The Lost Prince by Julie Kagawa: My Thoughts and Rants

It has been FOREVER since I last did a proper review (not sure if any of my "reviews" are actually considered "proper" but whatever) and I really have no excuse for it. I mean, I can explain about how busy i've been and the fact that I have so many books to read but I chose to check out "x" amount of books from the library (all at the same time) and buy many more from Amazon (even tho I really have no money to spend) so I have no excuse. To authors of whose books I have in my possession and have yet to review, I apologize. Even if I did a review every day, I would still be behind because I have an obsession with reading (no, i'm not making an excuse; that's fact)I will always have eyes-bigger-than-my-stomach syndrome...is there an actual reading analogy that means the same thing? Anywho, I have finally gathered my thoughts together on a book I enjoyed and now will share them with you ^.^

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Hmmm...I was super excited to hear that Ms. Kagawa was going to continue the Iron Fey series but have Ethan as the MC this time around. I was especially happy when the publisher through NetGalley approved me for an early copy. Thank you HarlequinTeen and NetGalley!

I loved seeing my favorite characters, Grimalkin and Puck, along with Meghan, Ash, and Razor, come together again for another fun dangerous adventure. The action is truly non-stop while keeping you guessing as to who is behind everything...and who is who.

Ethan was an interesting MC. I found myself struggling to relate to him and understand his point of view. I understood his prejudice towards the Fey to some extent but his anger with Meghan seemed a bit extreme and unfounded...but thats how emotions usually are- no real good reason for why we feel the way we do. It surprised me how much he knew about the Fey and Nevernever...he was 4 when he was kidnapped and was in captivity the whole time so his recognition of certain places in the Nevernever had me looking back at Iron King. I sorta missed the scared and adorable little Ethan who loved his sister dearly. However, everyone has to grow up sometime(well, everyone but Puck) and Ethan is definitely not little. He has grown strong and able to hold his own ^.^ so go Ethan!

New characters involve Meghan and Ash' son, Kierran, and the new girl, Mackenzie. If you read Iron Knight, you got a glimpse of how baaaaaad Kierran can be and I LOVE it! His sly self shows up from time-to-time but also manages to be a complete gentleman; the best of both his parents! Kenzie is a tough girl who doesn't wallow in self-pity even though she's thrown into the unknown with no answers to when she will get home...or if. Kenzie doesn't take the back seat to anyone and comes through when needed (girl can kick butt!). She supports Ethan through everything for which she is a great addition to the Iron Fey series.

I still want more of Meghan, Ash, Puck, and Grim but am eagerly awaiting the sequel to The Lost Prince. Full of action, mystery, and suspense, fans of the Iron Fey series will enjoy this new spin-off that brings back all of our favorite characters and introduces us to many more >.< Enjoy!

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OPAL Cover Reveal!!!

 

No one is like Daemon Black.

When he set out to prove his feelings for me, he wasn’t fooling around. Doubting him isn’t something I’ll do again, and now that we’ve made it through the rough patches, well... There’s a lot of spontaneous combustion going on.

But even he can’t protect his family from the danger of trying to free those they love.

After everything, I’m no longer the same Katy. I’m different... And I’m not sure what that will mean in the end. When each step we take in discovering the truth puts us in the path of the secret organization responsible for torturing and testing hybrids, the more I realize there is no end to what I’m capable of. The death of someone close still lingers, help comes from the most unlikely source, and friends will become the deadliest of enemies, but we won’t turn back. Even if the outcome will shatter our worlds forever.

Together we’re stronger... and they know it.

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Follow this link to an ~~~ EPIC CONTEST ~~~ Announcement. You will want to bookmark this page!

http://jenniferarmentrout.blogspot.com/p/october-1-2012.html

 

 USA TODAY Bestselling author, Jennifer L. Armentrout, lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing, she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell, Loki. Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She also writes adult romance under the name J. Lynn.

Find Jennifer on: Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Website | Blog

 Isn't the cover GORGEOUS?! Coming in DECEMBER!!! I'm so EXCITED!!!

 

Arise by Amber Garr: My Thoughts and Giveaway!

So we have come to book 3 of the Syrenka Series: Arise...also known as The-End-Of-A-Super-Awesome-Trilogy-That-Any-Reader-In-Their-Right-Mind-Wishes-Wasn't-A-Trilogy-But-An-Ongoing-Series-With-Several-More-Books-About-Eviana-And-Kain-And-Every-Other-Character-Who-Mattered. What? You haven't heard this alternate title? I know I saw it somewhere...hmm...

Anywho, one of my very first posts on this blog was my review of this wonderful conclusion to this trilogy. I had read the first 2 books in 2 days (should never have taken me that long but was terribly busy) and was graciously given a copy of the 3rd by Ms. Amber Garr herself on the day of its release. I then read it thru the night into the next day and promptly wrote a review...that literally took me hours to write! As I mentioned, I had only made a few posts before and was very nervous to discover how my thoughts would be recieved...if anyone recieved them at all!

I have slowly been building confidence in my ability to either inform or entertain those who read my ramblings, thanks to the wonderful people who have made encouraging comments; thru e-mail, twitter, goodreads, or on this blog. I especially appreciate feedback from the authors of the books I review (one of the reasons I created a blog was to be in contact with my favorite authors and show them my support) >.< Thank you to Ms.Amber Garr (of course!), Ms.Derrolynn Anderson (author of Marina's Tales), Ms.Brenda Pandos (author of Mer Tales), and Ms.Kimberly Kinrade (author of Forbidden) for your positive and upbuilding words ^.^ Also a BIG thank you to Abby of Bookshelf Confessions for including me in this tour! Without further ado, I once again (since this is a repost with a few minor gammatical adjustments) give you "My Thoughts and Review" of Arise:

From head to tail, The Syrenka Series has 1) captivated me by the inviting swells of enchanting whimsical creatures 2) pulled me under with unseen currents of paniful love 3) sucked me into whirlpools of despairing chaos 4) knocked me down with tidal waves of tragedy and 5) has picked me up to float on the peaceful waves of happiness. Poetic much? That may be but its true and even more so in this conclusion of the series, Arise. Allow me to expound:

1) Throughout the trilogy, we are introduced to mermaids, selkies, and various water sprites along with a dash of humans...literally. The characters that Garr has created are wonderful and imaginative; beautifully dipicted to add color and life to the plot (Abhainn and Isabel, each with their scottish and french accents, bring timely and much appreciated comic relief). Arise will have you awe struck as you imagine the x-men-like-but-refreshingly-unique powers these creatures posess (among them being mind control and water manipulation) that will cause you to spurt in laughter or quake in fear.

“Very funny, Abhainn.” He moved into the sprite’s personal space. “I think I saw a water bottle over there. Maybe you’d like to spend some time thinking about how you don’t have to be so rude?”
Amber Garr. Arise (Book Three of The Syrenka Series) (Kindle Locations 1391-1393). Amber Garr.

I noticed the teeth first. Sharp, white fangs larger than a ratchet’s rose up from the depths at an incredible speed. Her face contorted into a horrific form, snarling and wrinkled and deadly.
Amber Garr. Arise (Book Three of The Syrenka Series) (Kindle Locations 3414-3416). Amber Garr.

2) From the beginning, our feisty protagonist, Eviana, has been involved in a love triangle between Brendan and Kain. Betrayal throws in Graham to mix things up. While I didn't really get too wrapped up in Graham, I definitely felt betrayed by the end of the book and wanted to kick some selkie and mer butt alike; my thoughts being "SERIOUSLY?! Oh he did not just do that! I can't believe this! I am sooooo done with him." Does Arise bring relief and settle things once and for all? After finishing the book hours ago, I am still screaming!*EDIT: It's been months now...and yeah, still screaming* We are treated to the POV's of both Eviana and Kain, allowing us to be them and experience this emotional rollercoaster with more intensity. I'm not a fan of rollercoasters but this is one I wouldn't mind getting back on...I just need to stop screaming first!

As she ran toward me with outstretched arms, I knew that I would never let her go again. This time she would stay with me forever.
Amber Garr. Arise (Book Three of The Syrenka Series) (Kindle Locations 2244-2245). Amber Garr.

“I’m not going to sit back and watch you take her from me, fish. I may not be able to have a life with her anymore, but neither will you.”
Amber Garr. Arise (Book Three of The Syrenka Series) (Kindle Locations 2483-2484). Amber Garr.

“I’d prefer it if you disappeared since I am very much looking forward to spending my nights alone with her. She is a feisty tart. It will certainly make for an interesting marriage.”
Amber Garr. Arise (Book Three of The Syrenka Series) (Kindle Locations 3022-3023). Amber Garr.

Without giving it a second thought, I reached up and grabbed his face. Pulling it toward mine, I kissed him. Hard.
Amber Garr. Arise (Book Three of The Syrenka Series) (Kindle Locations 2256-2257). Amber Garr.

3) Which brings me to all the action and drama that threw me for so many loops that for a while, I couldn't tell which way was up! Maybe I'm just gullible, or easily influenced, but I found myself in the same boat as Eviana; who do you trust? We learn of Eviana's lineage and bloodlines, which seems to be a factor in the decisions she makes and has made. Several battles take place, each giving hints and answering questions of "who?". As to why Lucian is doing all that he is: he's crazy. The man has lost his marbles straight up. Ok yeah, there is a bit more to it but...just read it and you'll know what I mean.

Fists flew, compulsion wars began, and I stood there. Frozen. It probably wasn’t for very long, but time seemed to stand still.
Amber Garr. Arise (Book Three of The Syrenka Series) (Kindle Locations 3958-3959). Amber Garr.

His mouth was so close to my face that I could feel his hot, angry breath. For the first time since all of this began, I was really, truly afraid of this man.
Amber Garr. Arise (Book Three of The Syrenka Series) (Kindle Locations 2937-2938). Amber Garr.

His long blond hair wafted in the breeze as well as the white silk shirt that hung open at his chest. The man really loved to show off his body. It was gross.
Amber Garr. Arise (Book Three of The Syrenka Series) (Kindle Locations 3829-3830). Amber Garr.

4) I thought nothing more tragic could possibly happen after Promises but I was wrong. *sob* While there are a few who lose their lives along the way *still sobbing*, nothing was as heartbreaking, shocking, chinese-film-level, crying-so-hard-your-contacts-fall-out, heroic death of this character*full on wailing now*. I cannot bring myself to say who for I am in denial. Actually, I'm still so stunned that tears have not come yet but they will... where's the tissue?! *EDIT: The tears came =.=*

The bodies on the beach were removed and dumped at sea.
Amber Garr. Arise (Book Three of The Syrenka Series) (Kindle Locations 4293-4294). Amber Garr.

5) We may get knocked down but we get up again (♪you're never going to keep me down♪~random, sorry). Garr beautifully wraps up this thrilling series by leaving you in peace. Things might not have gone as I thought they would but I am more than satisfied; thank goodness for an epilogue! *EDIT: And more! Amber has created a new site dedicated to bonus material of this series! Check it out!*

This whole series is amazing but Arise is truly epic and brings it home. This fast paced, chemistry-filled, and heart-jerker of a mer-tale will have you reading to the finish and then starting it again. Enjoy!

This copy was provided by the author in exchange of an honest review

Whew! That was a lot wasn't it? Well I hope you enjoyed my heartfelt typed words of not-too-long-ago and will now go and buy this book (if not the entire series!) here. Only $2.99! However, there is a giveaway that will only continue for a few more days! So enter if you haven't already...guess i'll repost that too to make it easier :) Remeber 2 different giveaways! Both ending soon! Also don't forget to check out everyone else' reviews and giveaways on the Syrenka Series Tour. Happy reading everyone!!!

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