A Kiss in Time by Alex Flinn

A Kiss in Time
by Alex Flinn

Genre: Fairy Tale / Paranormal Romance / Young Adult

An agreeable, fluffy expansion of "Sleeping Beauty," this novel conflates the traditional story with that of an American teenage boy. Talia (the princess) has the world's most overprotective parents—not without reason, of course. Seventeen-year-old Jack's parents think about him only when they are criticizing him. When he awakens Talia with a kiss, she is thrust more than 300 years into a future in the 21st century. The learning curve is steep (and not entirely consistent) but readers will laugh at the pair's escapades as they depart Europe for Florida, try to pass Talia off as a modern Belgian girl, and come to new understandings with their respective parents.

Told from two different perspectives, you see Talia vainly wishing for more in life and Jack running away from the privlidges he's given. Totally normal teenagers caught in a not-so-normal situation.

Overall, it's a cute and fun read. Something easy to jump into for a quick escapism. I liked the modern day concept of "Sleeping Beauty" and how Talia grew throughout the story. Both are amazingly annoying at times, but what true teenager wouldn't be in their circumstance. If your into fairy tales and want a book to pass the time for the beach or bath - this is a nice one.

Likes: That party-boy-slacker Jack enjoys . . . of all things . . . landscaping. That's nice.

Dislikes: That modeling had to be thrown into the concept, why? B/c it's set in modern day Florida? What was the big deal about visiting the modeling agency for ONE day? Don't get it.

Rating:

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A Certain Slant of Light by Laura Whitcomb

A Certain Slant of Light
by Laura Whitcomb

Genre: Dark Fantasy / Young Adult

In the class of the high school English teacher she has been haunting, Helen feels them: For the first time in 130 years, human eyes are looking at her. They belong to a boy, a boy who has not seemed remarkable until now. And Helen--terrified, but intrigued--is drawn to him. The fact that he is in a body and she is not presents this unlikely couple with their first challenge. But as the lovers struggle to find a way to be together, they begin to discover the secrets of their former lives and of the young people they come to possess.

Helen died 130 years ago and since then she has occupied various bodies. She's not exactly a ghost, but she depends on her hosts immensely since she's avoiding what happens after death. Her first host was a poet, heavily hinted to be Emily Dickenson, (thus the title of the book is pulled from her own poetry) and the latest an English teacher, Mr. Brown. It's a lonely existence for Helen - never to be seen, heard, or even feel for herself again, but one day, at school, someone mysteriously sees past her host and slowly awakens her to other possibilities.

There's a certain slant of light,
On winter afternoons
That oppresses, like the heft
Of cathedral tunes.

Heavenly hurt it gives us;
We can find no scar,
But internal difference
Where the meanings, are.

None may teach it anything,
'T is the seal, despair,
An imperial affliction
Sent us of the air.

When it comes, the landscape listens,
Shadows hold their breath;
When it goes, 't is like the distance
On the look of death.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The concept was so unique, so poetic, and so disturbing that I was hooked from the first page. It was enthralling to read the different types of existence Helen has with her hosts and the type of person James helps her become. It's the perfect mixture of grittiness and sensuality to stir the imagination - a must read!

Likes: That it's simply a beautiful and haunting love story.

Dislikes: The image of a purgatory parallel to our own life. Scary!

Rating:

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Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder

Poison Study
(Study Series Book #1)
by Maria V. Snyder

Genre: Fantasy / Young Adult

Shivers, obsession, sleepless nights—these are the results not of one of the milder poisons that novice food-taster Yelena must learn during her harrowing job training but of newcomer Snyder's riveting fantasy that unites the intelligent political focus of George R.R. Martin with a subtle yet potent romance. Through a stroke of luck, Yelena escapes execution in exchange for tasting the food of the Commander, ruler of Ixia. Though confined to a dank prison cell and doomed to a painful death, Yelena slowly blooms again, caught up in castle politics. But some people are too impatient to wait for poison to finish off Yelena. With the help of Valek, her steely-nerved, cool-eyed boss and the Commander's head of security, she soon discovers that she has a starring role to play in Ixia's future—a role that could lead to her being put to death as a budding magician even if she hits each cue perfectly.

At the beginning of the book, Yelena is on the cutting block - literally - she's next in line for the noose for committing the sin of murder. Yet, at the last moment, she is offered the position of the Commander's food taster and she jumps at it. What she doesn't learn is that this position is NOT held for long due to the many poisons often placed within the Commander's meal, thus, the cursed position is always forced upon a soon-to-be executed prisoner. While secretly plotting to escape her new occupation, she is trained by Valek (the Commander's master strategist) to smell, see, and experience the side effects of what poisons she is consuming - not enjoyable lessons for a girl with strong & stubborn survival instincts.

I found this book intriguing and somewhat refreshing to read. The time-setting, character backgrounds, and story plot was fascinating as well. Plus - the reader, throughout Poison Study, becomes aware that Yelena is hiding a secret that she herself can do magic, an even bigger sin during her time. There's also so many twists and hidden surprises throughout Poison Study, that I found it hard to stop reading at the end of a chapter - something I always love in a book. It's indeed different from most stories out there, but I'm excited to check out the next book - Magic Study - in the series.

Likes: How ruthless Valek can be . . . yummy!

Dislikes: How frustrated you get at Yelena's previous benefactor and those under his command.

Rating:

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Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

Shiver
(The Wolves of Mercy Falls Book #1)
by Maggie Stiefvater

Genre: Paranormal Romance / Young Adult

Grace, 17, loves the peace and tranquility of the woods behind her home. It is here during the cold winter months that she gets to see her wolf—the one with the yellow eyes. Grace is sure that he saved her from an attack by other wolves when she was nine. Over the ensuing years he has returned each season, watching her with those haunting eyes as if longing for something to happen. When a teen is killed by wolves, a hunting party decides to retaliate. Grace races through the woods and discovers a wounded boy shivering on her back porch. One look at his yellow eyes and she knows that this is her wolf in human form. Fate has finally brought Sam and Grace together, and as their love grows and intensifies, so does the reality of what awaits them. It is only a matter of time before the winter cold changes him back into a wolf, and this time he might stay that way forever.

Sam can only remain human during the warm months, so he doesn't have much time with Grace before winter arrives. Grace, on the other hand, is instantly drawn to Sam because of his eyes and their chemistry continues to grow throughout their story. Both are truly believable characters and Maggie Stiefvater's creation of the werewolf lifestyle is quite unique. The story is seamless and you find it hard to even close the book once you begin.

I really enjoyed the alternating story telling from both Grace and Sam throughout Shiver. Grace is obsessed about the wolves in her backyard and vise versa, Sam is passionate about getting to know "his human" - Grace. It's a perfect love story! They're both torn in different directions, but together . . . they make sense. It's also so heart wrenching at times to watch them try so hard to remain together and know, regardless, that the outcome is against them. Make this book a permanent part of your library and mark your calendars for Linger, coming out July 20th.

Likes: I love the fact that Sam works part-time at a book store . . . adorable.

Dislikes: The story will make you tear-up! I find that's always sad knowing that fact going into a book, but it's well worth it with Shiver! Enjoy!

Rating:

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Beastly by Alex Flinn

Beastly
by Alex Flinn





Genre: Fairy Tale / Urban Fantasy / Paranormal Romance / Young Adult

A beast. Not quite wolf or bear, gorilla or dog but a horrible new creature who walks upright—a creature with fangs and claws and hair springing from every pore. I am a monster.

You think I'm talking fairy tales? No way. The place is New York City. The time is now. It's no deformity, no disease. And I'll stay this way forever—ruined—unless I can break the spell.

Yes, the spell, the one the witch in my English class cast on me. Why did she turn me into a beast who hides by day and prowls by night? I'll tell you. I'll tell you how I used to be Kyle Kingsbury, the guy you wished you were, with money, perfect looks, and the perfect life. And then, I'll tell you how I became perfectly . . . beastly.

This modern fairy tale focuses on Kyle, a New York rich kid. He's got a swanky penthouse, his father's a famous national broadcaster, he's got model-good looks, and is one of the most popular guys at school. He doesn't think of anyone else but him, that is until the new goth girl begins to rub him the wrong way. Now, one of his cruel actions has become his last and since being called "Beastly" . . . that is now what he'll become as well - literally.

I picked up this book thinking it'd be a quick read, but it actually ended up surprising me. I liked it . . . really liked it! At times it's very realistic and other times "way out there" - a real fairy tale. It was cute, unique, and I enjoyed the modern curse placed on Kyle. It also had the whole Phantom of the Opera feel to it, since you a rooting for the monster to win throughout. I am excited to hear Alex Flinn just put out a new book as well, A Kiss in Time, which is a modern retelling of Sleeping Beauty. I'm definitely checking that one out!

P.S. Beastly was also just made into a movie!

Likes: I'm glad Alex Flinn kept the importance of roses in the story.

Dislikes: His father's reaction that even their money isn't enough to find a cure, so he banishes his son.

Rating:

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Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews

Magic Bites
(Kate Daniels Book #1)
by Ilona Andrews

Genre: Urban / Dark Fantasy

Atlanta would be a nice place to live, if it weren’t for magic…

One moment magic dominates, and cars stall and guns fail. The next, technology takes over and the defensive spells no longer protect your house from monsters. Here skyscrapers topple under onslaught of magic; werebears and werehyenas prowl through the ruined streets; and the Masters of the Dead, necromancers driven by their thirst of knowledge and wealth, pilot blood-crazed vampires with their minds. In this world lives Kate Daniels.

Kate likes her sword a little too much and has a hard time controlling her mouth. The magic in her blood makes her a target, and she spent most of her life hiding in plain sight. But when Kate’s guardian is murdered, she must choose to do nothing and remain safe or to pursue his preternatural killer. Hiding is easy, but the right choice is rarely easy…

Kate Daniel's story begins with her learning that the only family she has left -Greg Feldman, the city's knight-diviner- has been murdered. Normally, Kate works for the Mercenary Guild, doing odd jobs to get by, but she takes on this new mission of discovering what she can through the Order of the Knights of Merciful Aid, the guardians of the city. Along the way, she meets up with Curran, the Beast Lord, and gets a peek into his world.

I thought I might enjoy this series since I'm a fan of Jeaniene Frost's Night Huntress books, but Kate Daniel came off as a little too overpowering for me. I don't like the "kick-ass" female characters that much and the setting has a very "destroyed world" feeling to it, but also too futuristic for my taste. The magic wasn't that interesting . . . almost too scientific with boring facts and I found myself having to re-read sections to fully understand where we stood. Overall, this book just rubbed me the wrong way & I couldn't really loose myself in the story, but I may move on to the most recent book just to see if it'll improve and to find out where Kate and Curran's relationship goes.

Likes: The doctor Crest. He came off as the most realistic character.

Dislikes: The whole concept of magic rising, falling, and affecting modern technology.

Rating:

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Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause

Blood and Chocolate
by Annette Curtis Klause

Genre: Paranormal Romance / Urban Fantasy / Young Adult

Blood and Chocolate chronicles the longings and passions of Vivian Gandillon, teenage werewolf. Her pack family, recently burned out of their West Virginia home by suspicious neighbors, has resettled in a sleepy Maryland suburb. At her new school, Viv quickly falls for sensitive heartthrob Aiden, a human--or "meat-boy," as her pack calls him. Soon she is trying to tame her undomesticated desires to match his more civilized sensibilities. But Vivian's animal ardor cannot be stilled, and she must decide if she should keep Aiden in the dark about her true nature or invite him to take a walk on her wild side.

Vivian's unsettled about where her life is : the guys she grew up with now annoy her, she avoids her home since most pact meetings go on there, her Mother is barely around. So, when she meets Aiden at school, he peeks her interest. Secretly she begins to approach him in hopes that her pack never catches on. She wishes not to follow the rule "to love your own" so when Aiden returns her affections, she keeps up the Happy Human appearance. Not all stays well for long and Viv debates if she can reveal her true self without consequences.

What does it take to truly know oneself? Vivian comes off as a very strong and self-assured women. I liked that as times her story was a lot of fun to read and others quite dark. She fumbles throughout the tale, but learns from her mistakes and moves on, but you go through the whole emotional roller-coaster right along with her. It's truly a great werewolf book and very different from the yucky movie version - so definitely grab this one of a rainy day . . . you'll get entranced!

Likes: I was happy with who she ended up with in the end.

Dislikes: You may be able to figure out the ending before you get there . . . but you won't want to miss how the story reaches it.

Rating:

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