Feral Nights by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Series: Feral Nights (?) or Tantalize Spin-Off Series (bk. 1)

Genera: Paranormal Romance/Semi-Dystopian

Subjects: supernatural, shape-shifters, islands, survival

Age/Grade Level: Teen

Length: 290 pgs.

HC/PB: Hardcover

List Price: $17.99

Publisher: Candlewick Press

Summary/ product description: “Fans of the Tantalize quartet will thrill to see werepossum Clyde and other favorite secondary characters — plus all-new ones — take to the fore in book one of an all-new series.
When sexy, free-spirited werecat Yoshi tracks his sister, Ruby, to Austin, he discovers that she is not only MIA, but also the key suspect in a murder investigation. Meanwhile, werepossum Clyde and human Aimee have set out to do a little detective work of their own, sworn to avenge the brutal killing of werearmadillo pal Travis. When all three seekers are snared in an underground kidnapping ring, they end up on a remote island inhabited by an unusual (even by shifter standards) species and its cult of worshippers. Their hosts harbor a grim secret: staging high-profile safaris for wealthy patrons with evil pedigrees, which means that at least one newcomer to the island is about to be hunted. As both wereprey and werepredator fight to stay alive, it’s up to mild-mannered Clyde — a perennial sidekick — to summon the hero within. Can he surprise even himself?”

My Rating: êêêêê

My Review: The first in a spin-off series of one of my favorite vampire/shape-shifter/angel and demons series. It doesn’t feel like a brand new series because it takes place during the event of the final Tantalize book, Diabolical. I just read Diabolical before this and I’m glad I did. Clyde was one of my favorite side characters, and Aimee I forgot about, but I’m glad she was in this book. And Ruby brother Yoshi is an awesome new edition to this set of characters.

I loved Clyde and Aimee’s geekiness about super heroes and comic books. I liked getting to know Yoshi and finding out he wasn’t just a player, but a decent guy. I really hope he’s in the next book too. It may have felt like it took forever for them to end up on the island, but the familiar setting of Austin and Sanguini’s was awesome.

When the got to the island, I felt like the story became a dystopian/survival story. Kind of like The Hunger Games, The Hunt (Andrew Fukada) or Forsaken (Lisa M. Stasse). Or even Lord of the Flies, but with shifters being hunted, not kids. It was a really interesting setting, and made it very different from the previous books. The shifters worked together to fend off hunters. And Aimee was stuck as a maid/kitchen help because she’s human. I liked that we got to find out about different shape-shifters. There were new creatures too.

This book was humorous, full of action and some romance. There was this awesome twist that relates to Clyde. I never saw it coming. There  were tons of funny quotes and fun dialog. I enjoyed it so much. This is exactly the kind of paranormal book I love. Fun, creative, and made of awesomeness. It’s really hard for me to review it without spoiling too much. I can’t wait to see what the next spin-off book will have.

Cover Art Review: Doesn’t seem very unique or YA looking. I like the island landscape below, and panther relates to the book, but it’s just all glossy. If it was metallic I’d like it better.

 

~Haley G

I'm in the PW Daily Picture of The Day (sorta)

I'm the person hold up three books with out their dust jacket, showing the spine. I'm pretty sure someone put a book in front of me in this picture, but you can see my hand. ~Haley G

Diabolical by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Series: Tantalize (bk. 4)

Genera: Paranormal Romance

Subjects: supernatural, vampires, angels, demons, shape-shifters, werewolves, boarding schools, Texas, Vermont, good vs. evil, love, afterlife, death

Age/Grade Level: Teen

Length: 349 pgs.

HC/PB: Hardcover

List Price: $17.99

Publisher: Candlewick Press

Summary/ product description: “Prepare for a hell of a ride as Cynthia Leitich Smith calls on characters from her previous novels - and conjures up new ones - for a climactic showdown.
When "slipped" angel Zachary and his werewolf pal, Kieren, arrive under suspicious circumstances to a mysterious New England boarding school, they quickly find themselves in a hellish lockdown with an intriguing assortment of secretive, hand-picked students. Plagued by demon dogs, hallucinatory wall décor, a sadistic instructor, and a legendary fire-breathing monster, will they somehow manage to escape? Or will the devil have his due? Best-selling author Cynthia Leitich Smith unites heroes from the previous three novels in the Tantalize Series - including Zachary's girl, Miranda, and Kieren's love, Quincie - along with a fascinating cast of all-new characters for a suspenseful, action-packed clash between the forces of heaven and hell.”

My Rating: êêêêê

My Review: Even if Quincie wasn’t a narrator in this final book, it was still awesome. I love Zachary and Kieran. Miranda is okay. I feel like you should end with the character you started with, seeing as Quincie was the soul narrator of Tantalize, she should have been a narrator. 4 narrators seem like too much, but it could have worked here.

Miranda was a vampire princess in Chicago for about 2 years. She first appeared in Eternal, the 2^nd book in the series. She gave us insight into the afterlife while the other two were down on earth and then in hell. She had this device the let her view what was going on. She also got to meet the soul of some of the people she killed as a vamp and make amends.

Zachary is the guardian angel who’s not so good at his job. He’s not ancient, or even 100 years old. He’s still learning. And he’s now Quincie’s GA. He can’t become invisible or incorporeal, but he got his wings back in the previous book.

Kieran’s the brainiac human-werewolf hybrid and Quincie’s boyfriend. He’s a great guy and truly loves Quincie even if she became a vampire.

They end up going to a demonic school because Miranda’s best friend in life, Lucy, is there. They are going to try to make her leave. They become enrolled and then trapped after they get there. A few students die out of the 10 enrolled. It’s basically a horror story of a school. Remote, connected to Hell, and ran by an evil spirit who doesn’t mind killing.

It was an entertaining, fast read. Short chapters and good pacing. The climax is hellishly awesome. And Zachary get an unexpected reward at the end. And of course Miranda in reunited with him too.

Cover Art Review: WINGS!!!!! Very symmetrical and minimal, love the typeface.

 

~Haley G

In My Mail Box 6-17-2013/Book Signing

 1. These are the books I got in the last week. I preordered Rush. I order Fragments. I bought Another Little Piece at B&N and got Defy The Dark at Anderson's.
2. Erin Bowman, Susan Dannard, Sara J. Maas and Kat Zhang at the Yound Authors Give Back tour at Anderson's in Naperville.
3. Erin's autograph.
4. Susan's autograph.
5. Kat's autograph.
6. The swag I got. Lots of book marks and stickers. And my own book plates they signed.

~Haley G

The End Games by T. Michael Martin

Series: Standalone?

Genera: Post-Apocalyptic Sci-fi Thriller/Dystopian

Subjects: zombies, survival, brothers, West Virginia

Age/Grade Level: Teens 13+

Length: 369 pgs.

HC/PB: Hardcover

List Price: $17.99

Publisher: HarperCollinsChildrens: Balzer & Bray

Summary/ product description: “It happened on Halloween.
The world ended.
And a dangerous Game brought it back to life.
Seventeen-year-old Michael and his five-year-old brother, Patrick, have been battling monsters in The Game for weeks.
In the rural mountains of West Virginia, armed with only their rifle and their love for each other, the brothers follow Instructions from the mysterious Game Master. They spend their days searching for survivors, their nights fighting endless hordes of “Bellows”—creatures that roam the dark, roaring for flesh. And at this Game, Michael and Patrick are very good.
But The Game is changing.
The Bellows are evolving.
The Game Master is leading Michael and Patrick to other survivors—survivors who don’t play by the rules.
And the brothers will never be the same.
T. Michael Martin’s debut novel is a transcendent thriller filled with electrifying action, searing emotional insight, and unexpected romance.”

My Rating: êêê1/2

My Review: This book, despite the strange and confusing writing style, was good. Maybe it’s because the character’s from West Virginia, or maybe because the author just wanted to write different. I just didn’t like the 3^rd person narration that much.

What I did like was the relationship between the characters and the dialogue. And of course the zombies they call Bellows. It made for a fun, action packed story. And in the whole “Game” that Michael made up to keep Patrick from freaking out, you got yourself a really interesting, unique story. Some things could have been done better, but it was okay, good overall.

I really enjoyed the setting. I’ve been to West Virginia, but only the northern parts. This story was set mostly in the capitol, and in some coal mining towns (like District 12 of the Hunger Games). There the Appalachian Mountains out there. It’s beautiful and roughed. I love picturing it.

Much of this book made me think of my brothers. They’re obsessed with video games, Modern Warfare and Call of Duty, and all kinds of 1^st person shooter stuff, X-box live and everything. A lot of what Michael says or think, I hear my brothers say. There was a lot of slang that was over-done, and thankfully not as much swearing as I hear. This book is totally for video gamers and zombie fans. I like zombie movies and book, but I’m not a gamer.

There was a theme of lies and betrayal throughout the books. Being the game master and being manipulated. Michael lied a lot, but he did it to protect Patrick. Other characters lied for power. There’s this character, Jopeck, who lied for his own gain and fan. I did not like that guy. He seemed like a psychopath. And then characters that lied to themselves and others, like the Priest who though sacrifice could bring his son back. Games of deception and betrayal, that’s what this book is about. I’m glad I understood the deeper meaning in the story.

After reading this book, I’m kind of hoping I can get my little brother to read it. He doesn’t like reading, but if he liked reading, he’d like this. So, I recommend this to people who like video games about shooting zombies, or video games and zombies in general. And also if you like Rot & Ruin, the Forest of Hands and Teeth or Enclave by Ann Arguirre.

Cover Art Review: I love the cover. Jon Smith must be an awesome illustrator because it looks very graphic-novel-ish. It reminds me of the Walking Dead, except with 2 brothers. I love the tree with Bellow rising out of them. The red sky it creepy. It’s so cool. And the cover has a rough texture!

 

~Haley G

The Savage Blue by Zoraida Cordova

Series: The Vicious Deep (bk. 2)

Genera: Paranormal Romance/Fantasy adventure

Subjects: supernatural, mythology, mermaids, merfolk, ocean, magic, New York, adventure

Age/Grade Level: Teen 13+ (okay for 11-12)

Length: 405 pgs.

HC/PB: Hardcover

List Price: $16.99

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

Summary/ product description: “A storm is coming...
The ocean is a vicious place. Deeper and darker than Tristan could have imagined. Beneath its calm blue surface, an ancient battle is churning —and no one is safe.
In the quest for the Sea Throne, Tristan has already watched one good friend die. Now he must lead the rest on a dangerous voyage in search of the trident that will make him king. But while Tristan chases his destiny, the dark forces racing against him are getting stronger, and the sea witch of his nightmares is getting closer.
Battling sea dragons and savage creatures of the deep, Tristan needs his friends' support. But they each have their secrets, and a betrayal will force Tristan to choose between his crown and his best friend Layla — the only girl he's ever loved.”

My Rating: êêê

My Review: I think I would have enjoyed this more if I didn’t read the last book in one of my favorite series before this. After that book, it’s hard to compete. I remember that I liked the 1^st book. I gave it four stars. Here’s a bit of my review of The Vicious Deep:

“This book was very entertaining. It reminded me a bit of the Percy Jackson series, only no camp and no demi-gods. Merfolk, and various other creatures. It’s really cool to read a mermaid book from a guy’s perspective when the guy just so happens to be half merman. There was lots of humor in Tristan’s voice, tons of amazing quotes.”

In this book, there is a demi-god named Rachel, and some oracles, a vampire, a shapeshifter and whole lot of different magical creatures. The author really created a diverse magical world. Somehow I became confused and couldn’t remember who some people were in the beginning. I hardly could remember what happened in the previous book, but after a while I could remember some stuff. It’s just the author did not do a good job of recapping what happened previously. I felt a bit lost. And the plot was all over the place too. I had no clue what was going on in some part.

The reason why I still gave it three stars is because I love the main character and his narration. I love the humor and the Percy Jackson similarities, and merman stuff. I love the side characters, Layla, and Kurt. Some of the characters are well developed, but not all of them. But still they don’t seem to develop any further. Tristan becomes very unsure of himself rather than the cocky guy in the first book. A lot of the book was just pure fun, and that’s why I got through it. The confusion was definitely a bad set back though.

There was still a lot of action and a few major twists. I loved the twist in part three, about the true heir. There was adventure and the Championship to become the Sea King, and looking for the other trident pieces. There wasn’t much romance. There was a little swearing, but I think it’s still okay for younger teens. Overall, it’s a fun read. I suggest reading/re-reading the Vicious Deep right before starting this so you don’t feel lost. I recommend this to anyone who like mermaid/man books or mythology YA like Percy Jackson and the Olympians.

Cover Art Review: Just as cool as the 1^st book’s cover. I like the colors and title treatment. The crown is pretty awesome and all the waves, lightning and clouds.

 

~Haley G

In My Mailbox 6-9-2013

 1. I CAN'T BELIEVE I ACTUALLY WON THIS!!! Teardrop by Lauren Kate!!! It doesn't come out till the end of October!!! And The Eye of Minds too. Steelheart comes out in September. All of these are from Delacorte Press.
2. I found Fury, the last Mercy books at Half Price Books. I still don't have Muse, sadley. School Spirits I bough at B&N. Taken I got at Andersons.
3. I got a free ARC of Invisble at the Flicker & Burn pre-pub, but it already came out. Elegey at B&N. Pheonix at Meijer.
4. I went to the Testing book signing at Andersons. Also got a bracelet, not shown. Tidal from Kmart.
5. I ordered Goddess and Siege and Strom from B&N.com.
6. Library books, the End Games, Transparent and Night School. I have some books on hold still too.
I'm still waiting for Rush by Eve Silver, which I preordered.
~Haley G