Each month I pick my top three favorites out of all the books I read that month! This July I read 18 books; gave four 5 star reviews, ten 4 star reviews, one 3 star review, two 2 star reviews, and one 1 star review; and…
these are my top three favorites of July 2012!
Read my Hemlock Review HERE
Read my Delirium Review HERE
Read my Everneath Review HERE
Title: Immortal City
Author: Scott Speer
Date of Publication: April 23, 2012
Formats Available: Hardcover, Paperback, E-Book
Synopsis: In a world where Angels are treated as celebrities Jackson Godspeed is the hottest young Angel to become a Guardian, saving the lives of the rich and famous in exchange for money. When Jackson meets Maddy, a high school senior who couldn’t care less about Angels, he can’t get her out of her head. As a deranged killer starts murdering Angels one by one the police become desperate to catch the killer and the Angels are desperate to cover it up. Jackson becomes a prime suspect in the case after his love for Maddy causes him to make a terrible mistake; soon Maddy and Jackson find themselves on the run for their lives as they face the greatest evil the city has ever seen.
My Review:
I’d never been a big fan of books about celebrities, however Immortal City offered an original and interesting take on Angels with a bit of mystery thrown in so I figured I might as well try it. While I didn’t dislike this book I quickly found myself frustrated with the slow moving plot, lack of action, and needless filler events.
I neither liked nor disliked any of the characters, but Maddy’s constant hot then cold attitude toward Jackson drove me insane. One moment she would admit that she liked him and the next moment she was telling him how much she wanted him to leave her alone. Their entire relationship just went around in circles, never really going anywhere until the last 50 pages of the novel. The only character I truly couldn’t stand was Sylvester, the detective on the case. The mystery aspect of the novel left much to be desired and Sylvester’s two dimensional character didn’t help matters.
Maddy’s premonitions where another source of extreme annoyance, instead of stating they were a premonition before she had them the story would just keep going and after a dramatic event happened we would find out it was just a premonition and be transported back to the seconds before the event happened. I soon found myself constantly questioning if what I was reading was actually happening or was just a premonition. Most of the plot was anti-climactic and flat, only a few events standing out and the rest all blurring together.
A rather unmemorable book, full of unmemorable characters and an unmemorable plot Immortal City would likely appeal to younger readers looking for a book with an original idea with a bit of romance thrown in. While older readers may find themselves annoyed with the unrealistic events and hot and cold romance middle school aged readers will likely devour this novel.
3/5
Title: Dark Swan #1: Storm Born
Author: Richelle Mead
Date of Publication: August 1, 2011
Formats Available: Mass Market Paperback, E-Book
Synopsis: Eugenie Markham is the most powerful shaman in Arizona, banishing all Otherworld creatures that come to earth to torment humans. When Eugenie is hired to go into the Otherworld to find a kidnapped teenager, Jasmine, she learns that there is more to her skill than sheer talent. According to an ancient prophecy Eugenie’s first born child will threaten the world as she knows it, and every demon and Otherworld creature wants a piece of the action. With the help of shape shifting Kiyo and Dorian, a charismatic fairy king, Eugenie must learn to harness the magic within her and rescue Jasmine before both of them end up dead.
My Review:
I am a huge fan of Richelle Mead, so needless to say I was thrilled to start this book. While I did enjoy Storm Born, it didn’t quite live up to my expectations. Full of action and adventure the plot was fantastic; hardly a dull moment as Eugenie banished demons, fought off unwanted suitors, and learned how to harness her magic. With an interesting love triangle to boot, Storm Born definitely held my interest.
The main reason I didn’t enjoy this book to its full potential was Eugenie, while I didn’t hate her character I didn’t have a lot of respect for her. Despite her “don’t mess with me” attitude whenever things got tough she meekly submitted to her enemies until either Kiyo or Dorian saved her. Eugenie does have redeeming qualities; her love for family and friends, and her sense of duty to protect her fellow humans were both admirable attributes.
I loved the plot; from creepy demons to charming fairies all vying for her attention while trying to attack her at the same time there was hardly a dull moment. The love triangle between Dorian and Kiyo was attention grabbing; both of them complete opposites yet seeming to care about Eugenie despite the hints of ulterior motives. Eugenie’s spirit slave Volusian took the cake as my favorite character, giving her advice in between his detailed descriptions of how he was going to kill her.
All in all Storm Born was a good novel despite not quite living up to my expectations. Fans of paranormal romance looking for a book with heart pounding action and two delicious love interests would undoubtedly be interested in picking up this series! While not perfect it is an entertaining read and a great way to spend an afternoon.
4/5
Title: The Chemical Garden Trilogy #1: Wither
Author: Lauren DeStefano
Date of Publication: March 22, 2011
Formats Available: Hardcover, Paperback, E-Book
Synopsis: In a world where females only live to the age of twenty and males only live until twenty-five young girls are constantly kidnapped to be married off to rich young men. The girls not forced into polygamous marriages are killed or sold into prostitution. Sixteen year old Rhine Ellery is one of the abducted girls, forced to marry a rich young man, Linden. Despite the luxury Rhine and the other wives experience Rhine wants nothing more than to escape back to her twin brother Rowan. Escaping proves to be difficult with Linden’s strange father watching the girls every move. Rhine’s only hope for freedom lies with a servant, Gabriel, which she finds herself growing more and more attracted to.
My Review:
When I first heard about the Chemical Garden Trilogy I was intrigued, the story sounded terrifying, yet fascinating; I knew I couldn’t pass this book up. The first few pages of Wither pulled me into the story, which I was soon completely engrossed in. Wonderful, yet shocking, Lauren DeStefano’s first novel is a breath of fresh air in the young adult genre.
DeStefano’s writing is haunting and poetic, perfectly suited the cruel world Rhine lives in. The delicate issues of teen marriage and pregnancy are shocking but tastefully addressed. The characters are all complexly written, each of them possessing a dark side and different survival instincts. One of my favorite characters had to be Linden, while I originally thought he would be a villainous character we soon learn that he is nothing more than a pawn in his father’s appalling world. Sad, vulnerable, and hugely naive I couldn’t help but root for Linden just a little.
Rhine was an exceptional protagonist, her world is horrific, full of death and disease, yet instead of giving in and accepting her fate she fights against her abductors, her dream of finding her brother keeping her going. The interaction between Linden’s other wives, Jenna and Cecily, and Rhine was one of my favorite aspects of the book. Each of them comes from a different background and a different horror story, yet they bond together making their situation more bearable for all of them as they struggle for survival.
Beautifully haunting Wither is the beginning of a very promising series, while the first books in series are generally slow, full of set up and character introduction, Wither was the perfect blend of world building and action. Recommended for ages 16+ Wither is a creepy yet wonderful first novel.
5/5
Title: Delirium
Author: Lauren Oliver
Date of Publication: August 2, 2011
Formats Available: Hardcover, Paperback, E-Book
Synopsis: Sixty-four years ago the government determined love as a disease, twenty-one years later they discovered a cure. Seventeen year old Lena only has ninety-five more days until she turns eighteen and can receive the cure. After her mother committed suicide, a supposed side effect of love, Lena has been eagerly awaiting the day she can be cured. She never thought she would follow in her mother’s footsteps and fall in love, then she meets Alex. Alex is an Invalid, a person living in the Wilds who never receives the cure. As she spends more time with Alex Lena begins to realize that love isn’t the horrible thing she’s been led to believe.
My Review:
I started Delirium with high expectations; I had heard wonderful things about Lauren Oliver and was excited to see for myself what all the hype was about. Delirium was one of the most fantastic novels I’ve ever read, it surpassed my expectations in every way and as I read the last page I found myself disappointed that it was over. From Oliver’s beautiful writing to the characters vivid emotions I loved this book more and more with each passing page.
Lena was an outstanding character, she starts off as a timid girl who wants nothing more than to follow the rules the government has put in place but as the story goes on she grows into a confident woman who starts to think for herself. As she learns more about the lies the government has fed her she begins to question the life she has always led. Lena’s relationship with Alex was sweet and their devotion to each other was endearing, the final pages of the book were heart-wrenching but beautiful at the same time.
I loved the story and the setting, Oliver described the scenery enough for me to picture it clearly in my mind but not so much that it bogged down the story. The mark of a truly good writer is the ability to have the reader feel the characters emotions right along with them, Oliver achieved this perfectly. Throughout the entire story I felt a connection with Lena and Alex as I felt their anger, sadness, and most of all love, right along with them.
Delirium by Lauren Oliver is one of the most beautiful books I’ve ever read. Full of raw emotion, love and sacrifice, and vivid imagery I could not put this book down. Delirium is one of those books that stick with you long after you turn the last page and leaves you thinking for days to come.
5/5
On the very bottom shelf of my book-case there is an odd combination of books, from picture books to slim learning-to-read chapter books the bottom shelf of my bookcase is home to the books I have loved so much in the past I can’t possibly bear to get rid of them. Some of them are falling apart and all of them have been read multiple times, with creases on the pages and breaks is in the spine, these books have followed me from my childhood. While my bottom shelf is teaming with books there are three that stand out to me in particular.
Leo the Late Bloomer by Robert Kraus was my favorite book as a toddler, having forced my parents to read it to me on most likely a daily basis I had the story memorized word for word and could flip the pages along with the story without even knowing how to read. Leo the Late Bloomer is the story of a young tiger who is behind his friends in the areas of reading, writing, speaking, eating neatly, and drawing. Leo’s father becomes concerned and Leo’s mother explains that Leo is a late bloomer and by the end of the story Leo has “bloomed” and is able to do all the things he previously could not do.
Having purchased The T.F. Letters by Karen Ray at a school book fair in second or third grade it soon became one of my favorites. When young Alex finally looses her first tooth she writes a letter to the tooth fairy asking her to please leave the tooth behind when she arrives to leave Alex money under her pillow and help her fathers job as their family is moving from Texas to California. In a PS at the bottom of the page Alex asks the tooth fairy to please write her back and Alex’s mother takes up the role of writing letters from the tooth fairy teaching Alex lessons and giving her words of wisdom along the way.
In fifth grade I went through the greatest obsession I ever had with a book, The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau remains one of my favorite books of all time. Having at one time kept a running tally of the times I had read it in the front cover I got all the way to fourteen times before I lost track. The city of Ember is an underground city built to protect the inhabitants from nuclear war, having been given resources to live underground for 200 years a box with instructions on how to return to the surface has been lost when being passed down from mayor to mayor. In the year 241 resources are running out and the city is running out of light bulbs, the only source of light in the city, and is experiencing frequent blackouts. Twelve year old Lina and her friend Doon piece together the puzzle of escaping and rescue the cities inhabitants before it is too late.
Title: The Parasol Protectorate #3: Blameless
Author: Gail Carriger
Date of Publication: September 1, 2010
Formats Available: Mass Market Paperback, E-Book
Note: This review may contain mild spoilers from the previous books, Soulless and Changeless
Synopsis: After moving back in with her repulsive family and being removed from Queen Victoria’s Shadow Council Lady Alexia Maccon is the subject of the majority of London’s society gossip. In addition the vampires are trying to kill her, Lord Akeldama has left town, and her husband continues to become more and more intoxicated. Deciding that its best to leave town herself Alexia gathers her traveling companions, Madame Lefoux and her father’s butler Floote, and embarks to Italy to find the Templars. Only the Templars have the resources to tell Alexia what she really is, explain her inconvenient condition, and most of all prove her husband wrong.
My Review:
Full of action and wit Blameless does not disappoint. While the romantic storyline is all but non-existent what the novel lacks in romance is made up with intense action and an engaging plot. One of the most fast paced plots of the series there is hardly a dull moment, especially with Alexia and her parasol handy.
I adore Carriger’s writing style, very proper and eloquent; Alexia manages to remain dignified in even the most excruciating of circumstances. From Lord Akeldama’s every other italicized word to Floote’s few serious admissions, each of the characters has their own humorous voice. With each book these voices become more defined, adding depth of character and making me laugh along the way.
Professor Lyall really had his chance to shine in this volume, taking care of Lord Maccon all the while figuring out why Lord Akeldama left town and why the vampires are after Alexia. Blameless switched perspectives between Alexia and Professor Lyall giving us an idea of whats going on in the underappreciated beta’s head. I really like Professor Lyall’s character; I would love to see him acquire a love interest! Hopefully there will be more from his perspective in future novels.
A wonderfully steampunk novel, Blameless is a fantastic addition to the Parasol Protectorate series. One of the most unique writers of paranormal romance Carriger delivers a novel that is impossible to put down! The Parasol Protectorate series definitely should not be missed.
4/5
Title: Revenants #2: Until I Die
Author: Amy Plum
Date of Publication: May 8,2012
Formats Available: Hardcover, Paperback, E-Book
Synopsis: Kate Mercier and her gorgeous Revenant boyfriend Vincent have reached an agreement. Vincent will no longer die for humans so Kate won’t have to deal with the tragedy of him constantly dying. However Kate soon realizes how hard it is on Vincent and begins to search for a different way for them to be together. After destroying the Numa leader the Numa have been strangely silent, leaving the Paris Revenant’s to wonder what their planning. With the help of an old Reverent, Violette, Kate learns that Vincent may hold the key to an ancient prophecy, one that could tip the balance of power in favor of the Revenants, something the Numa want to avoid at all costs.
My Review:
I have never understood the popularity surrounding this series. While the plot itself is interesting and the Parisian setting is refreshing the story just doesn’t reach its full potential. The characters are flat and two dimensional, the dialogue is cheesy, and the romance between Kate and Vincent feels empty. Their relationship isn’t based on anything more than physical attraction, leaving their relationship with no depth.
Kate is an annoying character; she is whiny, self-centered, and clingy. Kate can hardly go a day without Vincent without complaining and becoming depressed about it, she constantly calls him and texts him, and constantly interrogated his friends about his actions. Despite this she goes behind his back while searching for a way for them to be together, going through great pains to hide what she is doing from him all the while being annoyed at him for not telling her about his actions.
The story moves unbearably slow until the last 50 pages where things finally begin to pick up as the characters true motives are revealed. One major plot development was the idea of Vincent being the “Champion”, how Violette came to this conclusion and what being the “Champion” actually entails is a mystery, leaving quite a few holes in the plot. The ending leaves the characters in an interesting predicament, something I definitely didn’t see coming.
While I want to like this series I just don’t find myself enjoying it. While I can’t say that I hate it, it does have a few good points, my frustration with the characters and the plot holes leave much to be desired. Younger crowds may enjoy Until I Die, but I would recommend older readers to wait for the library to acquire a copy.
2/5
Title: Eve
Author: Anna Carey
Date of Publication: October 24, 2011
Formats Available: Hardcover, Paperback, E-Book
Synopsis: After a devastating virus kills most of earths population Eve is one of the few left, living in a heavily guarded school Eve dreams of the day that she can graduate, learn a trade, and live in the newly rebuilt City of Sand. The day before Eve’s graduation she learns the truth about what happens to girls who graduate, they do not learn a trade but are instead tied down and forced to have children to repopulate the earth. Eve runs away under the cover of night and meets Caleb, a boy escaped from a labor camp. Eve has been taught to fear men but Caleb seems different. Eve soon learns that the King is hunting her, putting she has put everyone she has grown to love in danger.
My Review:
I started Eve with minimal expectations, after reading the mixed reviews I wasn’t sure what to expect. The premise seemed interesting but I felt that the story had been done a million times. I was pleasantly surprised when I really started enjoying Eve. While its not a resounding story that sticks with the reader long after the last page, it was an entertaining way to kill an afternoon.
While the story was interesting there were several loopholes in the structure of the government that really bothered me. Eve received an excellent education, learning to read, write, and even waltz, only to be sent to a government organization where she would be forced to have as many babies as possible. It just didn’t add up. Then there’s the City of Sand, all the girls dream of living there, but with most of the earths population gone what could people possibly be doing there?
Eve was a great character, her love for her friends, and especially her mom, was relatable and endearing. She was very naive, but that is to be expected and sometimes her naivety made me laugh, such as her first encounter with Caleb. I really enjoyed the story, the romance with Caleb was cute and the plot was action packed and fast paced. The bittersweet ending leaves me interested in picking up the sequel, Once.
The first in yet another young adult trilogy Eve was a good start to a series that has some potential. Recommended to younger fans of dystopian fiction, Eve was full of heart pounding action and romance and was an enjoyable read although rather forgettable.
4/5
Title: The Vespertine
Author: Saundra Mitchell
Date of Publication: March 20, 2012
Formats Available: Hardcover, Paperback, E-Book
Synopsis: The year is 1889 and seventeen year old Amelia van den Broek, from rural Maine, is spending the summer with her fashionable cousin Zora in Baltimore in hopes of finding a husband. While in Baltimore Amelia starts to see visions of the future, soon word of her visions spread to even the most popular circles in Baltimore and Amelia is being called “Maine’s Own Mystic”. From stolen kisses on balconies at balls with attractive Nathaniel Witherspoon, a man most certainly out of her leauge, and giving seances at sunset Amelia begins to love Maryland. However her visions have a price, a price that may destroy all that she holds dear.
My Review:
I’m afraid that the only positive thing I have to say about this novel is that it was beautifully written. From the flowing descriptions of Baltimore to the vivid imagery of Amelia’s visions the writing was fantastic. However the rest of the novel fell flat in all regards; full of random pointless events, no plot, and two dimensional characters I found myself disliking The Vespertine more and more with each passing chapter.
The book possessed no plot; Amelia has her visions, she suddenly is in love with Nathaniel, they kiss in secret, and she goes to balls. Throughout the entire novel I found myself asking “So what?”. There is no purpose to the novel, Amelia does not grow as a character, she does not come to an understanding about herself or others, she is exactly the same at the end of the novel as she is at the beginning.
There is no rhyme nor reason to the characters actions, for the majority of the novel I was confused as to their motives. There was never an explanation as to why Amelia had visions or any conflict as she told the future of her friends and family. The ending was predictable and unsatisfying, leaving unanswered questions and unresolved conflicts.
The beautiful writing does not make up for all the faults in this novel, I was extremely disappointed. Despite the short length I found finishing this book a struggle as I became more and more frustrated with the characters and the plot. This is one of the few novels I would not recommend to anybody under any circumstances.
1/5
