Book Review: The Indigo Spell by Richelle Mead

Title: The Indigo Spell (Bloodlines #3)
Author: Richelle Mead
Publisher: Razorbill
Release Date: 12th Febuary 2013
Read In: Febuary 2013

Goodreads - Amazon.co.uk/.com - Book Depository

In the aftermath of a forbidden moment that rocked Sydney to her core, she finds herself struggling to draw the line between her Alchemist teachings and what her heart is urging her to do. Then she meets alluring, rebellious Marcus Finch--a former Alchemist who escaped against all odds, and is now on the run. Marcus wants to teach Sydney the secrets he claims the Alchemists are hiding from her. But as he pushes her to rebel against the people who raised her, Sydney finds that breaking free is harder than she thought. There is an old and mysterious magic rooted deeply within her. And as she searches for an evil magic user targeting powerful young witches, she realizes that her only hope is to embrace her magical blood--or else she might be next.
Populated with new faces as well as familiar ones, the Bloodlines series explores all the friendship, romance, battles, and betrayals that made the #1 New York Times bestselling Vampire Academy series so addictive—this time in a part-vampire, part-human setting where the stakes are even higher and everyone’s out for blood.

This is a review for the third book in the series and therefore it may contain spoilers for Bloodlines and The Golden Lily.

I cannot believe that it has been three and a half year since I picked up Vampire Academy. Here I am, eight books into the world, and I am still in love with it. The Indigo Spell is a brilliant new edition to the world of Moroi, Strigoi, Alchemists and more.

‘If I keep loving you, maybe you’ll eventually crack and love me too. 
It was ludicrous, you couldn’t make someone love you just by loving them. It didn’t matter how charming he was, how good looking, or how funny. An Alchemist and a Moroi could never be together. It was impossible. 
I’m pretty sure you’re already half in love with me.
Very impossible.’

There are two, not one, but two problems that Sydney has to deal with; one with Marcus, the other with Miss Terwiliger’s magic classes. I really enjoyed how the two were blended together. Although how Sydney manages to keep up with her homework I have no idea. It was pretty full on. I just had to keep reading. It is very hard to say anything about the plot without ruining it. You know how it is. Let’s say with the two problems, the tension is upped as is the threat, not just to Jill but, of course, to Sydney herself. This series is definitely heading in a direction I didn’t expect.

I didn’t know how I would feel about Sydney’s developing magical powers at first but it kicked it up a notch in this one. It just seemed to fit with Sydney slowly breaking away from the Alchemists. She gets to learn some pretty impressive stuff. I am wondering where this will lead.

When the Bloodlines series was announced, and that Sydney and Adrian were the leads, my first reaction was, “Oh God. How does that work?” I could not see them together. They are totally different people. Now we are on to book three, and oh boy has Sydney changed. Her view of the world, of other people and how she acts had gradually changed, especially in this one. Talk about challenging beliefs. Adrian has also changed, even if it is not so dramatic. He has matured, that, I feel, is the main thing. He wants different things with Sydney than he did with Rose. You can see that more clearly. I would call it healthier, even if the situation is not so healthy. Sydney and Adrian are now perfect together. I loved reading more about them. After the ending in The Golden Lily, we definitely needed more in this book. Things will never be the same. Each scene together made me smile.

There is no love triangle. I know there were rumours going around but let’s be fair there wasn’t any evidence that a love triangle would occur between Sydney and Marcus. Just guess work based on prior stereotypical YA experience. I would like to thank Richelle Mead for not going down this root. A love triangle wouldn’t have worked. We already have too much of an emotional rollercoaster ride with Sydney and Adrian. But Marcus still has a good part to play. His ideas and beliefs intrigue me rather than him as a person. Looking forward to seeing the part he plays next.

Unfortunately, I am still not as captivated with the whole Jill, Eddie, Angeline drama as I would like. Unlike Christian and Lissa in the Vampire Academy, I am not falling in love with any of the possible couples yet. With everything else going on with Sydney, it feels really side-lined and a tad unnecessary. I am really hoping it builds in the second half of the series.

Richelle Mead is famous for her book three endings. I am not sure this goes up there with the dramatic or heart-wrenching factor. Not in the way I am use to anyway. Oh, it was heart-wrenching but for a different reason to what I expected. Vague, I know. The last two pages however. Let’s just say I swore and couldn’t stop laughing with agony that I have to wait until the end of the year for the next book. Definitely the best cliff-hanger, of the series, so far.

Heart-wrenching, captivating, this is Richelle Mead. I cannot wait to see where this series is heading. Yes, it is still somewhat unclear. An excellent addition. I love it.

 Becky

Book Review: Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan

Title: Unspoken (The Lynburn Legacy #1)
Author: Sarah Rees Brennan
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Release Date: 13th September 2013
Read In: February 2013

Goodreads - Amazon.co.uk/.com - Book Depository

Kami Glass is in love with someone she's never met - a boy the rest of the world is convinced is imaginary. This has made her an outsider in the sleepy English town of Sorry-in-the-Vale, but she doesn't complain. She runs the school newspaper and keeps to herself for the most part - until disturbing events begin to happen. There has been screaming in the woods and the dark, abandoned manor on the hill overlooking the town has lit up for the first time in 10 years. The Lynburn family, who ruled the town a generation ago and who all left without warning, have returned. As Kami starts to investigate for the paper, she finds out that the town she has loved all her life is hiding a multitude of secrets- and a murderer- and the key to it all just might be the boy in her head. The boy who everyone thought was imaginary may be real...and he may be dangerous.

There were elements that I did like, especially where they were non-stereotypical YA. However I struggled to get into the story.

‘Kami had been hearing a voice in her head all her life. When she was eight, people had thought it was cute that she had an imaginary friend. It was very different now that she was seventeen. Kami was accustomed to people thinking she was crazy.’

The relationship between Kami and Jared is complex; having known each other all their lives but not actually believing the other was real. To suddenly discover that they are real, that would mess with your mind. They know each other and yet they don’t know each other. I liked watching their relationship develop.

What are the Lynburns? What is their past? What made this book more interesting is not even Jared, the male lead, knows what is going on. Normally the male leads are the ones with all the answers. It was nice both of them discovering things together. Especially since Jared is a Lynburn.

Unspoken has two diversions from the typical YA I read. One, it is set in England rather than America. I picked up the book waiting to discover what area of American it will be set only to find is based in a fictional English town. I was pleasantly surprised. Not only is Unspoken set in England but it is set in the Cotswolds, a quaint, typical English countryside. While I grew up in the south east, close to London, my family originated from these areas. While I am not the sort that enjoys visiting small villages in the middle of nowhere, I have frequently been to Bath and occasionally Gloucester. Getting back to my roots. I liked this change in setting. Very rarely do I read a book set in England and normally they are set in London. 

Secondly, the main character, Kami, is of Asian descent. Asian and other characters of foreign descent are slowly becoming more common place in YA but normally they are secondary. To have the main heroine as Asian is definitely a nice change. There is even a picture of an Asian model on the UK cover.

Unfortunately, while there were parts I liked, there were parts I couldn’t get into. I struggled sometimes to get inside the head of Kami. I think this was partially due to the way it was written. It is written in third person but quiet distantly. We don’t get much of her thoughts which I would have preferred. Just thoughts aimed at Jared. Scenes that involve people getting hurt felt a bit distant as well. Kami and some of the other character felt a bit too so-so about certain situations. Someone tries to her kill her friend. This is a big deal. Doesn't feel like it.

Another thing I struggled with was getting absorbed in the story. While I found the mystery somewhat interesting, the plot jumps around. While this could be considered fast paced, I felt it was too fast. A new scene would crop up and I wasn’t sure how if flowed with the previous one. I kept losing my sense of what was happening. 

While I felt this book had great potential it unfortunately didn’t cut it for me. Unable to connect with the characters or plot, I struggled especially towards the end. I wanted to like it but I couldn’t. It was ok overall. 

Becky

Book Review: Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

Title: Scarlet (The Lunar Chronicles #2)
Author: Marissa Meyer
Publisher: Puffin
Release Date: 7th February 2013
Read In: February 2013

Goodreads - Amazon.co.uk/.com - Book Depository

This is not the fairytale you remember.
But it’s one you won’t forget.
Scarlet Benoit’s grandmother is missing. The police have closed her case. The only person Scarlet can turn to is Wolf, a street fighter she does not trust, but they are drawn to each other.
Meanwhile, in New Beijing, Cinder will become the Commonwealth’s most wanted fugitive – when she breaks out of prison to stay one step ahead of vicious Queen Levana.
As Scarlet and Wolf expose one mystery, they encounter Cinder and a new one unravels. Together they must challenge the evil queen, who will stop at nothing to make Prince Kai her husband, her king, her prisoner ...

This is a review of the second book in the series and there may be spoilers for Cinder, book one. You can check out my review for Cinder here!

  Recently I have felt slightly disappointed with the books I have picked up. I enjoyed them but I didn’t seem to be sucked in. I needed Scarlet. I needed a book which shows me, after a busy month, how much fun kicking back with an amazing book can be. Scarlet is an amazing book.

‘”Are you sure you don’t want the tomatoes? They’re the best part and they were grown in my own garden …” 
Some of the intensity drained from the fighter’s face. “I’ve never tried them.” 
Scarlet arched an eyebrow, “Never?” 
After a hesitant moment, he released his drinking glass and picked up the two slices of tomato … “Not what I expected.”'

I love books that grab you from the first chapter and does not let up. No “everything seems to be calmer now, let’s wait for the next person to end up dead”. Oh no, none of that here; constant action from the start. Answers lead to more questions, new challenges. I was kept on my toes the entire time. I would have read this book in one sitting if it were not for a postponed exam I had to revise for. Blasted weather. There was plot twist after plot twist, minor ones to major ones. There may even been a red herring, or maybe I was looking too much into it. It happens when you are constantly thinking, “What next, what next?”

One of the things I was most worried about when I read the summary for Scarlet, after finishing Cinder, was that all the focus would be on Scarlet’s story and Cinder’s would just be something happening in the background. I was genuinely worried. Thank heavens. It isn’t like that. We get Cinder’s point of view, quiet frequently actually. And it starts off just where Cinder ended. I loved finding how Cinder develops as a person and into her new lunar powers.

Having gotten to know and love Cinder’s character in book one, it was definitely a risky move to introduce a brand new heroine into book two. I didn’t know if I was going to be able to connect with Scarlet because she was not Cinder. Don’t worry. Scarlet is different to Cinder but I easily fell in love with her just as I did with Cinder in the beginning. I wanted to know her story just as much as Cinder’s. There was no point in the book where the chapter switched points of view and I was disappointed; maybe only when there was agonising cliff-hanger.

Reading both Scarlet’s and Cinder’s story together gave Scarlet an added layer of depth that book one didn’t have. I love how the slow development of understanding of how they are connected. This is Marissa Meyer, of course there has to be slow but delicious torture.

Out of all the new characters introduced in Scarlet, the one that most intrigued me was Wolf. Who is he? What is his past? Whose side is he on? Plus, he has the bad boy sex appeal hands down. The book only takes place over a short period of time, a very short period of time. It isn’t very long for Scarlet and Wolf’s relationship to grow. But hell they go through a lot and Scarlet isn’t what I would call a stereotypical love struck teenager. I was intrigued all the way though by both Wolf and his relationship with Scarlet.

While with Cinder I thought it was may have been a bit predictable in places (I still loved it), Scarlet kicks it up another level. I love this book too. I can easily see this becoming a favourite series of mine; if it isn’t already (I need to leave a bit of time first). Bring on Cress.

Becky

Book Review: Slammed (Slammed #1) by Colleen Hoover

Title: Slammed (Slammed #1)
Author: Colleen Hoover
Publisher: Atria Books
Release Date: 18th September 2012
Read In: Janruary 2013

Goodreads - Amazon.co.uk/.com - Book Depository

*This is a review from the Netgalley. Quote from Netgalley*

Falling in love can feel like poetry. Or it can feel like a slam to the heart.
Colleen Hoover’s romantic, emotion-packed debut novel unforgettably captures all the magic and confusion of first love, as two young people forge an unlikely bond before discovering that fate has other plans for them.
Following the unexpected death of her father, eighteen-year-old Layken becomes the rock for both her mother and younger brother. She appears resilient and tenacious, but inside, she's losing hope. Then she meets her new neighbor Will, a handsome twenty-one-year-old whose mere presence leaves her flustered and whose passion for poetry slams thrills her.
Not long after a heart-stopping first date during which each recognizes something profound and familiar in the other, they are slammed to the core when a shocking discovery brings their new relationship to a sudden halt. Daily interactions become impossibly painful as they struggle to find a balance between the feelings that pull them together and the forces that tear them apart. Only through the poetry they share are they able to speak the truth that is in their hearts and imagine a future where love is cause for celebration, not regret.

For the first few chapters of this book I was murmuring, “no, oh, no, no, no. Don’t do this.” I had heard some really good things about this book but at the beginning it seemed like it was going to be another really rushed contemporary. I half forgot that blurb says that something will force them apart but they had only known each other a few days. Love at first sight alright.

When this shocking discovery happened, which was a shock because I didn’t even think of it, the fact that they had only known each other a few days went right out of the window. Back to “oh no, oh no, they were so cute together.” Maybe if they had a longer period of time together before hand it would have been more dramatic but from that moment on the story picked up and I breezed through. 

“And what’s a slam?” I ask.
“It’s poetry.” He smiles at me.
“It’s what I’m all about.”…
“Poetry, huh?” I say. “Do people write their own or do they recite if from other authors?” He leans back in the booth and looks up at the stage. I see the passion in his eyes when he talks about it. “People got up there and pour their hearts out just using their words and the movement of their bodies,” he says. “It’s amazing.”

This is one of those books that I ultimately find hard to review. I finished the book, put down my kindle and just stared at the wall. Why did I really enjoy this book? It was hard to put my finger on it for this review. Everything, from the characters to the plot, just worked together. I couldn’t stop reading. 

They only reason that I can say why I really enjoyed this book was the romantic tension between Will and Layken. When they were just getting to know each other, I thought it was moving a little fast. After the revelation, I was egging them on. I love Will especially, he is 21 and yet so mature. I loved discovering more about him, from the serious situations to his shenanigans in high school. Unfortunately I did not find Layken as intriguing but she complimented Will really well. Together they are amazing.

I am not a poetry person. I have never really thought of it as an enjoyable thing to read, just something I had to do in English class at school. As for slam poetry, I had never heard of it before reading this book. As a person who doesn’t read poetry, I think the slam poetry really fit. It was a novel way of getting to know the characters at a deeper level, to learn characters deeper emotions and backgrounds. Eddie (who is a girl) is your typical bubbly best friend and yet due to the slam poetry we get to know about her past more than best friends in other books without her having to sit down an tell us her life story. It was great fun.

Kel and Clauder, the younger brothers of Layken and Will respectively, stole the book for me. With everything serious and tense going on, you need this dynamic duo to come in and make you smile. When Kel says sentences backward, it is so adorable.

Everybody has been raving about this book and I can see why. While Slammed didn’t hit me on a deep emotional level, it made me smile and I couldn’t put it down.

Becky