UK ARC TOUR: Forget You (Jennifer Echols)

After pining for it and visting Jennifer's website twice a day every day to check on updates, I finally had the chance to read Forget You today.

It's bloody awesome.

Now,my review here will tell you how much I loved it, but to keep it short, I loved every single bit of it. Fraught with sexual chemistry and emotionally-charged, it's unmissable. Which is why, I reckon you all should read it early too :) It will be out 20th July, but you wanna read it now, right? :D

Jennifer has very kindly provided me with an advance copy which I will be circulating to UK bloggers for review. It's not as pretty as the real book - which you should also pre-order, by the way, because the cover is beautiful - but it's the inside that counts! :D

I know I have several bloggers interested in the tour from twitter, but I will arrange the order as I get comments for sign-ups. The details of the tour will be as follows:

* Open to all UK bloggers (Are there any EU bloggers interested?)

* The book should be sent out a week after you have received it.

*The review should be posted on your blog within a week of sending out the book.

* No tacking information needed, but could you please get certificate of posting (you can get this for free)?

*E-mail me at dwaynehalim@hotmail.co.uk if you have received the book and I will reply with the next recepient's address. Can you also e-mail me if you have sent it, please?

* Comment with your blog and e-mail address.

That's it! I hope UK bloggers sign up. Forget You really is a beautiful book.

PS. As it is my signed personal copy, please do take good care of it!

Book Review: Forget You (Jennifer Echols)

There’s a lot Zoey would like to forget. Like how her father has knocked up his twenty-four-year old girlfriend. Like Zoey’s fear that the whole town will find out about her mom’s nervous breakdown. Like darkly handsome bad boy Doug taunting her at school. With her life about to become a complete mess, Zoey fights back the only way she knows how, using her famous attention to detail to make sure she’s the perfect daughter, the perfect student, and the perfect girlfriend to ultra-popular football player Brandon.

But then Zoey is in a car crash, and the next day there’s one thing she can’t remember at all—the entire night before. Did she go parking with Brandon, like she planned? And if so, why does it seem like Brandon is avoiding her? And why is Doug—of all people—suddenly acting as if something significant happened between the two of them? Zoey dimly remembers Doug pulling her from the wreck, but he keeps referring to what happened that night as if it was more, and it terrifies Zoey to admit how much is a blank to her. Controlled, meticulous Zoey is quickly losing her grip on the all-important details of her life—a life that seems strangely empty of Brandon, and strangely full of Doug.

I have pined for this book since I first read the blurb. I wanted it so much I visited Jennifer's website for teasers and/or extracts twice a day, every day. So you can only imagine the excitement and the height of expectations I hold for Forget You!

My judgment in five words: Jennifer has done it again!

Forget You is a delicious and a bewitching romance, with a bucketful of sexual chemistry between an endearing heroine searching for answers and a seductively sexy hero who holds the key to it all.  Complex, hugely addictive and ultimately mersmerising, Forget You is an unmissable treat! I found Forget you to be more emotionally-charged, whereas Going Too Far is more psychologically defined. I love love love them both!

Zoey and Doug are both charming characters, brought to life with their respective fears and insecurities. The complexity of their personalities and the demons that shape them - Zoey's family problems and Doug's past - opens the ground for a richly developed set of protagonists. Between Zoey's problems and partial amnesia - forgetting such a consequential night - and Doug's own concerns, they evoke sympathy from readers without forgoing their relatability. I love how Doug is immediately introduced and is prominent in the narrative - I'd like to think that as Zoey's subconscious being extremely aware of him. Around them, secondary characters are equally loveable, with flaws that reflect the imperfections of humanity. Between them, a disarming connection with each other that shatters their defenses.

And I have to add that Doug is unbearably sexy. And sweet. And cute. With or without crutches. Oh heck.

Undeniably, Zoey and Doug are sultry in their own right and are scalding together - the sexual tension between them have reverberated throughout my entire reading experience! Their romance I found was built on an attraction that has long been denied; each attempt at turning away from each other only leads to taking a step towards each other. The contrast between their relationship and Zoey and Brandon's are glaringly obvious, but with a different feel.

Sexy and full of surprises, Zoey and Doug's relationship takes root from a shared past and blossoms to an enchanting tale of of searching and finding. Each of their shared moments are addictive and special, and oh-my-God, so searingly sexy, unmasking qualities of they would not have otherwise discovered in each other. Emphasis here on searingly sexy.

The also setting is adds to the dreamy pair - the lull of the sultry beach in inescapable and welcoming. The unravelling of the twists in the plot is heart-stopping and delivered in short, surprising bursts of revelations. Not to mention that structure of the narrative mirrors accurately Zoey's thoughts and the extent of the the effect her partial amnesia has on her life, especially on her relationship with Brandon and with Doug. And the ending - I wish it was longer! I know I might sound terribly selfish - because even though Forget You is not yet released, I am ready for a sequel!

Five stars, of course!

Forget You will be out 20th July. Don't you forget! :)

*Thank you to Jennifer for my copy. I totally heart you!

In My Mailbox (4)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren.

*Bought

The Sweethearts' Knitting Club (Lori Wilde)

Love Boat (Kate Lace)

Ondine (Ebony Mckenna)

13 Curses(Michelle Harrison)

*Borrowed from the library

Graceling (Kristin Cashore)

Just Listen (Sarah Dessen)

*Won

From Tales of a Ravenous Reader

The Sky is Everywhere (Jandy Nelson)

The Dead Tossed Waves (Carrie Ryan)

Before I Fall (Lauren Oliver)

They are slightly over a week's worth :)

Giveaway: Winners!

Apologies for the delay! We have chosen three winners via random.org and without further ado, they are:

* Alejandro Misso (Brazil)

*Brodie (Australia)

*Michael Dela Cruz (Philippines)

You will be e-mailed shortly for your delivery address. Thank you to all entrants, and congratulations to the winners! :)

Book Review: If I Stay (Gayle Forman)

In a single moment, everything changes. Seventeen-year-old Mia has no memory of the accident; she can only recall riding along the snow-wet Oregon road with her family. Then, in a blink, she finds herself watching as her own damaged body is taken from the wreck...

A sophisticated, layered, and heartachingly beautiful story about the power of family and friends, the choices we all make—and the ultimate choice Mia commands.

If I Stay is a heart-wrenching novel about a choice Mia has to make after losing her family in a car accident. It is not so much her choice that makes this novel beautiful; it is the process in which she finds that choice. Her every thought, every sorrow, every ounce of emotion which leads to the ultimate choice - whether she was to stay or to let go - builds this book to be a compelling, reflective read.

I fell in love with this book from the very first page. A loving family breakfast sets the scene and the love that flows from their every word and every action is more than enough to break my heart, knowing what was to come. Mia's loss occurs right after that - and once again, my heart broke with her sudden loss, and from hence Mia's voice shifts to a very different tone. One that is laced with uncertainty, grief and longing. It is here that her journey towards her decision begins and the development of the plot deepens. And then my heart broke once more.

Mia's narration of what is currently happening to her body in the present shows the love that is witnessed between her family at the very beginning is by no means limited. Her family and friends surrounds her, bathing her in love and support despite the fact that she feels alone and is unconscious. It is this that ultimately makes this book life-affirming - as I reader I felt the tender love they showered for her, the tears, the heartbreak, and wish to see her stay. Between each scene, Mia recollects a memory which builds complements everything that is happening in the present. Each of these recollections are bittersweet, heartwrenching memories which deepens the bond between each character and develops them into much more than just loving families. With this, her family comes to life and the pain of losing them reverberates from Mia to her readers. Despite the fact that there are limited characters and characterisation, I felt it suited the stories as each of these characters were full of overwhelming love in each of them - together, for Mia, they compensate for whatever lack in characterisation the book has.

The romance in this novel is unlike any other. It is not finding but letting go. Mia's memories of Adam are sweet, sometimes full of worry, nevertheless full of affection. Their romance was beautiful, their bond tight. I found a very strong, very unique basis of their love in music. Adam's feelings towards her are portrayed very strongly; I could not help but admire and appreciate all his efforts to be with her in her suffering and shower her with all the love he can afford. His love for her was pivotal - it was very very romantic, in its unique way. His speech towards the end is the single most romantic speech I have ever  read. Moving, very moving.

Note that this novel is tied together a lot by music. Punk rock, jazz, classical - many types of music. Personally, I found this a little overwhelming although I must admit it ties the book wonderfully. I felt I was missing a lot on music references and would have felt more engaged if I had known more about music*. Because it was so fundamental to the plot, I felt it took a lot of engagement from my reading experience.

With If I Stay, I did not read to find what her ultimate choice would be, but to follow her in her journey to that decision. It is a life-affirming, reflective, heart-warming, sensitive and at times humorous read which I am not embarrassed to say I have shed tears for, with endearing characters and a profound loss and an even more profound decision that I know would stay with me for a long time.

Four stars!


*I saw the paperback version of If I Stay in Waterstones yesterday and it includes a music reference section! I wish I had gotten that copy instead :(

Author Interview: Allan Richard Shickman

This week, I have interviewed Allan Richard Shickman, author of the fabulous Zan Gah series! He has very kindly answered a few of my questions. Check it out below!

1. What inspired the Zan Gah series?

 The Zan-Gah stories begin with geography. I have always maintained that a change in geography is good for an artist or author. He sees things with "fresh eyes," and what might be ignored by a long-time resident can be dramatically new to a visitor. That's the way it was with me when I left the city of St. Louis to travel across the American West by automobile to California. Most of the territory I crossed is relatively arid and largely unoccupied. It raised in my mind the question: how did people survive here before air-conditioned cars and water faucets? It was over a year before I started typing Zan-Gah, but that is how the idea came about. The first book is largely a tale of survival in a bleak and arid land.

2. Did you have to do any form of research in order to make Zan Gah an accurate depiction of prehistoric life?

 I wish I could say that the Zan-Gah stories are completely accurate, but my approach was not primarily archaeological; it was humanistic. Zan-Gah is about courage, brotherhood, and compassion, among other things. Were prehistoric people compassionate? I doubt it. Nevertheless, I tried to be accurate where it counted. I researched slings and hand fishing. I researched prehistoric twins, discovering that in some early societies twins were terribly frightening and killed immediately—and so was the mother (not the father). That information was important in the development of my plot. I had never actually been inside a cave, so I visited Onondaga, one of the world's great caves (my state of Missouri is famous for them), and was overwhelmed by the experience. I took notes furiously. I was the only guy in the whole cave who was taking notes. Some of them appear almost verbatim in the first book.

3. You have depicted such vivid landscapes in the Zan Gah series. Were they inspired by any particular place(s)?

 Yes, they were, but I have to stress that although I was inspired by my travels in the West, I had no intention of copying the geography literally, or setting my stories specifically there. If I wanted a mountain or a gulch in my story, I put it where I needed it. But I did see a great, profound gulch (in New Mexico), red rocks (in Colorado), and stone arches (Utah). There were indeed rainstorms where the water ran red. Still, I insist that the stories could take place in many places: Turkey, Africa, Asia, Europe. You may remember how Zan confronted a snake. Well, it was a rattlesnake until I realized that that species only lives in North America; so I took it out, and turned it into a hissing variety. I didn't want to glue myself to North America. Too bad, really. I liked Zan being frightened by the sound of a rattle because he immediately knew what it was.

4. Which of all your characters do you think you're most like? In what ways?

 It is said that Dickens was Scrooge, and that Dostoyevsky was old Fyodor Karamazov. I'm sure there is some truth to that. Some authors model their characters after people they have known, but I believe that most of us dredge them out of our own secret psyches. Dostoyevsky was Ivan, Dmitri, and Alyosha too—and most certainly the axe-murderer Raskolnikov. As that great author shows, people are deep wells springing from, and containing, many complex and contradictory currents. We hardly know what is half-formed inside of our minds, but I believe that every one of my characters is a part of myself—either what I am or what I want to be. In my dream life, I can be clever, thoughtful, and resourceful like Zan. And sometimes I am angry, bitter, depressed and violent like Dael—or awkward and "different" like Chul. (I hate that word, "different.") (Dwayne: I'll react to that - I totally admire Chul!)


5. How and when did you decide to become a writer?

I have always been interested in writing well, and used to record my nightmares in vigorous descriptive prose. When I became an art history professor, I was expected to publish scholarly articles, which I have done in both art history and English literature journals. Only when I retired did I get interested in writing fiction, or have the time to do it.

6. As a writer, who do you look up to and admire most?

I like the great classic novelists mostly of the 19th century. I have already mentioned Dostoyevsky, my favorite author. His stories have profundity, and cut to basic human dilemmas. His characters are magnificently believable, and have been rightly compared to Rembrandt's. One cares about the people in his books, and one wants to read the books again and again. Those are my tests for an author. I don't care a hang for a book that doesn't elicit a tear or a hearty laugh, or both. I love Thomas Hardy's novels, Austen's Pride and Prejudice, Scott's Ivanhoe, and laughed my head off at Fielding's Tom Jones and Thackeray's Vanity Fair. Huckleberry Finn is one of my favorites, and Catcher in the Rye, and......and Shakespeare. Maybe you found in Zan-Gah an echo of Othello's "antres [caves] vast and deserts idle, rough quarries, rocks, and hills whose heads touch heaven," not to mention the Anthropophagi! Do you have Anthropophagi in England? (Dwayne: Plenty!)

7. Are you currently working on another book (maybe the third book in the Zan Gah series)? If so, can you give us a little information about it? :)

My experience is that if you talk too much about a projected book, you are much less likely to actually write it. Still, I will tell you this much: I am working on a third Zan-Gah book. It is in the dreaming stage right now. Whenever I get an idea, small or large, I write it down on a card. I will arrange the cards later. The story continues with Dael's self-imposed exile, as he seeks some sort of redemption or resolution of his life. He will go to live with the crimson people (introduced already in Zan-Gah and the Beautiful Country). I think I will call it Dael and the Painted People. But first I have to write it.


Yes! There is a third book! :) Good luck with the writing process, Allan - I do hope we get to read more of Dael's journey soon! I enjoyed this series a lot and am excited to read more, so do check them out! If you haven't yet, you can read my review of Zan-Gah: A Prehistoric Adventure HERE. My review of the outstanding sequel is found HERE.

Thank you ever so much to Allan and Bonnie for being so patient with me and for agreeing to this interview! I hugely enjoyed reading through Allan's answers - I hope you did too! For more information about the Zan Gah series, visit the official site.

Book Review: The Hollow (Jessica Verday)

When Abbey's best friend, Kristen, vanishes at the bridge near Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, everyone else is all too quick to accept that Kristen is dead?and rumors fly that her death was no accident. Abbey goes through the motions of mourning her best friend, but privately, she refuses to believe that Kristen is really gone. Then she meets Caspian, the gorgeous and mysterious boy who shows up out of nowhere at Kristen's funeral, and keeps reappearing in Abbey's life. Caspian clearly has secrets of his own, but he's the only person who makes Abbey feel normal again...but also special.

Just when Abbey starts to feel that she might survive all this, she learns a secret that makes her question everything she thought she knew about her best friend. How could Kristen have kept silent about so much? And could this secret have led to her death? As Abbey struggles to understand Kristen's betrayal, she uncovers a frightening truth that nearly unravels her—one that will challenge her emerging love for Caspian, as well as her own sanity.

I have never quite read a book that drove me to tears and chilled me to the bones from beginning to end. The Hollow is one such book, and it is definitely my type of read. Jessica Verday effortlessly combines the mind-numbing emotions of mourning the loss of a loved one with a spine-tingling mystery that once unveiled, would sure be a shocker that I could not help but be entirely fascinated by this book.

What I found most remarkable about The Hollow is how the narration perfectly captures the numbness of grief. Abbey's mourning of Kristen's sudden disappearance seems so real; her longing is palpable and tangible in her voice. I felt that the book, the beginning especially, reflects just how blank and how numb one bereaved can be. While reading I was transported into seeing everything in Abbey's perspective, including the dragging of days, each pitiful stare, and that gut-wrenching pain of emptiness inside...it was enough to make anyone cry. Wonderfully captured - I can only praise the author for this.

I believe the pace of this novel may appear slow and tedious to some. Personally however, I thought it exhibits the author's sensitivity to small details that would or might be later relevant, as well as her careful  setting of the romance. With such intense emotions involved the slow pace helped in allowing the reader to reflect, and ultimately makes the reading experience much more engaging.

The intensity of the emotions in The Hollow is but one part of the novel; the other, the one that scared me half to death rests well with its backdrop of the town of Sleepy Hollow, the notorious setting for Washington Irving's 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow'. Having said that, the novel contains and revolves much on this - I have not read it but found no difficulty following the plot. From both this elements spring an unlikely romance between Abbey and Caspian - a romance with such an unlikely twist I was floored. The addictive romance - and the possibility of another with a secondary character - creates such a wonderful blend.

In terms of characterisation, Abbey was mostly the sole focus of the novel. Again, it is the writing that reflects the characters; Caspian is charactertised by his mysteriousness and distanced approach while Abbey is drawn by her grief and penchant for making perfumes. The secondary characters I felt were not properly developed. However, I did not mind this at all considering the complexity of the twists and turns in the plot. I believe that with simple characterisation, Jessica has given the twist more focus and attention - hence the overall result is not crowded and suffocating.

The resolution sealed the deal for me. The mystery took me completely off-guard, and although I have thought about it as a possible twist, I was still in disbelief by the end of the book. The resolution was duely believable, leaving just enough unanswered questions so as to make me want to read the sequel without making it appear like a cliffhanger.

There are questions, I believe, that will arise at the resolution. However, I felt that The Hollow comes close to a tale that will last long - it is open-ended, with just the right amount of mystery and emotions - not to mention symbolisms and literary devices - to remind me of a classic.

I believe I did not give this book justice with this review. It's a haunting tale with ripe, intense emotions to lift it to a pedestal. A must-read.

Five stars.

Book Review: My Love Lies Bleeding (Alyxandra Harvey)

The Drakes are rather different to your usual neighbours. They are vampires and some of the members of the family date back to the twelfth century. One of the children, Solange, is the only born female vampire known and, as such, she poses a direct threat to the vampire queen. Her best friend Lucy is human, and when Solange is kidnapped Lucy and Solange's brother, Nicholas, set out to save her. Lucy soon discovers that she would like to be more than just friends with Nicholas. But how does one go about dating a vampire? Meanwhile, Solange finds an unlikely ally in Kieran, a vampire slayer on the hunt for his father's killer.

My Love Lies Bleeding is a mouthful also known as "Hearts At Stake". I have no idea why they have different US and UK titles.

This book reminds me of Lynsay Sands' Argeneau Vampires Series, which is totally hilarious, by the way. First in the Drake Chronicles, this book revolves mostly around the plight and love lives of best friends Solange and Lucy. In one word, I'd say this book felt condensed.

Let me elaborate. At 256 pages, it attempted to introduce its readers to a vampire mythology, complete with its geneaology, politics and history. It also features an unlikely romance that made me giggle and thrilling chase. It was a quick, very fluffy read, but there was not much I could have gathered from it. I felt it was rather short, and hence not much detail was incorporated into the book. The details that managed to stay were passable, and I wanted so much more. This also applies to characterisations - they were quite a few secondary characters that could have been developed more, although they are not directly pivotal to the plot. I loved the Drakes and would have appreciate hearing more of each.

My Love Lies Bleeding is told in Lucy's and Solange's perspectives. At the beginning I found it difficult to differentiate between their voices - they seemed to be too similiar, almost blending in to be merely an extension of one another. This affected the characterisation and it was not until later that I was able to personify Lucy and Solange as two different characters. I also failed to grasp the necessity of having the plot told from two differing point of views. However, this proved useful as the plot progresses especially when they part ways. Afterwhich of course, I begin to enjoy Lucy's fierceness and Solange's kindheartedness.

I enjoyed the romance hugely. From the very beginning I knew it will not disappoint, and it sure did not, at least for Lucy and Nicholas. I found Nicholas to be a swoony, manly man vampire, with the perfect history and attraction to fierce little Lucy. His reactions and approaches to her is really really cute! However though I found Lucy and Nicholas' romance well supported and is one of my favourite kind (honestly, I giggled a lot), Kieran and Solange's I found slightly rushed and less enjoyable than the former. However, overall I really did enjoy the witty banter that moulds the romance of this book.

The tension is present in the plot, but I did not quite find it exciting. It was enough to keep me reading but not intensified enough to make me flip through the pages as quick as I could. The vampire mythology and history, including its very realistic politics are a good setting stone, but I felt it was slightly lacking.

I wanted so much more from this novel, but as it stands, it still is a wonderful, romantic read with a hint of adventure and thrill. A good weekend read.

I am quite excited for Blood Feud - the next in the chronicles.

Three Stars. 

Book Review: A Series of Unfortunate Events - The Bad Beginning (Lemony Snicket)

Dear Reader,

I am sorry to say that the book you are holding in your hands is extremely unpleasant. It tells an unhappy tale about three very unlucky children. Even though they are charming and clever, the Baudelaire lead lives filled with misery and woe. From the very first page of this book when the children are at the beach and receive terrible news, continuing through the entire story, disaster lurks at their heels. One might say they are magnet to misfortune.

In this book alone, three youngsters encounter a greedy and repulsive villain, itchy clothing, a disastrous fire, a plot to their fortune and cold porridge for breakfast.

It is my sad duty to write down these unpleasant tales but there is nothing stopping you from putting this book down at once and reading something happy, if you prefer that sort of thing.

To be honest this book is full of misery but I enjoy it pretty well. I only read it because I saw my sister read it, so I thought I might give it a try. And the result? I liked it! A lot. The characters are clever, but they have a very unfortunate life. Orphans and abused they all suffer misery. This book has also some happy moments, but most are quite unhappy. This book is really interesting to read since it made me think about other people and hoped that no one has a life as miserable as the characters.

The front cover didn't stun me, but the plot was promising. I think that the beginning wasn't really that awesome, but as you get along, it will hook you.

The characters are pretty cool. Violet Baudelaire is the eldest of them all, she is very smart and really good at inventing things. She is one of my favourite characters in the story. Klaus Baudelaire is her younger brother, The middle child, and is very intelligent. They need him when the Baudelaires need some facts and information about this and that. And then Sunny Baudelaire is the youngest Baudelaire. She likes biting things with her sharp teeth and later in the series finds her skill.

Overall, I must say that this book is full of misery and disasters, but really this book will hook you like it did to me. I would recommend it to everyone, unless you don't like reading unhappy tales.

I would rate it 4 stars.

Book Review: Hex Hall (Rachel Hawkins)

Three years ago, Sophie Mercer discovered that she was a witch. It's gotten her into a few scrapes. Her non-gifted mother has been as supportive as possible, consulting Sophie's estranged father--an elusive European warlock--only when necessary. But when Sophie attracts too much human attention for a prom-night spell gone horribly wrong, it's her dad who decides her punishment: exile to Hex Hall, an isolated reform school for wayward Prodigium, a.k.a. witches, faeries, and shapeshifters.

By the end of her first day among fellow freak-teens, Sophie has quite a scorecard: three powerful enemies who look like supermodels, a futile crush on a gorgeous warlock, a creepy tagalong ghost, and a new roommate who happens to be the most hated person and only vampire on campus. Worse, Sophie soon learns that a mysterious predator has been attacking students, and her only friend is the number-one suspect...

This debut novel from Rachel Hawkins is hilarious! The character Sophie is funny and invigorating, with a wit and personality that attracts rather than repels. Her humour is especially amusing, and her fresh, vibrant voice captured me from the very first page. Sophie was such a loveable, enjoyable character at times I wanted to yank her out of the pages and transform her into someone I could physically interact with! Which says a lot since Sophie isn't even my favourite character - Jenna the vampire is. Unique, extremely loveable and very pink - although she is anything but a barbie girl. 

Sophie and Jenna aside, I felt that the novel was a gentle read. The plot was not as complex as other fantasy novels and the creepy factor was either eliminated or toned down. Its occasional distinctions from conventions were, I felt, slightly on the safe side and were crafted to be easily understandable for younger readers. I should say Hex Hall definitely seemed to be aimed for slightly younger teens - though I must also add that I enjoyed it no less.

The book also features mystery and a dash of romance. I like how the plot reflects a weave of all these themes together; not one is dominated by the other. I was not suffocated by the mystery surrounding Hex Hall but only intrigued. The addition of romance in times where the tension settled was a well welcomed distraction. Sophie's wit and hilarious sarcasm thrown to the unavailable campus crush, Archer Cross, creates a wonderful blend of romance.

Although I was very much interested in the mythology Hawkins drew, I was not entirely fascinated by it. I did not 'ooh' or 'aah' at any particular points in terms of the descriptions and I wanted more details at most parts of the novels. I do take this is the first in the series so maybe the succeeding books should compensate for this.

The ending, or lack thereof, took me off-guard - I was really pleased with the twists in the plot. It made the mystery and romance all the better and answered most of my hanging questions. My only complaint was that I felt it ended with a cliffhanger - I wanted more! I kept turning the page to see if maybe I just missed an extra page, but it really does end where it did. It definitely had me wanting the sequel for a resolution.

Hex Hall is a fairly enjoyable read which should suit younger teens and avid fantasy fans.

Three stars.

In My Mailbox (3)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren.
I haven't done IMMs in the last three weeks or so, feel free to blame my teachers :p
Here's what we got this week!

*Bought

Heavenly (Jennifer Laurens)

I have reviewed it here.

A Match Made in High School (Kristin Walker)

The 13 Treasures (Michelle Harrison)

Hex Hall (Rachel Hawkins)

Perfect Chemistry (Simone Elkeles)

I have reviewed it here.

Going Too Far (Jennifer Echols)

I have also reviewed this here.

A Quick Bite (Lynsay Sands)

*From the library

Wake (Lisa Mcmann)

*Ebook

The Dark Divine (Bree Despain)

Review here.

Single White Vampire (Lynsay Sands)

This is absolutely hilarious! I love this series.

That's it. Not much, but I'm happy :)

Do link yours too!

CRESCENDO: The Cover Revealed!

Alright!

So I spent most of my day with the rest of the Hush, Hush fandom waiting for and watching artist Laurie Maves draw it for us in chalk. We also had the chance to speak and greet Becca, who was as excited as everyone in Crescendo's cover reveal!

It was a very fun day tweeting and guessing what the cover might hold. Some of the (hilarious) guesses were as follows:

1. Nora and Patch making out.
2. Patch's hotness wings surrounding Nora.
3. More Nora-Patch making out photos.
4. Patch's sexy back with wings.
5. Nora in a bikini. ( I cannot believe this!)

We were all super excited when half-way through, Becca and Laurie sent the admin @ Fallen Archangel pictures of the cover half-done, which they immediately shared with us (thank you guys!). But we were a lot more excited when we saw the finished cover! Without further ado, here it is!

How awesome is that? Laurie, you're amazing! And of course, here is the real cover for CRESCENDO!

Doesn't it just make you beg for a copy? :D

We don't have Patch's sexiness but hey, Nora (it is Nora, isn't it?) is most welcome! So we have two matching covers, one of Patch and the other of Nora - and we're hoping there's more! I am intrigued however, as to the symbols. What might the lightning mean? And the lone feather? Could it probably mean Patch's absence, as taken from the blurb?

Damn, the excitement is killing me. I just have to have this book!

Thoughts?

Book Review: The Dark Divine (Bree Despain)

A prodigal son

A dangerous love

A deadly secret . . .

I stood back and watched his movements. Daniel had that way about him that could shut me down in an instant. . . . I kicked the gravel a couple of times and worked up my courage again. “Tell me . . . I mean . . . why did you come back? Why now, after all this time?”

Grace Divine, daughter of the local pastor, always knew something terrible happened the night Daniel Kalbi disappeared—the night she found her brother Jude collapsed on the porch, covered in blood. But she has no idea what a truly monstrous secret that night really held. And when Daniel returns three years later, Grace can no longer deny her attraction to him, despite promising Jude she’ll stay away.

As Grace gets closer to Daniel, her actions stir the ancient evil Daniel unleashed that horrific night. Grace must discover the truth behind Jude and Daniel's dark secret . . . and the cure that can save the ones she loves. But she may have to lay down the ultimate sacrifice to do it—her soul.

The Dark Divine is a novel that truly lives up to its name. It is both a dark and a divine read. It dips into religion (Grace's father is a pastor) half the time but does not neglect a more morbid, sometimes gruesome mythological factor. Bree Despain blends the two contrasting themes together ; along side they complement rather than contradict each other. I truly enjoyed the juxtaposition and I delighted in having this in my hands. I almost literally consumed it in one sitting!

It begins in medias res - in the middle of everything - and since then my reading experience was restless, perhaps as restless as Grace was in her quest for answers. The book lays out the mystery from page one and it is one that is so pivotal to the plot that I was immediately engaged and searching. This tone is delivered throughout the course of the novel and is consistently intensified, building slowly until I felt I couldn't breathe until I had all the answers on the palm of my hands.

Aside from the mystery, the book also exhibits gruesome images and action sequences that underscores the danger that surrounds the mystery of the plot. If both action and mystery is not enough to leave you breathless, then the forbidden romance surely will. Both Daniel and Grace breaks more rules than the universal Guys-should-not-date-their-bestfriend's-sister rule. Their love story, one that is strengthened by longing of being torn apart and by so many memories will be a thrill to any romance lovers out there. And then there is the question of Jude - Grace's brother (and the most ideal brother ever), who in no circumstances will approve her love for Daniel...

Not only was the tension in the book outstanding, I felt the characters were well drawn too. Daniel for me was a very realistic character - even through Grace's narration he appears distant and mysterious and seductively frightening. So mysterious was he that he I did not know what to expect of him at all. Which, of course, only made my reading experience better. The twists at the end I could not have expected, but in retrospect I believe the clues embedded in the book very much supported the whole plot. 

I wish the ending was a little longer - I yearned so much for more I honestly can hardly wait for The Lost Saint! Though I was not exactly left hanging, I felt it is definitely open-ended and is just awaiting its sequel. At times I was also confused and felt as if everything is bared all at once. There were definitely questions that arose after I finished reading, and I was not in agreement with what had happened to other characters. Having said that, I hope the sequel will answer some of my questions!

A strong mythology with deeply religious undertones, a mystery with dire implications, a forbidden romance with a dangerously sexy bad boy... The Dark Divine is a hugely exciting book which had my heart racing from beginning to end!

Four stars!

Book Review: Heavenly (Jennifer Laurens)

I met someone who changed everything. Matthias. My autistic sister's guardian angel. Honest. Inspiring. Funny. Hot. And immortal. That was the problem. What could I do? I did what any other girl would do-I fell in love with him. Zoë's sister darts in front of cars. Her brother's a pothead. Her parents are so overwhelmed; they don't see Zoë lost in her broken life. Zoë escapes the only way she knows how: partying. Matthias, a guardian sent from Heaven, watches over Zoë's autistic sister. After Zoë is convinced he's legit, angel and lost girl come together in a love that changes destiny. But Heaven on Earth can't last forever.

Before I begin my review I must reiterate that reading experiences and subsequent reviews are subjective   and can therefore be affected by circumstances beyond your control, such as an I-swear-to-God-she-is-insane friend who is maybe psychotic enough to spoil the ending for you - which by the way could have been a really unexpected one had it not been for said friend blurting it out as if it wasn't even important.

Having said all that, this review will therefore depend much on said issue - and must be therefore approached as such. I feel I have been deprived of enjoying this book a whole lot by knowing beforehand how it ends. Despite the little fiasco however, I feel I have gathered a lot from reading Heavenly.

The book focuses more on themes other than that of romance. Zoe's turns to alcohol to counter the stress brought about by the stress of being in a fragile household where taking care of her autistic sister, Abria, takes its toll on the family. Apart from Zoe's alcohol problem, her brother Luke also turns to drugs. The focus on these family issues - especially the bonds of siblings - really touched me. It gave me an insight into the difficulties of such household without letting me lose hope in any of the characters. I think a special trait this book possesses is the fact that although the actions of Zoe and Luke were both questionable, they were not entirely blameless. It was very difficult for me to blame both of them as the book showcases the severity of their problems.

I related well to Zoe - really, really well. Simple elements such as her use of personal expressions define her as an easily identifiable character. I was drawn to the way she handled her difficulties - sort of like walking in a tight rope - neither right nor wrong, only human. I felt her concern for her brother and the love she reserves for Abria in her every motivation and it was wonderful reading about a family that though struggles, struggles together. I immensely enjoyed Abria - Jennifer zoomed in on the difficulties of relating to her without neglecting every part of her that makes her so special. The fact that Heavenly focuses more on love more than hate is very admirable.

The romance I could have enjoyed a little more. Thoughout I felt distance to Matthias and I could have enjoyed a little more interaction between the Zoe and him. However, I felt the emotions they shared was palpable in both actions and words. The ending was especially beautiful - I even regretted knowing it, for I enjoyed it hugely and could have done so more if I had not known it beforehand. Matthias was a very angelic character, to say the least. Sometimes unpredictable but always so genuinely handsome.

Generally I think what makes Heavenly a good book is not the forbidden romance - it's its backdrop of a family struggle revolving around autism and vices and a heroine that arises from these difficulties.

I'm waiting for Penitence!

Three stars.

Heavenly is my read for Autism month. What's yours?

Book Review: Going Too Far (Jennifer Echols)

All Meg has ever wanted is to get away. Away from high school. Away from her backwater town. Away from her parents who seem determined to keep her imprisoned in their dead-end lives. But one crazy evening involving a dare and forbidden railroad tracks, she goes way too far... and almost doesn't make it back. 

John made a choice to stay. To enforce the rules. To serve and protect. He has nothing but contempt for what he sees as childish rebellion, and he wants to teach Meg a lesson she won't soon forget. But Meg pushes him to the limit by questioning everything he learned at the police academy. And when he pushes back, demanding to know why she won't be tied down, they will drive each other to the edge - and over...

I was blown away by this novel. It was such a unique read that I was mostly oblivious to every element of change the busy high street around me had undergone. Not even shopping managed to tear me away from this book. It was such a captivating novel.

What I thought the greatest strength of this novel is Echols' heavy characters. Meg and John are one of the, if not the most complex characters I have encountered. Echols' attention to details allows for full attention to her protagonists, a feat not many authors are able to execute. The depth to her characters goes beyond the supercificial and extends on to so many levels. They are well drawn and distinguished without the deprivation of genuine humanity. Best of all, their emotional and psychological intensity makes them a cut above the rest.

Meg's voice was fiercely rebellious and her tone inherently explosive, that combined with the dialogues and exchanges which characterises John in a  completely differently light, comes an inevitable romance that can only be Echols' unique story. Surprisingly, Meg maintains to be a very relatable, very endearing character; one that you may not agree with, but you can never dislike.

My reading experience was one of awe and blind guesses. I found the storyline and pacing different from much of the other novels I have read. The criss-crossing of various elements of the story resulted to a fantastically developed story. There are many twists in the plot that occured at different times - all of which garnered the same shock factor and equal appreciation. I was taken aback and challenged at certain points of the novel; it really was an engaging read.

I found Going Too Far a novel of wonderful surprises and challenging twists and turns, all of which builds this novel to be something of quality. The ending was very satisfactory, much like an account and tangible proof of the lengthy transitions and changes the characters undergo through for and because of each other. Before I forget to mention, Going Too Far is also a novel about a damaged psyche, trauma, fears and inhibitions - its motif include psychological understandings and much more.

I like it so much I even inspected zoomed in on the cover - and I think that little eyebrow piercing is digitally added. :D

Five stars!

PS. Echols' Forget You is coming out in the summer and oh my God, I can't wait!

Book Cover: LINGER UK COVER!

So, Amazon.co.uk just informed me that this will be the UK cover for Linger. Similar to the US cover, only except for Grace's outline (I'm assuming it is Grace) on a green forest there's a pink pawprint against a black greenery.

I like that it adheres to the UK cover of Shiver (which is also black and white), but personally I prefer the US cover better. I'm more of a colour person but I have zero complaints about this one! It's pretty too, no? Make sure you pre-order!

What do you think? :)

Book Review: Blue Moon (Alyson Noël)

Eager to learn everything she can about her new abilities as an Immortal, Ever turns to her beloved Damen to show her the way. But just as her powers are increasing, Damen’s are waning.  In an attempt to save him, Ever travels to the magical dimension of Summerland, where she learns the secrets of Damen’s tortured past; a past which he has always kept hidden from her. But in her quest to cure Damen, Ever discovers an ancient text that details the workings of time. Now Ever must chose between turning back the past and saving her family from the accident that claimed their lives—or staying in the present and saving Damen, who grows sicker every day...

As much as I adored its prequel, Evermore, I have to be utterly honest about my less than enthusiastic response to Blue Moon. Ever is perhaps one of the densest, stupidest, most inconsiderate character I have  ever come across. At one point I felt as if carrying on reading was a torture - I could not, and almost would not submit myself to anymore of Ever's unwise decisions and selfish ramblings.

Generally, I think my dislike springs primarily from Ever's character. I felt suffocated by her by the end of the novel, not least because the book now solely focused on her. The fact that my favourite characters Riley and Miles were hardly present, not to mention Damen was MIA half the time also affected my view.

The beginning of the book was by no means a terrible start. Sure, it consisted mostly of Ever's insecurities about taking her relationship with Damen to a more intimate level, but that I can honestly say did not bother me. It was slow-paced, through not extensively draggy. The introduction of a suspicious, albeit charismatic new characters was an addition I welcomed and from then on the mystery and distrust slowly unravelled. Of course, at the climatic part of Ever and Damen's relationship, everything was shattered.

Shattered also was my excitement over Blue Moon. I felt that from this point onward, Ever dwindled to an incomprehensible character. Her voice began to fragment and I felt as if I needed to psychoanalyse her simply to follow her line of thought. Though I very much enjoy complexity of characters, I did not appreciate the fact that Ever seemed to be prone to the least intelligent of choices. For instance, would you really trust the person whom you've always disliked from the very beginning, the one whom you know is under the influence of darkness, more than the person who, despite flaws, helped you in your journey albeit a little annoyingly? I took into account the fact that Ever was distraught and damaged and hence may not have a fully-functioning logic, but even so her decisions hardly made sense and hence annoyed me.

Also, while I found the blurb to be exciting, I thought it was slightly misleading as the novel touches just briefly on her choice - I would have liked and also expected the book to have done it differently. The twist was not also given, for me, the proper acknowledgement. It did catch me off guard, but the intensity of betrayal I expected to have a lot more depth.

Although I did not like Blue Moon as much as I'd hoped, and was left with a personal disapproval of Ever, I still generally regard the mythology as solid and with potential. Hopefully, Shadowland would contain more action and more Damien&Ever interactions, both of whom I still really do like.

Two Stars.

Author Interview: Alex Flinn!

Hellooo! So I have slightly recovered and to celebrate I am conducting my first author interview! I had a list of authors that I am extremely grateful for writing fantastic novels and at the top of my list is the author of Beastly, Alex Flinn!

Forgive me if my questions were not the best - I was still trying to find my grip on doing author interviews... Nonetheless let's begin!

***

1.) I absolutely adore Beastly and am very excited for the film, which will be out Summer 2010. How involved were you in the film production process?

Not much, really.  I got to visit the set, which was a lot of fun, and I've read the script.  I'm very pleased with what I've seen.  Yes, there have been some changes from my book, but the story is the same, and the meaning is the same.  The changes are mostly superficial.  I think fans of the book will be pleased.

2.) Beastly and A Kiss in Time are both modern fairy tales. How did you come up with the idea of incorporating the modern twist into the age-old stories?

I like fairy tales and thought it would be fun to write a story based upon Beauty and the Beast.  There have been a lot of books based upon Beauty and the Beast already.  Most retellings take place in some fairy tale world.  They're really good books, but I didn't really think my usual reader of my realistic fiction would be very interested in that.  Plus, it's already been done.  I thought the themes of Beauty and the Beast were universal enough that they would translate to modern times.  Indeed, the story of Beauty and the Beast goes back to ancient Greece and maybe even earlier.  With A Kiss in Time, the princess sleeps a long time anyway, so I thought it would be fun to see what would happen if she woke up in our time.

3.) Which, if any, of your books are you most proud of?

I'm proud of them all for different reasons.  Some of my books are more popular than others, but the ones that are less popular often inspire a passionate following among readers who do like them.  For example, Breaking Point, which is about a school bombing, appeals to kids who feel displaced, like they don't fit in.  It was the kind of book I would have liked as a teen. 

4.) Your books relay inspiring messages and important life lessons to their readers. When writing, do you have a clear outline of what message you want relayed by the book, or does it come naturally with the plot?

I just start writing and see what happens.  I usually know how the book will end, but not how I'll get there. Sometimes, it's frustrating, but that's my technique.  I've tried to outline, and it doesn't work for me.  

5.) You mentioned in your website that Breathing Underwater was inspired by your experience of interning with the State Attorney’s Office and volunteering with battered women. Are any of your characters also based on anyone you know?

Only one.  Most of my characters are completely fictional, and a lot of my characters have big problems, so it wouldn't be fair to base them on real people.  The exception is the character of Sean in Diva.  He is based upon one of my best friends in high school, upon whom I (and a lot of other people I know) had a huge crush.  To this day, I feel he was a really admirable person, so Sean was a sort of tribute to him.

6.) Are you currently working on another novel? If so, what should we be expecting? :)

I recently finished a novel called Cloaked, which will be published in January, 2010.  It's about Johnny, a poor guy who works in a shoe repair at a posh South Beach hotel.  One day, a princess who is a guest there asks him to go on a quest for her, find her brother, who has been turned into a frog and set loose in the keys, a group of tropical islands off the coast of Florida.  He thinks she's nuts, until she pulls out a magical cloak which allows him to travel wherever he wishes.  Along the way, he meets talking animals, battles giants, and takes a heck of a summer vacation.

***

A massive, massive thank you to Alex for her time! For more information about her books you can visit here author site: www.alexflinn.com.

If you haven't read Beastly yet, you can read my review HERE. It's a fantastic read! A film adaptation starring Alex Pettyfer as Kyle Kingsbury/Adrian and Vanessa Hudgens as Lindy is coming out July 2010. You can view the trailer @Youtube to get a glimpse of it!

Click HERE for the movie site.

Hi, uhm- I'm off sick...

...which is why I have not been around blogs as of late. I swear to God once I get over this flu/fever I'll be straight onto blogger catching up. Wait up? :)

Ladies who have awarded us with blog awards - THANK YOU! It's flattering for a very fresh freshie blogger - thank you thank you! I haven't forgotten, and I am so not ignoring them, only I haven't had the chance yet to reply and thank you personally. Will do so soon - you're all wonderful, thank you!

Have a fabulous day everyone! :)

Book Review: Perfect Chemistry (Simone Elkeles)

A modern tale of star-crossed lovers with a fresh urban twist. 

At Fairfield High School, on the outskirts of Chicago , everyone knows that south-siders mixing with north-siders can be explosive. So when Brittany Ellis and Alejandro “Alex” Fuentes are forced to be lab partners in chemistry class, this human experiment leads to unexpected revelations – that Brittany ’s flawless reputation is a cover for her troubled home life, that Alex’s bad-boy persona hides his desire to break free from gang ties, and that when they’re together, life somehow makes more sense. Breaking through the stereotypes and expectations that threaten to keep Brittany and Alex apart, Perfect Chemistry takes readers to both sides of the tracks in a passionate love story about looking beneath the surface.

I have read so many rave reviews about Perfect Chemistry. I'm just about to add another, so brace yourself!

I was terribly excited for this book, taking into account it has been released in the US a full two years prior to its release here in the UK, which was only yesterday. To be honest I was worried that my expectations would ruin the book for me. I knew it was going to be a good read, only I was not certain it was ever going to meet my expectations - after reading I decided it was a ridiculous thought after all; it actually surpassed my expectations.

What makes Perfect Chemistry a book in its own league is not the fact that everyone is in love with the tale of star crossed lovers, but because Simone has crafted and perfected such endearing characters in both Alex and Brittany. Their voices were strong, were personalised realistically and were very relatable to any reader. I found that Simone has synchronised each of her character's thoughts, words and feelings into the narration. Of course, the sassy, witty, and sometimes deliriously sexy dialogue is incorporated well.

And although the romance is of course a main theme in the novel, for me it is this depth given to her characters that makes the romance special. I found that it is the coming together of such beautiful characters in midst of the social tension and skepticism that swirls around them which makes Perfect Chemistry such a loveable novel.

Although I struggled with the Spanish phrases (needing to consult an online translator to aid my basic, patchy Spanish), its use was very effective and adds flavour to the characters and to the overall plot. I found that and the touch of Mexican culture unique and very enlightening. Not to mention the sense of brotherhood, loyalty, danger, and most of all the sense of self present in Perfect Chemistry very gripping.

I hugely enjoyed the divided neighbourhood that dominates the setting. It creates ample tension and provides a background which reflects the characters. I loved the feeling of tension that lurks whenever the narration is taken over by Alex as equally as I enjoyed the feeling of rich-but-empty lifestyle that Brittany's voice offers. Together, they weave perfectly, further highlighting such a beautiful romance.

The plot was given time to develop - never did I feel rushed - which results to a well-founded, well-narrated and very solid love story I could only love. The uncertainty and the many twists and turns of this novel was engrossing - much so that I was hooked from beginning to end.

Perfect Chemistry is definitely more than just a romance novel. It focuses on not only the coming together of a bad boy Romeo and a princessy Juliet, but also of choices, and carving one's path and of change.

I'm desperate for 27th April - the date the sequel, Rules of Attraction will be out! :)

Five stars!

My First Giveaway: STOLEN by Lucy Christopher!

Hey, so I've been practically invisible this week - how teachers can set a multitude of homeworks, courseworks and statistics exams the week before the Easter Holidays I have no idea. 

Other than my disastrous academic life, however, I feel blessed and contented this week, so as a way of passing forward my luck and blessings (hopefully not the misfortunes), I'm giving away three copies of my favourite book, Lucy Christopher's Stolen:

This book deserves so much more praise than it does. I feel it really should be on everyone's bookshelves. The writing style alone should warrant many, many stunning reviews - that's not mentioning the psychological and emotional effect the emotions and richness of the book offers its readers. I feel Stolen is underrated - which is why I'm trying to share this book to you!

Nope, entrants do not have to be a follower, but you do have to promise to read Stolen and/or maybe to write a review for it afterwards and/or to pass the word of its beauty around. Especially to pass the word around. Deal?

*Just drop a comment with your name, e-mail and country, and pick which you like better: Economics or Archaeology?

*Tweets/RT will get an extra entry (please leave link) as will sidebar links and blog posts (if you do all 3, you get 10 extra entries)

*Open to the farthest corner of the earth - better if Stolen hasn't reached your part of the world just yet!

*Ends 18th April,  5pm BST.

Just in case, you need further convincing on just how stunningly beautiful Stolen is, my review can be found here. I hope you guys enter!

Book Review: Zan Gah and The Beautiful Country

Well past the middle of the night Zan felt a shaking of his shoulder as he slept, and then an impatient foot kicking at him. Instinctively grabbing for his spear, he looked up and saw the orange glow of a torch, and as his eyes adjusted to the invading light he recognized his brother's ghastly face. Dael's dangerous brow was furrowed, and the vein of his forehead bulged under the old scar. His teeth were clenched, and his eyes darted nervously back and forth. His every motion expressed a profound agitation, and Zan knew that what he had been dreading had come.

'It is time, Zan. Let us go!'

'Where? It's dark!'

'I want to find where the river comes from.'"

The volcanic turbulence that shakes Dael's mind carries him to vicious extremes. It is Zan's task to calm his brother and lead him away from thoughts both destructive and self-destructive. But even the paradise of the Beautiful Country will not erase them.

The sequel to Zan Gah: A Prehistoric Adventure (review here) was even more engrossing than the first. Whilst I read the first in many sittings, this one I read in just one. I knew after reading Zan Gah that I was not ready to let go of the story just yet - how convenient I had the sequel with me!

The beginning of the book picks up right after its predecessor. It flows thoroughly and provides sufficient background information for readers who might have missed the first book. Well-research and realistic, Zan Gah and The Beautiful Country only gets better from hence.

I feel that this book was more of Dael's progression (arguably deterioration) than of Zan's, who of course has taken most of the first book. Personally, it is the very unpredictability of Dael that dictates the flow and turns of this book. However - note that this book goes beyond that simplicity. It touches on psychological impairment that Shickman deliberately bares to its bones. The effect is an intriguing insight to prehistoric living conditions. The tension, uncertainty and danger was palpable in every page and was delightfully mersmerising. The quality of Shickman's written prose is in a league of its own. Its complexities are as equally stunning as its subtleties. Not many writers achieve this - but Allan Richard Shickman does.

This book has a lot more drama - romance, envy, greed, loyalty - you name it. The character developments are wide in breadth and are meticulously outlined. Also, the symbolisms in this book are profound. The use of nature - volcano, waterfalls, cliffs, dark and silver leaves - shows the complexity of the text in terms of its symbols and allegories.

My issue - the cover. This is self-explanatory. However, at times I felt that the storyline is fragmented, and then there's the parts which I felt that could have been given more careful attention. Other than those, none. My final note on this, ignore the cover. The text is absolutely wonderful.

Zan Gah and The Beautiful Country has the tendency to rip me out of the modern world and transport me back to a primitive way of life - really, it does. It is a powerful, complex novel, one that is beautiful in its own right. I most definitely want more!

Four stars!

*Thank you to Earthshaker Books for my review copy.

POSSIBLE SPOILERS below, please avert your eyes. Except if you're Mr. Shickman, in which case please do not avert your eyes!

PS. Dear author, if you're reading, I hope you don't mind me asking if there will be another book? Please consider writing a third - about Dael and Sparrow's journey, about Rydl (he's so adorable), or perhaps Zan and Pax's child? Frankly, even if you write about the Noi I'd still gladly pick it up. I'm looking forward to your future books!