Arc approvals

Can you believe it that it's almost April? o_O
Where have the first three months of 2015 gone?
And what I am doing that I don't have the time or concentration to read?
Argh. This is the worst feeling for a bookworm.

I was _ well, I still am _ determined to read a couple of series that I have been meaning to read for the last couple of years. Of course there's always the new releases _ some of them at least _ that have me quite interested in reading them, but let's say that I've become much more selective regarding the arcs that I want to read.

As such, I have been resisting going into Netgalley and Edelwiss with a fury!
_______
That doesn't mean that I am not curious about certain stories..
There's this book on Edelweiss that sounds so good...and the cover is so pretty *.*
  See? Pretty! And the synopsis looks good as well..
Someone please go and request it, and let me know if it's any good!

Then there's also this one:

                                           
Of course being so reticent in requesting them, probably means that I would love them o_O

But I am trying to cut in my arc requests..so I'll have to be, you know strong!
(let's see how long that will last...)

So, arc approvals: officially only one, because the other book was on the download copy section.
Strangely, I was approved to read Mechanica:

 

Another insanely pretty cover..darn, lol -_-

And look what was available to download on Edelweiss...nothing more than the sequel to my favourite 2014 book! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

No pressure o_O

What does this mean?
It means that I am currently re-reading the first book in the series, Radiant, because it has been a couple of months since I've read it, and I want to go into Defiant remembering everything.
What about you?
What are you reading?

A Magic Dark and Bright ( Asylum Saga #1) by Jenny Adams Perinovic

                                             Arc provided by Bookish Girl Press

                                                  Release Date: April 28 th

I am going to start with what I liked in this story: The first paragraph. It was creepy and atmospheric.

A woman haunted the woods behind my house.
I used to watch her from my bedroom window. She glowed silver in the moonlight, a pale wraith in a white dress that curled around her ankles and twisted in an ancient wind that didn’t touch the pine trees around her.

The characters
Well developed, with their own story and background, they never felt flat.
Amelia is a level headed girl who is going through a hard time in her life, and I felt for her.

The romance
Despite feeling as if thwarted what I was hoping to get from this story _ something way creepier _ it never felt over the top, because Charlie is one of the "good guys". He's sweet and caring, and doesn't appear to have an idiotic bone in his body.
Of course this is the first book of...I don't know how many more, and characters are known to change, lol.

No bloody love triangles in this story: thank you!
I'll confess that when another character appears _ Ransom_ I got a little scared: OMG, a love triangle..NO! o_O
Luckily that doesn't happen.

The writing
I had no problem with it, and I can't help appreciate the little clues that were hiding at plain sight...most of which completely escaped my notice.


The setting in which the story takes place that was inspired in actual facts.

The less than positives aspects:

For more than a third of it, the story doesn't seem to go anywhere.

It has a very "young" YA vibe to it. There were times in which I felt I could be reading an Enid Blyton's story with a mystery lurking at the background...
Even when the bodies start piling up, the tone of the story doesn't change: It continues the same old self, calm and quiet.

Slut shaming, there's some instances of that. Also there were comments on how a girl became bitchy to her friends _ my words _ after "her boobs" _the author's words _ developed.
This really got on my nerves.
Could this be more cliché?

The cliffhanger
The only reason I kept on reading _ despite the fact of this not being my cup of tea _ was simply because I wanted to know what was going to happen.
Unfortunately when things started becoming more interesting...it ends. -_-
I could even see myself reading the follow up, if it had already been released.
As it is, the sequel will probably be released next year _? _ and I can almost see the heavy emotional angst that a certain relationship will entail,_something for which I simply don't have the patience or interest_ so I'll probably never get around to reading it.

Bottom Line: This is not a bad book _ in fact, it is way superior to some YA bestsellers _ it just needs a different type of reader.

Author's Facebook

Pre-order it:
Bookdepository.com

Royally Ever After by Loretta Chase

                                   Arc provided by Avon Impulse through Edelweiss

                                                           Release Date: April 7 th

4 Stars to  "Lord Lovedon's Duel"

Well, this was fun. And sweet...and unfortunately short. :/
My favourite novella _yes, of the two of them _ has to be "Lord Lovedon's Duel".
If you're a fan of witty repartee and insane characters, you're probably going to love this:

“It seems I must kill myself,” he said. “It is impossible to continue in this world without Miss Sharp’s approbation.” He put the back of his hand to his forehead. “Farewell, all. I go to a better place.”

“I think not,” she said. “I think it will be rather worse than this one and a good deal hotter.”

Insanity all around..I loved it! ;)

And since I am on the subject, why isn't there a series of which this novella could be part of?
So, I could go and you know..read it? At once.

2.5 Stars To The Jilting of Lord Rothwick

As for The Jilting of Lord Rothwick, it had great potential _not that I am saying that I disliked it _ but it ended up being really short for a novella. More like an "itsy bitsy baby" novella. And I wanted more. o_O


In the end there's a presentation of the author's new book ,_ "Dukes Prefer Blondes", release date 2016_ and it ends up having almost as many pages as the second "novella".
_____________
Yes Avon, your bookish master plan worked: My curiosity has been roused, and I would love to get my hands on Clara's and Oliver's book right this minute.
~January 2016 for heaven's sake~ mumbles to herself.

Author's Official Site

Pre-order it:
Kobo 

All The Rage by Courtney Summers

                                  Arc provided by St. Martin's Griffin through Netgalley

                                                         Release Date: April 14 th

                                                             TW's: Rape / Bullying

It would be impossible for me, to stay indifferent to what happens in this story: There's the spectre of rape touching almost everything that happens, and that is so gut wrenching, that I mostly read this while standing up.
My feet wouldn't stay quiet, and I was a nervous wreck.

There's also bullying in this story. Strong girl on girl hate, and as if all that wasn't already enough, there's something even worse..

By the middle of it, I was promising myself, that in the future I will read all the zombie books that this author may write, but I will never read anything like this again, because I simply don't have the stomach for it.
There was a point in which I started questioning and getting angry with Romy's decisions.

Things were already bad, and she would go and act in a completely irresponsible way, which would only add more fuel to an already impossible drama...
I don't know how someone who has been raped will behave. I don't know if she'll have a strong preservation instinct...but I would like to think so, and Romy here, has two unbelievably stupid moments _ especially for someone who first comes out as incredible adult and responsible _ and those situations, combined with other aspects _ some undeveloped moments _ made it impossible for me, to give it more than three stars.

I also wasn't crazy about the way the story is presented: I found the time frames confusing as hell, and I would go back and forth to see if I could make some sense of that.

Romy doesn't have a single friend, she hates her body. She hates being a girl.
Her only coping, and defence mechanism, is her makeup...which is only believable for a small part.
Basically, too much happens for this girl to keep her act together!

Then there was also the love interest _ yes, there's one in this story _ which for me had no place in this story.
Don't get me wrong! The guy is great, and he sure gives his support to Romy _even when she doesn't deserve it _ but keeping in mind all that happens, I think it was too unbelievably rushed.

Bottom Line: This is an story with a strong message, that every teen should read, at least the parts that focus on what it entails being a girl our days, being subject to rape culture, and what they go through... especially in high school.

Keep in mind however, that the story needs another blurb: there's some references to a character _ Kellan _ that actually never makes an appearance, and reading it, makes it sound as if we're in for a thriller...which mostly doesn't happen.

Author's Official Site

Buy " All The Rage"
@Bookdepository.com

Pale Demon ( The Hollows # 9) by Kim Harrison

A strong instalment to the series: Rachel "only" has a reasonable amount of tstl moments in it. Understandable, due to what she goes through in this..."episode" _ a lot, as usual .

This is the most chaotic series that I've ever read: There's a witch, that may turn out to be an actual demon..but she doesn't want to be a demon.
She wants what she's had her entire life...if only people would leave her alone!

But now in her life there's a living vampire, a family of noisy pixies _ with the occasional fairy _, a demon who once was the big threat to her life, and now is more like a comforting presence? Yes, I am talking about Al.
It's complicated.

An ex-coven witch who was killed and buried alive _ *shiver* _ on what is now Rachel's and Ivy's _ officially more like Jenks _ church grounds, and may now be a sort of significant other to Rachel...if only he didn't insist on killing demons.
____

Now, imagine all this people, together, in one car.....

________

___________

Yes, it's a mess. An insane _full of non stop adventure _ mess.

As always in the end, Rachel ends up, in even dire straits that the ones she started in, to begin with.
You know? Basic, Rachel Morgan's insanity all around.

Oh, and a secret about Trent is revealed, lol, and I am not going to say which one. ;)

But it was nice to see Rachel and Ivy finally _ Oh, God, I hope it lasts! _ come to an understanding. I was getting sick and tired of their back and forth dance.

Author's Official Site

Buy "Pale Demon"
@Bookdepository.com

Taken By The Toaster by Dick Thumper

This is one of the funniest things I've read in recent years.

Onto the plot:

John, a basement dwelling weeaboo neckbeard, spends his time on "intellectual pursuits at [his]computer" and cannot spare any more of it, not even for Christmas dinner, which his mother brings down to the basement so he won't have to join the festivities above. 

He is adamantly against moving out of his parents' house for, as he puts it, "Pussy-Slasher underscore 1975 is almost forty and he still lives at home", and seeing as he's a "level two hundred paladin" he's a worthy role model. 

But more importantly, for Christmas, John got a toaster. And is immediately enamoured by it. Oh, he tries to fight it, but as he says, "that harlot of a toaster just wouldn't quit".

And that was the beginning of a steamy and passionate relationship.

Reminded me a lot of this comic (sorry, I don't know who to attribute credit):

I strongly recommend it.

Buy Taken by the Toaster
@ Amazon

The Witch Of Painted Sorrows by M. J. Rose

                                    Arc provided by Atria Books through Netgalley

                                                     Release Date: March 17 th

DNF at 30%

I'll start with the positives: The pretty cover and the enticing title...both of them, made me click the request button.

The writing:
The story is mainly told in such a boring, fastidious way, that I cannot in full conscience give it more stars.
Who knows? Maybe the story does get better...although I doubt it, with such a simpering leading character...

 I'll admit that I am not this book's intended audience, mainly because I like strong plots. And even while reading fantasy, I like it to have solid bases.
 For me, being bombarded on all sides with fashion décor is not what I consider a strong plot...strong descriptive abilities, yes.
Plot? Non.

  The flimsy way in which the paranormal aspect was inserted in the story, was so vague and  unremarkable, that I just couldn't force myself to keep reading this. It was like Sandrine tripped in it: Oh, here it is, I must follow it.

When I reached the twenty percent mark, what did I have?
Long, boring, pretentious descriptions of this and that.
I am all for setting a story's tone, but with such nonsense "floating" around, there's no reason for me to suffer through this.
The sound of "tears being shed"?

This is not magical realism, nor does this read as an horror novel_much less sci-fi! what's with those time dates on the paintings?_, and those were the only logical "explanations" for what happens, or for what the character says. But with such sugared, cheesy descriptions _ of all that is pretty and nice _ the plot doesn't have a proper strong voice as an historical romance.

Also, I really dislike soap opera twists, and having a guy drop dead because he was slapped, was really pushing it. Slap a guy, and he has a fulminant asthma attack?
Really? -_- Well, if he were in a House's episode maybe...
Not that he didn't deserve to die!
He was an eighteen year old messing around with a fourteen year old girl! *off with his balls!*

Oh, and insta love? Can I just say how "lame" that description felt?

I lost count of the amount of pointless descriptions this book has...so, here's an idea: why not develop a proper romance between grown ups?

Then there were the plot inconsistencies: For instance, the thing with Sandrine's age?
We are told that she was already involved with Leon when she was fifteen, but at the beginning, we are told that he dies in the morning of her fifteenth birthday...
So, what is it? Fourteen sounds "problematic", but fifteen doesn't? :/

Then there's a phrase in which we get a demure twenty five year old Sandrine, imagining how it would feel  to turn around, and to kiss an almost complete stranger _ the love interest _ and how she had never done anything so spontaneous...
Are you kidding me?
For someone with such a good memory, she sure has selective amnesia. Hello?
What about the time when "you" were fourteen and were caught in bed _completely naked _ with "your" beau?

First and probably last book, I'll ever read by this author.

Author's Official Site

Once Upon a Rose ( La Vie En Rose #1) by Laura Florand

This was the first book I've read by this author, and I truly enjoyed it.
Okay, not as much as I was expecting to, considering how it started _ brilliantly _ but it ended up being a nice, cosy read.
I think this is probably the first book that I've read, in which a male character is constantly blushing, which was mostly endearing; but towards the end, this and another traits _for me_ became a little repetitive.

We have an OTP couple here: Matthieu and Layla are completely perfect for one another.
Both of them wear their hearts on their sleeves, although Matt tries to hide this situation through a lot of growling. Most of his close family try to act as if they believe the act.
Not Layla. Layla has a lot of fun teasing and provoking the big growly bear...which results in more blushes and incapacity of donning a simple t-shirt in the woman's presence.
The guy's brain apparently turns to mush in her presence: It's sweet! And yes, hilarious.

The problem is that the story felt a little long and repetitive considering what happens _ not much _ besides the romance between those two. Romance that takes place in the span of a week..or even less, if I am not mistaken.

Helping these two love-birds _ lol of course their definition of help may at times be controversial _ is a vast number of characters _ Matt has a big family _ that includes Matt's cousins, who I bet will be the leading characters of the next volumes in this series.

In the end I guess this should be seen as a novella, that has the task of presenting a new series and a new set of characters.
For me _ despite the at times sugar overload _ this was a very positive read.
I enjoyed the setting and the author's writing style. Would have loved it even more, if there weren't so many descriptions of the characters mushy feelings for one another.

 Author's Official Site

Buy " Once Upon a Rose"
@Bookdepository.com

Red by Alyxandra Harvey

                                        Arc provided by Entangled Publishing through Netgalley

                                                        Release Date: March 10 th

I am afraid this turned out to be an average paranormal YA romance, of the type that features a mysterious gorgeous boy with secrets, and a girl who promises not to fall under his spell and pretty much fails at that agenda, _especially when the boy in question behaves like an idiot through most of the book _ "five" minutes after they're introduced.

Also there is quite a number of cheesy lines in this book that may induce the reader in some painful sugar inducted comma:

"Air was unnecessary, dust and ash.
His mouth was every kind of sweet drink and every bite of dessert I’d ever had. It was chili peppers and chocolate, cinnamon candies, cherry cupcakes."

-_- *runs away screaming*

 But this story's biggest problem _ yes, besides the previous ones _ is that it lacks development.
Practically in everything.
Things happen in the blink of an eye and that's it. The reader just has to go with the flow..while it gets bombarded with YA clichés from all sides.

The worst thing, is that it had potential. The author comes out with some good twists in the end, _what happens to the villain for instance_ but the story doesn't have solid grounds.
This needed to be developed. It feels as if half the story is missing. Yes, it may be the boring one. But it was needed.
To compensate what is missing, _yes, I am being sarcastic _ there is one too many Ya clichés this book relies on.


YA tropes this book relies on:

Absent parents:
Girl gets into trouble, dad sends her off to live with grandmother and that's it. One daughter dispatched and we never hear from the guy again. He could at least have called once in awhile, right?

And does the grandmother take the time to have a serious talk with the girl? You know, regarding her problems?
Of course not. Waste of time. Let's get the ball  romance rolling.
This ends up being even more idiotic and irresponsible when some facts are revealed.


Special snowflake alert:

"You're not like the other girls at Havencrest," he said.

Says the love interest who only pretends to be an ass through most of the book to deviate attentions from...something.
In reality he's a bloody prince knight charming. Of course.

Bad Boy romantic interest:

" There were already so many versions of Ethan, but this one was clearly the most dangerous.
I could actually like this Ethan."

Of course, because nothing is hotter than a wacko.

Mr Prince Charming Perfect:

" I could recite all of Hercules's trials before I could recite the alphabet."
*snort*
Yes, yes...but can you make bread?

Hot and You're Cold
One moment they're having a polite conversation as friends, next second the guy's telling her to use the servants entrance to the castle.
 That's right. People refer to the mansion as castle...and I am not talking about the insane one who writes books and has a big crush on Beckett -_-.

Of course the guy is acting this way out of concern for the girl. In reality he's every girl's dream come true.
Result: Boring.

Girl on Girl Hate

Haven't we had enough of this already? Also what's with the logic of kicking Kia _ am I the only one who immediately "sees" a jeep in her mind? _ out of school for her own protection?
What's with this logic?
At least when she was in school she wasn't sticking her nose where it didn't belong.

In the end, a story that comes out severely lacking, whose only redeeming qualities rely on some undeveloped plot twists that appear near the end.


Author Official's Site

Razorhurst by Justine Larbalestier

                                           Arc provided by Soho Teen through Edelweiss
                                                         Release Date: March 3rd

An atmospheric tale set in Sydney during the thirties. A period fertile in gang wars, and consequent fights for power.

Confession time:This rating is more representative of the book merits, than my actual appreciation of it.

There's nothing wrong with it: It has a crisp writing, believable characters _ well, at least the ones that are alive _ a good portrait of a time and period. It taught me things I had never heard about.
But I have to admit that it was not my cup of tea...
For starters, the paranormal element in this story left me baffled as to its existence.
Also I didn't understand why Dymphna would be so interested in Kelpie all of a sudden.
Or the sudden romantic interest of Dymphna in _________.

Then there were one too many points of views, which had the undesired effect of making me feel as if I was reading a collection of short stories. 
Characters would appear, and relationships would develop themselves out of thin air. For me that was the story's weakest point.
 So, yes, I admit that I had to force myself to keep reading this. Even when the writing was that good.
Also I don't understand why this was labelled as YA. For me this basically historical fiction with a dash of paranormal in it.
But I believe it would be unfair to give this story only two stars, when it has so many positive points.

Would I recommend it?
Sure, if that time period interests you..if not, it may get tricky.

Author's Official Site

Buy "Razorhurst"
@Bookdepository.com