Book Review: Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers

June 14, 2012 by 10 Comments

Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers
Release Date: April 3, 2012
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Pages: 549
Source: Received for review
Rating: ★★★★★ 
Buy It: Amazon | Book Depository

Why be the sheep, when you can be the wolf?

Seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters still serve the gods of old. Here she learns that the god of Death Himself has blessed her with dangerous gifts—and a violent destiny. If she chooses to stay at the convent, she will be trained as an assassin and serve as a handmaiden to Death. To claim her new life, she must destroy the lives of others.

Ismae’s most important assignment takes her straight into the high court of Brittany—where she finds herself woefully under prepared—not only for the deadly games of intrigue and treason, but for the impossible choices she must make. For how can she deliver Death’s vengeance upon a target who, against her will, has stolen her heart? – Goodreads

Review:
Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers is WIN ALL AROUND. Right after starting it, my immediate thought was, “This is the book I’ve been waiting for.”

A premise like this one requires an amazing main character and Robin LaFevers absolutely delivered with Ismae. The reader would have to be evil to not sympathize with what she had to endure under her father’s roof and, then, the life she barely escaped with her foul husband. I wanted good things for her and, thankfully, she is taken to a convent to serve Death Himself. There, Ismae is trained in combat, poisons, and seduction to become an assassin. Awesome, right? I attended schools with nuns for most of my education and I WISH things had been this cool. But, anyway, through it all, Ismae retains her goodness and she goes on quite the character arc in Grave Mercy. Both smart and kickass, Ismae is a top quality main character.

Robin LaFevers offers so much detail in her writing. Set in 15th century Brittany, she easily transported me into the time period and I am in awe of all the research she must have had to do. I must admit that I only have so much patience for political and court drama, but Robin LaFevers managed to keep me hooked through all of the twists and turns she spun in Grave Mercy.

Duval is the love interest in the book and words cannot describe how much I loved his relationship with Ismae. Can you say: SWOON CITY? There was plenty of bickering and distrust in the beginning, but then came the mutual respect and friendship and I was…a goner. Look up “slow burn” in the dictionary and I’m sure you’d find “Ismae and Duval” right next to it! These two had killer chemistry and I ate it all up.

A strong heroine, a developed romance, some action and magic, court intrigue, political drama…Grave Mercy has it all! If that wasn’t enough, I really became attached to some of the side characters and I cannot wait to find out more about them in the next installments. Robin LaFevers has an exciting series in her hands and I eagerly look forward to Dark Triumph and Dark Hope.


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Book Review: The Traitor in the Tunnel by Y.S. Lee

April 17, 2012 by 6 Comments

The Traitor in the Tunnel by Y.S. Lee The Traitor in the Tunnel by Y.S. Lee
Release Date: February 28, 2012
Publisher: Candlewick
Pages: 373
Source: ARC from publisher | Purchased
Rating: ★★★★☆ 
Buy It: Amazon | Book Depository

Queen Victoria has a little problem: there’s a petty thief at work in Buckingham Palace. Charged with discretion, the Agency puts quickwitted Mary Quinn on the case, where she must pose as a domestic while fending off the attentions of a feckless Prince of Wales. But when the prince witnesses the murder of one of his friends in an opium den, the potential for scandal looms large. And Mary faces an even more unsettling possibility: the accused killer, a Chinese sailor imprisoned in the Tower of London, shares a name with her long-lost father. Meanwhile, engineer James Easton, Mary’s onetime paramour, is at work shoring up the sewers beneath the palace, where an unexpected tunnel seems to be very much in use. Can Mary and James trust each other (and put their simmering feelings aside) long enough to solve the mystery and protect the Royal Family? – Goodreads

Review:
It is always a delight to return to Victorian London in Y.S. Lee’s The Agency series. Although the first book in the series, A Spy in the House, probably remains my favorite, The Traitor in the Tunnel was a great addition to Mary’s adventures.

Y.S. Lee made The Traitor in the Tunnel the most personal chapter to Mary’s story yet. While posing undercover as a maid at Buckingham Palace, she becomes aware of a murder that has ties to her past. Her history has always been a mystery itself so it was great to finally uncover more details. Mary was filled with so much hope, but there was also dread and sadness; Y.S. Lee made these feelings very palpable as Mary navigated through her discoveries.

The other central mystery had Mary investigating thefts and secret tunnels. I must admit that I wasn’t completely engaged in these storylines, but they perfectly displayed Mary’s intelligence and tenacity. Plus, the mysteries brought my favorite duo back together.

Mary and James, gah, these two have some of the most incredible chemistry I’ve found in any couple. After their last encounter in The Body at the Tower I was a little worried about their reunion and future interactions, but I had no need to worry. Y.S. Lee had me feeling absolutely gleeful over their bantering, bickering and, yes, their kissing. SWOON CITY, I love these two, and I can’t imagine any scenario where I would grow bored of them. You know those couples that are so just blah and bland? Definitely not Mary and James. They are interesting on their own, make an amazing team together, and are a perfect balance for each other. Favorites!

I’m so glad that there’s another book in the series heading our way. I really love the turn of events at the end of The Traitor in the Tunnel and it can only mean more growth and awesome for the characters I’ve grown to love.


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Book Review: Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen

March 19, 2012 by 7 Comments

Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen
Release Date: February 14, 2012
Publisher: Walker Books for Young Readers
Pages: 292
Source: Netgalley
Rating: ★★★★★ 
Buy It: Amazon | Book Depository

Posing as one of Robin Hood’s thieves to avoid the wrath of the evil Thief Taker Lord Gisbourne, Scarlet has kept her identity secret from all of Nottinghamshire. Only the Hood and his band know the truth: the agile thief posing as a whip of a boy is actually a fearless young woman with a secret past. Helping the people of Nottingham outwit the corrupt Sheriff of Nottingham could cost Scarlet her life as Gisbourne closes in.

It’s only her fierce loyalty to Robin—whose quick smiles and sharp temper have the rare power to unsettle her—that keeps Scarlet going and makes this fight worth dying for. – Goodreads

Review:
My immediate reaction after finishing A.C. Gaughen’s Scarlet was, “Yes, please, MORE!!!” I’ve been in such a weird reading mood as of late that it was a breath of fresh air to have a book hit all the right spots with its awesome.

Although I am (somewhat) familiar with the legend of Robin Hood and his gang, it was very easy to get wrapped up in A.C. Gaughen’s retelling. It had the usual familiar faces and nods, but it also managed to stand on its own with its twists and surprises.

Scarlet herself is quite the mystery. Disguised as a boy, Will Scarlet, it quickly becomes clear that she’s on the run from her past. The situation grows even more complicated when Guy of Gisbourne arrives on the scene. Things go from bad to worse for Scarlet and the gang, but it was definitely an exciting adventure to go on with them.

Scarlet is a no nonsense type of character and it was SO easy to grow attached to her. She’s rough around the edges, more than a little brash, and has quite the temper, but she also has a good heart. A.C. Gaughen did a great job revealing all of her layers as the story progressed. It would be impossible not to admire Scarlet’s physical strength — she’s definitely kick-ass — but it’s equally easy to respect her for her emotional strength as well; Scarlet has endured a lot and has managed to come out a better person from it.

A.C. Gaughen tackles her character development well and that continues on with the romance, too. It’s the best kind of progression here — the slow kind — and you will be left aching due to the chemistry between Robin and Scar. So, so good!

In conclusion, you should pick up this book. A.C. Gaughen breathes new life into the legend of Robin Hood and, if you’re anything like me, you will be praying to the book gods that their adventures will be expanded into a new and exciting book series.


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Book Review: Fateful by Claudia Gray

September 29, 2011 by 9 Comments

Fateful by Claudia Gray
Release Date: September 13, 2011
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 328
Source: Purchased copy
Rating: ★★★☆☆ 
Buy It: Amazon | Book Depository

Eighteen-year-old maid Tess Davies is determined to escape the wealthy, troubled family she serves. It’s 1912, and Tess has been trapped in the employ of the Lisles for years, amid painful memories and twisted secrets. But now the Lisle family is headed to America, with Tess in tow. Once the ship they’re sailing on—the RMS Titanic—reaches its destination, Tess plans to strike out and create a new life for herself.

Her single-minded focus shatters when she meets Alec, a handsome first-class passenger who captivates her instantly. But Alec has secrets of his own. He’s in a hurry to leave Europe, and whispers aboard the ship say it’s because of the tragic end of his last affair with the French actress who died so gruesomely and so mysteriously. . . .

Soon Tess will learn just how dark Alec’s past truly is. The danger they face is no ordinary enemy: werewolves exist and are stalking him—and now her, too. Her growing love for Alec will put Tess in mortal peril, and fate will do the same before their journey on the Titanic is over.

In Fateful, New York Times bestselling author Claudia Gray delivers paranormal adventure, dark suspense, and alluring romance set against the opulent backdrop of the Titanic’s first—and last—voyage. – Amazon

Review:
Thanks to an annoying werewolf in another series I’m not too big on these particular beasts, but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to read this book. Werewolves on the Titanic? Yes, sign me up! As crazy as the initial idea sounds, I thought Claudia Gray executed the storyline very well.

Gray gets things going very quickly during the introduction to the narrator, Tess. She’s running an errand for her employers before they embark on their journey on the Titanic when she runs into a bit of trouble: a wolf. She’s saved from a vicious attack by a young man, but ultimately pulled into the supernatural world as it follows her onto the ship.

Though Tess did have a few facepalm-worthy moments, I found her to be a well-rounded character with a good head on her shoulders. She’s loyal to those that deserve it, intelligent, and brave. She’s terrified at times, but who wouldn’t be when coming face to face with a werewolf? Despite her fear, she still demonstrated so much courage and I felt compelled to root for her. Her romance with Alec was sweet and, thought did move fairly quickly, their scenes together were some of my favorites.

I enjoyed how Gray incorporated the Titanic into her novel. Before I read the book, I thought it was very ambitious and tricky to try to weave this real historic event with supernatural lore without coming across as hokey. However, I found that Fateful had just the right amount of both. There were moments when I was so swept up in the werewolf aspects that I forgot the Titanic was the backdrop to the story until a few tidbits popped up every so often. Similarly, Gray offered some interesting information on the ship throughout the novel, but she never let it consume her story… until the big ending, of course, which had my heart racing to find out who would make it off the sinking ship safely.

Overall, this was a solid read, but I found myself able to quickly move on after I was done. Neither the story nor characters lingered in my mind, so it wasn’t one of those “I LOVE THIS!!!!” reads. Still, I do recommend giving it a try because Claudia Gray had some great elements in her book.

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Book Review: Torrent by Lisa T. Bergren

September 1, 2011 by 5 Comments

Torrent by Lisa T. Bergren
Release Date: September 1, 2011
Publisher: David C. Cook
Pages: 388
Source: ARC from publicist
Rating: ★★★★★ 
Buy It: Amazon | Book Depository

Gabi and Lia Betarrini have learned to control their time travel, and they return from medieval Italy to save their father from his tragic death in modern times. But love calls across the centuries, and the girls are determined to return forever—even though they know the Black Plague is advancing across Europe, claiming the lives of one-third of the population. In the suspenseful conclusion of the River of Time series, every decision is about life … and death. – Goodreads

Review:
NOTE: In an attempt to keep this as spoiler-free as possible, this review will probably be short and in no way do the book justice. PICK UP THIS SERIES!!!

Torrent is out today so there’s no better time than now to dive into the River of Time! It’s truly amazing how Lisa Bergren can write books packed with so much adventure and intensity while, at the same time, presenting us with so much emotion and heart. This book had my heart racing, swooning, and crying, and Lisa seamlessly takes us from one point to the next.

Lisa really knows how to write incredible journeys for her characters and, as she wraps up Gabi’s story with this installment, I leave completely satisfied with how Gabi evolved throughout the course of the series. While I still loved Marcello and his relationship with her, I know I’m not alone in saying that there was another character who managed to overshadow him in some ways in this one. He brought an interesting twist to the dynamic and I loved the inner conflict that Gabi experienced because of him. Plus, that chemistry? WOWZA. Out of control! That said, while I enjoyed the situations that arose because of him, I loved that they only further cemented Gabi’s love for Marcello. Lisa perfectly displayed the moments of doubt and insecurity that we all experience and had Gabi learn from them.

Maybe I was just super needy and wasn’t ready for the book to end, but I felt it all ended a bit too abruptly. One minute I was right in the action with the characters and the next…it was over. Don’t get me wrong, the final moments were lovely, and I very much enjoyed the events that transpired earlier on, but I thought there would be more closure. Instead I was left going, “Wait, what happens next?!” In a way I do like that it was open ended, as it would allow Lisa to revisit these characters and fill us in on the details, but since this is the last book for now, I do think there should have been more resolution.

Overall, I don’t think fans of the series will be disappointed with Torrent. It has all the action, excitement, romance, and heart that the first two books had and it still left me wanting more. I really hope it won’t be too long before Lisa allows us another visit with these characters!

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