[REVIEW] Assassin's Apprentice By S R Vaught and J B Redmond

Published: January 2010
Publisher: Random House
Age Group: Young Adult - Fantasy
Series: Oathbreakers #1

In Eyrie - a world of two moons, shapeshifters, and powerful magic - Aron of Brailing knows he owes loyalty to his guild, obedience to the code of the land, and his life to his closest companions, but it is his own family he holds closest to his heart. Kidnapped and forced to become an assassin, Aron must learn to control and harness his own fearsome talents even as he grieves for the family he knows is lost forever. But when he is tempted to put everything aside everything he has learned in order to avenge his family's killers, will Aron make unforgivable mistakes? Assassin's Apprentice unveils an intriguing cast of characters whose sense of honour, strength, and history binds them together, and whose incredible talents of mind and body set them apart. (From Goodreads)

This is the first book in a two part series.

The story revolves around three characters whos adventures end up becoming interwined together. The world of Eyrie is made up of different areas controlled by different rulers. The inhabitants of Eyrie are those that have magic powers or shapeshifters or those that have neither, deemed as silent. First, we are introduced to Aron Brailing, a boy from a farmer's family living on the outskirts of Dyn Brailing. Dyn Brailing is one of different areas controlled by rulers. Every few years, there is a Harvest. The Harvest is when members from the two guids, Stone and Thorn. Stone is the guild where they train assassins and Thorn the place where they train scholars and healers. The guilds harvest children that have some indication of fae blood in them, essentially those that magic powers in them. Aron is one of the children and is kidnapped from his family taken as a Harvest Prize. While being kidnapped by the Stone Guild, Aron meets another child. Her name is Dari and unbenowest to all, she belongs to a group of people that are shapeshifters thought to be extinct in the last great war. When she accidentally reveals herself to save Aron and a Stone Guild member, Stormbreaker (who actually is nicer then one would think an assassin would be) the three swear an oath to keep the secret. Dari also reveals that she is looking for her twin sister, who ran away from their home and is mentally ill and could become a powerful weapon in the impending war. The third character in this book is named Nic Mab. He is the last heir to the throne of Mab since all of his previous brothers, sisters and father have died before him. After his sister's death, Nic rises as the heir but is soon betrayed by those close to him and pushed off a tower. There he is found by a Stone assassin who treats him, knowing of his orgins. Along the way, Aron and Nic share short conversations with one another, having no idea who the other is or where they are, through the use of their magic. Later on, it is also revealed that as the war draws closer, Lord Brailing started to turn on his own people and Aron`s family is one of those that were killed. Now Aron has no choice but to become an assassin and have the chance to avenge his family when he is strong enough but when the oppurtunity arises, will Aron avenge his family even though he would be commiting an unforgivable mistake in the process?

Assassin's Apprentice follows Aron Brailing more then any of the other characters. 
The book is often told in different perspectives by one of the three characters. 

This story was surprisingly quite interesting. 
At the beginning, the many names and often terms made me confused but the more you read, the easier it becomes at understanding them. 

This book definitely showed that for every action there is more then one perspective. Reading different narratives really shows the feelings of one character that another would not know at all. The character development was very well in this book. Each character has their own distinct personality that is created over the entire book. You start to understand who is the sympathetic person or who is the person that would often scowl or laugh. 

The plot in this series is also pretty solid. It is unclear though which is the main plot which leads me to conclude that there are two, Aron's goal to avenge his family and Dari's, to find her sister. 

This book completely drew me in and i couldn't stop until i had finished the entire book. The beginning is sort of slow because they introduce each character and you're just getting used to each of them but later on in the book when there is a better understaind of each character, the story and the action and adventure in this book become much more exciting to read and to follow.

If you're a fan of adventure, fantasy and action, you should definitely try this book!

5/5!
(originally posted in the TPL Word Out program)

[REVIEW] Incarceron by Catherine Fisher

Published: 2007
Publisher: Hodder Children's Books
Age Group: Young Adult - Dystopia
Series: Incarceron #1

Incarceron -- a futuristic prison, sealed from view, where the descendants of the original prisoners live in a dark world torn by rivalry and savagery. It is a terrifying mix of high technology -- a living building which pervades the novel as an ever-watchful, ever-vengeful character, and a typical medieval torture chamber -- chains, great halls, dungeons. A young prisoner, Finn, has haunting visions of an earlier life, and cannot believe he was born here and has always been here. In the outer world, Claudia, daughter of the Warden of Incarceron, is trapped in her own form of prison -- a futuristic world constructed beautifully to look like a past era, an imminent marriage she dreads. She knows nothing of Incarceron, except that it exists. But there comes a moment when Finn, inside Incarceron, and Claudia, outside, simultaneously find a device -- a crystal key, through which they can talk to each other. And so the plan for Finn's escape is born ... (From Goodreads)

"A prison like no other. It gives life. It deals death. It watches all."

Incarceron is a book about a prison named Incarceron, that was created to house all the criminals in the world and see if they can create a perfect society when given the materials. The experiment turns out completely wrong and the prison comes to life. 

There are two main characters, a boy named Finn who is apparently born from the prison itself but has reoccuring visions of life "outside", because of that people call him the starseer. He has an eagle shaped mark on his wrist. The other main character is a girl called Caludia who is the Warden of Incarceron's daughter, and lives on the outside. Claudia is currently engaged to the current prince but finds out that the first prince, her first betrothed that was declared dead in an accident, is actually hidden in Incarceron due to a conspiracy planned by the queen, who is the first prince's step mother, and the Warden himself. On the other hand Finn found a crystal key with the same eagle shaped mark that he has and had a vision from Sapphique, the only prisoner to escape Incarceron, showing him the way to escape Incarceron using the key. Thus Finn and his oathbrother, a slave girl that he saved and a Sapient (think very wise, all knowing men) embark on an adventure to escape Incarceron. Claudia too finds a key and it is revealed that the two keys act as a sort of communicating device. When Claudia sees Finn, the bearer of the other key, she immediately believes that he is the lost prince. So starts the adventure of two people, one trying to escape from Incarceron and the other attempting to find Incarceron and save the lost prince.

Catherine Fisher is very ingenius. The imagination it would have took to come up with this story is outstanding. This book is completely fantasy and adventure. There's action in every page and you can feel both character's determination to either escape or save. Sadly, there isn't much character development although through their actions, it is clear that Claudia is a very stubbern and determined girl and Finn to is a determine boy believing that their is a way outside. 

What I found intesting was that at the beginning of most chapters, there would be an excerpt, either a sniplet from the "legends of Sapphique" or from a private letter from the Queen to the Warden. These excerpts explain some of the questions that arise and also helps in foreshadowing what is going to happen next. This book is completely different from the ones i usually read but i really liked it. 

Fisher's writing is very powerful and i remember when i was half way through the book, it got so exciting that i even got scared to continue reading because i dind't want to know what would happen to them in the story, in the end i did of course and i must say the ending is a complete shocker.  So be prepared if you're going to read this book and i definitely recommend this to all fantasy and adventure readers (of course) or those that just want to read a good book this summer.
Enjoy!

5/5!
(originally posted in the TPL Word Out program)
BUY

[REVIEW] The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa

Published: January 2011
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Age Group: Young Adult
Series: The Iron Fey #3

My name is Meghan Chase.

I thought it was over. That my time with the fey, the impossible choices I had to make, the sacrifices of those I loved, was behind me. But a storm is approaching, an army of Iron fey that will drag me back, kicking and screaming. Drag me away from the banished prince who's sworn to stand by my side. Drag me into the core of conflict so powerful, I'm not sure anyone can survive it.

This time, there will be no turning back. (From Goodreads)

The Iron Queen is the third book in the iron fey series.

The Iron Queen takes off where the Iron Daugher stopped. Meghan and Ash, after being exiled, are trying to find a place to stay. In the end, they go back to Leanansidhe, the Queen of Exiles that they had met in the previous book, seeking a place to stay there. At the quaint cottage, Leanansidhe lends them, Meghan trains with Ash and Puck in battle skills and soon learn from the two court envoys that the Seelie and Unseelie court have called a truce and have gone to war against the iron fey. The envoys notify Meghan that they will release the exile status of Meghan, Ash and Puck (who was exiled when he decided to follow Meghan) if she would journey into the Iron Kingdom and kill the false king. (NOTE: the "false" king is the fey that replaced the previous king but is not the actual heir to the throne) So, Meghan travels in to the Iron kingdom with Ash and Puck and journeys to kill the false king. Along the way, they face many troubles including acid rain and iron fey rebellion that refuses to let them pass. All of their troubles soon come to an end when the great war between iron and non-iron fey begins.

The Iron Queen was probably as exciting as the second book. 

To me though, it's sort of the ending of Meghan's tale and the start of Ash's as the next book in the series (titled, the Iron Knight) has Ash as the narrator, not Meghan. 
The plot is once again Meghan battling iron fey to save someone, this time the whole land of Nevernever (the fey world). 

The plot twist that Julie Kagawa put in to this series though was really surprising. There was foreshadow before this book but i didn't really give it a thought. When it suddenly happened though, i was really shocked and also sad because the twist made it so that Ash and Meghan couldn't be together! But i know, Ash will find a way back to Meghan. He has too...otherwise there won't be a happy ending! (as you can tell, I'm clearly on Team Ash) I believe in happy endings but i guess I'll just have to keep reading to find out. 

Give this book a try! i know i wasn't dissapointed when i decided to continue this series.

5/5!
(originally posted in the TPL Word Out program)

[REVIEW] Born at Midnight by C.C. Hunter

Published: March 2011
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Age Group: Young Adult
Series: Shadow Falls #1

Don’t miss this spectacular new series that will steal your heart and haunt your dreams, Welcome to Shadow Falls camp, nestled deep in the woods of a town called Fallen…

One night Kylie Galen finds herself at the wrong party, with the wrong people, and it changes her life forever. Her mother ships her off to Shadow Falls—a camp for troubled teens, and within hours of arriving, it becomes painfully clear that her fellow campers aren’t just “troubled.” Here at Shadow Falls, vampires, werewolves, shapshifters, witches and fairies train side by side—learning to harness their powers, control their magic and live in the normal world.

Kylie’s never felt normal, but surely she doesn’t belong here with a bunch of paranormal freaks either. Or does she? They insist Kylie is one of them, and that she was brought here for a reason. As if life wasn’t complicated enough, enter Derek and Lucas. Derek’s a half-fae who’s determined to be her boyfriend, and Lucas is a smokin’ hot werewolf with whom Kylie shares a secret past. Both Derek and Lucas couldn’t be more different, but they both have a powerful hold on her heart.

Even though Kylie feels deeply uncertain about everything, one thing is becoming painfully clear—Shadow Falls is exactly where she belongs…(From Goodreads)

Born at Midnight is about a 16-year old girl named Kylie who's life has gone completely down hill. Her parents are getting a divorce, her boyfriend broke up with her because she wouldn't have sex with him and the only person that she truly cares about, her grandmother, dies. Just when things couldn't get any worse, Kylie "finds herself at the wrong party, with the wrong people." The police take everyone at the party and accuse them of using drugs and drinking as minors. Her mother, convinced that there is something wrong with her, ships her off to Shadow Falls, a place for troubled teens. What she finds there isn't just troubled teens but the fact that vampires, werewolves, fairies and all other mythical things exsist, and the camp is where they all go when they have problems they need to solve, quests as they call it in the book. At the camp, Kylie ends up being torn between two guys, Lucus, who is a werewolf and used to be Kylie's neighbour and Derek, who is a half-fae, and is trying his hardest to win Kylie's affections. Kylie's life is just going to get a whole lot busier. Because now she has two boys to deal with and how do you think about boys when she doesn't even know what supernatural she is? (don't worry, she figures out in the book but you'll have to read it to find out!)

Born at Midnight was practically a book about girl issues.

There was little reference to actual supernatural abilities. I guess what I'm trying to say is that this isn't your typical werewolf or vampire book. There isn't any viscious attacking werewolves or blood sucking vampires (well they suck blood but it's pretty mild in the book.) or secret plots. 

The whole big plot about this book is that there is someone who is stealing animals from a wildlife refuge and that all the animals are very angry. Big Whoop! That's not really exciting at all and considering that plot was revealed within the last 100 pages of the book does not help it at all considering that the book is about 400 pages. 

I guess the whole point of this series is really revolved around Kylie's relationship issues and figuering out what supernatural she is and how to use her gifts.

Basically, this book is a nice simple read but it lacks the action and deep plot I usually find in other books about supernaturals. 

Give it a try if you like reading books that are more focused on teen issues but don't be too dissapointed if it isn't what you expected. It's still a good read

3/5
(originally posted in the TPL Word Out program)
BORROW

[REVIEW] The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa

Published: August 2010
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Agee Group: Young Adult
Series: The Iron Fey #2

Half Summer faery princess, half human, Meghan has never fit in anywhere. Deserted by the Winter prince she thought loved her, she is prisoner to the Winter faery queen. As war looms between Summer and Winter, Meghan knows that the real danger comes from the Iron fey—ironbound faeries that only she and her absent prince have seen. But no one believes her.

Worse, Meghan's own fey powers have been cut off. She's stuck in Faery with only her wits for help. Trusting anyone would be foolish. Trusting a seeming traitor could be deadly. But even as she grows a backbone of iron, Meghan can't help but hear the whispers of longing in her all-too-human heart. (From Goodreads)

The Iron Daughter is the second book in the Iron Fey series.

The Iron Daughter starts off where Iron King ended, Meghan, the half-daughter of the Seelie court King Oberon, is stuck in the Unseelie court, prisoner to the Winter Queen Mab. There she meets the other prince's of Winter, Rowan and Sage. Ash, the youngest prince of Winter, had developed romantice feelings with Meghan but upon returning to his court, he became more distant and cold, practically avoiding her. So when the scepter of seasons is stolen and the oldest Winter price killed in battle, Queen Mab is furious and refuses to listen to Meghan and her constant pleas that the Iron Fey were the ones involved. Mab freezes Meghan but Ash rescuses her and the two escape. Along the way, Meghan's best friend and summer fairy Puck joins them and together, the three once again embark on a journey to bring back the scepter of seasons. But nothings ever as easy as it seems. Along the way, they'll meet new friends and new foes and Meghan may have to battle her toughest opponent yet.

The more I read in to the Iron Fey series, the more I'm starting to really enjoy it. 

I'm not a big fan of the Shakespearean fairy crossover tales. In fact, I find that adding Shakespeare to the storyline takes away from the fairy aspect of it so I really enjoy this story that focuses on the feys. 

The plot still remains relatively the same as the first novel, The Iron King. Meghan has to battle the iron fey in order to save someone, in this case, to restore the balance between Winter and Summer and to potentially avoid a war between the two courts. 

The romantic relationship between Meghan and Ash is taken to a new level as well. The only problem I had with their relationship was (spolier alert) that when Ash decided to become an exile for Meghan, I was happy BUT I didn't understand why all of a sudden he decided that. Throughout the entire story, he contemplates the moral of disobeying his court and I don't remember ever getting the feeling that he was going to but I guess love always prevails. That's what makes it a happy ending. 

The Iron Daughter was quite a page turner. It starts slow but then picks up and then pretty soon you won't be able to put it down. That's what happened to me and I'm so happy I had the sequel to this, The Iron Queen, with me too so I didn't have to wait in between. 

Definitely read this if you're in to books about fairies or even if you're looking for a good book about adventure. I guarentee that there are no other books that talk about iron fey (or at least no other books that i have found!)

5/5!

(originally posted in the TPL Word Out program)

[REVIEW] Folly by Marthe Jocelyn

Published: May 2010
Publisher: Wendy Lamb Books
Age Group: Young Adult - Historical

Three fates intertwine in this moving and passionate love story set in Victorian London.


Mary Finn: country girl, maid to a lord in London

Caden Tucker: liar, scoundrel, and heart's delight

James Nelligan: age six, tossed into a herd of boys
When Mary Finn falls into the arms of handsome Caden Tucker, their frolic changes the course of her life. What possesses her? She's been...Three fates interwine in this moving and passionate love story set in Victorian London.

Mary Finn: country girl, maid to a lord in London

Caden Tucker: liar, scoundrel, and heart's delight

James Nelligan: age six, tossed into a herd of boys

When Mary Finn falls into the arms of handsome Caden Tucker, their frolic changes the course of her life.  What possesses her? She's been a girl of common sense until now. Mary's tale of alternates with that of young James Nelligan, a new boy in an enormous foundling home.

In Folly, Marthe Jocelyn's breathtaking command of language, detail, and character brings Victorian London to life on every page, while the deep emotions that illuminate this fascinating novel about life-changing moments are as current as today's news. (From Goodreads)

Folly is an amazing book and the author mangaes to squeeze in countles emotions in to less then 300 pages. 

Folly is written in two perspectives, one in 15-year old Mary's perspective and the other in a young child named James. Mary is sort of like your typical cinderella. Her mother dies and her stepmother decides to send her away from the family and become a maid in London. James on the other hand is a child that was abandoned by birth. Living through the foster care, his foster parents must send him back to the foster care centre when he turns six. The years that both these perspectives take place are about 8-10 years apart. Mary's narrations are from around 1876-1878 and James is from 1884. 

Throughout the whole story, both characters fall in to a sort of trap. Mary conflicts with the other maid in the house, Eliza, and starts to fall in love with a man ultimately committing the greatest sin possible. James flees the foster centre and is left homeless on the streets. Both characters truly grab you and it's hard not to feel sympathetic or share the saddness that they are experiencing. 

The ending of the story also has a sudden twist that is quite rewarding. In my opinion, it answered alot of questions that iIthought of and couldn't find an answer too. 

The title of this book is also quite ingenious. Folly essentially means being foolish and throughout the book, the word folly tends to appear quite often. When I read this book, I really felt that the majority of the writing was focused on the character's emotions. Often there would be alot of descriptive paragraphs to aid in the understanding of a character's feelings.

The settings are nicely explained. And the character's actions are also described very in depth. 

Personally, I found folly to be a very heartbreaking story but that really depends on how emotional you are. 

I would definitely recommand this to those who enjoy reading emotional stories or just those that would like to understand how the people in the lower classes survived back in the late 1800's.

5/5!
(originally posted in the TPL Word Out program)

[REVIEW] City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

Published:  April 2011
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Age Group: Young Adult
Series: The Mortal Instruments #4

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.

Love. Blood. Betrayal. Revenge. The stakes are higher than ever in City of Fallen Angels (From Goodreads)

City of Fallen Angels is the fourth book in the mortal instruments series. 

My first reaction when i finished this book was "OH (insert word for shock or surprise or something you probably wouldn't say in a regular conversation)." After that i realized i had to wait practically a year for the next book.

In this book, Jace becomes possessed by a demon, and not just any demon but the mother of all demons, Lilith, who wants to ressurect his brother, Sebastian (or Jonathan). Simon is approached by Camille, the past vampire leader of the Manhatten clan and Simon also truly realizes what the Mark of Cain does to those that mean harm to him. Maia meets his ex-boyfriend and certain events are cleared up. Clary and Jace meanwhile, attempt to deal with this possession. Well more like for the first half of the book, Jace avoids Clary and no one really knows why, not until Jace tells Clary about his haunting dream does she suggest someone influencing him. Jocelyn and Luke are busy preparing their wedding. And lastly, former Circle members are being killed as well as babies that seem to be experiments in hopes of creating another demon-angel blooded child similar to Sebastian/Jonathan. Well that's basically the jist of what happens in the book. 

In this book, I feel Cassandra Clare had less descriptions of the settings. It was mainly the characters themselves who were explained with much depth, mainly their clothes, emotions, and actions. 

Cassandra Clare never stops surprising her readers and she also makes every fact fit together so nicely. You could be reading about something and then 100 pages later, it's revealed what the fact means and then a sudden epiphony moment where you start to realize that that really makes sense and that Cassandra Clare is a genius in weaving all these foreshadows and hidden facts as well as balancing all the relationship drama that always happens in the Mortal instruments series.

Maybe that's just my feeling but i really enjoy reading this series and if you haven't read this book or the series, go and read it now. it's an excellent summer read and pretty soon you'll be waiting impatiently for the fifth book to come out like me!

4/5
(originally posted in the TPL Word Out program)