4 stars -- I like it
In the same vein of Need and Captivate, Darklight, the sequel to Wondrous Strange (which I rated 3 stars), is about fairies (or Faeries in this case), a seemingly difficult love, and various Faerie kings and queens. The Wondrous Strange books have beautiful covers as well--really ethereal. It doesn't hurt that the model on their cover is drop-dead gorgeous and seems to fit the description of Kelley well enough. It's one of my pet peeves when the model on the cover doesn't look anything like the character described in the book.
But despite the many similarities (including release dates), and the fact that I apparently liked Need more than Wondrous Strange, after reading the second books, I feel that the Wondrous Strange series is the stronger one. I remembered the first book much better than I did Need, which is definitely a good sign in and of itself.
In Darklight, Kelley (Faerie princess, just like Zara) remains in the mortal world while Sonny, her boyfriend and a changling, hunts down the Wild Hunt in the Faerie world. Most of the story revolves around how much they miss each other, though there eventually Auberon, Kelley's Faerie father, grows ill, and he calls for Kelley's help. Considering that he was the bad guy (sort of) in the first book, no one is surprised when Kelley doesn't exactly leap at the chance to help him. Sonny, on the other hand, was raised by Auberon, so he does take the leap.
I feel like the majority of this book was a set up for the next book, or possibly the rest of the series. There's a number of dilemmas (ie, Auberon being sick, the two lovers unable to meet), good guys turn out to be bad guys, bad guys turn into good guys, and one major showdown occurs that doesn't really impact the long-term storyline except as a big reveal about Sonny's secret identity. None of the dilemmas that were already in place nor the new ones that arise are actually resolved.
But despite the fact that the book is just a long-winded set-up, it was still fun to read and the story is engaging. I also prefer the way the author sticks with fairy lore (Titania, Auberon, Mahb, and even Puck are featured in the stories, as well as the Wild Hunt, the fairy courts, and a plethora of other fairy creatures from common folklore) rather than inventing her own. And while she does make the individual creatures her own (sirens, Leprachauns, kelpies, etc.), she doesn't invent an entirely new world for readers to adjust to.
So overall a decent YA read with all the necessary elements. I'd love to hear what you think about the Need novels as compared to the Wondrous Strange series.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Captivate by Carrie Jones
3.5 stars -- I like it.
The sequel to Need, Captivate picks up shortly after Need left off. The author and publisher did very well carrying the themes through. The covers fit together well, and they're both beautiful and haunting. The storyline follows well (as far as I can recall). There are enough clues in Captivate for me to recall what the first book was about without having it regurgitated in its entirety.
I have to admit, I don't really remember the first book at all. I rated it 4 stars, so I must have liked it fairly well, but it didn't stick in my head as anything amazing.
Thus, I don't know if how the characters acted in this book fits well with what happened in the first book, but they fit well for this book. This book feels a bit more "needy" than the first book. More gasping teen hormones than I recalled, but since I didn't recall Nick, the love interest, at all...
All of that to say: take this review as being about a stand-alone novel rather than a sequel, even though it is a sequel and you should definitely read the first book if you're going to read this one.
Captivate has a somewhat unusual plot line. There are fairies and were-things (not merely werewolves, though Nick is that), and in this book we've added some Norse mythology and mythological creatures. Surprisingly, there are no vampires, though they could appear in future books, I'm sure.
Zara, the main character, a half-fairy/half-human hybrid and, conveniently, daughter of the local fairy king, has trapped (with the help of her boyfriend and friends) the local fairy population in a glamour-hidden house (the plot of Need there).
Now Zara, Nick, and her friends patrol the area for pixies that come into the area and drag them to the house to be trapped as well. Except... with the fairy king weak and incapacitated in the house, new fairy kings will try to take over. And that's what this book is about.
I have to say I was quite disappointed by the happenings in this book, though I still liked the storyline well enough and it was a fun read (probably more fun if you can remember the first book). I think the third book will probably make me feel better about this book and its ending, although with the unflattering description of pixies, I'm not sure I could ever like one... although, as happens in fiction, all things are reversible given the right magic.
I don't want to give too much away, because (although you'll figure things out quickly enough if you read the book) I don't want to give so much away that you don't have to read the books at all.
This is a typical YA fantasy book, so if that's your thing, I say go ahead and pick up this series. It's on par with Twilight as far as depth, although it never reaches the same emotional level (which, admittedly, is the main draw to Twilight, but you can still read this for a fun, quick, fantasy escape).
The sequel to Need, Captivate picks up shortly after Need left off. The author and publisher did very well carrying the themes through. The covers fit together well, and they're both beautiful and haunting. The storyline follows well (as far as I can recall). There are enough clues in Captivate for me to recall what the first book was about without having it regurgitated in its entirety.
I have to admit, I don't really remember the first book at all. I rated it 4 stars, so I must have liked it fairly well, but it didn't stick in my head as anything amazing.
Thus, I don't know if how the characters acted in this book fits well with what happened in the first book, but they fit well for this book. This book feels a bit more "needy" than the first book. More gasping teen hormones than I recalled, but since I didn't recall Nick, the love interest, at all...
All of that to say: take this review as being about a stand-alone novel rather than a sequel, even though it is a sequel and you should definitely read the first book if you're going to read this one.
Captivate has a somewhat unusual plot line. There are fairies and were-things (not merely werewolves, though Nick is that), and in this book we've added some Norse mythology and mythological creatures. Surprisingly, there are no vampires, though they could appear in future books, I'm sure.
Zara, the main character, a half-fairy/half-human hybrid and, conveniently, daughter of the local fairy king, has trapped (with the help of her boyfriend and friends) the local fairy population in a glamour-hidden house (the plot of Need there).
Now Zara, Nick, and her friends patrol the area for pixies that come into the area and drag them to the house to be trapped as well. Except... with the fairy king weak and incapacitated in the house, new fairy kings will try to take over. And that's what this book is about.
I have to say I was quite disappointed by the happenings in this book, though I still liked the storyline well enough and it was a fun read (probably more fun if you can remember the first book). I think the third book will probably make me feel better about this book and its ending, although with the unflattering description of pixies, I'm not sure I could ever like one... although, as happens in fiction, all things are reversible given the right magic.
I don't want to give too much away, because (although you'll figure things out quickly enough if you read the book) I don't want to give so much away that you don't have to read the books at all.
This is a typical YA fantasy book, so if that's your thing, I say go ahead and pick up this series. It's on par with Twilight as far as depth, although it never reaches the same emotional level (which, admittedly, is the main draw to Twilight, but you can still read this for a fun, quick, fantasy escape).
The Bride's Farewell by Meg Rosoff
5 stars -- I love it.
If you haven't read any Meg Rosoff, I really recommend you do. She's a brilliant writer, and the breadth of topics her books cover is fairly wide. I've read What I Was (I rated it 4 stars), How I Live Now (5 stars), and Just In Case (which got 3 stars from me). Obviously my favorite was How I Live Now, but I didn't dislike any of them.
The Bride's Farewell is another wonderful book that I hope Rosoff is proud to have written. The story is just beautiful and Pell is such a wonderful character, and the way everyone's story is interwoven is played so well.
The story begins with Pell running away from her home on her wedding day. Set in England in the mid-1800s, Pell doesn't live in a world where it's wise for a young girl to be on her own nor is it considered normal to desire to be single.
Planning to take only her horse, Jack, and minimal supplies, Pell also ends up taking her adopted younger brother, Bean, a mute. Together they travel to a horse farm where Pell is sure she can find work with horses, as she is a horse whisperer and even more skilled than her now-ex-fiance, Birdie, a farrier.
Sure that Birdie will now marry her younger sister Nell, Pell has no regrets about leaving... until Bean disappears with Jack, presumably stolen by the man who hired Pell's services at the horse fair and disappeared without paying.
The rest of the book details Pell's search for Bean and Jack, as she's sure they're in danger and unhappy without her. She meets many people who come to care for her, including the ultimately imporant Dogman, who all help her in her search (in some way or another).
I don't want to give too much away, because I really feel like Rosoff tells it well enough that you should read it from her. It's a beautiful story, but it's realistic enough as well. Not everyone ends up happy, and Meg certainly portrays some of the hardships that occurred in the 1800s, to be honest, but Pell does, and since she's our main character, I feel happy enough with the ending.
So go out and get a Meg Rosoff book. They're well worth the emotions they can bring to the forefront. Rosoff's books are a joy to read.
If you haven't read any Meg Rosoff, I really recommend you do. She's a brilliant writer, and the breadth of topics her books cover is fairly wide. I've read What I Was (I rated it 4 stars), How I Live Now (5 stars), and Just In Case (which got 3 stars from me). Obviously my favorite was How I Live Now, but I didn't dislike any of them.
The Bride's Farewell is another wonderful book that I hope Rosoff is proud to have written. The story is just beautiful and Pell is such a wonderful character, and the way everyone's story is interwoven is played so well.
The story begins with Pell running away from her home on her wedding day. Set in England in the mid-1800s, Pell doesn't live in a world where it's wise for a young girl to be on her own nor is it considered normal to desire to be single.
Planning to take only her horse, Jack, and minimal supplies, Pell also ends up taking her adopted younger brother, Bean, a mute. Together they travel to a horse farm where Pell is sure she can find work with horses, as she is a horse whisperer and even more skilled than her now-ex-fiance, Birdie, a farrier.
Sure that Birdie will now marry her younger sister Nell, Pell has no regrets about leaving... until Bean disappears with Jack, presumably stolen by the man who hired Pell's services at the horse fair and disappeared without paying.
The rest of the book details Pell's search for Bean and Jack, as she's sure they're in danger and unhappy without her. She meets many people who come to care for her, including the ultimately imporant Dogman, who all help her in her search (in some way or another).
I don't want to give too much away, because I really feel like Rosoff tells it well enough that you should read it from her. It's a beautiful story, but it's realistic enough as well. Not everyone ends up happy, and Meg certainly portrays some of the hardships that occurred in the 1800s, to be honest, but Pell does, and since she's our main character, I feel happy enough with the ending.
So go out and get a Meg Rosoff book. They're well worth the emotions they can bring to the forefront. Rosoff's books are a joy to read.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
2 stars -- Meh.
I was disappointed with this book, but there's no real reason as to why. Beautiful Creatures has a beautiful cover, it's been recommended to me numerous times, I see it in prominent places. I feel like everyone has been telling me to read this book (though in reality I'm not sure anyone I know has read it), so I was really looking forward to reading it.
There's nothing inherently wrong with the book. The writing is done well. The plot is understandable. The characters are (for the most part) well developed. The problem I had with the book is that it sort of . . . well . . . dragged. It's 576 pages long and not much happens for the majority of the book.
I think the dragging most clearly shows up in the relationship between Ethan (the protagonist) and Lena (the love interest). About halfway through, Lena calls Ethan her boyfriend. One hundred pages later, Ethan wonders where they are in their relationship (despite having heard (and rejoiced about) Lena call him her boyfriend). Fifty pages later, he'll tell her he loves her, but then a few days later in the timeline, they're both freaking out about saying it to each other.
The dragging is also visible regarding Ethan's power (or lack thereof). Time and again it's shown that he has some sort of power, but time and again everyone denies it and let's him think he's purely mortal.
I realize that the authors have 150 days (plus) to cover, which I would like to applaud. Most of the time, YA is written with too much action packed into too little time (the characters manage to meet each other, kill a pack of werewolves, travel to Ireland to kill a coven of vampires, fall in love, fall in love so deeply they both give up their virginity, which makes them have a face-off with the devil, whom they then kill, all in 5 days?!), so I applaud the authors setting up a timeline that they follow. I also appreciate that the timeline allows time for true love to be believable and understandable. And I'm sure that on the authors' timeline chart, everything looked believable. "Day 25: Find out Amma and Macon know each other." "Day 67: Ethan's best friend's mother acts weird." In timeline format, it probably looked great. A little something occurred every day! But some times, the things occurring were such little things, and things were so drawn out and thought out in every detail, or even repeated (ie, the love story) that I thought, "Who cares?! We're past that!"
Now normally, for a book with so many positives and so little bad to say about it, I would give it 3 stars, but the more I think about this book (and I finished it over a week ago), the more I think I really don't want to read any sequels. There's a distaste to the book that sticks in my head. I can't really explain why, so feel free to read it and let me know what you think. There are plenty of good reviews on Amazon that tout this as an amazing book, so I may stand alone here. I'd love to hear your take on it.
I was disappointed with this book, but there's no real reason as to why. Beautiful Creatures has a beautiful cover, it's been recommended to me numerous times, I see it in prominent places. I feel like everyone has been telling me to read this book (though in reality I'm not sure anyone I know has read it), so I was really looking forward to reading it.
There's nothing inherently wrong with the book. The writing is done well. The plot is understandable. The characters are (for the most part) well developed. The problem I had with the book is that it sort of . . . well . . . dragged. It's 576 pages long and not much happens for the majority of the book.
I think the dragging most clearly shows up in the relationship between Ethan (the protagonist) and Lena (the love interest). About halfway through, Lena calls Ethan her boyfriend. One hundred pages later, Ethan wonders where they are in their relationship (despite having heard (and rejoiced about) Lena call him her boyfriend). Fifty pages later, he'll tell her he loves her, but then a few days later in the timeline, they're both freaking out about saying it to each other.
The dragging is also visible regarding Ethan's power (or lack thereof). Time and again it's shown that he has some sort of power, but time and again everyone denies it and let's him think he's purely mortal.
I realize that the authors have 150 days (plus) to cover, which I would like to applaud. Most of the time, YA is written with too much action packed into too little time (the characters manage to meet each other, kill a pack of werewolves, travel to Ireland to kill a coven of vampires, fall in love, fall in love so deeply they both give up their virginity, which makes them have a face-off with the devil, whom they then kill, all in 5 days?!), so I applaud the authors setting up a timeline that they follow. I also appreciate that the timeline allows time for true love to be believable and understandable. And I'm sure that on the authors' timeline chart, everything looked believable. "Day 25: Find out Amma and Macon know each other." "Day 67: Ethan's best friend's mother acts weird." In timeline format, it probably looked great. A little something occurred every day! But some times, the things occurring were such little things, and things were so drawn out and thought out in every detail, or even repeated (ie, the love story) that I thought, "Who cares?! We're past that!"
Now normally, for a book with so many positives and so little bad to say about it, I would give it 3 stars, but the more I think about this book (and I finished it over a week ago), the more I think I really don't want to read any sequels. There's a distaste to the book that sticks in my head. I can't really explain why, so feel free to read it and let me know what you think. There are plenty of good reviews on Amazon that tout this as an amazing book, so I may stand alone here. I'd love to hear your take on it.
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