Review: Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo

Title: Siege and Storm
Author: Leigh Bardugo
Series: The Grisha, book #2
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
Publication Date: June 4, 2013
Source: ARC borrowed from Jen at YA Romantics, 2nd ARC received from publisher
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Darkness never dies.

Hunted across the True Sea, haunted by the lives she took on the Fold, Alina must try to make a life with Mal in an unfamiliar land, all while keeping her identity as the Sun Summoner a secret. But she can’t outrun her past or her destiny for long.

The Darkling has emerged from the Shadow Fold with a terrifying new power and a dangerous plan that will test the very boundaries of the natural world. With the help of a notorious privateer, Alina returns to the country she abandoned, determined to fight the forces gathering against Ravka. But as her power grows, Alina slips deeper into the Darkling’s game of forbidden magic, and farther away from Mal. Somehow, she will have to choose between her country, her power, and the love she always thought would guide her–or risk losing everything to the oncoming storm.

If I had my way, this is what my review would look like:

Or just lines and lines of this:  Jen + Sturmhond = ♥

I had heard all about this Sturmhond character prior to picking up Siege and Storm, and what I heard left me skeptical.  People were switching teams left and right to ship Alina and this guy.  But...but...but what about The Darkling?  After reading S&S, I'm almost like, "The Darkling, who?"  Oh, he's around...he's always around.  But it's definitely in a much different capacity than it was before.  And then in steps Sturmhond to set Alina on the right path, or at least, his preferred path for her.  ;0)

It's no secret that I wasn't a fan of Mal in Shadow and Bone.  I was all about the Darkling and his enticing, evil ways.  But in Siege and Storm, I found Mal even more obnoxious than before.  He never seemed concerned with what Alina was feeling or what she wanted, only ever thinking of himself and how things affected him.  Listen up, pal...this isn't The Mal Show.  Even still, if these two were better at communicating, I might see a future for them, but with all of the other attractive male counterparts involved, I'm doubtful.  Especially because Mal would like nothing more than for Alina to stop using her powers and live a simple life with him, even though it makes her weak and sick to do so.  Her gift makes her stronger, and I think he's intimidated by that, and ultimately, by her.

The Darkling on the other hand, wants Alina to use her powers.  However malevolent the Darkling may be, he believes he's doing what's right.  He wants Alina for himself, but he also wants her to help him with his heretofore nefarious plans.  There is a bond between Alina and the Darkling, one that is not easily severed or overlooked, and he's probably the only person who truly understands what Alina's enduring.  He was, afterall, the most powerful Grisha prior to the realization that Alina was the Sun Summoner.  The Darkling knows a little something about wielding an obscene amount of power.

tagged proof of highly
engaging banter

Sturmhond was -- and still is, if I'm being entirely honest -- a bit of an enigma.  As a privateer (read:  pirate, since it's very doubtful his actions were sanctioned by the king, *wink*), where do his loyalties really lie?  Will Alina ever be able to fully trust him?  Do we really care when he provides such swoon-worthy banter?  This character -- and he IS a character -- oozes personality and sophistication, and I still would have enjoyed the book without his inclusion, but oh, I enjoyed it so much more because of him.

Alina, for the most part, is just as tortured and confused as we left her in Shadow and Bone.  Maybe more so.  Especially after certain truths were discovered in the Istorii Sankt'ya, and she's left with some difficult decisions.  Her problem, though, is that she shoulders the burden all on her own.  Alina doesn't confide in Mal because she fears she might be losing her mind, which is even more reason to ask for help, but there it is.  And so Alina continues trying to prepare for a war that none of them are ready for, most especially her.

I love fantasy best because it's so unpredictable and magical and full of possibility.  I love the Grisha series so much because the writing encompasses everything I adore in a fantasy novel:  a realm unlike anything I've ever read, dialogue (especially the banter!) that keeps me entertained and makes me forget I'm even reading, and a quest that is at once impossible but also manageable...with the right comrades.  I simply can't get enough of this world and its characters...the wait for Ruin and Rising is going to be absolute torture!

High fantasy.  High stakes.  Highly entertaining.  And I highly recommend both Shadow and Bone (which just released in paperback) and Siege and Storm, which releases on June 4th.  And not just for lovers of fantasy...but for anyone who loves to be transported to a world where magic exists and the struggle between good and evil starts from within.

Rating:  


***Big, huge, monster-sized thanks to Jen at YA Romantics for letting me be the first to read her ARC.  I know what that must have meant to her, especially once I received my own ARC.  =)  But also, I wanted to say that it was fated that I should meet and fall for Sturmhond.  I mean, at one point, I had two times the Sturmy in my possession and I was so giddy with the power of it all.  Wonder if this is what Alina feels like with that amplifier on her neck...***

Some of that amusing banter I was telling you about:

     "The Darkling will hunt you for the rest of your days."
     "Well, then we'll have something in common, won't we?  Besides, I like to have powerful enemies.  Makes me feel important."

     "Next time you try something like that, I won't kick you,"  I said furiously.  "I'll cut you in half."
     He brushed a speck of lint from his trousers.  "Not sure that would be wise.  I'm afraid the people rather frown on regicide."
     "You're not king yet, Sobachka," I said sharply.  "So don't tempt me."
     "I don't see why you're so upset.  The crowd loved it."
     "I didn't love it."
     He raised a brow.  "You didn't hate it."

     "Excellent," said [Sturmhond].  "I've come to issue an invitation."
     "Is it to a ball?" asked Mal, snagging the remaining bit of roll from my plate.  "I do so hope it's to a ball."
     "While I'm sure you dance a magnificent waltz, no.  Boar have been spotted in the woods near Balakirev.  There's a hunt leaving tomorrow, and I'd like you to go."

     [Sturmhond] froze.  "I..."  For once, words seemed to have deserted him.  Then a crooked, embarrassed smile crept across his face.  It was a far cry from his usual self-assured grin.  "Thank you," he said.
     I sighed and we resumed our pace.  "You're going to be insufferable now, aren't you?"
     [Sturmhond] laughed.  "I'm already insufferable."

About the author:

Photo by Kevin Rolly

Leigh Bardugo was born in Jerusalem, grew up in Los Angeles, and graduated from Yale University. These days, she lives in Hollywood, where she indulges her fondness for glamour, ghouls, and costuming in her other life as makeup artist L.B. Benson. Occasionally, she can be heard singing with her band, Captain Automatic.

Her debut novel, Shadow & Bone (Holt Children’s/ Macmillan), is a New York Times Best Seller and the first book in the Grisha Trilogy. Book 2, Siege and Storm, will be published in 2013. She is represented by Joanna Stampfel-Volpe of New Leaf.

Find Leigh:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Pinterest | Tumblr

{Audiobook} Review: Flat-Out Love by Jessica Park

Title: Flat-Out Love
Author: Jessica Park
Series: Flat-Out Love, book #1
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Publication Date: November 17, 2012
Source: purchased audio
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible

To college freshman Julie Seagle the emotionally scrambled members of the Watkins family of Boston add up to something that ... well ... doesn't quite add up. Only the funny, gorgeous, smart oldest brother Finn is emotionally available--but only online? Not until Julie forces a buried secret to the surface, eliciting a dramatic confrontation that threatens to tear the fragile Watkins family apart, does she get her answer.

Since both of us listened to the audiobook concurrently, we're going to handle this review more like a discussion.  =)

Jen: So, after finally finishing the audiobook, what did you think of the book in general?

Mendy: It was great. Not the typical love story I’m used to. And the narrator was awesome; she embodied the character of Julie to a tee. What'd you think?

Jen: I loved the characters! Even Flat Finn, who wasn't technically breathing, became a character in his own right. Gawd, and I love what Celeste brought to the story.

Mendy: Flat Finn was great. I love their entire dysfunctional family. Very relatable -- of course, maybe not quite to that degree...lol.

Jen: Ah, the dysfunction! It was obvious from the beginning, I think, but then to find out how they got to that point. So sad.

What about that twist? Did you see it coming?

Mendy: I didn't. I had short-lived theories, but nothing I really leaned toward. I just couldn't imagine what was so serious that this entire family would go to such lengths to avoid talking about it. You knew all along, didn't you?

Jen: I did. And it was soooo hard not discussing it with you. Especially when I was finished and you were still taking your sweet time getting to the big reveal. I just knew something truly horrific had to have happened to those poor people for them to all react the way they did. And I was right. :)

So, did you like Julie? I loved that adorable banter between her and her mother at the beginning of the book. I would have loved to see more of that throughout the story. But I got some of the banter back with Matty and Julie, and that was kind of fun.

Mendy: Julie MADE the book. She was the sane one. Even Erin admitted that she was the foundation that held them together. Julie saw what the rest of them couldn't and she stepped in to help. I love her unique relationship with each of the other characters.

TBH, at the end I was a little annoyed with Julie and Matty's banter. I mean, really? You guys love each other and still act that way? Reminded me too much of the married couples I know, and their newfound love is just too fresh for all that.

Jen: Dude, I love banter. Keeps you on your toes. I did think that maybe their familiarity came back rather quickly when all was said and done, but they had some time to make up for, I guess. ;0) Think you'll read Flat-Out Matt? The novella from Matty's POV?

Mendy: Hmmm....not sure about that. I think I already know Matt's POV. What else is there to tell? And I kinda prefer the mystery in wondering what all the characters feel. Don't tell me. Just let me have my own feel for things, my own interpretation. What about you?

Jen: Yeah, I think I'm gonna try to read it this week while I have some down-time at work. Ha! She's also got another book -- Left Drowning -- coming out in July...I just got a copy for review. Think you'll read that one? *sings* I'll let you borrow my copy, if you want. :) It definitely sounds like your kind of book.

Mendy: Does sound interesting! Lemme borrow! :)

So, when all was said and done, how did we rate Flat-Out Love?

Jen:   -- mostly because I saw certain developments and found it a little predictable

Mendy:    -- I was pleasantly surprised by the turn the story took and found it quite engaging

Some of Our Favorite Quotes:

“Mom, I have to go. I think this Matt character is here.”
“Are you sure it's him?”
Julie peered into the car as the window lowered. “I see a maniacal-looking guy with brightly-colored candy in one hand, and he's waving a sickle in the other. Oh! He's beckoning me to the car. This must be my ride.”

“Julie swallowed. “Flat Finn is on Facebook?” She'd love to see those status updates: 'Got strapped to the roof of the car today for a trip to Starbucks. Would have loved to taste caramel mocha, but can't move arms and so was forced to stare longingly at delicious hot beverage. Will the taunting never end?'”

“He just wasn’t the guy, you know? I want the guy. The everything guy. Not the dumb Prince Charming, nauseatingly-perfect everything guy. That’s pathetic. I want the flaws-and-all everything guy.”

“I tell you that I like being this close to you and how you feel against me. But now even I'm hesitant. I'm afraid that when we hit the ground, this will be over. We'll land and this feeling between us will vanish. That you won't feel it any longer. I can't stand that thought.”

About the author:

Jessica Park is the author of the young adult novels FLAT-OUT LOVE and RELATIVELY FAMOUS; five Gourmet Girl mysteries (written as Jessica Conant-Park); and the e-shorts FACEBOOKING RICK SPRINGFIELD and WHAT THE KID SAYS (Parts 1 & 2).

Jessica grew up in the Boston area and attended Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota. After spending four years in the frigid north, including suffering through one memorable Halloween blizzard, Jessica hightailed it back to the east coast. She now lives in (relatively balmy) New Hampshire with her husband, son, bananas dog named Fritzy, and two selfish cats. When not writing, Jessica indulges her healthy addictions to Facebook, Rick Springfield, and super-sweet coffee beverages.

Find Jessica:

Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

{Excerpt} The Liberator by Victoria Scott + Giveaway

Eeek!  So, you guys know I had so much fun with The Collector and getting to attend the release party for the book.  And the fun continues!  As part of the V Mafia, I get to share an official excerpt for the sequel today!  And not only do I have an excerpt, but the V Mafia is also offering up a digital copy of The Collector, for those of you who haven't had the pleasure of making Dante's acquaintance yet.  =)

Title: The Liberator
Author: Victoria Scott
Series: Dante Walker, book #2
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Publication Date: August 27, 2013
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Bad boy, meet bad girl.

Dante has a shiny new cuff wrapped around his ankle, and he doesn't like that mess one bit. His new accessory comes straight from Big Guy himself and marks the former demon as a liberator. Despite his gritty past and bad boy ways, Dante Walker has been granted a second chance.

When Dante is given his first mission as a liberator to save the soul of seventeen-year-old Aspen, he knows he’s got this. But Aspen reminds him of the rebellious life he used to live and is making it difficult to resist sinful temptations. Though Dante is committed to living clean for his girlfriend Charlie, this dude’s been a playboy for far too long…and old demons die hard.

With Charlie becoming the girl she was never able to be pre-makeover and Aspen showing him how delicious it feels to embrace his inner beast, Dante will have to go somewhere he never thought he’d return to in order to accomplish the impossible: save the girl he’s been assigned to, and keep the girl he loves.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Are you swooning yet?  ;0)

Waiting on Wednesday: Champion by Marie Lu & The Beginning of Everything by Robyn Schneider

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's WoW selection's are...

Title: Champion
Author: Marie Lu
Series: Legend, 3rd & final book in the series
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Publication Date: November 5, 2013

He is a Legend.
She is a Prodigy.
Who will be Champion?

June and Day have sacrificed so much for the people of the Republic—and each other—and now their country is on the brink of a new existence. June is back in the good graces of the Republic, working within the government’s elite circles as Princeps Elect while Day has been assigned a high level military position. But neither could have predicted the circumstances that will reunite them once again. Just when a peace treaty is imminent, a plague outbreak causes panic in the Colonies, and war threatens the Republic’s border cities. This new strain of plague is deadlier than ever, and June is the only one who knows the key to her country’s defense. But saving the lives of thousands will mean asking the one she loves to give up everything he has. With heart-pounding action and suspense, Marie Lu’s bestselling trilogy draws to a stunning conclusion.

I love this series. So. Much.  And June and Day's story just gets more and more complicated.  But after that ending in Prodigy, I thought I would die, having to wait to find out what happens.  I think Marie Lu could have a very lucrative career in torture.  And then for the release date to be pushed back!  Gah! What are you doing to me?!?

The Legend series:

Title: The Beginning of Everything
Author: Robyn Schneider
Series: n/a
Publisher: Katherine Tegen
Publication Date: August 27, 2013

Golden boy Ezra Faulkner believes everyone has a tragedy waiting for them—a single encounter after which everything that really matters will happen. His particular tragedy waited until he was primed to lose it all: in one spectacular night, a reckless driver shatters Ezra’s knee, his athletic career, and his social life.

No longer a front-runner for Homecoming King, Ezra finds himself at the table of misfits, where he encounters new girl Cassidy Thorpe. Cassidy is unlike anyone Ezra’s ever met, achingly effortless, fiercely intelligent, and determined to bring Ezra along on her endless adventures.

But as Ezra dives into his new studies, new friendships, and new love, he learns that some people, like books, are easy to misread. And now he must consider: if one’s singular tragedy has already hit and everything after it has mattered quite a bit, what happens when more misfortune strikes?

Robyn Schneider’s The Beginning of Everything is a lyrical, witty, and heart-wrenching novel about how difficult it is to play the part that people expect, and how new beginnings can stem from abrupt and tragic endings.

For those of you unawares, this book was previously titled Severed Heads, Broken Hearts.  The original cover is provided below for your viewing pleasure, as well.  I think this new cover and title are more mainstream and likely to garner a larger audience, but either way, that summary has definitely captured my interest.

What are you waiting on this week?  Feel free to share it in the comments or leave a link so we can stop by!

Review: The Beautiful and the Cursed by Page Morgan

Title: The Beautiful and the Cursed
Author: Page Morgan
Series: The Dispossessed, book #1
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: May 14, 2013
Source: ARC received from publisher
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

After a bizarre accident, Ingrid Waverly is forced to leave London with her mother and younger sister, Gabby, trading a world full of fancy dresses and society events for the unfamiliar city of Paris.

In Paris there are no grand balls or glittering parties, and, disturbingly, the house Ingrid’s twin brother, Grayson, found for them isn’t a house at all. It’s an abandoned abbey, its roof lined with stone gargoyles that could almost be mistaken for living, breathing creatures.

And Grayson has gone missing.

No one seems to know of his whereabouts but Luc, a devastatingly handsome servant at their new home.

Ingrid is sure her twin isn’t dead—she can feel it deep in her soul—but she knows he’s in grave danger. It will be up to her and Gabby to navigate the twisted path to Grayson, a path that will lead Ingrid on a discovery of dark secrets and otherworldly truths. And she’ll learn that once they are uncovered, they can never again be buried.

Gargoyles!  That's the only word I needed to see in the summary to know that I had to read this book.  And then, I immediately started picturing this:


What?  You didn't?  :P  In all seriousness, I'm usually a little squeamish about inter, um, species (?) relationships in books...I mean, how would that even work?  Especially since the gargoyle in his true form lacks any reproductive organs.  ;0)

Now that that's out there...I kind of loved this novel.  It takes place right at the turn of the century, in beautiful Par-ee (that's Paris for those of you who don't speak French), and though I've never been to The City of Light myself, it wasn't hard to imagine myself there among les grotesques, basking in the beauty and the culture, while hoping that this missing brother turned up unharmed.

This book was everything I was hoping for and more.  From the sometimes complicated relationship between siblings to the history of the gargoyles in Paris, I was utterly captivated.  Throw in shape-shifting gargoyles, a secret alliance that keeps their existence hidden, and crazy underworld magic, and I am a very happy girl.  I'm usually iffy when it comes to multiple third person perspectives because they tend to give away too many secrets while providing glimpses at each characters circumstances, but I rather enjoyed reading from Ingrid, Gabby, Luc, and yes, even Grayson's point-of-view.  Though, Luc was probably my favorite because he was such a tortured soul...I have a soft spot for characters that cling to their guilt and the remorse that comes with it.  Also, I loved his fierce protectiveness.

There is some swooning to be had from this book, as well...no chaste pecks on the cheek or hand, despite the time period.  It nicely counteracts the ugliness of the situation but doesn't detract from the overall plot.  But I feel I must warn you that a love triangle is afoot, if all indications prove to be true.  I hope that doesn't come to fruition, though.  It's the standard safe choice versus dangerous and brooding guy, and you can probably guess which one Ingrid is leaning toward.  Her sister Gabby, on the other hand, has no such decision to make.  If only she didn't love to hate her own swoon-worthy rogue.  *sigh*

Above all else, I loved the lush use of descriptive imagery, from the way the author describes the physical attributes of the gargoyles to the way she depicts their shifts.  The book cover immediately grabbed my attention.  The mention of gargoyles held it.  But the writing ensured that I will be back for more of this beautiful story and its tragic characters.  And that I'm going to be pestering the husband for a trip to Paris for months to come.


Rating:  1/2

About the author:

Page Morgan has been intrigued by les grotesques ever since she came across an old, black-and-white photograph of a Notre Dame gargoyle keeping watch over the city of Paris. The gargoyle mythologies she went on to research fed her imagination, and she became inspired to piece together her own story and mythology for these complex stone figures. Page lives in New England with her husband and their three children.

Find Page:

Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Pinterest

Teaser Tuesday #58: Spirit by Brigid Kemmerer

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Here are the books we're teasing this week:

Title: Spirit
Author: Brigid Kemmerer
Series: Elementals, book #3
Publisher: Kensington/KTeen
Publication Date: May 28, 2013
Source: ARC received from publisher
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

With power comes enemies. Lots of them.

Hunter Garrity just wants to be left alone. He’s learned the hard way that his unusual abilities come at a price. And he can’t seem to afford any allies.

He’s up to his neck in hostiles. His grandfather, spoiling for a fight. The Merrick brothers, who think he ratted them out. Calla, the scheming psycho who wants to use him as bait.

Then there’s Kate Sullivan, the new girl at school. She’s not hostile. She’s bold. Funny. Hot. But she’s got an agenda, too.

With supposedly secret powers rippling to the surface everywhere around him, Hunter knows something ugly is about to go down. But finding out what means he’ll have to find someone he can trust…

But then Gabriel smiled. “Besides. If you fuck with me or my brothers again, I'll just let Nicky suffocate you in your sleep.”

-- p. 91 of ARC

Heh.  Gotta love Gabriel.  =)  And poor little Hunter...the first half of this book has been rather brutal on him.  :(

Be sure to check back on Friday...I'll have an interview with Gabriel Merrick as part of the Spirit Blog Tour!

No teaser from Mendy this week.  :(

What are you teasing this week?  Share it in the comments or leave a link so we can visit!