Flock by Wendy Delsol

Series: Stork (bk. 3)

Genera: Paranormal Romance

Subjects: Mythology, Norse mythology, storks, mermaids, magic, Minnesota, supernatural, fantasy

Age/Grade Level: Teen

Length: 394 pgs.

HC/PB: Hardcover

List Price: $16.99

Publisher: Candlewick Press

Summary/ product description: “The climactic conclusion of a supernatural romantic trilogy starring a savvy, sharp-tongued heroine who taps into ancient Norse secrets.
After surviving her (shall we say) intense adventure in Iceland, Katla is psyched to be back for a blissfully uneventful senior year of homecoming and fashion explorations. But her hopes of dodging unfinished business are dashed by the arrival of two Icelandic exchange students: Marik, an oddly alluring merman-in-disguise, and Jinky, a tough gypsy girl. It seems Katla not only enraged the Snow Queen by rescuing her boyfriend, Jack, she also was tricked into promising her frail baby sister to the water queen — and Marik has come to collect. What’s worse, Katla doesn’t dare confide in anyone lest she endanger them, so even her soul mate, Jack, is growing suspicious. And now Katla’s stork dreams, her guide for matching babies with mothers, have become strange and menacing as well. Hold on for a thrilling finale as the heroine of Stork and Frost calls on her wits (and her wit) to protect those she loves and face a final mythic disaster.”

My Rating: êêêêê

My Review: An epic finale to one of the more unique, creative paranormal romance series I’ve read. I’m gonna miss Kat, Jack, Penny, Jinky and even Marik. Not to mention Afi, with all the funny comebacks that you’d never expect from a grandpa. This series has been so fun. I want more Norse mythology in YA.

In this book, Katla’s trying to save her baby sister, deal with Jinky and Marik being exchange students, and a ton of other stuff. There’s a lot of action, some romance, and a ton of humor. Katla’s narration is funny as always. There’s also the design project. I can relate to the start-up business branding because I’m actually doing that in my Graphic Design 3 class. I think it’s cool how the author incorporates high school into the series. I wish I had this much fun in high school. There are some crazy natural disasters that happen in the book. Katla believes that Brigid may be the cause. There’s some really scary stuff. Katla escapes death multiple times, with the help of Jack.

I think Marik is ridiculous, but Penny’s crush on him is pretty cute. I wish he could go all merman in the book, but he was learning the culture of humans and trying to keep the deal with Katla. He loves everything and everyone loves him. He’s an awesome foreign exchange student, even if he’s not really off this world.

I want to mention the setting. I know the towns are made-up, not real. Walden, MN is not a college town. Norse Falls was made-up. But I love the setting of Minnesota. I’ve camped there multiple times in the summer. I think the setting is in Northern Minnesota, probably in between Minneapolis and Duluth, but more to the west. Or close to Iowa. Not sure. If you’re read the Wolves of Mercy Falls series, you’d remember that there’s a lot of forestry in MN. I really loved it up there.

How do you guys feel about this series being a movie or TV show? I feel like it would work better as a TV show. It had an episodic tone. Maybe the 2^nd book felt more movie-ish.

If you love PNR or mythology in YA, and have not read this series, you are really missing out. Great series. I recommend you get all the books, clear out you schedule, or read all 3 during the holidays. Perfect series for Christmastime.  

Cover Art Review: I liked the cover for Frost better. This one has Penny on the cover. I wish the girl’s photo was higher quality. I’m not sure if I like the title being pink. I feel like there’s a color clash. I love the opalescent paper stock that the jacket’s printed on, though.

 

~Haley G

Frost by Wendy Delsol

Publisher: Candlewick Press

Series: Stork (bk. 2)

Genera: Paranormal Romance/fantasy

Subjects: Mythology, Iceland, the Snow Queen, Magic

Length: 376 pgs.

HC/PB: Hardcover

Summary/ product description: “After the drama of discovering that she’s a member of the Storks, a mystical order of women endowed with powerful abilities, Katla Leblanc is finally settling into her life in chilly Minnesota. In fact, the ex-California girl even hopes for a white Christmas. So when the snow starts to fall on a romantic sleigh ride with her boyfriend, Jack, it seems like the perfect present. However, before she knows it, Katla's wintry wish spirals out of control, turning into the snowstorm of the century.
The unusual weather draws unexpected attention. Environmental scientist Brigid Fonnkona is runway gorgeous, utterly charming, and far too interested in Jack for Katla's comfort, especially after Jack is singled out to help with Brigid's research. Between Stork duties, rehearsals for the school production of The Snow Queen, and checking off items on her bedridden, pregnant mother's to-do lists, Katla has zero time to investigate, even as she notices Jack's long hours in the lab and the growing tension between the two of them. Then Brigid selects Jack to accompany her on a research expedition to Greenland, and Jack's cold good-bye leaves Katla wondering where they stand, but when Jack goes missing above the Arctic Circle, Katla knows she's the only one who can find him.
In this sequel to Stork, Wendy Delsol take readers back to Norse Falls and beyond, as Katla finds the grit and spirit to rescue the boy she loves.”

My Rating: ê ê ê ê ê

My Review: This sequel has to be one of the best, most fulfilling sequels I have ever read. I wasn’t really disappointed about anything. It was a funny, exciting read, especially since it’s winter. So much happened in this book, that it took me a few days to read it because I had to soak it in. Most of the book is in Minnesota, but later it’s in Iceland and gets even more exciting and adventurous. You get to see even more of this mythological secret world that the author created. This book it less about the soul delivering and more about love’s trials and limits.

Kat is funny and quirky as ever. I had a laugh at least every page or so, sometime many times a page. These books remind me a bit of the Need series because Katla’s humor is similar to Zara’s (or the authors’).

Jack become infatuated with Brigit (but not “in love”) He’s obsessed with the climate work they’re doing, and he’s not around Katla a lot. I felt like they were gonna break up, but he’s probably just so memorized that he’s forgetting. I’m not gonna spoil it because some of it’s pretty obvious. It’s a great book, even better than the first.

Over all I recommend it because it surpassed the 1^st book and it’s awesome to read during winter.

Cover Art Review: Sparkly plastic paper. The icicles are gorgeous in purple, and that lady looks just like they described Bridget aka the Snow Queen. The actual hard cover is so pretty if you have it in real life, not just a photo.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

~Haley G

Tempest Rising by Tracy Deebs

Title: Tempest Rising

Author: Tracy Deebs

Genera: Supernatural/paranormal/fantasy

Subjects: Mermaids, selkies, magic, family, romance

Length: 341 pages, Hardcover

Rating: ê ê ê ê ê

Tempest Maguire is half mermaid. Her mother left her and her brothers six years ago with the promise that she would return. With her 17^th birthday approaching, Tempest is going to have to go though all her mermaid changes by herself. Tempest loves to surf, but she is afraid of losing herself to the sea once the mermaid changes begin. Some of the changes are already beginning. Suddenly she has gills. She sees a stranger surfing during a storm. He comes ashore and introduces himself a Kona. Who is Kona? And will Tempest be able to decide between the land and the sea?

This is probably one of the best Mermaid books I have ever read. Emily Windsnap was cutesy and I love Forgive my Fins, but this one had so much to it. I’ve read a few books that had selkies, and I think it’s pretty cool that mermaid and selkies are co-existing in the ocean, not just two words for the same being.

Tempest seemed like a strong female character. I love is when the main character is sarcastic. Makes the book fun to read. Kona is very hot, and also acted sarcastic at times. I love it when the characters do funny, feisty banter. I didn’t like Tempest’s on/off boyfriend Mark so much because he seemed possessive. In a protective sort of way, but still. Tempest’s little brother were okay. Rio didn’t do much, but little Moku looked up to Tempest.

I was surprised how good this book was. The cover does not do it justice.

Art Review: This cover’s jacket is matte. The art on it does not look very contemporary YA. It looks more like an adult paperback romance from the late 80’s. Maybe it’s the title’s text. The girl on the cover is okay, especially the awesome tattoo, but the background could have used more “ouff.” Like a real tempest brewing. Waves hitting rocks, and lightning flashing. That’s what I would’ve done.

~Haley G