Showing posts with label Romance Fantasy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Romance Fantasy. Show all posts
Melody

ISBN-13: 9781408857885
Publisher: Bloomsbury Childrens
Publication Date: May 2016
Format: Paperback, 640 pgs
Source: Purchased



[Contain slight spoilers for A Court of Thorns and Roses]



I enjoyed reading A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) last year; the first book of a new series by bestselling author Sarah J. Maas, who is also well-known for her Throne of Glass series. This second book picks up where it left off from ACOTAR and I've to say it is even better and more intense than the first installment. 

In A Court of Mist and Fury, Feyre continues to face challenges but most often she has questions about her position after her return to the Spring Court and then there is the bargain she had made with Rhysand, High Lord of the Night Court after a horrendous battle with the fearful Amarantha (a commander from Hybern) who had left her emotionally broken. 

Though a High Fae now with powers, Feyre remains human at heart and she still couldn't forget what she's done to two innocent faes during her battle with Amarantha and to this day she still has nightmares thinking about her and the powers she had had over her during the battle. 

If the first installment is about Tamlin, High Lord of the Spring Court, then this second installment is all about Rhysand and his role at the Night Court. I mentioned before that I would love to learn more about him and I was glad I have gotten more than enough information about him here. If I had any speculations of him as a person in the past, then this book answered all my questions about him and what made him as he is at present. In fact, what I have learned has far exceeded my perspective of him and it was truly a great reading experience to me because he is such an interesting character. I enjoyed reading more about his world and the few people who are working alongside with him - his Inner Circle, he called them. These secondary characters are significant to the plot and not to mention they made this story so much interesting given their personalities and their history. The world building, the different species of the fae world (be it High Lords, High Faes, Illyrian warriors and spymaster, lesser faeries and other creatures alike. And then there's the King of Hybern) were all so imaginative and a joy to read but truly it was the connection between Feyre and Rhysand, and her role at the Night Court were what made this installment so much outstanding. I also loved it that this book surprised me on many different levels and the emotions they evoked in me while reading a few heartbreaking scenes - simply wow. And mentioning more would be a great spoiler so this is all you got from me. 

Yes, as you can tell I was totally captivated by this second installment. That ending was really something; and I can't wait for the next installment to release quickly!  

Melody

ISBN-13: 9780062328021
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Publication Date: 6 January 2015
Format: Paperback, 384 pgs
Source: Publisher




Greek mythology, Bulgarian folklore, and the taste of first love - this about sums up the story of Wildalone by Krassi Zourkova. 

The story opens with the Bulgarian legends of the samodivi - forest witches who are believed to beguile and entrap men and then consumed them with vengeance by taking out their eyes and hearts. 

Thea Slavin hears of this legend from her father, but only after her persistence and that she'd promise to let go of finding her elder sister's past; in which everyone believes Elza was dead but unsure of what happened and why. Her body was never found. Thea, however, is very curious about her sister and she intends to find out as much information as she could while in Princeton, the same college where Elza was studying before tragedy strikes. 

Thea then knows of a mysterious guy called Rhys when she was playing Chopin music during a performance. She is intrigued by him, but she is also wary of his behaviour because he seems possessive although he admits he isn't a one-woman guy. To complicate matters, Thea later finds out that it was Rhys' younger brother, Jake, and not Rhys who left a stalk of rose for her during the performance. Who are these two brothers really, who have intrigued her and have her attracted to them at the same time? And as the more she finds out about Elza, the more she is convinced that Elza is connected to Rhys and Jake, and that is where she will learn of a shocking truth surrounding a myth which consists of the darkness of rituals and sacrifices. 

Wildalone is a good read if you are into fantasy, myth and romance all in one. I enjoyed reading all of the above elements, however I felt something was lacking in this novel but I couldn't put my finger on it. Perhaps it is the characters, because I didn't really care about them. The two brothers, Rhys and Jake, are interesting but that is about them; Thea is one brave and determined girl but at times she just infuriated me with her indecisiveness. The positive side is, I thought the myth and the legends are nicely written and they blend in well with the atmospheric plot. As the back blurb suggests, this novel would appeal to readers who are into the characters as fascinating and compelling as those of Diana Gabaldon, Deborah Harkness and Stephanie Meyer. 
Melody




ISBN-13: 9780425220610
Publisher: Penguin Group (USA)
Published: April 2008
336pp
Series: Epic of Palins Series, #1



I decided to read something different after reading several fictions in a row. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy reading fictions, it is one of my favourite genres (in fact, most of them are!), but after reading them for a while I want something light and entertaining; one that doesn't give me a heavy heart or leaves me pondering. I picked Dagger-Star not only I was attracted by the cover but it was also my latest acquisition.

Red Gloves is an extraordinary heroine. She is not only beautiful, but a ruthless mercenary as well. As her name indicates, she is always wearing a pair of red gloves and she never takes them off; she had an ugly past she does not want to talk about and she has vowed that she will kill anyone who has seen her bare hands. Besides the red gloves, she also has a dagger-star birthmark on her chest.

Together with her sword-sister, Bethral, they travel around looking for anyone who will hire them. Due to a bad storm, they came upon a demolished farm and seek refuge from a goat-herder named Josiah. But Josiah is not truly a goat-herder, for he is the Baron of Athelbryght and he is a few people who have survived the war but the fallen of Palins have left him bitter and sore after the betrayal of his beloved woman.

When Josiah noticed Red Gloves' birthmark, he feels a surge of hope as he recognizes that sign as a Chosen One that will help them to save the remaining of Palins; and one that will take over the throne one day. However, Red Gloves dismissed the thought and is only interested in being a mercenary. She and Bethral took their leave after staying for a night and during the journey, they saved a man who is being sold for slavery. Under this circumstances, they are forced to return to Josiah to get all the help needed for the badly injured man. This is where Priestess Evelyn comes in, for she is known to heal. Soon, Red Gloves finds herself entangled into the Palin's world of prophecies and mages, and this time around she will help them to restore the shattered world after a validation from the Priestess Evelyn and a bargain made with Josiah.

I was caught into the adventurous tale of Dagger-Star and although I felt the magical element lacking, overall it is still a satisfying read as I enjoyed reading the action scenes and the sexual tension between Red Gloves and Josiah. Red Gloves is exactly what is portrayed on the cover - she is alpha and stubborn; one who is always ready to fight when necessary. On the other hand, Josiah appears to be more beta but that does not mean he is weak. I just loved the ending; I wish I can say something more about the plot but I am afraid of revealing some spoilers along the way.

Elizabeth Vaughan is also the author of the Chronicles of the Warlands trilogy. Though I have yet to read this trilogy, I have read good reviews about them. I am hoping to pick them up one day soon.