Blog Tour - A Breath of Frost by Alyxandra Harvey

 

 

 

 

Published: January 7th

Publisher: Walker Children's

Pages: 496

Copy: Publisher via Netgalley

Summay: 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?

I am a huge fan of Alyxandra Harvey's Drake Chronicles, so when the opportunity arose to become part of this tour and do an early review of A Breath of Frost, I was positively  thrilled to bits.  A Breath of Frost is a marvellous historical fantasy with a creepy mystery and Ms. Harveys' trademark humour.  Written with strong characters and some incredible world building, it was a pleasure to read.

The three cousins, Gretchen, Emma and Penelope are all so very different in their personalities, but not one of them was afraid to be themselves.  Finding out that they are from a famous witchy family makes a huge change in their lives, but they take it in stride, each in their own way.  The challenges that Emma faces in solving the murders really stretch her, but she learns from them and is not afraid to ask for help.  I particularly loved the smouldering romantic tension between Emma and Cormac. Cormac has no magic himself, but he's a genuine knight in tarnished armor and his covert help is essential to the girls' quest.

Ms Harvey has put together  a seamless and fully realised alternate Regency London that screams authenticity. It was very easy to imagine myself within its confines.  I found myself reminiscing slightly over its parallels with Harry Potter, in that there is a witchy community side by side with the real world, that non-witches are completely unaware of.  It also reminded me a little of another of my favourite series - The Demon's Lexicon trilogy by Sarah Rees Brennan - with the introduction of the Goblin Market.  This is the dark underground where you can find potions and charms.  I just loved its mystery, and the fact that Moira was there on the rooftops looking out for everyone. She is just so resourceful! 

Add to this the fact that girls, young witches in fact, are dying, demons are causing havoc, antlers are hard to accessorise, and Emma is trying to find out why her mother chose madness instead of a regular life, and the book is almost un-put-downable.  With a title that is incredibly appropriate, A Breathe of Frost, was actually a breathe of fresh air in my reading right now   Mysterious, exciting, fantastical and romantic, I'm still trying to find something I didn't like about it, but the answer is zilch,  I loved every minute of it and I'm certain that you will too.   

Same Book, Second Look - The Trap by Andrew Fukuda

 

Published: November 25th, 2013

Publisher: St Martin's Griffin

Pages: 322

Copy: Library

Summary: Goodreads

From author Andrew Fukuda comes The Trap, the explosive finale to The Hunt trilogy—perfect for fans of The Hunger Games!

After barely escaping the Mission alive, Gene and Sissy face an impossible task: staying alive long enough to stop an entire world bent on their destruction. Bound on a train heading into the unknown with the surviving Mission girls, Gene, Sissy, David, and Epap must stick together and use everything they have to protect each other and their only hope: the cure that will turn the blood-thirsty creatures around them into humans again. Now that they know how to reverse the virus, Gene and Sissy have one final chance to save those they love and create a better life for themselves. But as they struggle to get there, Gene's mission sets him on a crash course with Ashley June, his first love . . . and his deadliest enemy.

Well after my minor disappointment with The Prey, I am very pleased to report that I loved The Trap.  Mr. Fukuda seemed to have regained that break-neck feeling that was so present in The Hunt but that I felt was missing in The Prey.

This time around I was able to empathise with Gene and Sissy - in fact, they kind of got under my skin, in that I was almost there with them.  I was hiding in rail carriages, stuck in enclaves and riding in elevators, all the while holding my breath and hoping that I wouldn't get caught.  Only one thing didn't sit right with me and that was the whole heper smell idea.  I didn't quite believe that the hepers could have got away with living amongst the vampires without being found out.  There is a scene where Gene and Sissy are trying to remove all trace of their personal odour from themselves, and I couldn't help thinking that the process in itself would make them smell differently from the vamps. Could be just me over-analyzing though and I managed to accept it as a given.

This is a wonderful trilogy, best read one after the other, so if by chance you haven't discovered it yet, set aside some time and immerse yourself in this fascinating world where we are the minority and vampires rule.  Oh, and be prepared to have your ideas turned upside down at the end.  Gripping and exciting this is one vampire story you have to try.

Merry Christmas to All

Merry Christmas!

Too bad those bears weren't books eh? ;)

Leaving you with a Christmas medley by some of my favourite cover tune artists - 

Christinabean:  Curlypow, I think we should talk about taking a break from blogging between Christmas and the New Year, yes?  I don't have enough time to read....

Curlypow:  Great idea! I don't have enough time to spend with my grandson...maybe I can read him a few new titles....

Wishing you and your families a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!  May your stockings be filled with new releases!  See you in the new year!

- Christinabean and Curlypow

Defy by Sara B. Larsen

 

Published: January 7th, 2014

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Pages: 336

Copy: Netgalley

Summary: Goodreads

A lush and gorgeously written debut, packed with action, intrigue, and a thrilling love triangle.

Alexa Hollen is a fighter. Forced to disguise herself as a boy and serve in the king's army, Alex uses her quick wit and fierce sword-fighting skills to earn a spot on the elite prince's guard. But when a powerful sorcerer sneaks into the palace in the dead of night, even Alex, who is virtually unbeatable, can't prevent him from abducting her, her fellow guard and friend Rylan, and Prince Damian, taking them through the treacherous wilds of the jungle and deep into enemy territory.

The longer Alex is held captive with both Rylan and the prince, the more she realizes that she is not the only one who has been keeping dangerous secrets. And suddenly, after her own secret is revealed, Alex finds herself confronted with two men vying for her heart: the safe and steady Rylan, who has always cared for her, and the dark, intriguing Damian. With hidden foes lurking around every corner, is Alex strong enough to save herself and the kingdom she's sworn to protect

I particularly enjoyed the main character in this novel.  Alexa seemed to me to be the kind of person I would like to meet.  She works hard, trains harder and all the while she has to hide the fact that she is actually a girl. 

Now I thought that her reactions when she discovers that her 'secret' isn't so much of a secret after all were pretty realistic.  I don't know about you, but I can keep going through a crisis until it is all over and then I let myself fall apart.  So her minor melt downs seemed pretty reasonable to me.  But I don't understand why she would suddenly start blushing!  I think that was my big complaint.  Either you blush or you don't. You don't suddenly start blushing just because people find out you are a girl.

Other than that, I loved the story.  I loved the two male protagonists, Rylan and  Damian.  They were both so different and both vying for Alexa's affection.  Now for myself I'd go for Damian - give me bad boys every time.  I liked his air of mystery and sarcastic humour.  Whether Alexa ends up with him or Rylan though, you'll have to find out for yourself.  Exciting, mysterious, adventurous and romantic.  A little bit of everything for everyone. 

The Fiery Heart by Richelle Mead

Published: Nov 2013

Publisher: Razorbill

Pages: 438

Copy Provided by: Bought

Summary: Goodreads

Summary:

Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets - and human lives.

In The Indigo Spell, Sydney was torn between the Alchemist way of life and what her heart and gut were telling her to do. And in one breathtaking moment that Richelle Mead fans will never forget, she made a decision that shocked even her. . . .

But the struggle isn't over for Sydney. As she navigates the aftermath of her life-changing decision, she still finds herself pulled in too many directions at once. Her sister Zoe has arrived, and while Sydney longs to grow closer to her, there's still so much she must keep secret. Working with Marcus has changed the way she views the Alchemists, and Sydney must tread a careful path as she harnesses her profound magical ability to undermine the way of life she was raised to defend. Consumed by passion and vengeance, Sydney struggles to keep her secret life under wraps as the threat of exposure — and re-education — looms larger than ever.

Pulses will race throughout this smoldering fourth installment in the New York Times bestselling Bloodlines series, where no secret is safe.

Review:

Ahhh....I love Richelle Mead.  Sitting back and reading one of her books is like catching up with an old friend.  It is funny how quickly we fall back into comfortable patterns and even though I feel like she has a tried and true road map to writing, she always manages to throw in a few surprises to keep me reading.  The Fiery Heart is book #3 in the Bloodline series.  Here, we find Sydney FINALLY finding her voice and becoming not only strong intellectually but finding her own inner self-confidence in all things non-academic.  Not only that, but she finds herself a real beau, not the faker coffee maker who thinks he is smarter than Miss Sage.  I mean, c'mon, have we ever  met any character smarter than a grade A alchemist?  Speaking of smarts, Sydney flexes her noggin' and devises some pretty incredible magic of her own by mixing her personal magic with her knowledge of all things Alchemist.  Together, they get her into a heap of trouble...which will lead us to the next book of course.  If you are a lover of the Vampire Academy, then you must have already started reading the Bloodlines series.  If you haven't, then definitely start from book #1 - Bloodlines (even if you haven't read Vampire Academy).  It will have you sitting in your cozy chair and ordering book #2 wirelessly in no time.  :)  Highly highly recommended reading this holiday season....

Follow Friday

Friday Follow is a blog hop that was started by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read.  Each week a different question is posted by our hosts and we will answer!  This is a great opportunity for bloggers to network and interact. 

This week’s question – 

Pick a book in your favorite genre that you’d recommend to a reluctant reader.

The Pledge and The Body Finder are both starting books of trilogies by Kimberly Derting.  I LOVE Kim's writing and ability to weave an interesting tale.  Not only is she great at character building and relationships but she does it in a very clean way.  The Body Finder series is a bit of a mystery/thriller type.  There are a few scary scenes which make it all the more thrilling and wanted me to keep reading.  The Pledge was a really interesting twist on a unique story about long lost kingdoms and queens.  They are both completely different reads but each fascinating in their own way.  Ms. Derting is one of the most underrated authors that I know but for the young adults that I've recommended her to, they have also fallen in love with her books.

 - Christinabean

Welcome to the Paperback Princesses! Make yourself at home, take a look around our blog and let us know what you think in the comments section. We would love to hear what you have to say about our posts. We often try to comment on your comments as well so feel free to start a conversation! Since there are two of us running the show, we always have a variety of titles and event postings. Be sure to check out our own personal meme page. Check out Fantastic Fairytales, Let's Hear it for the Boys, In Case you Missed it and a few others. We try to not only focus on new YA books but also great titles from the past.

Waiting on Wednesday - The Impossible Knife of Memory by Laurie Halse Anderson

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)

For the past five years, Hayley Kincaid and her father, Andy, have been on the road, never staying long in one place as he struggles to escape the demons that have tortured him since his return from Iraq. Now they are back in the town where he grew up so Hayley can attend school. Perhaps, for the first time, Hayley can have a normal life, put aside her own painful memories, even have a relationship with Finn, the hot guy who obviously likes her but is hiding secrets of his own.

Will being back home help Andy’s PTSD, or will his terrible memories drag him to the edge of hell, and drugs push him over? The Impossible Knife of Memory is Laurie Halse Anderson at her finest: compelling, surprising, and impossible to put down.

To me, Laurie Halse Anderson is like the Jodi Piccoult of Young Adult titles.  She takes real situations and makes them gritty, readable and unputdownable.  Can't wait for this one to be released January 7th.

- Christinabean