May 22, 2015

Review: Bride of the Water God Volume 4

Bride of the Water God (Volume 4) by Mi-Kyung Yun

bride-of-the-water-god-4

Genre: Manhwa Shoujo
Edition Reviewed: Paperback
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
Goodreads: Bride of the Water God Volume 4

Gods and mortals alike are in love with Soah! Driven from her husband Habaek's magical kingdom, Soah's life back on Earth has been pretty miserable so far, despite her many admirers. With Habaek's mother and some of his supposed friends conspiring against him, will the cursed Water God finally come to his senses and rescue Soah?
Dark Horse Manhwa's engrossing and mysterious fantasy-romance series returns, and writer/artist Mi-Kyung Yun brings more of Habaek's colorful peers to the forefront. Humor, drama, and a bit of horror combine in this story, as Soah tries to uncover the truth behind her strange husband's curse and his previous wife's early, brutal demise. Complicating everything, Habaek -- her powerful, moody husband -- must live in the form of a little boy during the day, returning to his true adult body at night.


Review:

To be honest the whole plot about Soah being sent back with no memory for a bet was weak for me. (Come on, we all new she would remember him.) The look into her family life is very interesting and I'm hoping Soah's little sister will not be forgotten. Cause that girl is also living in a bad home and with big sister gone, what's stopping her farther from selling her off too?

It's actually the last two chapters of this book that make it worth my while. It's clear some serious evil god/goddess plots are going on here? Oh, and readers also find out part of what happened with Nakbin, Habaek's first wife. Each little tidbit revealed makes me come crawling back for more.

It's cruel that this series feels so average, but tosses out those little tidbits! However, I'm hoping this is the true turning point in the series. The story board is getting much better and the conversations don't feel so choppy. At this point all the characters have their own agendas and no one can be trusted, and that's just how I like it!

Sexual Content: Overall Clean.

 
3/5- Adored it, just a few minor details held it back.


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

May 21, 2015

Cover Coveting(4)

 
Cover art is found from Wicked Scribes, ATUF, Goodreads, social networks, and other sources.
***All cover art may not be final.***


A Red-Rose Chain by Seanan McGuire

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon


a-red-rose-chain Series: October Daye, book 9

Add it: Goodreads | Amazon
Genre: Urban Fantasy

Shera’s thoughts:

Bravo! October Daye series has some of the best cover out there. Clearly because of the artist behind the covers.

Also the cover artist knows the artwork is fabulous and doesn't try to over power it. Simply make the title stand out, and put the authors name in there.

Another gorgeous cover.

Human Nature by Eileen Wilks

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon


human-nature Series: World of the Lupi, book 4.7

Add it: Goodreads | Amazon
Genre: Urban Fantasy

Shera’s thoughts:

Looks like more and more shorts are getting some decent covers.

While not on pare with the book covers, this matches the series nicely. Good job!

Menagerie by Rachel Vincent

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon


menageril Series: Menagerie, book 1

Add it: Goodreads | Amazon
Genre: Urban Fantasy

Shera’s thoughts:

Love how simply and unique this cover is. The lights to the typography.

The Winner’s Kiss by Marie Rutkoski

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon


winners-kiss-the Series: The Winner’s Trilogy, book 3

Add it: Goodreads | Amazon
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Shera’s thoughts:

Just when you think dress covers are old and overused a lovely one like this comes out.

This series keeps utilizing them to there full potential. Lovely, and I love how the sword is used each cover. Lovely.

May 20, 2015

Wednesday Wishes

It’s crazy. My baby chickens are growing up so fast. But compared to my adult girls they’re so tiny!

It’s making me feel like an over stressed mother hen! Especially since it’s time for them to go outside. My babies.


Escape From Wolfhaven Castle by Kate Forsyth

Escape from Wolfhaven CastleGet it: Amazon | Goodreads
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Series: The Impossible Quest, book 1

Tell your lord to beware;
the wolves smell danger in the wind . . .

Wolfhaven Castle has been attacked, and only four escape capture... Tom, trained to scrub pots, not fight; Elanor, the lord's daughter; Sebastian, a knight in training; and Quinn, the witch's apprentice.

Somehow, if they are to save their people, these unlikely heroes must find four magical beasts from legend and awaken the sleeping warriors of the past. But first, they have to make it out of the castle alive...

Kate Forsyth’s to this date is still one of my favorite Epic Fantasy authors. It bothers me that her The Witches of Eileanan and Rhiannon's Ride series never gets talked about that much. There was a following, but I feel like it gets overlooked so much.

So whenever I see her stuff making it’s way out I get so excited! This sounds awesome and while goodreads doesn’t have the rest of the series listed yet, I’m looking forward to getting my hands on it.

Silver Bastard by Joanna Wylde

Silver BastardGet it: Amazon | Goodreads
Genre: Contemporary Erotica
Series: Silver Valley, book 1

First in the new Silver Valley series from the New York Times bestselling author of the Reapers Motorcycle Club Novels

Fourteen months. For fourteen months, Puck Redhouse sat in a cell and kept his mouth shut, protecting the Silver Bastards MC from their enemies. Then he was free and it was time for his reward--full membership in the club, along with a party to celebrate. That's when he saw Becca Jones for the first time and set everything in motion. Before the night ended he'd violated his parole and stolen her away from everything she knew.

Five years. It was five years ago that Puck destroyed Becca and saved her all in one night. She's been terrified of him ever since, but she's even more terrified of the monsters he still protects her from... But Becca refuses to let fear control her. She's living her life and moving forward, until she gets a phone call from the past she can't ignore. She has to go back, and there's only one man she can trust to go with her--the ex-con biker who rescued her once before.

Puck will help her again, but this time it'll be on his terms. No more lies, no more tears, and no more holding back what he really wants...

While I had my issues with the first book of Reapers MC, I’ve always meant to go back and finish the rest of the books. It was a rush. And now there’s a spinoff series! How exciting!

Midnight Rescue by Elle Kennedy

Midnight RescueGet it: Amazon | Goodreads
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Series: Killer Instincts, book 1

Dangerous. Ruthless. Savage. And she's the good guy.

Abby Sinclair had a desperate childhood until she was rescued and adopted by a retired army ranger who molded her into a master of self-defense. Now, she's a cunning and fearless assassin thrust into assignment after dangerous assignment, using everything she has-nerve, resilience, strength, sex-to come out on top. Her only rule: trust no one.
Abby's latest assignment is in Columbia: go undercover and snuff out a dangerous arms dealer active in the underground sex trade. But when Abby purposely blows her cover in a last-ditch attempt to free the helpless victims, deadly mercenary Kane Woodland is recruited as back-up. His mission: get Abby out of that hell hole.

The last thing Kane expects is to feel a primal attraction for Abby. But when she convinces him to join her on her perilous mission, their newfound passion could put the lives of their whole team at risk.

I keep meaning to try out other genres in romance. This sounds great.

May 19, 2015

Heads up! Book Whispers News

So, I’m going to be super busy. Well busier and I might not have time to make posts. Especially towards the end of May and going into June. At one point I’ll be traveling into what I call the dead zone. No internet and stuff. Plus, it will be something of a vacation for me.

Either way it’s going to get tough to keep posting. As part of my new Book Whispers agenda I feel like blogging about books should not be additional stress on top of everything else. It’s relaxing for me do it. Because I love it!

I’ll keep trying to post, especially my reviews.Here’s hoping I’ll have the time and energy to read. But don’t worry if things get quieter, or silent, for a while. Things should be back to normal by mid June.

May 18, 2015

Review: A Court of Thorns and Roses

A Court of Thorns and Roses (A Court of Thorns and Roses, book 1) by Sarah J. Maas

A Court of Thorns and Roses

Genre: Young Fantasy
(Fairytale Retelling)
Edition Reviewed: eBook
Amazon: Hardcover | Kindle
Goodreads: A Court of Thorns and Roses (1)

When 19-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin—one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world.

As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she's been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow over the faerie lands is growing, and Feyre must find a way to stop it ... or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever.


Review:

Oh. My. Bookness! It feels like ages since I've been afraid to read a book because it's so good. No really. Every time I had a chance to read A Court of Thorns and Roses it pained me because I knew I wouldn't have enough time in that sitting. I'd have to stop myself! Heck I almost caved and read past midnight on that first night, when I knew I needed sleep for a big day. So painful!

A Court of Thorns and Roses is a PERFECT example of how Young Adult and Adult books merging into perfection create: New Adult. It's such a potent high for a reader of both. Especially since Maas' writing is fabulous in CoTaR. The wonderful growing journey of young adult books flavored with adult themes. Actually . . . I don't like to compare. But . . . I feel like fans of Cruel Beauty who wanted that extra nudge into darkness and seduction (me!) will love CoTaR.

Man I adored Feyre. She could have totally ended up being a stereotype, but Maas has created a unique individual. Life has made her lose hope, become so hateful and warped that she doesn't think twice about taking a life. Of an evil Fae of course. Her journey and development is what I have been begging authors to create. I don't always want to agree with the heroine, but at least I understand her actions. That's fine by me, I enjoy reading about someone. Not a blank slate. Feyre is strong and an independent thinker. She's a huntress, a protector, sometimes a villain, smart, deprecating, caring, ruthless, brave, determined, cray-cray, and basically all kinds of awesome.

The fairytale this is based off is a pretty heavy indicator of where the romance is going and basic storyline. However, it's just like a guideline. Maas has poured so much unique aspects in. The world is amazing and it feels so good to have a totally stable and well created world. Lately it has felt like authors have forgotten how important decent world building is. The story, plot, and world are not deprived of anything. Even with this being a romance in the end. Which lately it feels like if I want a romance, I might as well kissing everything goodbye. While my biggest gripe lately has been how characters fall in love in one book, Maas showcases how it use to be done. How writing so powerful, coupled by a TRUE romance, can get away with it. The story of love here is amazing and it's realism of how people can react to it. (And things don't go perfectly planned.)

My only issue was the last act of the book. It was all brilliant, developing characters and making this a bookworm’s paradise. Then it happened. I realized that this itch I had when a certain villainous type of man showed up and “saved” Feyre. Ah, the bad boy. Yep. What is clearly the beginning of a love triangle. The epicenes of the love story here deserves better. Or maybe I'm just annoyed that EVERYTHING apparently needs some kind of love triangle. I get it, it's a series and it would be just boring for a couple so in love to be the focus. Because apparently that shouldn't be done. Maybe I'm just jumping the gun. But everything was almost perfect. But I felt like the setup for the third wheel was so heavy handed. Even when this guy did ugly despicable things, deep down there were stirrings in Feyre’s heart. So the last amazing Act of this book was read in vocal pissed off commentary. (Yeah, I got some crazy looks in public.) It hurts how much I need the next book, but how it's tempered by fear of that darn love triangle looming ahead.

From beginning to end CoTaR is amazing. My review is missing a lot of points of why A Court of Thorns and Roses is reading perfection! And I'm sure very few readers will be upset about the setup of a love triangle. (OK, maybe to most it’s a very tiny part of the story.) The third wheel is an interesting character . . . it's just the one cliché I had hoped to escape from the series. Tamlin is an amazing character and will forever be one of my favorite book crushes. I love that he comes off rude and awkward, and readers get to discover his true self along with Feyre. Maas has proved to me why I need to give another look at her Throne of Glass series. The writing, emotions, character development, story, and world is the kind of writing that makes me proud to be a flaming bookworm!

Sexual Content: It’s not over the top, but there is sex. Feyre is not a virgin and she owns her sexuality. It’s great to see another female lead (and the first I’ve read in New Adult) to own it. No slut shaming here. Thank you.

 
4/5- Great! Really enjoyed it.


Previous book(s) in series:
Reviewed on BW: Amazon: Goodreads:
A Court of Thorns and Roses (1)
Untitled (2)
Untitled (3)

A Court of Thorns and Roses (1)
Untitled (2)
Untitled (3)

A Court of Thorns and Roses (1)
Untitled (2)
Untitled (3)

May 14, 2015

Review: Broken Blade

Edged Blade (Colbana Files, book 3) by J.C. Daniels

broken-blade

Genre: Urban Fantasy
Edition Reviewed: eBook
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
Goodreads: Broken Blade (3)

Kit Colbana: assassin, thief, investigator extraordinaire. Now broken. She always expected her past to catch up with her but never like this. Haunted by nightmares and stripped of her identity, she’s retreated to Wolf Haven, the no-man’s land where she found refuge years before. But while she might want to hide away from the rest of the world, the rest of the world isn’t taking the hint.

Dragged kicking and screaming back into life, Kit is thrust head-first into an investigation surrounding the theft of an ancient relic...one that she wants nothing to do with. Her instincts tell her it’s a bad idea to just leave the relic lying about, but finding it might be just as bad.

Forced to face her nightmares, she uncovers hidden strength and comes face to face with one of the world’s original monsters.

If she survives the job, she won’t be the same...and neither will those closest to her.


Review:

It's official this series has sucked me in. Despite myself I'm going to follow it to the bitter end. It's ensnared me and I can't look away. Each book is an adrenaline rush. While the first book had tiny (super tiny!) echoes of Kate Daniel, this series is so faraway from it that there is no comparing the two. The Colbana Files have definitely come into their own. Especially after the events of the last book and the cliffhanger.

The first part of the book finds Kit back in Wolf Haven. I enjoy that the 4 months of terror after the events of the last book are spoken about, but not beaten into readers heads. Readers are jumping in as Kit finally decides she wants to rebuild herself, remake herself. Which is a good move. To be honest I found Kit's earlier panic attacks (especially in book one) to be over the top and annoying. More like an excuse to make Damon become a hero, and very forced (cough, farced) hero. Daniels did a good job here. I was moved a number of times. Before certain things started to rub me the wrong way. Which is normal for this series.

“I heard no music, but I'd stopped expecting to hear any, so that was fine.”

Fact is a lot of Kit's true problems are her mind set. After what happened to her it's totally understandable. There's no way coming out of that without your mind f-ed up. It just got tiring when she would continuously beat herself down. Doubting her self so deliberately. Then contradicting, lying, and other tiring things occur. And then when a super powerful witch with more knowledge tells her that magical wounds heal, she basically smacks that down. Puts her head in the sand. Which is what got her into the trouble she was in in the last book. That's not being stubborn. No that's being stupid. (Which is probably why it became so tiring here.)

“I can't stand on my own if you're always there to pick me up.” –Kit

Words Kit states when she decides she's serious about remaking herself. About making herself strong. But it's only lies. As she turns around thinking: “He didn't have to know that it hurt to say it. Hurt like I was cutting out my heart.” Moving. But there was a lot of Damon time. Sometimes I think authors forget how to build suspense. That a newly introduced storyline doesn’t always need to be answered or solved in one book. Though I have high hopes the next book is going to be Damon light.

It's funny how certain rude alpha leads click with me and some don't. Damon didn't click with me in the first book, and there was no time for him to build as a character. Why does it have to happen in the first book? Plus it made no sense for Kit to just jump head first with him. Maybe if the emotions where there, but I didn't trust him. Sure he was putting his life on the line for Kit trying to kill anyone who was willing to give her up to her grandmother. But he dumped her when one bump happened. One fight where he accused Kit of not trusting him. When in reality it was him. And it's never addressed. Even without a certain character “speaking for him” he dumped her. Called it quits. You don't play games when a relationship is that new. I could go on but know. (But I will say he went behind her back, told her nothing and creating a problem. And an opportunity for the bad guy.)

In the end this book and some of the actions from the last do make understand why Kit loves/needs him. In the end I think her best friend Colleen states it best:

“. . . but that son-of-a-bitch does love you . . . and you love him.”

This series is an addiction, a rush. Despite things I don't like about it I can't look away. Especially now. There's too many things I do like and I've even grew fond of the things I don't like. The cast of characters are awesome and I love so many of them. Villains, good guys, and everyone in between. The grammar errors are not as noticeable, just small ones now. Misplaced words/letters. Instead of “Not yet” it's “No yet”. Stuff like that. And I know most readers probably won't notice it. The Colbana series improves with each new book. And again leaves on another epic cliffhanger. Oh, here I come Edged Blade.

Sexual Content: Making out, dark memories, sexual humor, and nothing too over the top.

 
3/5- Adored it, just a few minor details held it back.


Previous book(s) in series:
Reviewed on BW: Amazon: Goodreads:

Blade Song (1)
Night Blade (2)
Broken Blade (3)
Edged Blade (4)
Shadowed Blade (5)

Blade Song (1)
Night Blade (2)
Broken Blade (3)
Edged Blade (4)
Shadowed Blade (5)

Blade Song (1)
Night Blade (2)
Broken Blade (3)
Edged Blade (4)
Shadowed Blade (5)

May 12, 2015

Cover Coveting: Makeover(2)

 
Cover art is found from Wicked Scribes, ATUF, Goodreads, social networks, and other sources.
***All cover art may not be final.***

Hulu has H2O: Just Add Water online for free. Yeah. I’m hooked.

In my defense it has mermaids.

Moving on here’s some more Immortals After Dark covers. Again these are Kindle book release first, then the paperbacks will receive the makeover as well.


Wicked Deeds on a Winter’s Night by Kresley Cole

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon
wicked deeds on a winter night original


wicked deeds on a winter night Series: Immortals After Dark, book 4

Add it: Goodreads | Amazon
Genre: Paranormal Romance

Shera’s thoughts:

The original cover is my favorite of the couple covers. The colors, the poses. I don’t know why but I truly love it (them).

It’s OK. I have a feeling they’ll be doing every other male/female. Nice idea.

But why did they alter the title?? To avoid the apostrophe? Don’t mess with the title!!!!  Or is this a brain fart because it’s a kindle cover?

Dark Needs at Night’s Edge by Kresley Cole

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon
dark-needs-original


dark-needs Series: Immortals After Dark, book 5

Add it: Goodreads | Amazon
Genre: Paranormal Romance

Shera’s thoughts:

Ah, yes. This is where the couple covers ended. And the crappy ones with chiseled chests started.

For this one this is a step up. Plus, this is probably the best cover yet for the makeovers.

Oh, look. an apostrophe. So it’s not a design look. They fudged up on the last cover, why else would they change the title?

May 11, 2015

Cover Coveting(8)

 
Cover art is found from Wicked Scribes, ATUF, Goodreads, social networks, and other sources.
***All cover art may not be final.***

The winter has been dry. This is the brownest and driest spring I’ve ever seen around here.

It’s been raining, actual rain. It never really rains here. It will rain everywhere around us, but somehow misses us. But we’ve had a weeks worth of rain, with enough breaks in between to to let it soak in and not flood.

It’s green now! And it’s so pretty.

Let’s look at some pretty covers.


A Madness So Discreet by Mindy McGinnis

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon


a-madness-so-discreet Series: N/A 

Add it: Goodreads | Amazon
Genre: Young Adult Historical
(Mystery, Thriller, Psychology, ?)

Shera’s thoughts:

YES!!! This cover is A-mazing! It’s sheer perfection. Sure it could be just another dress cover. But the dress is so beautiful and screams historical. The girls pose is so unique and I love how she’s being pulled down. The floor, roots, and everything is perfect.

There are no words to describe how bad I wanted this book because of this amazing cover AND synopsis. Come pretty. Come to me.

Dark Tide by Jennifer Donnelly

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon


dark-tide Series: Waterfire Saga, book 3

Add it: Goodreads | Amazon
Genre: Paranormal Young Adult

Shera’s thoughts:

Mermaid cover! It’s so beautiful. Usually I don’t like “dressed up”, but the artist for this series does it so well. I haven’t read the books, but I wonder if they’re really like that? Anywho.

The last mermaid’s dress was so ethereal and classic. I love the Asian style here. It’s perfect. Ah!!!!!

The rest of the cover is amazing from the jelly fish to those that scary ass fish. (Finding Nemo, you know you’ve had nightmares of it at some point.)

In the Company of Wolves by Paige Tyler

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon


in-the-company-of-wolves Series: SWAT, book 3

Add it: Goodreads | Amazon
Genre: Paranormal Romance

Shera’s thoughts:

Wow. His arms are too much.

Again nice vest. Oh, you can barely see his big gun.

Of Blood and Passion by Pamela Palmer

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon


of-blood-and-pasion Series: Vamp City, 3

Add it: Goodreads | Amazon
Genre: Urban Fantasy

Shera’s thoughts:

Eek. There’s all the elements of a good UF cover, sadly poorly executed.

The first two covers are so cool! What happened!

The Warrior Vampire by Kate Baxter

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon


The-Warrior-Vampire Series: True Vampire, book 2

Add it: Goodreads | Amazon
Genre: Paranormal Romance

Shera’s thoughts:

Oh, look. Another same old same old romance cover.

But look the guy is checking out his own pecks.

Unbreakable by Kami Garcia

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon


unbreakable Series: The Legion, book 1

Add it: Goodreads | Amazon
Genre: Paranormal Young Adult

Shera’s thoughts:

This is the UK cover. How cool! I love the grittiness and design of the US covers. They’re slick.

But part of me is very loyal to their originality. However, this UK cover is pretty cool! It’s not brilliant, but it’s not too bad.

Verdict I like both the US and UK cover for this book.

Cast in Honor by Michelle Sagara

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon


cast-in-honor Series: The Chronicles of Elantra, book 11

Add it: Goodreads | Amazon
Genre: Urban Fantasy (I think more High Fantasy now?)

Shera’s thoughts:

This series is pretty lucky in the cover department. This isn’t the best one, but it’s still pretty cool.

However, I have a soft spot for this pose with a woman and a big sword. (This time I’m not being dirty about the weapon on the cover.)

Passenger by Alexandra Bracken

Previous book(s) in series:

Goodreads | Amazon


passenger Series: Untitled Series, book 1

Add it: Goodreads | Amazon
Genre: Young Adult Time Travel

Shera’s thoughts:

City in a bottle! Oh, and I love that font! The title is so big it’s cut off on the cover and I love that too. See how prominent the title is, other designers take note!

Honestly I love this cover, Especially the faint reflection of the bottle . . . but it has a ship!!! So cool.

May this be a good time travel book.

May 7, 2015

Review: Scarlet

Scarlet (The Lunar Chronicles, book 2) by Marissa Meyer

scarlet

Genre: Young Adult Science Fiction
(Dystopian)
Edition Reviewed: eBook
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
Goodreads: Scarlet (1)

Cinder, the cyborg mechanic, returns in the second thrilling installment of the bestselling Lunar Chronicles. She's trying to break out of prison--even though if she succeeds, she'll be the Commonwealth's most wanted fugitive.

Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit's grandmother is missing. It turns out there are many things Scarlet doesn't know about her grandmother or the grave danger she has lived in her whole life. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother's whereabouts, she is loath to trust this stranger, but is inexplicably drawn to him, and he to her. As Scarlet and Wolf unravel one mystery, they encounter another when they meet Cinder. Now, all of them must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen Levana, who will do anything for the handsome Prince Kai to become her husband, her king, her prisoner.


Review:

As a reader I've always been fond of books with multiple point of views. POVs are fantastic when utilized right. Transforming the story into a more emotional, suspenseful, intense, well developed world. Not to mention the chance to have wider cast of epic characters. Or the downside. Worthless characters, too many POVs, and too much useless information. That said when I finally realized that Scarlet's story would have a changing POV with Cinder and Kai I was ecstatic! Because the last book just barely introduced Cinder and Kai, and there was no way their story ended there.

Scarlet is a compelling character and I can't wait for more interaction between her and Cinder. They're such great female leads! They aren't stereotypical females in some gimmicky book. They feel like good friends. Wolf is very interesting character. However. I would suggest reading—highly!—The Queen's Army. It gives a really important insight to Wolf and without it I probably wouldn't have connected to him so much. Or understood him at all. Especially as Scarlet and Wolf draw together and their story goes. What I love more is how all of the character's stories in the time line are perfectly timed. It enhances the suspense and enters Scarlet into the realm of great story telling.

The politics of the worlds are becoming more and more vital to the story. Watching the politics play out as they become a more real part of The Lunar Chronicles. Becoming global and expanding into space. Seeing Kai's struggle through the mire and especially having to set aside his own personal wants. Cinder is dealing with her truth and it feels horrible that after all of the things she's been through she honestly doesn't have much choice. This book is a full of character struggles. It gets pretty dark at many points. Scary things, and viscous deaths happen.

Sadly some of my worries from the last book, and the shorts, were present. To start off on a positive note the quality of the writing went up. Characters actually were described! Emotional connections were made! By bookness the writing was actually creating and not just telling. There were a few barren parts, like experiencing space for instance. Still the writing was pretty darn good! Not once did I get a POV mixed up and I felt like each character had their own voice.

Unfortunately many of my questions from the last book remain unanswered. More pressing why is it never brought up: Are other planets inhabited? Because if it suddenly pops up that there are it's going to feel so out of place. Why are there so many spaceships and races in space if it's just the earth and the moon? And when and HOW was it colonized (the moon)? If you've checked out my first review I can go on and on! And even then I held myself back. There's so much potential and it irks me when a universe isn't explored fully.

That being said Scarlet was so much fun! The sci-fi twists on these fairytales are so fun! Especially since Scarlet was very abstract with how it adhered to the fairytale. Even better were the quotes from the story of Red Riding Hood. Cool! This book definitely kicks The Lunar Chronicles up into some good story telling! It has just the right amount of humor and scary bits. Blending non-magic fairytales with science fiction.

The writing has improved, things don't feel as bare! While it's not providing me with the proper world building to become a “beautiful obsession” The Lunar Chronicles are an enchanting and captivating read. No, not just because I'm dying to actual get some answers. (That I think are so basic for world building!) Really I'm dying to see what Cress's story brings as she will be the first Lunar besides Wolf's short to show readers what being a Luna on Lunar is like. Since she's supposed to be Rapunzel I'm wondering how much will be shown outside of her “tower”. Love the changing POVs and I'm also looking forward to seeing characters from Cinder/Scarlet have there turns. It's clear this “gimmick” series is more than that and fans of both fairytales and science fiction should not miss. Oh, and if you love gender blending. Scarlet, The Lunar Chronicles, hits the spot.

Sexual Content: Hmmmm, everything is very mild. Still fun.

  
4/5- Great! Really enjoyed it.


Previous book(s) in series:
Reviewed on BW: Amazon: Goodreads:

Glitches (0.5)
The Little Android (0.6)
Cinder (1)
The Queen’s Army (1.5)
Scarlet (2)
Cress (3)
Fairest (3.5)
The Princes and the Guard (3.6)
Winter (4)

Glitches (0.5)
The Little Android (0.6)
Cinder (1)
The Queen’s Army (1.5)
Scarlet (2)
Cress (3)
Fairest (3.5)
The Princes and the Guard (3.6)
Winter (4)

Glitches (0.5)
The Little Android (0.6)
Cinder (1)
The Queen’s Army (1.5)
Scarlet (2)
Cress (3)
Fairest (3.5)
The Princes and the Guard (3.6)
Winter (4)