BBW June 20: Robbie Hunter

Best friend to David Hartford in Kate Morton's The House At Riverton, Robbie certainly plays an influential role.  From war hero to renowned poet, in the eyes of the world.  And from intruder to confidante in the eyes of David's sister, Hannah.

Though not one for poetry, myself, I have to give Mr. Hunter his due.  When you have all of the poetically savvy people vying for attention that you disdain, there's something incredibly endearing about it.

BBW June 13: David Hartford

Young and brilliant, I've tried to find the best picture that was most authentic to David Hartford's era.

Brought before us in the beautiful descriptions of Kate Morton's debut novel, The House At Riverton, David Hartford is the elder brother of willful Hannah and eager-to-please Emmeline.  With the three Hartford children, there is a camaraderie that belies normal viewing.  With their minds full of adventure, the siblings each form a bond that is close and bound with endless loyalty.  And where it comes to David and Hannah, there's a level of trust and a history of adventures that makes the reader envious of their relationship.

Having gotten to know David as well I could, I can honestly say that he earned his place as BBW.  Loyal, adventurous, daring, and determined, he combines all of the best qualities of maturity with all the blessed recklessness of youth.  And you can't help but love him for it.

Book Boyfriend of the Week

So I'm premiering a little side-venture into this crazy and critical place.  Namely: Book Boyfriend of the Week (also referred to as BBW).  This is where we will choose a sexy, snarky, enigmatic, or just plain entertaining fictional character (not limited to only books despite the title) to star as the BBW.

There is a page for this occurrence, and there will be links to follow.  So stick around to drool over pics and learn about some new fictional studs.

Book Review: War by Jennifer Anne Davis

War by Jennifer Anne Davis

Clean Teen Publishing © 2014

Book Three of the True Reign Series

Paperback Edition

Fantasy

Reviewed by Leah

War on Amazon

Okay, everyone stop what you're doing right now and look at that absolutely gorgeous cover!  I'm serious, you can just stare at it this whole time and not read the review, and I wouldn't even blame you.

Being that this is a review, however, perhaps it's time for me to move on…

I feel some backstory is needed here, since my other two reviews for these books were done on GoodReads before this site existed.  Therefore, I shall allow you a glimpse into what you may/not have missed in the first two books.

In The Key we were introduced to two narrators: Rema, a simple horse merchant's niece, and Prince Darmik, Commander of the King's Army.  Thanks to a chance encounter and the watchful eyes of Darmik's spiteful older brother, Prince Lennek, their worlds are turned around in a single instant.  Leaving them both battling against a tyrannical King and heir when their lives are held so thoroughly in their grasp.

Also, watch out for that cliff at the end.  It'll leave you hanging.

Red picks up from the very last second that The Key left off.  Which is a good thing for everyone all around (and especially the author whom everyone wanted to beat to death after The Key's ending).

Immediately, we are taken through a hectic skirmish and frantic chase as Darmik succeeds in baiting the Rebels and forced to face a heartbreaking truth: Rema is exactly who he suspected her to be.  It is a blow he cannot bear, but it clears his head as equally as it confuses him.  Could she not be both the woman he'd come to care for, and the woman who could be the rightful Queen?  Or was this simply a game to her, and he a pawn?

For Rema, the answer is simple, for she is a simple merchant's niece.  Harbored safely in a fortress amongst the mountains, she lives and trains with the Rebel forces, uncertain but grateful as to her rescue.  It isn't until Darmik reveals her true history to her that she knows her own legacy.  And in her stubborn heart, she knows she will not retreat from this position.  And she will do whatever it takes to see her people free of tyranny and injustice.

Now, if only there weren't an Emperion assassin hunting for her…

Summary for War:

Queen Amer Rema of Greenwood Island is now facing her most horrific death sentence yet: being beheaded before the Emperor.  Yet, she takes the news with calm grace when the words leave the assassin's lips as they travel aboard a ship destined for Emperion.  With her first sight of open ocean available to her, she refuses to waste the moment worrying about something that would likely never come to pass.  After all, she'd faced an execution once and lived to tell of it.

Prince Darmik is far more frantic as he gives chase in a commandeered Emperion military vessel.  The very same one that Captain arrived on, but did not leave by.  Hoping to catch the merchant vessel, but planning for more likely scenarios, Darmik and his friends have only one thing to rely on when it comes to reaching Emperion: Darmik's relationship to Emperor Hamen.  He hopes it might guarantee his safety and that of his friends, but he's never had much luck with family before.

The plan is simple: rescue Rema from her second execution and return to Greenwood Island where they might finally end the tyranny wrought by King Barjon and his eldest son, Prince Lennek.  If only things could be that easy…

Review:

I'm throwing the formula out the window here and going with my gut (as I have for the other two books in this series).

I squeed, I eeked, and I awed my way through this book.  Lots of hands covering face, bouncing in place, and giggling to myself.  (Audek, you know what I'm talking about…)  Overall, an enjoyable and lovely read.

Yesterday, I picked this book up round five o'clock.  I read over two hundred pages by the time my boyfriend picked me up.  Today, I have finished the entire novel.  That's two whole sittings that I was able to enjoy this wonderful fantasy world and I reveled in every moment of it.  This is what I keep spouting about the writing: it is beautiful, captivating, and keeps you turning pages.  No matter the content, Jennifer Anne Davis will keep you locked firmly in place until the story is told.

As far as the plot is concerned, it goes a bit something like this:

Rema is on a ship headed to Emperion so that the Emperor can see her personally beheaded.  This is the first time the assassin, previously known as Captain but named Nathenek, has ever had to spend copious amounts of time with his assignment.  So what do they do to pass the time?  He trains her.  While showing her maneuvers that would knock down a man many times her size, to throwing a knife with deadly accuracy.  All with the silken reminder that, should she try anything, there would be no stopping him from fulfilling his mission.

Perhaps my favorite part, and the reason my respect for Rema has grown tenfold in the course of this story, is that she never stops planning to escape.  She doesn't know a rescue party has been sent for her.  As far as she is concerned, it is her job to escape her assassin before her execution and return to Greenwood Island to reclaim her throne.  Despite Nathenek's warnings, she plots and plans.  Even when the reader becomes aware that Nathenek's motives have shifted, it is apparent to Rema that he's still an assassin hired to kill her.  And she tries to get away.

The reason I am so proud of this fact is simple: most heroines don't do that.  They sit back and begin to trust someone so very clearly dangerous and equally out to get them.  Lots of heroines act less like a hero than a damsel in distress.  Rema clearly does not.  She has all the compassion and gentleness of a DiD, but the backbone of Hercules.  And a willingness to survive that overrules all else.  And that is why she surpassed most of the females I've read about recently.

However, in the long series of 'who is this week's book boyfriend' I really have to choose Nathenek.  Though Darmik was his usual heroic self, he's never been my type.  Neco, fantastic as he is, could never be with anyone but Ellie.  Savenek, with his loyalty and courage could make any heart ache.  However, Nathenek is cool-headed, unapologetic, loyal, clever, and just.  He doesn't speak often and gives no explanations or excuses for his actions.  And he is now an absolute beast in my mind.  A very attractive one…

As far as the Emperor goes, he was actually exactly how I had imagined him.  Cold and ruthless.  And I couldn't blame him.  Given his motives--the legitimacy of his throne and the threat of an usurpation--I could easily see how eliminating Rema was his most desirable course of action.  As a leader and paranoid Emperor, he was entirely believable.

This is a very complete ending to the True Reign Series and I am happy with the conclusion.  It is an ending not without sacrifice, but nor is it without some form of peace and even joy.  I highly recommend it to all those who love a story where love conquers all.

Book Review: Red by Jennifer Anne Davis

Red by Jennifer Anne Davis

Clean Teen Publishing © 2014

Book Two in the True Reign Series

Paperback

Fantasy

Reviewed by Leah

Red on Amazon

*Note: this review copy/pasted from GoodReads.*

As per usual, I found something I didn't like about the book.  Unlike usual, it was so inconsequential that it barely deserves a mention.

Red was a far different animal from its predecessor.  In a very good way.  There was so much depth to the characters and the writing was still as engaging and page-turning as before.  It brought everything into a much more dramatic light.

The one thing I really feel the need to say though, is that I connected more with the supporting cast.  Though Rema and Darmik both overcome much and grow into the people they need to be--for the most part--I still feel like the best development occurred in the lower levels.

Especially when it came to Savenek.  Maybe I'm just reading more into him than anyone else because he seriously suffers from a case of literary bi-polar disorder, but he seemed to be the most complicated person in the entire book.  And I loved him for it.  He's focused yet confused, brilliant yet a total idiot, hotheaded and overdramatic…  His addition to the story was invaluable.  Well … mostly.

*SPOILER ALERT!*

I really could have done without him being in love with Rema.  That added basically nothing to the plot and just turned his dangerous wolf image into a kicked chihuahua sideshow (including all the feral ankle-biting).  His attitude would have been just as easily portrayed, I think, just from knowing who Darmik was.  And there was NO clear reason why he went from cold-shouldered to Mr. Nice Guy in .3 seconds towards Rema.  I really would have preferred that to be left out.  But I digress…

Of course, of all the characters, I think my favorite will always be Neco.  There's something about his personality, even though he doesn't say much, that just exudes this cool, smooth exterior.  It's the kind of aura where you just know he's tactically brilliant, skilled, and deadly dangerous.  All with this sexy little smirk on his face because his wit is even more entrancing.  And because Ellie is in his life, I DEMAND they get a happy ending because they both really deserve it!

There were, of course, other characters who stole my heart a couple of times, but I digress.  Rest assured, the ability to get to know them all was well worth sacrificing sleep over.

Now onto the plot:

It is exactly what you would expect from the blurb.  The ante is up and things have gotten a lot more dangerous.  Though, at times, the pacing of the book doesn't seem to convey this, the writing makes it awfully clear that there is very much to lose by the end of this.  I wish I'd felt more of this, but at the same time, I'm glad that I didn't.  Because for me to feel more, it would have required Darmik to feel more.  But some things are more precious than others, and I certainly felt THAT when it came time for him to make his decisions.

To be honest, there are not a lot of curve balls here--if any.  From the blurb, it was obvious how things would play out.  This book just describes how the characters reacted to those foreseen circumstances.  That's not a bad thing.  It did it's job with skill and imagery.  Just as you would expect.

There really was only one thing about the entire book that irritated me to absolutely no end.  If you really want to see my reaction, click the spoiler tab.  You are forewarned: it IS a spoiler.

*SPOILER ALERT!*

Darmik.  Rema.  I get it.  You're in love.  You haven't totally been able to trust each other…  You've had your differences.  I love that you made up and are moving on.  But please … for crying out loud… HAVE SOME DISCRETION!!  Making out in somewhat privacy: okay, I get it.  You didn't think you'd be interrupted.  However...  NEARLY HAVING SEX IN AN ALMOST-PUBLIC LOCATION IS NOT OKAY!  Especially when her bedroom is only a few feet away!  My goodness, you would think she was in heat the way you two are preparing to jump each other every five minutes you have alone together.  Can I get some focus here?  You know, overthrowing kingdom plot in the works and all…  No?  Then can you PLEASE not do that in the sitting room where people can--AND DO--walk in at any time?!  I feel like wringing both your necks right now.  End rant.

There's not much else to say.  The writing was engaging and entrancing, just as I've come to expect, and kept me flipping pages all night long.  (Where I then may or may not have yelled at the author for leaving me, once again, with a torturous cliffhanger…)

This book is definitely a much greater follow-up to "The Key", in my opinion.  Now I just have to wait for the third installment…  Oi

Book Review: The Wall by Lauren Nicolle Taylor

The Wall by Lauren Nicolle Taylor

Clean Teen Publishing © 2013

Book 2 in The Woodlands Series

Kindle Edition

Dystopian

Reviewed by Leah

The Wall on Amazon

First of all, I am going to shamelessly endorse the first book in this series, The Woodlands, and urge everyone to go read that wonderful story.  Then be prepared to have this little beast very close by.

Secondly, I have to give major props to any book series for one thing, and one thing only: the relationship built between the reader and the main character.  For stand-alones, you must make the MC immediately relatable, because their entire story encompasses three hundred pages.  Yet, in the terms of a series, you have so much longer to know a being, watch their growth, experience their heartache as well as their triumphs.  Each book provokes a feeling of friendship and the budding kinship between two worlds.  That, above everything else, is why I will almost never say no to a series when it is offered to me.  And this book helped me to see the truth of it.

Summary:

With Joseph still unconscious, Rosa is facing the one obstacle she never thought would really be hers: being a parent.  With a newborn in constant need of feeding, changing, and affection, it all becomes her responsibility.  She even has the power to give him a name.

It is a new role for her.  Fitting enough for the new world she has entered into.  With the quick rescue of their dysfunctional family, the Survivors have revealed their existence to The Woodlands troops and are now in just as much danger.  Yet, Rosa fears there is a price for their aid.

Once fully enfolded into the community behind The Wall, however, Rosa begins to realize what it means to have a home and a family.  In the back of her mind, however, the memories linger and something else whispers warnings against getting too comfortable.

When one of the Survivors' best kept secrets causes a trauma like no other, the image is shattered.  In the broken shards, Rosa pieces together what fragments she can and makes the hardest decision of her life.  One that could tear apart the tenuous relationships she has, and destroy the family she so recently formed.

A decision like this depends on what's right and wrong.  In times like these, Rosa can barely tell the difference.

Initial Thoughts:

Jumping right into this one shortly after reading "The Woodlands" I thought I knew what to expect.  I was wrong.  For one brief, heart-stopping moment I even thought the author would commit the ultimate violation of adding a love triangle.  It turned out to be something far more dangerous and way less inviting.  Which made me LOVE HER!  And Rosa.  My goodness, I don't think I've ever quite connected with a character so fully as I have done with Rosa.  And it makes me feel so good.

Though, again, since this was an e-book, I found that I was not to be primarily invested in this one bit of reading material and actually finished two (or three) other paperbacks prior to reaching the end of "The Wall".  That says nothing for the story, however, as I have loved this novel from beginning to end, and the message it sends about empowerment of self is truly victorious.

Characters:

Rosa lives up to her tough as nails, but with a heart that melts like butter, usual self.  She's tough when she needs to be.  Fierce when it calls for it.  And tender and vulnerable when she leasts expects it.  All traits of a very realistic and relatable heroine.  Nothing more could be asked of her.

I feel like I can't go into detail about anyone else here without giving away spoilers.  Rest assured, however, that they all feel like real people.  Even the most minor characters have some sense of personality surrounding them.  And the not-so-minor ones can sometimes get right in your face.  Wonderful cast on this one!

Plot & Setting:

Well, in my last review, I stated that the beautiful and steady world building would easily continue into this book.  I was not disappointed.  From secret tunnels to a patched-together town, it was all painted easily and without excessive description to bog it down.

Considering plot, however, I'm sort-of confused as to which plot to take into account.  For, you see, it does not seem so much as if this book was placed on a real plot arc where everything had a beginning, rising action, climax, and falling action.  Being part of a series, I expected this.  However, it felt like I had a full plot arc for the first half of the book.  Then it took off on another half-finished plot.  In the end, you have more beginning, more rising, and you're just about to touch climax again by the time it cuts you off.  (OH!  CTP authors and their bloody cliffhangers!)

Really, if you don't mind a plot and a half in a book, this is one to really look for.  And the fact that the second half doesn't play out like a normal plot, that's what made it so refreshing to read.  It's not your normal dystopian.  Of course, this series has never been normal dystopia.  For that, I am beyond grateful.

Writing Style:

Lauren has mastered the art of coming up with lines so beautiful, they're printed on t-shirts.  (I actually mean that quite literally and will actually be looking to get myself one of said shirts.  Search her name, find her page, and think about getting yourselves a taste, mmkay?)

The writing flows so easily and comes straight from the mind of Rosa in first person.  Loving Rosa as I do, it can only because Lauren has transcribed her words so well for the rest of us.  Bless this woman!

Overall Opinion:

The Wall is filled with a lot of emotion and a great showcase of willpower.  In constantly questioning what is right and wrong in the ties of family, the struggle Rosa faces is relatable and heartbreaking.  Which leaves a powerful portrayal of desperation, strength, and a willingness to do what must be done.  No matter the cost.

Equally traumatic and daunting as its predecessor, The Wall is easily a read for those who don't mind being emotionally damaged by the end of this book.  The world of a dystopian is a violent and desperate place, and this novel does not down-grade that in any form.  This is why its realism is so poignant, and will have every reader reacting in some way to Rosa's strife.

A very fitting successor to The Woodlands.