Teaser Tuesday: Famous Last Words by Jennifer Salvato Doktorski

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by MizB over at Should Be Reading!

To participate all you have to do is:

•Grab your current read

•Open to a random page

•Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page

•BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure what you share doesn't give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!) 

 Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

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

"'Please do not ask him about the kidney stones. He's been referring to one as his first child, Irving, all morning.'"
Chapter Thirteen: Senior Connections, ARC Page 135
Famous Last Words by Jennifer Salvato Doktorski

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

Book Review: Prophecy (The Dragon King Chronicles #1) by Ellen Oh

The blurb as seen on Goodreads:

Release Date: January 2, 2013
Publisher: Harper Teen
320 Pages

The greatest warrior in all of the Seven Kingdoms... is a girl with yellow eyes.

Kira’s the only female in the king’s army, and the prince’s bodyguard. She’s a demon slayer and an outcast, hated by nearly everyone in her home city of Hansong. And, she’s their only hope...

Murdered kings and discovered traitors point to a demon invasion, sending Kira on the run with the young prince. He may be the savior predicted in the Dragon King Prophecy, but the missing treasure of myth may be the true key. With only the guidance of the cryptic prophecy, Kira must battle demon soldiers, evil shaman, and the Demon Lord himself to find what was once lost and raise a prince into a king.

Intrigue and mystery, ancient lore and action-packed fantasy come together in this heart-stopping first book in a trilogy.

VISIT THE AUTHOR:

Goodreads.Twitter.Website.Facebook

FIND THE BOOK:

Goodreads.Amazon.Barnes & Noble

Review:

I really like books that spin off Asian heritage. My love of the Eastern culture is pretty recent, but I will admit to having an addiction. I expected Prophecy to blow my mind, and I was really looking forward to read Ms. Oh's take on a Korean fantasy world. Too bad I noted that I was bored within the first ten percent.

I honestly cannot think of anything positive to say about this novel besides the gorgeous cover. It fooled me into thinking this novel would be amazing. The premise was glorious. Demons, murder, prophecies and royalty? It's everything a fantasy lover could wish for! The cover makes you believe that dragons will be involved, and they really weren't… Boy, was I in for a shock when instead of the epic story filled with dragons, magic and swords, I got swords and a tiny bit of magic!

Kira is the king's niece, the prince's bodyguard and the only female in the army. These are not the only things that makes her an outcast. She's also a demon slayer, which makes those around her immediately fear her. After her home, Hansong, is invaded, it is up to Kira and a small group of her companions to unfold to the Dragon King Prophecy and save the people and the kingdom.

Now what exactly was wrong with Prophecy? It was completely predictable. The characters were obnoxious, few seemed realistic and none of them were likable. The writing was an unsettling combination of modern and historical. I honestly couldn't get a good idea of the exact era the story was supposed to take place in--so obviously, the world-building is dreadful. This needed so, so much work.

It's almost impossible to like a book when you don't like any of the characters. And these characters were not easily to like. Personally, I didn't like any of them--to the point where I don't remember anyone's name besides Kira. The were unmemorable. No one else felt "solid," if you will. Kira's relationships with everyone were awkward. I absolutely could not stand her cousin, the prince. He might have been my least favorite character, which is sad because that means I liked the villains more than him.

The author really focused on the wrong aspects. She didn't write characters to connect with, or a captivating plot. She seemed to want to fill the story as much as possible instead. I mean, had the book been expanded, it held enough to really make an entire series! So much happened in such a small book. …I've never read a fantasy novel as short as this. I know that longer doesn't necessarily mean better, but Prophecy desperately needed some extra girth. So many details were brought into play, but nothing was expanded on enough to help the audience understand. The information that needed to be in the story was left out.

By the time it was over, I felt immensely relieved. FINALLY, I COULD START A NEW BOOK! But there was also some disappointment because I wanted so much for it to be good, but it fell totally and completely flat. I'm extremely annoyed because Prophecy was an utter mess. Nothing about the book made sense to me. It just did not work.

I won a copy of this novel in a giveaway and received an e-copy from the publisher for my honest opinion and review via Edelweiss.

Cover Reveal: Where the Stars Still Shine by Trish Doller

Where the Stars Still Shine by Trish Doller

The blurb as seen on Goodreads:
Release Date: September 24, 2013
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children's
216 Pages

Stolen as a child from her large and loving family, and on the run with her mom for more than ten years, Callie has only the barest idea of what normal life might be like. She's never had a home, never gone to school, and has gotten most of her meals from laundromat vending machines. Her dreams are haunted by memories she’d like to forget completely. But when Callie’s mom is finally arrested for kidnapping her, and Callie’s real dad whisks her back to what would have been her life, in a small town in Florida, Callie must find a way to leave the past behind. She must learn to be part of a family. And she must believe that love--even with someone who seems an improbable choice--is more than just a possibility.

Trish Doller writes incredibly real teens, and this searing story of love, betrayal, and how not to lose your mind will resonate with readers who want their stories gritty and utterly true.

VISIT THE AUTHOR:

Goodreads.Twitter.Website.Facebook

FIND THE BOOK:

Goodreads.Amazon.Barnes & Noble

What a fantasically gorgeous cover! When it was released a two weeks ago, I was thrilled because I seriously enjoyed Trish's debut, Something Like Normal. It was one of my favorite reads last year, and I am so looking forward to Trish's sophomore release because I'm sure that it will be just as amazing. What is the wait so long! (And I really hope it's not that short, because that may not appease my need for more of this author's work!)

What do you think of the cover?

ARC Review: Strands of Bronze and Gold (Strands of Bronze and Gold #1) by Jane Nickerson

The blurb as seen on Goodreads:
Release Date: March 12, 2013
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
352 Pages

The Bluebeard fairy tale retold. . . .

When seventeen-year-old Sophia Petheram’s beloved father dies, she receives an unexpected letter. An invitation—on fine ivory paper, in bold black handwriting—from the mysterious Monsieur Bernard de Cressac, her godfather. With no money and fewer options, Sophie accepts, leaving her humble childhood home for the astonishingly lavish Wyndriven Abbey, in the heart of Mississippi.

Sophie has always longed for a comfortable life, and she finds herself both attracted to and shocked by the charm and easy manners of her overgenerous guardian. But as she begins to piece together the mystery of his past, it’s as if, thread by thread, a silken net is tightening around her. And as she gathers stories and catches whispers of his former wives—all with hair as red as her own—in the forgotten corners of the abbey, Sophie knows she’s trapped in the passion and danger of de Cressac’s intoxicating world.

Glowing strands of romance, mystery, and suspense are woven into this breathtaking debut—a thrilling retelling of the “Bluebeard” fairy tale.

VISIT THE AUTHOR:

Goodreads.Twitter.Website.Facebook

FIND THE BOOK:

Goodreads.Amazon.Barnes & Noble

Review:

Do you see this cover? It's eye-catching and absolutely gorgeous. The coloring and the font? Sold. I immediately signed on for Strands of Bronze and Gold. I had extremely high expectations. After finishing, I'd have to say they were too high. Strands of Bronze and Gold has the makings of a horrifying thriller, but ended up being more like a festival of boring.

Sophia Petheram has been asked to join her godfather, a Monsieur Bernard de Cressac, at his home in Mississippi after the death of her father. She's always been fascinated with the man and accepts his invitation willingly. The longer she spends in Wyndriven Abbey, the more of Cressac's past appears. She hears rumors of several wives and red hair, just like her own. Though he charms and attracts her, Sophie knows that Cressac's secrets may just lead her to destruction.

Strands of Bronze and Gold is a reimagination of the classic tale of Bluebeard. Excuse me while I had in shame because I'm never read the original. I honestly picked the book up because of the cover. I know, I know. You shouldn't judge a book by its cover… BUT LOOK HOW PRETTY. Too bad the content doesn't fit with it. A book that begins with a quote from The Brothers Grimm should be fantastically creepy and that was just what I was looking for. Too bad only the last eighty percent (minus the ridiculous epilogue) was creepy. The rest was the idiotic laments of Sophie. Honestly, most of the book was just main character complaining about her love life. The plot moved slowly, at a pace I probably would've enjoyed had I connected with the main character. 

It doesn't help that I can't figure out the time span of the story. The timeline is pretty sketchy--as is the era being written about. Half the time, I felt like I was reading about the Victorian age, but then we're told that we are in the South before the Civil War. There was a lot of head-scratching, though I did approve of Sophie and her family's belief in equality. That may have been the only thing I liked about them…

The main character is too insecure, too dim and too naive for my taste. I, more often than not, was annoyed by her. Sophie is a character that was written with the best intentions, but is extremely cringe-worthy. She acted rashly, irrationally and didn't seem to have a smart bone in her body. The book would've been much better had it been written from the perspective of Bernard, or Bernie as Jen and I so lovingly call him. He is the only reason the story had some elements of eery suspense. Sophie's siblings did little to enhance the story. In fact, I loathed them almost immediately. I can understand needing help, but they way they push her around just angered me. And she let them! ARGH! Sophie lacked a figurative backbone.

Strands of Bronze and Gold was a real disappointment. I especially cannot get over the last chapter. Just when things were looking up, the finale ruined it. I don't believe I will be finishing this series--as much as it kills me to walk away. The frustration just isn't worth it.

I received an e-copy of this novel from the publisher for my honest opinion and review via Netgalley.

Follow Friday (55)

Feature & Follow Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkee's View and Alison Can Read.

Q. What is a book that you didn't like that all your friends raved about or what book did you love that wasn't popular?

A. I talk about this a lot, but hyped up books and I usually do not get along. There are a few exceptions to that, but overall, I tend to like things that others find mediocre and loathe what the populace loves. Pushing the Limits is my best example. Very few people disliked the book, and I couldn't stand it.

What's a popular book that you didn't enjoy?

Top Ten Tuesday (52)

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish!

This week's theme is: 

Top Ten Series I'd Like to Start But Haven't Yet

1. Delirium by Lauren Oliver
- I know... It's shameful. I was waiting for the final book to come out to start it. Now that it's here, I will definitely be picking it up soon!
2. Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
- Again, this is one that I definitely need to read. My friends keep telling me to, but I'm hesitant because hyped up books and I often clash.
3. Bloodlines by Richelle Mead
- I have no excuse. I love Richelle's VA series, and I definitely should be reading this.
4. Unwanteds by Lisa McMann
- My dad bought and had the first two books signed for me, but he hasn't mailed them yet! I blame him.
5. Shades of London by Maureen Johnson
- I haven't broken down and bought the first one, but I randomly received a copy of the second book in the mail, so it's moving up on my "to-read" list.
6. Article 5 by Kristen Simmons
- I am planning to read this over the weekend because the author will actually be pretty close to me next week and I want to get my books signed!
7. Unearthly by Cynthia Hand
- It's an angel book... I seldom like angel books. But it just sounds so good and so many people have loved it that I must give it a chance!
8. The Sweet Evil Trilogy by Wendy Higgins
- I really know nothing about this series, but I like the covers... Heh.
9. Elemental by Brigid Kemmerer
- I read the first novella in the series and didn't really like it. After finishing, I was told you should read the first book before the novella. Whelp...
10. Newsoul by Jodi Meadows
- I'm on the waiting list at my local library! Soon...

What series do you need to pick up?

Cover Reveal: The Liberator (Dante Walker Trilogy #2) by Victoria Scott

The Liberator (Dante Walker Trilogy #2) by Victoria Scott

The blurb as seen on Goodreads:
Release Date: September 3, 2013
Publisher: Entangled Teen
350 Pages

Bad boy, meet bad girl.

Dante has a shiny new cuff wrapped around his ankle, and he doesn't like that mess one bit. His new accessory comes straight from Big Guy himself and marks the former demon as a liberator. Despite his gritty past and bad boy ways, Dante Walker has been granted a second chance.

When Dante is given his first mission as a liberator to save the soul of seventeen-year-old Aspen, he knows he’s got this. But Aspen reminds him of the rebellious life he used to live and is making it difficult to resist sinful temptations. Though Dante is committed to living clean for his girlfriend Charlie, this dude’s been a playboy for far too long…and old demons die hard. 

With Charlie becoming the girl she was never able to be pre-makeover and Aspen showing him how delicious it feels to embrace his inner beast, Dante will have to go somewhere he never thought he’d return to in order to accomplish the impossible: save the girl he’s been assigned to, and keep the girl he loves.

VISIT THE AUTHOR:

Goodreads.Twitter.Website.Facebook

FIND THE BOOK:

Goodreads.Amazon.Barnes & Noble

FIND THE COLLECTOR (DANTE WALKER TRILOGY #1):

Goodreads.Amazon.Barnes & Noble

We absolutely love this cover! It matches the first one so well and boy are were looking forward to reading these! They sound awesome, and Dante's a hottie.

What do you think of the cover?

Teaser Tuesday: In the After by Demitria Lunetta

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by MizB over at Should Be Reading!

To participate all you have to do is:

•Grab your current read

•Open to a random page

•Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page

•BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure what you share doesn't give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!) 

 Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

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

"This is how I think of time: the past is Before, and the present is the After. Before was reality; the after, a nightmare."
Chapter Two, 1% e-ARC
In the After by Demitria Lunetta

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