Weekly Round-up #4

Sorry for disappearing! Long chats to a certain internet provider *cough* Talk Talk *cough* about how terrible our service is really puts me off blogging, or anything to do with the internet that involves actual work. So, here’s what I got this week...

  --The Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother by Amy Chua. I finished reading it, and am now very glad my parents are English.
--Psyren vol 1 by Toshiaki Iwashiro. It looked interesting when I read about it in Neo (a magazine), and then I found it in the library, and so I picked it up! Not started it, but.... oh well.

And news...

-        --There’s a Zombies vs Unicorn month going on! Head over to Haley or Giselle for more info, and here’s my opinions on the book written from the original debate.

 
--Emma Mills has a trailer for Witchblood! I’m taking part in the tour (a giveaway and review will come, and for more general details, see here), but here’s something that should get you interested.

Book Review: Zombie Powder by Tite Kubo

Title: Zombie Powder: The Man With the Black Hand volume 1

Author: Tite Kubo

Source: Wherever Nina got it from

Length: 208 pages

Published: September 5th 2006

Publisher: Viz Media LLC

Warnings: Violence

Other notes: You may (or may not) know Tite Kubo as the man who wrote (then RUINED!!!!) Bleach. It seems to me that several characters from Zombie Powder have been recycled into Bleach like Gamma into Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez.

Spoiler Is Needed To Explain Plot.

Summary from Goodreads: They say that if you find all twelve rings of the dead, you can obtain the power of immortality for the living, or bring back someone from the dead. People who search for the rings are called Powder Hunters, and Gamma is one of them, searching for the power of immortality.

Review: S-0 criminal Gamma is a powder hunter, one who seeks the rings of the dead to obtain zombie powder which will grant him immortality or the power to bring back someone from the dead. So, it had a good start. Gamma arrives by train in wild west looking town in a rather spectacular fashion (the kind of "woah, look at that weird guy with his badass clothes and massive weapon" kind of spectacular), and the gets his clothes stuck in the train. And the hilarity continues. The mighty Gamma gets stabbed with a fork while eating some food, and then gets his wallet stolen by Elwood, a teenager who has joined a local gang to earn money to help is sickly older sister. Then Elwood gets caught and takes Gamma to eat at his house because he ruined his meal and then other gang members see Elwood taking Gamma to his house and they think that Elwood is trying to keep the bounty on Gamma's head all to himself. This leads to the whole gang bursting into Elwood's house and a bunch of crazy stuff happening which results in *SPOILER* Elwood's sister dying. (Sorry! It's a major part of the plot, it can't really be avoided) *SPOILER* . So Elwood decides to join Gamma on his quest to find the zombie rings so he can bring back his sister.

I quite like the characters. They're rather simplistic, and are drawn in a quite "roughish" style. Ranewater Calder and C. T. Smith who show up quite late in the volume. They're enigmatic characters and are very different to the rest of the characters who are mainly wild west styled. First of all, let's start with C. T. Smith. He looks like a London banker, he sings (or hums or something like that) while he kills, he's apparently ambidextrous and he pretended to work for the antagonists and the got Gamma and Elwood out of the gang jail. Yay! He makes a good contrast to Gamma who is too badass to do anything interesting other than show off his strength. Ranewater is the leader of the Ash Daughter bandits and looks like a little girl but is actually an old man. I thought it was a typo when they referred to him as male until Smith actually called him an old man. Calder takes some sort of drug to keep him young. With his hair down, he looks quite a bit older.

It's quite easy to see why, in terms of plot, this series got cancelled. It's rather repetitive as people want to to attack Gamma, but they attack Elwood because they think Elwood is his

weakness and then Gamma completely annihilates them. You never really get enough time to hate (or like) gang members because they die too quickly. Perhaps it's too early to really say that the plot is bad when the volume was only a few chapters long.

Rating: 2 I'm hoping that things will be better next volume.

Book Review- Legend by Marie Lu

Title: Legend

 Author: Marie Lu

Series:  Legend #1

Published:  2 February 2012

Length: 301 pages

Warnings: violence, romance 12+

Source: Publishers via Spinebreakers

Other info: This is Marie Lu’s debut novel. The first in a trilogy, and film rights have already been bought.

Summary : What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem. From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths - until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias' death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.

Review: Day is the most wanted criminal in America. June is a young commander who should end up in the highest ranks after being marked as a prodigy. Normally, they’d never meet. But after June’s brother is killed and she vows to hunt down his killer, and Day is put in the spotlight for the crime, they do. And then they discover some more things about their country, ie the secrets they try so hard to keep.

Legend is loosely based on Les Miserables. Apparently. I’ve never read it, or seen the musical, or (I’m guessing) any film, so I can’t comment on it being updated. Sorry about that.

First impressions, there wasn’t anything that really made it a stand-out when looking at concept. But, being a new dystopian trilogy that may be amazing, of course I had to read it. And so they bring it up at a spinebreakers meeting, and I get it.

The tale is told from both Day’s and June’s perspective, which would be very interesting if it weren’t for the fact they’re quite similar. Not too similar, but there wasn’t much of their own voice. Both are intelligent, sporty (not the right word, but neither is active, or any other word to that effect), and do something that you can’t really expect from the average fifteen year old- a life of crime or a life in the military. Fun.

The world building is terrible. Due to my terrible  (read-almost non existent) knowledge of American history, Republicans and Colonies and all that was only very slightly understood. I just had to guess the whole political set up. Luckily, that wasn’t the focus of the book, so I  got by. It would be nice to see what it really was like to get a better understanding of the world.

I also found it quite predictable. The romance, I didn’t like. June was a perfectly good heroine, strong, wilful and intelligent...and then she falls in love. With the guy she is meant to be hunting. Well done. And the ending...the foreshadowing and my mind could already see it happening the way it did. Slightly ruined it, but still enjoyable.

Aside from that, I loved this book. From the start I was interested, a little more in Day than in June. The opening sentence is just...what an amazing hook. And the way it plays out from there is very good too.

The alternate narrative, aside from being similar, was very effective. The double perspective worked in building the story and moving it along, even if it did mean that Day would probably be out of the scene while June narrated, and vice versa.

I think my favourite character was John, even though we don’t get to see that much of him until the end. It’s amazing how much a character can stick in your mind even though he’s minor for most of the book.

The pacing and action scenes were amazing. A pivotal event where you think “it’s all over” happens around halfway through the book, which was quite interesting. And then I spent the rest of it thinking “how is it going to fill out?” But it did, and it wasn’t with pointless things. lots of things happen in the second half. Lots of things happen in the entire thing, if we’re being specific.

Overall: Strength 4 tea to the start of a trilogy with a LOT packed into it-here’s hoping the next two will be just as good.  

Links: | Goodreads | Author website | 

Waiting on Wednesday #33 The Sweetest Spell by Suzanne Selfors

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by Breaking the Spine where we show off books that we want to read but have not been published yet. 

Title:  The Sweetest Spell
Author: Suzanne Selfors
Release Date: 21 August 2012
Link to / Summary from Goodreads: Emmeline Thistle has always had a mysterious bond with cows, beginning on the night of her birth, when the local bovines saved the infant cast aside to die in the forest. But Emmeline was unaware that this bond has also given her a magical ability to transform milk into chocolate, a very valuable gift in a kingdom where chocolate is more rare and more precious than gold or jewels. Then one day Owen Oak, a dairyman’s son, teaches Emmeline to churn milk into butter – and instead she creates a delicious chocolate confection that immediately makes her a target for every greedy, power-hungry person in the kingdom of Anglund. Only Owen loves Emmeline for who she truly is, not her magical skill. But is his love enough to save her from the danger all around her?
Why I want it: The Ugly Duckling? You (should, if you read this) know that I love re-tellings of almost any kind. And I loved one of Suzanne’s other books, Mad Love. So, looks like something I’ll love.

What are YOU waiting on this week?

Book Review- Crossed by Ally Condie

Title: Crossed

 Author: Ally Condie

Series:  Matched #2

Published:  1^st November 2011

Length: 367 pages

Warnings: Violence, romance 12+

Source: Spinebreakers

Other info: I reviewed the first book in the series, Matched, here. Book three should be coming later this year.

Summary : In search of a future that may not exist and faced with the decision of who to share it with, Cassia journeys to the Outer Provinces in pursuit of Ky - taken by the Society to his certain death - only to find that he has escaped, leaving a series of clues in his wake.
Cassia's quest leads her to question much of what she holds dear, even as she finds glimmers of a different life across the border. But as Cassia nears resolve and certainty about her future with Ky, an invitation for rebellion, an unexpected betrayal, and a surprise visit from Xander - who may hold the key to the uprising and, still, to Cassia's heart - change the game once again. Nothing is as expected on the edge of Society, where crosses and double crosses make the path more twisted than ever.

Review: I enjoyed this a bit more than Matched. But considering I didn't really enjoy Matched, it's not saying much.

It's simply a continuation of Matched, where Cassia lost Ky and started trying to find him in the Outer Provinces. Meanwhile, a rebellion is rising, which will most likely engulf them both.

I still maintain that Cassia's society is a rather nice place to be, and that there was nothing wrong with Xander. But, for the sake of plot development, she ran after him. Oh well.

The plot to this doesn't seem to go very far in the second installment of the series. We get Cassia meeting Ky again, and a few more characters, and we also find a revolution rising. But not that much actually...happens. It's just dragging on...and on...and on... Some of the things that happened just didn't seem that interesting. I really hope that the rebellion in the final book will be big, and leave us thinking a lot, because otherwise this series will have been quite boring.

I loved the double point of view. Cassia, by the end of book one, was quite annoying, and Ky's perspective was an interesting addition. I hope we'll see a bit more of him in the next book.

The main characters I never really cared for. While I really want to see what will happen to them, and how their society will turn out, it didn't matter to me if they died at any point.

I really felt for the minor characters, though. Maybe it says something about Ally's writing, but I loved the characters we met in Crossed and only have  a small part in the general storyline a lot more than the characters we knew from the start.

I don't know.

The writing is good, and as I said, I really liked the fact Ky got to narrate the story too. But I did have issues with the fact that the perspective changed without repeated indication. Ok, if you're going for a one-sit read, you're fine. But if you put it down mid-chapter, and then go back... Due to not much difference between narratives,  I got halfway through a chapter before realising that Ky was talking, then had to re-read it with Ky in my head. 

Despite this, I'd still like to see what happens at the end of the series.

Overall:  Strength 2 tea to what I hope is suffering from second-book-syndrome, which will give us an amazing finale.

Links: Goodreads | Authorwebsite | 

Weekly round-up #3

It’s been a rather slow week in terms of...everything. Aside from homework. Got quite a lot of that. The next week might be kind of slow in terms of reviews and things getting posted. But I’ll try.

So, here’s what I got...
Starters by Lissa Price via Netgalley
Blood Red Road by Moira Young from library
0.4 by Mike Lancaster from library

And I don’t think much has really been going on in the blogging world either... but Strange Chemistry are holding an Open Door month, with more details to be found here... Larissa from The Howling Turtle is holding a Hunger Games read-along, which looks like fun...and because Amazon's terms are too restrictive, Goodreads needs your help rescuing their books. If not enough data is provided from sites other than Amazon, the books' data will be deleted. For many books, this is fine. But if you tend to read obscure books, books published first in other countries, or by small name publishers, then go take a look, because there might be a few books they miss.

By the way, if there's anything you want me to feature on this weekly news thing, such as giveaways, or things like that, then please say. Comment or email us, and we'll put something up.

Have a good week.

Book Review- Birthmarked by Caragh O Brian

Title: Birthmarked

 Author: Caragh M O’ Brian

Series:  Birthmarked #1

Published:  2 May 2011 by Simon and Schuster

Length: 361 pages

Warnings: Violence, executions, a little romance. 12+

Source: Library

Summary : IN THE ENCLAVE, YOUR SCARS SET YOU APART, and the newly born will change the future.
In the future, in a world baked dry by the harsh sun, there are those who live inside the walled Enclave and those, like sixteen-year-old Gaia Stone, who live outside. Following in her mother's footsteps Gaia has become a midwife, delivering babies in the world outside the wall and handing a quota over to be "advanced" into the privileged society of the Enclave. Gaia has always believed this is her duty, until the night her mother and father are arrested by the very people they so loyally serve. Now Gaia is forced to question everything she has been taught, but her choice is simple: enter the world of the Enclave to rescue her parents, or die trying.
A stunning adventure brought to life by a memorable heroine, this dystopian debut will have readers racing all the way to the dramatic finish.

Review: In this dystopian world, the lucky live in luxury in the Enclave. Those who don't live outside, struggling to survive. Gaia Stone is one such girl. She's also in training to be a midwife. So the first one she delivers by herself, she delivers to the Enclave. Why? She doesn't know. All she knows is that a quota of babies must be handed in. Soon after, everything changes when her parents are arrested for keeping a code, or record of some kind. Determined to save them, Gaia breaks into the Enclave and, with the help of Leon and some other people, and must unravel the code.

I like the concept to this. Genetics interests me, and so when it's put in a dystopian setting, it's sure to make an intriguing read. Sadly it didn't feature quite as much as I'd have liked, but this was made up by the awesomeness in the rest of the book.

Gaia is a strong, resourceful heroine with a strong set of morals and a huge dose of determination. This makes her a very likeable character that I was rooting for throughout the book.

The system to this dystopia makes a little more sense and is a bit more interesting while actually in the pages and not on the back.

I loved the little code that Caragh thought up, the one that Gaia is forced to dechiper. As well as letting us see Gaia's mind at work, it has the added benefit of giving us some nice backstory regarding the family.

The third person narrative wasn't that engaging. While I got a good idea of what was happening, what the setting looked like, and so on, I just didn't feel like I was in this dystopia.

The ending was great. It ended on a huge cliffhanger with the fate of a rather major character being unknown. And while I think I know what's happened, knowing these books I'm totally wrong. And therefore I really want to get hold of book two.

Overall:  Strength 4 tea to a really good dystopian with a load of adventure packed in.

Links: | Goodreads | 

Book Review- Anya's Ghost by Vera Brogsol

Title: Anya’s Ghost

 Author: Vera Brogsol

Series:  N/A

Published:  27 June 2011 by First Second

Length: 221 pages

Warnings: N/A 12+

Source: Library

Other info: This is Vera’s debut, but she’s worked on other things.

Summary : Anya could really use a friend. But her new BFF isn’t kidding about the “Forever” part... Of all the things Anya expected to find at the bottom of an old well, a new friend was not one of them. Especially not a new friend who’s been dead for a century.
Falling down a well is bad enough, but Anya’s normal life might actually be worse. She’s embarrassed by her family, self-conscious about her body, and she’s pretty much given up on fitting in at school. A new friend—even a ghost—is just what she needs.Or so she thinks.
Spooky, sardonic, and secretly sincere, Anya’s Ghost is a wonderfully entertaining debut from author/artist Vera Brosgol.

Review: After a really normal school day, Anya's heading home. But, due to being lost in her own world, she falls into a well. And makes a friend. You can call her a friend, can't you, if she's been dead for ninety years? Due to a little technicality, ghost Emily can follow Anya around as long as Anya is carrying Emily's fingerbone. It seems like a great friendship-keeping Anya from being lonely after failing to fit in for being one of two Russians in the school, and the other one being a complete geek; and a nice change of scenery for Emily. But the when the whole best friends forever thing starts to be taken literally, Anya starts realising maybe it's not the best idea after all...

And another one of those books I don't realise is a graphic novel, not a wordy novel. Will I pay attention to the captions on goodreads? No. I'll carry on with the suprises. Oh well.

I love the idea. It's not often I read books centred totally around friendship, even if it is a paranormal friendship. That's actually a genre I'd be interested in reading a lot of. Romance has been done to death, so maybe...Vera's on to something!

The drawings were extremely cute. The style is consistant, making use of block shades of purply-grey colour, depending on your lighting.

Anya is the typical outsider girl; jealous of the popular one, a semi-friend (best way of describing Siobhan) and gets lost in her own world. She's so happy that she's found a friend in Emily that she does everything that Emily tells her, even if it's not quite what Anya had in mind.

Emily undergoes a lot of development, something I don't normally see in ghosts. Or maybe it's just showing what she's really like. Either way, she undergoes a drastic transformation from dandelion to...something else.

There was a nice range of supporting characters that turned out to be deeper than we think when we meet them properly, for example Dima and Elizabeth. Dima grew on me after a bit, and I think Elizabeth could have done if we knew more about her.

The unfolding of events was clear and logical, but throughout I just wanted to keep reading on. Many questions are answered in the final quarter, such as how Emily ended up dying in that hole, and we also get some unexpected history.

I honestly think that some day, paranormal friendship WILL be a big genre in YA lit. We've seen vampires, werewolves, ghosts and the like and we know that people love falling in love with them. But, as friends, paranormal creatures aren't really cared for, unless main character is romantically involved with another of that type. Hopefully one day, there'll be more books giving us the supernatural element, but with little romance, and with said romance being human on human. More on that another day.

Overall:  Strength 5 tea to a spooky fun little read that makes a refreshing change. I'd love to read more by Vera.

Links: | Goodreads | Author website |