Review: The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

Genre: Adult, Magical
ParaElement: Magic
Order Online:  Amazon.com
Stalk the Author: Web | Twitter
Copy provided for review by the Amazon Vine program

 

PJ's QUICKIE POV:
The Night Circus captured me from the first few sentences:

The circus arrives without warning.
No announcements precede it, not paper notices on downtown posts and billboards, no mentions or advertisements in local newspapers. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not.

REVIEW:
There is no way to convey this book in the small little words that I can use. The Night Circus is just too robust. The world too broad. Erin Morgenstern did more than create a world and tell me about it...she transported me there. I was thunderstruck by the pure imagination of this novel, the depth in which it was thought out and the portrayal of all the many elements. It was a true gem and I'm stoked that I was able to have the pleasure of reading it.

A battle of magic, or enchantments, they would say. Two men, a part from the world because of their power, entertain themselves by challenging each other. Their combatants: their young students. Their venue: Le Cirque de Reves. The public will see the Night Circus, the black-and-white striped tents, the acrobats, contortionists and displays that defy the laws of nature but, they believe it is just tricks, mirrors – wondrous, awe-inspiring – but tricks, not what it really is, magic. They could never guess what really lies behind the black-and-white stripes of the circus. Two magicians, on a quest to create the most magical displays, their battle going on and on...until it can not be sustained any longer and a winner is chosen.

I can only say that you have to experience this book for yourself. It is a crazy ride of the senses. Morgenstern paints a picture that only a few authors can accomplish. Her unique voice and creativity will lead you to another world, something that is rarely experienced but when it does, it stays with you for a really long time.

My only disappoint, or really confusion lay within the novel structure. It was not written within a consecutive time-line. It jumped from past to present or present to future, back and forth and back and forth. I wasn't sure what was the present, it was rather disconcerting at times. I believe this was some sort of perfect tense that the author employed rather ingeniously to reveal the story in a timeline as it was revealed to each character - but while genius - it was sometimes hard to follow.  Let me try to explain, the two main old magicians knew all the information so they were rarely covered by POV except in the beginning of the book when the bet has been made so this begins the story. Yet, there is a character that does not come into play until the very end of the timeline but is integral to the plot so he is discussed throughout the book in fits and starts as the plot is revealed to him. Intense and confusing at times, but very interesting. It did lead to a more abstract feeling within the book, but sometimes I really didn't know where I was within the construct of the timeline and plot. I just wasn't used to anything like this. Call this a failure of my brain not the story.

RECOMMENDATIONS:
Recommended for a more mature teen readership, but there is nothing explicit for parents to be wary of. While there are paranormal themes, this book would cross over into general fiction very easily. Think JK Rowling teaming up with Tim Burton to devise a more adult themed Harry Potter... I can not wait for this movie.

411 on the Series

• The rights of The Night Circus has already sold in 22 countries
• There is a confirmed film deal with SUMMIT already
• First print run will be 175,000

Like this Like That

This series was not that similar but reminiscent of a lot of YA fantasy novels like:

1. Harry Potter series by JK Rowling
2. Wrinkle in Time series by Madeleine L'Engle

Review: Tomorrow When The War Began by John Marsden

Genre: Young Adult, Apocalyptic  
SciFi Element: Apocalypitic
Order Online:  Amazon.com
Stalk the Author: Web | Blog  
Audible.com Download

 

PJ's QUICKIE POV:
It would seem since I have been on an apocalypse kick for awhile, so audible.com was keen on me listening/reading to TOMORROW WHEN THE WAR BEGAN and I had done a marvelous job ignoring them...even though it kept popping up on my recommended lists on both amazon and audible. You see, even though I enjoyed RED DAWN the movie, I didn't know if I would like to read about it – and that is what the reviews constantly compared it to. I guess I should have listened to Auntie Amazon and Audible, they were right. I should have read, listened, inhaled TOMORROW a long time ago, because it was a fantastic read and has thus launched me on a mission to get a hold of a digital copy of the Australian made movie inspired by the book. (Which is IMPOSSIBLE!!!) One day I guess. This book has it all, smart witty teens, a bit of action, action and more action, innocent coming of age drama, a slight bit of romance and a carefully tailored setting that had me wanting to board the next plane to Australia.

REVIEW:
Ellie and her friends have planned a spontaneous camping trip that ventures deep into the bush of the Australian outback. Their camping is fun and might spark a romantic interest or two, but besides that it all goes as planned...until they return home. Only a week has passed but their houses seem abandoned, their pets are starving, dying or already dead. Something is seriously wrong and as they push further into town they realize that those jets they had noticed flying over at the beginning of their trip might not have been domestic. They have been invaded, their families held in makeshift POW camps and households suspected to hold insurgents are being bombed indiscriminately. They are at war and to escape capture Ellie and her friends must make choices, what will they do, who will they hurt to survive and stay free?

Phenomenal ride! I was literally on the edge of my seat throughout the entirety of this novel. Haters can yammer all they want that this is just like Red Dawn and I give it to them – TOMORROW is like Red Dawn, just like TWILIGHT is like The Vampire Diaries. Same concept – yeah, but the story is compelling, heart-felt and intense, it entertained me, broke my heart at times and had my anxiety up. I also did this one via audio book so I got to experience the Australian accents, which was fun. I love their accents – but they didn't fall into a lot of Aussie slang, which was a relief because frankly I'm usually at a loss with a lot of their “shortened” words. You have to check this one out and I'm literally restraining myself to not grab book two.

RECOMMENDATIONS:
Recommended for fans of young adult apocalypse novels. There are some heavier themes with violence and some sexual references so recommended for more mature teens, but there is nothing graphic that should turn off parents.







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1. Incarceron by Catherine Fisher
2. Maze Runner by James Dascel

Review: Storm Born Vol 1 & Vol 2 Graphic Novel

Genre: Adult, Urban Fantasy Graphic Novel
ParaElement: Fae, Spirits
Order Online:  Amazon.com
Stalk the Author: Web | Illustrator: Deviant  
Review copy provided by publisher.

 

PJ's QUICKIE POV:
A huge fan of the series, I was excited to be able to review the Storm Born graphic novel, even if it was in PDF format. I really believe a graphic novel is best experienced in print, mainly because layout is usually a major part of the experience. Full page spreads, etc. Yet, even though not my first choice in how to read…the Storm Born Vol 1 & 2 that were sent to me for review were beyond belief, awesome. They stuck with the story line to the letter, the characters were like I would have imagined – well Kiyo was a little hotter than I would have thought. (I always imagined him to be dorky – even though he really wasn’t described that way – my way of emoting on him)

I was...Pleased, pleased, pleased as punch with the illustration of David Hamann and the scripting of Grant Alter and I can’t wait to read more of the Dark Swan graphic novel. I just need to get my grubby hands on a printed set --- not scheduled for release until October.


REVIEW:
The comics follow the story of Eugenie, Dark Swan – to the letter, just like the books. Volume one and two are an introduction to Eugenie and her unusual occupation of freelance Shaman. The story opens with her exorcising a nasty spirit from a tennis shoe that makes a few choice comments before Eugenie manages to get him to the other side. First he knows her name and second, he might have been hitting on her. It’s strange but she talks herself into thinking it’s nothing. Eugenie’s life is not what you would call normal – but things seem stranger than usual around her and she is contemplating taking on a case that the logical side of her says to stay FAR away from. A case where she would have to go body and soul into the Otherworld, something everyone around her says she would be insane to do. To distract herself, Eugenie finds herself in a bar, she needed crowds, people distraction. She finds it in the arms of a half-Japanese vet named Kiyo. It’s instant attraction…but Kiyo is not the innocent, normal vet that he seems and an overnight stay and an encounter with an elemental proves it to both of them. Distractions aren’t always a good thing. 

Hamann has some of the images from Vol. 2 up on his deviant art site, take a look at how fab they are...

Dark Swan Issue 2 Samples by
~Apathy-Inc on @deviantART

RECOMMENDATIONS:
Recommended for fans of Urban Fantasy, the fae. This is also a good way to transition into to graphic novels. Like the book and then check out the comic.











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1. Anita Blake - Guilty Pleasures Graphic Novel
2. The Dark Hunters - Manga

Review: Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal
Paranormal Element: Ghosts
Series: Anna Dressed in Blood #1
Order Online:  Amazon.com
Stalk the Author: Web | Facebook
Review copy provided by publisher

PJ's QUICKIE POV:
A spectacle to behold, ANNA DRESSED IN BLOOD is a darkly intense thriller that will leave you breathless – not knowing which way to turn. Kendare Blake’s words burn from the page, her writing style perfectly crafted with a darkness and odd sense of humor that made for an engrossing read. I was won over by the characters, blown away by the plot and enchanted by the progression. I did not expect this novel. To say this book is a thriller and leave it at that is like saying Romeo & Juliet is a romance. ANNA DRESSED IN BLOOD needs to be experienced and Ms. Blake needs to hurry up and write more because I am hooked and I need my next fix.


REVIEW:
Theseus Cassio Lowood is one of a kind. Armed with an anthame that he inherited from his murdered father, Theseus, better known as Cas, kills the dead. The dead he sends “away” aren’t your garden-variety spooks, either. These are no chain rattlers, or table shakers that he stalks. Cas goes after the killers. The ghost that haunts the highway, hitching and then killing unwary do-gooders, the girl that haunts her old house and rips anyone to shreds that sets foot inside – these are who/what Cas hunts. He moves from town to town, following, tracking and hunting. His only companions - his mother and their cat. When he gets a tip that leads him to the ghost called ANNA DRESSED IN BLOOD, Cas is instantly drawn to the story. Cas and his mother move to Thunderbay and almost instantly he is told the story of Anna Koslov and how she has killed and dismembered anyone that has set foot within her home. By befriending the a-typical popular girl, Carmel and pissing off Mike, the a-typical meat-head jock, Cas finds himself on Anna’s porch, being whacked over the head by a 2x4 and thrown into the house…when he comes to he sees Anna. She is a goddess of death, drenched in blood – and she spares him. She has never spared anyone…


From the character development to the smart writing style of Blake, to the gothic setting and back-story, this novel had it all. Full of thrills, blood and guts, hinted romance and quirky side characters, ANNA DRESSED IN BLOOD had me riveted from page one. This is not your typical young adult novel, in fact this is the most intensely portrayed ghost story that I’ve read in any age range. Cas is a larger than life character and ANNA - well, there is no describing ANNA. She is everything, feared, pitied, revered, sympathized, horrified…her character was so well depicted that she could almost come alive (even though I would run screaming like a wuss!) and walk into the room. This book scared me and comforted me and entertained me…I’m ridiculously pleased and I can’t wait for more.

Full of thrills, blood and guts, hinted romance and quirky side characters, ANNA DRESSED IN BLOOD had me riveted from page one.

RECOMMENDATIONS:
Recommended for mature teens, there is descriptive violence and mature language. Recommended for horror and thriller fans. Fans of Koontz and King – if you are looking for a YA title this is the one for you! It also reminded me a bit of I AM NUMBER FOUR stemming from the fact that it has a strong male lead with a quirky, nerdy side kick and a hottie popular chick floating around in it.










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1. Darkness Becomes Her by Kelly Keaton
2. White Cat by Holly Black
3. Ballad by Maggie Stiefvater

Review: Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Long Way Home (Season 8, Vol. 1)

Genre: Graphic Novel
Paranormal Element: Vampires, Demons
Series: Season 8, Vol 1
Order Online:  Amazon.com
Review copy via @netgalley

PJ's QUICKIE POV:
PJ Fact #24 – I am a Buffy nut. Buffy ran while I was in college and I was entranced with the snarky, pop-culture spouting, insanity of the whole show. I could literally watch rerun after rerun of the show – and for the year of 2005 my television dial never left TNT or TBS (one of those) because of the constant reruns. When I saw they had the Buffy Graphic Novel on netgalley.com I had to download it – even though graphic novels are best viewed on paper. Even with the silly scrolling and hard to read text boxes I still loved this comic!

REVIEW:
The characters looked so similar to the characters of the television show and the quirk and snark of the dialogue was still in full force. This is a must read for Buffy fans!

The comic picks up where Season 7 left off. All the slayers have been activated and Buffy is the general of this rag-tag bunch that has holed up in a castle halfway around the world from Sunnydale (now a crater). It is revealed that there are at least 1800 slayers that have been activated and 500 that are working for the Scooby Gang.

Buffy’s gang is thought to be a terrorist organization though, especially after the destruction of Sunnydale, which according to a branch of the US Military is her sole doing. In the rubble, members of this military organization stumble across one of Buffy’s old foes, who is determined to enact revenge on Buffy.

Must read for Buffy fans!

While this is going on, Buffy is investigating humans with odd tattoos on their chest and trying to placate her sister who by dating a demon has turned into a giant – all the while going on missions to snuff out demon infestations and training the novice slayers.

It was a great extension of the series, full of complex plot sequences, tremendous artwork and a great script. I can’t wait to move on to Vol. 2.

RECOMMENDATIONS:
For fans of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, I don't think I would recommend this to people that are not even slightly familiar with the series. You don't have to previously been into graphic novels...if you like/love/lust/covet Buffy - you MUST check out these comics.