Showing posts with label Magic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Magic. Show all posts

Monday, June 21, 2010

Review: The Reckoning by. Kelley Armstrong

Title: The Reckoning                                                Author: Kelley Armstrong
Age Range: 13+
Publication Date: April 6, 2010
Pages: 391
Genre: Paranormal, Romance
Rating: 8/10

Synopsis from Goodreads: Only two weeks ago, life was all too predictable. But that was before I saw my first ghost. Now, along with my supernatural friends Tori, Derek, and Simon, I’m on the run from the Edison Group, which genetically altered us as part of their sinister experiment. We’re hiding in a safe house that might not be as safe as it seems. We’ll be gone soon anyway, back to rescue those we’d left behind and to take out the Edison Group . . . or so we hope.


Initial Thought:  "Nooo, why oh why must this series end. I still can't wait to read it!!!"
End Thought: "I loved it. I might just write a letter to the author so I can get at least one of my questions answered."

Review: I couldn't wait at all to read this book. Right after I finished The Awakening I knew I had to read The Reckoning immediately. I had to read it so bad that I ended up betraying my morals and reading the book on my friends e-reader. I know, shame, but it was so worth it. The plot line of the Darkest Powers series deepens and thickens so much in this book. And so many new aspects of Chloe, Derek, Simon, and Tori's past is revealed and the role they play in this book is so extensive that I am coming out of this series with a lot more questions than I went into it with. 

The plot in this book is far more intense, fast paced, and all in all more interesting than the other books. This book introduced and really developed many parts of the series I was hoping to learn more about. But as true as that was, the way the plot thickened and different parts were developing, I had no idea how it could possibly be the last book in the series and until the end of the book, I still felt the same way. Many of the secrets of the Edison group and how exactly why they are out to get the "altered supernaturals" are revealed, but not as developed as I would have liked.

The romance is amplified 100% in this third book, and I was definitely happy to see that. I really don't want to give anything away, but from the beginning of the book I could feel the attraction between these two characters even as the plot became a lot more action-packed and serious.

I so desperately wanted to give this book a perfect score. I loved it that much. But that love was fresh in my mind for about 10 minutes until my brain began registering, and the immense amount of questions built up. I can't really say without spoiling the book, but they were pretty significant, maybe not that much to the main plot, but to the bunches of mini plots going on in the story as well. The book itself did not feel rushed, but the details felt rushed and overlooked, which led to many new questions, with none of them being evaluated or answered. I definitely believe that this book could have gone on to have a fourth even fifth book, and I know I would have been more satisfied with an ending that answered my questions.

In a nutshell, I loved this book. Mainly because I loved the rest of the series and it had as much strong points as a book can have. Beware though, don't come into reading this book thinking that all the answers you have from the books before or this book will be answered, you are going to have to make your own inferences regarding those.

Recommendations: All fans of the others books cannot stop at either The Awakening or The Summoning. You must read this one, it is by a long shot the best one of the series. And to all those who are on the fence about reading the series, it is definitely worth it as it combines a great new paranormal plot line, great characters, and a subtle romance, that I'm pretty sure could carve anybody's book cravings!
 
 
Characters: 9/10 
Plot: 8/10
Originality: 8/10 
Entertainment: 10/10 
Ending: 7/10 
Writing Style: 10/10 
Cover: 10/10
  

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Review: Poison Study by. Maria V. Snyder


Title: Posion Study

Author: Maria V. Snyder

Publication Date: March 2007

Pages: 416

Series: Poison Study, Magic Study, Fire Study
  Rating: 9.5/10


Synopsis from BN.com

About to be executed for murder, Yelena is offered an extraordinary reprieve. She'll eat the best meals, have rooma in the palace--and risk assassination by anyone trying to kill the Commander of Ixia.

And so Yelena chooses to become a food taster. But the chief of security, leaving nothing to chance, deliberately feeds her Butterfly's Dust--and only by appearing for her daily antidote will she delay an agonizing death from the poison.

As Yelena tries to escape her new dilemma, disasters keep mounting. Rebels plot to seize Ixia and Yelena develops magical powers she can't control. Her life is threatened again and choices must be made. But this time the outcomes aren't so clear...

 
Review:
             Finally!!! Thats what I kept on thinking while reading this book. Finally a book that was so incredibly mind boggolingly good (yes, I felt the need to make up a word to describe this book). To say this book was a page turner would be a huge understatement. I would describe it as a gripping start to a trilogy.
           The plot of this book was very original. I have never seen the idea of a poison taster ever explored before, and Maria V. Snyder did it in a remarkable way. The plot in Poision Study is filled with twists and turns. There are so many routes the plot takes throughout the book, just adding to the suspence and intrigue. As the magical element is added to the story Yelena's commitment to the commander, and her new mentor 
Valek is tested while she starts discovering revealing things about who she is and where she comes from. 
With every new question being answered throughout the book, a new one is asked, keeping readers on their toes to the very last sentence.
          Reading about a main character such as Yelena was one of the greatests parts of the book. She is a person whom, despite what she has been through and her place now as a poison taster, is confident in her own. She is a very intelligent character and it is reasuring reading about a female character that doesnt get over shadowed by the male characters around her. She is such a strong character I couldnt help but shout "you go girl" in various places throughout the book. Valek is also a great leading male character, its fun to see how him and Yelena change together throughout the story. 
        The ending was perfection, is was a great way to pull the whole book together while still leaving enough unanswered questions and inquiries to make the reader sprint to their nearest bookstore and grab the second book in the trilogy.
        This book had all the great qualities I look for in a book that can hold my attention days after I finish reading it. I reccommend this book to all those who are fans of magic, paranormal, suspence, romance, and just a great page turners that will keep you guessing!

Characters: 9/10
Plot: 10/10
Originality: 10/10
Entertainment: 10/10
Ending: 10/10
Writing Style: 10/10
Cover: 8/10
Total: 9.5/10
 




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