Review: Silver Shadows

Silver Shadows by Richelle Mead

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Source: eARC courtesy of publisher

One of the best decisions I made was to wait reading The Fiery Heart until Silver Shadows is released. With the cliffhanger’s ending to The Fiery Heart, I was soo happy to have Silver Shadows on hand to dive in to. I thought I was kinda over the #Sydrian craze as I read The Fiery Heart though the ending and Silver Shadows convinced me otherwise.

Someone I know summarised Silver Shadows quite well with only emoticons because this is what the book is all about; the emotional rolling coasters Richelle Mead took us on…

I was shocked & horrified at the things Sydney had to face

I was sad & depressed along with Adrian

I was, at the same time, hopeful & hopeless with Sydney’s situation

I was frustrated & upset AT Adrian

I was excited by the action

I was absolutely thrilled… and totally swooned then… frustrated once again!

Honestly, this must be the best book of the series so far and I really cannot wait for the final instalment! I read Silver Shadows in one day (right after I finished The Fiery Heart in the morning) and I just couldn’t put it down. As I told a good friend, if you haven’t yet picked up Silver Shadows…

 

Thank you, Penguing Books Australia, for copy of eARC via NetGalley

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Review: The Immortal Crown

The Immortal Crown by Richelle Mead

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Source: eARC via NetGalley courtesy of Penguin Books Australia

Please note there may be spoilers of book 1 as this is a review of book 2 in the Age of X series.  If you’ve not read book 1 yet, check my review of Gameboard of the Gods, here.

I loved loved loved Gameboard of the Gods and was super excited to see The Immortal Crown coming out. I’ve to admit of not being a big fan of the cover, though… it’s beautiful and all but… it doesn’t match my cover of book 1 so am so very sad about that. On the other hand, am keen to be back in the RUNA for a few days.

I’m a big fan of Mae Koskinen because she kicks ass big-time and yet so very vulnerable emotionally at the same time. She’s amazingly good at what she does, loves deeply, protective, and resourceful. I love the tension between her and Justin and their chemistry which made all their interactions just, oh, so delicious! That’s really what drawn me to this couple –the tension of wanting something you couldn’t have.

The pace of this book is definitely faster than the first book –that’s probably mostly due to the fact that quite a few pieces of the world building was done previously. I find, however, that I really only care about the Justin’s & Mae’s POVs and every time the story switched to Tessa, I was just really impatient. Tessa’s perspectives provided a more complex storyline which we will probably see being better developed in later books but in this book, they slows down the action quite a bit.

I don’t like Arcadia at all! It might be a great setting for a covert sort of mission but it was really an unpleasant place to be, even vicariously. I understand the tale being woven required an awful place to heightened tension and makes the mission all the more dangerous and exciting. It is no different than all those epic fantasy tales where we sometimes long to live despite the danger. The difference is though, you will not want to be in Arcadia. I think I may just insert a disclaimer here in reference to my extra sensitive state with pregnancy…I’m not usually so delicate

The ending has left me um-ing and ah-ing as I’m in 2 minds about it… Most specifically the character being introduced which firstly made me go, ‘ta da da dum’ and then, a little disappointed that a well-known character being inserted here. By well-known, I don’t just mean easily recognisable but is popular in today’s culture due to some current works. However, I’m suspending full judgement until I see where Richelle Mead is taking us to next. There were a couple of other twists which served my craving for next book a lot better. Bring on 2015 & book 3!

My sincere thanks to Penguin Books Australia for copy of eARC via NetGalley

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Review: Gameboard of the Gods

Gameboard of the Gods by Richelle Mead
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Source: eARC courtesy of Dutton Adult via Edelweiss

There is everything to love in this book!

The world: spick & span shiny High-Tech Dystopian country (the Republic of United North America) yet there are primitive settlements surrounding it, not to mention the Romanesque religions (the worship of many gods) incongruously rooted as part of life.

The kick-ass heroine: Absolutely gorgeous chick, intelligent and super strong, she can literally kick ass! I defy you to not love this goddess! um, no, that’s not at all a spoiler

The player hero: With a handsome face and tons of charm, women fell at his feet left, right, and centre. And yet… no one knew of his inner struggles, his dreams, his fears – his charm covers it all up.

The chemistry: The tension was just delicious! The attraction was pretty obvious and I am ever grateful for the alternate perspectives between Mae and Justin. They both have their own secrets that they bury deep inside until one encounter whilst each at their weakest, open a window into their souls exposing parts of the secret selves to each other. They are both experts at hiding their true feelings but how long can you deny yourself of the truth?

I’m sure I have missed a lot in my first reading of the book and I predict that this is one of those books I must own so I can re-read again and again because I’ll find something new at each readings.

A note to Richelle Mead fans, I’ve not read many of her works. I’ve only read the first book of VA (am not a fan of Rose, sorry!) but am enjoying Bloodlines (I love Sydney & Adrian) but Age of the X is more my style! As I understand it, it is quite different from her other works but I love it & I can’t wait for the next instalment!!

Thank you Dutton Adult via Edelweiss for the privilege to read & review eARC

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• Gameboard of the Gods – Richelle Mead (page2urning.wordpress.com)
• Gameboard of the Gods – by Richelle Mead (foxonbooks.wordpress.com)

Review: The Golden Lily

The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Read the blurb from the back of the book here.

Is it heresy to say that I’m liking Bloodlines much better than Vampire Academy? That I’m liking Sydney a whole heap more than I ever did Rose?

I just found Rose to be a ‘try hard’. I didn’t like Rose’s rebellious, angry, & wary attitude. Not that it’s without cause but I just found it to be really annoying. On the other hand, Sydney seems to be the opposite. She’s trying to obey all the rules, to follow the principles grounded in her since childhood, to please one’s parent, and more than a little bit OCD (organising sweet packets by color & size? C’mon!). These were the main things that I can relate to. Yep, I’m a little bit OCD (just a teeny weeny bit) and the Asian in me is big about being obedient & pleasing one’s parent etc. Being able to identify with the main character is the key factor to enjoying a book I’m reading.

With The Golden Lily, I’m loving Sydney more and more. She’s just absolutely lovely. She’s loving, considerate, warm, and all round goodness. Her character is developed a lot more especially as we see her interact socially a lot more and opening herself up to her friends. She’s strong and brave, willing to face up to challenges set in front of her. She finds it utterly terrifying to face any challenges against the deep-seated beliefs ingrained in her innermost self and yet when the situation calls, she knows where her priorities lie.

I’m happy with the character development of Jill and Adrian too. They matured a lot more in this book and I supposed since they are linked, it’s not surprising that they kind of ‘grew up’ together. We are also introduced to Angeline, she is just… so… precious(!), and Brayden (Sydney’s love interest), well, I think I love one of the things Sydney liked about him: he smells like… COFFEE!! *hhhmmm, I could do with one right now*

Even then, things seem a bit slow in the romance department. Although, seeing that Sydney is blind as a bat when it comes to this part of life, it’s not surprising. She is learning though, at a snail’s pace. (I’m not complaining, I love the suspense & as it is, can’t wait for the next instalment. I am a little sad that I’ve finished reading it so quickly!)

It was definitely a quick read for me, it was just that absorbing and I got carried away with the story. There were so many hints/clues peppered through the book that when the ‘truth’ comes to light, you are just like ‘umph, predictable’ and yet, the big mysteries are still pending. We found out a lot more about Trey and a very little more on Ms Terwilliger but they are, by no means, concluded. I think we are in for a lot more surprises there.

“Yes, I decided. Yes, it was worth it.”

(Yeah, okay, I know, I’m such a tease.)

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CAUGHT: The Golden Lily ARC

OMG, I can’t believe it (!!!) I am holding an ARC copy of The Golden Lily!!

I was so busy yesterday that I didn’t see the “hunt” was on in Sydney til evening and was kinda happy that no one caught it yet (sorry, peepz! No hard feelings…).  I crossed my fingers hoping that the next location will be Martin Place, Sydney (just around the corner from my office).

All morning I’ve been distracted and probably drove my colleague crazy too, LOL.  I kept checking & refreshing the Penguin Teen Australia page.  And… THERE IT WAS!!  I ran out of the office and…

WOOT WOOT!!

 

 

Here I am holding the most coveted treasure 😀

 

 

For those of you who haven’t heard / seen The Golden Lily (Bloodlines #2) around (poor you…), here’s the blurb from the back of the book!

SYDNEY SAGE IS AN ALCHEMIST, ONE OF A GROUP OF HUMANS WHO DABBLE IN MAGIC AND SERVE TO BRIDGE THE WORLDS OF HUMANS AND VAMPIRES.  ALCHEMISTS PROTECT VAMPIRE SECRETS – AND HUMAN LIVES.

Sydney would love to go to college, but instead, she’s been sent into hiding at a posh boarding school in Palm Springs, California – tasked with protecting Moroi princess Jill Dragomir from assassins who want to throw the Moroi court into civil war.  Formerly in disgrace, Sydney is now praised for her loyalty and obedience, and held up as the model of an exemplary Alchemist.

But the closer she grows to Jill, Eddie, and especially Adrian, the more she finds herself questioning her age-old Alchemist beliefs, her idea of family, and the sense of what it means to truly belong.  Her world becomes even more complicated when magical experiments show Sydney may hold the key to prevent becoming Strigoi – the fiercest vampires, the ones who don’t die.  But it’s her fear of being just that – special, magical, powerful – that scares her more than anything.  Equally daunting is her new romance with Brayden, a cute, brainy guy who seems to be her match in every way.  Yet, as perfect as he seems, Sydney finds herself being drawn to someone else – someone forbidden to her.

When a shocking secret threatens to tear the vampire world apart, Sydney’s loyalties are suddenly tested more than ever before.  She wonders how she’s supposed to strike a balance between the principles and dogmas she’s been taught, and what her instincts are now telling her.

Watch this space for the Upcoming Review (I’m aiming for around 1 June 2012)

 

Here’s Penguin relaxing with “The book” (@the office)

Assuredly, I won’t be able to hold on to the Penguin cuz as soon as my Little Reader sees it – “Mine!” he’d claimed. 😉