The Diviners by Libba Bray

Series: The Diviners, Book One

Publisher: Atom

Format: Paperback

Published: 18^th September 2012

Number of Pages: 583

Book: For Review*

Genre: Historical, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy, Murder Mystery, Supernatural, Ghost Story, Thriller Suspense, YA

Recommended Age: 13+

Contains: Violence, Death, Swearing, Smoking, Domestic Abuse, Sexual Assault and Alcohol References

No Drug References

Author's Blog: Libba Bray

Evie O’Neill has been exiled from her boring old hometown and shipped off to the bustling streets of New York City – and she is pos-i-tute-ly ecstatic.  It’s 1926, and New York is filled with speakeasies, Ziegfeld girls and rakish pickpockets.  The only catch is that she has to live with her uncle Will – and his unhealthy obsession with the occult.

Evie worries he’ll discover her darkest secret: a supernatural power that has only brought her trouble so far.  But when the police find a murdered girl branded with a cryptic symbol and Will is called to the scene, Evie realizes her gift could help catch a serial killer.

As Evie jumps headlong into a dance with a murder, other stories unfold in the city that never sleeps.  A young man named Memphis is caught between two worlds.  A chorus girl named Theta is running fom her past.  A student named Jericho hides a shocking secret.

And unknown to all, something dark and evil has awakened…

                                                                    Review:

"The time is now.  They are coming...  Diviners."

Evie O'Neill loves to party and have fun.  Her parents aren't so keen on her life-is-for-living attitude and decide to send her to New York to live with her uncle as a means of avoiding further scandal. 

Evie, though, is just overjoyed at heading to Manhattan, the city of parties. 

The only downside is living with her dull, occult-obsessed Uncle Will. 

And that she lives in fear of Will discovering her secret gift...

But with a murderer on the loose and Will being called in to offer occult-based insight, Evie realises that maybe - just maybe - her gift could be used to catch the killer...

But Evie's isn’t the only going on in New York: Memphis, Sam, Theta, Jericho and Henry each have a fight of their own...

As they all attempt to deal with their problems, what none of them know is that in the shadows, evil stirs and lurks, ready to strike...

Will the prophesied Diviners be enough to stop it...?

And all the while, the fire of the comet blazes ever closer...

I jumped at the chance to read The Diviners.  I've never read anything by Bray, but I've heard so many good things about her and The Diviners just sounded so good!  And Miss Bray lived up to all my expectations!  It was an amazing book, as funny as it was spooky, and I found myself hooked from the very beginning.  And while the book was really rather long, I found myself zooming through it, loving every second.  When you mix crime drama with the historical and paranormal, it's safe to say you have one overjoyed Meg on your hands!  Ergo: I cannot wait for the next in this series!  It just can't come quick enough!

The characters were all brilliant and so 3D.  I loved how even the in-it-for-a-chapter characters felt totally real and believable.  And while I loved them all (well, not Naughty John), Evie just totally took the biscuit.  She just really made me laugh - her snark and wit and one-liners constantly had me cracking up!  I also loved how we got to see how sad and lost she was, and that she wasn't perfect and, even though she was a bit selfish, I loved her.  Plus: evil genius alert!!  Memphis was really charming and sweet and a seriously good brother - and so hurt too...  I loved Theta and Henry, their relationship especially - Theta had bravado and a great sense of humour!  Jericho was an academicy, broody type and super mysterious - he made me giggle too!  I loved Sam: he was charming and funny and yummy!  As for the killer, the bad guy, well, he was scary as hell!

 The writing was so beautiful - I could see everything in my head, like a movie or a time machine.  And I just loved the humour and how it jumped between all the characters, letting us get to know them all - and their secrets too.  Now, with so many various storylines, the plot could have been so confusing so easily.  But it just wasn't - it was rich and complex and addictive - an elaborate web of stories, winding together to create one masterpiece tapestry of a book.  I was so totally hooked to each characters' story, desperate to discover their gifts, to unlock the secrets if their past.

But the ending?  Evil, evil, evil!  I am certain it's gonna drive me insane - I need the next book!  Needless to say, I'll be first in line for Book Two. 

I loved the supernatural side of everything, especially Will's lectures - and listening to Will and Jericho talk about various mythology.  Even more, though, I loved the '20s setting - especially the phrase "pos-i-tute-ly"!  I must admit, I know very, very little about '20s America, but it seemed really real to me - you could tell Bray really, really did her research.  And I so want to read more '20s book - this time rocks!  Pos-i-tute-ly rocks!  

And the only things I'd change was that we didn't know the green-eyes-China-Town-girl's name and that there was a hint of insta love... And that's it.

With one kickass setting, a cast of brilliant characters, a host of amazing supernatural powers and one creepy-as-hell killer in the loose, The Diviners was one helluva book.  It ticked all the right boxes, had me hooked from the very start to the very last word, and I just can't wait for a sequel.  Plus, it was just so epic it's untrue!

If you haven't got how much I love this book from my rambling, here's an extra hint: Picture your favourite historical, paranormal and crime novels in your head.  Take the best bits from them all, add a large helping of humour and a dash of creepiness, and you can start to get the amazingness of The Diviners.  So please give it a go!  You so won't regret it!

Star Rating:
4¾ Out of 5

Read this book if you liked:

Gemma Doyle by Libba Bray
Envy by Gregg Olsen
Seraphina by Rachel Hartman
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Challenges It's Taking Part In:

100 Books in a Year Reading Challenge 2012 (Hosted by Book Chick City)

Happy Reading

Megan

* This book was received from Atom in exchange for an honest review

Blood Red Road by Moira Young

Series: Dust Lands, Book One

Publisher: Marion Lloyd

Format: Paperback

Published: 4^th January 2012

Number of Pages: 544

Book: Bought

Genre: Dystopia, Science-Fiction, Romance, Thriller, Suspense, Action-Adventure, YA

Recommended Age: 13+

Contains: Swearing, Violence, Death, Alcohol and Drug References

Author's Blog: Moira Young's Official Author Page

In the Dustlands, you fight or you die.

There are no laws in Saba’s world.  When her twin brother is stolen, she pursues his captors through a wild, wasted land.  She must become a warrior to survive.  On this dangerous road she can trust no one.  Not even the handsome thief who saves her life – and steals her heart.

                                                                   Review:

I've seen rave reviews of Blood Red Road all over the place.  So when I picked the book up, thanks to all the hype, I never thought it could be as good as I was imagining.  Man, I was wrong.  Blood Red Road exceeded all my expectations, every single one.

"I'll find you," I says.  "Wherever they take you, I swear I'll find you."

In Saba's world, there are no rules, just death and danger everywhere.  But she has Pa and her twin brother Lugh, who's everything to Saba. 

And then he's taken from her.  Her "golden heart" is torn away and she's all alone in the Dustlands, left to care for Emmi, the younger sister she blames for their mother's death. 

With Pa dead and Lugh taken by four armed horsemen, Saba is left with but one option:  She will find Lugh.  No matter what she must do or where she has to go. 

Or who she has to put up with, namely Jack, a charming thief who has stolen her heart...

But with so many obstacles and such short time, can Saba get to Lugh before Midsummer?  Before it's too late...? 

Right from the first sentence, this book had me hooked.  Something about Blood Red Road just instantly grabbed me and pulled me in.  I could hardly put the book down, even for the important stuff like eating and sleeping.  Just - or should I say "jest"? - everything about this story screams 'READ ME!  LIVE ME!'  It's one of those books that is so rich it sucks you right into the world and never lets you go.  It's utterly unique and I just loved every single second of it.  Every.  Single.  Second.  And I needed to read Rebel Heart the second I put Blood Red Road down. I think I may have a new fave series and author...

The characters were so amazing, so real and 3D - even the minor ones.  It was like I knew them and felt so strongly about all of them, be it love or hatred.  They were the kinda characters you're terrified of losing, who make your heart beat faster when they're in trouble.  Now, Saba was the kinda heroine a girl could really root for.  She was strong, determined, full of love and willing to do anything for the ones she loved.  Yes, she wasn't perfect and was harsh and tough on the surface, but her roughness and bluntness just covered a heart every bit as golden as Lugh's.  I loved her spirit and fight and the way she never, ever backed down.  She was a survivor and whenever she was in trouble, I found myself terrified, because she was just so easy to love.  And Jack, oh how I loved him! He had a Jace-Wayland-cocky-charm and was cute and very, very hot.  He was deep and perfect and always managed to make me smile.  And Emmi I just loved!  She was so sweet and strong and resourceful, even though she was only nine!  I really, really loved Emmi!  And somehow, God knows how, Young was able to get me to fall in love with a crow called Nero.  He had such a wonderful personality: I want me a Nero!  There were so many other characters I loved: Maev, Helen, Ash, Mercy, Ike (I loved Ike: he killed me), Epona, even The King, actually.  Even if I hated them, I had to admit that they were awesome. Ooh, and I loved Hermes, Saba's horse.  I never thought I could love a horse and crow this much until Blood Red Road!  Oh, and I can't wait to see DeMalo again - I hope I see him again: he's intriguing... 

Another thing I loved about this book was the relationships.  That unyielding, overpowering love Saba had for Lugh was the driving force of the story, but what I loved most wss the way the relationship between Saba and Emmi changed overtime.  The relationship between Saba and Jack was brilliantly done too.  They really made me laugh.  There was just so much heat between them, so much chemistry.  Yum!

But the writing... it was just so unique.  Sure, it took a little getting used to, but soon I loved it to bits, could hear Saba's voice in my head.  It was a complete escape and the odd dialect just added to the amazing world and took me away completely.  And the plot in this book was in one word: amazing.  So rich and twisty and almost ridiculously addictive.  It was one of those storylines that pulls you right in.  It was like I was in the story, living it all.  It was just that good!  And it may not have been action twenty-four, seven, but there was so much goin' on, so much suspense and adventure and excitement.  And near the end, man, it really, really kicked off.  So much so that it became completely impossible for me to put down!

Then, this world... incredible.  It was one of the most amazingly constructed worlds I've come across, ranking way up there with Lord of The Rings.  I loved how it somehow felt dystopian-future-y and historical all at the same time.  Amazing. 

Blood Red Road was just beyond words.  It's the kind of book that is all-consuming, that tugs you right into its grasp and doesn't let you go, even after you've put the book down.  Everything about the book is amazing, total perfection.  I honestly can't thing of a single thing I didn't like about it.  I don't think I've ever come across a debut that is so perfect in every single way.  It was just... breathtaking.  All consuming.  Addictive.  Amazing.  Beyond description. 

I loved it so, so, so, so much, if you hadn't gathered!  Like, so much it's insane.  But I really loved it that much.  And I honestly can't recommend it enough.

Oh, and sorry for rambling!

Star Rating:
5 Out of 5

Read this book if you liked:

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Chaos Walking by Patrick Ness

Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen

Legend by Marie Lu

Challenges It's Taking Part In:

100 Books in a Year Reading Challenge 2012 (Hosted by Book Chick City)

Happy Reading

Megan

Seraphina by Rachel Hartman

Series: Seraphina, Book One

Publisher: Doubleday Children's

Format: ARC

Published: 19^th July 2012

Number of Pages: 384

Book: For Review*

Genre: Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, Murder-Mystery, High Fantasy, Romance, Historical Fiction, Action-Adventure, YA

Recommended Age: 12+

Contains: Violence, Swearing, Alcohol References

No Drug References

Author's Blog: Rachel Hartman

A fragile peace has been achieved in the realm of Goredd, and dragons and humans live together in harmony.

But the truce is shattered when a royal prince is brutally murdered – could dragons be to blame?

Seraphina, a talented court musician harbouring secrets of her own, is drawn into the investigation and uncovers a darker plot, one that threatens the very existence of the kingdom.  And soon her own life is in terrible danger as she fights to hide the secret behind her amazing gift…

                                                                   Review:

Now I’m going to warn you before this review really starts: this is hard-core fantasy, meaning the emphasis is on the world building – and the world does so kick butt!  Ergo: there isn’t non-stop dragon-fighting action.  But even without a fight a second, Seraphina kicked plenty of butts.  It’s a must-read for you fantasy lovers!

"Prince Rufus was just murdered in a suspiciously draconian manner…"

For forty years, there has been an uneasy truce between humans and dragons in the land of Goredd.  Although the peace is shaky, it is peace all the same and is far better than the fighting before. 

The dragons, or Saar as they are also known, live among people in human form.  It's coming up to the treaty's fortieth anniversary when the Crown Prince Rufus is killed in a suspiciously dragon-like fashion. 

It's in the middle of all this that Seraphina enters the Royal Court.  Seraphina, who has a dark secret she must protect at all costs.  She even has to keep her phenomenal musical gift hidden, for fear of her family's safety. 

But can she keep her secret when she's pulled into the mystery surrounding the Prince's death, when she realises that the humans and dragons could be on the verge of war once again?

When she begins to fall for someone when she knows to love would be to reveal what she truly is...?

I adore fantasy books - maybe 'cause I live in my own imaginary worlds much of the time.  And Seraphina was a prime example of a totally kickbutt-amazing fantastical novel.  It's one of those books that puts you under a spell and just doesn’t let you go.  And I loved that even though it was an epic fantasy with dragons, it had so much heart and love.  But even more, I loved that it was a murder mystery and not a journey over a desert that takes a whole freakin' book.  Plus: dragons.  How can you possibly say no?!

The characters were brilliantly done - from the leads to the minor characters, those in the royal court to the ones in Phina's head.  Phina was a brilliant heroine, so instantly loveable.  She was brave, kind, bold and clever, and so not a damsel in distress.  I loved how socially awkward she was: she was just the perfect heroine!  Oh, and I have to mention the garden in her head: it was her way of keeping her “ard”, internal balance, in harmony and was inhabited by avatars she called “grotesques” – I mean, how cool?!  I also loved Prince Lucian: he was so clever and intuitive and witty and ironic.  He was, as Phina said, “adorable” – and loving and cute and noble and, well, kinda perfect!  And the Princess Glissenda was another brilliant, brilliant character: she could have been a brat so easily, but she just wasn’t.  I loved Gliss and her hidden wisdom and “mother hen” fussing!  Oh, and I loved the strange Orma too: he was so marvellously odd!  And the minor characters were just as brilliant too, just as three-dimensional and padded-out.  I just loved how all the characters were portrayed - the prince and princess weren't bratty or spoilt in the slightest, the girls were all girl power, the love interest was sexy but not withdrawn or broody.  They were all just perfect!

I adored this writing: it was so beautiful, so lyrical.  I'll admit that it may be a little too tricky in places for younger readers to understand without assistance (some things I myself struggled with) but for me, personally, it didn’t take away from the beauty of the writing.  And the plot was admittedly a little slow in places, but nonetheless it was utterly addictive.  Hartman found the perfect balance between an exciting plot and not just throwing us in unaware, between keeping us informed and not overwhelming us with informative. I loved the murder-mystery side of the story and how everything kicked off towards the end - and how I couldn't guess the twists!  Maybe most of all, I loved all the emotions in this book, all the kinds of love.  How it was different from just YA romance, how the plot didn’t revolve around the romance side…  And there was more than just love-love, there was just so, so many different human emotions, some even felt by those who weren't even human...

And, man, this world rocked!  It was so rich, so vibrant, like I was really there.  Sure, it took a while to get the hang of, but isn't that so for all fantasies?  And all that really counted was how utterly amazing the dragon lore was.  And let me tell you: it was amazing!

I also couldn't help admiring the way Hartman drew parallels between the conflict of dragons and humans and the conflict between races in our past and present.  I know I'm probably reading too deeply into a kids book, but I can't help it: I just really liked the parallel and applaud Hartman for it – genius!

With magic, science, friendship, love, mystery, murder and dragons, Seraphina was one kickass fantasy book.  I loved it so much I couldn't put it down!  It just knocked my socks right off!  There was so much to love about the book and very, very little - next to nothing, really - to hate.  I can't wait for the next book - and not because there was some evil cliff-hanger!  My first YA book in ages to end without sendin' me crazy, yet leaving me yearning for more!  Yay to Rachel Hartman, and thank you for leaving me with my sanity!  I'll be eagerly anticipating Book Two!

Star Rating:
4¾ Out of 5

Read this book if you liked:

The Gathering Dark by Leigh Bardugo

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

The Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini
The Poison Diaries by Maryrose Wood

Challenges It's Taking Part In:

100 Books in a Year Reading Challenge 2012 (Hosted by Book Chick City)

Happy Reading

Megan

* This book was received from RandomHouse in exchange for an honest review

The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead

Series: Bloodlines, Book Two

Publisher: Razorbill

Format: ARC

Published: 12^th June 2012

Number of Pages: 432

Book: For Review*

Genre: Paranormal, Urban Fantasy, Romance, Supernatural, Magic, Action-Adventure, YA

Recommended Age: 12+

Contains: Swearing, Violence, Alcohol References

No Drug References

Author's Blog: Richelle Mead

Warning: Contains Spoilers From The Vampire Academy Series

Will love lose her everything she knows?

Sydney is an Alchemist.  She protects vampire secrets – and human lives.

In hiding at a Californian boarding school, Sydney’s life has become irrevocably intertwined with Jill Dragomir, the vampire Moroi princess she has been tasked with protecting.  She has grown close to those in Jill’s royal circle – and to someone in particular.  Someone that forces her to question everything the alchemists believe in.  Someone forbidden.

When a shocking secret threatens to tear the vampire world – her new world – apart, Sydney’s loyalties are tested more than ever.  Should she trust the alchemists – or her heart?

Forbidden temptation lies behind the iron gates…

                                                                   Review:

The Alchemists are a secret society.  Their goal is to protect humans from vampires.  Then to keep their existence from the public.  And then... well, it doesn't really matter.  All that matters is that vampires themselves are pretty low in the list of priorities.  And getting chummy with a vampire is enough to get you sent to the Alchemists' idea of a psychiatric unit, known as a Re-Education Centre, where any warm feelings towards vampires will be programmed right out of your system. 

Alchemist Sydney Sage is hidden at a private boarding school, charged with the task of keeping the young Moroi princess safe and hidden, for fear of a civil war among the vampires.  Should war break out, not only will Jill's life be at risk and used as a pawn to get to the vampire Queen, but the entire species and hidden world will be revealed to humanity - something the Alchemists simply cannot allow. 

So as Sydney is, in the Alchemist's eyes, far too close to her charges, can she manage to keep out of the Re-Education Centre, separate her duty and feelings - especially as a new threat is rising, one that will change everything?

Will Sydney go with her very logical head or her very conflicting heart?

Oh, how I have waited, longed and pined for this book!  It's been so long that I started to go into VA withdrawal (it's not pretty, trust me, what with the shakes, longing to get a promise tattoo on the back of my neck and the dreams about Dimitri and Adrian.  Though the last one isn't actually bad at all...).  And finally, FINALLY, it's here!  And along with it came insanely high expectations.  Good ol' Richelle Mead did not disappoint!  I was unable to put The Golden Lily down, laughing, heart all nice and fluttery whenever Adrian was there!  This series just gets better and better and better.  I'm not sure if I can find the words to describe how much I loved this book, or to explain how desperate, desperate, DESPERATE, for the next book I am!  How am I meant to it months and months and MONTHS?!

Sigh.  Back to the Adrian fantasies...

God, I have no idea how Richelle creates characters I love so much it actually hurts, but she does.  And ol’ Sydney is really growing on me – so much so I love her just as much as Rose and, this bit shocked me, I didn’t miss Rose at all!  I couldn’t believe it!  But Sydney is so awesome and I love her dry sense of humour and wit.  She’s ridiculously clever, but she’s so bad, and therefore very funny, in social situations!  But Sydney is protective and supportive and never lets anyone tell her what to do.  And Adrian, oh!  Just when I thought I couldn't possibly love Adrian any more: Bam!  Oh, how I love him!  Funny, witty, adorable, complex Adrian, with that irresistibly adorable protective streak!  He’s so strong, but has this vulnerable side that makes me wanna hug him and kiss him and tell him everything will be fine because he's perfect.  And, I've changed my mind: I am now Team Adrian!  I love Jill – she’s so cute and she kills me, with her hyperness, and rambling habit.  I love seeing how she’s grown and matured; she’s really starting to act like the princess she is.  Eddie: I love him!  He’s so dedicated and determined and protective and I hated seeing him in pain!  As for Angeline, the new addition, she killed me!  She wasn’t adjusting very well to life at school and her bonkersness just killed me; her wildness and cheekiness really made me laugh too!  And who can blame a girl for crushin’ on the lovely Eddie?  And YES, Dimka is here too, with his wonderful “Zen-Master Wisdom”! 

I just loved the interactions between the 'relatives'.  The story was very much about the family, their antics and bonding - and it was all so funny and cute and they all really did feel like a family.  But what was best by far was the bond between Adrian and Sydney.  I just loved how protective of one another they were – they both took care of each other and believed in one another when no one else did.  But with all that emotion and desire… how the heck has Sydney managed to keep her hands off him?!  If I met Adrian, a million Guardians couldn’t stop me!

Now, Richelle Mead is, quite frankly, one of my very favourite authors ever!  Her writing is utterly addictive, fast-paced and hilarious.  Her plots are action-packed and normally have unforeseeable and huge twists.  Her characters are so real and padded out and believable and utterly loveable.  She has a way of writing that has me hooked start to finish and leaves me going insane for more.  And this world: man, I love it; I wish I could move there! And, again, I love the inside-Alchemist-look: I love knowing more about why they're how they are.  And with a new paranormal being, this world got a zillion times more amazing that it already was (pure awesomeness incarnate), making it infinitely amazing!  And as for the other new secret thing... can't wait to see where that one goes! 

Magical, awesome, addictive and action packed, The Golden Lily just raised the barrier paranormal books will be judged by a million, squillion, zillion metres.  It exceeded all my expectations and made me fall head over heels in love - again.  I swear, this series just keeps getting better and better.  I wouldn't be lying by saying I could read it forever and ever.  I read this book as fast as I possibly could, but didn't ever want it to end.  I stayed up till the wee hours to devour it, and was desperate for more the moment I set it back down.  Word of warning: don't pick this series up if you have stuff to do or want to sleep or something.  You won’t be able to stop reading.  But seriously, if you haven't read this series, please, please, PLEASE pick it up right now!  It's the most amazing set of books ever and I can't begin to find the words for how utterly incredible The Golden Lily was or how much I loved it. 

All I know is I'm desperate for more Adrian, to jump right back into the world.  Urgh, why did I read it now?!  I have to wait a year for the next book!  So, Ms Mead, I must tell you I am now in the middle of a totally legitimate medical emergency.  VAA.  Vampire Academy Addiction.  So, please, give me more - STAT!  Especially of that last chapter...  But please, before I go into withdrawal!

Star Rating:
5 Out of 5

Read this book if you liked:

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

The Gathering Dark by Leigh Bardugo

The Drake Chronicles by Alyxandra Harvey

Challenges It's Taking Part In:

100 Books in a Year Reading Challenge 2012 (Hosted by Book Chick City)

Happy Reading

Megan

* This book was received from Penguin in exchange for an honest review

Waiting on Wednesday (#35)

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, and it's a weekly meme all about the books that are coming out soon that we really can't wait to read.

Well, I've not done and WoW for... well, ages!  But, after reading The Golden Lily, I simply had to do an WoW for the next in the series! So here it is...

The Indigo Spell

Series: Bloodlines, Book Three

By: Richelle Mead

Published: 12th February 2012

Published By: Puffin

Found: Goodreads

Synopsis From Goodreads...

Ooh, actually, I don't know if I should actually show this... It might ruin Bloodlines and The Golden Lily...  So if you want to read the synopsis, head over to the Goodreads page.  :)

But anyway, let me just say SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE and then you'll get how exciting it is!!  I actually cannot wait for this book!  Like, insanely desperate for it!  I need it!!  

And this cover, with Adrian and Sydney and... again, maybe spoiler alert...  But isn't, let's call him X, X's tattoo just so awesome it's untrue?!  And, sigh, Adrian.  Yum.  I love Adrian.  

But back to the cover, how gorgeous is it?!  And it's blue!  And it's got Spell in the title!!  I actually think I might explode from excitedness and my desperation to get my hands on it!  

Ok, I'm gonna stop now.  I think I've bombarded you all with enough of my insanity.  So I'll be off now.  

Before I go though, SQUUUEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!  :D :D :D

Eh-hem...  Anyways...  What're you waiting for today? :)