(ARC) MG Review: Cold Cereal by Adam Rex

 
Release Date:  7 February 2012
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher via NetGalley

Goodreads description:

Cold Cereal Facts
Serving size: 1 chapter | Number of servings: 40
Primary human characters: 3
Scottish Play Doe, aka Scottpossible changeling
Erno Utz genius
Emily Utz supergenius
Magical creatures: at least 3
Mick Leprechaun (or Clurichaun)
Harvey Pooka (rabbit-man)
Biggs, indeterminate origin (hairy, large)
Evil organizations 1
Goodco Cereal Company - Purveyor of breakfast foods aspiring to world domination
Adventure 75%
Diabolical Schemes 40%
Danger 57%
Legend 20%
Magic 68%
Humor 93%
Puzzles 35%
Mystery 49%

Not a significant source of vampires.
May contain nuts.

Daily values based on individual interest. Reader's estimation of value may be higher or lower, depending on your tolerance for this sort of thing

My Thoughts...

YA Book Review: Wings by Aprilynne Pike

Wings by Aprilynne Pike
© 1 May 2009 by HarperTeen

Goodreads description:

Laurel was mesmerized, staring at the pale things with wide eyes. They were terrifyingly beautiful—too beautiful for words.


Laurel turned to the mirror again, her eyes on the hovering petals that floated beside her head. They looked almost like wings.


In this extraordinary tale of magic and intrigue, romance and danger, everything you thought you knew about faeries will be changed forever.

My Thoughts...

This was one of the first books that I bought for my NookColor when I got it for Christmas in 2010 and I have NO IDEA why I waited so long to read it! I enjoyed every minute of this book. Aprilynne's writing is superb and so much fun to read.

Laurel, who has been home-schooled her whole life, starts high school at the local public school when her parents decide to move to a new town. While she's a bit socially awkward at first, a few people do their best to befriend her, including David who seems smitten with her from the very beginning.  Laurel slowly begins to adjust to life among the masses and even eventually warms up to her new friends. Everything is going swimmingly until one morning she wakes up to find a bump on her back.  Her mother assures her that it is simply probably her first zit and it will go away soon.  However, instead of getting smaller and disappearing, the bump grows larger and larger until one morning Laurel wakes to find a beautiful flower essentially blooming out of her back.


That's all I will stay about the story itself for now because there is so much to discover about the story that Aprilynne has crafted. The characters themselves are quite endearing and I enjoyed learning about the various facets of the lives of both the humans and the faeries.  Present, of course, is the love triangle that we are so used to read about these days, but this one didn't rub me the wrong way like some can.  It was cute and each boy was well-done. I think it will definitely be interesting to follow the trio through future books.

I loved that she wrote such a fresh, unique story about faeries. This was a really quick read as well and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone! It's a great read especially for young girls (10-12) because it doesn't have a lot of the darker elements that are fairly common.  It's a light read that I think many readers, even your more reluctant ones, will fly through.

YA Book Review: The Faerie Ring by Kiki Hamilton

Release Date: 27 September 2011
Publisher: Tor Teen
Source: Banned Book Tours

Buy It! Amazon

Goodreads description:

The year is 1871, and Tiki has been making a home for herself and her family of orphans in a deserted hideaway adjoining Charing Cross Station in central London. Their only means of survival is by picking pockets. One December night, Tiki steals a ring, and sets off a chain of events that could lead to all-out war with the Fey. For the ring belongs to Queen Victoria, and it binds the rulers of England and the realm of Faerie to peace. With the ring missing, a rebel group of faeries hopes to break the treaty with dark magic and blood—Tiki’s blood.

Unbeknownst to Tiki, she is being watched—and protected—by Rieker, a fellow thief who suspects she is involved in the disappearance of the ring. Rieker has secrets of his own, and Tiki is not all that she appears to be. Her very existence haunts Prince Leopold, the Queen’s son, who is driven to know more about the mysterious mark that encircles her wrist.

Prince, pauper, and thief—all must work together to secure the treaty…

My Thoughts...

In her debut novel, Kiki Hamilton has presented readers with a thrill ride adventure through the dangerous underworld of Victorian London, where obtaining the money for a decent meal will require quick hands and deft feet and you can never know quite who to trust.  The reader is thrust immediately into the lives of a makeshift family living day-to-day on meager rations and the profits of their pick-pocketing skills. Tiki and her "family" live in an abandoned room with barely a scarp of food or a lump of coal.

To begin with, the setting is fabulous--the gritty streets of London are described in stunning detail, down to the grimy streets and choking, smoke-filled air. I loved the historical setting of the novel and just how perfectly Ms. Hamilton was able to convey that historic sense without shoving it in your face. Even if I hadn't outright known the time period this was set in, I still feel like I would have been able to tell from the well-crafted descriptions of the world.

Tiki was an amazing MC. Her loving nature with her family plus her courageous spirit combine to create a perfect heroine.  She's badass while still holding on to the "softness" of a romantic heroine. Her love for her adopted family overshadows everything else in her life and she'll clearly do anything to protect her ragtag family. I felt connected to her from the get-go. One thing that really struck me about her character is that it's almost hard to get a real read on her age.  I'm pretty sure that you find out at some point, but throughout there were definitely moments when she displayed courage and heart beyond her years and other moments where she displayed a very childlike wonder and ignorance. 

Rieker is a fabulous love interest (in my opinion). I love the mystery surrounding him and Tiki's surprise when he reveals himself (although the reader has figured it out long before (or at least I did!)).  I thought that his love for Tiki was properly developed, even if maybe he does come across as a little stalkerish at times.  This was definitely believable and heart-warming romance at its best.  I was rooting for this couple the whole way through--even when the characters didn't really show an inclination to become such.

I can't say enough about the characters that Ms. Hamilton has created. Each of the side characters strikes me as real and important.  I love the little moments throughout when we get to see their individual personalities shine through.  I even appreciated the short moments when we saw the world through Leo's POV.  He is a character that I think has a lot more to say and if Ms. Hamilton continues writing in this world, I don't think Leo will be ignored.

The story is fabulous in and of itself.  The magic of Ms. Hamilton's story will pull you through--page-by-page-- and leave you breathless and begging for more when you've turned the last page.  I couldn't help but want to dive right back into this world as soon as I had finished it. The lyrical, descriptive writing creates a vivid story with characters that you feel like you know.   This is definitely a breath-taking debut novel that makes me incredibly excited to see what this author will do in the future.  Bring it on, Ms. Hamilton because I'm ready for more!

(ARC) YA Book Review: The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa

Release Date: 25 October 2011
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Source: Publisher via NetGalley

Pre-Order this! B&N | Amazon | Book Depository

Goodreads description:

Ash, former prince of the Winter Court, gave up everything. His title, his home, even his vow of loyalty. All for a girl… and all for nothing.

Unless he can earn a soul.


To cold, emotionless faery prince Ash, love was a weakness for mortals and fools. His own love had died a horrible death, killing any gentler feelings the Winter prince might have had. Or so he thought.

Then Meghan Chase—a half human, half fey slip of a girl— smashed through his barricades, binding him to her irrevocably with his oath to be her knight. And when all of Faery nearly fell to the Iron fey, she severed their bond to save his life. Meghan is now the Iron Queen, ruler of a realm where no Winter or Summer fey can survive.

With the (unwelcome) company of his archrival, Summer Court prankster Puck, and the infuriating cait sith Grimalkin, Ash begins a journey he is bound to see through to its end— a quest to find a way to honor his solemn vow to stand by Meghan’s side.

To survive in the Iron realm, Ash must have a soul and a mortal body. But the tests he must face to earn these things are impossible. At least, no one has ever passed to tell the tale.

And then Ash learns something that changes everything. A truth that turns reality upside down, challenges his darkest beliefs and shows him that, sometimes, it takes more than courage to make the ultimate sacrifice.

My Thoughts...

OH. WOW.

In this thrilling conclusion to her much loved Iron Fey series, Julie Kagawa has pulled out all the stops. Her magical world and character building continues through to the end. This series is a magical adventure into the land of faeries that I believe will change the way that you think about "faery books."

Enter the world of the Iron Fey for the final time: Ash is on a journey to find a way, whatever that may be, to be able to return to Meghan and be her knight, as he so solemnly promised her.  After taking her place as the Iron Queen, Meghan had no choice but to command the prince she loved to leave her land because it would kill him.  Ash is determined to find a way back to her with the help of none other than his long-time friend-turned-foe Puck. Ms. Kagawa throws us into a journey wrought with unexpected twists, turns, and finally, the ultimate sacrifice that you'll never see coming!

Now, I must say that this book is a very different read from the original trilogy.  The romantic aspects that were so much more prevalent definitely take a back seat, although I don't think you can say they disappear because they are the REASON behind the entire journey and it's incredibly romantic. (cue *swooning* for the awesomeness that is Prince Ash) Like many fantasy books, this one is about the journey and the battles faced in getting to the end.  The quest for a soul--Ash's quest--is a harrowing one that he knows full well no one else has ever survived.  Yet, Ash forges on because deep in his heart he knows that it is the right thing to do--it is his only hope for a future with Meghan.

For this final Iron Fey installment, we are also pulled into Prince Ash's POV for the first time instead of Meghan and it is an eye-opening experience that fans of the series will love. Getting to know Ash from a more internal experiences makes this book an absolute must-read for fans of this series, especially all those of us who are very solidly Team Ash. Ash's POV gives the reader so much more of this backstory and there's more than plenty here for Team Puck fans as well! His and Ash's long-standing feud comes to light and you learn SO MUCH about them.

The ending of this book will leave you absolutely breathless with a huge smile on your face.  Seriously, this is the perfect ending to this series, and I cannot wait to read more from Ms. Kagawa in the future!

In conclusion, all I can say is this: I pre-ordered my copy. Have you?

Oh, and I don't share many book trailer's because honestly, most of the time I'm not a huge fan.  However, do you want to "meet" Ash? Of course you do! Therefore, I've included the incredible Harlequin Teen trailer for The Iron Knight.

YA Book Review: The Iron Daughter & The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa

**Spoiler Alert: If you haven't read this series, well, first off--WHY NOT?  Okay, but seriously, if you haven't read the first book, then be warned that this review may be a bit "spoilery"**

© August 2010
Publisher: Harlequin Teen


Goodreads Description:

Half Summer faery princess, half human, Meghan has never fit in anywhere. Deserted by the Winter prince she thought loved her, she is prisoner to the Winter faery queen. As war looms between Summer and Winter, Meghan knows that the real danger comes from the Iron fey—ironbound faeries that only she and her absent prince have seen. But no one believes her.

Worse, Meghan's own fey powers have been cut off. She's stuck in Faery with only her wits for help. Trusting anyone would be foolish. Trusting a seeming traitor could be deadly. But even as she grows a backbone of iron, Meghan can't help but hear the whispers of longing in her all-too-human heart.

©  January 2011

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Goodreads Description: 

My name is Meghan Chase.

I thought it was over. That my time with the fey, the impossible choices I had to make, the sacrifices of those I loved, was behind me. But a storm is approaching, an army of Iron fey that will drag me back, kicking and screaming. Drag me away from the banished prince who's sworn to stand by my side. Drag me into the core of conflict so powerful, I'm not sure anyone can survive it.

This time, there will be no turning back.

My Thoughts... 

The Iron King was one of the very first books that I ever reviewed here on my blog back in February! I bought The Iron Daughter and The Iron Queen not too long after buying and reading the first book because I thought is was a very good "faery book."  I don't know why I put off reading these two books for so long! Seriously, it's a tragedy!  I've decided to put them together on one review because I read them in the span of a day and a half, one after the other, so for me they flow together as one story. It would be crazy for me to try to separate the stories at this point.

The plot twists and turns in both of these books really kept me guessing.  There is so much deception in the faery world that you can never be sure what to expect next from any given character. It's this deception that keeps you guessing.  At the outset of The Iron Daughter, you find Meghan in Tir Na Nog at the Winter Court's mercy.  The first time she sees Ash, his icy glare and sarcastic comments broke my heart a little.  I mean, I wanted to believe that he was just playing his part, but he was seriously convincing. Thankfully he was not serious. Thankfully. The Iron Daughter and The Iron King are both packed with action along the way as well--from faery attacks in the City of the Dead to all-out faery war.

The character in the series continue to draw me in at every turn.   Meghan continues to grow up through these two books.  She is a strong, respectable heroine, who often follows her head over her heart but does what she really believe is best for the faery realm. She really does make some tough decisions and shows her strength of character. 

I am SOLIDLY "Team Ash" so all those "Team Puck" people out there, please excuse me for a moment while I gush! Ash is simply amazing.  His devotion is solid and true and even when Meghan doubts his true affections, he comes through in the end, proving his love for her at every turn.  He is also super sexy. Just sayin. ;-)

Julie Kagawa is truly a master of the fae world.  The Nevernever continues to uphold and exceed my expectations for the faery realm. The world that she has created is truly spectacular.  I could seriously gush about how awesome I think her weaving of classic fae literature with modern life for EVER.  Seriously, I think it's absolutely phenomenal. Back in February, Julie kagawa drew me into the realm of faeries and I've never wanted to go back.  

YA Book Review: Tempestuous by Lesley Livingston

Tempestuous by Lesley Livingston
© 21 December 2010 by HarperTEen

Goodreads description:

"I don't love Sonny Flannery."

That's the lie Kelley Winslow told to protect the boy she loves from a power he doesn't know he possesses. Devastated, Sonny retreats—to a haven for Lost Fae that's hidden deep underneath New York City. 

But Kelley's not about to let things end in heartbreak. To get Sonny back, she's got to find out who's after his magick—and how to use her own. She's got to uncover who's recruiting Janus Guards to murderously hunt innocent Faerie. She's got to help rebuild the shattered theater company she called family. And she's got to do it all without getting dangerously distracted by the Fennrys Wolf, whose legendary heart of stone seems to melt whenever he's around Kelley.

Thoughts, Musings, Ramblings...


**Spoiler warning! While there shouldn't be any Tempestuous spoilers here, there may be spoilers for the first two books in the series.  If you're interested in the books, start with my review of Wondrous Strange!**


Since this is the final book in the trilogy, allow me a moment to bask in my cover lust. *sigh*  Aren't the covers of these books seriously beautiful?!  I think the artist who worked on these is a genius.  Seriously--beautiful.  The female models perfectly captures Kelley for me, and the covers invoke just the right amount of magical-ness.

Now, moving on to the story, while I wasn't enraptured with book 2 (Darklight), I appreciated everything that I learned in the book as I dived headfirst into this book.  I felt like I knew the characters going in--like they were old friends.  This final book had everything that I felt like the second was lacking - action, action, action!

Ah...what to say without spoiling it?! This book is action-packed and it reminded me of why I got sucked into the first book to begin with.  Lesley Livingston's writing is phenomenal--the descriptions of people, places, scenes, emotions--all wonderful!  I am sad that the series is over now!  (Well, kind of--it did wrap up quite well and any more might get boring...)  This book really had a little bit of everything--action, adventure, intrigue, betrayal, romance...you name it, it was probably in this book!  I love how much Kelley has developed over the course of the three books and how she came into her power slowly over time.  It was refreshing.

Overall, this was a very enjoyable faery series!  I would highly recommend it for the fantastic writing and well-developed characters.  If you haven't read this and you enjoy faeries, read it now!

YA Book Review: Darklight by Lesley Livingston

Darklight by Lesley Livingston
(c) December 2009 by HarperTeen

Goodreads description:

Much has changed since autumn, when Kelley Winslow learned she was a Faerie princess, fell in love with changeling guard Sonny Flannery, and saved the mortal realm from the ravages of the Wild Hunt.


Now Kelley is stuck in New York City, rehearsing Romeo and Juliet and missing Sonny more with every stage kiss, while Sonny has been forced back to the Otherworld and into a deadly game of cat and mouse with the remaining Hunters and Queen Mabh herself.


When a terrifying encounter sends Kelley tumbling into the Otherworld, her reunion with Sonny is joyful but destined to be cut short. An ancient, hidden magick is stirring, and a dangerous new enemy is willing to risk everything to claim that power. Caught in a web of Faerie deception and shifting allegiances, Kelley and Sonny must tread carefully, for each next step could topple a kingdom . . . or tear them apart.

Thoughts, Ramblings, Musings...

As an up-front warning, I try really hard to keep my reviews spoiler-free, but this is the second book in the Wondrous Strange trilogy and I can't guarantee that something I write won't be construed as "spoiler-y" in terms of the first book.   There.  Now you know...read at your own risk! If you're interested in the series, check out my review of the first book!


Let's start with this: if you haven't read book one (Wondrous Strange) in this series, then don't pick up this one.  This is definitely the type of series/trilogy that requires you to start with book one and work through the rest.  Book two wouldn't make sense without book one (and really, book two isn't complete without book three).


I mentioned in my review of Wondrous Strange that I loved Kelley's independence and fiery personality.    That's definitely still true in this book and I enjoyed watching her develop and learn what it really means to be a faery princess (and the daughter of Auberon and Mabh no less).  She stands as one of my current favorite female protags as of late (no Bella syndrome here, thank goodness).

There was a good bit of character development in this book, which I really enjoyed.  We get to know our main characters (Kelley and Sonny) quite a bit more.  We started to get to know the Fennrys Wolf more.  I totally dig his character.  As the reader, you wonder at his intentions at times, and if you're like me, you'll want to tell him--"Back off!  She's Sonny's girl!"  (Or maybe that's just me and I'm way too invested in fictional relationships)  This was definitely the highlight of this book for me.  I felt like Livingston took the characters that I met in book one and really let me get to know them.  Even the faery kings and queens get a bout of character development in this one.

Beyond character development, I have to admit that I felt like this book dragged just a little.  It all leads up to this huge cliffhanger reveal at the end, but it felt like a long time getting there.  This book strikes me as a bridge between books one and three.  You get to know the characters.  There is just enough plot line to keep you going.  However, the end (and really the whole story) definitely leads you into the third book.  I understand wanting to leave a cliffhanger to pull readers into the final book, but I guess I would have liked a little more plot development here.  Take it a little further, that's all I'm saying.

If you like the series, get more information at the author's website. Also, enjoy this book trailer. :-)

Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston

Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston

327 pages, HarperCollins, 2009

Goodreads synopsis:

17 year-old Kelley Winslow doesn’t believe in Faeries. Not unless they’re the kind that you find in a theatre, spouting Shakespeare—the kind that Kelley so desperately wishes she could be: onstage, under lights, with a pair of sparkly wings strapped to her shoulders. But as the understudy in a two-bit, hopelessly off-off-Broadway production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, wishing is probably the closest she’s going to get to becoming a Faerie Queen. At least, that’s what she thinks... In this fun, urban fantasy, Kelley's off-stage life suddenly becomes as complicated as one of Shakespeare’s plot twists when a nighttime trip to Central Park holds more than meets the mortal eye.

Have I mentioned lately how many gorgeous covers there have been lately?  I mean, really, I feel like there are so many books on my TBR list that I feel compelled to read simply because they have a beautiful cover. This one is definitely no exception.  I found this blog where Lesley Livingston spoke about this cover and it was pretty cool.  Check it out if...you're interested.


I've had this one sitting on my "maybe purchase" shelf on my NookColor for awhile now. Fortuitously, my advisor plucked the three books in the series from her shelf and handed them to me during my last advising session. Woohoo! Now, onto my musings about this book.


Kelley is your average seventeen year old. Well, with the exception that she graduated high school early, dropped out of her theater program, and moved to NYC to try to make it as an actress...at the age of seventeen.  Oh, did I mention that she's not quite human? No? Well, I suppose I should have.

In Wondrous Strange, Kelley has just been promoted from backstage-lackey/understudy to the lead role of Queen Titania when the lead breaks her ankle.  In a moment, Kelley's world changes...little does she know it's about to get stranger.  Practicing her lines in Central Park one evening, she is approached by a handsome stranger, who gives her a beautiful flower and then vanishes before she can even say thank you. Meet Sonny Flannery, a changeling who is part of the Unseelie Court's Janus Guard, a group of thirteen slated to protect the mortal realm from faeries attempting to escape into their world.  Sonny knows that something is different about Kelley...something he can't quite figure out.  When Kelley attempts to rescue a drowning horse in Central Park and then is stunned to find it in her bathtub at home...well...I bet you can imagine that things only get crazier from there.

I really enjoyed Livingston's writing.  She introduced a compelling story and beautifully wove in elements of Shakespeare's Midsummer Nights Dream.  It was really beautiful.  This was such a compelling book--the kind the pulls you in and then knocks you out of your reverie only when you've finished.  Reading the last page was like being pulled out of another world.  Kelley is a strong female lead.  I enjoyed her a bit more than many of the other slightly clueless females who have dominated YA fantasy lately.  While she may have accepted the truth of her heritage a bit more easily than one would expect, I felt like she was willing to take the reigns of her own destiny and work with it.  The romantic story between Kelley and Sonny is beautiful (quick to develop but beautifully real regardless), but I can't wait to read the other books in the story to watch it develop (hopefully!).

Have you read this book? Comment and let me know what you thought of it!

Radiant Shadows by Melissa Marr

This is the third book in the Wicked Lovely series by Melissa Marr. I thoroughly enjoyed the first two books and actually expected to be disappointed in the third because it dealt with entirely different characters. However, I was pleasantly surprised and this may have actually been one of my favorites in the series. The characters were dynamic and well-thought-out. I felt like you learned a lot about the characters, whereas in the first two you were really learning about all the characters the entire time. This book got you through a lot without being overwhelming and brought out a lot of previously minor characters. The budding romance between the two main characters of this book, Devlin and Ani, was well-done and true to the characters' personalities. I still wish I could know more about what was going on with the main characters from the other books during this time, but overall, it was a very enjoyable read. Hopefully the fifth (and I believe final) book will fill in some gaps when it is released in February.

The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

In Julie Kagawa's debut novel, she introduces readers to a world where faeries are created through imagination and creative efforts of the "real" world.  Megan Chase, our main character, discovers on her 16th birthday that there is a whole other realm that exists when her brother is kidnapped and traded for a changeling.  Megan enters the world of faery politics should had never dreamed of, becoming the pawn of the courts and wanted by a power neither know exist.  

When I first started reading YA fantasy, I'll be the first to admit that I had no interest in reading books about faeries.  I read mostly about vampires, stemming from a couple of decent encounters with adult vampire series.  I started with Twilight while I was student teaching, simply to get into the heads of the plethora of students I had reading the books.  I wasn't overly enamored with the series, but I'll admit that I didn't have the violent negative reactions many adult readers had to the series.  But I digress. So, faeries.  I picked up Need by Carrie Jones as my first diversion into the realm of the fey (pixies, to be exact).  I wasn't overly impressed.  My second attempt was Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr and after that I was hooked.  But, again, this review is not about that. This is about the splendid world created in The Iron King by Julie Kagawa. 

This book promised adventure, and I felt that it delivered on that promise.  Kagawa's knowledge of faery lore and etiquette clearly exceeds my own, but I felt that those familiar with such topics wouldn't be disappointed.  She pulls from the realms of well established characters, such as Queen Mab and Robin Goodfellow (aka Puck) and weaves the characters with a modern day coming of age story of a half-blood faery.  

I very much enjoyed the Megan's character.  She was a strong-willed female who persevered through many trials along the journey to save her brother.  Every once in awhile I would cringe when she would start making deals left and right with faeries, something the reader learns fairly early on is not always the best idea.  On the whole, I thought she was a strong, possibly slightly underdeveloped, character.  Kagawa also gives her readers the classic good guy vs. bad boy dilemma from the start, with Puck and Ash.  Puck is Megan's long-time best friend and servant of the king (her father), while Ash is the prince of the other court (technically her enemy).  You gets hints throughout of Puck's feelings for Megan and in the end, there are most definitely sparks flying between Megan and Ash.  Only time (and the rest of the series) will tell which "team" readers, and ultimately Megan, choose.