December 30, 2013

Review: Darkness Becomes Her

Darkness Becomes Her (Gods & Monsters) by Kelly Keaton

Darkness_Becomes_Her

Genre: Paranormal Young Adult
Edition Reviewed: eBook
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
Goodreads: Darkness Becomes Her

A dark and lush paranormal romance set in a richly reimagined New Orleans—now in paperback!Ari can’t help feeling lost and alone. With teal eyes and freakish silver hair that can’t be changed or destroyed, Ari has always stood out. And after growing up in foster care, she longs for some understanding of where she came from and who she is.

Her search for answers uncovers a message from her long dead mother: Run. Ari can sense that someone, or something, is getting closer than they should. But it’s impossible to protect herself when she doesn’t know what she’s running from or why she is being pursued.

She knows only one thing: she must return to her birthplace of New 2, the lush rebuilt city of New Orleans. Upon arriving, she discovers that New 2 is very...different. Here, Ari is seemingly normal. But every creature she encounters, no matter how deadly or horrifying, is afraid of her.

Ari won’t stop until she knows why. But some truths are too haunting, too terrifying, to ever be revealed.


Review:

Kelly Gay (AKA Kelly Keaton) writes one of my favorite Urban Fantasy series out there right now. So it's no surprise that her writing and characters would be just as strong and powerful in her YA debut Darkness Becomes Her. The problem is for all that power, this is a setup novel. After turning the last page I can easily say it's not that big of a problem. My enjoyment of this title was truly joyful.

Another point that I have to make is that Darkness Becomes Her has an original idea behind it, come on Medusa and Greek mythology! It mixes a little bit of every paranormal YA book out there into one fun read. Which may be slightly disappointing if you love the 100% originality of Gray's Charlie Madigan. If anyone can make a hodgepodging of the genre work for them, Gray can.

What I love is that despite the synopsis saying Darkness Becomes Her is a “paranormal romance”, it really isn't. It's there, but the focus isn't zoomed in on it, nor does it make you want to vomit with its “power of love”. What the synopsis got right is that Darkness Becomes Her is “dark and lush”. A future where a New Orleans is destroyed by hurricanes and is rebuilt as New 2 (band name anyone?) is a fun idea. Just because it's a new New Orleans the city does not lose any of the magic of New Orleans. Nope, I'd say this is a new and improved Orleans. Any book focusing on the paranormal set in New Orleans has so many options and just the few creatures that readers meet are so cool!

At this point I'll wrap it up because I do not want to give anything away. If readers go in not quite knowing what to expect this book is so much fun!

Despite the few minor complaints, Gay is the boss! Her world building is amazing and she's got me snared. Ari Selkirk is the type of lead more YA titles need. She's independent, tough, can take care of herself, but she knows when she needs to get backup. It bothers me how often a kick butt female ends up being just another damsel in paranormal young adult. Ari connects emotionally with readers as an outcast looking for a place to belong, she's real and I love having her as one of my fictional gal pals.

Sexual Content: Kissing, making out, and some ballroom friskiness. Fairly clean.

 
4/5- Great! Really enjoyed it.


Previous book(s) in series:
Reviewed on BW: Amazon: Goodreads:
Darkness Becomes Her (1)
A Beautiful Evil (2)
The Wicked Within (3)

Darkness Becomes Her (1)A Beautiful Evil (2)
The Wicked Within (3)

Darkness Becomes Her (1)
A Beautiful Evil (2)
The Wicked Within (3)

December 27, 2013

Shera’s Top 10 Books of 2013

Usually I wait until the new year to do these, but I thought it would be kind of nice to it while 2013 is wrapping up. It would be exceedingly funny if I read a book in between that time frame that makes me want to put it on this list!

Now these are my, Shera’s, top 10 books of 2013. This list is based on books that I’ve read in 2013, so it’s not just made up of books released in 2013.  (Because this year I did abysmal at keeping up with 2013 releases. Oh, the shame.)

If you want to read my reviews for the books listed, then click on the titles. (If there is no links that means I have yet to review it. The shame. I know.)

***This top ten list is in no particular order and only one author can be picked per spot.***


Stormdancer (The Lotus War, book 1) by Jay Kristoff

Stormdancer

Grab it: Goodreads | Amazon

A DYING LAND
The Shima Imperium verges on the brink of environmental collapse; an island nation once rich in tradition and myth, now decimated by clockwork industrialization and the machine-worshipers of the Lotus Guild. The skies are red as blood, the land is choked with toxic pollution, and the great spirit animals that once roamed its wilds have departed forever.

AN IMPOSSIBLE QUEST
The hunters of Shima’s imperial court are charged by their Shōgun to capture a thunder tiger – a legendary creature, half-eagle, half-tiger. But any fool knows the beasts have been extinct for more than a century, and the price of failing the Shōgun is death.

A HIDDEN GIFT
Yukiko is a child of the Fox clan, possessed of a talent that if discovered, would see her executed by the Lotus Guild. Accompanying her father on the Shōgun’s hunt, she finds herself stranded: a young woman alone in Shima’s last wilderness, with only a furious, crippled thunder tiger for company. Even though she can hear his thoughts, even though she saved his life, all she knows for certain is he’d rather see her dead than help her.

But together, the pair will form an indomitable friendship, and rise to challenge the might of an empire.

Stormdancer is the second steampunk title I’ve read, and boy does it make up for the first disappointing read! This book is beyond a heady rush and I love the combination of Japanese mythology, fantasy, and steampunk. Sure there was the whole lack of what are the lotus flowers that this whole world is based on, but that’s just a minor void compared to this amazing world! (No really. Read my review so you can understand why I loved this one!

The Raven Boys (The Raven Cycle, book 1) by Maggie Stiefvater

The Raven Boys

Grab it: Goodreads | Amazon

“There are only two reasons a non-seer would see a spirit on St. Mark’s Eve,” Neeve said. “Either you’re his true love . . . or you killed him.”

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 Maggie Stiefvater, the bestselling and acclaimed author of the Shiver trilogy and The Scorpio Races, comes a spellbinding new series where the inevitability of death and the nature of love lead us to a place we’ve never been before.

Stiefvater is an author that I’ve been waiting for to mature. Her writing has always been beautiful and at times has blown me away. However, her storytelling always lacks something. Emotions. Bad passing. It’s so strange that this title is the one that Stiefvater has finally hooked me in.

This book could be considered dull with it’s slow meandering, but Stiefvater weaves an enchanting tale around the whole thing. This book is a like a dream. With Indian Jones treasure hunting (though not as cinematic or as action packed), beautiful emotions, mysteries of both the paranormal and love. Each character is an enigma that slowly get revealed and I felt so invested in each one.

Really this book is a lot of things rolled into one. It’s one of the single most unique titles out there on the market!

Pooka in My Pantry (Monster Haven, book 2) by R.L. Naquin

Pooka in My Pantry

Grab it: Goodreads | Amazon

Zoey Donovan—empath, wedding planner, go-to girl for monsters with personal problems—has been marked twice for pickup by Death. On both occasions, Riley the smoking-hot reaper has refused to follow through. For his breach of protocol, Riley is now on probation. For her refusal to die on schedule, Zoey's right to live is challenged. She will have to undergo a life-or-death trial, but she won't know when or where it will happen…

Staying alive might not be so difficult if the Leprechaun Mafia hadn't strolled into town. Now every business owner with the slightest connection to the supernatural community is being threatened with the most appalling bad luck if they don't pay up. Mirrors are smashed, bodies are dropping, and Zoey's still got clients waiting for fabric samples.

With a little luck, she might be able to save everyone and still have time for a second attempt at a decent first date with her favorite reaper.

If you haven’t read this series do. If Urban Fantasy is you’re thing, this is the series for you. What I love is that Zoey is a lead who might not be super kickass lady tough, but she’s strong. It’s nice to have a different kind of tough lady in UF. What I love even more is the humor. It kind of reminds me of the Jane True series, but keep in mind neither series have anything in common but their own brand of quirky humor.

Mine to Posses (Psy-Changeling, book 4) by Nalini Singh

MinetoPossess

Grab it: Goodreads | Amazon

Clay Bennett is a powerful DarkRiver sentinel, but he grew up in the slums with his human mother, never knowing his changeling father. As a young boy without the bonds of Pack, he tried to stifle his animal nature. He failed...and committed the most extreme act of violence, killing a man and losing his best friend, Talin, in the bloody aftermath. Everything good in him died the day he was told that she, too, was dead.

Talin McKade barely survived a childhood drenched in bloodshed and terror. Now a new nightmare is stalking her life--the street children she works to protect are disappearing and turning up dead. Determined to keep them safe, she unlocks the darkest secret in her heart and returns to ask the help of the strongest man she knows...

Clay lost Talin once. He will not let her go again, his hunger to possess her, a clawing need born of the leopard within. As they race to save the innocent, Clay and Talin must face the violent truths of their past...or lose everything that ever mattered.

To be honest more of these would have made it on to my top 10 list, but since I don’t do repeat titles I decided to go with the book that evoked the most feelings and still makes me think “this series is the shit!”

The Psy-Changeling series is everything amazing that you’ve heard fans tell you. No. Really. The cheesy covers and hearing about this title from a glance makes it seem like lame PNR gimmicky stuff. It’s not. Singh is a master world builder. It isn’t just about the romance, there’s war and revolution on the horizon for the world, new mysteries, political unrest, and more.

These books are the perfect mix of happily ever afters, darkness, humor, and romance. (Plus, these characters are smoking hot and they burn up the pages!)

Eye of the Tempest (Jane True, book 4) by Nicole Peeler

eyeofthetempest

Grab it: Goodreads | Amazon

Nothing says "home" like being attacked by humans with very large guns, as Jane and Anyan discover when they arrive in Rockabill. These are professionals, brought into kill, and they bring Anyan down before either Jane or the barghest can react. Seeing Anyan fall awakens a terrible power within Jane, and she nearly destroys herself taking out their attackers.

Jane wakes, weeks later, to discover that she's not the only thing that's been stirring. Something underneath Rockabill is coming to life: something ancient, something powerful, and something that just might destroy the world.

Jane and her friends must act, striking out on a quest that only Jane can finish. For whatever lurks beneath the Old Sow must be stopped...and Jane's just the halfling for the job.

As mentioned Peeler’s Jane True series is hilarious. The humor would be enough to keep me reading even if the rest of it sucked. But it doesn’t. The world is awesome, the conflict and mysteries fun each time, and I am in love with Jane True. Watching her grow up into this amazing person is really fun.

This is the book that shows readers Peeler’s grander plans.

The Eternity Cure (Blood of Eden, book 2) by Julie Kagawa

The Eternity Cure

Grab it: Goodreads | Amazon

Out here in the Fringes, there is only one rule: Blood calls to blood. She has done the unthinkable: died so she might continue to live. Now Allie, the reluctant teenage vampire who was cast out of Eden, and Zeke, the human boy who loves her, must attempt to save the world from a deadly new strain of plague. In order to do so, they must first hunt down the monster who holds the promise of the cure—and Allie’s beloved mentor—in his sadistic grip…. Joined by Allie’s blood brother, Jackal, this unlikely posse of companions will brave a landscape stalked by raiders, rabids, and rogue vampires. But even if they survive, they’re bound for the Inner city, and a vicious showdown that will test their bonds in ways they never expected. It may just be that becoming undead was the easy part. Confronting the horrors of Allie’s awakening hunger, her growing feelings for Zeke, and the uncertainties of their future is going to be the ultimate challenge.

The Immortal Rules made it onto my list last year, and this title was one of my most anticipated releases of 2013. Kagawa does not disappoint. There are not enough words to say how much I love this series! What needs to said beyond vampires and dystopian. More please!

Dying Bites (Bloodhound Files, book 1) by D.D. Barant

dyingbitesGrab it: Goodreads | Amazon

Her job description is the “tracking and apprehension of mentally-fractured killers.” What this really means in FBI profiler Jace Valchek’s brave new world—one in which only one percent of the population is human—is that a woman’s work is never done. And real is getting stranger every day…

Jace has been ripped from her reality by David Cassius, the vampire head of the NSA. He knows that she’s the best there in the business, and David needs her help in solving a series of gruesome murders of vampires and werewolves. David’s world—one that also includes lycanthropes and golems—is one with little knowledge of mental illness. An insane serial killer is a threat the NSA has no experience with. But Jace does. Stranded in a reality where Bela Lugosi is a bigger box office draw than Bruce Willis and every full moon is Mardi Gras, Jace must now hunt down a fellow human before he brings the entire planet to the brink of madness. Or she may never see her own world again…

After reading this first entry into the series it pains me that this series isn’t more popular. The world is amazing and this setup has some flaws, but they’re easy to get over and move on.

It mixes alternate realities and fantasy beautifully.

Falling Kingdoms (Falling Kingdoms, book 1) by Morgan Rhodes (AKA Michelle Rowen)

fallingkingdomsGrab it: Goodreads | Amazon

In a land where magic has been forgotten but peace has reigned for centuries, a deadly unrest is simmering. Three kingdoms grapple for power--brutally transforming their subjects' lives in the process. Amidst betrayals, bargains, and battles, four young people find their fates forever intertwined:

Cleo: A princess raised in luxury must embark on a rough and treacherous journey into enemy territory in search of a magic long thought extinct.

Jonas: Enraged at injustice, a rebel lashes out against the forces of oppression that have kept his country impoverished--and finds himself the leader of a people's revolution centuries in the making.

Lucia: A girl adopted at birth into a royal family discovers the truth about her past--and the supernatural legacy she is destined to wield.

Magnus: Bred for aggression and trained to conquer, a firstborn son begins to realize that the heart can be more lethal than the sword...

The only outcome that's certain is that kingdoms will fall. Who will emerge triumphant when all they know has collapsed?

"Falling Kingdoms will gut you emotionally. It will make you ache, cry, and beg for the sequel as you turn the last page. I absolutely loved it."--Julie Kagawa, New York Times bestselling author of The Iron Queen

"This triple-layered tale of bloodshed, heartbreak, and tangled court intrigue kept me turning pages very late into the night."--Lesley Livingston, award-winning author of Wondrous Strange

Young Adult fantasy titles always make me happy. Let us be honest. Most YA fantasy titles are about girls (or boys) finding there inners strength and falling in love by the end of the book or series. Epic fantasies are rare to find in YA. No really. I can only think of two series. (It could be three but the series was originally sold as an adult title and I’m sticking by that!)

When Throne of Glass came out claiming it was the Game of Thrones of YA, bitterness. Let’s be honest it took a cool assassin and turned her into a love struck damsel. While I enjoyed it, at this point I can’t take it seriously.

Now this one. Ah, this one is epic! More then one main character, one’s that we know are being pitched against each other. You love them and it hurts to see them suffer, especially when they cause another character grief. There’s grand wars and grander schemes. Check it out!

What Kills Me (What Kills Me, book 1) by Wynne Channing

What Kills MeGrab it: Goodreads | Amazon

The fight for survival begins.

An ancient prophecy warns of a girl destined to cause the extinction of the vampire race.

So when 17-year-old Axelia falls into a sacred well filled with blood and emerges a vampire, the immortal empire believes she is this legendary destroyer. Hunted by soldiers and mercenaries, Axelia and her reluctant ally, the vampire bladesmith Lucas, must battle to survive.

How will she convince the empire that she is just an innocent teenager-turned bloodsucker and not a creature of destruction? And if she cannot, can a vampire who is afraid of bugs summon the courage to fight a nation of immortals?

This one has its flaws, but it is tons of fun!! No really. I was staying up late into the night to finish it. It’s been so long since a YA vampire book made me do that. Thank you.

The Sweetest Dark (The Sweetest Dark, book 1) by Shana Abé

The Sweetest DarkGrab it: Goodreads | Amazon

For fans of Lauren Kate and Libba Bray, The Sweetest Dark is filled with thrilling romance, exciting adventure, and ancient magic. Shana Abé brilliantly captures the drama of post-Victorian England, while unfolding a passionate love story that defies time.

“With every fiber of my being, I yearned to be normal. To glide through my days at Iverson without incident. But I’d have to face the fact that my life was about to unfold in a very, very different way than I’d ever envisioned. Normal would become forever out of reach.”

Lora Jones has always known that she’s different. On the outside, she appears to be an ordinary sixteen-year-old girl. Yet Lora’s been keeping a heartful of secrets: She hears songs that no one else can hear, dreams vividly of smoke and flight, and lives with a mysterious voice inside her that insists she’s far more than what she seems.

England, 1915. Raised in an orphanage in a rough corner of London, Lora quickly learns to hide her unique abilities and avoid attention. Then, much to her surprise, she is selected as the new charity student at Iverson, an elite boarding school on England’s southern coast. Iverson’s eerie, gothic castle is like nothing Lora has ever seen. And the two boys she meets there will open her eyes and forever change her destiny.

Jesse is the school’s groundskeeper—a beautiful boy who recognizes Lora for who and what she truly is. Armand is a darkly handsome and arrogant aristocrat who harbors a few closely guarded secrets of his own. Both hold the answers to her past. One is the key to her future. And both will aim to win her heart. As danger descends upon Iverson, Lora must harness the powers she’s only just begun to understand, or else lose everything she dearly loves.

Filled with lush atmosphere, thrilling romance, and ancient magic, The Sweetest Dark brilliantly captures a rich historical era while unfolding an enchanting love story that defies time.

Been putting off Shana Abe’s work seems to be a thing for me. So when the YA title fell into my lap I decided enough was enough, my time had come to read an Abe title.

It was a haunting and wonderful experience. Just check out my review.


Well that’s it folks! Hope you’re all enjoying the Holidays, and the book!

December 19, 2013

Review: Tenjho Tenge Volume 1

Tenjho Tenge (Volume 1) by Oh! Great, 大暮 維人

tenjho tenge volume 1

Genre: Manga
Edition Reviewed: Paperback
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
Goodreads: Tenjho Tenge Volume 1

In a school dominated by ruthless martial art teams, one rogue club must fight the odds to stay alive!
At the toughest high school in Tokyo, only the strong survive.
In one unusual school, education takes a backseat to brawling, as warring clubs wreak havoc in the hallways and chaos in the classrooms, all in a bid to be the coolest club in school! Although they often contribute their fair share of chaos, only one group of students stems the tide of violence in this untames outpost: the Juken Club!


Review:

Boobs. Breasts. Tits. Yahoos. Whatever. There I've addressed the supersized lady parts found in this series. To be honest anytime I see an anime or manga with breasts of these proportions I can't take it seriously. They’re there to make me laugh and create a fun drinking game. (You know for every jiggle or "boing" take a shot. This gets you pretty drunk awfully fast with some series . . . ) It was one such drinking game that introduced me to Tenjho Tenge waaaaaaaaay back when. Funny thing was, I was actually interested in the storyline. Yet it's another anime that leaves you hanging. So years later I decided to finally check out the manga to get the full story.

Despite the horribly over large cleavage, the art is really decent. The action scenes play out well and they look great! Too many action manga are actually ruined by the art featured in the action scenes. My only compliant is that all the females tend to look the same, especially in this volume. They've all got mega huge bazookas, but their faces all look the same. I get two of the girls Aya and Maya are sisters, but Bob's girlfriend looks just like them! In fact when I suddenly saw this girl pop up all nude I thought why is Aya getting it on? Oh, and she cut her hair? Despite my irks about the overly done cut out girl looks, I like that the women in this manga can be just as tough as the men. Maya even kicks some serious booty!

Everyone gives me a hard time that I like the anime . . . because of the story. But there is a story! This first volume hints at the past of the school and the council as some punishment is dealt out on Bob and Nagi. Manga about fighting schools are kind of my guilty pleasure, but so few try to do much besides overly big bosomed girls and crazy fights. I enjoy that there's some back story yet to be revealed and that I find each character intriguing. Oh, and if you're a fan of the anime be warned. The anime doesn't play out the nudity, but the manga does. There's lots of violence, smut (which could have been more sexy if the hooters were more realistic, but I know it's not targeted towards me as the audience in mind), and some mysteries!

Sexual Content: Nudity, sex, violence!

 
4/5- Great! Really enjoyed it.


Previous book(s) in series:
Reviewed on BW: Amazon: Goodreads:
Volume 1
Volume 2
Volume 3
Volume 4
Volume 5
Volume 6
Volume 7
Volume 8
Volume 9
Volume 10
Volume 11
Volume 12
Volume 13
Volume 14
Volume 15
Volume 16
Volume 17
Volume 18
Volume 19
Volume 20
Volume 21
Volume 22

Volume 1
Volume 2
Volume 3
Volume 4
Volume 5
Volume 6
Volume 7
Volume 8
Volume 9
Volume 10
Volume 11
Volume 12
Volume 13
Volume 14
Volume 15
Volume 16
Volume 17
Volume 18
Volume 19
Volume 20
Volume 21
Volume 22
Volume 1
Volume 2
Volume 3
Volume 4
Volume 5
Volume 6
Volume 7
Volume 8
Volume 9
Volume 10
Volume 11
Volume 12
Volume 13
Volume 14
Volume 15
Volume 16
Volume 17
Volume 18
Volume 19
Volume 20
Volume 21
Volume 22

December 17, 2013

Review: Bride of the Water God Volume 3

Bride of the Water God (Volume 3) by Mi-Kyung Yun

brideofthewatergodvolume3

Genre: Manhwa Shoujo
Edition Reviewed: Paperback
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
Goodreads: Bride of the Water God Volume 3

Mi-Kyung Yun takes us on another journey to Habaek's kingdom, where the cursed Water God tries to hide his dark secrets from his new bride! Humor, drama, and a bit of horror combine, as human bride Soah tries to uncover the truth behind her strange husband's predicament and his previous wife's early, brutal demise. While Huye distracts her with flirtations and the dreadful goddess Murah becomes increasingly jealous, strong-willed Soah is determined to find out why her powerful, moody husband is cursed to live in the form of a little boy during the day, returning to his true, adult body at night. Soah's inner strength and determination saved her village from drought and famine in previous volumes - now she must pit her guts and guile against the unpredictable elemental gods in order to find happiness in the new world she's trapped in.


Review:

The story panel is getting much better, still rocky. In fact, chapter 19 suddenly cuts out in the middle with a whole new story and then cuts back in. It was completely frustrating! If there weren't parts that interested me this is probably a series I would normally drop. However, I want Bride of the Water God to work out soooooo much!

The art is getting more and more constant so that all that's present is lovely artwork. Plus, the plot is finally starting to make this manhwa stand out a bit more. A love square is briefly introduced, and I found it duller then dull.

Now as for Soah? Well she's really grown on me. Some of my friends stated that she's characterless. But I don't think that's true. She's very strong to deal with the issues that have painted her life and she's one tough cookie. She might not be a warrior woman, and yes she went as a sacrifice to the water god, but inner strength doesn't need to be action packed. In her beliefs she thought she was helping those people. Even if she had been sold for the job of bride.

Soah has really grown on me and I'm looking forward to seeing her achieve happiness in this series. The antics of the gods are amusing to watch and I'd like to see what happens with Habaek's (AKA the water god) mother and the Emperor. So I'm seeing it through to the next volume.

Sexual Content: Nothing of note.

 
2/5- Average/disappointing, library check-out


Previous book(s) in series:
Reviewed on BW: Amazon: Goodreads:
Volume 1
Volume 2
Volume 3
Volume 4
Volume 5
Volume 6
Volume 7
Volume 8
Volume 9
Volume 10
Volume 11
Volume 12
Volume 13
Volume 14
Volume 15 

Volume 1
Volume 2
Volume 3
Volume 4
Volume 5
Volume 6
Volume 7
Volume 8
Volume 9
Volume 10
Volume 11
Volume 12
Volume 13
Volume 14
Volume 15
Volume 1
Volume 2
Volume 3
Volume 4
Volume 5
Volume 6
Volume 7
Volume 8
Volume 9
Volume 10
Volume 11
Volume 12
Volume 13
Volume 14
Volume 15

December 16, 2013

Review: Bride of the Water God Volume 2

Bride of the Water God (Volume 2) by Mi-Kyung Yun

brideofthewatergodvolume2

Genre: Manhwa Shoujo
Edition Reviewed: Paperback
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
Goodreads: Bride of the Water God Volume 2

Habaek, the mysterious Water God, is cursed to live his days in the form of a little boy-while he turns back to his true adult self at night. His new human bride, Soah, thinks that she's been married to a child and has no idea that the attractive "Mui" is actually the adult Habaek. Surrounded by a cast of colorful elemental gods and their servants, Soah is tempted by flirtations from both "Mui" and the rascal Huye. When Tae-eul-jin-in spills Habaek's surprising secret, Soah audaciously plots to uncover the truth for herself. She has to be careful, though, so she doesn't anger the moody gods-including her powerful, new husband!


Review:

The story panel isn't as bad as the first volume, but it's still a bit hard to follow. The story itself is still stuck in the "gimmick" phase, where I feel like nothing truly original is coming out. Just stuff you could find in any other shoujo story.

Now this is the point where I'm assuming everyone has at least read the first volume! So the water god has two forms a child and a man. Yeah, that's not really my cup of tea. Especially since there's the potential for Soah to not realize this for many-many-many volumes. Thankfully it looks like that won't be the case, so if that was an issue it's coming to an end. (Edit yeah, it took her a while. Mostly due to denial.)

The story is progressing and I think it could really turn into a beautiful romance. The love triangle seems really pointless right now. The hidden past behind the water god's first wife seems like an interesting backstory. So it looks like I'm plowing on ahead!

Sexual Content: Nothing note worthy.

  
2/5- Average/disappointing, library check-out


Previous book(s) in series:
Reviewed on BW: Amazon: Goodreads:
Volume 1
Volume 2
Volume 3
Volume 4
Volume 5
Volume 6
Volume 7
Volume 8
Volume 9
Volume 10
Volume 11
Volume 12
Volume 13
Volume 14
Volume 15 

Volume 1
Volume 2
Volume 3
Volume 4
Volume 5
Volume 6
Volume 7
Volume 8
Volume 9
Volume 10
Volume 11
Volume 12
Volume 13
Volume 14
Volume 15
Volume 1
Volume 2
Volume 3
Volume 4
Volume 5
Volume 6
Volume 7
Volume 8
Volume 9
Volume 10
Volume 11
Volume 12
Volume 13
Volume 14
Volume 15

Review: Bride of the Water God Volume 1

Bride of the Water God (Volume 1) by Mi-Kyung Yun

brideofthewatergodvolume1

Genre: Manhwa Shoujo
Edition Reviewed: Paperback
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
Goodreads: Bride of the Water God Volume 1

When Soah's impoverished, desperate village decides to sacrifice her to the Water God Habaek to end a long drought, they believe that drowning one beautiful girl will save their entire community and bring much-needed rain. Not only is Soah surprised to be rescued by the Water God - instead of killed - she never imagined she'd be a welcomed guest in Habaek's magical kingdom, where an exciting new life awaits her! Most surprising, however, is the Water God himself... and how very different he is from the monster Soah imagined.


Review:

That day . . . which was as gloomy as a funeral . . . was my wedding day.

With those words I thought this manwha was starting out strong, especially with the accompaniment of the gorgeous artwork! Sadly the story pacing and paneling of the artwork is choppy. While reading volume 1 of Bride of the Water God, I thought it felt like it was a first time work. Lo and behold when I got to the end that's exactly what the creator said it was. There's nothing wrong with that, it just means that Mi-Kyung Yun needs to find her footing.

The artwork is the most appealing thing about this manwha, sadly it's flecked with a few standard manga/manwha tropes. Such as chibis and other standard work. If the artwork looks this amazing, you should be careful about the other quality of scenes you're mixing in. At times it took away from the story.

Speaking of the story despite what I thought was an original idea about a girl being sacrificed to the water god and coming into a new land as his bride, it quickly became a pretty normal story. There's a love triangle, the water god has two bodies and makes Soah think they're two different people, standard supporting cast, and so on. The world of the gods and the realm that Soah now finds herself isn't expanded on, which is a shame. It also bothers me that with such an amazing idea that the emotions are shoved in a box. No really I didn't feel sad about what was happening to Soah, and none of the scenes so much as evoked a smile out of me.

This is an intro not only to a series but to Mi-Kyung Yun, and the series is going to need a lot of work. The artwork is beautiful enough and the story line still has enough potential as long as things go a bit deeper then standard hijinks. It's worth checking out volume 2 just to see if this series gets into the swing of things.

Sexual Content: Clean.

 
2/5- Average/disappointing, library check-out


Previous book(s) in series:
Reviewed on BW: Amazon: Goodreads:
Volume 1
Volume 2
Volume 3
Volume 4
Volume 5
Volume 6
Volume 7
Volume 8
Volume 9
Volume 10
Volume 11
Volume 12
Volume 13
Volume 14
Volume 15
Volume 1
Volume 2
Volume 3
Volume 4
Volume 5
Volume 6
Volume 7
Volume 8
Volume 9
Volume 10
Volume 11
Volume 12
Volume 13
Volume 14
Volume 15
Volume 1
Volume 2
Volume 3
Volume 4
Volume 5
Volume 6
Volume 7
Volume 8
Volume 9
Volume 10
Volume 11
Volume 12
Volume 13
Volume 14
Volume 15

December 11, 2013

Finally Back!

You know, it seems like every time I take a mini vacation, the whole world falls down and I end up going on a month(s) long hiatus. *sigh* Which sucks because I love my beautiful Book Whispers.

Thanks for all the well wishes, my wisdom teeth went swimmingly. Actually had all four of them out and I think the whole thing took 30 min. Thank goodness for knockout drugs! The healing process wasn’t bad. But I have to wonder if the stitches ever truly dissolve? I have been picking them out for a while.

Anywho, with all the crazy crap still going on in my life you’ll notice I really haven’t been reading. For most of November I’ve been too exhausted to do much of anything in my free time. I’ve even been quiet on Goodreads! (Yeah, it’s been that serious.) So if anyone noticed I’ve been active on Goodreads again, and soon my beloved Book Whispers will be getting regular posts.

News: Actually decided to start reviewing manga now. There’s a number of manga fans who read my preferred genre and vice a versa. To be honest I don’t think there’s enough reviews for manga and I’d like to help to contribute!

I’ve already added erotica as books I review, and even added in some genres outside of my particular comfort zone. Let’s be honest it’s good to find new books with great stories! So why limit myself too much.

Oh, and if anyone hasn’t noticed I’m still a bit out of it. So I’ll probably be reading a bit more manga because it’s a bit more easier right now then trying to follow up with long books and series. Also, I had a seriously bad run of review requests and ARC, my book mojo has fled.

Missed all of ya!

December 5, 2013

Giveaway & Interview: Mary Abshire


Mary AbshireShera (Book Whispers): In your own words introduce yourself.

Mary Abshire: I'm just a single working woman with a wild imagination. I like to create worlds with vampires, demons, werewolves, and other supernatural creatures. I enjoy creating stories with action, a dash of mystery, and seductive men who have passionate hearts.

BW: Revenge books are some of my favorite reads out there! How would you describe the type of revenge featured in this book? Dark, scary, funny, maybe even enlightening?

MA: The revenge in my book is dark and funny, but not too funny. My protagonist, Katie, wants to hunt down the person who murdered her lover. Her best friend, Jules brings a sense of humor to Katie's dark and serious world.

BW: Did you have a favorite character to write, or do they all get your love equally?

MA: I enjoyed writing about Katie and Jules the most. They are different people yet they have a best friend bond. Ben and Riker are good characters too. Riker is more a pain in the ass, whereas Ben is a civil man. Ben also has a special interest in Katie, but she only sees him as a good friend.

BW: Riker is the bad boy, what was the process when you were coming up with him?immortal_revenge

MA: I wanted him to be a thorn in Katie's side. I thought of Eric Northman from True Blood. He has his loyalties and he's a strong, don't fuck with him character. But he also is unpredictable. He's a bad boy with a good silent heart.

BW: Were there any particular parts that were hard to write?

MA: Actually, the entire story flowed smoothly. I had to do a little research on bullets. I spoke to a friend of mine who is a retired detective to get his opinion. As for the action scenes, I visioned them in my head in slow motion.

BW: What can readers look forward to from you? What are your plans for the Legacy series, or other books?

MA: I'm taking a break at the moment. In 2014 I'll start writing the next installment in the Legacy series. I have plots for two more books. I also plan to write another paranormal romance for the Midnight Gardens series.

BW: When you're in a writing jam, is there a particular author you look to for inspiration? One that makes you ask, "What would ‘insert author's name here’ do?"

MA: I don't turn to an author for inspiration. I work out problems on my own. Usually I step away from the scene, do some chores or whatever. I try to get it out of my head, but not completely. The distraction often helps me return to the problem with a resolution. I think about things way too much, so I need some kind of small distraction.

BW: For you personally, not your characters, between a vampire love interest and a werewolf  love interest which do you prefer? (What team are you on? Team Vampire or Team Werewolf.)

MA: Oh, that is too damn difficult. Vampires are my favorite, but I also like werewolves. That's why I wrote a romance with one of each--Welcome to the Neighborhood, which came out in August. I'm on both teams. LOL

BW: Go wild! Let us know something funny about you, share something that's on your mind, or anything else that's important about your books.

MA: Immortal Revenge is my first book to be available in print. I'm so excited to be able to hold a copy in my hands. And I have! Woohoo! I hope readers enjoy the story because I loved writing it.


Giveaway:

Looks like 5 E-copies of Immortal Revenge by Mary Abshire, good luck everyone!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 


Excerpt:

“Oh my God!” Jules’s eyes enlarged as they pointed at Katie’s hand. “Is that a knife?”

“Yeah, it’s okay. I know how to use it.”

“There are details about your life I really do not want to know about. You told me he taught you how to fight with weapons, but I guess I never…”

“Put two and two together?” Katie grinned. “That’s not like you, detective Jules.”

“I know. I guess I overlooked the gory details. Blood and guts have never been my forte. I like action. Give me Mission Impossible and CSI, but leave out the gruesome details.”

They stopped upon reaching the entrance to the barn. “Roller skating disco lover turns FBI crime scene investigator. I think there’s a book waiting to be written for you.”

Jules chuckled. “Maybe I should write it. The first crime to solve is the death of her best friend’s lover.”

Katie’s grin slowly flipped upside down.

“Or not.” Jules rubbed her hand along Katie’s arm. “I’m sorry. I really wish this didn’t happen.”

-----------

“I need cigarettes.”

She glanced at Jules. “You quit smoking years ago.”

“I need one. Pull over.”

Katie checked the mirror, braked for the passing car, then swerved into the next lane. She turned into the lot of the gas station and took the empty spot at the end of the building.

“I’ll go in with you,” she said as Jules pushed her door open.

Keys and purse in hand, Katie stepped out of the car. She walked to the sidewalk where Jules stood, but her friend blocked her from going any further.

“Can I see your keys?” Jules held her hand in front of her.

“Why?”

Jules snatched them from her hand, then stepped around her. “I’m driving.”

Shocked by her friend, Katie spun and stared at her. What happen to her craving for cigarettes?

Jules opened the door. “Come on. Let’s go.”

Katie watched in a frozen state as her friend claimed the driver’s seat and shut the door. When the engine roared, she decided she’d better hurry and find out what the hell Jules was doing.

She flopped into the passenger seat and stared at Jules.

“You were driving like a maniac and I was about to lose my lunch.” Jules backed out of the parking spot and briefly met Katie’s gaze.

“I was not.” Katie half-laughed, half-argued.

“You were doing 55 in a 35 and dodging cars like you were Frogger.”

--------------

“You lied to me.” His unkind tone warned her she stood in dangerous territory with him.

“I’m sorry. Jules is my best friend, a sister to me.”

“I don’t give a fuck who she is. You lied.”

Heat rushed to her head as her temper ignited. “I lied because I can’t trust you. You want to clean up the mess as much as Kyle’s assassin does. Jules didn’t do anything to deserve a memory cleansing.”

“The existence of vampires must remain hidden.”

“Why? Because you’re afraid of an uprising?”

“We don’t need any more trouble. Our own kind is destroying us.” He growled, showing a bit of his fangs.

“I’m well aware there are bloodsuckers killing off the good vampires. My boyfriend was one of the good guys. Remember?”

“He was one of the best. I will never forget him.”

---------

“Your friend would have lived if you had told me about her. But since you didn’t and the vampire can now find her, you may have sealed her fate.”

“Now you’re saying you wouldn’t have erased her memories?”

He stepped toward the door. “I never said that. I said she would have lived.”

“Wait. I’m going with you.” She searched for her shoes near the bed.

“You’ll stay here and wait until we return.”

“But--”

“If the vampire shows up before I do, he won’t waste time with your friend. Trust me, you won’t want to see her when he’s finished.”

An arctic wave brushed over her. The thought of finding Jules tortured, mutilated and left for death terrified her.

“Let me go with you. If the vamp is there, we can end this tonight.”

“No.”

“No? You’re arguing with me?”

“You can’t fight like this. You’re not prepared and you are in no means in control of your emotions.”

Blood rushed to her head. “Fuck you!”

“My point exactly.”

-------

Ravenous flames devoured the headless body pinned to the makeshift cross in the front yard. Katie stared, frozen in shock as she sat in her car. Chills shot down her spine. Her gut instinct told her the body burning was her boyfriend, her lover for the last nine years.

Smoke drifted into the car from the vents. One breath triggered bile to rise in her throat. She shoved the door open and bent. Her dinner came out in a mad gush, flying onto the driveway. Tears streamed down her cheeks while her stomach muscles tightened. More of the disgusting fluid rocketed up to her mouth. Pain and heartache overwhelmed her mind, body and soul. He was gone. Forever. He’d said the word countless times over the years. The meaning of the word never hit home, until now.

Sirens screamed through the night, moving closer by the second. The irritating sound intensified the deep throb in her head. She vomited again, unable to control the spasms. Through the thick smoke, she smelled gasoline. Oh God, they’d poured it on him to make sure he couldn’t survive. As if decapitation wasn’t enough.

Bright lights flashed in the darkness as they headed toward her. She’d stopped in the middle of the long driveway, not far from the burning cross holding her lover. Two police cruisers rushed from the road and came to a stop behind her car. Large fire engines blaring their horns passed them and her vehicle. They drove by so fast her vehicle swayed slightly.

“Katie?” Officer Hildebrand asked. She recognized his voice from having served him drinks at the bar every Friday night when he was off duty. “Katie, are you all right?”

She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand as she watched him jog toward her. He passed her and stopped a few feet in front of her car.

“Holy mother of…” He directed his gaze to the burning cross. “Is that a body?”

Another violent spasm hit her stomach. Teeth clenched and lips tight together, she held the urge to barf again, but she couldn’t stop the flood of tears pouring from her eyes.

“Ben, would you stop looking at it and help her out,” Officer Charles Donahue said, walking toward them. His deep smoker’s voice identified him anywhere.

“Katie!” Officer Hildebrand blurted out as if he’d forgotten about her. He rushed toward her and stopped short where her dinner lay on the ground. “Are you all right? Did someone hurt you?”

Unable to speak, she shook her head. Grief stabbed her in the heart. Why? How? Who? Something such as this shouldn’t have happened.

Officer Donahue stopped a few feet to the side of her door and took off his hat. His white hair gleamed thanks to the bright flames. He stared at the sight on the front yard. “My God.”

Officer Ben reached across the circle of puke and placed his hand on her shoulder. “Are you injured? Do you need medical attention?”

She shook her head again as more tears ran from her eyes. Gone. Kyle was gone. How could this happen? The question repeated in her mind.

“Ben, why don’t you drive her back to the station?” Officer Charles said. “I’ll take her car and meet you back there in a few minutes.” He placed his hat back on his head and straightened it.

“Katie, would you like to come with me?” Ben asked softly, as if he were a parent speaking to a young child.

Katie straightened her tense body. From the gap between the car door and the front windshield, she stared at Kyle’s farmhouse. Large flames leaped toward the sky and consumed the structure. Firemen carrying long hoses ran toward her home, but kept a distance. Clearly they couldn’t save it. God, so many memories. So much passionate love shared. So much laughter and happiness occurred within the walls.

“Come on,” Ben said, wrapping his fingers around her arm.

She grabbed her purse sitting in the passenger seat. Leaving the keys in the ignition and the car running, she slowly rose and avoided the disgusting mess on the ground.

Ben kept his hand on her arm while he escorted her toward his vehicle. She walked with her head up and as much poise as she could gather, but her heart ached fiercely. More tears escaped her eyes. Everything she owned and ever cared about was gone. She had nowhere to go.

Ben helped her into the passenger side of the police cruiser, opening the door and closing it once she was situated inside. Katie’s lip quivered as she stared ahead at the bright flames devouring the home she’d known for the last eight years and the one man on earth she’d loved. He was invincible, a fighter to the end. He was strong, smart, experienced, a teacher and lover at heart. He was also immortal.

About the author:

Mary lives in Indiana and is a lifetime lover of the paranormal, sci-fi, and fantasy. When she's not slaving away at her government job, she is a Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy Author. She creates fantastical worlds with vampires, demons, werewolves, and other supernatural creatures. Dive into her books and find action, a dash of mystery, and seductive men with passionate hearts.

You can find more information about her books at http://www.mary-abshire.com
on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/mary.abshire
on twitter: http://twitter.com/maryabshire