ARC Review: Dragonswood by Janet Lee Carey - Blog Tour

Title: Dragonswood
Series: Wilde Island Chronicles #2
Author: Janet Lee Carey | Website
Available: 1/5/2012
Genre: Fantasy
Reading Level: YA












Synopsis via Goodreads:

Wilde Island is in an uproar after the recent death of its king. The uneasy pact between dragons, fairies, and humans is fraying, and a bloodthirsty witch hunter with a hidden agenda whips villages into frenzies with wild accusations. Tess, a blacksmith’s daughter from a tiny hamlet near the mysterious Dragonswood, finds herself caught in the crosshairs of fate when she is accused of witchery and has to flee for her life along with her two best friends. 

Not even Tess’s power to see the future can help the girls as they set off on their desperate journey, but she keeps having visions of a man wielding a sword. And when she finally meets him, Tess has no idea how to handle the magnetic attraction she feels for him, or the elusive call she hears from the heart of the Dragonswood. 

In this epic romance, an ancient prophecy comes true in a way neither dragon, fairy, nor human would have predicted.

My thoughts:

Dragonswood satisfied a craving I wasn't even aware I had. Obviously my book diet has been seriously lacking fantasy lately. I just didn't realize how bad until I started reading this enchanting novel.  Tess takes readers on an incredible journey. I found myself staying up late at night because I just couldn't bring myself to put her captivating tale down. The magical combination of a historical setting, dragons, fairies and romance had me falling in love at first page.


I absolutely loved Tess. She craved an independence that women during her time didn't typically have. Instead she was forced to live in fear with her mother and abusive father. Who would of thought being accused of witchcraft and forced to flee could be so liberating? Tess is a strong and admirable character. She stayed true to herself throughout the book and as a reader I appreciated this. The secondary characters were also a pleasure. I wish the dragons would have had a little more time in the spotlight. The few scenes where they spoke or interacted with the characters were without a doubt my favorites. I just have so much love for those scaled beasts ♥ 


I found the pacing of Dragonswood to be wonderful until the end. The ending just seemed a little rushed and the writing didn't flow as nicely as it did throughout the majority of the novel. I also had difficulty with the epilogue. Tess seemed to have a different "voice". I'm not sure if this was to help reflect the time that had passed and how she had changed. It just didn't feel like I was reading from the POV of the same girl I'd just spent almost 400 pages with. 


While the ending could have been smoother it didn't in any way squash the massive amount of love I have for this wonderful book. I still found Dragonswood an absolute delight to read! I highly recommend it and hope to read more by Janet Lee Carey very soon.


While visiting Janet Lee Carey's website I discovered Dragonswood is technically the second book in the Wilde Island Chronicles. I wasn't aware of this little bit of info when I first started reading. I haven't had the pleasure of reading the first novel, Dragon's Keep. I don't feel reading out of order made Dragonswood any less enjoyable and never really felt like I was missing anything. 

My Rating:

Review: Elemental Reality by Cesya MaRae Cuono (Blog Tour)

Title: Elemental Reality
Series: Elemental #1
Author: Cesya MaRae Cuono | Author’s Blog
Available: Now
Genre: Fantasy
Reading Level: (Older) YA
Source: Publisher








Description from Goodreads:


When Callie Pierce was ten, her mother disappeared without a trace. On the eve of her disappearance twelve years later, the Earth seemingly comes alive. The elements speak to Callie, and that's only the beginning. Everything she has ever known was a twisted fabrication to protect her. Now the truth is set free. Callie and her sister are more powerful than any Faerie ever born. Now they have to use their powers to save their mother and family from the evil hands of fate that threaten to tear them apart. Welcome to her elemental reality.


My thoughts:


Elemental Reality is a series debut that stars faeries unlike any I’ve had the pleasure of encountering before. I was utterly captivated by Callie and Lola’s ability to bend the elements to their will. These chicks possessed some seriously bad ass skills. Most of Elemental Reality is told from Callie’s point of view. She is the older sister, and the first to realize she was becoming more and more in tune with the elements around her. I really enjoyed getting inside of her head. Her inner battles over what choice to make were laced with wit and had me actually laughing out loud at times. She is a character who wields the snark with well honed expertise. 


Even though Callie is the character we get to know best, there is also an array of secondary characters who help to keep things interesting. We have the initial two boys vying for her attention, but thankfully the struggle of figuring out which is trustworthy doesn’t last long. I liked that the author didn’t drag out the love triangle in this one. I won’t elaborate on who is good and who isn’t. You’ll have to figure that out on your own ;) Callie also has two longtime BFFs who were so much fun. The banter with little sister, Lola, was also hilarious. I loved the sisterly interactions. I could immediately tell this author has to have a wicked sense of humor. 


Elemental Reality had so many aspects that make a book enjoyable for me. Snark filled dialogue, well developed characters, and of course super cool magic. Oh yeah can’t forget the dreamy boys *sigh* One even has an accent *swoon* I did feel the plot felt rushed at times. I felt like I’d jumped from one place to the next too quickly and actually backtracked to make sure I didn’t skip a section. I still really enjoyed reading about Callie’s adventures and thought this was a pretty good series debut. 


I was hoping for a big resolution at the end, but as the pages left became slimmer and slimmer I anticipated a possible cliff hanger. And that is just what the author gave me. I will say it was well executed. Coming from a cliff hanger hater this is a compliment. If the goal was to leave me salivating for more it worked. I will pick up the next in this series as soon as I can get my hands on a copy. 


I’m giving this a 3 kitty rating, but it is leaning precariously toward 4 kitties. I really loved what the author did with her characters, the fascinating world she built for them, and that epilogue left me dying to know what happens next. This is a series with so much promise. I look forward to seeing where the author takes us next!


FYI: I believe Elemental Reality is considered Young Adult, but it does contain humor, dialogue, and situations I’d consider more suitable for older teens. 


Cover thoughts: Isn’t this cover BEAUTIFUL! I fell in love with it the moment I saw it. I think it represents Callie and her powers perfectly.

My Rating:

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Review: A Tale of Two Goblins by H. P Mallory

Title: A Tale of Two Goblins
Series: Dulcie O’Neil #2
Author: H. P. Mallory | Author Website
Available: Now
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Reading Level: Adult


**SPOILERS for the first book in this series below**








Description from Goodreads:


A Dreamstalker— a creature that stalks and kills its victims in sleep. 

A fairy in law enforcement determined to stop him. 

A potions smuggler who possesses something she wants. 

A vampire with his own agenda. 

And a partner who couldn’t possibly be sexier or more frustrating. 

Dulcie O’Neil is a fairy working in law enforcement for the Netherworld. 
When Knight Vander approaches her with a case regarding comatose victims, she agrees to help him, imagining the most difficult part will be combating her attraction to him. 

But, what Dulcie isn’t betting on is the fact that the case becomes personal when she learns all the victims are somehow linked to her. 

When her best friend falls victim to the Dreamstalker, Dulcie must do everything in her power to ensure her friend’s survival, including associating with criminals and accepting the fact that desperate times do definitely call for desperate measures.


My thoughts:


A Tale of Two Goblins gets us back in the action with the much-loved fairy Dulcie O’Neil. At the end of To Kill A Warlock she left A.N.S (Association for Netherworld Creatures) because of the outcome of the last case she was working on. (Quill: Shame on you!) She agreed to the role of consultant when A.N.S. needs her. Hopefully this will give her time to deal with the emotional backlash triggered by the events of book 1. It also means more time to work on her novel.

Acting Chief of Headquarters (& super hot Loki) ,Knight, approaches Dulcie about a case involving a possible Dreamstalker. The maybe Dreamstalker has rendered several victims unconscious and trapped between a state of life and death. When Dulcie realizes she has a connection to almost all of the victims she becomes concerned it might be personal and agrees to help. Over the course of the case Dulcie finds she has to make some tough choices to stay one step ahead of the Dreamstalker.

The sophomore novel in this UF series is just as full of action and suspense as its predecessor. It also has the snark and wit I’ve come to associate with the sassy fairy, Dulcie. Events do take a darker turn when Dulcie makes some hard choices in order to save the victims of the Dreamstalker. It fit and gave the plot a nice amount of depth. No fluff here!

She is still being pursued by some seriously hot guys and hasn’t dealt with her commitment issues (who can blame her!). I was thrilled that we got to know the men in Dulcie’s life a little better including the fascinating Bram. If you dig vampires, you will fall madly in love with him no doubt. Even after two books I still can’t decide who I think she should be with. I can’t even pick a favorite! They all have qualities that I need the romantic interest in books I read to possess. What a lucky fairy!

Not only does this series contain great characters, but the author also offers up a solid plot with multiple twists and turns. This is a series that is going places! If you are a fan of Urban Fantasy I recommend giving Dulcie O’Neil’s world a try. 

My Rating:

Books in this series:

Source: Bookish Snob Promotions

ARC Review: Born at Midnight by C. C Hunter

Title: Born at Midnight
Series: Shadow Falls #1
Author: C. C Hunter | Author Website
Available: Now
Reading Level: Young Adult












Description from Goodreads:


Don’t miss this spectacular new series that will steal your heart and haunt your dreams,  Welcome to Shadow Falls camp, nestled deep in the woods of a town called Fallen…

One night Kylie Galen finds herself at the wrong party, with the wrong people, and it changes her life forever.  Her mother ships her off to Shadow Falls—a camp for troubled teens, and within hours of arriving, it becomes painfully clear that her fellow campers aren’t just “troubled.”  Here at Shadow Falls, vampires, werewolves, shapshifters, witches and fairies train side by side—learning to harness their powers, control their magic and live in the normal world.

Kylie’s never felt normal, but surely she doesn’t belong here with a bunch of paranormal freaks either.  Or does she?  They insist Kylie is one of them, and that she was brought here for a reason.  As if life wasn’t complicated enough, enter Derek and Lucas.  Derek’s a half-fae who’s determined to be her boyfriend, and Lucas is a smokin’ hot werewolf with whom Kylie shares a secret past.  Both Derek and Lucas couldn’t be more different, but they both have a powerful hold on her heart. 

Even though Kylie feels deeply uncertain about everything, one thing is becoming painfully clear—Shadow Falls is exactly where she belongs…

Favorite quote:

“Just because a guy rings your bell, doesn’t mean you have to toot his horn” 

My thoughts:

Kylie finds herself caught at a party with alcohol (that she wasn’t even drinking), and shipped off to a camp for troubled teens. Or at least that is what her therapist claims. On day one she discovers it is a camp for teens with supernatural lineage. Werewolves, faeries, and even vampires. Unfortunately, they haven’t figured out what Kylie is, and she strongly denies having any type of preternatural skills. She quickly gains the attentions of a boy named Derek, and meets another boy from her past who scares her witless (even with all his hotness). While balancing boys, new friends, and family drama, she also has to come to terms with the fact it is very likely she has supernatural abilities.

You will never look at summer camp the same way again. Really, how cool a setting did the author choose for her YA debut? I loved her take on supernaturals (especially vampires) and how she threw them all together in a camp setting. Add in hot boys, a love triangle (yes, I still love them!), and a mystery to solve, and you have a book that rocked my socks! 


Kylie is an amazing main character. I just loved her. She isn’t afraid to stand up for herself even when the person she is standing up to could rip her to shreds. You might not love her at first, but her character really evolves so much over the course of the book. She has to come to terms with so much change in such a short time. I really felt for the poor girl, but she handled it quite well. There is also a great cast of secondary characters who I hope to see more of as this series continues. 


Now let us discuss previously mentioned hot boys. Derek is your typical nice guy. I really liked him and he is a great love interest for Kylie, but if you know me or read my blog often, you’ll know I’m addicted to the bad (but sweet behind the tough facade) boy. In this case that would be Lucas. He won me over even though I initially didn’t like him. As the book progressed I became firmly fixed on the Team Lucas side. He has all the characteristics that blend to create the perfect "bad boy". Mystery, attitude, dangerously good looks, and he is a werewolf! In the battle of hot fae and hot weres, the furry guys always win with me.


Still loving YA paranormal books, but want a fresh take? Give Born At Midnight a try! I think even adult fans will enjoy this series. In case you didn’t know C.C Hunter is a pseudonym for romance author Christie Craig. While this is definitely aimed at young adults, the writing had a certain feel that can only be created by a seasoned romance writer. This series just has so much to offer. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!

My Rating:

Source:

Around the World Tours

ARC Review: Blood & Flowers by Penny Blubaugh

Title: Blood & Flowers
Series: Debut, maybe?
Author: Penny Blubaugh
Available: 3/1/2011
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy












Description from Goodreads:


Three years ago, Persia ran away from her drug-addict parents and found a home with the Outlaws, an underground theater troupe. With time, this motley band of mortals and fey, puppeteers and actors, becomes the loving family Persia never had, and soon Persia not only discovers a passion for theater but also falls in love with one of the other Outlaws. Life could not be more perfect. 

Until an enemy makes an unfair accusation against the group and forces them to flee their world and hide in the neighboring realm of Faerie. But in Faerie, all is not flowers and rainbows. With bloodthirsty trolls, a hostile monarchy, and a dangerous code of magic, the fey world is far from the safe haven the Outlaws had hoped for.... 

Following up her critically acclaimed Serendipity Market, Penny Blubaugh has created a beautiful and mysterious world where anything can happen—especially what you least expect.


My thoughts:


Persia left her drug-addicted parents to join a traveling theater troupe. There is something special about this theater troupe though. They use faerie magic! Soon troubles from the past begin to resurface, and everyone Persia cares about could be in jeopardy. They decide to hide in Faerie, but quickly discover they can’t run from their problems.


I have mixed feelings about this one. I liked the idea of a traveling theater troupe that used Faerie magic to animate puppets, but the characters didn’t leave a lasting impression on me. I know I can’t end every book feeling like I have a new BFF, but with this one they all felt like strangers. This should not be the case after spending 300+ pages together. The cast was quite large, but Persia is the main focus. We see things through her eyes. The characters had the potential to be fantastic, but they just weren’t developed enough for my liking. The world also wasn’t explained well enough to really pull me in. Really a great concept, but with the lack of development in the characters and world, it just didn’t win me over.


The ending seemed open for a sequel. I’d definitely pick up the next book and give the author, Persia, and her friends a second chance if this does turn out to be a series. 


Cover thoughts: Gorgeous and a perfect fit for the story it accompanies. It does an excellent job of making me think faeries and magic are a big part of the book.

My Rating:

Review: 13 Treasures by Michelle Harrison

Title:  The 13 Treasures

Author:  Michelle Harrison

Available:  Now

Publisher:  Little Brown & Company

Number of pages:  355

Reading Level: Middle Grade

4.5 out of 5 Stars

Thanks, Around the World Tours, for giving me the opportunity to read & review this book.

Description from Goodreads:

No one else can see the evil fairies that rouse Tanya from her sleep, torturing her at the slightest mention of their existence, but they are as real to the 13-year-old as anything she's ever known. She cannot rid herself of them, nor can she ignore them. But it is her insistence on responding to them that has her banished to her grandmother's secluded countryside manor.

There is much to explore and even more to fear in the woods surrounding the estate. But, the forest isn't the only source of dark secrets, and Tanya soon finds herself entangled in a mystery that could trap her in the fairy realm forever.

My thoughts:

13 Treasures is a magical journey you can’t help but get lost in.  After I finished I immediately thought this is a book I want to read again with my kids.  It is a tale children will love, and parents will appreciate.  While the main character is a girl, her friend and accomplice is a 13 year old boy.  That definitely gives this book the ability to appeal to boys and girls. With only mild violence this a safe family friendly read.  


Main character, Tanya, has been bullied by not so sweet faeries for as long as she can remember. Tanya finds herself blamed for the faeries destruction, and sent to stay with her grandmother.  She is dreading the visit, and spending time with her standoffish grandmother.   The visit ends up not at all like she expected.  Secrets are uncovered, and unlikely alliances are formed.  The majority of 13 treasures takes place in an old house complete with hidden passageways, faeries in the grandfather clock, and goblins in the garden. I can’t think of a better setting for this story. This is a must read for faerie lovers of all ages.

I adored this book, and can’t wait to devour the next book in this trilogy, 13 Curses.

Michelle Harrison on the web:

Website | Twitter

Check out a fun website for 13 Treasures.

Review: Magic Under Glass by Jaclyn Dolamore

Title: Magic Under Glass
Author: Jaclyn Dolamore
Available: Now
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Number of pages: 240
Reading Level: Young Adult

4 out of 5 Stars

My copy was borrowed from my local public library







Description from Goodreads:

Nimira is a music-hall performer forced to dance for pennies to an audience of leering drunks. When wealthy sorcerer Hollin Parry hires her to do a special act - singing accompaniment to an exquisite piano-playing automaton, Nimira believes it is the start of a new life. In Parry's world, however, buried secrets stir. Unsettling below-stairs rumours abound about ghosts, a mad woman roaming the halls, and of Parry's involvement in a gang of ruthless sorcerers who torture fairies for sport. When Nimira discovers the spirit of a dashing young fairy gentleman is trapped inside the automaton's stiff limbs, waiting for someone to break the curse and set him free, the two fall in love. But it is a love set against a dreadful race against time to save the entire fairy realm, which is in mortal peril.

My thoughts:

Magic Under Glass is an enjoyable story of a girl with big dreams, and the challenges she faces because of the color of her skin. As the mom of biracial children, I’m thrilled to see a novel with a main character of color. I loved the author’s writing style, and felt the characters were well developed for such a short novel. I connected with Nimira instantly, and quickly grew attached. If I could change anything about this book it would be the length. Even just 50 more pages would have made for a “meatier” plot, and a possible 5 star rating from me. The ending also didn’t provide the closure I was hoping for. I understand it is setting us up for a sequel, but I wasn’t thrilled that the primary conflict was left unresolved. So both of  my complaints lean towards me wanting more. If there was ever a good complaint to receive, I think that would be it. I can’t wait for the sequel, Magic Under Stone.

I would recommend Magic Under Glass to readers that enjoy fantasy novels especially those set in a historical time period. I feel it is a safe read even for young teens.  If you like faeries and magic check this one out.

Magic Under Glass Trailer

Jaclyn Dolamore on the web:

Website | Blog