Review: Wake by Amanda Hocking

Goodreads summary:

Fall under the spell of Wake—the first book in an achingly beautiful new series by celebrated author Amanda Hocking—and lose yourself to the Watersong.
Gorgeous. Fearless. Dangerous. They're the kind of girls you envy; the kind of girls you want to hate. Strangers in town for the summer, Penn, Lexi and Thea have caught everyone's attention—but it’s Gemma who’s attracted theirs. She’s the one they’ve chosen to be part of their group.
Gemma seems to have it all—she’s carefree, pretty, and falling in love with Alex, the boy next door. He’s always been just a friend, but this summer they’ve taken their relationship to the next level, and now there’s no going back. Then one night, Gemma’s ordinary life changes forever. She’s taking a late night swim under the stars when she finds Penn, Lexi and Thea partying on the cove. They invite her to join them, and the next morning she wakes up on the beach feeling groggy and sick, knowing something is different.
Suddenly Gemma is stronger, faster, and more beautiful than ever. But her new powers come with a terrifying price. And as she uncovers the truth, she’s is forced to choose between staying with those she loves—or entering a new world brimming with dark hungers and unimaginable secrets.


Release Date: August 7, 2012
Series?#1
Pages: 309
Publisher: St. Martin's Press


 LONG STORY SHORT:
I can't really recommend Wake because I found it pretty boring and uneventful and - it just didn't appeal to me in a special way. If you like Amanda Hocking's writing or if you love everything mermaids/sirens then you might want to check it out but the creepiness and suspense the premise lets you expect is not really a part of the book.

 REVIEW:

Everybody seemed to have read a book by Amanda Hocking so how on earth could I miss out? And then just like that I saw that new series of hers, starting with Wake.
Now, there were more reasons for me to pick up and read the book. For one, I have never read anything about mermaids. Or sirens. And I've been a swimmer pretty much my whole life - I love the water!
There was only one reason I should leave that book in the bookstore: it's a paranormal romance. Or... it's not. It might be a bit more on the contemporary side. At least, that's how I felt. But why don't I start over and try to actually make sense here?

Sooo...the beginning I liked. There were Gemma and Harper - two completely opposite characters who need to get along with each other. There was their super sweet dad, there were Alex and Daniel - very nice love interests, if you ask me.
The only thing that was missing? The paranormal.
Well, it was there in the form of four - and then three - absolutely beautiful girls. And the fact that they were so pretty was the ONLY reason everyone in town was scared of them. I didn't really get that, to be honest.

As soon as I reached the middle of the book the paranormal aspect grew more prominent but I still didn't really see the point of the novel, I didn't know what I was waiting for and there was practically no suspense that would have kept me reading. I pretty much only continued because I loved the swimming aspect.

The ending, I guess, was supposed to make my heart beat faster but it somehow really didn't. Wake was so predictable in a way that it seemed like a fake horror movie - you know that one you watch and sort of enjoy but you know what kind of monster lingers behind every door and that  - actually  - that monster is made of a bunch of colored plastic.

All in all, I can only say blah. You can read the book and you will probably be as emotionless about it as I am or you can not read it and you won't miss a thing. I guess I will continue this series/trilogy but only really to know if it gets any better and how things will turn out.

RATING: 1 out of 3 Smarties

Review: Marked by Kristin Cast and P.C Cast

Goodreads synopsis:
The House of Night series is set in a world very much like our own, except in 16-year-old Zoey Redbird's world, vampyres have always existed.  In this first book in the series, Zoey enters the House of Night, a school where, after having undergone the Change, she will train to become an adult vampire -- that is, if she makes it through the Change.  Not all of those who are chosen do.  It's tough to begin a new life, away from her parents and friends, and on top of that, Zoey finds she is no average fledgling.  She has been Marked as special by the vampyre Goddess, Nyx.  But she is not the only fledgling at the House of Night with special powers.  When she discovers that the leader of the Dark Daughters, the school's most elite club, is misusing her Goddess-given gifts, Zoey must look deep within herself for the courage to embrace her destiny--with a little help from her new vampyre friends


Release Date: May 1, 2007
Pages: 306 (Paperback)
Series? #1
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

LONG STORY SHORT:
Despite all the hype I haven't read any House of Night book yet and I wasn't even planning to do it, because
a) I usually don't care that much for vampyres
b) the whole thing seemed very fake to me
It was. Kind of fake, I mean. But in a good, enjoyable way.
So if you're able to ignore certain elements that may not be as unique in this book and are up to a light, entertaining story, I'd recommend you pick up Marked!

REVIEW:
I've heard a lot of things about the House of Night Series,but given my relatively short time of blogging, only about the latest installments and it all went pretty much like "It' s my guilty pleasure series" or "I only read it because I want to know what happens next".
But I mean there had to be reason why the series sky-rocketed in the first place so I needed to start reading it and the first book just had me in me after a few pages.

The protagonist is pretty hilarious. And by pretty I mean, very snarky and sarcastic - it's just a bit too much sometimes, there were passages I didn't find very teenager-authentic. However, the narrator is actually a plus because the book just never gets boring.

The set-up kind of feeling - sadly - joined me throughout the whole book. Zoey's situation at home and at school was cliche most of the time, the setting - especially the House of Night setting seemed just too perfect for me to be true.

Leaving all of this behind let's focus on why I am addicted to this series now:
First of all - boarding school. I'm a sucker for boarding schools, always have been! And as soon as you forget that the House of Night is way too stereotypical and unrealistic it becomes the best school you could think of! I wanna have Zoey's classes and her room and the cafeteria and their mini kitchen and all that stuff!! Also, her group of friends is way cool and not even as cliche as you would think they were.

And then, there is of course the suspense. That feeling that you just don't know who to trust. It drives me crazy and is the main reason why I need to have the second book! And the third! And all the others.

So, overall Marked is not a brilliant high-fantasy novel. But it sure comes with a ton of magical boarding school fun!

RATING: 3 out of 3 Smarties

Review: The Eyes of the Desert Sand by Edwin Wolfe

Goodreads Summary:

How many parents would believe their thirteen year old son who told them that two vampires and a hooded stranger had tried to abduct him? Strange thing is, young Ethan Fox is convinced his parents, George and Betsy do believe him. Could it have something to do with the mysterious poem he wrote in his sleep? Or maybe it has something to do with his past, the past he cannot remember before his eighth birthday. Something strange is afoot, and it is about to turn Ethan’s world upside down.While vacationing with his parents, to get away from the crazy events of the previous two weeks, Ethan encounters a young girl named Haley Hunt who he is strongly drawn to… and the feeling is mutual. Together, Ethan and Haley are lured to The Residence, home of the Caretakers, an organization of intelligent beings sent to earth to nurture the human race and protect them from un-earthly influences.Armed with special abilities, including the power to evolve any earthly creature, the Caretakers take in their unexpected guests. They have been watching young Ethan Fox, and are curious as to why the Grimleavers, their mortal enemy on earth, would want to abduct a young human child. Together, Ethan and Haley journey to magical worlds, make new friends, and help the Caretakers unravel the stories greatest mysteries. Along the way, they learn that the Caretakers have been here since the beginning of human history and have played a key role in shaping human lore. In their world, vampires, werewolves, trolls, and even Medusa herself really do exist but have been kept hidden from the human world around them. Ethan is the key as they ultimately discover the Grimleavers true intentions, to unlock the four portals to the elemental worlds of the Chrysalis.

Pages: 320 (Hardcover)
Release Date: January 11, 2012
Series? The Chrysalis Chronicles #1

LONG STORY  SHORT:

This book is just absolutely cute and sweet. Then again, it also is a very well thought - out fantasy story. I'd recommend you read it if you're up to something a bit different, funny and if you don't mind younger characters in YA all that much.

REVIEW:

I didn't know what to expect with The Eyes of the Desert Sand. Just by cover and synopsis I guessed it would be targeted towards a slightly younger audience, maybe thirteen year olds and I think I was right with that. This might have to do with the main character's age as well.

What I didn't expect was that this book would make me smile on almost every page. And it wasn't even particularly funny in dialogue or anything. It's just that the author did a wonderful job with world building. All the different creatures and settings and devices she invented were so easy but at the same time fantastical and magical and just very, very sweet.
The story itself was slightly predictable but somehow still original.
The writing, I suppose, could've been a bit more fluent and the dialogue was a bit stiff at times, but that was not a big matter to me.
But it's really not about the details with The Eyes of the Desert Sand - it's about the world you enter, those tiny little details that are so weird. It definitely reminded me of the fairytales I loved when I was younger.

All in all, I guess I'd recommend this book to a younger audience or to older people who don't mind reading a book that is a bit simpler, a bit lighter and just ... innocent :)

RATING: 3 out of 3 Smarties

Review: Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

Goodreads Summary:

After serving out a year of hard labor in the salt mines of Endovier for her crimes, 18-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien is dragged before the Crown Prince. Prince Dorian offers her her freedom on one condition: she must act as his champion in a competition to find a new royal assassin. 
Her opponents are men-thieves and assassins and warriors from across the empire, each sponsored by a member of the king's council. If she beats her opponents in a series of eliminations, she'll serve the kingdom for three years and then be granted her freedom. 
Celaena finds her training sessions with the captain of the guard, Westfall, challenging and exhilirating. But she's bored stiff by court life. Things get a little more interesting when the prince starts to show interest in her... but it's the gruff Captain Westfall who seems to understand her best. Then one of the other contestants turns up dead... quickly followed by another. Can Celaena figure out who the killer is before she becomes a victim? As the young assassin investigates, her search leads her to discover a greater destiny than she could possibly have imagined

Release Date: August 7, 2012
Series? Yes! #1
Pages: 416 (Hardcover)



LONG STORY SHORT:

If this was school and I was the teacher and had to grade Throne of Glass it would get an A- from me and I'd smile, pat the book on the shoulder and say "Very well done." Or - to sound a bit less freakish - I'd tell the author that. Because Throne of Glass is just that: very well done. Realistic, developed and developing characters, well figured-out plot, interesting relationships, one or two fabulous twists and a showdown ending. The only thing that's missing is the blow that throws me off my feet.

REVIEW:

Throne of Glass is a great fantasy story that will keep you entertained from beginning to end. Although the main character, Celeana was a bit strange to me at first I liked her more and more the further the story went, the more I got to know the character and her history and the more of her personality was revealed. Celeana is incredibly strong, has her own opinion on things but on the other hand shows this girly side that makes her love puppies and everything that has to do with fancy dresses and balls and all that good stuff.

I know that many people were let down a bit by the love interests in this book and their lack of personality and development and I must say, thinking back now I get what they mean. The guys really just appeared, had their scene and left it and didn't really show any flaws or edges or anything. They were a bit flat, I'll admit that, but the thing is I didn't even notice because I fell in love with one of them (okay, Dorian) immediately and was concerned about nothing but their happy ending throughout the rest of the book.

Anyway, if there is a happy ending you have to find out yourself and I highly recommend you do, because Throne of Glass is the kind of book that you might not keep thinking of days after you finished it, but you definitely are sad to leave the characters and move on to another story.

All in all, if all this hasn't got you convinced just yet, let me tell you the finale is the bomb as I couldn't put the book out of my hands until I knew how it ended. Oh, and the plot twists that totally caught me by surprise? One more reason to read Throne of Glass.

RATING: 3 out of 3 Smarties

Review #16 City Of Lost Souls - Cassandra Clare

Goodreads summary:
The demon Lilith has been destroyed and Jace has been freed from her captivity. But when the Shadowhunters arrive to rescue him, they find only blood and broken glass. Not only is the boy Clary loves missing–but so is the boy she hates, Sebastian, the son of her father Valentine: a son determined to succeed where their father failed, and bring the Shadowhunters to their knees.



No magic the Clave can summon can locate either boy, but Jace cannot stay away—not from Clary. When they meet again Clary discovers the horror Lilith’s dying magic has wrought—Jace is no longer the boy she loved. He and Sebastian are now bound to each other, and Jace has become what he most feared: a true servant of Valentine’s evil. The Clave is determined to destroy Sebastian, but there is no way to harm one boy without destroying the other. Will the Shadowhunters hesitate to kill one of their own?


Author: Cassandra Clare
Pages: 534 (Hardcover)
Release Date: May 8th 2012
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Series? Yes. No.5



LONG STORY SHORT:

The Mortal Instruments Series - at least in my opinion - gets better with every new installment. This one now really drew me into the Shadowhunter world, made me want all the characters to exist in real life so I could experience their sarcastic dialogues first hand. City Of Lost Souls made me laugh and cry, provided some great messages. But most of all I'm starting to wonder if it is possible to invent a story like that - a story world like that. I'm almost convinced Cassandra Clare has some bonds to the Nephilim because otherwise I couldn't explain how she fabricated that work of art that COLS is.

REVIEW:

Why I bought City Of Lost Souls? Is that a question? I mentioned before that I wasn't a big fan of the first installments of the series. It got better with number three and I felt at home for the first time in the Shadowhunter world in City of Fallen Angels. Seeing how huge (page wise) City of Lost Souls was I couldn't wait to get into it.

I have to admit I haven't read other people's opinions on this book yet so I don't really know how the general view on this book is. I love the atmosphere Clare puts into her novels, like she knew the characters personally and simply describes what she remembers. Also, she put great twists into this book that kept the suspense high until the end and that made me race through it way too fast because I was dying to find out if and how they could solve all the problems that came up.

I don't think I have to talk about if I liked the characters, because - hey, I was reading the fifth book here! - of course I did. What really caught my eye this time was what I missed last time: how each and everyone grew up. They all reach that time of your life where you start knowing what you want in life and what you are willing to sacrifice. Besides all the Shadowhunter action that happened you could see how everyone made decisions that were important for their lives and how almost all of them stopped thinking like enthusiastic teenagers, but more like young adults who know that nothing is forever and that all of your actions come with certain consequences.

The only thing that bothers me - and that has always bothered me - is Clare's tending to stop reasonable world building when it would just be very important. I have been a bit disappointed of every Mortal Instruments installment until now, because at the end I feel like she moves things into the direction she wants them to go without having a real explanation for why this or that is possible all of a sudden. As I read the last few pages I caught myelf thinking stuff like "Okay, that could've happened right at the beginning - without the 500 pages in between!", so that was a little sad.

Overall, if you like the Mortal Instruments I think you will definitly devour this book! As I said, I enjoyed entering this world again so much that I couldn't even focus on some flaws the book might have had. The only thing I noticed was how easy Clare always makes it for herself in the end. She thinks of this amazing, twisted but very reasonable plot throughout the whole novel and then the (round about thirty pages long) epilogue disappoints me. Other than that, I loved it!

RATING: 3 out of 3 Smarties

Review #6 City Of Fallen Angels - Cassandra Clare

You assumed the world was in order again after the end of the mortal war and the happy end for Jace and Clary? You thought the Shadowhunters would simply start over and live their lives, kill some demons in their free time without major incidents? Oh well...you thought wrong!



Goodreads summary:

The Mortal War is over, and Clary Fray is back home in New York, excited about all the possibilities before her. She's training to become a Shadowhunter and to use her unique power. Her mother is getting married to the love of her life. Downworlders and Shadowhunters are at peace at last. And—most important of all—Clary can finally call Jace her boyfriend. 


But nothing comes without a price. 


Someone is murdering the Shadowhunters who used to be in Valentine’s Circle, provoking tensions between Downworlders and Shadowhunters that could lead to a second bloody war. Clary’s best friend, Simon, can’t help her. His mother just found out he’s a vampire and now he’s homeless. Everywhere he turns, someone wants him on their side—along with the power of the curse wrecking his life. And they’re willing to do anything to get what they want. At the same time he’s dating two beautiful, dangerous girls—neither of whom knows about the other. 


When Jace begins to pull away from Clary without explaining why, she is forced to delve into the heart of a mystery whose solution reveals her worst nightmare: She herself has set in motion a terrible chain of events that could lead to her losing everything she loves. Even Jace. 


To be honest, the first two installments of the Mortal Instruments Series were not really for me. I read them, found a place for them on my shelf and moved on. I just couldn't get as excited as some of the hardcore fans could. I got the box set of the first three books, though, so I read the third one, too and actually liked it alright. There were many twists and turns in the story that kept me reading and at the end I wanted more and decided to read the fourth book, as well. I loved it.

What I enjoyed most about this book was how I felt familiar with all the characters and settings from the beginning. After getting to know Clary, Jace, Simon and all the others in books one to three, in book four I was much more able to identify with them and to understand their actions. Also, I felt like their was a lot more focus on the development on both their personalities and relationships. I blame that partly on the fact that it does not have that much "movement" in it. Almost all of the characters stay in one place and interact with each other, they have more time.

As for the pace, I found this one a bit slower than the other three, but that was not a problem at all. I was so into the story and the writing style was so fluent that I found myself checking the page number and being shocked by how much pages (and time!) had gone by without my noticing. It was actually really hard for me to put this down and remind myself that neither shadowhunters nor demons or other paranormal creatures exist and I'm still having a hard time accepting it :)

The only thing I disliked about the book was its ending. I won't say what it was exactly that bothered me because that would be a big spoiler, but I found it a bit unreasonable and I would have expected something like what happened in the end of this book at the beginning of the next book.

Anyway, I would recommend City of Fallen Angels for everyone, especially the people out there that (like me) could not really get into the story at the beginning of the series.

Greetings, the Booksmartie

RATING: 3 out of 3 Smarties