ARC Review: The Seven Swords Nils Johnson-Shelton

Previously posted on my Goodreads page
Title: The Seven Swords (Click title for Synopsis)
Source/Format: Goodreads First Reads (Harper Collins Children’s Books) thank you, Bound ARC
Age Range: Middle Grade
Publisher/Publication Date: Harper Collins, January 2, 2013

My Thoughts:

     One word: epic. This book was spontaneous and completely unpredictable. You thought you knew what was going on, and who was on whose side, but that’s not the case. For a middle-grade book, I was more than satisfied. The Seven Swords was the kind of book that I’d like to see as a movie.

As for being new to Johnson-Shelton’s work, I was unsure of what to expect, but my mind was blown. The characters were just fabulous. Erik, by far, was my favorite character, and his antics had me laughing out-loud at some points. I also liked seeing him transition from this meek child to one of Artie’s most valuable assets. And then there was Qwon. Her tactics for gaining her captor’s trust and planning her escape were just downright hilarious. Artie and Kay were also just as interesting. Artie’s loyalty to his friends really showed his noble trait, and made me root for him the entire time.

The storyline was non-stop action. I felt like I knew what was going to happen next just as another curveball was thrown. The shockers that happened throughout the book had me questioning some of the characters motives. I literally did not want to stop reading The Seven Swords. Overall, I really liked this book, and I can’t wait to see what happens in the next Otherworld Chronicles novel. Five stars! (I wish it could be six stars.) Now that I’ve read this amazing book, I will definitely read The Invisible Tower, the first book in the Otherworld Chronicles.

I absolutely loved it.  I would recommend it to everyone.

For a summary click the book cover above, which will take you to Goodreads, or the Browse Inside this Book on the widget below.

Review: Time Between Us by Tamara Ireland Stone

 

 

Title:  Time Between Us (click on the link to read the synopsis)

Publisher: Hyperion

Publication Date:  October 2012

Source/Format:  Won/Hardback

 

 

Why Time Between Us was Pushed to the Top of My TBR List

       With the cover reveal of Time After Time, I just knew that I had to push reading Time Between Us to the top of my TBR list. I really wanted to understand the differences in the book covers. Where Bennett is in the distance on the first cover, which seems to represents the distance and time between them. Also with his back turned on the first cover, it seems that he’s avoiding her. When I saw the second cover my first reaction was to think that the cover was amazing, but now that I think about it the cover design is brilliant. It captures the synopsis of Time After Time. By placing Anna at the forefront and Bennett facing and closer to her, it reflects the fact that although their relationship has grown, there is still time, distance, and barriers between them. It really makes me anticipate the release of Time After Time, because I wonder if Bennett and Anna can ever be together.

Review: Time Between Us

       Where do I begin? I can’t say anything bad about this beautifully written YA time travel love story. Time Between Us presents an interesting take on time travel in which Bennett travels back in time and meets Anna. The connection between the two is evident almost immediately. This was an easy exhilarating read. Once I started reading Time between Us, I just couldn’t put the book down. It’s an innocent love story in which they can share secrets and special moments together. It was really nice to read a story in which the heroine is not pursuing the bad boy hero. At times I felt that maybe Bennett wasn’t so nice because he avoided Anna. Yet, as I learned more about Bennett, the reason he was so distant at times became evident and made him a more likable character. What I really enjoyed about this love story was the dynamics between Anna and Bennett. Although there were conflicts, they seemed to solve them in a respectful manner. They were also in tune to the others feelings. It had a plot that flowed well from the beginning ‘til the end. The characters were realistic and along the way Bennett and Anna learned a lot about themselves and each other. I think it is great when the characters can grow from the problem at hand. I just loved Bennett who had a soft spot for Anna, and often went against his better judgment just to make her happy. It was easy to get lost in the story as I was rooting for the success of their relationship and I was unsure of how it would end. I could only think, time travel, do-over’s, and a romance across time and space, is it even possible?

       Well , I really don’t want to spoil the story, so if you’re curious, I highly recommend reading Anna and Bennett’s magical journey as they try to overcome the time between them….

I absolutely loved it.  I would recommend it to everyone!


I won Time between Us from the author, Tamara Ireland Stone, on Twitter. Thank you!

Review: The Diviners by Libba Bray

Title: The Diviners (Click title for Synopsis)
Source/Format: Purchased, Hardback
Age Range: YA
Publisher/Publication Date: Little, Brown Books for young readers, September 18, 2012

My Thoughts:

In the words of Evie O’Neill, The Diviners is “pos-i-tut-ly” marvelous!  Not only is the cover art gorgeous, but the story within is just…awe-inspiring.  Libba Bray did an outstanding job weaving key elements that made 1926 part of the Flapper Era into the story.  The Diviners really wowed me.  Sure it was long, but it was written well and there was always something going on, which held my interest.

     Evie really has a mind of her own, something that’s finally gotten her in trouble, and shipped off to New York City.  The thing that her parents didn’t realize is that she couldn’t be happier to go.  Evie did jump headlong into trouble sometimes, but that trait fit with her personality.  The other character that got my attention the most was Jericho, and his story.  Jericho’s history is kind of sad, and you don’t find out until later on why he was with Evie’s uncle.  The other characters each had their own story, and they came from different backgrounds.  I like that The Diviners wasn’t a cookie-cutter book filled with a stale set of YA characters.  

     The mystery surrounding the first girls death was diabolical and yet brilliant.  Bray came up with something that was chilling, but hey, it wouldn’t be an occult book without an otherworldly mystery.  I can’t wait to see what Evie gets into next. 

I absolutely loved it.  I recommend it for everyone.

 

Review: Cinder & Scarlet by Marissa Meyer (Lunar Chronicles #1-2)

 





Cinder (Click title for Synopsis)
Source/Format: Purchased, Paperback
Age Range: YA
Publisher/Publication Date: Fiewel & Friends, January 3, 2012

Scarlet (Click title for Synopsis)
Source/ Format: Won, Bound ARC
Age Range: YA
Publiser/Publication Date: Fiewel & Friends, February 5, 2013

     I originally started off by reading Scarlet, and I admit that I was a hesitant about starting a series that had a lot of hype surrounding it. But I loved Scarlet so much that I ended up reading Cinder right after. And you know what? I loved both of them. Meyer did a fantastic job of retelling classic stories, by adding new elements into it that gave the tales a fresh voice. I really enjoyed both Scarlet and Cinder, and I look forward to reading Cress.

My Thoughts on Cinder:
     For a story that’s been retold lots of times, I find that I like this one the most. It was imaginative, with a consistent storyline that never allowed for a dull moment. Meyer added details throughout the book that made sense, and wasn't just placed there for added effect. The Lunar Chronicles is now one of my favorite series. Right away, I liked the fact that Cinder was in fact flawed in some way. Already, she was unlike the slew of YA protagonists that are oblivious to the fact that they’re pretty, or flaunt that fact. I liked the way the world was set up, and despite how wrong Adri treated Cinder, I felt like it was a necessary part to the story. And then there was Prince Kai, and although I don’t like how things ended with him, I felt like it was an essential part to the story.

My thoughts on Scarlet:
     Scarlet is a fantastic follow-up to Cinder. It picked up where Cinder ended, and I really enjoyed the fact that the story didn’t jump a few months ahead. Once again, there was a consistent plot that made the book an easy read, as well as tons of action. Meyer once again did a wonderful job at twisting a classic tale into a new one that anyone would enjoy. There are massive changes in Scarlet, and I can’t wait to see where the next book takes things. There were a few new characters, and I liked the subplots that were added. Scarlet was an interesting character with more depth than I originally thought she would have. Wolf, well, he was a surprise, a good one, and I can’t wait to see where things between him and Scarlet go. The ending was a horrible—in a good way—shock, and now I want Cress more than ever. Too bad the wait is so long.

I absolutely loved it.  I would recommend it to everyone

 

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