Book Review: Arson

ARSON GABLE FEELS LIKE A FREAK. HE CANCREATE FIRE. HE NEVER ASKED FOR IT. HE NEVER WANTED IT. BUT HE CAN'T SHUT IT OFF.

Before now, three things were true: he both loved and despised his grandmother; his life was going nowhere; and he was alone. But when a strange girl-who feels more normal behind a mask than inside her own skin-moves in next door, Arson hopes to find something he's never had: purpose. After years of living in fear, he will be forced to confront his haunting past and embrace the unknown as he walks the fine line between boy and monster.

Edgy, realistic, and breathtaking, Arson, the chilling chronicle af an isolated teenager with unimaginable ability, is set to ignite the hearts and minds of a new generation.

Arson
Publication Date: 2011
Pages: 318 (ebook)
Part of Series: Arson #1
Purchased: For Review for tour
Rating: 4/5 stars
Buy: Book Depository || Amazon (US) || Amazon (UK)

REVIEW:

I know that it's going to sound shallow, but what really intrigued me into reading the book was the cover. I, actually, saw the cover, then said "yes" to my participation and then I read the summary, which, by the way, is really interesting. First time there is a character creating fire and there are not other characters in the book, who can manipulate the other elements.

Now, about the book:

Firstly, there are the characters.

Arson is one of those loner guys that don't have friends, he comes from a weird family status, since he's living with his grandparents and he is one of those brave guys who can stand every bad reaction from the others and still don't get angry and start kicking butts, or in this case burn them till they're ashes. He has a big problem with his powers, since there is none around who can teach him how to use them and he does his best to hide his secret. As I said, brave.

Emery is the weird masked girl. Reading about her was easy. She is pretty simple, one of those girls you can easily hang out with, but then there is the mask. Most of the times I was totally forgetting it and imagining I nice pretty girl, but that was wrong. The mask serves a purpose and it's really sad when she finally says her story and you - in this case Arson - learn why she's so obsessed with it.

Minor characters are Emery's parents, which you follow around quite a bit, but their lives and their actions serve a purpose and lead Emery into taking some decisions that change both, hers and Arson's, lives.
And then there is Arson's grandmother. Well, her, I hated her. I don't care about her psychological problems or whatever else, I just wanted to grab her head and smashed it at the wall. Learning the things you learn at the end might make you sympathize her, but not me.

Secondly, there were not many descriptions. You are following around the characters and you get some, but not like the ones I'm used to. What I noticed was that the author was making many great metaphores.

Lastly, the plot. In the beginning and most of the part of the book, things are semi-simple. There are many "waves". Things are calm, then something rocks the water, then something tranquil again. And then we are reaching the end. I'm serious when I'm saying that during the last chapters my eyes were wide open and my mouth was hanging there completely numb from all the disclosures.

Bottom line, despite being really fast that makes it difficult to put it in a straight line and some bad characters, I liked it. I liked the plot and I could justify most of the characters actions, because they seemed really human. The end leaves you with so many questions that I can't wait to read the next book. So, who doesn't want to read a young-adult paranormal novel written by a male author? I, for once, was really curious.

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Book Review: Frost (+Giveaway)

In the icy, monster-plagued world of the Frost, one wrong move and a person could end up dead—and Lia Weaver knows this better than anyone. After monsters kill her parents, she must keep the family farm running despite the freezing cold and threat of monster attacks or risk losing her siblings to reassignment by the village Elders. With dangers on all sides and failure just one wrong step away, she can’t afford to let her emotions lead her astray. So when her sister finds a fugitive bleeding to death in the forest—a young stranger named Gabe—Lia surprises herself and does the unthinkable.

She saves his life.

Giving shelter to the fugitive could get her in trouble. The Elders have always described the advanced society of people beyond the Frost, the “Farthers,” as ruthless and cruel. But Lia is startled to find that Gabe is empathetic and intelligent…and handsome. She might even be falling in love with him.

But time is running out. The monsters from the forest circle the farm at night. The village leader is starting to ask questions. Farther soldiers are searching for Gabe. Lia must locate a secret organization called the Thorns to help Gabe escape to safety, but every move she makes puts her in more danger.

Is compassion—and love—worth the risk?

Frost
Publication Date: 2012
Pages: 194 (ebook)
Part of Series: Frost #1
Purchased: For Review for tour
Rating: 3/5 stars
Buy: Amazon (US) || Amazon (UK)

REVIEW:  
I loved the cover, i loved the summary and i loved the title. So i really couldn't say no, on reading it. And here i am, with another self-published book that i really liked!


A rather small and fast pace book which is also really easy to get into it. At start it remind me of Red Riding Hood movie and later a little of the whole "over the wall" from Game of Thrones, but in the end it was something entirely different. I also liked the difference in the scenery with the storms, the snow and everything like that. It gave a darker vibe.


The characters were easily likable. They weren't so special and you won't probably remember them for all of your life, but they match perfectly the story and each one of them has a role to play. They also fit really well together and make sense. Gabe and Lia are easily my favorite. Their actions some time predictable but never making the story boring or anything. The one i didn't like, was Lia's sister. She is young of course, but she seemed so stupid at times. Poor Lia had to do everything!


The story had its surprises (one i didn't see coming at all!), and kept me in from the very start. While it's not that special it has something! Something that when you finish you want to read more. And i really do. I wished for 2 things: 1) for it to be longer and 2) for the characters to had a little more depth and get to know more of them. I really think they are characters, than can make a difference and i would like to know them better :D

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Vacation Reads Giveaway Hop ( INT )

Vacation Reads Hop

More than 200 blogs!

The book Random Magic, by Sasha Soren, features all manner of Greek gods and goddesses popping up in unexpected places so we figured it'd be fun to take a little virtual vacation to Greece, that marvelous land of myths and legends. And beaches.

We'd like to share a simple, fun beach for this hop - your pick of beach read and tote in your fave color, so you'll be set for a day out at the beach, on any of Greece’s beautiful islands - or anywhere with a fabulous view, cool people and lots of delicious drinks with little umbrellas in them.

PICK OUT A SATISFYING BEACH READ
Prize #1 of 2: Interesting beach read of your choice. Just pick one of the titles listed below. You might be in the mood for something light and funny, serious and sentimental, or inspiring and filled with adventure, so we’ve included a few different reads to pick from.

PICK A COLORFUL BEACH TOTE

Prize #2 of 2: Pick a cute little beach tote to hold a few books, water bottle and other things you’d need for a day out at the beach, on some pretty Greek isle like Santorini, Hydra, Naxos, Mykonos, or dozens of others.

We figure you’d like to pick your own color for the beach tote. so just let us know in comments below, which color you’d like your tote to be. Durable construction. Contains 50% recycled polyester.
Color-matched handles; 14.75 in (37.46 cm) W x 13.75 in (34.92 cm) H.

Here are the colors you can select from, if that’s helpful:
CANARY YELLOW | PINK | RED | HOT PINK | ORANGE | ROYAL or SKY BLUE

Shown above: Colorful boat in a Mykonos harbor
Supplemental read: Greek islands

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Rafflecopter giveaway


HOW TO ENTER
1. Complete the easy task listed at the top of the Rafflecopter -
leave a YouTube comment on any video at Video Week: Random
Magic. Then, just mark off your entry in the Rafflecopter. Browse
schedule: http://tinyurl.com/dx8lopj
2. Feel free to take advantage of some of the other optional/bonus ways to win.
3. Then just tell us in the blog comments section below:
- Which beach read you'd love to win, and why it sounds interesting to you
- What color you want your beach tote to be
- (Optional) Feel free to tell us which Greek island you’d be most
likely to visit, and why
Done!

This offer is open from July 18-31, 2012. The winner will be picked at random, by default, unless there happens to be really stand-out, cool comment left as an entry on any of the tour videos or at the book trailer (a stand-out comment would be one that's exceptionally intelligent, intriguing, hilarious, etc.).

BONUS: PLAY TO WIN ANOTHER CUTE PRIZE BUNDLE


Shown above: Video Week:Random Magic tour invitation

While you're here, you're also very welcome to enter to win the cute
prize bundle for Video Week: Random Magic.

The video for the event, and one of the prizes from the bundle, both shown above.
Tour runs from July 21-30, 2012. Offer for prize bundle open from July 21 - August 15, 2012. Thanks for stopping by, have fun, and good luck to all!

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Rafflecopter giveaway

HOW TO ENTER
There are 10 vloggers on the Video Week: Random Magic tour.
Each vlogger will tell you one secret about Random Magic, in his or her video(s).
1. Comment on the vlog where you collected the secret (there are 10 in all).
2. Then enter the secret you learned into the Rafflecopter shown above. Collect all 10 secrets and you might be the winner of a super-cute prize bundle for literary lovers.

Note: We've left an opportunity for optional entries in this one, too, so - feel free to take advantage of bonus chances to win, if you like.
Schedule:

http://tinyurl.com/6u8kabp

INTERESTED IN RANDOM MAGIC?

If you’re curious about the book, Random Magic, by Sasha Soren, here’s a bit more about this title.
About: When absent-minded Professor Random misplaces the main character from Alice in Wonderland, young Henry Witherspoon must book-jump to fetch Alice before chaos theory kicks in and the world vanishes.

Along the way he meets Winnie Flapjack, a wit-cracking doodle witch with nothing to her name but a magic feather and a plan. Such as it is.

Henry and Winnie brave the Dark Queen, whatwolves, pirates, Strüths, and fluttersmoths, Priscilla and Charybdis, obnoxiously cheerful vampires, Baron Samedi, a nine-dimensional cat, and one perpetually inebriated Muse to rescue Alice and save the world by tea time.

Find the book: Print  | Kindle
Reviews: Review  | Review| Review  |Review  | Review

Thanks for taking the time to stop by, have fun, hope you win something you love - and have a great summer. ...even if you're in Australia, where, technically, it's actually winter. Umbrellas up, folks, can always save your beach bundle for summer in December!

Movie Review: In Time

In future where people stop aging at 25, but are engineered to live only one more year, having the means to buy your way out of the situation is a shot at immortal youth. Here, Will Salas finds himself accused of murder and on the run with a hostage - a connection that becomes an important part of the way against the system.

In Time
Released: 2011
Runtime: 109 mins
Rating: 5/5 stars
Buy: Amazon (UK) || Amazon (US) || Play

REVIEW:
This was a movie that I really wanted to see. And, ok, one of the main reasons was that Alex Pettyfer was playing, but it's been such a long time since I saw a sci-fi movie and I was really looking forward to it.

Firstly, I liked the plot. People who stop aging at the 25th year of their life, and after that they have to live by paying with their time that's left. And at some point, our main character, Will, meet this rich guy, who wants to die, so he gives him his entire time. Instantly, Will becomes rich and tries to find a way to bring time to all the other poor people like him. So, the plot was smart, I would love to stay 25 for ever, even though I'm only 21, but the fact that you have to pay with our time is a big minus. It looked kind of weird to only see young actors, especially when their role was to be a 50-year-old mom (Olivia Wilde) or a 60-year-old godfather (Alex Pettyfer).

Then we have the characters. I really liked that Will wanted justice and that Sylvia, although she's a rich girl, helps Will. Now, I can't say that the actors weren't good in their roles, because I liked all of them. And the directing part was really good too. Well, there weren't many technological achievements, but I guess, stopping aging was a serious technological achievement on its own (I mean, where are the flying cars??).

Bottom line, I really liked it, I even caught myself being anxious and sad at some point. I think you should watch it if you like those type of movies and it was surprising, because the trailer doesn't give you the whole story.

Splash into Summer Giveaway (Co-Hosting)

In honor of the Splash into Summer event hosted by A Backwards Story & Literally Jen...

(There's a lot going on, btw... Hop over and check out all the Interviews & Giveaways!!)

I have invited Sasha Soren, the author of Random Magic, to visit Colorimetry.  Every weekend she hosts a seriously delightful thingame called Book Nooks, where bloggers gather to share the latest find in great places to read. Obviously we have a lot in common instantly. I love to read in lots of lovely places!!

Later in July there is an amazing & zippy Tour highlighting Random Magic. I wanted to give everyone a heads-up about this up-coming fun. There's some wonderful bloggers participating and some fun stuff. Since Sasha is full of surprises, just like her book, she is bringing a unique prize for Colorimetry readers...



Random Magic

by Sasha Soren

Paperback, 397 pages

Published January 1st 2010 by Beach Books, LLC



Premise:

When absent-minded Professor Random misplaces the main character from Alice in Wonderland, young Henry Witherspoon must book-jump to fetch Alice before chaos theory kicks in and the world vanishes. 

Along the way he meets Winnie Flapjack, a wit-cracking doodle witch with nothing to her name but a magic feather and a plan. Such as it is. 

Henry and Winnie brave the Dark Queen, whatwolves, pirates, Struths, and fluttersmoths, Priscilla and Charybdis, obnoxiously cheerful vampires, Baron Samedi, a nine-dimensional cat, and one perpetually inebriated Muse to rescue Alice and save the world by tea time.

Want to know more about Random Magic?  Check out these reviews!!
Beyond Strange New Words * "Zany & Delightful" * Fluidity of Time * Moonlight Gleam's Bookshelf * Dr Stravagante's Traveling Book Circus


Please welcome Sasha with me...
The book Random Magic features all kinds of mythical creatures popping up in
unexpected places – and that includes mermaids.

So, here’s something fun you can win, as part of the Splash into
Summer party, celebrating mermaids, mermen, selkies, and all other
kinds of interesting, magical denizens of the deep blue sea.

We'd like to share something whimsical and cute that would be a fun
gift, so please feel free to browse the pix below to pick out your
mermaid, and feel free to enter to win, if you like.



Good luck!

Available to WIN - an adorable mermaid alter ego – you can pick one (1) doll of
your choice from selection shown; either a redhead, brunette,
blonde, or raven-haired mermaid rag doll of the sea. Each is approx. 17 in. (43.18 cm.), soft plush.

 PICK YOUR MERMAID!

  

About the Author:



Sasha Soren is the author of Random Magic. She enjoys creative projects and people, including the ways people use technology in creative ways.  Like THIS!! 

Irena over at This Miss Loves to Read highlighted the Top Ten Characters in Random Magic. It's a super-fun post. (You're welcome!!)

Find & Follow:

Twitter

Blog

Pinterest

YouTube

Goodreads

BREAKING NEWS!!!!

Random Magic Video Tour starts July 21 and runs thru July 30!!!  There is some seriously mysterious excitement going on here!!  Save this LINK to get in on the action after you watch this Trailer and catch the fun!



Psst! *whispering* there will be 10 vloggers dropping ONE secret each!  A little commenting... a little collecting and WHO KNOWS what you could win?!?! Check it out:








*still whispering* Remember... you heard it here first!!



Giveaway Rules:
Must be 13 or older to enter (or find someone who is!!) International entries welcome. See my general giveaway rules under About Me.




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Game Review: Disciples III

Disciples III: Renaissance is a turn-based strategy game. The publisher Strategy First changed the developer from Game Factory Interactive toAkella's studio .dat. It has been working on this project since the summer of 2005.

The player assumes the role of one of the lords of Nevendaar. This new episode contains three playable races, 'The Empire', 'The Legions of the Damned' and the 'Elven Alliance', with the remaining factions making an addition in planned expansions. The battle system is completely different from that of previous Disciples games. Units are able to move around the battlefield and make use of terrain for fortifications.^[5] The player's hero is highly customizable. His abilities as well as his armor and weapons can be changed. All of the equipment changes are noticeable on the actual character model.

Disciples III: Resurrection, the sequel to fantasy turn-based tactical RPG, Disciples III, returns players to the magical land of Nevendaar where the player is now challenged to lead an army of the walking dead. Fallen heroes and monsters will be under your control, as they exact revenge in the name of their dark Goddess -- Mortis.

Players will be challenged to defeat their enemies via dark magic, brute force and courage. Disciples III: Resurrection will offer players more than 70 hours of tactical gameplay, new heroes, new units and new challenges in the form of a massive undead horde

Disciples III
Released: 2010
Console: PC
Buy: Amazon (UK) || Amazon (US) || Play.com

Review:
Disciples III is a fantasy rpg game with great resemblance to Heroes of Might and Magic with a gothic atmosphere and a variety of customization to your selected race. It is a low budget game, created from companies that I even doubt the owner's mothers are aware of what they are doing and one of the few games I have played from a polish or russian company, not sure which. The game has ambition and a very well crafted story. Overall I find it as greatly mistreated by fellow reviers and fans alike, I think it is a very well made game that deserves recognission and support. I have not played the previous titles of the series so I cannot and will not compare it to its sequels. So lets break it down in pieces and see what I saw in Disciples 3: Rennaissance and Disciples 3: Resurrection

Pros:

- The game's atmosphere:

The game advertises itself as a "gothic atmosphere" and it that is one of the most accurate advertising I have seen. The game has a dark world, gothic style and as you play through the game you feel as if you are playing through a gothic fairy tale or fantasy novel. Each race has its own unique style that perfectly represents itself blending  the dark gothic fantasy with other concepts such as angels, or elves. The artwork is also fantastic and every unit, armor, city and field has an indesputable artistry in it.

I would give it a 8/10, its a great atmosphere, right on the spot. It lacks realism and polish which I do not think 

- Storyline and lore.

The game features a suprisingly well crafter world, with a unique storyline and genesis of the world, nice storyline and interesting characters. The game manages to immerse you in the story and you actually feel anxious to see how the events will unfold. Another amazing thing they have added is in the expansion intro cinematic. Instead of some cool flashy cinematic (which are always good) they instead show the events of the first campaign in full. The artwork was very nice, and the voice acting is, well i will get to that later. But I found it a very nice touch, since many players (myself included) that did not, could not, would not finish the first campaign they can actually be fully aware of what happened before if and when you start the campaign. 

I would give it a 7/10. Good story and lore, needs time and effort to be build up upon but that is not up to me. I find it a worthwhile story

- Voice Acting, Animations

The game has one of the top 10 animations I have seen in similar videogames. You see the archers pulling arrows, from their quiver, the arrows fly in a realistic manner (you barelly see them), the horses jump back in a fluid motion and their lunge to strike seems so natural that I spend hours just attacking little mobs to see the various animations of ALL the units. They are ALSO voice animated. Surelly not something extraordinary but the voice acting is amazing. It has the necessary emotion to make it realistic and not too much to make it cheesy. The voice acting and lines also change depending on the unit, so you can have them more arrogant, more dark and brooding, more maniacal etc etc. The voice acting of the narrator in the campaign mission information is awesome. It really nails the dark deep voice and it really ties down perfectly with the overall atmosphere. 

9/10. EXCELENT voice acting. However i do not give it a 10 out of 10 because it has some rough edges and misses the hollywood standard. What I am trying to say is that the way its delivered, some will like it, some will hate it.

- The variety

Despite this is also a con the game offers a decent ammount of variation. It has 3 races (4 with the expansion) and even in those races there is variation between the units since by creating one building tree you prevent the other one. So you can chose to have elven archers become shadow hunters, the "elite" sort of archers in the game, or you want to have a more support archers and go for the hydromancium or something and have your archers shoot arrows that deal a frost damage over time. Also each race seems to have pros and cons in terms of variation. The Empire has more variation in their basic infantry, the elves in their archers, the demon legions in their support units and the undead hordes in their mages. 

6/10 Good variety, drawn back by a few major flaws but overall its a very good variety and keeps replayability on the table. 

Cons: 
- The variety

The variety of the game though something commendable seems to be a drawback as well. Some of the branches seem overpowered and others seem just pointless leading to a standardized buildup in the game if you are going serious. This leads to certain units being overpowered and others underpowered. Which is a true shame. For example what is the point in having any sort of low level undead unit when you can just get yourself werewolves who are immune to ANY damage but elemental (not many units have elemental damage until later in the game) and just pretty much dominate anything?

- Glitches and bugs GALLORE!

Yes, this is the part where I agree with the other reviewers. The entire game seems to be drawn down to a bog of bugs and glitches and crashes. For example the elven town from being polished and very well crafted in the expansion has an extremelly annoying bug or glitch or whatever and the water from the waterfalls seems to flow..pretty much all over the place and ruins the entire scene. It also crashes more often than it should for reasons that are nonexistent. 

- Lack of effort

The game developers seem to have given up on the game. I expected them to have updates to correct those issues, fix the bugs, expand the content. build in it. However I cant really blame them, since they were hammered by reviews and the general public doesnt seem to favor the series. 

Overall I find this game a good buy. I do not regret any ammount of money paid in this game and I think that more players should support games like these. Because games like these prove that with imagination, will and good gameplay you CAN make a good game with a low budget and us gamers should support those companies. 

Game Review: Quantum Conundrum

When you, as a young boy, are dropped off to visit your uncle, you notice somethings wrong. First, he's not there to greet you. Second, there's the explosion that happened right as you arrived. And third, the house seems to be even weirder than you remembered it.
Now, your job is to find and ultimately rescue your uncle, by using his newest invention, the Interdimensional Shift Device (or IDS), to switch between dimensions and solve puzzles.
That sofa too heavy to move?
Theres a dimension for that; Switch to Fluffy Dimension and that sofa is now light as a feather.
Need to get up to a high ledge?
Theres a dimension for that Just switch to Anti-Gravity Dimension and things begin to float upward.
Need to make things heavier?
Theres a dimension for that as well, you get the idea. Switch dimensions in real time, work your way through the crazy complex mansion wings and rescue your uncle.

Quantum Conundrum
Release Date: June 21, 2012
Rating: 5/5 stars 
Console: PC, PS3
Buy: Amazon (US) || Steam Store

Review

I was searching for a puzzle, or riddle, solving game to pass my time when I stumbled upon this diamond. To solve the puzzles of this game you are required to have perception of every little piece in the room, the ability to put them together and of course timing and coordination.

Gameplay: The gameplay is very enjoyable. It did not hinder my progress in any way, it even helped it with its fast response to keys pressed and it's perfect camera system. I think more games should get an example out of this. At first look it seems like any other first person action game but that is not true. I don't know exactly how it is done, or why, but the fact is that the character was always in sync with me and that is something I don't see very often.

Story: The story is good. It is about a mad scientist uncle that gets in trouble with his newest invention and gets trapped in another dimension. So you have to save him by powering each part of his manor. And of course the manor is full of weird rooms filled with inventions.

Graphics: The graphics are tottaly awesome. The animations are fluid, the fluids are extremely realistic, you really feel the change between dimensions. I could actually estimate the weight of a safe just by looking its motion. And not even a tiny glitch in sight. Great job there guys.

Last but not least I really have to mention that the uncle, who acts like a narrator most of the game, is voiced by one of my favorite actors ever, John De Lancie, who is mostly known for his role as Q in star trek next generation. Come on guys, go buy it, chop chop.

Book Review: The Taming

Katie likes to believe she's invisible. It seems much safer than being exposed as she is--shy, poor, awkward. So getting up on stage in the school production of The Taming of the Shrew should be complete torture. But as Katie tells it, something totally unexpected happened when she stepped on stage: "My head exploded. I loved it. Acting hit me like a sucker punch and I loved, loved, loved it! . . . Invisible Katie became visible Katharina."

Evan Cooper is, as they say, another story. He knows just what it takes to get noticed, and he uses every one of the skills he's honed after years of being the new kid. Like tossing the keys to his father's high-end Audi to a kid he's never met, first day of school. "I have insurance for car theft," he explains to a shocked Danny. "And there's a full tank." An abuse of the power that comes with privilege and money? Sure.

But more dangerously, is his romance with Katie another version of the same thing? Or is it the real thing?

The Taming
Publication Date: 2008
Pages: 240 (paperback)
Part of Series: -
Purchased: Won
Rating: 2/5 stars
Buy: Amazon (US) || Amazon (UK)

REVIEW:
Eeemm..no..just no. Not only i was expecting something different, but i didn't like what i found at all. 


The writing of the book is easy and simple. The dialogues were reminding me the way we really talk, and that was a good thing when you have to do with a book placed in your world. You need to connect with something. So yes, the way it was written made it easy for me to read it. And even though, i did not really liked the book i finished the whole thing, so i guess that's something. 


For starters i didn't like the plot. It started really good but it was too dark and depressing. I mean i have enough problems in my life, i don't need to be more depressed and sad. Definitely not a book, that makes you feel better. At least for me. The whole thing is around the relationship between Evan and Kate. A relationship which i found really boring and fake. There was really no chemistry between them and didn't convince me. Plus, it seemed like all the bad luck in the world was on those two people. Not only in their relationship but in their family environment too. Which was another thing that didn't convince me. I mean okay...our lives can be bad, but so many bad things at both the main characters was too much for me. I could barely see the light in this book.


And second big problems were the characters. They were so sketchy. Even though you follow both their POVs, you barely really get to know them or connect with them. All the scenes and days are so fast, that i didn't really feel the story. And for what i saw of them, i didn't really like them. Well, Evan is an ass. Simple as that. I don't see how a girl would like to be with him, no matter his money and looks. And Kate was so freaking innocent and sometimes so stupid. She kinda deserved what happened to her. She had it coming. I really dislike characters with no power over their lives. Pawns. At least at the end, she understood what was happening and left him. THANK YOU! Did he have to hit you to know?


I can't say i really enjoyed the book, but i did finish the whole thing which is surprising. Maybe it was because i wanted to see how far would go? No idea.

Book Review: Jimmy The Hand

The third novel of Feist's successful collaborative series. From the endlessly inventive mind of one of fantasy's all time greats, comes a spellbinding new adventure of high magic, treachery and bloody war. This time in conjunction with master of alternative US history, Steve Stirling, Feist returns to tell the full tale of one of his fans' favourite most colourful Riftwar characters, pickpocket, montebank and confidence trickster Jimmy the Hand. Jimmy the Hand, boy thief of Krondor, lived in the shadows of the city. The sewers were his byways and a flea-ridden, rat infested cellar his home. Gifted beyond his peers, he was still but a nimble street urchin, a pickpocket with potential. Until the day he met Prince Arutha. Aiding the Prince in his rescue of Princess Anita from imprisonment by Duke Guy du Bas-Tyra, Jimmy ran afoul of Black Guy's secret police. Fearing reprisal and seeking an opportunity to advance his place in life, Jimmy fled the city and ventured north to the relatively safe haven of Sarth. Suspecting the rural villagers had never encountered a lad with his talent and nose for finding wealth - other people's wealth, Jimmy was unprepared for what greeted him. For Sarth was home to others who trod the dodgy path, and more, to a darker secret, a dangerous presence unknown to even the local thieves and smugglers. Jimmy's youthful bravado and courage plunge him deep into the maw of chaos and death.

Jimmy The Hand
Publication Date: 2003
Pages: 400 (hardback)
Part of Series: Legends of the Riftwar #3
Purchased: Bought
Rating: 3/5 stars
Buy: Book Depository || Amazon (US) || Amazon (UK)

REVIEW:
Raymond Feist is my favorite fantasy writer and his character Jimmy The Hand is one of my TOP 5 characters not only in his books, but like ever. So a book just for him is like paradise for me.

I think that everyone who reads Feist and read this book, can see the difference in the writing style and the way the story is presented because of Sterling. The book gives you an entirely different view on Jimmy's character and it's really different than the rest books by Feist. Instead of a huge wild war, we have a smaller adventure after the events at The Magician #2 of Riftwar Cycle.  The story is not as impressive, but it is an easy read that can be read fast.


Jimmy is a young boy here, before he starts being awesome. It's funny because i never payed attention to him at that age at the rest books so it was a little difficult to connect with him. I like how honorable and a good man can be for a thief. I certainly didn't enjoy his character as much as the other books. He seems way more complex and interesting in the rest series while here, he is a simple character that doesn't stay at your mind at the of book. If he wasn't Jimmy, i would have forget all about him.


Still i quite enjoyed the book. It's one of the optional books written for the series of Feist. Certainly not as good as King's Buccaneer or Princes Blood but good enough. I have some of the rest optional books already at my shelves waiting to be read. I hope to do it soon.

COVER REVEAL: Traitor

Traitor
Publication Date: 2012
Part of Series: Bridger #2

Ashlyn never believed in fairy tales until she was in one.

They say ignorance is bliss, but not when you're on a centuries old hit list...and there's a traitor in your midst.

Ashlyn must decide what's most important: trusting the allies she has, or siding with those she thought were enemies. Ashlyn knows old friends can turn on her, and unlikely allies may be the best chance she has to piece her family back together. No matter what her choice, she could lose someone she loves.

And when you don't know who to trust, believe one thing: You can never trust a faerie.

Book Excerpt: Empyreal Fate

 Filled to the brim with forbidden love, an ancient evil, and a nation in disrepair, Empyreal Fate is a tale of riveting bravery and mortal corruption.

The land of Llathala lingers on the brink of war between men and elves, a dark history surrounding each race. Stirred by tensions of the land, a shadow of the past reemerges, taking precedence in reality and consuming the very soul of mans’ mortal weakness. Darrion, the son of a poor laborer, is ensnared in a hostile world, forced to choose between loyalty to his king or the counsel of the elves. Yet Fate has other plans in store, tying his course to Amarya, an elven royalblood of mysterious quality and unsurpassable beauty. But this forbidden connection incites betrayal from members of their own kin, marking them as traitors to the crown. In a land torn asunder, only Fate’s decree can allow such love to coexist with an ancient enmity.

Behold: A Llathalan Annal: Empyreal Fate – Part On

Empyreal Fate
Publication Date: 2012
Pages: 264 (paperback)
Buy: Amazon (US)

Extra Excerpt:

Skipping to Amarya’s side, Kierlyn beckoned that she rise so she could measure every limb and slender curve. She hummed as she worked - a melody in her throat - as if preparing for an evening of her own. As her attention deepened, sweet lyrics spilled from her lips, filling the chamber with gay musings:

“Candied apple limbs doth sway;


Rubber trees do light the way.


Molten crystal turned to glass;


I hurry far, I hurry fast.


I nimbly touch a ragged land;


So far, so free - alone I stand.


This is my realm; ‘tis mine to please,


I claim impossibility.”

Kierlyn giggled when her words met silence. "Ah, the morn is certainly bright! And before long, its close shall fall. Pity such preparations see the hours stray away. But as these things take time, I see the wisdom in getting you dressed early. We seek not to waste a moment.”

-–Scene from Empyreal Fate - Part One of Rachel Hunter’s Llathalan Annal series.

 Born in 1993, Rachel Hunter has always been fascinated with words and the intricate way in which they combine. Since a child, she has been an avid writer, winding vibrant tales and elaborate stanzas on folded bits of paper.

As the years passed, her love of words never died; her adoration for reading fared no equal. Always with her nose in a book, Rachel took fondly to works spanning all genres. Yet it was the compelling grasp of fantasy and science fiction that wrenched her fascination above all.

In 2007, Rachel was selected a state winner of the Minnesota Promising Young Writers Program. Accordingly, her winning poem, “It All Starts with Creativity”, was published in An Anthology of Poetry by Young Americans.

Senior year of high school proved another momentous year. A winner of the Oklahoma Young Writers Competition, Rachel was awarded with publication of her “Sestina of Elven Regret” in the 2010-2011 anthology, Growing Voices.

In March of 2012, Rachel published her first short story with Trestle Press, titled, “Perfect Nothing“, which recounted her harrowing relationship with an eating disorder and was also fueled by her passion for psychology. But her writing does not end there. While currently pursuing a degree in psychology and in the medical field at the University of Oklahoma, she aspires also to illuminate the creative spark of eager readers. In her desire to incite intrigue, she is simultaneously exploring new worlds and creating vast empires of her own. "Empyreal Fate" is only the first in her Llathalan Annal series. Indeed, it is only the beginning.

Amazon Changes Its Review Policy ?

Hello all!!

I don't know how many of you already know that, but for those for who don't, Amazon changes its reviews policies. That means there is a big possibility to lose your reviews!

"Amazon is now stripping all reviews that were not directly purchased from them OR indicate that the review is based on a complimentary copy which was provided for an honest review.


Please be sure to add:


I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.


OR


The following review is my opinion and not a paid review. I received this book free as part of the blog tour.


Or your own wording to this effect."

Soo yes..be sure to do something about it, if you still want them up :)
I don't have an official link to give you, but i saw at least 3 authors mentioning it at Facebook so i thought to let you know.

-bye bye! :D

Book Excerpt: Lonely Souls + Giveaway (INT)

It’s two weeks before Triss turns 18, and her world is about to change into the most magical one imaginable as she readies herself to enter The Witch Avenue Order... that is until her mother’s disappearance. Instead of celebrating her transformation, she finds herself spreading rose petals into her mother’s empty grave.

When Logan, her best friend from junior high, moves back to town for college, he vows to help her find the answers she so desperately seeks surrounding her mother’s disappearance. As they begin uncovering clues, it becomes apparent that the life of white magic they both grew up loving is not what the majority practices, and their lives are in danger.

With a haunting feeling that her mother may still be alive, she begins to hear a call to the wilderness. Triss realizes that in order to find the answers she needs, she must learn the ways of her ancestors and become the hunter, not the hunted before it’s too late, and she becomes part of the lonely souls.

Lonely Souls
Publication Date: 2012
Part of Series: The Witch Avenue Series #1
Buy: Amazon (US) || Amazon (UK)

Excerpt

“Triss, we are going to allow our K-9 members, Sunny and Brandy, to smell some of your mother’s items, okay?” Officer White asked, looking intensely into my eyes. He had to be well over six feet tall and commanded the attention of anyone who looked in his direction.

All I could do was nod. It felt like if I even opened my mouth to breathe, I would break down again.

One of the female officers, who had her hair pulled back in a severe ponytail, came over to me and touched my shoulder softly. She quieted her chattering CB on her belt.

“Is there someone we can call for you?” she asked.

“My aunt,” I muttered, staring off over the darkened sound again, my eyes filling with tears.

One of the other female officers gave commands to Sunny and Brandy and off they went in the direction of the hill. The very same hill I had just come from with Officer White. They were racing off into the distance with the humans following right behind. My mom had been in that area. The dogs caught her scent.

It seemed like hours, but Aunt Vieta finally arrived. Her eyes wide with horror from the scene she witnessed in the parking lot. I couldn’t even begin to count how many police and search and rescue arrived. There were divers already out in the ocean, and everywhere I turned, there was activity.

I had shutdown. I was merely operating on autopilot. Aunt Vieta started running toward me and scooped me into her arms.

“We’ll find her, Triss. We’ll find her,” she kept mumbling into my ear, but it did little to comfort me.

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Book Review: The Reckoning

Held in a dark cell in the heart of Mudavé, Silas Ainsley, the Deliverer of Marenon, meets a new enemy: the Possessor. Silas knows it won't be long before the Stühocs try to kill him, or worse, turn him into an enemy against the very people he is meant to help.

Julian Hobbes has left the throne in Farlaweer in search of the last two medallions of power, knowing that once he has all six, he will be able to use the ultimate weapon against the Stühocs.

With three of the Dunarian council members dead, the Stühoc king, Anithistor, has charged Alric Thirsk with the task of finally destroying the Dunarians for good by killing their leader, Kaden Osric. If Alric fails, his friends will suffer a most torturous fate.

Though the Stuhocs are winning the war, Silas has a dream about a man in Mudavé who claims he can help Silas defeat Anithistor and the Possessor. That man also claims to be Silas' father.

The Reckoning
Publication Date: 2012
Pages: 365 (ebook)
Part of Series: The Marenon Chronicles #3
Purchased: For Review by the author
Rating: 4/5 stars
Buy: Amazon (US) || Amazon (UK)

REVIEW:
Last book of Marenon Chronicles and the my favorite one too. 

Jason Morrow continued his easy writing to the 3rd book, and this one goes even faster. Full of excitement, it keeps you at the end of your sit waiting to see how will it end. Full of surprises and a wonderful ending too. I said it before and i will say it again, the all happy ending, everyone is happy is not necessarily the right ending for a story, and i'm really happy the author knows that. I mean it's a freaking war, not everyone can be happy at the end. There are casualties and sacrifices to be made!


Silas has turned into a magnificent man. Mature, brave, clever and still a teen who understands his part in the world and what must be done. I liked him before, but i loved him as a character here. And not the "oh he is so cute and awesome" but i respect him as a person. They way he thinks and acts. I got to know him so well, while he grew up and i'm quite happy on how he turned out.


At the previous book i really hated Julian. Finally, he find his sense and he becomes a great man like at the first book. There are consequences for his action before, but he finally see his mistakes and tries to fix what he can.


A beautiful ending for the Marenon Chronicles with many twists but exactly what the story needed at the end. I only wish, the author would have taken more time with his scenes and some of the events. It could have easily be good with double its size.

Book Review: The Gatekeeper

With the war in Marenon escalating quickly, Silas Ainsley is running out of time. The relentless Stühocs are attacking villages, and an assassin is tracking his every move, making it difficult to find the one person who has all the answers: The Gatekeeper.

Meanwhile, after learning that the Dunarian Council is compromised, King Julian Hobbes scours Marenon for the truth about how deeply the Stühocs have penetrated the freedom fighters.

When Julian discovers what he must do to uncover that truth, he must decide whether the result can justify his actions.

The Gatekeeper
Publication Date: 2012
Pages: 419 (ebook)
Part of Series: The Marenon Chronicles #2
Purchased: For Review by the author
Rating: 4/5 stars
Buy: Amazon (US) || Amazon (UK)

REVIEW:
Ah! A little late but finally found the time to read it! :D And i'm so happy it as good as the first one.

Now we all know Marenon and the characters, the author goes continues the story (of course there are explanation just in case you forgot something). So this time you are getting straight into the action and the war, following once again all the characters from before. The writing stays light in a way that most epic fantasy books aren't. I usually have problems read epic fantasy in English fast and all at once, but this time i read Gatekeeper and the next one exactly after. Not only that but i felt that i could read more. 


Even though at the previous book you get to know all the characters a lot, in this one you still learn new things about them. Something that showed me how well they change and adapt to the story, revealing more about them when it was right.


Silas is an amazing character! At the start of the story he was doing some stupid things, but after what happened at the end of the 1st book he matured and he continues to understand himself and the world better every time. It's so easy to connect with him, because he is one of those heroes that remind you of your best friend, the boy next door. I loved, LOVED his scenes!


If someone really annoyed me was Julian. I wanted to smack him. He was so unfair, acting so stupidly! I really thought he was crazy or possessed. I am really happy he didn't get his love story at the end, because he didn't deserve her!! I am mean i know, but grrrrr!


Overall, i really enjoyed the Gatekeeper. It was easier to follow it than The Deliver but it didn't lack anything. The whole idea with the gates, the prophecy and how the story was about to go on really kept me reading til the end!