes lack. Frostborn being a tad predictable is quite problematic for me though and it definitely needs work in that department.

Frostborn, at its core, is a story about two young people who felt misplaced in their own world.  Despite it having shortcomings, it is a sensitive coming-of-age adventure that will surely find its niche with the Middle Grade fantasy lovers. This is a kind of series that will only get stronger with each installment, as we spend more time with these characters and explore their Viking-inspired world further.

Cupid's Verdict:

3 Cupids

A copy was provided by the publisher at no cost in exchange for an honest review.

Review: Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard

Read from March 27 - 29, 2014

Book: Something Strange and Deadly (Something Strange and Deadly #1) by Susan Dennard
Publication Date: July 24, 2012
Publisher: Harper Teen
Number of Pages: 388
Genre/s: Young Adult, Steampunk, Horror
Source: Bought

There's something strange and deadly loose in Philadelphia...

Eleanor Fitt has a lot to worry about. Her brother has gone missing, her family as fallen on hard times, and her mother is determined to marry her off to any rich young man who walkers by. But this is nothing compared to what she's just read in the newspaper—

The Dead are rising in Philadelphia.

And then, in a frightening attack, a zombie delivers a letter to Eleanor... from her brother.

Whoever is controlling the Dead army has taken her brother as well. If Eleanor is going to find him, she'll have to venture into the lab of the notorious Spirit-Hunters, who protect the city from supernatural forces. But as Eleanor spends more time with the Spirit-Hunters, including the maddeningly stubborn yet handsome Daniel, the situation becomes dire. An now, not only is her reputation on the line, but her very life may hang in the balance. - (source)

I almost didn't finish this book. With a cover like that and an intriguing premise, I thought Something Strange and Deadly was a book right up my alley. But all I could think about while reading was: this is not going very well.

I'm not certain why I found it hard to immersed in Dennard's world. There are a lot of possible factors I think. It could be the almost nonexistent world-building, the slow pace, the predictability, or my love/hate relationship with Eleanor, the heroine.

Eleanor for the most part is a heroine I actually admire. She's smart, sassy and brave. She's strong-minded and she has a distinct personality. But she's quite hammy for my liking. Case in point, this scene: 

"My breath shot out. I swayed back, but Daniel lunged forward and caught me before I could fall. For a moment he held me, his arm looped around my waist and his eyes gazing hard into mine."

This happened at least thrice in the book. It's a minor thing, a nitpick on my part, and naturally something that might've irked only me, but I don't like my heroine melodramatic.

Now about the story. The Dead are rising everywhere, an ominous spirit was released caused by a séance gone horribly wrong, and on top of it all, Eleanor's brother still has yet to come home. On the brink of bankruptcy and worried for his brother's safety, Eleanor must find out where his brother is and to do this she would need the help of the Spirit-Hunters.

I have to be honest. I've figured everything out even before halfway through the book so definitely there's nothing left to go on but see how Dennard would execute the events leading up to the reveal and the reveal itself. I'm not particularly impressed but I was thrilled the pace picked up once the story's ready to go in that direction.

What turned up as a surprise for me was the romance. This took a back seat and I loved how Dennard played it. I think it was one of the main strengths of the book. I found myself smiling and the subtlety of it all excites me because even in the slightest of nudge, the chemistry of Eleanor and Daniel was undeniably remarkable.

And I have to say I was so pleased at how the story concluded and this ultimately saved the book for me. Battling the Dead with a lunatic Necromancer at large was, of course, without consequences and I appreciated how Dennard handled this. Eleanor ruined her reputation, yes, but she also lost someone and something tangible. It's permanent and I think this would be one of the few times where I would see my heroine damaged, a tad unwhole, but unquestionably stronger.

I was prepared to give this book less than 3 stars but it did pick up its pace and I loved how the story ended—not with a cliffhanger but with a promise of something more. I'm glad I didn't give up on this and I surely am looking forward to the next installment.

Cupid's Verdict:

3 Cupids

Review: Breathe, Annie, Breathe by Miranda Kenneally

Read from July 10 to July 13, 2014

Book: Breathe, Annie, Breathe (Hundred Oaks #5) by Miranda Kenneally
Publication Date: July 15, 2014
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Number of Pages: 306
Genre/s: Young Adult, Contemporary
Source: ARC provided by publisher via Netgalley

Annie hates running. No matter how far she jogs, she can’t escape the guilt that if she hadn’t broken up with Kyle, he might still be alive. So to honor his memory, she starts preparing for the marathon he intended to race.

But the training is even more grueling than Annie could have imagined. Despite her coaching, she’s at war with her body, her mind—and her heart. With every mile that athletic Jeremiah cheers her on, she grows more conflicted. She wants to run into his arms…and sprint in the opposite direction. For Annie, opening up to love again may be even more of a challenge than crossing the finish line.

"Breathe, Annie, Breathe is an emotional, heartfelt, and beautiful story about finding yourself after loss and learning to love. It gave me so many feels. Her best book yet." — Jennifer Armentrout, New York Times bestselling author of Wait for You - (source)

A Contemporary novel can either be a hit or a miss for me. I find that I do have a different level of expectation when reading one. I don't know if this is because I assume that I will mostly end up not liking the book or if it is because I'm reading something so close to ordinary life that it's not as mindblowing or exciting as, say, a dystopian or a fantasy world. Either way, managing my expectations prior to reading, works almost perfectly well in influencing how I would feel about a Contemporary novel.

The problem comes in when a book doesn't do hit or miss. When the book just wants to plop right there in the middle grey area, waving its freak flag while saying, "YOU CAN'T CATEGORIZE ME WOMAN!" Breathe, Annie, Breathe is the perfect example of this kind of books.

As always, characters are a huge deal for me. The pacing could be dreadful, the world-building lacking, the writing lackluster, but as long as the characters can carry the story, you can still get me. And the thing is I felt so much conflicting emotions with Annie, our main protagonist. Sometimes I like her guts, sometimes she makes me want to kiss my feet—I'm not flexible so you should know how painful this is. She might have made some of her decisions due to grief and guilt, but it doesn't mean I have to like it. She just couldn't make up her damn mind all the freaking time, and I believe it would bug even the most patient readers.

And then she met gorgeous Jeremiah, the epitome of hotness, with yummy shoulders and holy ab muscles and piercing blue eyes, and... What? I'm just using Annie's description here. Can you feel the sarcasm radiating? Because let's be honest, I don't get it. I don't get it why they hooked up that time they were alone together even when they barely knew each other. I don't get it why they are attracted to each other except by their obvious inherent hotness (duh!). I don't get it why she needed Jeremiah so she could finish the race. I don't get it why it must be a boy, in the first place, that makes her feel alive again. Jeremiah doesn't make me swoon. He is a male protagonist I've read about before. A caricature of a great guy who would complement Annie. I even have to look up his name because I forgot it already.

But when I scratch all of those that I don't get and throw it out of my mind trash bin, I'm good. Breath, Annie, Breathe is a decent read. It's undemanding and accessible. It was almost heartwarming. I felt a slight tug in my heart in the end, although I'm not sure if it's because Annie finished the race, or because she finally got her HEA with Jeremiah. I admit I was more invested with Annie finishing her race than with her relationship with Jeremiah.

Of course, I have to recognized that I appreciated the overall theme of this book, which is finding yourself. Annie had let her deceased boyfriend Kyle and their relationship define who she is. Since all she needed was Kyle, when she had a falling out with her best friend, she just let it happened. She didn't realize she depended on him so much that's why when he unexpectedly died, she found herself lost and alone for the first time. 

That's why I love this line from Annie's mom so much: a guy should fit into your life, Annie not become it.

Isn't that the truth? That before everything else you should be your own person. There were also times, in the latter part of the book, that Annie surprised me. Like when she finally realized having a balance in life is important so she started hanging out with other people. Or when she accepted that she wasn't really the one to blame for Kyle's passing and turning him down was not a bad thing because it doesn't mean she didn't love him, but it's because she had a dream for herself. Seeing her like that is glorious, my friends.

Breathe, Annie, Breathe is my first Miranda Keneally novel. I'm kind of apprehensive because I didn't think I'd rip this book as much as I did. There were some good points, but ultimately my gripe with the characters got the better part of my reading experience, hence the rating. However, I am sure that many Contemporary fans would gobble this up and even love it, it's just wasn't able to grab me.

Cupid's Verdict:

3 Cupids

A copy was provided by the publisher at no cost in exchange for an honest review.

Review: Breathe by Sarah Crossan

Read from August 26, 2012
to September 30, 2012

Book: Breathe (Breathe #1) by Sarah Crossan

Publication Date: October 2, 2012

Publisher: Greenwillow 

Number of Pages: 400

Genre/s: Young Adult, Dystopia

Inhale. Exhale. 
Breathe. 
Breathe. 
Breathe . . .
The world is dead. 
The survivors live under the protection of Breathe, the corporation that found a way to manufacture oxygen-rich air.

Alina
has been stealing for a long time. She's a little jittery, but not terrified. All she knows is that she's never been caught before. If she's careful, it'll be easy. If she's careful.

Quinn
should be worried about Alina and a bit afraid for himself, too, but even though this is dangerous, it's also the most interesting thing to happen to him in ages. It isn't every day that the girl of your dreams asks you to rescue her.

Bea
wants to tell him that none of this is fair; they'd planned a trip together, the two of them, and she'd hoped he'd discover her out here, not another girl.

And as they walk into the Outlands with two days' worth of oxygen in their tanks, everything they believe will be shattered. Will they be able to make it back? Will they want to? - From Goodreads

The main draw of Breathe was its synopsis. It was intriguing and I think dystopian fans would eat it up or at least put this book on their radar. I know I did. And while I wasn't really engrossed by the story, Breathe has its moments.

The first and the last part of the book were the ones I really liked. Narrated by three characters; a rebel, an Auxiliary and a Premium, it made the storytelling more diverse. But there were plenty of lull moments and it didn't help that I felt that I read this type of dystopian a thousand times before. I want something new, something that would make me think and feel. Maybe that's also the reason why although I have a short-term memory when it comes to names, Alina, Bea and Quinn would be forgotten extra fast. They're not just very memorable. 

What a harsh thing to say, no? But the thing is Crossan has a way with words and timing. At times when I feel like I'm reading just for the sake of reading and finishing the book, she comes up with something and it's like getting doused with a cold water in the face. She has a way of pulling the readers back to her story again, to make them more invested into it. There was also this quite touching scene with Quinn's father that had me aww-ing a little. 

Overall, I believe Breathe would be enjoyable for a lot of readers who are into dystopian. It didn't really work for me but I'm still definitely watching out for Crossan's future works.

Cupid's Verdict:

3 Cupids

An advance copy was provided by the publisher at no cost via Edelweiss

Review: Starters by Lissa Price

Read from April 2, 2012
to April 4, 2012

Book: Starters by Lissa Price

Publication Date: March 13, 2012

Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Number of Pages: 368 pages

Genre/s: Young Adult, Dystopia

HER WORLD IS CHANGED FOREVER 

Callie lost her parents when the Spore Wars wiped out everyone between the ages of twenty and sixty. She and her little brother, Tyler, go on the run, living as squatters with their friend Michael and fighting off renegades who would kill them for a cookie. Callie's only hope is Prime Destinations, a disturbing place in Beverly Hills run by a mysterious figure known as the Old Man. 

He hires teens to rent their bodies to Enders—seniors who want to be young again. Callie, desperate for the money that will keep her, Tyler, and Michael alive, agrees to be a donor. But the neurochip they place in Callie's head malfunctions and she wakes up in the life of her renter, living in her mansion, driving her cars, and going out with a senator's grandson. It feels almost like a fairy tale, until Callie discovers that her renter intends to do more than party—and that Prime Destinations' plans are more evil than Callie could ever have imagined. - Goodreads

Excerpt: "Did Cinderella ever consider fessing up to the prince, that night she was enjoying herself in the fancy ball gown? Did she even think of telling him, oh, by the way, Prince, the coach isn’t mine, I’m really a filthy little barefoot servant on borrowed time? No. She took her moment. And then went quietly away after midnight."

I think it's important to note my previous reading history before I landed myself into the world of Starters. I read How To Kill A Rock Star by Tiffany DeBartolo which totally rocked my socks off and Partials by Dan Wells which was now enlisted as one of the best dystopians I've read this year. The thing is,  although those two books are from different genres (the former is contemporary BTW), they are both masters in the art of plot twist. 

Definitely, I'm on my reading high and I was expecting a lot from Starters. Unfortunately, it was in a lack of a better word, just OK. And yes, I need to explain that but I think I'd let this out of the bag first.

I just don't get it. 

If you have read the synopsis, it sounded so awesome, and I'm so optimistic that aside from delivering something new and wow-zah in the dystopian genre, Starters would be mindblowingly good. The concept was indeed original and the basic question was, "Would you in exchange of a big fat check (totally got that from **HIMYM, sorry where was I?) allow others to rent your body?" 

You see, in Callie's world, unclaimed minors are scrounging for money and a place to stay. The streets are dangerous and children kill for food even for a single cookie. The Marshals are everywhere and if you're not street smart and a runner-extraordinaire you could end up in an institution. They don't have parents anymore and being an unclaimed minor is the worst thing that you could ever be. The Enders is on the complete opposite side of the scope, they are wealthy, they live luxurious life and they could buy anything, even your body. And yup, I forgot that this was all after the war, the so-called Spore Wars, wherein the only vaccinated people, the younger and the older ones lived. 

Sounds tragic, right? It was. I was hooked from the first page. I think I didn't care for a character any faster than I did with Callie and Tyler. I could see the devotion of Callie to his little brother. His sick and she's the only one that's there. She's the grown-up now and she has to do the surviving for both of them. So she went to Prime Destination (in short, Prime--meh) and signed for a three rentals meaning three Enders get to use her body and she's done. However, by her third and last rental everything fishy starts to unfold.

Cue for the fun stuff to start. But you know what, I got lost. Somewhere when everything was supposed to be happening, I was confounded. I tried to be as gripped as I was but I just couldn't. So I did other things. Worst decision ever. Not only that made me more detached from everything, the world started to lose its attraction. 

But let's be more objective.

There are great points to Starters. The protagonist, Callie was relatable and endearing. She always thinks of others especially her little brother, Tyler. As I said, the concept was original. The pacing was great from the start. The villain was creepy. The Old Man was really something. Starters indeed has its moments, because if Tyler and Callie's and other unclaimed minors didn't break your heart, then Sara from the Institution would.

However, its great points also somehow become it's not so great points. Callie while relatable and endearing at first, became somewhat dreary to me in the long run. She was a survivor, yes. She has his brothers best interest at heart, yes. But why, is she so invincible? Why is she holding a gun every second and lose it everytime she closes her eyes. OK, that's totally off the point, but yes, why don't she have any concussion or limp from all the bumping and falling she gets from all her escapade. 

What my point really is, before you ask what's this got to do with anything, this little point along with some others just made it so unrealistic for me. I think my brows were so close to hitting the ceiling as I turn pages and pages, and I keep seeing Callie as a bad version of Angelina Jolie in Salt. 

I do think this all boils down to the concept of "body renting". Who in their right minds, especially older adults in their 150s-200s wants to use another body for fun? Are old people really like that? Do they fantasize to be young again so that they could party harder and be more attractive? Then those who undergo the renting gets to have a chip in their brains, and then the Enders get to used their body? If the technology was that advanced, then why weren't they able to vaccinate everyone so that nobody would die?

And to be honest, I just don't really understand this body renting business, how it works, how the real body is in some other place sleeping, while the Enders whose using the body is in the club sipping drinks or flirting. Why can someone alter the chip but not take it out? How the hell can you alter the chip without taking it out? Why did it not explode if you somehow did manage to alter it without taking out? I have questions, so many questions. 

I don't know. I still don't know what I feel about Starters even after all those griping and questioning. It wasn't really that bad. I think it just didn't work for me. Am I excited to read the sequel? Not really but I will read it, I swear. Like I said, I have so many questions and there's only one way to find out, read the sequel and hope for the best.

Cupid's Verdict:

3 Cupids

An advance copy was provided by the publisher at no cost via Netgalley.

**I was referring to How I Met Your Mother, a hit comedy TV series on CBS. 

Review: Under The Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

Read (January 4 - 24, 2012)

Book: Under The Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

Publication Date: January 2, 2012

Publisher: HarperCollins

Number of Pages: 400

Genre/s: Young Adult, Dystopia
Source: ARC provided by publisher via Netgalley

Aria is a teenager in the enclosed city of Reverie. Like all Dwellers, she spends her time with friends in virtual environments, called Realms, accessed through an eyepiece called a Smarteye. Aria enjoys the Realms and the easy life in Reverie. When she is forced out of the pod for a crime she did not commit, she believes her death is imminent. The outside world is known as The Death Shop, with danger in every direction.

As an Outsider, Perry has always known hunger, vicious predators, and violent energy storms from the swirling electrified atmosphere called the Aether. A bit of an outcast even among his hunting tribe, Perry withstands these daily tests with his exceptional abilities, as he is gifted with powerful senses that enable him to scent danger, food and even human emotions.

They come together reluctantly, for Aria must depend on Perry, whom she considers a barbarian, to help her get back to Reverie, while Perry needs Aria to help unravel the mystery of his beloved nephew’s abduction by the Dwellers. Together they embark on a journey challenged as much by their prejudices as by encounters with cannibals and wolves. But to their surprise, Aria and Perry forge an unlikely love - one that will forever change the fate of all who live UNDER THE NEVER SKY. -  (source)

“She absorbed the terror and beauty of him and his world. Of every moment over the past days. All of it, filling her up like the first breath she'd ever taken. And never had she loved life more.” - taken from an uncorrected ARC 

You know what's the worst thing that could happen to me while reading? Feel disconnected. Everything is so sloooow. It did hold my interest and the writing was good but no wow-factor for me. And there's no denying the fact that it took me 20 days to finished it. Almost 3 weeks! 

Why Under the Never Sky didn't work for me: 

1. It was too quiet and some of the chapters dragged. I like page-turners and attention-grabbers. Under the Never Sky failed to do that.

2. Some of Aria and Peregrine moments just seemed off. Especially on the first few parts although it did  improve on the latter part of the book.

3. Under the Never Sky gave me a reading slump. I read I am Number Four and Shatter Me before I was able to finish it. I just couldn't get into it. I came very close to not finishing this at all.

4. When the big bang came, it sounded more like a squeak. It was almost too late to pick things up and turn everything around.

5. Why does it have to end the way it did? I think Rossi enjoys giving us mixed emotions.

But let's be fair. Under the Never Sky has a great story and will be thoroughly enjoyed, but that someone is not me. I think it's just a matter of preference. So let me share to you what I think you'd like in UtNS.

Why you should read Under the Never Sky:

1. The writing was great. Rossi has a talent with words. The narrations and dialogues are skillfully woven.

2. The world-building was splendidly done. Realms, pods, Tides. Original and interesting.

3. The concept was new. There are two distinct groups of people composed of Dwellers and Outsiders. Dwellers are considered Moles and Outsiders savages. 

4. No insta-love here.

5. The last part was full of twists and surprises and infinitely better than the first half.

6. Roar was made of win and he's awesome. Enough said.

Under the Never Sky has a slow start. Rossi invested a lot with the world-building which I think paid off because it made the book really original and unique. She didn't forget the readers all together as well because she gave a little shocker towards the last few chapters and ended the book on a slight disgruntling note.

All in all, great concept and world-building but like I said, I think this book is not for me. I am NOT persuading you not to read this instead I'm asking you to consider the Why You Should Read UtNS section so you wouldn't miss out and here's hoping you'd enjoy Under the Never Sky.

Cupid's Verdict:

3 Cupids

A copy was provided by the publisher at no cost via Netgalley
in exchange for an honest review.

Review: The Kissing Tree by Prudence Bice

Read from January 9, 2012
to January 13, 2012

Book: The Kissing Tree by Prudence Bice

Publication Date: December 6, 2011

Publisher: Cedar Fort, Inc.

Number of Pages: 272

Genre/s: Romance

After five long years, Georgiana McLaughlin returns to the only place she’s ever considered home—the same place she stole a kiss from Ridge Carson under the community “kissing tree.” But this time he’s a man, and reconciling their past is just the beginning. You’ll find yourself applauding each new chapter filled with fun, romance, and adventure in this captivating, heartfelt tale of love, friendship, and finding your way back. - From Goodreads

Excerpt: "'There you have it, Ridge Carson.' She beamed down at him, proud she hadn’t lost her nerve. 'I’ve stolen a kiss and you can never have it back!'"

After Georgiana was uprooted from her hometown, Colorado to live in New York, she was forced to leave her old life and friends. Filled with longing and dissatisfaction with her new sophisticated life, the old Georgiana who was outgoing and full of life has become introverted and more reserved. When her beloved grandmother had died, she was finally allowed to go back to Colorado to help his grandfather and to know what keeps her from settling down in New York. She met again Ridge Carson, his childhood friend with whom he had stolen a kiss under the Kissing Tree. And in the beautiful place of pasture and mountains, she will found what she was looking for and finally be with her one true love.

Georgiana is one feisty young woman. She had a simple, happy life with her family and friends but when his father had died in a tragic accident, it had deeply grieved his mother. To cope they had to leave Colorado, because her mother couldn't take living in their home where everything reminded him of his father.

Ridge Carson was described as tall and ruggedly handsome with wavy brown hair, big honey colored eyes and having a sprinkling of freckles on the nose. Yes, I did take note of all of that because I just have to picture him while reading the book.

When they get together, the chemistry was undeniable. What started out as a childhood friendship grew into an enduring love. Their banters were adorable and you could really feel the strong connection between the two of them.

Another thing that's worthy of note is the fact that I was able to stick with the story knowing that I'm more of an urban fantasy/dystopian girl. There's no flying around or vampires biting someone's neck or telekinesis or any of those exhilarating notion. It is simple yet every characters were interesting because they were well-developed. The setting as well has a calming effect to it. The writing made me feel like I was reading a script on a play and it made everything feel so alive and entertaining.

However, there'd be a lot of things that would have irked me in this book as well. Like why everyone has to be beautiful or how naive Georgiana and Ridge about their feelings for each other, when it's just so obvious. The events were pretty predictable too. But I read The Kissing Tree as it is. A light book filled with romance and I found myself having plenty of swoon moments, crazy smiling and outrageous squealing.

Sometimes you just have to let a book be what it was intended to be and The Kissing Tree is one of those books. A sweet and endearing story about family and finding your one true love, this is a perfect read for Valentine's Day.

Cupid's Verdict:

3 Cupids

An advanced copy was provided by the publisher at no cost via Netgalley. 

Review: Die For Me (Revenants #1) by Amy Plum

Read from January 1, 2012
to January 2, 2012

Book: Die For Me (Revenants #1) by Amy Plum

Publication Date: May 10, 2011

Publisher: Harper Teen

Number of Pages: 341 pages

Genre/s: Young Adult, Paranormal Romance

My life had always been blissfully, wonderfully normal. But it only took one moment to change everything.

Suddenly, my sister, Georgia, and I were orphans. We put our lives into storage and moved to Paris to live with my grandparents. And I knew my shattered heart, my shattered life, would never feel normal again. Then I met Vincent.

Mysterious, sexy, and unnervingly charming, Vincent Delacroix appeared out of nowhere and swept me off my feet. Just like that, I was in danger of losing my heart all over again. But I was ready to let it happen.

Of course, nothing is ever that easy. Because Vincent is no normal human. He has a terrifying destiny, one that puts his life at risk every day. He also has enemies...immortal, murderous enemies who are determined to destroy him and all of his kind.

While I'm fighting to piece together the remnants of my life, can I risk putting my heart—as well as my life and my family's—in jeopardy for a chance at love? - From Goodreads

Excerpt: "I can't promise you an ordinary experience, Kate. I wish I could transform myself into a normal man and be there for you, always, without the trauma that defines my life as 'the walking dead.' Since that isn't possible, I can only reassure you that I will do everything in my power to make it up to you. To give you more than a normal boyfriend could. I have no idea what that will mean, exactly, but I'm looking forward to finding out. With you."

After her parents' death, Kate and her sister Georgia moved to Paris to live with their grandparents. Filled with overwhelming sadness and grief, Kate spends her day in a routine and immersed herself in books. As per advise of her own sister to spend more time outside and read books somewhere in broad daylight, she met Vincent. The uber gorgeous Vincent who seemed to be also interested in her. But Vincent, isn't what he seems. Dangerous and full of secrets, will she choose to be with Vincent in exchange of her safety and sanity or will she learn to live without him and live forever in regret and sadness?

First and foremost, I'd like to say that the cover is very pretty. It's what actually made me pick up this book, the moment I saw my classmate reading this at class, I just have to borrow Die For Me. When I started reading this, I was immediately interested in Kate and Georgia's story. They lose their parents in a tragic accident and they have to cope with the grief and sadness in their own way. Georgia by partying and Kate by reading classics and visiting museums. I had some fair share of swooning too earlier in the book but it was immediately replaced by indifference on the later half.

Vincent definitely has charm and humor, but something about him just turns me off. Maybe it was his immediate dismissal to Kate when something close to being dangerous arises. Kate also has a lot of potential to be something less cliched. She reads classics, she goes to museum, basically the author is trying to say that she's an old soul, that she's mature for her age. And it really shows, because her sister was in direct contrast to her personality. But as soon as she met Vincent, the plot lines became reminiscent of Twilight.

It was not a torture though, because for starters Kate was more tolerable than Bella. But what they do have in common was their prowess in whining. Kate keeps telling us readers, that she's no damsel in distress and at first it's believable. However, as I turned the pages I realized that she believes she's that, but she's really not. She whines about how unfair her life is because everywhere she goes, she encounters death. But she should know that hanging out with Revenants will always remind her of death because it's inevitable in their "job". She stayed away for a while and keep her head leveled but she have to whine constantly about how he misses Vincent and how miserable her life is away from him. And it's just tiring to hear that. 

And what's up with the grandparents? They are almost non-existent. Almost. And the moment her grandmother graced us with her presence, she just have to ruin what could be the moment to show us that Die For Me does not suck in the parental guidance department. She basically allowed Kate to sleepover with Vincent! The boy she has not met before. The boy who they thought send Kate back again in her depression. And this is also taking into consideration that Kate barely made it through her parents' death and need more supervision than ever. She even allowed Kate to not go to school the next morning when she feels like it, so they could patch things up. No parent/elderly/guardian will do that. Even Clara's mother or Tucker's dad for that matter, flipped out when they discover Tucker and Clara in bed fully clothed. 

There is also a shady description of Revenants. Although, the concept of Revenants were indeed intriguing, I can't help but feel that it's just a more glamorous version of zombies with missions. There's also no definite rule  about why they existed or how they were chosen to be reborn.  The explanations given were pretty much "I don't exactly know what we are" or "We've kept our identities secret. Have you heard of us?" We also get some "supposed" to be kick-ass scene but Vincent had to go all exorcist on Kate, which is just disturbing. 

Also, I raised this question a lot when I'm reading Paranormal Romance: What makes the female lead character that special to be the object of attention of Mr. Gorgeous Immortal? Would it really take a lot of effort just to give a little detail or highlights of her characteristics that'd make every guy like her? Am I missing something here? 

Die For Me, has an interesting concept and has the potential to be more. But it went for the "love" aspect instead and I've just seen this plot line way too many times. So I can hardly blame myself if I was not impressed. I'm a reader who likes to see balance between the paranormal stuff and the "love" and for me having that balance would really make an amazing unforgettable read.

Will I read the sequel? I would. But will I expect too much? Not really. It's more of a follow-through read than jumping-up-and-down-can't-wait-to-read read. I really do hope that the sequel would make up for the insufficient attention to the concept of zombies-slash-guardian angels. Revenants have a noble cause and I'd like to see more of them in action with the numas(bad zombies). And please, no more second helpings of New Moon, OK? I might just not live through reading another version of that.

Cupid's Verdict:

3 Cupids

Review: Incarnate (Newsouls #1) by Jodi Meadows

Read from November 30, 2011
to December 16, 2011

Book: Incarnate (Newsouls #1) by Jodi Meadows

Publication Date:  January 31, 2012

Publisher: Harper Collins Children's Book

Number of Pages: 384 

Genre/s: Young Adult, Dystopia, Fantasy, Paranormal Romance

NEWSOUL 

Ana is new. For thousands of years in Range, a million souls have been reincarnated over and over, keeping their memories and experiences from previous lifetimes. When Ana was born, another soul vanished, and no one knows why. 

NOSOUL 

Even Ana’s own mother thinks she’s a nosoul, an omen of worse things to come, and has kept her away from society. To escape her seclusion and learn whether she’ll be reincarnated, Ana travels to the city of Heart, but its citizens are suspicious and afraid of what her presence means. When dragons and sylph attack the city, is Ana to blame? 

HEART 

Sam believes Ana’s new soul is good and worthwhile. When he stands up for her, their relationship blooms. But can he love someone who may live only once, and will Ana’s enemies—human and creature alike—let them be together? Ana needs to uncover the mistake that gave her someone else’s life, but will her quest threaten the peace of Heart and destroy the promise of reincarnation for all? - From Goodreads 

Excerpt: “There was no telling if I'd be reborn when I died, but the waltz began and ended with my four notes. He'd built the music around things that reminded him of me. And now this name. My name. A hundred or a thousand years after I died, someone could play my waltz,...and they would remember me. Thanks to Sam I was immortal.”

In times when everyone is reincarnated, Ana is the sole exception. She's a newsoul/nosoul. No memories and experiences to remember from a past life. A glitch in the system of rebirth. She was left by her father, Menehem, at birth and was led to believe by her mother, Li, that she was good for nothing. A thief of someone else's life---Ciana. And that her stolen lifetime will soon be forgotten and things will return to the way they were after her passing . But is she meant to live only a single lifetime or is she just the beginning of the change in the process of reincarnation?

I have great expectations for this book.  The first few chapters had me hooked. A new creature, the sylph was introduced and it provided action and the adventure I was craving for. Ana is a smart, brave, resourceful young woman. She taught herself to read and discovered music on her own.

She was on her way to Heart, the great city where she could get all the answers about her purpose, when she encountered the sylph and met Sam who seemed guarded and aloof but nevertheless saved her from a certain death. Everything seemed to slow down when they have reached Heart. Ana was seen as a threat in the cycle of reincarnation and was not really welcomed in the city but she was allowed to stay if she would submit to the requests of the Council. Then as soon as Ana knew who Sam really is, she was sidetracked from all the plans she had when she reached the city.

And boy was I sidetracked, too. The story never seemed to pick up from there. Ana was overwhelmed with the idea of people living many lives, with different bodies, faces, and genders but I did not feel it. What I felt was awkwardness knowing that Sam, her love interest has been a female before. Also, she let everything passed if it concerns Sam. You see, Sam is sneaking in the middle of the night, talking obscurely on the phone and has a serious case of commitment issues but instead of confronting Sam, she just lets him and makes excuses for him.

There was not enough background about the other characters as well. Li was told to be extremely hateful of Ana because she stole Ciana’s life but I don’t think that’s enough reason to hate someone. Disdain, maybe but spite? There should be more to it, but it was never fully explained. Likewise, Ciana is a mystery. I do not know anything about her. Meuric, the faithful believer; I did not get his devotion to Janan at all. How about Sarit, Orrin and Whit, don’t they deserve a little exposure, too? And don’t get me started on Menehem because, I thought he was a key character but he was just suddenly there and then he disappeared. Like he was put on the spot to tell things he have done and then the author blows out the candle and then poof, he's gone. Again.

And when I said it slowed down and didn’t pick up, I meant it. I was on the last few pages and I was still wondering when the climax would hit. You know, the one that would keep you gasping and make your heart go thump, thump. It never came. Alas, the almighty dragons did not give the tension and adventure the sylph did.

Incarnate has a great premise and lot of potential but I’m afraid it just didn’t live up to it. Unquestionably, Meadows has provided a fresh and unique addition in the concept of reincarnation that makes for a good read but it just lacks the oomph and the special twinkle that I was expecting. It was not bad, but it failed to captivate and engrossed me the way I thought it would. Honestly, the cover is the only thing memorable about this novel (and I say that with a broken heart, really). And the sylph (Yes, I do love them). But the more pertinent question is: Will I read the next installment in this series? Yes I would because even though Incarnate has misses and disappointments, the world Meadows created is undoubtedly different and interesting so I am still keen on knowing what will happen next in the upcoming books in this series.

Cupid's Verdict:

3 Cupids

An advanced copy was provided by the publisher at no cost via Netgalley