The Perfect Rake
2.5 stars.Well, that was the most bipolar book I have read in my entire life. Geez. I adored the first half though.
3.5 stars.This was a pretty good UF book, and I plan on following the rest of this series.I liked the unconventional, humane assassin that features as the protagonist in this story. It's a credit to the author's skill that she can create and pull off a character that,while believable and true to her profession's nature,can incite sympathy and respect in the reader.Gin is smart,sarcastic, tough-as-nails,ruthless and unapologetic,but not the standard of catty know-it-all that seems to plague the genre. She isn't exactly humble either, though.Rather,conscious of her exact strengths and honest about them.This is very much Gin's story, and so Estep's universe comes through vividly in her particular brand of commentary and worldview.Therefore,situations and/or explanations that might have seemed recited and stiff, are infused with a jagged,world-weary tint. The only thing that bothered me was that judgmental, sanctimonious @$$ of a love interest, Detective Donovan Caine.I couldn't, for the life of me, fathom their attraction. I might have dismissed it as simple lust, or a desire to live dangerously (which seems to be the deal on the detective's case. The detective's case. Ha.),but Gin implies a far deeper attachment on her part.She doesn't seem the sort to pine after anyone, but I still hope she'll not pull a Georgina in the next one,or I'll be very disappointed. :pOh,and also, a small thing, that got pretty annoying by the end: what's with all the inner monologue "mmm"s in every other page? LOL So weird.All in all, a good, alternative sort of story, with interesting characters and lots of potential.
2.5 stars.This was an entertaining read. I really liked the smart, spunky heroine, who was portrayed very vividly and provided a touch of sarcasm very much needed in the story.I could almost hear her voice.As for the supernatural element,it was an original twist,a creepy and disturbing notion that I found on equal parts both repulsive and fascinating.Sadly, the whole thing felt too much like a prologue, even for a first in the series. The action reaches its peak abruptly towards the end of the book, and cuts off just as sudden. Same goes for the romance, which was way underplayed and didn't come off convincing or authentic. Some of the secondary characters (like Cassie's best friend) fall flat and monochromatic,or even just plain silly, others (the character's nemesis) cliched and ridiculous."Ooo, I am evil! See? I even have an accent to prove it!" ::rolls eyes::Anyway, the book shows promise, but doesn't capitalise on it. As I said, it made for a fun (and scary) read, but nothing more.I'll be checking out the next book, in case it does.
Valiant (Modern Tale of Faerie Series #2)
While oddly fascinating and, at times,truly beautiful,I just can't seem to connect with this world or its characters..PS.I liked this one better, so it's more like 3.5 stars.Again,it's not really a rating of the book,rather my reaction to it.Subjective,that is.Also,best closing line *ever*. Seriously.
Twice Dead (Novels of Haven Series #2)
Better. 3.5.Is Tatius channeling Eric to anyone else, in a way? Will read the 3rd one,if only for hopes of seeing more of a certain neon-haired, multiple-pierced, leather-and-mesh-clad ancient vampire. Ahem.Still bored to death by the Kita-Nathaniel pairing. I also don't like Nathaniel.Brooding,lonesome vamps belong in YA novels,where they can shine in all their fairy-tale glory.(no,I actually mean that as a good thing.Really.) But here,I just kept going "Gah!Get over yourself already and quit whining!" Bleh.Book was quite good except for these two things.
3.5 stars. Knocked half a star off for the devastatingly utter lack of V/Butch action. Not even a little kiss? :pouts: :stomps foot:
I honestly loved this book. It was hard not too. Kagawa created an enchanting blend of classical fairy tale and modern-day adventure(much like the aforementioned villain, the "Iron King", creating a neat parallel). Though it isn't a particularly funny book per se, I personally appreciated the quiet sarcasm and quirky wit thrown in at random times. That is,the universe was darker than I'd thought when reading the blurb, but frankly, it was a nice change. The author does not only show great attention to the worldbuilding, which is a peculiar mix of mythology, traditional fairy tale,steampunk and urban fantasy, but takes care in creating rich, strangely realistic heroes (this is,after all,a fairy story),complete with backround stories and mannerisms (Grimalkin!)As for the romance, there is a very well-handled love-triangle, one of the few that I approve of, and very subtle. The main love interest is Ash, a winter prince, that breaks the norm of brooding hot guy into being an actual, whole person,with baggage, vulnerabilities, and a personality of his own,not confined by the protagonist's perception.(Also, great kiss scene)This will definitely stay with me.What a very strange and beautiful book.P.S.Re-reading it (yes,I liked it that much) and now I think I have a little crush on Puck as well. And I predict it will only get more so in the next one.Gaaah, this is worse than the Cassie Palmer series!!
Darklight (Wondrous Strange, Book 2)
Much better than the first one, I think, though I can't pin down exactly on what.It introduces a lot of interesting plotlines and hints to be followed in the next installment, which makes me happy and frustrated at the same time.Well, all the good ones do.:pMost of the previous characters are present here, and over the course of the story become satisfyingly fleshed-out and intriguing,all mysterious with their higher motives and ambiguity (except maybe Kelley).I can't say the same for the relationship between the two protagonists, which, while really sweet, felt a bit flat and predictable.SPOILER ALERTThe Wolf -who is so far my favorite character- adds a little spice in that aspect, and I was pleased that it was done in such a subtle way that you barely notice it,but at the same time, throwing in a darker, sinister side on the romance.END OF SPOILERA truly enjoyable read.Book #3 can't get here soon enough.
As You Wish
This was a sweet, honest love story, but too short and simple for my tastes. I would have adored it a few years ago.
First Drop of Crimson (Night Huntress World Series #1)
Merely ok,except for that bit with the kitty and the scenes with Ian.Freaking hilarious. "Paybacks" LOL. :DP.S.Missed Vlad.:(
First Drop of Crimson (Night Huntress World Series #1)
Merely ok,except for that bit with the kitty and the scenes with Ian.Freaking hilarious. "Paybacks" LOL. :DP.S.Missed Vlad.:(
*Awesome* book.Best in the series yet, actually. Loved all the dramatic tension and the emotional turmoil.Eagerly awaiting for the next one.(Damned cliffhangers!:-D)Side note:I also have grown extremely fond of Adrian.I loved him in this.I hope there's a happy ending for him somewhere in the future.Lol,that sounds corny.Still true.He rocks!
Loved it.Brilliantly depressing and beautiful at the same time. What struck me the most is how the author captures so accurately and poignantly depression and heartache,without resulting in overly melodramatic or angsty scenes.The plot,the atmosphere and the settings were imaginatively thought-out,but I found the character of Abbey the most of intriguing of all.She is a normal,realistically and fully fleshed-out person, emotionally as well as behaviorally.Abbey feels like a real person,which in itself is rarer an achievement than people think. Initially I had qualms about Abbey's enthusiastic fascination with Caspian, which,I think,clashes with her grief over her friend's death.It's like they are two different people,one an ordinary,slightly self-conscious girl in the beginnings of a crush, and the other a lonely,heavily depressed girl mourning a loss of a vital person in her life.But this quickly,and -thankfully- very early in the story, smoothes itself out.Also, I would have liked a little more in-depth analysis of Caspian.We are given merely hints of his character,but never a true feel about him.However,this is definitely the start of a series(trilogy),and must be viewed as such -plots are picked up and then forgotten, questions are left unexplained etc.A most promising debut.
