[REVIEW] Crimson Crown by Cinda Williams Chima

Published: October 2012
Publisher: Hyperion
Age: Young Adult
Series: Seven Realms #4 [end]

The Crimson Crown summary on Goodreads
The crimson crown is the final book in the seven realms series.  Needless to say, Chima concludes her series marvelously.  She fills in any loose ends and makes sure the readers have a clear understanding of what has happened in the past and present.

Throughout the book, Han Allister flirts with danger (and Raisa but what else is new!) and really starts to develop into that king-like figure. Of course as I said before, Han and Raisa are meant to be together. This series has a way of repeating history, in a predictable manner may I add and usually I hate predictable books but in this case I wanted to keep reading to see if what I predicted was
coming true. If it really was going to be history repeating itself (only this time it's happy endings).

It's interesting that of all the wonderful parts of this series that comprise it, I was most excited and interested in all the betrayals and lies.  I mean the whole premise of the legend is built on a huge lie! So yes, I guess lies and betrayals are quite important in this book and series overall. I was completely surprised at the harshness of the Clan people at the end of the book. I won't spoil anything but basically when I first started reading the Seven Realms series, I was very for the Clans and their philosophy but as Raisa took the throne (in the previous book I believe), I started to stop caring the Clans and focus more on those associated with the Grey Wolfe Throne and the upper class. Maybe it's that reason that I find the sudden change in the Clans to be so shocking. The end of the series was also a surprise. I didn't see it coming and it definitely explained other parts that were happening in the book.

What was a bit lacking for me though was that there were quite a few side journeys that didn't prove to be of any significance to the story at all.    Out of all four books, this one seemed the most disjointed in its story line, journeys and side plots.I applaud the author in filling in any loose ends but there are just so many new ideas, adventures and plots that are introduced in this book that I find it very disconnected overall.  As if there were two stories running parallel: Han's adventure and Raisa's struggles back at the castle and then they somehow connect at the end. Can't say that it was bad just felt like I was reading two different stories that ended up joining together in the end.

Some characters that I feel completely stole the limelight in this story are:

• Dancer. WHERE DID HE COME FROM??? I mean he's always been a major side character in this story but seriously, when has he been of major importance to the plot? Not really. In the final novel though, whoa. Dancer should have a book all to his own. Firstly, he somehow becomes integral to the whole wizard conflict and than bam, just when I thought it was back to Han and Raisa, no, it's Dancer again and his special powers that happened to appear in the most opportune moments. Hmm, seems suspicious to me.  I mean he was the quite, soft spoken character in this book who supported Han from the side. I'm still trying to digest the fact that without him, the story probably wouldn't have had a happy ending. That's how important his part was.
• Crow. This wasn't as big of a surprise as Dancer, probably because I really liked Crow and he had a pretty integral part in the third book, but Crow too was a major part of this novel. There are a lot of events that couldn't have happened without him and honestly I'm just glad he had a bigger part that not only showed his normal Crow self but also his caring side.
• Micah. Micah was also central to this story. I mean he was central to this entire series in general but he really took control in this book, becoming more than a puppet for his family.

The Seven Realms series is truly a masterpiece. It's been a long time since I've read the final book in the series and quite enjoyed it. I missed that feeling.  Knowing Cinda Wlliams Chima, I'll probably be reading another amazing fantasy series from her soon.

If you haven't checked it out, read the Demon King, the first in the Seven Realms series. [review here] This is definitely a series that you don't want to be missing out in.

BUY



[RANT] There's ANOTHER one????

Today I was surfing the web and looking at books online when I came upon this shocking coming soon release.  It was Thirst Vol 5 by Christopher Pike, My intial response was to scream in frustration and think "There's ANOTHER one?" Yeah, I guess so.  So apparently when I thought it ended 2 books ago it didn't and I reluctantly read the fourth novel thinking that was it, no more. Well now the fifth novel seems to be the finale.  How much is enough. I don't know but oh well. I'll read it and let you know what I think. The scheduled release date is March 5, 2013.

Thirst No. 5 The Sacred Veil by Christopher Pike

[NEW RELEASES] November 20, 2012

Well this is silly but I just realized that there is currently no book that I'm interested in until January 2013.  Which means this segment won't start up (fully) until next year! Sorry about that. If I do stumble upon a new book release that I'm excited about, I'll definitely post it.
Stay tuned!

[RANT] Sorry! (Again), New Post series, and Blog Renovating

I just realized that I haven't done a blog post in over a month! I whole heartedly blame university for that. Anyway, I wanted to apologize (again) and say that winter break is starting soon so expect a slew of book reviews for then.  How's that for getting into the holiday spirit?

Another note, I've decided to start a new posting series on my blog. It'll be about new releases that I'm personally excited for.  Book releases are typically on Tuesday so I'll be posting every week on Tuesday on what books are releasing that week that I'm interested in reading. Until I come up with a better name, it's just going to be called [new releases].

Lastly, I feel that its time for a blog renovation.  I just thought I would give a heads up.  Expect something new soon!

[RANT] Crossfire #2 - Sylvia Day

As you know (or didn't know), Reflected in you, the second book in the crossfire series just realeased this week.  Obviously I finished it a couple of days after I got a opy and I can say it is absolutely amazing.

Anyway, I was surfing through youtube when I came upon this music video.  Reminds me of the relationship between Gideon and Eva

 

Remind Me feat. Carrie Underwood - Brad Paisley

[HAUL] The Casual Vacancy and The Raven Boys

Recently I picked up a couple of new releases.
 
1. Of course, as a Harry Potter fan, I had to pick up j.K. Rowling's new book: The Casual Vacancy.  It's her first adult novel and it's with a different publisher - hopefully that will do her good.

If you can't tell the book is about politics...or something like that. Honestly I had no idea about the plot of this until I actually picked up the book so don't feel guilty. 

"When Barry Fairbrother dies in his early forties, the town of Pagford is left in shock.
Pagford is, seemingly, an English idyll, with a cobbled market square and an ancient abbey, but what lies behind the pretty façade is a town at war.
Rich at war with poor, teenagers at war with their parents, wives at war with their husbands, teachers at war with their pupils...Pagford is not what it first seems.
And the empty seat left by Barry on the parish council soon becomes the catalyst for the biggest war the town has yet seen. Who will triumph in an election fraught with passion, duplicity and unexpected revelations?
The Casual Vacancy is J.K. Rowling’s first novel for adults." (From Goodreads)

I have high hopes for this book (as I do with every book that's by an author that I like!)

2.  The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater.  Maggie Stiefvater is one of my favourite authors ever since I read Shiver.  I was so excited to hear that she would be starting another series, after realizing that The Scorpio Races was not a series but rather a stand alone (clearly I was not pleased).

The cover is absolutely amazing, as are all of her books really.

"It is freezing in the churchyard, even before the dead arrive.

Every year, Blue Sargent stands next to her clairvoyant mother as the soon-to-be dead walk past. Blue herself never sees them—not until this year, when a boy emerges from the dark and speaks directly to her.

His name is Gansey, and Blue soon discovers that he is a rich student at Aglionby, the local private school. Blue has a policy of staying away from Aglionby boys. Known as Raven Boys, they can only mean trouble.

But Blue is drawn to Gansey, in a way she can’t entirely explain. He has it all—family money, good looks, devoted friends—but he’s looking for much more than that. He is on a quest that has encompassed three other Raven Boys: Adam, the scholarship student who resents all the privilege around him; Ronan, the fierce soul who ranges from anger to despair; and Noah, the taciturn watcher of the four, who notices many things but says very little.

For as long as she can remember, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love to die. She never thought this would be a problem. But now, as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she’s not so sure anymore." (From Goodreads)

I also have high hopes for this one.

I'll let you know what I think about these when I'm done!

[REVIEW] Grave Mercy by R.L. LaFevers

Published: April 2012
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Age Group: Young Adult
Series: His Fair Assassin #1

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? (From Goodreads)

Well this was a pleasent read, although I must admit that halfway through the story it became rather annoying that Ismae and Duval weren't together already. THEY'RE MEANT TO BE TOGETHER!!!

Anyway, the story itself is pleasent and different from my usual reads (ahem, dystopia lit).  Historical fiction for me can either be boring or interesting and this was definitely interesting.  The majority of the characters seem to have a connection to a royal family in England (or France) which was good. That`s the only historical part really in the story.  The rest are somewhat historical but could have taken place elsewhere.

The story was also well written.  LaFevers definitely knows how to keep her readers engaged and wanting to read more.  I was personally pleased when the females in this story were so powerful and LaFevers definitely makes this clear in her descriptions. The emotions are also conveyed well.  When Ismae sees Sybella at Brittany, I could feel the emotions between them.  Ismae is a very powerful character. I believe that many women at the time went through the same crisis that she did but the way she faced it is different from most.  Although perhaps not every girl during that time period had people watching over them it is still amazing how she overcomes it.  Ismae is a character who definitely takes the bad in life and makes it good, although her need for justice sometimes clouds her judgements, her journey for the truth and the morals of her cult (yes it is definitely a cult) is inspirational.

Duval for me was also a very well written character. You could tell instantly that he was devoted to his cause and that nothing could stop him.  His affections for Ismae (although it is blatently obvious that they were to be the main romance in this novel) weren`t as apparent but clearly there.  I did enjoy the awkward exchanges the two had while living at his house.  It was really weird knowing that Ismae was something like grim reaper and that she was living with someone who's so delegated to justice and morality (Duval).  Now that I think about it, they are both fighting for the same cause - their belief of justice. Maybe that's why they're attracted to each other because although they're opposities (opposities attract!)

I must say that the upcoming sequel does not follow the story of Isame and Duval but the story of Sybella.  That makes me angry and sad.  I think I came to love the realtionship between Duval and Ismae that I have to know what's going to happen to them (do I hear wedding bells in the future???)  I'll read the sequel because this was very good but I don't have high hopes for it. (Watch me be wrong.)

MEH (close to BUY)