Book Review: Poison by Bridget Zinn

Poison

Bridget Zinn

Published Date: March 12th 2013

Publisher: Disney Hyperion

Pages: 288

Genre:  Fantasy, Adventure, Young Adult

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.

I picked up Poison due the an interesting synopsis paired up with a gorgeous cover. I would be lying if I hadn’t thought of Poison Study and hoped that this book would be written in a similar style.

Luckily, reality didn’t hit too far from my expectations. Things were a little lighter, a little simpler, but the style of the writing the kind I enjoy reading the most.

The book opens up with Kyra sneaking around and avoiding old friends and guards, because she had tried to kill the princess with her potions and poisons. She failed the first time and now everyone is after her, but she is determined to try again… despite the fact that the princess is her best friend.

The great strength of this book is how our main character doesn’t tell us, the reader, anything. For example the book starts off going on about how she needs to kill the princess and after we’re comfortable with that it throws us for a loop with the best friend thing. It then teases us with only half an explanation of why and we spend most of the book wanting to throttle Kyra, and have her think clearly about it all so we can understand what's going on and her motives.

Because of this, the book becomes very engaging, keeping the readers on their toes with an active mind up until the very end.

I also enjoy the fact that the book is carefully set up so that we are dropped in at the middle instead of at the beginning.

The characters are sometimes simple, but varied and charming (when they’re supposed to be). I’m personally a fan of this kind of charaterization, so I enjoyed this.

Where the book did suffer a bit is with the pacing. The climax felt less like a climax, more like it was dragged out and I couldn’t figure out which part was supposed to be the big turning point. Other times the pacing was too fast. It’s not a huge issue, however, and didn’t stop me from enjoying.

So many pieces of information slowly dripped to us through the course of the book and even the ones that didn’t sneak up on me, I didn’t start to piece together until right before the reveal. Simple touches made this work out perfectly. Things like the relationship between Kyra and her mother being what it is so that she naturally refers to her as “Duchess” instead. The way that the fiance prince is described in a way that fits Fred, so that when he is revealed, as surprising as it is, it also doesn’t feel forced or out of the blue.

I like books that do something just a little bit differently and though it doesn’t always pay off to experiment, in this case I believe it did.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys some nice YA Fantasy with charming characters. I also recommend this to anyone who enjoys it when an author carefully fits together the reveal of a mystery like a puzzle.

This book was published post-mortem as the author died of cancer in 2011. There won't be any more books by her and that is such a tragedy. She would have easily become a favourite author of mine. I hope she realized how great this book was.

4.5 Bookmarks

Book Review: Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge

Cruel Beauty

Rosamund Hodge

 Published Date: January 28th 2014

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Pages: 342

Genre:  Fairy tale, Mythology, Fantasy-esqe, Romance, Young Adult

Based on the classic fairy tale Beauty and the Beast, Cruel Beauty is a dazzling love story about our deepest desires and their power to change our destiny.

Since birth, Nyx has been betrothed to the evil ruler of her kingdom-all because of a foolish bargain struck by her father. And since birth, she has been in training to kill him.

With no choice but to fulfill her duty, Nyx resents her family for never trying to save her and hates herself for wanting to escape her fate. Still, on her seventeenth birthday, Nyx abandons everything she's ever known to marry the all-powerful, immortal Ignifex. Her plan? Seduce him, destroy his enchanted castle, and break the nine-hundred-year-old curse he put on her people.

But Ignifex is not at all what Nyx expected. The strangely charming lord beguiles her, and his castle-a shifting maze of magical rooms-enthralls her.

As Nyx searches for a way to free her homeland by uncovering Ignifex's secrets, she finds herself unwillingly drawn to him. Even if she could bring herself to love her sworn enemy, how can she refuse her duty to kill him? With time running out, Nyx must decide what is more important: the future of her kingdom, or the man she was never supposed to love.

I love the setting and world building of this book. Hodge is absolutely brilliant. It’s part fantasy, part historical fiction, part mythological retelling and part fairytale retelling. In the story, Arcadia is an island off of Greece, sharing in their mythology after the mainland had come to influence and conquer, yet also keeping their own hedge gods. It was a prosperous place until something, no one knows exactly what, happened at the castle, the sky went from blue to parchment, demons came to torture the minds of those the caught and the Gentle Lord came to bargain and rule.

Nyx is around because of one of those bargains, and her fate is sealed because of it as well. She must go off to the castle and marry the Gentle Lord, the one in charge of the demons. She is sent so that her sister can live happily and coddled and so that she can attempt to bring back the blue skies by defeating the house or the Gentle Lord himself.

As a retelling of Beauty and the Beast, it is certainly one of the best and is my favourite. I like it for many of the same reasons why I like The Lunar Chronicles, it’s not a straightforward retelling and instead is very imaginative and clever.

The fairy tale and amazing world aside, however, it’s our main characters, Nyx and Ignifex, the Gentle Lord, who are really the stars of the show. There is a realness and complexity to these characters. They are far from perfect, they are even downright nasty sometimes, but they are learning to accept that in themselves and in each other. They were a joy to read in their growth as separate characters and as a couple.

I adore the idea that the entirety of Arcadia is inside the room, inside the mansion and that they all are in Pandora’s Box. In general the way all of the mythology and hedge god-ness was incorporated in the story was natural and intriguing. We are left hundreds of clues and themes dealing with the idea of Pandora’s Box and the truth.

Such as Nyx being too curious and determined to open the box and Ignifex trying so hard not to learn any more truth since he fears it.

I also really enjoyed the way that Nyx and her sister changed when reality was distorted. The way Nyx was a little less edgy and her sister was more clever and even slightly darker. Things felt more balanced.

If you like Beauty and the Beast, read this book, but even if you’re not into fairytales, if you enjoy fantasy mixed with mythology, or just great characters and a great couple, I highly recommend this book. It’s world is amazing and unique and it’s characters layered and real.

4.5 Bookmarks

Book Review: Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas

Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass #2)

Sarah J. Maas

Review of Throne of Glass

Published Date: August 27th 2013

Publisher: Bloomsbury Childrens

Pages: 420

Genre:  Fantasy, Young Adult

From the throne of glass rules a king with a fist of iron and a soul black as pitch. Assassin Celaena Sardothien won a brutal contest to become his Champion. Yet Celaena is far from loyal to the crown. She hides her secret vigilantly; she knows that the man she serves is bent on evil.

Keeping up the deadly charade becomes increasingly difficult when Celaena realizes she is not the only one seeking justice. As she tries to untangle the mysteries buried deep within the glass castle, her closest relationships suffer. It seems no one is above questioning her allegiances—not the Crown Prince Dorian; not Chaol, the Captain of the Guard; not even her best friend, Nehemia, a foreign princess with a rebel heart.

Then one terrible night, the secrets they have all been keeping lead to an unspeakable tragedy. As Celaena's world shatters, she will be forced to give up the very thing most precious to her and decide once and for all where her true loyalties lie...and whom she is ultimately willing to fight for.

Wow, what a journey this read was. Celaena returns and now that she’s been made the champion. This means she has to start killing for the King. Her work towards freedom is far from finished.

Crown of Midnight deals with the aftermath and the deepening of the mystery surrounding Elana and the current King. So much happens, I don’t even know where to begin.

The romance is less fluff and more serious this time around. It developed by obviously and naturally. It became quite intense, but it was the perfect amount of intensity for me and it had a solid foundation.

There are so many things happening in this castle, there is so much mystery and so much intrigue. We answer some questions, but then many more are revealed.

The ending did feel a bit over-stretched due to the climax happening a bit sooner in Crown of Midnight than in most books, but the characters and plot are well-thought out and I can’t help but love it all.

My favourite thing about this series is how each character has their own plot and their own problems and goals to deal with. They don’t just exist to help the main character, but instead work and think independently of her.

I feel what started out as something simple has shown to be so much deeper. I cannot wait to pick up the next book and then I already know that when the series is finished I want to reread it from the beginning. I have a feeling that this is well-planned out and I’d love to read it while knowing the hidden truth.

Nehemia! I can’t believe it. I am really upset she died. It was just when I started hoping she and Dorian might be able to fall for each other with her helping him with his magic. I worry so much for the prince. He’s so important in fixing what his father has destroyed, but if his father disinheirits him or kills him… then there is only Hollin… We have yet to officially meet this character, but everything we hear is enough for us to know he would be more similar to his father as a ruler.

Chaol and Celaena did fall into a bit of over-dramatics for me at the end, but as I mentioned above, because of the way things slowly happened in the first book it felt like it had a stronger foundation for being so intense. It’s very different than the week long romance that is true love and instead happened slowly with them starting out as friends.

I’m very interested in where his plot leads as well with his father and the lands.

I feel as if straight out fantasy like this has become rarer and rarer in YA of recent. There’s a lot of paranormal, supernatural and light fairytale fantasy, but less high fantasy. This is definitely one of my favourites I have read, so if you enjoy YA fantasy and haven’t tried picking up this series yet, I recommend it.

4.5 Bookmarks

Book Review: Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George

Princess of the Midnight Ball (Princess #1)

Jessica Day George

Publication Date: January 20th 2009

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens

Pages: 280

Genre:  Fairytale, Young Adult

A tale of twelve princesses doomed to dance until dawn… 

Galen is a young soldier returning from war; Rose is one of twelve princesses condemned to dance each night for the King Under Stone. Together Galen and Rose will search for a way to break the curse that forces the princesses to dance at the midnight balls. All they need is one invisibility cloak, a black wool chain knit with enchanted silver needles, and that most critical ingredient of all—true love—to conquer their foes in the dark halls below. But malevolent forces are working against them above ground as well, and as cruel as the King Under Stone has seemed, his wrath is mere irritation compared to the evil that awaits Galen and Rose in the brighter world above. 

Captivating from start to finish, Jessica Day George’s take on the Grimms’ tale The Twelve Dancing Princesses demonstrates yet again her mastery at spinning something entirely fresh out of a story you thought you knew.

If anyone keeps up and reads many of my reviews than you know that there are a few things I really appreciate in a book. I enjoy stories that are written simply and non-dramatically. In other words, I tend to find other things more exciting in a book (such as the adventure). This is possibly why I enjoy most fantasy retellings so much, as they have all ended up similar tones of storytelling.

Princess of the Midnight Ball benefits from this as well. The romance happens, but they don't dwell on it. There is a terrible thing happening to the girls, but they try their hardest to just weather through it instead of going 'woe is me' in the inner voices. It's very refreshing.

This book is a retelling of the "Twelve Dancing Princesses", a very popular fairytale to retell since it has many elements that can be dealt with in an interesting way. Unlike many of the retellings, however, a little more than half the book is told from the point of view of our hero. On top of that, most of the parts from Rose (our eldest sister's) perspective is told in a limited way, keeping our knowledge of everything at a similar level to Galen (our hero).

Speaking of Galen, he is a wonderfully faceted hero. His personality is so refreshing among all of the brooding heroes in young adult fiction. And I can't resist a man who knits and is proud of it.

Our princesses are well established as well. It is hard to get twelve sisters to stick in your mind. George managed to get half of them established enough that I knew who they were and what their personalities were like off-hand.

 

I really enjoyed the final scenes of dealing with the bishop, getting caught by the King Under the Stone and the escape. It's something I would love to see brought to life. I also adored how important knitting became.

Rose and Galen's romance is also really quite nice. It develops naturally and the two are adorable around each other.

There is also the fact that there are still sons left there, and what will happen if they find another door up? Will they go get revenge on the girls and Galen?

As this has become a basic book in the libraries of those who love fairytale retellings, I'm sure many of you have read this book. If you are a fairytale fan and you haven't yet, however, I strongly urge you to. It's cute and full of adventure.

4.5 Bookmarks

Book Review: The One by Kiera Cass

The One (The Selection #3)

Kiera Cass

Review of The Selection
Review of The Elite (The Selection #2)

Publication Date: June 5th 2014

Publisher: HarperTeen

Pages: 325

Genre:  Fantasy-esque, Dystopia-esque, Romance, Young Adult

For the four girls who remain at the palace, the friendships they’ve formed, rivalries they’ve struggled with and dangers they’ve faced have bound them to each other for the rest of their lives.

Now, the time has come for one winner to be chosen.

America never dreamed she would find herself anywhere close to the crown – or to Prince Maxon’s heart. But as the competition approaches its end and the threats outside the palace walls grow more vicious, America realises just how much she stands to lose – and how hard she’ll have to fight for the future she wants.

Yes. This one is the best one. I can't believe this is the same writer as the first book, she has improved so much for me. Although maybe gulping both this and The Elite one right after each other on the same day could be coloring my view.

The highlight of this book for me (I'm sure it's not true of everyone) is not the romance but instead the friendships and politics of the book.

On top of that Cass manages to show growth in almost every single character still around in this final book. The final four girls left, aside from America, are the side characters where it's the most obvious. It makes me want to go re-read the first book again just to remember how they were when they had started and truly appreciate what they've grown into. America herself grows tremendously as well, from a girl who just wanted to marry the boy of her dreams to the girl who wants to make a difference.

It's hard to talk about this book without revealing all. I laughed. I cried. I almost missed my bell to go to class because I became so absorbed. I am glad I gave this series another chance after a rocky start. I think the first book is a poor introduction to all of the non-romance parts that this series has to offer, but on the other hand it was a good set-up for things to come.

One thing that's true however is that The One is a different book than The Selection. Lucky for me that was a good thing.

Celeste! I cried for Celeste! It was only one line, brief in the epilogue, but as soon as I realized what it alluded to I started tearing up. I think her growth was one of my favourites. She was so hated in the beginning, seemed so shallow as a character, and then she seemed to get worse, but this situation it beats everyone down. All of the girls are in a very dangerous place and her stubbornness kept her from leaving. When she broke down and America and her made the truce, she became my favourite character.

The friendship that the final girls created was also dear to me, I hadn't expected it and I think it was good of Cass to do.

I also teared up a bit when Maxon revealed that he had been trying to figure out how the eliminate the caste system since almost way in the beginning. I was so proud of him at the moment. I admire him so much as a character. Everything he would try to do that was against his father was a risk for him, yet he'd still do it.

There is so much more I could talk about, but I could go on forever.

This is a fantastic end that cleans up the loose ends of the previous book and ends at a place that feels comfortable and finished. This series is good. It is a fantasy story based in a possible future of our own world. It is a princess story that doesn't shy from the politics of the situation. And it is a love story that plays out dramatically, but realistically.

4.5 Bookmarks

ARC Book Review: Dollhouse by Anya Allyn

Dollhouse (Dollhouse #1)

Anya Allyn

ARC Disclaimer: I was not paid in any way by the publishers to review this book favourably. The review is my own honest opinion (Whether or not it is agreed with).

Re-Publication Date: May 20th 2014 (Paper Lantern Edition)

Publisher: The Studio, A Paper Lantern Imprint

Pages: 205

Genre:  Horror, Young Adult

Dress-up turns deadly. . .

When Cassie’s best friend, Aisha, disappears during a school hike, Cassie sets off with Aisha’s boyfriend Ethan and their best friend Lacey, determined to find her. But the mist-enshrouded mountains hold many secrets, and what the three teens discover is far more disturbing than any of them imagined: beneath a rundown mansion in the woods lies an underground cavern full of life-size toys and kidnapped girls forced to dress as dolls.

Even as Cassie desperately tries to escape the Dollhouse, she finds herself torn between her forbidden feelings for Ethan, and her intense, instinctive attraction to The Provider, a man Cassie swears she has known before…

Because Cassie’s capture wasn’t accidental, and the Dollhouse is more than just a prison where her deepest fears come true—it’s a portal for the powers of darkness. And Cassie may be the only one who can stop it.

Thanks to Netgalley and Paper Lantern for allowing me to read and review this book.

Wow, this book is crazy in the best possible way. So much is stuffed in there and it's hard to put it down. It's hard to summarize, because there just is that much. I will try however. In short, our main group of characters are walking through the woods one day when they find a huge creepy house. Then later that day one of the girls, Aisha, runs off and promptly disappears. The other three spend the rest of the day looking for her and nothing. Weeks pass and it's like she disappeared into thin air. The three left know that the house must have something to do with it, so they go back to investigate.

What they find is so much more than they bargained for, a life size dollhouse where people are forced to look and act like dolls.

As soon as we entered that dollhouse I was gripped. My eyes were glued to my e-reader's screen and hours passed without me paying attention (I almost missed an appointment in fact). As the dollhouse is introduced, I am terrified. The descriptions... and then what happens... Living in the dollhouse is like slowly losing your mind.

There are so many layers to this tale. It seems like one kind of horror story and then as new things are revealed, new mysteries happened it changes.

Having read one of the older versions of this book, I couldn't help but constantly compare. There were a few pacing things I loved about the older version (there was much more of that losing your mind and realism to it) that were tweaked to make it more concise, but the setting up of the plot and revelations about things was done much better. When I originally read it I was shocked to find out there would be more, now it feels natural, there are so many questions I want to learn the answers to. 

The mythology behind this horror story is now very interesting and well done, but it does not feel as if things were thrown at us all at once and out of nowhere.

Oh man, that bit right before the ending! We were just so close to escaping, it's not fair! Ahhh! I could literally feel that crushing, sinking sensation that Cassie and our characters must have felt encountering that wall. Then hearing that Jessamine has forced the too strong tea on everyone without realizing it would pretty much kill them. Everything just feels so useless, so at loss. How can we salvage anything from this?

Will Cassie make it out and leave? If she does what will happen to her? Would anyone believe her? The Provider says that she could never leave the mountain if she ran. What does that mean? I'm full of so many questions. It'll be hard to resist seeing if I can find old versions of the sequels as I wait for the new versions to be published.

There are two revelations that got to me the most. One is about Jessamine and how she is really a ghost and died in some suspicious way (and that she is being sated because they need her). I love that she is a major villain, one of the most terrifying things until the end (even more so than the Provider since her punishments are so immediate), but then you realize she is just as much as a victim, just as manipulated as everyone else, if only she'd acknowledge it instead of pretending her world is real.

The other revelation is about Lacey. Part of me assumed she had died, but the other part kept insisted that she had been developed to much to just disappear without a trace. I feel bad for her though. She was young when she was taken and the guilt of taking people for Jessamine and the Provider... I wonder if Ben knows she was taken from the way he was described paying attention to her in the beginning. I wonder if Cassie gets out if he'll be dragged into this as well.

I recommend this to people who are fans of Horror. Even if you're not fans of YA, as long as you get through the first, establishing bit, I think you could very well enjoy this on its own as Horror. I also recommend this book to anyone who enjoyed The Forbidden Game by L.J. Smith. It lacks the obsessive romance of that series, but the horror felt similar.

Also, if you read the original version of this and felt it was only so-so, I urge you to please pick up this version. Things make so much sense, things are more concise, the mythology of the world isn't all over the place and there are a couple of things (especially at the end) that hadn't happened.

4.5 Bookmarks