PJ Review: Forever by Maggie Stiefvater

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal Romance
Para Element: Werewolves
Series: Wolves of Mercy Falls Book 3
PreOrder Online:  Amazon.com
Stalk the Author: Web | Twitter
ARC given to me by the publisher.

A quick forward before reading this review: Maggie Steifvater the author of Forever is an extremely talented author and I would recommend her writing to anyone. Her words are like a delicacy as if she weighs each one out for the proper weight and flavor. This is the first book I didn't like of hers and it was mostly because the characters behaved in ways that didn't relate with me. I only recommend this review if you have read the two books before, Shiver & Linger and please don't throw something at me...once again just my opinion.


PJ's QUICKIE POV:
This really pains me, but I did not enjoy FOREVER. This is a book that I have been looking forward to reading for a year. One year and ten days actually. So, I should have just powered through it…loved on it, rolled within the pages and then lamented on the end of an era. Sadly though, it was not to be. I actually had a hard time finishing this one. Don’t hate me, but it’s true. Stiefvater’s token prose actually grated on my nerves and her descriptions dragged instead of titillated. I was literally yawning through the first 100 pages and forcing myself to just finish – hoping for redemption, yet never finding it.

REVIEW:
Grace is a wolf and Sam is left behind as a human with Cole St. Clair and Isabel. Sam is a bit down and out because of his girlfriend being stuck in a four-legged state and the fact that everyone in town thinks he killed her. Cole St. Clair is busy dealing with his new “unstar” state and a slight obsession with Isabel and the fact that he is pretty sure his brain can whip up a cure for their werewolf. Then there is Isabel, who finds out her father is calling in the big guns to hunt down the wolves and when one wolf kills again – the townspeople will do anything to support him even round up some helicopters and sharp shooters. Will the trio be able to save the wolves in time? Will they be able to work together long enough to even come up with a plan?

This physically hurts me to write this review but I actually felt that Sam was a moping mess most of this book and I literally wanted to scream “Get your head out of your butt emo boy!” Then the Cole and Isabel dynamic was trying. I really felt that the first 100 pages were just a big sobbing mess of descriptions and angsty lamenting about how their life sucks. Then when the action did pick up and a certain minor but featured character dies off – there was very little reaction. Then swoosh into the action and it rolled right into the ending. Then there was the ending, I couldn't believe it ended that way. I just felt deflated; it was anti-climatic. Where was the wrap-up? Was I missing something? I felt like through this entire book nothing was accomplished! I’m having an urge to rant – and please feel free to let me know if you feel the same way. I guess to describe my overall feeling would be let-down. This should have been epic. This should have been the culmination of a three year journey. I should have rejoiced as two of my favorite character’s got their HEA – yet, I felt all I found was new characters with the same name. A new emo boy with drama queen tendencies and a detached and rather non-existent werewolf girl that needed to be shaken out of their depression to actually make a decision and move the story forward.

    I am sad.

         This is me being sad.

    

Because I didn't enjoy this book.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Recommended only for fans of the series and it should be read in order.








Like this series Like That

1. Need by Carrie Jones
2. The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

PJ Review: Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

Genre: Paranormal Romance, Young Adult
Series: Nightshade #1
Paranormal: Werewolf
Purchase:  Amazon.com
Stalk the Author: Web | Blog | Twitter
Audible.com purchase.

PJ's QUICKIE POV:
You know how I'm always complaining about the male teenagers in YA always acting abnormally? That they don't behave like normal teenage boys, specifically in real life? Well, I finally found a novel that I think laid it out on the table pretty well. Now, I'm just trying to process if I liked this way better than the typical YA superhero hero. NIGHTSHADE was a different take on the werewolf pack and on the YA male hero. Cremer had such original ideas to an old tale that I actually found myself delighted to read more and more as the back-story was revealed. It was highly original and very interesting. I can't wait to read book 2 and find out more about these new kind of shifters (Guardians) and how they came into this world.

REVIEW:
Calla Tor is a Guardian. She can shift into a wolf by magic and it is her legacy that she must protect the Keepers, the ones that protect the world. Because she is fated with this task there are a few things required of her as Alpha. She must be mated to whom the keepers choose for her and act accordingly, following the Keeper's rules to the letter. Any straying from the path will lead to her death. Calla has accepted this. Their legacy is a great one. The Keeper's care for them, provide them with housing, all the finest things and schooling. They ask very little of them just to guard them and mate with who the Keepers think would make the strongest offspring. Ren Laroche is whom the Keepers have chosen for her. They will form a new pack together. They will be great together. Or so she hopes.

Calla has never questioned her duties much. She knows what is expected of her. She might not like the fact that she will be mated when she is only 18, but she knows there is nothing she can do about it. She might even extend a little bit of extra effort when it comes to Ren, because he does seem to be trying lately. He's stopped dating (probably because he's been through everyone at their school) and he's actually showing a very strong interest in Calla. This could be good, she is attracted to Ren, but how could she not, he's an Alpha.

But, then a new boy comes to their school. Transfers are unheard of because the Keepers keep tabs on their town and the school. Who is this new boy and what does it mean that his Uncle is an important Keeper but he is human? When tasked with the mission to guard Shay after an attack in town, Calla feels inescpilcably drawn to him and becuase of this begins questioning the life that she thought she had figured out.

Finally teen boys acting like teen boys -- meaning they acted like two horn dogs chasing after a female in heat. Typical teen boy behavior, but while they were behaving in this way, good choices and respectable behavior would shine through. I thought out of everything this is what Cremer did best in NIGHTSHADE. The second best was the originality of the Guardians, I thought it was one of the most unique takes on the werewolf that I have read so far. Cremer did a wonderful job of weaving the story together and giving the reader bits and pieces to chew on as more and more was revealed. This is a definite must read for Shifter fans.

RECOMMENDATIONS:
Recommended for fans of the Twilight series and those that would like to expand on the wolves a bit more. This is recommended for more mature teens there is violence and some sexual interaction that might not be suitable for younger teens.

411 on the series:

1. Check the Nightshade amazon page to download a prequel for FREE
2. Book 2, Wolfsbane is due in stores July 26, 2011
3. It would seem there are 4 books in the series as of right now  

Similar Series:

1. Need by Carrie Jones
2. Shiver (Wolves of Mercy Falls) by Maggie Stiefvater

7/20

Claire de Lune by Christine Johnson

Claire de Lune by Christine Johnson
Purchased on Amazon.com

PJVs QUICKIE POV: A deceptively cute young adult novel, Claire de Lune pairs a quaint tale of young love offset by a crazed, serial killing werewolf. While it did entertain, the fluctuation from cutesy young lovers to throat ripping wolf chomping was a bit outlandish and I felt at times the novel dragged in a day to day recitation of mundane tasks that the protag engaged in.

REVIEW: On Claire's sixteenth birthday she got more than a date with the cutest boy in school and a pair of sapphire earrings, she also sprouted hair and began craving rare venison.  Claire's legacy isn't a penchant for sweets, or saddle bags - it's the lycanthropy gene. Which is severely cramping her new social life and her serious boy crush Matthew.

On top of her personal dramas her town is going berserk as a werewolf terrorizes the populace by randomly attacking and killing people. The killings are inciting an uproar in the town which seems to have only one conclusion - the capture and death of a werewolf - and Claire believes they won't care if the wolf is guilty of the killings or not.

Like I said earlier it is a strange mix. The wolves are out in this novel, but there is really no back story that reveals how "out" they are. There are agencies that regulate werewolves, but it doesn't seem like they know much about the werewolves. The overall novel has a very juvenile tone and the romance, while cute, didn't have me all agog with lovey emotions. I know I often complain about the lack of parental awareness in YA novels, but this one seemed to be the exact opposite. Too much influence gave the impression that Claire couldn't make a decision of her own. In fact her parental unit, one Marie, was maddening. I just didn't like the Mom at all.

What I did like about the novel was the character development, Claire was a very well written character and so were the secondary characters. The evil werewolf was also well played, I really didn't have a clue as to who it was going to be until right before the reveal. I also liked the boy, he was cute and crush worthy. 

Entertaining, and a good novel to pass the time, it didn't evoke strong emotions in me either way.  Much like some of the more lighter YA novels out there, Claire de Lune was quick to finish and refreshing but not as full-bodied like some of its memorable counterparts (Shiver, The Dark Divine).

RECOMMENDATIONS: Young adult suited for younger teens. Fans of Never Cry Werewolf  and book so that ilk will enjoy.

Soulless by Gail Carriger - Blog with Bite Review

Soulless (The Parasol Protectorate)

Downloaded to my Kindle from Amazon.com - paid for by me.
Author's Website

PJV's Quickie POV:  A charming and very witty mix of a multitude of sub-genres.  Soulless kept me fixated on the plot while entertaining me throughout with laugh-out-loud moments and I think I might have even blushed a few times.  Even the author description was entertaining in its hilarity.

Review: Miss Alexia Tarabotti has accepted her spinster status and the fact that she is not in possession of soul like a true lady.  Her mother and two half-sisters might be veritable dim-wits and they even might have given her the worst room in the house, but life isn't that bad.  She has a wonderful library left to her by her deceased father (the originator of her soulless status) and she is allowed a bit more freedom now that she is a spinster.

Miss Tarabotti's life has taken on a certain pattern, that is of course until she kills a vampire - and all she really wanted was to get something to eat! Lord Maccon, a werewolf, whom seems to be just barely civilized, is sent to investigate the murder of the ill-fated vampire and the shenanigans begin.

This novel is in possession of a wonderfully witty tone, a boat-load of refreshing secondary characters and descriptions that suck you in and make you believe you are in the Victorian age. I enjoyed everything about this book.  The plot is deep and well thought out.  The main characters are wonderful and very likable. The tone is consistent with gritty humor and almost a sexy innocence. The dialog was excellent! I'm usually not a historical fan, but I'm a fan of this book.  Can not wait to read Changeless. 

Problems with the book were few and far between.  The author does tend to be a bit long winded, but the descriptions paint a wonderful picture.  I thought the epilogue was a bit too much, could have edited a bit of that out.


Recommendations: This is an adult novel, but is not over the top in the sexual escapades or violence, I would not be opposed to passing this on to a teen. Pick a sub-genre any sub-genre, fans of urban fantasy, steampunk, historical - take your pick fans of any and all of those genres should read this book.  I must state that I am not the biggest fan of steampunk or historical and I still very much enjoyed this book.

Blog with Bite Discussion Questions:

1. With the rise in popularity of steampunk trends, do you think the dialog and environment created in Soulless fitting within the paranormal genre?

I think the novel worked perfectly.  The unique steampunk/urban fantasy world was a refreshing take on the normal paranormal tones that are rampant in books these days.  This was a very unique perspective and I don't believe books should be fettered to any particular parameters set by other novels in the genre. 

2. For better or worse, Soulless throws together a lot of unconventional story elements. What ones worked for you? What ones didn't? Will you be reading the next book in the series, Changeless?

They all seemed to work for me, I highly enjoyed this novel and I loved the mix of story elements. I thought the comedic tone worked very well with the Victorian setting, mix that all together with the paranormal aspects and it was even more entertaining. I will be reading Changeless, if I didn't have some review deadlines I would have downloaded it today.

1. The comedic tone of the novel was ever present even when the novel was at it's darkest plot-threads. Do you think this added to the depth of the novel and characters or did it trivialize the plot?

During the climax when all the action took place the comedic tone wasn't as prevalent but the lightness of the author's voice was still there.  This may not have conveyed the severity of the situation like another novel might have - SPOILER - they were draining her friend of all his blood and still there was a light tone, which might have trivialized it a bit.  But I think I grasped the intensity of the climax.

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

Shiver
Won a signed ARC from Shut up! I'm Reading. *squee* TY!

Author's Website

PJV's Quickie POV: Shiver is a beautifully written and touching tale that had me captivated from page one. The book is worthy of all the hype generated.  Stiefvater is an artist, her words paint a picture that seep through my skin and touch my soul.

Review: The wolves are a presence in the woods behind Grace's home. They have become an obsession of hers ever since her childhood, when as a young girl she was drug from her swing by the hungry animals and almost devoured.  More so, the obsession runs deep for one wolf, one wolf who seems to watch her, protect her. The wolf that saved her from the others.

When another wolf attack gets the town riled up and threatens her wolf, Grace is distraught.  She has to stop the hunters, she knows her feelings are crazy, but she would do anything to protect her wolf.

Sam Roth is Grace's wolf.  Human during the summer only, he is trapped in an animal's body for the cold months. A tragic character, Sam thinks he is destined to just watch Grace from his wolf's eyes, and never know her as human.

Beautifully written like all of Stiefvater's work, Shiver is a masterpiece of the written word.  The story is touching, the prose is perfection, the characters are so real I now feel I have new friends.  Sam's lyrics he recites during the novel were wonderful also - is there anything this author can't do? I am now officially a Stiefvater fangirl *woot woot*. If you haven't read anything by this author, RUN don't walk to your nearest bookstore or library and read her work.


Quotable from book:  I slouched in my stoop in the sun and sucked in the summer as if I could hold every drop of it inside me.  As the hours crept by, the afternoon sunlight bleached all the books on the shelves to pale, gilded versions of themselves and warmed the paper and ink inside the covers so that the smell of unread words hung in the air.

This was what I loved, when I was human.

Recommendation: Sam and Grace have a mature relationship in this novel, so I would recommend this for 15+.  Nothing explicit and the language is prime time worthy. Adults will also enjoy this novel.  This is also not your typical werewolf novel - so I believe you do not have to be a fan of the fur to enjoy.

Kiss of Moonlight By: Stephanie Julian

Kiss of Moonlight is classified as Romantica (Erotica) This book is not suitable for readers under the age of 18.

eBook review copy provided by Stephanie Julian

Publisher: Ellora's Cave Publishing

Purchase: eBook

In the world Stephanie Julian has created for us, there are magical races descended from the ancient races of the Etruscan, Celtic, Nordic, etc. Most of these races have died out, or bred out, their magic filtering from their DNA and forgotten.  Yet, the descendants of the ancient Etruscans have held strong to their past and their magics. One of these magically "enhanced" Etruscans is Kyle Rossini.  Tattooed, muscled, hired assasin - he is every girl's nightmare - or for Tamra McMillan - her personal wet dream incarnate.  Which is odd for Tamra, considering she thought she was done with life, dating and all the inbetweens. 

Fleeing from her life, her memories and a violent encounter that just happened, Tamra finds herself living alone in the woods - trying to battle an encroaching addiction to sleeping pills to battle the nightmares that are plaguing her and threatening her sanity.  She really does think she is going insane, then she meets Kyle and his daughter Cat.

Instant, carnal attraction. Tamra practically throws herself at the feet of the male god that is standing on her porch. He is the epitome of danger - and it is obvious he is hiding something - but Tamra doesn't care.  She just wants.

Whoah. What a ride.  This book was face paced and hot! One of the most smokingly hot first kisses that I have ever read. Yowzers. Kyle is a hot-tamale - and Tamra is a little hot in the pants chick, that is not letting some trauma get in the way of getting it on.

The plot is interesting.  The sex scenes are hot.  What more can you ask for?

Flaws that I found within the pages consisted of a few grammatical errors within the beginning parts of the book, but only within the first chapter.  Once the book continued the author got her groove and I saw nothing else wrong with her writing style.  Also, the plot was very thick with background and 124 pages was just not enough time to develop this very intense story line. Phrasing, secondary characters, terminology etc., sometimes confused me because there was so much of it. But this was all that I noticed.

The introduction of so many characters also led me to believe that this will not be the only Etruscan werewolf novel.   Excited to read the next installment.  Fans of erotica and the furred - a must read!

Bound to Shadows (Riley Jensen, Guardian, Book 8) by Keri Arthur

Win a Copy of this Book at the Blog with Bite - CONTEST ENDS TODAY!

I got my first taste of the Riley Jensen series by downloading the first book Full Moon Rising on amazon for free. I love those Kindle Freebies! After reading Full Moon Rising I was undecided whether I should move on.  On reading Book 8, Bound to Shadows - well now I have to go back and start over and read the series!  I actually enjoyed this book more than the first. Maybe it is because Riley has matured - making a go out of monogamy - and finally embraced her career - but I actually liked her a little better than in the beginning.

In Bound to Shadows Riley is on a Who-Done-It mission to find out who is beheading the local vamps.  And while this might be the plot pusher - the real meat and potatos is Riley's love life and the triangle that is forming between her LOVE and her FATE.  I don't want to spoil - but I'm pushing for LOVE, even though FATE is damn smoldery (is that a word?)

Because this is so late in the series, I'm afraid of spoilers, which is why the quickie review.  Also I feel like I would do it an injustice, by giving it an in-depth review while not having read the books in between.  I am now going to do just that though.  So - if you haven't read the series, I do recommend it for vamp lovers and wolfy addicts alike.  There are some problems, which is why I'm rating as a 3.5 - but the book is entertaining.

Bound to Shadows supplied by Tricia at Meryl L. Moss Media Relations, Inc.

New Moon Nipples...

Taken From the BBC... Umm can I just say nice puppy.

"You get a lot of nipple shots in this movie," laughs Robert Pattinson, the actor who plays the 109-year-old vampire Edward Cullen.

Link to BBC Article.