Fantastic Fairytales - Poison by Brigid Zinn

 

Published: March 2013 

Publisher: Disney Hyperion

Pages: 288

Copy: Library

Summary: Goodreads

Sixteen-year-old Kyra, a highly-skilled potions master, is the only one who knows her kingdom is on the verge of destruction—which means she’s the only one who can save it. Faced with no other choice, Kyra decides to do what she does best: poison the kingdom’s future ruler, who also happens to be her former best friend.

But, for the first time ever, her poisoned dart . . . misses.

Now a fugitive instead of a hero, Kyra is caught in a game of hide-and-seek with the king’s army and her potioner ex-boyfriend, Hal. At least she’s not alone. She’s armed with her vital potions, a too-cute pig, and Fred, the charming adventurer she can’t stop thinking about. Kyra is determined to get herself a second chance (at murder), but will she be able to find and defeat the princess before Hal and the army find her?

Kyra is not your typical murderer, and she’s certainly no damsel-in-distress—she’s the lovable and quick-witted hero of this romantic novel that has all the right ingredients to make teen girls swoon.

Yet again I am stretching the definition of fairy tale, but Poison pretty much read like one - it had that kind of feel to it.  Poison was a wonderful read.  It was short, cute and funny with characters that were a joy to read about.  It's a medieval type fantasy adventure with magic in the form of potions and Kyra is a Master potions maker.  She was smart, pithy and sure of herself.  Willing to do whatever it takes for the good of the country, even if it means killing her best friend.  What I loved about her was that she didn't give up.  She made a mistake and instead of burying her head in the sand, she hides and tries to work out another way to achieve her goal.

Where Ms. Zinn came up with the idea of a search pig, I don't know, but it adds a lovely humourous touch to the narrative. Add to that a handsome adventurer with an air of mystery and the story really takes off., and there was a lovely twist or three towards the end that kept me guessing. I love it when a book keeps me smiling, don't you?  You know as a reader that the situations are unlikely, but you just don't care and keep reading because it's enjoyable.

 I read Poison in just over a day and I was thinking how much I would enjoy reading more by Ms. Zinn, when I discovered that she is no longer with us.   Poison was her first, and now only, book and I feel saddened by that fact.  Give yourself a quick, delicious treat and read Poison and then join with me in regretting that we won't see any more by Ms. Zinn.  A budding talent cut short, but I'm just glad I had a chance to read and discover her.

Stacking the Shelves

Stacking the Shelves allows us to share the books we have added to our collections - physical, virtual, borrowed, bought or received. 

This week I received - 

Summary (by Goodreads)

The only thing fifteen-year-old Scarlet Killian has ever wanted is a chance at a normal life. Diagnosed with a rare and untreatable heart condition, she has never taken the school bus. Or giggled with friends during lunch. Or spied on a crush out of the corner of her eye. So when her parents offer her three days to prove she can survive high school, Scarlet knows her time is now... or never. Scarlet can feel her heart beating out of control with every slammed locker and every sideways glance in the hallway. But this high school is far from normal. And finding out the truth might just kill Scarlet before her heart does.

Sounds like an ominous title....I can't wait to dive into it and get to the nitty gritty.  :)

- Christinabean

Shout Out to Indies - ZEIN by Graham Wood

   

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We here at The Paperback Princesses often receive emails from Indie authors requesting reviews and are blessed with free book copies. Often we are unable to get to so many titles before our mass market published books take over our TBR shelves. That doesn't mean there aren't plenty of great reads though! We want to give back to those Indie authors and are declaring EVERY SECOND SUNDAY our SHOUT OUT TO INDIES MEME. For those of fellow bloggers, please feel free to add our meme to your regular schedule. We only ask that you quote and link back to us as a courtesy. For all of you Indie authors, we invite you to contact us at the contact link to your top left. We will select 1 - 3 titles (each time we post) that sound interesting. Lastly, for you readers, this is a bit of a test so please do comment and let us know what you think. We will also be offering up giveaway copies whenever we can! So without further ado, here is this week's pick -

 

 

 

 

One hundred years ago, fleeing terror in their homeland, The Zein Expeditionary Force arrivedin a new galaxy, where they found planet Earth and its rich supply of the extraordinary and rare raw material zinithium. They also found Earth to be inhabited by humans; an aggressive race similar in appearance to their own, but technologically inferior. The indigenous species were...more One hundred years ago, fleeing terror in their homeland, The Zein Expeditionary Force arrived in a new galaxy, where they found planet Earth and its rich supply of the extraordinary and rare raw material zinithium. They also found Earth to be inhabited by humans; an aggressive race similar in appearance to their own, but technologically inferior. The indigenous species were too numerous to conquer, yet too engrossed in their own wars to make peace with. Instead of joining with the humans, the Zeinonians settled in four quadrants in the skies above Earth, masking their presence with their advanced alien technology. For decades they lived peacefully, mining the precious zinithium, awaiting a time when the human wars would cease, and the two might live side by side, in harmony.

One hundred years later and peace continues to allude the Earth. The Zeinonians must now face their own uprising, as the evil Zylar leads a powerful sectarian rebel army against the remaining protected quadrant, to once and for all take control of the Zein Earth Colony. Zylar’s plan is to invade and conquer Earth and plunder the precious zinithium to aid his empirical ambitions across the entire known Universe. There is only one Zeinonian who can prevent a devastating interplanetary war; young Kabel Blackstone, destined to be one of the most powerful Zeinonians to have ever lived. Following the mysterious ‘Ancient Prophecy’, Kabel travels to Earth where he forms a small band of unlikely human companions. Amongst them is Tyson Mountford, who has recently started to experience disturbing new powers and abilities; signs that he could be the key to the Ancient Prophecy. Kabel and Tyson, two strangers from different worlds, must join forces to overcome the tyrannical forces that threaten their lives, their families, and the future of their races. If they fail, Zylar will stop at nothing to destroy their home planets, on his mission to dominate the Universe.

Zein is the fast-paced sci-fi thriller charting an epic battle of good against evil, as an alien species allies with the human race to fight dark forces, both on Earth and in the skies above it. Whilst aimed at a young adult audience, Zein explores pertinent themes of romance, friendship and adversity which will undoubtedly resonate with many adults, too.

We asked Graham if he would like to tell us why he chose to write for a YA audience:

Thank you for the opportunity to post on your excellent site. We ‘indie’ authors appreciate the support you can give. You ask a good question on why I have selected the young adult market and
I will have to say that I didn’t consciously write the book to deliberately target this audience. I was caught up in the storytelling and by chance the end product is suitable to both YA and wider sci-fi
followers. However, I am really pleased that a number of YA sites are showing interest in my trilogy. When I was a child I had difficulty forming my words and had a speech impediment. To combat this I read many books and once I had exhausted the limited number of young adult books I had little choice but to read my dad’s novels.

Now the choice is immense and if I turned back the clock I would be spoilt for choice. I have recently read the Suzanne Collins trilogy (Hunger Games) and George RR Martin series of books (Game of Thrones) and enjoyed them thoroughly. I am only too pleased to be able to add my books to the pile.

Completing this book was a great personal achievement of mine. When I sat down in front of a
battered electronic typewriter when I was 15 years old and started my first attempts at producing
a novel I never thought it would take me 30 years. In fact it took me only four months to write and
seven months to edit once I started. The question I ask myself is why did I leave it so long? If I can
inspire the next 15 year old whose dream is to write then that would be great. I just hope they don’t
let life get in the way of their dream!

I have to pay a tribute to my daughter who via her bravely on facing, experiencing and recovering
from her open heart surgery made me realise that it was now or never to write my first novel.
I found writing an escape from the endless worry and this is a way I can thank the hospital that
operated successfully on Becky. Knowing that 50% of profits will be going to the hospital in the next
three years, was a great motivator.

I hope those readers who purchase the book enjoy the story and I can only promise that books two
and three are full of action, relationship issues and excitement. Just what I hope most young adults
crave for. I may be no longer a young adult but in my mind I am firmly that boy, unable to form
words clearly, with his nose in a good book. Enjoy.

Independent Study by Joelle Charbonneau

 

Published: January 7th, 2014

Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers

Pages: 310

Copy: Publisher through Edelweis

Copy: Goodreads

In the series debut The Testing, sixteen-year-old Cia Vale was chosen by the United Commonwealth government as one of the best and brightest graduates of all the colonies . . . a promising leader in the effort to revitalize postwar civilization. In Independent Study, Cia is a freshman at the University in Tosu City with her hometown sweetheart, Tomas—and though the government has tried to erase her memory of the brutal horrors of The Testing, Cia remembers. Her attempts to expose the ugly truth behind the government’s murderous programs put her—and her loved ones—in a world of danger. But the future of the Commonwealth depends on her.

Back in June I reviewed the first book in this series 'The Testing'  and I really enjoyed it. So of course I was a little apprehensive when I started Independent Study, just in case it didn't measure up.  No worries - no worries at all.  Independent Study was every bit as good.  Not better, but definitely just as good. 

I found it really easy to step back into this world that Ms. Charbonneau has created and to relate once again to her characters.  It was very interesting to see these characters after having their minds wiped and their memories of the testing erased. This time around we are introduced in more detail to some that we met before and we also get to know some new characters.  So many of the adults in this story have that aura of dishonesty about them, but that of course could just be because we're seeing them through Cia's eyes.  She doesn't know who to trust or what is going on really, but she is sure that whatever it is, she has to stop it.

There is a nice gentle romance going on in the background.  Nothing too complex, but not too straight forward either and there is just enough uncertainty to keep it interesting.  On another level, Ms Charbonneau is definitely not afraid to kill off her characters, so be prepared for upsets.

Yet again there are a whole host of surprises and the events take place with mystery and tension in spades.   This series is a worthy successor to The Hunger Games - entrance exams should never be like this!  I really do not want to wait another year to find out what happens.

Legacies by Mercedes Lackey and Rosemary Edgehill

 

Published: July 2010

Publisher: Tor Teen

Pages: 320

Copy: Library

Summary: Goodreads

Who—or what—is stalking the students at Oakhurst Academy?

In the wake of the accident that killed her family, Spirit White is spirited away to Oakhurst Academy, a combination school and orphanage in the middle of Montana. There she learns she is a legacy—not only to the school, which her parents also attended, but to magic.

All the students at Oakhurst have magical powers, and although Spirit’s hasn’t manifested itself yet, the administrators insist she has one. Spirit isn’t sure she cares. Devastated by the loss of her family, she finds comfort with a group of friends: Burke Hallows, Lachlann Spears, Muirin Shae, and Adelaide Lake.

But something strange is going on at Oakhurst. Students start disappearing under mysterious circumstances, and the school seems to be trying to cover it up. Spirit and her friends must find out what’s happening—before one of them becomes the next victim…

Legacies is the first book in a series that I missed when it first came out.  It crossed my line of sight at work and since I'm a huge fan of Ms. Lackey and figured I'd better give it a try.  The books I normally read by Ms. Lackey tend to be more traditional fantasies (pretty much all of which are suitable for older YA readers) so I was really intrigued to see how she would handle the typical YA boarding school outline.  I'm very happy to say that she and Ms. Edgehill succeeded very well.

The school in this series is also an orphanage - was successfully does away with all those pesky parents who might object to any mistreatment of their children.  Of course the twist is that these kids find out that they all have some form of magic.  It could have been corny, but actually it managed to retain a sense of menace, that ran through the entire book. There are a couple of nods to Harry Potter here - particularly with the Principal - long white hair and beard - but he is no Dumbledore and  there seems to be no softness to him at all.
Loch, Burke, Muirin and Addie, along with Spirit realise that something is seriously wrong at the school and try to solve the mystery of why so many kids go missing.  It's obvious to the reader, and to the kids, that there is a lot more going on than meets the eye, but the clues are buried deeply, and the kids have their work cut out.  I enjoyed the logical progression of their search and that there was very little leaping to convenient conclusions. A little bit of magic, a little bit of mystery and a little bit of menace all meld together into an enjoyable read.

One of the nice things about finding trilogies late is that you don't have to wait for the succeeding volumes to out.  I've already put holds on Conspiracies, and Sacrifices and I'm really looking forward to seeing how the kids handle what's coming next.

Waiting on Wednesday - A Breath of Frost by Alyxandra Harvey

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine,  that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating or books that are in our TBR pile.  This week’s “can’t-wait-to-read” selection is

Summary (by Goodreads)

In 1814, three cousins-Gretchen, Emma, and Penelope-discover their unknown family lineage of witchcraft. Beyond the familiar manicured gardens and ballrooms of Regency London, a dangerous, alluring new underworld visible only to those with power is now open to the cousins. 
But unbeknownst to them, by claiming their power, the three cousins have inadvertently opened the gates to the Underworld. 
Now the dead, ghouls, hellhounds-and the most terrifying of all: the spirits of dark witches known as the Greymalkin Sisters-are hunting and killing young debutante witches for their powers. 
And, somehow, Emma is connected to the murders...because she keeps finding the bodies. 
Can the cousins unravel the clues and mystery behind their heritage and power before their gifts are stripped away ...or even worse, another witch is killed?

A new series release by Alyxandra Harvey!  Witches!!  Look for A Breath of Frost to come out January 7th!

Let's Hear It For the Boys - The Eye of Minds by James Dashner

Published: Oct 2013

Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Pages: 323

Copy Provided by: Bought

Summary: Goodreads

Summary:

An all-new, edge-of-your seat adventure from James Dashner, the author of the New York Times bestselling Maze Runner series, The Eye of Mindsis the first book in The Mortality Doctrine, a series set in a world of hyperadvanced technology, cyberterrorists, and gaming beyond your wildest dreams . . . and your worst nightmares.

Michael is a gamer. And like most gamers, he almost spends more time on the VirtNet than in the actual world. The VirtNet offers total mind and body immersion, and it’s addictive. Thanks to technology, anyone with enough money can experience fantasy worlds, risk their life without the chance of death, or just hang around with Virt-friends. And the more hacking skills you have, the more fun. Why bother following the rules when most of them are dumb, anyway?

But some rules were made for a reason. Some technology is too dangerous to fool with. And recent reports claim that one gamer is going beyond what any gamer has done before: he’s holding players hostage inside the VirtNet. The effects are horrific—the hostages have all been declared brain-dead. Yet the gamer’s motives are a mystery.

The government knows that to catch a hacker, you need a hacker.
And they’ve been watching Michael. They want him on their team.
But the risk is enormous. If he accepts their challenge, Michael will need to go off the VirtNet grid. There are back alleys and corners in the system human eyes have never seen and predators he can’t even fathom—and there’s the possibility that the line between game and reality will be blurred forever.

Review:

James Dashner is one of my favourite go-to authors for guy reads.  The Maze Runner was a great series packed with a thrilling plot, lots of action and plenty to interest those who tend not to be interested in reading.  The plot of the Mortality Doctrine is off to a great start in captivating the gamer genre in a virtual world filled with just as many twists and turns as The Maze Runner.  

Mr. Dashner does an excellent job of creating worlds where regular every day kids are transported and have to accept the challenges of most adults.  His characters always seem tested for their survival abilities and quick thinking to escape horrific situations.  Although this title may appeal to gamers, please be forewarned that there are some graphic scenarios that are quite brutal and may not be appropriate for a younger audience.  Mind you, if your kids are playing older rated games, the scenarios are probably similar.  

Like I mentioned before, I am a fan of James Dashner and his writing.  To be honest though, I had a hard time finishing this novel.  I am not a gamer so I had it hard to identify with parts of the story and conceptualize the scenes.  HOWEVER, in saying that, I also did like the way it ended and would recommend this title to our upcoming techie generation.  Although I would classify it more as a "guy's read", it certainly would not be lost on girls who also enjoy gaming.