Torn between 3 & 4 stars, but because the plot was so intriguing, and the characters so colourful, we'll go with four--despite that weird wandering soul stuff at the end that felt pretty creepy and didn't fit the rest of the book.
Firstly--this book reminds me a lot of Mary E. Pearson's series 'The Remnant Chronicles' so of course, I'm all into that. I mean, what's not to like about the plot--a "princess" of sorts who is supposed to be able to protect her kingdom with all her storm fighting abilities, has none, and to flee an arranged marriage to a potentially really bad prince---joins up with a band of storm hunters to GET SOME ABILITIES to save her kingdom, YO!
I enjoyed Roar & Locke's (not the prince Locke, but the storm hunter named after the city) relationship, albeit a little high on the steam factor at times for especially a YA novel--but yes--they went well together and there was some pretty swoon-worthy moments to their relationship. They were just so dang cute.
I don't know if I'll read the second book. I'm really interested to see what happens, but what with the weird soul wandering content that got thrown in at the end...it just felt weird. A bit outside of my jurisdiction, cause I'm not into the spirituality aspect of magic in books. If magic is in a book, fine, whatever. But I just don't like reading about the theory of it...or hearing 'bout them wandering souls--it's creepy & feels kinda dark for my tastes. But, maybe I'll start the second book & see if it continues on the wandering souls tangent or not. Who knows!
2) Cascade \\ Lisa T. Bergren \\ 3 Stars
After reading Cascade three or four times over the last few years, I've come to the conclusion--it's probably the slowest book of the series--though not bad by any stretch, despite the plot does seeming to take half the book to pick up and get going. But the adventure still is entertaining, and the characters sweet, crazy and intense.
As this is my own book, of course I'm gonna rate it 5 stars. So, instead of gushing about my own work, I'll just give you the back cover blurb, cause, why not?
Four months of silence.
Four months of praying she won’t lose her mind and give away secrets she’s fought so hard to keep.
Avery Kent escapes with her life, but she is pursued deep into the heart of the British Columbia wilderness by the men who almost took her life—and shattered her mind.
After wandering for two days in the mountains, she stumbles upon a cabin—but little does she know that the man inside is not the sheltering protector he claims to be.
Haunted by his past, former CAF soldier Dakota Fontaine is trying to mind his business and keep his head down when a woman stumbles onto his property and collapses, wearing only a hospital gown and a tattered sweater.
As he nurses the battered woman back to health, he wonders at the way she talks in her sleep but won’t say a word when she’s awake. But Dakota knows better than most that the art of coercion isn’t always violent. Torture isn’t the only way to ferret out a person’s secrets, and he is confident of one thing; Avery Kent will confide in him, one way or another.
Just as Avery begins to trust Dakota, an unlikely encounter sends her fleeing back into the heart of the city where it all began.
On the hunt to collect the stash of lethal evidence that will take down her attackers, once and for all, the flashbacks grow stronger, and her grip on reality continues to falter.
Avery knows the chances of losing her mind before she can bring down her captors, are high—and deadly—and she’s not up to the challenge.
But she’ll die trying.
4) Storm Rising \\ Ronie Kendig \\ 5 Stars
Okay, what can a girl say about this one? Firstly--it is one of my favourite books of Kendig's. Yes, she has OUTDONE herself--AGAIN. The atmosphere, plot and characters all worked together to create an effortless, but definitely FILLED WITH EFFORT thriller novel. I loved reading all about Midas in the Discarded Hero series, but now we get more of the Metcalfe family? I mean, what? Yes. It is goals. Quite simply, I wish the Metcalfe family had half a dozen more members and that Kendig would write a series about each one! The love runs that deep, if you can believe it.
So, Iskra & Leif? That chemistry, though! Phew! I loved their interactions and how their relationship progressed. It was just so...dynamic and intense--which is obviously one of the draws with Kendig's work, how intense and raw her characters are. I love when everything is so close to the surface and undignified. But their relationship just kinda made me sing, and gasp, depending on which part of the book I was in--which is what I'm looking for when I read a suspense/thriller book.
Although the plot did feel a bit slower in the middle of the book, it didn't cast a bad light on the rest of the book--I think I just got so attached to the crazy pace that when it slowed down a little I was like...wait, what? But all in all, what a delightful book. Really alive, punchy characters and a fully immersive atmosphere that takes you from one stretch of the globe to another, all while sitting in your favourite comfy chair.
Suspense lovers unite and GO READ STORM RISING!!!
*I received a free copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
So, Iskra & Leif? That chemistry, though! Phew! I loved their interactions and how their relationship progressed. It was just so...dynamic and intense--which is obviously one of the draws with Kendig's work, how intense and raw her characters are. I love when everything is so close to the surface and undignified. But their relationship just kinda made me sing, and gasp, depending on which part of the book I was in--which is what I'm looking for when I read a suspense/thriller book.
Although the plot did feel a bit slower in the middle of the book, it didn't cast a bad light on the rest of the book--I think I just got so attached to the crazy pace that when it slowed down a little I was like...wait, what? But all in all, what a delightful book. Really alive, punchy characters and a fully immersive atmosphere that takes you from one stretch of the globe to another, all while sitting in your favourite comfy chair.
Suspense lovers unite and GO READ STORM RISING!!!
*I received a free copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
5) Dance of Thieves \\ Mary E. Pearson \\ 3.5 Stars
An enjoyable read with unique qualities--though, after the Remnant Chronicles, I'd definitely say I preferred those. But Dance of Thieves was interesting--if a bit slow at times. I enjoyed both Kazi & Jase's characters--their struggles and stories. I will be interested to see what Vow of Thieves is like, being written by Mary's editor, Kate Farrell, instead of Mary--but I'm always excited for a fresh angle. Also, I can't claim to be a teenager anymore and know what's in vogue in fiction or reality for this age category, but seriously, every single kiss involved tongues. Yuck. As a reader (an adult one at that) I was just kinda internally cringing that the tongue was brought into nine of the ten or so kisses in the book! It makes a kiss turn from attraction with a side of tasteful sensuality, to erotica in milliseconds. And do we seriously need that in YA fiction? I just don't think so.
6) Torrent \\ Lisa T. Bergren \\ 5 Stars
With this third book, the stakes are even higher. Wow. I loved every minute reading it. Somehow, the plot rarely lags, as there is always another intriguing & dangerous plot twist. A true page-turner filled with courage, sacrifice, true love, plenty of swordplay & adventure. And if you'd enjoy a book banter about the River of Time series, I just so happened to have done one of those a few years ago and will add it here for your viewing pleasure :)
Favourite of the month:
Storm Rising by Ronie Kendig.
"Because of men like him, God made warriors like Leif. To do violence on behalf of the innocent."
No comments:
Post a Comment