Review: MY UNFAIR GODMOTHER by Janette Rallison

MY UNFAIR GODMOTHER
by Janette Rallison
Hardcover, 320 pages
Published April 12th 2011 by Walker Books for Young Readers

Placement in the Pile: Top Picks!

Summary:
Tansy Miller has always felt that her divorced father has never had enough time for her. But mistakenly getting caught on the wrong side of the law wasn't exactly how she wanted to get his attention. Enter Chrysanthemum "Chrissy" Everstar, Tansy's fairy in shining, er, high heels. Chrissy is only a fair godmother, of course, so Tansy's three wishes don't exactly go according to plan. And if bringing Robin Hood to the twenty-first century isn't bad enough for Tansy, being transported back to the Middle Ages to deal with Rumpelstiltskin certainly is. She'll need the help of her blended family, her wits, and especially the cute police chief 's son to stop the gold-spinning story from spinning wildly out of control. Janette Rallison pulls out all the stops in this fresh, fun-filled follow-up to the popular My Fair Godmother.

Review:
From the start MY UNFAIR GODMOTHER hooked me back into the crazy world of that haphazard fairy Chrysanthemum Everstar. This time around she is trying to raise her semester grade with an extra credit project, and chooses Tansy...poor girl.

Tansy is having a difficult time right now. Her mom has sent her to live with her father, whom she is upset with for leaving them years ago. She makes some rebellious choices in who she hangs out with and what she spends her time doing. Landing her in a situation worthy of needing a fairy godmother. Too bad she only gets a fair one.

Even more hilarious than the first, with a swoon worthy boy and an overall enjoyable read Janette has done it again -- and better!

If you haven't read Janette's stuff get off the couch and go get one. I love everything she writes. Be sure to come back tomorrow for my interview with Janette and another awesome blogiversary giveaway later this week!

Review DEMON PRINCESS: REIGN CHECK by Michelle Rowan

DEMON PRINCESS: REIGN CHECK
by Michelle Rowan
Published May 25th 2010 by Walker Books for Young Readers
Paperback, 292 Pages

Placement in the Pile: Reaching New Heights

Summary: (From Goodreads)
Nikki Donovan was a demon princess. Now she’s a demon princess in love.

Fresh from finding out she is a demon princess and meeting her father for the first time, Nikki Donovan is looking forward to getting back to her regular high school life. But then Rhys, the handsome teenage king of the faery realm, enrolls at her school as a “foreign exchange student.” Her conflicted feelings for Rhys and her boyfriend are getting in the way of her new relationship with the Shadow-creature Michael.

But this love triangle from hell isn’t even Nikki’s biggest problem: There’s a new prophecy that claims she will destroy all the demon and human worlds. Her best friend Melinda just might be a demon-slayer-in-training. Throw in a field trip to none other than the Underworld itself . . . and Nikki’s going to be hoping for a rain check on more than just her homework!

Review:
I liked this installment of the Demon Princess series even more than the first! Fast, funny and downright romantic I really loved this book and these characters.

Rhys is someone you can't help but like. My biggest complaint about this story was Michael lost some of his charm for me and that was a hard transition when this book is supposed to take place only weeks after the other one ended.

I loved how Michelle Rowan pulled other characters that you thought were normal into the paranormal world, introduced us even deeper into the life and politics of the underworlds, and stayed true to the character of Nikki.

If you liked the first, you will love the second! I can't wait for more in this series!

*ARC received from publisher, with the original cover (not shown)

Review: THE IRON KING by Julie Kagawa

THE IRON KING
by Julie Kagawa
Published February 1st 2010 by Harlequin Teen (first published January 21st 2010)
Paperback,363 Pages

Placement in Pile: Reaching New Heights

Review:
This is an interesting and unique twist on faerie lore compared to most of the YA stuff being published right now. This felt more traditional to me, more frightening and darker version of the Fae than a lot of the faerie books I've read recently. At times it had the feel of the movie Labyrinth for me (for a few different reasons, but for one her half brother being kidnapped by faeries and her needing to rescue him... well there you go!). There was a lot of mythology based on Shakespeare, which worked at times but didn't feel quite right at others. The concept of the Iron Fey was interesting and unique, and I'm definitely intrigued to see where it goes from here. Her version of Puck was interesting, and I'm still not sure how I feel about him. Grimalkin was a fabulous character who I can't wait to get more of. I'm curious to see what happens with her and Ash, his final acts at the end of this book didn't seem to make sense after what he went through for her (trying not to be spoilery...) so I'm definitely interested in seeing what happens next. I have THE IRON DAUGHTER right now, so hopefully I will get that read and reviewed soon!

The one biggest complaint I had about this book (which isn't that big) was the overuse of the word "scuttled." Her characters did an inordinate amount of scuttling. Maybe no one else would notice that, but it got on my nerves.

Did I mention that Prince Ash is hot and that I can't wait to see what happens with them? Oh, and I just found out there is an "Iron Fey 1.5" novella online called "Winter's Passage" that you should apparently read BEFORE THE IRON DAUGHTER. Glad I didn't start reading it yet!

Overall, this didn't make my top picks for a faerie book, but it was well done, interesting, romantic and at times intense, and I would recommend it.

*Note: this is actually Guinevere's review! Thanks Guin! She just couldn't format it etc. so she just e-mailed it to me for me to post!

Review INK EXCHANGE by Melissa Marr

INK EXCHANGE
by Melissa Marr
Published May 1st 2008 by HarperTeen
Hardcover, 325 pages
It is also out in paperback and on AudioBook

Placement in the Pile: Middle of the Stack

Summary:
Unbeknownst to mortals, a power struggle is unfolding in a world of shadows and danger. After centuries of stability, the balance among the Faery Courts has altered, and Irial, ruler of the Dark Court, is battling to hold his rebellious and newly vulnerable fey together. If he fails, bloodshed and brutality will follow.

Seventeen-year-old Leslie knows nothing of faeries or their intrigues. When she is attracted to an eerily beautiful tattoo of eyes and wings, all she knows is that she has to have it, convinced it is a tangible symbol of changes she desperately craves for her own life.

The tattoo does bring changes; not the kind Leslie has dreamed of, but sinister, compelling changes that are more than symbolic. Those changes will bind Leslie and Irial together, drawing Leslie deeper and deeper into the faery world, unable to resist its allures, and helpless to withstand its perils. . . .

Review:
I really did enjoy this one but it was a lot more dark than the first. Leslie lives in a much darker place in this tough urban world that Marr created than Aislinn did/does. And some of the things she had to deal with were a bit disturbing.

I think one of the common issues with this book is Aislinn's story was more romantic and more fun to read about than Leslie's. And if I had been reading these when they came out I would have wanted more about Aislinn and Keenan and Seth specifically, than jumping into someone else's story.

I did enjoy, however, that this book delved deeper into the faery world and we got to see the dark court. I have always liked this type of story, the juxtoposition of the dark and light (of the summer court that Aislinn and Keenan rule). But delving into the dark means there was a lot that was difficult.

Irial was honestly just creepy. Niall was intoxicating though. I love characters that are complex, have depth and have made decisions in their lives that put them on a path that they never expected to be on. Really, I think Niall's story is what saved this book for me.

All in all it was worth reading, more language than the first, more violent content (but none of it was too explicit either). Overall, a good read that makes me want to read the next ones even more.

Book Signing Report: Aprilynne Pike!

Last night I was lucky enough to attend a local book signing with author Aprilynne Pike for her books SPELLS which is the sequel to WINGS and has debuted at #4 on the New York Times Bestseller list!













What I learned:
(This picture is Aprilynne fighting her way to the top! It was the funniest, and only non-blurry shot I got of her while she was talking to us!)

• Being an author is an ego roller coaster, you go from imagining how much money you're going to make and what you're going to do with it, to feeling like giving up.

• Aprillyne told us, "I learned what every author knows -- writing is hard!"

• She also told us how much she LIKES querying...really! She said it is like gambling or playing the lotto. Send out 10, maybe get 1 response. Next time send out 10 and get 3 positive responses. 30% return! Woot!

• Editing like crazy BEFORE you send your stuff out is a lot smarter route than sending out your stuff fresh from your brain.

• Lots of authors work and work and work, and get to the point where there really is nothing left they can do, so they give up on said WIP or give up all together, and THEN they get the call. It's the dark before the dawn idea.

• There will be lots of kissing in book 3 - she called it the "kissing book"

• Book 3 in the series comes out next May, sigh a whole year.
  

• The cover and title for Book 3 will be revealed in November.

(This is me and Aprilynne. Authors are such cool people!)

• The title for SPELLS was originally WINTER SPELLS but they took the seasons out of all the titles, so they just kept SPELLS. Of all the titles, she said SPELLS fits the least. Aprilynne called it the found peg shoved into the square hole.

I am VERY much looking forward to having time to read SPELLS!

It was such a fun night!

Afterwards I was able to go out to dinner with some other amazing author friends and chat books and writing. I am such a groupie! Someday I hope to be one of them, until them I am so pleased that they let me in their little groups, even if just for a little bit!

Here is Natalie Whipple, Sara B. Larson and Jenn Johansson, check out all their blogs, they are amazing women!

Review WICKED LOVELY by Melissa Marr

WICKED LOVELY
by Melissa Marr
Published May 31st 2007 by HarperTeen
Hardcover, 328 pages (also out in paperback and audiobook)

Placement in the Pile: Reaching New Heights!

Summary:
Rule #3: Don't stare at invisible faeries.
Rule #2: Don't speak to invisible faeries.
Rule #1: Don't ever attract their attention.

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

Faery intrigue, mortal love, and the clash of ancient rules and modern expectations swirl together in Melissa Marr's stunning twenty-first-century faery tale.

Review:
WICKED LOVELY is a gritty "faery" tale that kept me captivated. The characters were fun and really drew me in. The faery lore was a throw back to more classic fey mythology (each chapter also quotes an old lore book such as Celtic lore, about faeries). I really like these stories that think of faeries as feirce creatures rather than the sweet "Tinkerbell" types. (Which if you know the real Tinkerbell from the original story you might not think she's so innocent either...)

The narration was true to this urban teenager's life, as well as the other characters whose perspectives we see. I couldn't help but get pulled in the the love triangles, squares, the faery lore, the unique abilities of Aislinn (pronounced ASHlinn, etc.). I think having multiple POVs is my favorite way to have a story. I like seeing more than one character's internal thoughts and how it all plays together in the end. Revealed in the right order, it makes for a riveting read. I thought it was written well and was a really good read. I am excited for the rest of the series but dissapointed in a way that it doesn't necessarily continue Aislinn's story.

Content wise, there is one part that made me go "Oh!". It isn't described in depth, but it was enough to know there was some very sexual behavior going on. The romance can be intense in this one, so I would recommend it only for older readers.

In my Mailbox (11)

As always, thanks to the StorySiren for hosting IMM.

From the Library:
WICKED LOVELY
by Melissa Marr
(audiobook)

Rule #3: Don't stare at invisible faeries.
Rule #2: Don't speak to invisible faeries.
Rule #1: Don't ever attract their attention.

Suddenly none of the rules that have kept Aislinn safe are working anymore, and everything is on the line: her freedom; her best friend, Seth; everything.
Faery intrigue, mortal love, and the clash of ancient rules and modern expectations swirl together in Melissa Marr's stunning twenty-first-century faery tale.


EVERNIGHT
by Claudia Gray

Bianca wants to escape.

She's been uprooted from her small hometown and enrolled at Evernight Academy, an eerie Gothic boarding school where the students are somehow too perfect: smart, sleek, and almost predatory. Bianca knows she doesn't fit in.

Then she meets Lucas. He's not the "Evernight type" either, and he likes it that way. Lucas ignores the rules, stands up to the snobs, and warns Bianca to be careful—even when it comes to caring about him.

"I couldn't stand it if they took it out on you," he tells Bianca, "and eventually they would."

But the connection between Bianca and Lucas can't be denied. Bianca will risk anything to be with Lucas, but dark secrets are fated to tear them apart . . . and to make Bianca question everything she's ever believed.

From Publishers:
FRAGILE ETERNITY
by Melissa Marr
paperback released April 1st

Seth never expected he would want to settle down with anyone—but that was before Aislinn. She is everything he'd ever dreamed of, and he wants to be with her forever. Forever takes on new meaning, though, when your girlfriend is an immortal faery queen.

RADIANT SHADOWS
by Melissa Marr
published April 20, 2010

Half-human and half-faery, Ani is driven by her hungers.

Those same appetites also attract powerful enemies and uncertain allies, including Devlin. He was created as an assassin and is brother to the faeries' coolly logical High Queen and to her chaotic twin, the embodiment of War. Devlin wants to keep Ani safe from his sisters, knowing that if he fails, he will be the instrument of Ani's death.

Ani isn't one to be guarded while others fight battles for her, though. She has the courage to protect herself and the ability to alter Devlin's plans—and his life. The two are drawn together, each with reason to fear the other and to fear for one another. But as they grow closer, a larger threat imperils the whole of Faerie. Will saving the faery realm mean losing each other?

STARGAZER
by Claudia Gray
Paperback released December 1, 2009

Evernight Academy: an exclusive boarding school for the most beautiful, dangerous students of all—vampires. Bianca, born to two vampires, has always been told her destiny is to become one of them.

But Bianca fell in love with Lucas—a vampire hunter sworn to destroy her kind. They were torn apart when his true identity was revealed, forcing him to flee the school.

Although they may be separated, Bianca and Lucas will not give each other up. She will risk anything for the chance to see him again, even if it means coming face-to-face with the vampire hunters of Black Cross—or deceiving the powerful vampires of Evernight. Bianca's secrets will force her to live a life of lies.

Yet Bianca isn't the only one keeping secrets. When Evernight is attacked by an evil force that seems to target her, she discovers the truth she thought she knew is only the beginning....

HOURGLASS
by Claudia Gray
Published March 9, 2010

Bestselling author Claudia Gray’s Evernight series continues. In Hourglass, Bianca and Lucas have found a way to be together. But it means lying to the people who care about them the most.












*These are two series' that I have been wanting to read for a long time! I am excited to get into them!

Review for LAMENT by Maggie Stiefvater

LAMENT

by, Maggie Stiefvater

Details:

published: October 1st 2008 by Flux
Paperback, 326 pages

Placement in Pile:

Reaching New Heights

Summary:

From the author of the New York Times bestselling novel Shiver... Sixteen-year-old Deirdre Monaghan is a prodigiously gifted musician. She's about to find out she's also a cloverhand - one who can see faeries. Unexpectedly, Deirdre finds herself infatuated with a mysterious boy named Luke, who enters her ordinary life, seemingly out of thin air. But his interest in her might be something darker than summer romance. When a sinister faerie named Aodhan shows up with deadly orders from the Faerie Queen, it forces Dee right into the midst of Faerie. Caught in the crossfire with Deirdre is James, her wisecracking but loyal best friend. Deirdre had been wishing her summer weren't so dull, but taking on a centuries-old Faerie Queen isn't exactly what she had in mind.

Review:

I have been interested in reading this series for a while, ever since I read (and loved) SHIVER so much last year. I finally checked it out from the library, and I'm glad I did! While I think her writing has matured, and even improved with SHIVER, LAMENT was still very well-written and intriguing. I wasn't totally sucked in right off the bat--I was actually really confused about why she wouldn't question some guy just "showing up" in the bathroom, and everything that happened in the first 50 pages. But by the end, I was competely engrossed. This was a fast, easy read. I'm not sure how I feel about the ending; I'll have to wait and see what happens in the sequel...

Between this and FAIRY TALE ( the other "fairy" based book I read recently) this one was the better one, in my opinion, by far.

Review FAIRY TALE by Cyn Balog

FAIRY TALE
by,
Cyn Balog

Details:
Published June 23rd 2009 by Delacorte
Hardcover, 256 pages

Placement in Pile:

Middle of the Stack

Summary:

Morgan Sparks and Cam Browne are a match made in heaven. They've been best friends since birth, they tell each other everything, and oh yeah- they're totally hot for each other.

But a week before their joint Sweet Sixteen bash, everything changes. Cam's awkward cousin Pip comes to stay, and Morgan is stunned when her formerly perfect boyfriend seems to be drifting away.

When Morgan demands answers, she's shocked to discover the source of Cam's distance isn't another girl- it's another world. Pip claims that Cam is a fairy. No, seriously. A fairy. And now his people want Cam to return to their world and take his rightful place as Fairy King.

Determined to keep Cam with her, Morgan plots to fool the fairies. But as Cam continues to change, she has to decide once and for all if he really is her destiny, and if their “perfect” love can weather an uncertain future.

Witty, original and unexpectedly touching, FAIRY TALE will captivate fans of TWILIGHT and WICKED LOVELY.

Review:

I know this one came out a while ago, but it's been on my list for a long time and I finally got a copy from the library to read it.

This was an entertaining read, but one that didn't really stand out to me. Morgan's voice is fun and engaging, and the plotline is interesting, but it didn't grab my attention in a way that I "just couldn't put it down." I kept reading to find out what happened, but I felt like skimming parts to get to the end.

If you love the whole fairy-craze, and want some more fairy books, this one is worth reading, but not one of my faves.

It does have some language and bit of mature content, but nothing too horrible. Probably a PG13 rating.