My Devastating Reads

Hi Everyone!

I'm super excited to bring you a YA review today. It's a book a lot of people have read and enjoyed.
It might be a nice change from the romance reviews I've thrown your way recently ;)

Summary

Hardcover, 471 pages

Published October 1st 2008 by Harcourt

ISBN

015206396X (ISBN13: 9780152063962)

In a world where people born with an extreme skill - called a Grace - are feared and exploited, Katsa carries the burden of the skill even she despises: the Grace of killing. She lives under the command of her uncle Randa, King of the Middluns, and is expected to execute his dirty work, punishing and torturing anyone who displeases him.

When she first meets Prince Po, who is Graced with combat skills, Katsa has no hint of how her life is about to change.

She never expects to become Po's friend.

She never expects to learn a new truth about her own Grace - or about a terrible secret that lies hidden far away...a secret that could destroy all seven kingdoms with words alone.
Summary from Goodreads.

Review

So, I heard a lot of good things about this series. And being a fan both of YA and fantasy, I simply had to read this book. Graceling delivered a lot of what I expected from a fantasy novel: action, adventure, a sinister creepy king, and a romance. And great, great characters. So why did I leave this book feeling a little meh? I'm not really sure.

I loved the writing style in this novel, it was languid and allowed me to crawl into the minds of Katsa and Po. I got to know these two really well, and I have to say, I'm half in love with Po. He's everything a prince should be: thoughtful, kind, patient, charming and accepting. What more could Katsa want? Freedom. She is absolutely dead set against marriage because she wants to "own" her own freedom. And I get where she's coming from considering the soceity is patricarchal, and given the fact that Katsa has been owned by her king. So she becomes Po's lover instead. This allows Katsa freedom: since she's not married to Po, she can come and go as she pleases, she doens't have to do what Po says. It's kind of like an open causal relationship. And I think what bothers me about that is, we leave this book not knowing where that is going. Everything else is pretty tied up, but the romance.

Le sigh. How I hate angst. I hate leaving a book on a cliff hanger like that. Mind you, lots of fantasy books are cliffhangers. Take the Pellinor series for instance. Or the Inheritance series. I usually don't mind. But in this novel, it almost felt a tad flat for me. I guess because I have no clear direction of what might happen next...other than the story will continue.

That said, I did enjoy the novel quite a bit. Po was by far my favourite character. He was accepting of Katsa (who really is a bit of a wildcat, as Po calls her) and didn't fear her or treat her like a leper because of her Grace, which is a rather frightening one until she makes the great discovery that it's not what she thought it was. Naturally Po helped her realize that, because his own Grace is so...cool. Katsa is a bit of a scary character, and although I understood her, I couldn't really relate to her. But I do appreicate that she grows as a person from the beginning of the novel, as someone who has no friends, who doesn't understand kindness because she's receieved so kindness in her life, to someone who learns to make friends and how to start being kind and true to herself. I'm hopeful that in the next book, Katsa might be a somewhat warmer, more careful sort of character. Not that I want her to lose her kick ass-ness, but I'd like to see that tempered with a bit of warmth.

And I have to say, I love the idea of being Graced with something. The ability to fight better than anyone else, or to see in the dark, or to tell enchanting stories or cook delcious meals. It's such an original idea and I'd love to encounter more Graced characters like Po and Katsa. I'm also curious to discover more about Po's people and I'm excited that Katsa is going to really start living her own life finally. I have some hopes that this story will bring her full circle back to Po and Bitterblue in the end.

3 glittering stars

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine. It allows bloggers to share about upcoming books they are dying to read.

This week I'm waiting on The Savage Blue by Zoraida Cordova. It's a YA read, and I loved the first book, The Vicious Deep so I'm dying to read this one! It's due to come out sometime in 2013. I cannot wait to find out about where this wonderful, powerful mermaid story will lead us. I left the first book completely devastated (in a good way) by the story and characters, so I'm hoping it's coming out sooner in 2013 than later...
But here is the summary for you from goodreads.

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 to the infamous port of Tortuga Cove in search of the trident that will make him king. But while Tristan chases his destiny, the dark forces raging against him are getting stronger and the sea witch of his nightmares is getting closer. Battling pirates, sea dragons and mutant creatures of the deep, Tristan needs his friends' support. But they each have their secrets, and a betrayal will force Tristan to choose between loyalty and ambition, friendship and love. In the race for a throne, all's fair in the savage blue.

Release Date: 2013
Number of Pages: pages

Publisher: Sourebooks Fire
Add to Goodreads

I have to say, I'm a little worried about this talk of betrayal...I really hope it's not a particular someone that Tristan loves because that would really truly devastate me. But not in a good way. Either way though, I gotta read this book!

Hello Everyone!

I finally finished this read! My life got a lot crazy all at once or this read would have been done a week ago. I'd been wanting to get to this Rough Riders read for a while and I'm glad I finally got it.
First off, a note of warning. The Rough Riders might be categorized by some as erotica. It contains very explicit sexual encounters. And plenty of them. I consider it erotic romance; but that being said, it is not a read for the faint hearted. An 18 years + read. Just so y'all are warned ;) Personally, I love this series because the characters are real and so are the relationships (between family, friends, and lovers) in the books. And who can't love a series about cowboys?? So on to the review.

Summary

ebook, 275 pages

Published March 2008 by Samhain Publishing

ISBN

159998895X (ISBN13: 9781599988955)

edition language

English

original title

Cowgirl Up and Ride

series

Rough Riders #3

Ridin' the edge of lust is fun-until someone falls in love. A Rough Riders book. Goody-two boots AJ Foster has waited her entire life for her dream cowboy Cord McKay to see her as more than the neighbor girl in pigtails. Now that she's old enough to stake her claim on him, she's pulling out all the sexual stops and riding hell-bent for leather-straight for his libido. Divorced rancher Cord has sworn off all women.until innocent AJ suggests he teach her how to ride bareback-and he realizes she doesn't mean horses or bulls. Between his responsibilities running his massive ranch, missing his young son and dealing with the sexual shenanigans of his brother and cousins, Cord is more than willing to take AJ up on her offer. On a trial basis. The fun and games tie them both up in knots. AJ isn't willing to settle for less than the whole shootin' match with her western knight. But for Cord, even though the sexy cowgirl sets his blood ablaze, he's determined to resist her efforts to lasso his battered heart. Sweet, determined AJ has the power to heal-or heel-the gruff cowboy.unless Cord's pride keeps him from admitting their relationship is more than a simple roll in the hay. Warning: this book contains: raunchy sex scenes that'll work you into a lather faster than a winded horse, graphic language, resourceful use of baling twine, mnage a trois, mnage a quatage, and yippee hot nekkid man-on-man-lovin'.
Summary from Goodreads

Review

What can I say about the Rough Riders? Hot, hot, damn hot. And Cord's story is no different. I absolutely loved Colby's story in the first book, and I adored Carter's story in book two and I expected to be devastated by this read. Absolutely devastated like I was with his two fine brothers. I was devastated. But not as completely as with them first two McKay wild boys. However, Cord did win my heart.

Cord is the cynical, responsible, oldest brother in the McKay family who's already has his heart trampled on once. He's sworn off women forever. And AJ is the sweet, young girl next door who has adored him since she was five years old. She's literally loved him forever. But in this book, she learns that real love isn't hero worship, and when she figures that out, she knows she wants it all from Cord. Not just him and her between the sheets, but a real relationship where they are both in it for the long haul because they love each other.

But Cord's...a McKay I guess. Easiest way to put it: men in his family are proud and stubborn and Cord doesn't know how to tell AJ that all their bedroom antics have meant more to him than just plain old good sex. So Amy Jo leaves. She wants and deserves more than she thinks Cord is offering when he asks her to marry him, and this is where the story really won me over. He starts courting her. I believe the term used in the book was "wooing" but each is equally awwwwwwww in my books. It strips him bear to confess even to himself how much he loves her, and then to figure out how to win her back but Cord does it. And parts of it are really romantic. But I do kinda wish this tough cowboy had been a little more...passionate in his declarations to AJ. He did put it out all on the line, and he's super sweet in his wooing and very cute when he thinks he might have made AJ mad with his idea of getting married in Vegas, but I think I needed a little more emotion from these two. I think I expected a love story about a bitter man learning to love again from a girl who's loved him all her life to be a bit more emotionally explosive, but it didn't quite meet my expectations in that area.

I am, however, tickled by some of the other members of the McKay family we get to meet. I want to read Kade's story. I don't know when it is, but I want to find out if he's going to end up with Skylar. And I'm dying to know what's been rattling about in Colt's head that sent him down the road into the bottle. I want to know if he's really cleaned himself up, and what his HEA will look like. And this is why I have to say the series is great: there's lots of hot sex, but the characters tackle very real problems like alcoholism, family relationships that are going south, homosexuality and childhoods that are lost, like AJ's, because of the sarcifices we make for those we love. Some of these things should not be, like the situtation with Dag, but it's realistic and that for me, keeps me invested in this series. That, and the great writing and wonderful fully developed characters.

I can't wait for the next read!
4 glittering stars

Hello Readers and blog followers,

It's been a bit of a hetic week for me. I've actually gone through a few days of being unable to read because of the crazy in my head. However, before heading back into the work week, I thought I'd pop in, say hello and let you know about an author and book I love. Now, if you're any fan of romance, I'm sure you've heard of Julie Garwood. She's written a ton of books that have absolutely devastated me, so here is my review of The Lion's Lady, which I loved.

Summary

Paperback, Reissue, 384 pages

Published January 1991

by Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing Group

Christina Bennett had taken London society by storm. The ravishing beauty guarded the secret of her mysterious past until the night Lyon, Marquis of Lyonwood, stole a searching, sensuous kiss. An arrogant nobleman with a pirate's passions, he tasted the wild fire smoldering beneath Christina's cool charm and swore to posses her...

But the feisty and defiant Christina would not be so easily conquered. Mistress of her heart and of her fortune, she resisted Lyon's sensuous caresses. She dared not surrender to his love...for then, she must also forsake her precious secret...and her promised destiny! Summary from Goodreads

Review

I was impressed with this novel. Christina being raised by Natives and then returning to England to honour her mother's request to bring her father to justice was definitely an interesting premise. The prologue nicely set the stage for this, as well as for Christina's character, and Jessica's journal developed this plot nicely without interfering with Lyon and Christina's romance, which was rather whirlwind and angry, but tender and joyful as well.

The characters were impressive as well. I think of all the Garwood heroes, Lyon is the one that I most understand. Crusty on the outside, but warm and sweet inside. His past gave him a bit more of a human feel than the usual warrior types as well. He's dangerous and stubborn, arrogant and all that jazz, but he's also very tender and loving. That he needs the "soft words" is really sweet, and I really loved the fact that it was Lyon who declared his love for Christina first, and that it was him that did all the waiting and coaxing on the issue of trust. Usually it's the other way around, so that was a refreshing change. I like that his pride doesn't extend so far that he won't say "I love you" until Christina does. Strong and sensitive warrior? I love it.

Christina made me laugh. She's proud and strong willed and Lyon loves that about her. I love it when she divorces Lyon for shaming her. I love his reaction too. But most of all I love how she has everyone so damn confused, but so convinced of her sincerity that they'll do anything she asks, no matter how ridiculous it is from their point of view. Her strength is commendable too, to pull off the facade she did with her father. That kind of nerve is beyond daring in my opinion.

The supporting characters of Rhone and Diana were both amusing, and their little courtship made me grin. Lyon's mother was also funny near the end and I liked that Christina brought her back into the family circle. Hell, even the servants were great and that's what I like about Garwood, she really uses her supporting characters to show us who her hero and heroine are, and that makes her books a great read.

5 glittering stars

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine. I hold mine bi-weekly. So this week, I want to share with you a series and author I love.

I'm waiting on Margaret Mallory's The Warrior in her Return of the Highlanders series. The first two books were hot, hot, hot and very well written. Not to mention absolutely devastating. I mean, I fell in love with Alex from The Sinner. He's one of my imaginary boyfriends. So am I excited? Yes!! Duncan has always been the secretive bunch of this group, clearly has ex-girlfriend issues, as in I'm still in love with my ex-girlfriend and won't look at another woman ever issues. And the fact that this is historical romance taking place in the Scottish highlands just makes this even better. I have a serious infatuation going on with highlander romances. Before I get too carried away here, here's the summary from the author's site.

From the Isle of Skye to the battlefields of France, Duncan MacDonald has never escaped the memory of the true love he left behind. Deemed unworthy of a chieftain's daughter, Duncan abandoned the lovely Moira to prove his worth in battle. Now, when called upon to rescue her from a rival clan, one thing is certain: Moira's pull on his heart is stronger than ever.

Bartered away in marriage to a violent man, Moira will do anything to ensure she and her son survive. When a rugged warrior arrives to save her, the desperate beauty thinks her prayers have been answered—until she realizes it's Duncan. The man who once broke her heart is now her only hope. Moira vows never again to give herself—or reveal her secrets—to the fierce warrior, but as they race across the sea, danger and desire draw them ever closer.