Monday 30 November 2015

It was a long month... | November 2015 Wrap-up & December 2015 TBR

#covergasm

HI GUYS!
I got a lot of work to do for uni this month, but apparently, I survived! I should reward myself by buying more books. On a sadder note, I live in Paris and I guess you’ve all heard about the attacks… I was at my parents’ house for the week-end, and it was really depressing getting back there. The atmosphere is heavy and I can’t entirely feel secure these days, but it will be better. Let’s talk about happier thoughts, like books!

Vengeance Road by Erin Bowman 4 stars
Carry on by Rainbow Rowell 4 stars
Ungodly by Kendare Blake 3.5 stars
The Revolution of Ivy 3.5 stars
Winter by Marissa Meyer 5 stars
November 9 by Colleen Hoover 5 stars
Soundless by Richelle Mead 2 stars
Angels Twice Descending by Cassandra Clare enovella 3 stars
Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon 4 stars
Hidden Huntress by Danielle L. Jensen 4.5 stars
Ten Thousand Skies Above You by Claudia Gray 4 stars
Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken DNF 
Through the Dark by Alexandra Bracken 4.5 stars

Currently reading: Air Awakens by Elise Kova

I also read a lot of books for my history class, but I won’t list them for you, it’s less interesting.

I'm really happy that I got to read all the new releases I was excited for in November, it was my main goal for the month. I had a good reading month, I enjoyed most of the books I've read. However, I DNF-ed Alex Bracken's debut novel - released in 2010 - because even if the world was interesting, it felt like books I've read before... She sure grew up as a writer since this book and I'm still really excited for Passenger! I immediatly picked up Through the Dark - The Darkest Minds novellas - because I wanted to love her books again... And I did! The novellas had a real point and I loved reading more from this world. 


Movies                                                 TV shows
Lolo                                                         Arrow
Astérix : le Domaine des dieux                   Once Upon A Time
           Dofus : Julith                                       The Big Bang Theory
            Belle et Sébastien                            Marvel's Agents of SHIELD
Mockingjay Part 2                                                            
Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang                                                  

November 1st, I was in Rotterdam for the end of my holiday, but I think I already talked about it in my October Wrap-Up. November 11th, I had a holiday, I walked around in Paris, because I don’t do that that much – and I’ve lived there for two years. I went to Champs-Elysees when I saw the Republican Guard because of the ceremony of the day. Then, I went to WHSmith, an English bookstore rue de Rivoli when I got Winter by Marissa Meyer (yay). I went to an exhibition about a painter of the 18th century (one of my favourite time periods), it was really interesting. After that, I got back him by walking near the Seine, it was so beautiful, but it was quite far from home so… My feet hurt so badly.



If I had such a beautiful day, we got the news of the Paris attacks two days after. I don’t want to talk much about it, but we’ll be okay, like we always have.


On Saturday 14th, I went to a premiere for an animated movie based on the video game Dofus. The movie was made by a French studio not far from home, I’m so happy about it! The movie was great because FANTASY, we even got goodies; it was so nice of the team.

(My little brothers with the masks we got)

I mostly had a quiet month for the rest of November. I went to my grandmother’s home for the weekend two weeks ago. She lives near the sea but it was SO COLD. I saw it but… In the car! I went to a French book even there and bought books for my family (and two for myself, what happened, I’m gonna read something in French?).


Their Fractured Light by Amie Kaufman and Megan Spooner (published December 1st)
Frozen Tides by Morgan Rhodes (published December 15th)

Zodiac by Romina Russel
Legacy of Kings by Eleanor Herman
The Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray
A Thousand Nights by E.K. Johnston
Witch Hunter by Virginia Boecker
Under a Painted Sky by Stacey Lee


For me, this month was SO LONG and I'm happy it's over, because it's December, which means Christmas isn't that far away. I also need to finish buying Christmas presents!

How was your month?
Tell me everything in the comments ;)

Sunday 29 November 2015

Strange and Ever After | Book review

Title: Strange and Ever After (Something Strange and Deadly #3)
Author: Susan Dennard
Published: July 22nd 2014 by HarperTeen

Goodreads summary: In the conclusion to the trilogy that Publishers Weekly called “a roaring—and addictive—gothic world,” Eleanor Fitt must control her growing power, face her feelings for Daniel, and confront the evil necromancer Marcus...all before it’s too late.

He took her brother, he took her mother, and now, Marcus has taken her good friend Jie. With more determination than ever to bring this sinister man to justice, Eleanor heads to the hot desert streets of nineteenth-century Egypt in hopes of ending this nightmare. But in addition to her increasingly tense relationships with Daniel, Joseph, and her demon, Oliver, Eleanor must also deal with her former friend, Allison, who has curiously entangled herself in Eleanor’s mission.

With the rising dead chomping at her every move and Jie’s life hanging in the balance, Eleanor is convinced that her black magic will see her through to the bitter end. But there will be a price. Though she and the Spirit Hunters have weathered every battle thus far, there will be consequences to suffer this time—the effects of which will be irreversible. And when it’s over, only some will be able to live a strange and ever after.

Susan Dennard will leave readers breathless and forever changed in the concluding pages of this riveting ride.



REVIEW


One of my favourite aspects of these books was the traveling parts. With Something Strange and Deadly, we started the story in Philadelphia, then went to Le Havre and Paris in A Darkness Strange and Lovely, finally went to Marseille and Egypt in this book. There was no way I could have been bored because there was this perpetual change of scenery, we went to so many places.

I felt like we didn’t see the Dead that much because this book focused more on necromancy and Eleanor trying to control it. We also got a really interesting take on Egyptian mythology, which was linked to necromancy, a change from the demi-gods trope. The artefacts were a little creepy tbh. Moreover, choosing to kink everything with Egypt was a great idea because at that time, people were so fascinated with Egypt, which you can see with the party in Cairo.

I really enjoyed the characters; they grew a lot since the first book, especially El, of course. Her relationship with Oliver improved a lot in this book; he became a lot more like a brother to her than just a tool. The romance we all waited since the first book finally happened and the characters looked so right together!

This book was action-packed; the situation started at the end of Something Strange and Deadly was resolved, with some betrayals. The ending made me feel so emotional, I was like: WHY SUSAN WHY? WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT TO US THE CHARACTERS? Sadly, I expected it; I hoped I was wrong but nooooo. It still hurts so much…


The last chapter was full of hope for the characters so I’m making my peace with event. The characters will be able to complete part of their dream, hopefully.


Have you read this book? What did you think of it?

Friday 27 November 2015

A fast-paced western read with a tough female lead | Vengeance Road

Title: Vengeance Road
Author: Erin Bowman
Published: September 1st by HMH Books for Young Readers

Goodreads summary: Revenge is worth its weight in gold.

When her father is murdered for a journal revealing the location of a hidden gold mine, eighteen-year-old Kate Thompson disguises herself as a boy and takes to the gritty plains looking for answers—and justice. What she finds are untrustworthy strangers, endless dust and heat, and a surprising band of allies, among them a young Apache girl and a pair of stubborn brothers who refuse to quit riding in her shadow. But as Kate gets closer to the secrets about her family, a startling truth becomes clear: some men will stop at nothing to get their hands on gold, and Kate’s quest for revenge may prove fatal.

REVIEW

Western is pretty new to the YA genre, but I think it is a trend I will totally enjoy! I actually only saw one western movie in my life, a few months ago, it was SO LONG but I enjoyed the plot. I’m a history major at uni, so of course I like historical fiction. I’ve read a lot of books set in that time period – Something Strange and Deadly is set in 1876 – but never about the Golden Rush.

I was immersed in the book straight away, because Bowman chose to use the slang of that period, it worked beautifully, it made me feel like I was there. I think the author did a lot of research; the atmosphere is accurate, like what we see in Western movies.


I really enjoyed our main character Kate, how tough she was, when she was supposed to be at such a time period. She disguised herself as a boy not to draw attention, she was so much into fighting, and didn’t want to be a wife who stays at home to take care of the children. If I recall well, she was at a marrying age but it wasn’t her goal at all, even if she might have picked the interest of some guys. There was a romance in the book, but it was such a minor part of the plot, I really enjoyed that, because it wasn’t what Kate wanted after all.
"That sounds real nice, boy," he says. "Now for the love of God, lower that damn pistol."
"All right," I says.And I do.Right after I shoot him through the skull.
The plot was really interesting; with kick-ass action scenes, however sometimes I was a little bored because it felt repetitive. The way Bowman included folklore was really interesting and was relevant to the plot. There was a nice plot twist I didn’t see coming at the end of the story, I enjoyed it quite a lot. I really liked that an Appalachian girl was an important character to the story, because she was part of a different culture all together, it was a way to add some diversity to the story. Also, Kate’s favourite book is Little Women, which was one of my favourite when I was a kid I was so happy about that!
"Then you ain't found the right book yet," I says. "There's something for everyone."

FINAL THOUGHTS

I really enjoyed this book, its genre is quite new in YA, I think I will enjoy this trend a lot: I still need to read Walk on Earth a Stranger and I’m eagerly anticipating Revenge and the Wild (it’s steampunk!) next year. However, I don’t think those kind of books are for everyone, because you have to be okay with people dying all the time. Those books aren’t a romantic representation of the Wild West, but as close as possible from the truth.

Wednesday 25 November 2015

Truthwitch | Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly feature hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine where I discuss the upcoming releases that I'm most excited for. 

Title: Trutwitch (The Witchlanders #1)
Author: Susan Dennard
Published: January 5th 2016 by Tor Teen

Goodreads summary: On a continent ruled by three empires, some are born with a “witchery”, a magical skill that sets them apart from others.

In the Witchlands, there are almost as many types of magic as there are ways to get in trouble—as two desperate young women know all too well.

Safiya is a Truthwitch, able to discern truth from lie. It’s a powerful magic that many would kill to have on their side, especially amongst the nobility to which Safi was born. So Safi must keep her gift hidden, lest she be used as a pawn in the struggle between empires.

Iseult, a Threadwitch, can see the invisible ties that bind and entangle the lives around her—but she cannot see the bonds that touch her own heart. Her unlikely friendship with Safi has taken her from life as an outcast into one of reckless adventure, where she is a cool, wary balance to Safi’s hotheaded impulsiveness.

Safi and Iseult just want to be free to live their own lives, but war is coming to the Witchlands. With the help of the cunning Prince Merik (a Windwitch and ship’s captain) and the hindrance of a Bloodwitch bent on revenge, the friends must fight emperors, princes, and mercenaries alike, who will stop at nothing to get their hands on a Truthwitch.

MY THOUGHTS

I read Dennard's Something Strange and Deadly trilogy last month and I loved every single part of it. I laughed. I cried. I was scared. This trilogy made me feel everything and I was so sad it was over (I read the three books in five days during school time). But, well, there is Truthwitch. I have high hopes, because Susan Dennard is an amazing writer. From the #ClanChat, we saw that her world was really complex and seemed amazing. I read the first chapter online and it will be quite a ride! It seemed full of adventures, friendships, and kick-ass female characters! Also, the Bloodwitch was quite scary...

Are you excited about this book? Don't lie because who wouldn't?

Tuesday 24 November 2015

Hello there, second book syndrome! | The Wicked Will Rise

Title: The Wicked will rise (Dorothy Must Die #2)
Author: Danielle Paige
Published: March 31st 2015 by HarperCollins


Goodreads summary: In this dark, high-octane sequel to the New York Times bestsellingDorothy Must Die, Amy Gumm must do everything in her power to kill Dorothy and free Oz.

To make Oz a free land again, Amy Gum was given a mission: remove the Tin Woodman’s heart, steal the Scarecrow’s brain, take the Lion’s courage, and then Dorothy must die...


But Dorothy still lives. Now the Revolutionary Order of the Wicked has vanished, and mysterious Princess Ozma might be Amy’s only ally. As Amy learns the truth about her mission, she realizes that she’s only just scratched the surface of Oz’s past—and that Kansas, the home she couldn't wait to leave behind, may also be in danger. In a place where the line between good and evil shifts with just a strong gust of wind, who can Amy trust—and who is really Wicked?


REVIEW


I talk a lot about Second Book Syndrome, because I’m always scared a second book will just be a transition. Here, it was totally the case and you can see it because of the number of pages. The hardcover of Dorothy Must Die is 452 pages long, but The Wicked Will Rise was 293 pages long. Well, that’s an issue.

WHAT MADE ME WANT TO BE HAPPY ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE RAINBOW

1)      The beginning was fast-paced, we got to see Amy fight the Lion and everyone was scared of her. I really enjoyed that scene which showed how much Amy grew since the first book. It was a really good scene that put me straight back into the story.
2)      We got to explore a lot more of this world, because the book is mainly about Amy’s journey, first to the Monkey’s Kingdom, then to the other side of the rainbow. Paige was successful in expanding her world, I think it’s my favourite aspect of the book.
3)      We got an explanation for the link about Oz and Kansas, it was interesting!

HOWEVER I DISLIKED MOST OF THE BOOK AND ALMOST WANTED THE SCARECROW TO END MY SUFFERINT (WELL, MAYBE NOT A GOOD IDEA)

1)      This book was BORING because I don’t feel like a lot happened.
2)      I loathe the romance SOOOOO MUCH.
3)      Nothing happened and that at the end I guess I was supposed to wake up and follow what was happening but I didn’t understand anything. It was like NOTHING NOTHING UM NOTHING INFO DUMP YOU WON’T UNDERSTAND A THING AND BE CONFUSED MUHAHAHA.


The real question is: will I read the next book? Honestly, I’m not sure. I’m afraid I won’t like it and I will probably forget everything about this series before it’s released. But, well, I’m not saying I won’t read it ever. I also might give another chance at Danielle Paige because apparently she’s coming with a new series that I might enjoy more. She has great ideas for world building, it could work this time.



Have you read this book? Did you enjoyed it more than me (I wish you did)? Are you planning to read the last one in the series?

Sunday 22 November 2015

Disney Princess Book Tag

HI GUYS!

I don't know about you, but the weather is getting really cold around here, even if the weather was nice at the beginning of the month. This last week of November will probably be rainy, like it was this week-end. To warm me (and YOU) up, I decided to do the Disney Princess Book Tag, because who doesn't love Disney Princesses? Moreover, we are at the end of November (well, there is still a week to go), so Christmas is starting to come, so I want to watch all the Disney movies! This tag was created by Of Stacks and Cups.




1. Snow White: Name your favourite classic

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. I read this two years ago while I was sick in bed, I think I had never read a classic this fast. Even if the story is tragic - it's set during the French Revolution - I felt close to the characters, especially to Lucie Manette, who has the same first name that I do (#FrenchPower). The romance was well written, made me shed a tear or two, and I actually highlighted a quote into my copy - you know, the quote that was twisted in The Infernal Devices.



2. Cinderella : Name a book that kept you reading well past your bedtime

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, for sure! I remembered I had to read it as fast as possible because my parents were waiting I finished the book to pick it up after me! It was a thick book for sure and I was so eager to finish it! But well, it could apply to any book in this series!



3. Aurora : Name your favourite classic romance

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë or how Jane Eyre and Mr Rochester had to fight a lot to be together. It is the typical story where the characters are not socially equal. Jane Eyre works for Mr Rochester so they're not exactly supposed to be together. Moreover, a lot of things get in their way, at some point I was like: "Okay now they're getting married that's great!" but there was still many pages to be read and... Their marriage was delayed at the point, haha. Hi, plot twist!


4. Ariel : Name a book that's about making sacrifices and fighting for your dreams

I want to say: every book ever, but that's waaaaay to easy. I'd say The Geography of You and Me by Jennifer E. Smith. In this book, Lucy and Owen meet, fall in love, but are being separated. From all around the world, they try to keep in touch with each other, even if life gets in their way and they may not be sure to see each other again, when she's in Europe and he's in America. It's a cute contemporary.


5. Belle : Name a book with a smart and independent female character

Kestrel from The Winner's Trilogy by Marie Rutkoski. A general's daughter, Kestrel lacks of combat skills, but her brain is enough to fight. She's a strong main character, deeply involved in politics, especially in the second book, she has her agendas to make her world a better place and try to manipulate people in her favor. 


6. Jasmine : Name a book with a character who challenged the social conventions of his/her world

I'd like to mention Linh Cinder, from the Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer. Well, I guess you all know this story and you should because it's fairy tale and sci-fi. Anyway, as we see in the first book, Cinder is a cyborg, she isn't really accepter by society. Her stepfamily thinks she isn't human and just wants to get rid of her. In her world, laws are against cyborgs. However, she totally challenged her world, because of what she becomes and who she ends up with. I won't say more, because not everyone has read the final book yet.



7. Pocahontas : Name a book whose ending was a roller-coaster of emotions

What a question, Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare of course! *sobs* I remember reading it in my large bed and crying ugly tears. This book is really characters-driven, I loved all of them (I shipped Tessa with both Will and Jem anyway) and the ending of this book was so emotional and tragic but beautiful, because it finished with SO MUCH LOVE. Crying because the ships are together count. Anyway, I read the epilogue and again and again and again. I can't wait to read The Last Hours because we'll see the characters again!


8. Mulan : Name a book with a kick-ass female character

Kate from Vengeance Road by Erin Bowman. In this western type book, Kate has to disguise herself as a boy to get revenge from her father's killer. She isn't afraid of shooting people, which was surprising, she was soooo tough, but I really enjoyed it. She's the type of character who surely isn't expecting a romance and doesn't want to depend on a man, like Mulan. 


9. Tiana : Name a book featuring a hardworking, self made character

Vin from Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson. If I recall well - I reat this trilogy almost a year ago - Vin was an orphan leaving in the streets and then joined a rebellion and mastered Allomancy, becoming one of the best her world has ever known. I have to admit, I kinda struggled for this one, because of the "hardworking" part. 


10. Rapunzel : Name a book featuring an artist

Marguerite Caine from A Thousand Pieces of You. Looking at the cover, you have a hint that the main character is an artist, because it's so prettyyyy. If her whole family is composed of scientists, Marguerite loved to paint. Actually, while she's going to other worlds and gets in other Marguerite, she remarks that every version of herself is an artist, even if it's not always the same type of arts.


11. Merida : Name a book that features a mother-daughter relationship

Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon. Madeline Whittier is allergic to everything, so she has to stay home and never go outside. Because of that, she has few people in her life, one of them is her mother. Because seventeen years ago, her brother and her father died in a car accident, she only has her mother as a family. The two of them are pretty close and have a lot of dinner, movies and games moments. Their relationship evolves during the book, mainly as Madeline are figuring things out, but it was still a strong relationship.


12. Anna and Elsa : Name a book that features a great relationship between siblings

A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket. This is actually the story of three orphans, Violet, Klaus and Sunny Baudelaire. Because they don't have parents anymore, they are pretty close and always care for each other. At the beginning of the series, Sunny is actually a baby and her siblings have to raise her. They are like siblings goal, or something.

I'm tagging EVERYONE to do this tag, you can mention me in your post to say I tagged you, link your post down below.

Who is your favourite Disney Princess?

Friday 20 November 2015

Lair of Dreams | Book review

Title: Lair of Dreams (The Diviners #2)
Author: Libba Bray
Published: August 25th 2015 by Atom

Goodreads summary: The longing of dreams draws the dead, and this city holds many dreams.

After a supernatural showdown with a serial killer, Evie O’Neill has outed herself as a Diviner. With her uncanny ability to read people’s secrets, she’s become a media darling, earning the title “America’s Sweetheart Seer.” Everyone’s in love with the city’s newest It Girl…everyone except the other Diviners.

Piano-playing Henry DuBois and Chinatown resident Ling Chan are two Diviners struggling to keep their powers a secret—for they can walk in dreams. And while Evie is living the high life, victims of a mysterious sleeping sickness are turning up across New York City.

As Henry searches for a lost love and Ling strives to succeed in a world that shuns her, a malevolent force infects their dreams. And at the edges of it all lurks a man in a stovepipe hat who has plans that extend farther than anyone can guess…As the sickness spreads, can the Diviners descend into the dreamworld to save the city?

In this heart-stopping sequel to The Diviners, Printz Award-winning andNew York Times bestselling author Libba Bray takes readers deeper into the mystical underbelly of New York City.


REVIEW
Every city is a ghost.New Buildings rise upon the bones of the old so that each shiny steel beam, each tower of brick carries within it the memories of what has gone before, an architectural haunting. Sometimes you can catch a glimpse of these former incarnations in the awkward angle of a street or a filigreed gate, and old oak door peeking out from a new façade, the plaque commemorating the spot that was once a battleground, which became a saloon and is now a park.Underground, it is no different.

These beautiful sentences are the beginning of this book. It shows how Libba Bray has magical writing and you will love every bit of it. However, I found this book to be hard to read, because it was so long, and that this magical writing was a bit heavy. To be honest, it took me more than two weeks to read this book; I had to read other books in between. I’m pretty sure I’d have enjoyed it more if it was shorter.

This book is centred on a sleeping sickness that takes people as they dream. The plot was compelling and when everything was revealed, I was so surprised and loved every part of it. The epilogue felt like the biggest of cliff-hangers, because it showed there is much we still don’t know about the Diviners, and that what they loved was just the beginning. I’m intrigued but at the same time, I’m a little concerned: when will the next book be released? I’m afraid that when it’ll be, I’ll have forgotten everything about Lair of Dreams and will be less interested in the mystery surrounding the Diviners.
Even though the plot was interesting, having so many points of view made me forget it at some point in the story. Sure, some points of views were essential to this plot, but it wasn’t the case for all of them. A lot of different storylines were developed and it was really interesting, but I was losing my focus on the main plot, I regretted that. I have the feeling the characters were linked to the plot 60% in the story (and it wasn’t every of them)…

The cast of characters was diverse, just like in the first book. Evie O’Neill is now famous in New York and has her own radio show, which means she goes to parties instead of hanging out with her friends. Sam is still investigating Project Buffalo and flirting with Evie. Jericho is trying to save Will’s museum with Sam and Mabel’s help. Unfortunately, Mabel was pretty useless in this book in my opinion; she was just here as Jericho’s love interest. Theta wasn’t really a main character either but she’ll be in the next book, judging on the end of this book. However, she was Memphis’ love interest and it was really interesting, because they have so many obstacles to go through with their relationship because they’re not from the same world. Henry was truly in the middle of this book, because of his ability to sleep walk. I enjoyed learning about him; he is now one of my favourite characters. A new character came along, Ling, who is also a dream walker. It is mainly these two characters who had to deal with the sleeping sickness because of their abilities, even if the other characters helped a lot in the end.

The mystery around the Diviners thickened and I’m definitely intrigued now, because we know who was involved… I really hope it will be revealed in the next book, because I think there will still be two books in this series and I don’t want to wait years again. I know that when the next book comes, I’ll need a recap of Lair of Dreams

This book was highly enjoyable but a little too long; it made me lose focus on the main plot. Everyone’s point of view wasn’t necessary, like Mabel, she appeared rather late in the book anyway… However, I’m looking forward to see what Libba Bray has in store for us in the next books.



Have you read this book? What did you think of it?

Wednesday 18 November 2015

Passenger | Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly feature hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine where I discuss the upcoming releases that I'm most excited for. 

Title: Passenger (Passenger #1)
Author: Alexandra Bracken
Published: January 5th 2016 by Disney-Hyperion

Goodreads summary: passage, n.
i. A brief section of music composed of a series of notes and flourishes.
ii. A journey by water; a voyage.
iii. The transition from one place to another, across space and time.

In one devastating night, violin prodigy Etta Spencer loses everything she knows and loves. Thrust into an unfamiliar world by a stranger with a dangerous agenda, Etta is certain of only one thing: she has traveled not just miles but years from home. And she’s inherited a legacy she knows nothing about from a family whose existence she’s never heard of. Until now.

Nicholas Carter is content with his life at sea, free from the Ironwoods—a powerful family in the colonies—and the servitude he’s known at their hands. But with the arrival of an unusual passenger on his ship comes the insistent pull of the past that he can’t escape and the family that won’t let him go so easily. Now the Ironwoods are searching for a stolen object of untold value, one they believe only Etta, Nicholas’ passenger, can find. In order to protect her, he must ensure she brings it back to them— whether she wants to or not.

Together, Etta and Nicholas embark on a perilous journey across centuries and continents, piecing together clues left behind by the traveler who will do anything to keep the object out of the Ironwoods’ grasp. But as they get closer to the truth of their search, and the deadly game the Ironwoods are play­ing, treacherous forces threaten to sep­arate Etta not only from Nicholas but from her path home . . . forever


MY THOUGHTS

This book involves ships, that's the only thing I needed to be sold, tbh. I loved Bracken's The Darkest Minds, so of course I'm jumping on this ship I'm so funny. This book involved a violonist, that's so cool, and it has to deal with time travel? What else do you need? I just want to be in January already...

Are you excited about this book? 

Tuesday 17 November 2015

The Sword of Summer | Book review

Title: The Sword of Summer (Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard #1)
Author: Rick Riordan
Published: October 6th 2015 by Disney - Hyperion Books


Goodreads summary: Magnus Chase has always been a troubled kid. Since his mother’s mysterious death, he’s lived alone on the streets of Boston, surviving by his wits, keeping one step ahead of the police and the truant officers.


One day, he’s tracked down by a man he’s never met—a man his mother claimed was dangerous. The man tells him an impossible secret: Magnus is the son of a Norse god.

The Viking myths are true. The gods of Asgard are preparing for war. Trolls, giants and worse monsters are stirring for doomsday. To prevent Ragnarok, Magnus must search the Nine Worlds for a weapon that has been lost for thousands of years.

When an attack by fire giants forces him to choose between his own safety and the lives of hundreds of innocents, Magnus makes a fatal decision.

Sometimes, the only way to start a new life is to die . . 


REVIEW


I read a lot of negative reviews about this book so I admit I was a bit anxious going into it. These reviews said Magnus Chase and the Sword of Summer was a lot like the PJO books and I totally agree with that. The chapter titles are back in all their glory, like: “Come to the Dark Side. We have Pop-Tarts” or “We are Falafel-Jacked by an Eagle”. Being in the head of Magnus while he was telling his story reminded me a little too much of Percy’s point of view in the first books, it had the same sassy tone, I’d have liked it better if the point of view felt more new to me. Magnus was hilarious and had his own personality though.
The monster’s ridged forehead and tapered snout made him look more like an eel than a snake. His hide glistened in a camouflage patchwork of green, brown and yellow. (Here I am calmly describing him. At the time the only thought in my mind was: YIKES! HUGE SNAKE!)

Moreover, there is also the matter of the quest, because it is the plot of every book Riordan wrote on this world. But well, I knew what to expect so I don’t know if I can complain.

Anyway, it was a strong plot and I really enjoyed that Magnus’ quest started in the mortal world, before he knew the truth about himself. His family had connections with Vikings, it was so great. Still, I thought this book was a bit long, because Magnus really starts his quest page 148. I know we needed explanations on this world, but then the quest should have been shorter. The way mythology is handled is just like Riordan’s previous books so I don’t have anything to add about it, but it was as much fun as usual (Thor is addicted to TV shows, Odin to PowerPoint presentations). This book felt a little more educational than the previous one, because I didn’t know a lot about Norse mythology, compared to the Greek/Roman and Egyptian ones.

I loved that Riordan made an epilogue; it felt so much like a Marvel movie when you have a last scene that reveals what will happen in the next one. It was full of evilness and we all want that, let’s be real! 

The characters were amazing, it was a very diverse cast of characters, both for our mortal world (one character is Muslim, another one deaf) and in the Nine Worlds (a demigod, a Valkyrie, an elf and a dwarf). It is something a lot of people are talking about these days, I liked that it was important in here. Magnus wasn’t particularly badass, like some people said, he isn’t really a warrior, but he can be a lot more. There wasn’t romance in here – even if something “happened” for secondary characters at the end – but it’s not something to be surprised about, because Riordan never focuses a lot on that (except PERCABEEEEETH).

This leads me to… We had Annabeth cameos and the last one was everything. This book is also a lot about family, from the one you have blood bonds with to the one you create for yourself, it was really enjoyable. The final thing I would like to highlight is the multiple pop culture references. From PJO when Magnus asks his sword to be a pen to Doctor Who when he says something is bigger on the inside, it was everything.


I had so much fun reading this book, I actually laughed out loud several times – which doesn’t happen that often. I’m actually really excited for the second book, because I fell for the story and the characters. I had reasons to be scared, because it is a lot like PJO, but once you’re aware of that… You won’t care and love this book anyways. 


Have you read this book? What did you think of it?

Sunday 15 November 2015

Beastly Bones | Book review

Title: Beastly Bones (Jackaby #2)
Author: William Ritter
Published: September 22nd 2015 by Algonquin Young Readers

Goodreads summary: “I’ve found very little about private detective R. F. Jackaby to be standard in the time I’ve known him. Working as his assistant tends to call for a somewhat flexible relationship with reality.”

In 1892, New Fiddleham, New England, things are never quite what they seem, especially when Abigail Rook and her eccentric employer R. F. Jackaby are called upon to investigate the supernatural.


First, a vicious species of shape-shifters disguise themselves as a litter of kittens, and a day later, their owner is found murdered with a single mysterious puncture wound. Then in nearby Gad’s Valley, now home to the exiled New Fiddleham police detective Charlie Cane, dinosaur bones from a recent dig mysteriously go missing, and an unidentifiable beast starts attacking animals and people, leaving their mangled bodies behind. Charlie calls on Abigail for help, and soon Abigail and Jackaby are on the hunt for a thief, a monster, and a murderer.


REVIEW

I really enjoyed the first book that I found whimsical and peculiar, because of the characters, but also because it was a reimagined Sherlock Holmes’ novel, with paranormal creatures. The second book went to the same way than Jackaby, which was really enjoyable.

The plot focuses on weird shapeshifters that take the form of the creature they are eating.

(and is in fact frowned upon in most societies)

Then, Jackaby and Abigail Rook are investigating missing fossils and a farmer wife’s death in the countryside, where Charlie now lives. The plot was fun to read about and the resolution was amazing, even if I had figured it out at some point *sighs* However, this plot had a hard time grabbing my attention, it was slower toward the middle but it picked right before the end.

New characters were introduced; a trapper and a journalist. The journalist was a very bold women, I was impressed by her character because she wanted to do everything by herself, even if social rules wanted to stop her. Meeting her had a great impact on Abigail, who aspires to be more like her and have control over her life. We didn’t see a lot of character development for the other characters – mainly because Jackaby is so peculiar – I regretted it a little.

There was more romance than in the previous book, but it was still really light, because Abigail didn’t want to need a man, like Nellie said. She took the relationship in her hands and I really enjoyed that about her, even if I don’t know if it’s realistic for that period.

Jenny’s storyline intrigued me and I’m looking forward to learn more about it in the next book. Moreover, the villain Abigail and Jackaby will have to fight against was introduced – I mean we know he exists – which makes me looking forward to read the next book. 


Have you read this book? Are you interested by this series?