Review: Anathema by Megg Jensen

Book: Anathema by Megg Jensen
Series:  Cloud Prophet Trilogy #1
Pages:  185
Genre:  Young Adult / Fantasy

Buy A Copy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Available Formats: Paperback & Ebook
Publication Date: February 5th, 2011

Publisher: Indie / DarkSide Publishing

How Did I Get This Book: From Author, For Review

First Line: “My fifteenth birthday. My greatest fear. Funny how my life as a slave made the two synonymous."

Preview Book: Read Chapter One

Description: Reychel is a slave girl surrounded by magic, lies and manipulation. Her best friend disappears in the middle of the night leaving Reychel to face her fifteenth birthday, the day her master burns his brand into the back of her bald head, alone. She's sheltered from the outside world and doesn't have any hope for escape, but when people desperate for freedom ask for her help can Reychel learn to believe in herself?

When I picked up Anathema, I wasn't really sure what to expect. The description doesn't go into too much detail about the storyline - all  I knew was that it was a fantasy story that dealt with a teenage girl who grew up as a slave. In retrospect, I am glad that the synopsis wasn't overly detailed. The storyline is absolutely full of twists and turns that keep readers guessing. I found myself constantly flipping pages - I was extremely eager to find out what was in store for Reychel.That being said, I don't want to go into too much detail about the plot, because I don't want to ruin the magic for you.

Reychel, the main protagonist, is a character that I loved... for the most part. She is one of those characters who chooses to see the best in people; she is kind to basically everyone, whether they deserve it or not. Most of the time, I found this quality endearing, but every once in a while I wanted her to show a bit of backbone. However, like all great characters, she shows development over the course of the book. She begins to stand up for herself and hopefully she will continue to in the following installments.

My largest qualm with Anathema (which really isn't that big of a issue) lies with the setting and descriptions. I was completely taken with what little descriptions we were given and I wish that Jensen would have taken things a further. You see, it's not that they are necessarily lacking; I just wanted to know more. Does that make sense? We are given an adequate amount of information - enough to make the story understandable and entertaining, but I would have loved to get a better, clearer picture of Reychel's world. I thought the world Jensen setup was fascinating and would have jumped at the opportunity to learn more. The book is relatively short (185 pages); I think there was plenty of room to sort of plump up the story - put a bit of meat on the bones of it, so to speak. The same thing goes for the minor characters. Every single character in the book was captivating, but I feel like I don't know them very well. Hopefully we will get a better handle of them in the upcoming books.

However, I cannot say that my issue with the descriptions is a major flaw; after all, I did enjoy what was written. Anathema has an amazing cast of characters and an exciting and initiative storyline. I would definitely classify it as a page-turner, I for one couldn't put it down.

 Favorite Quotes:

"Ivy held no claim over me," he said softly. "You, on the other hand, you claimed me from the moment I first saw you."

"Johna pushed through the crowd, jostling elbows and even stepping hard on one man's foot. He responded with a grunt, but Johna ignored him."

"I stood still, unable to move as he gently placed his lips on my forehead. The softness of his kiss left a deeper mark on me than Kandek's brand ever could have."

"Not caring who heard, I let loose a wail I left I'd been saving up my whole life. It traveled through my body, beginning in my lungs and spreading to the tips of my fingers and toes. I screamed until there was nothing left inside that hadn't been stripped raw."

"I had someone's arms to fall into and I wasn't going to wait one more moment to free him."

Review: The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

Book: The Goddess Test by Amiee Carter
Stand Alone or Series: Goddess Test #1
Pages:  304

Genre: Young Adult / Fantasy

Buy A Copy: Amazon | Book Depository

Available Formats: Ebook & Paperback 
Publication Date: April 26th, 2011

Publisher:  Harlequin Teen

How Did I Get This Book: From Netgalley for Review

First Line: “I spent my eighteenth birthday riving from New York City to Eden, Michigan, so my mother could die in the town where she was born."

Preview Book: Google Preview

Description: It's always been just Kate and her mom—and her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear her mother won't live past the fall.Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld—and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.
Kate is sure he's crazy—until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she'll become Henry's future bride, and a goddess.

 

Those of us who are familiar with Greek mythology, know that most of the stories involve the gods and goddesses doing what they want they want, no matter the consequences – especially when it comes to humans. I was really looking forward to a modern interpretation, because I thought it would  include a strong, independent heroine. Someone who wouldn’t take kindly to being pushed around, someone who would stand up for herself. Unfortunately, that is not the case with Kate.

Which, made her a very strange character to understand. She was strong enough to deal with what life handed to her, but she wasn’t strong or independent enough to carve her own path – or at least be upset (I  would be livid), that she wasn’t given to option to make her own choices.  I would have been a tad more upset than Kate when the truth finally comes out. I don’t think I would have handled that particular plot twist well. 

Kate is also a very kind character, she has a very giving nature. She spends most of her time and energy caring for others, rather than worrying about herself.

I liked Henry, but I don’t love Henry. At least not yet. He takes  long time to break out of his shell, so readers do not get a lot of time to warm up to him. Hopefully, in the second book he will show us a bit more that will inspire my full-fledged devotion.  He isn’t what I would normally associate with Hades, God of the Underworld, but that is what makes this book fun and unpredictable. In Henry, readers are introduced to the softer side of the infamous God.  While I liked seeing this sensitive side of him, I do wish we would have seen a bit more of his other, darker nature. I mean, we’ve all heard the myths, the gods and goddesses were not nice. Especially, Hades. I would have loved to see him freak out and actually do something. That would have made for a more interesting love story – Kate falling in love with the harsh, somewhat crazed God of the Underworld.

Despite these flaws with the characters, I did enjoy the Goddess Test. I am always down with Greek Mythology and I thought it was a cute story. I am hoping that in the sequel, Kate will begin to develop into her own character. I desperately want her to stand on her own two feet. 

The ending involved a rather large twist; which I can always appreciate. I love when you think you have everything all figured out and then the author throws you for a loop. On a final note, I wanted to clarify something for you guys - this not the story of Hades and Persephone, it’s the story of Hades after Persephone. That minor detail is definitely imperative to the storyline, especially how the character of Henry reacts towards Kate.

 Favorite Quotes

“She might’ve been smiling, but with the way she was leaning against him and clutching his arm, she might as well have peed on him. He was clearly marked territory.”

“He made me happy, and tonight of all nights, I didn’t want to be alone. Most of all, I didn’t want him to be either.”

“It’ll take more than a knife-wielding murderer to make me give you up.”

“There is no way they could make me forget you.” I said. “No matter what they do to me.”

 

Review: Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton

Book:  Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton
Series or Stand-Alone: Series, Angelfire #1

Pages: 464
Genre: Young Adult / Urban Fantasy

Purchase A Copy: Amazon | Book Depository 
Publication Date: February 15^th, 2011

How I Got This Book: ARC Tours at Dark Faerie Tales

Description (From Goodreads): This debut, the first novel in a trilogy, is achingly romantic, terrifying, and filled with blistering action.

When seventeen-year-old Ellie starts seeing reapers - monstrous creatures who devour humans and send their souls to Hell - she finds herself on the front lines of a supernatural war between archangels and the Fallen and faced with the possible destruction of her soul.

A mysterious boy named Will reveals she is the reincarnation of an ancient warrior, the only one capable of wielding swords of angelfire to fight the reapers, and he is an immortal sworn to protect her in battle. Now that Ellie's powers have been awakened, a powerful reaper called Bastian has come forward to challenge her. He has employed a fierce assassin to eliminate her - an assassin who has already killed her once.

While balancing her dwindling social life and reaper-hunting duties, she and Will discover Bastian is searching for a dormant creature believed to be a true soul reaper. Bastian plans to use this weapon to ignite the End of Days and to destroy Ellie's soul, ending her rebirth cycle forever. Now, she must face an army of Bastian's most frightening reapers, prevent the soul reaper from consuming her soul, and uncover the secrets of her past lives - including truths that may be too frightening to remember.

Good god almighty my friends, that was a book. I am going to warn you right now, this review is going to be a great big love fest. Words cannot express how much I enjoyed Angelfire, but believe me, I am going to try.

Let’s begin with the characters, shall we? With Ellie, Moulton creates a perfect mix of sugar and spice. She has a ton of zingers, but she has a HUGE heart. She is very protective of those she loves and is willing to do almost anything to keep them out of harm’s way. She is also a very strong character. She refuses to see things in black-and-white; she questions things and isn’t afraid to voice her opinions. Oh and kiddies; simply put – Ellie can kick some butt. She thinks she is a normal seventeen year-old girl, but she couldn’t be farther from the truth. She is actually a reincarnated reaper-killer/complete-badass. She can be killed, but her soul never dies. She has come back to earth countless times and always retains her powers and memories on her seventeenth birthday. This time around however, things go a little haywire. First of all, it took Ellie almost four decades to return and this time her memories don’t exactly come flooding back.

But fear not my pretties, because Will has her back. Oh, Will, you are so perfect. Will is Ellie’s guardian and has been for centuries. While he seems to fear human attachment and emotions, he is absolutely devoted to Ellie; he would do absolutely anything to keep her safe. Now, before you haters start pointing fingers about stalkers – let me explain. Will is NOT a creeper. He is not a super, super, old dude preying on a 17 year old girl. Will & Ellie have centuries of history together and it is his JOB to protect her. He isn’t some possessive creeper – he is in awe of Ellie and completely respects her and let’s her do her thing. Plus… he is a stone-cold fox and he is a Journey (yes, that FABULOUS band – don’t scoff, you know you love it) fan and plays the guitar. Oh, and don’t even get me started on their chemistry. I mean, these too are absolutely on FIRE. But, honestly, I think my favorite part of their relationship is that it is actually balanced. They have so much respect for each other and they really depend on one another. But, I think that Moulton is going to put that forbidden love stuff on thick and not let them actually be together until the very end. Although that makes me want to go scream into my pillow, my psychic powers are pointing me in that direction.

Now onto the plot. Can I just say, WOW. Moulton somehow managed to produce nearly 500 pages of brilliant and exciting straight up fabulousness (yes, that is now a word). The storyline is absolutely insane, in a completely spectacular way.  I mean, there are Angels, Demons, Reapers and all kinds of craziness tossed in there. And I bought into it 100%. So there is now a crazed dog/reaper thingy the size of a truck chasing our heroine? Okay! I’m down with that. Her writing is so descriptive and complete that you have no choice but to believe it. 

Plus, man, this woman is funny. Ellie’s internal (and external) dialog is full of wit and charm. There are some great one-liners peppered throughout the book, some of which come from Ellie’s various exchanges with her evil victims. These humorous remarks are reminiscent of cult classic Buffy the Vampire Slayer  - they have that same over the top edge. 

Honestly, I could go and on and on about Angelfire, but I am going to stop myself before I give something away. Let’s just say that you absolutely need to read this book – if you don’t I may have to stick Ellie on your butt. Believe me, you don’t want to get on the wrong side of her flaming swords. I am absolutely in awe of this book, Courtney Allison Moulton is certainly one to watch!

2011 Debut Author Challenge

Alright, so I am going to participate in the 2011 Debut Author Challenge hosted by Kristi at the Story Siren. I go into it late this year, but have already read a TON of books for it. It has been so much fun, that I have decided to do it again next year. I know that my list will definitely expand as time goes on, but here is what I have now :)

1. Across the Universe - Beth Revis [MY REVIEW]
2. Vesper: A Deviants Novel - Jeff Sampson
3. Darkness Becomes Her - Kelley Keaton [MY REVIEW]
4. The Demon Trapper's Daughter - Jana Oliver [MY REVIEW]
5. Angelfire - Courtney Allison Moulton [MY REVIEW]
6. A Touch Mortal - Leah Clifford
7. Wake Unto Me - Lisa Cach
8. Wither - Lauren DeStefano [MY REVIEW]
9. Clarity - Kim Harrington [MY REVIEW]
10. Blood Magic - Tessa Gratton 
11. Divergent - Veronica Roth [MY REVIEW]
12. Awaken - Katie Kacvinsky
13. Die For Me - Amy Plum
14. Touch of Frost - Jennifer Estep [MY REVIEW]
15. Anna Dressed in Blood - Kendare Blare
16. Born at Midnight - C.C. Hunter  [MY REVIEW]
17.The Soulkeepers by G.P. Ching [MY REVIEW]

Anyone have any suggests that they think I should add? I still have to look through Kristi's list of eligible books - these are just ones I had on my TBR List.