Review: A Vision of Green: L.H. Cosway

Synopsis

Since moving to Chesterport Flo has discovered new friends and a hidden world.

After spending seventeen years as an Empath, thinking she was either delusional or very, very different, she has found others who are different too. She helped battle a coven of dark witches and watched as their leader got sent to her judgement. All now seems peaceful in her new town, but it's not going to last.

For one, Flo's dad is back on the scene and has taken over her dead grandmother's house with his new girlfriend. Dealing with him makes Flo think that maybe everyday people can be monsters too, as he blackmails her into giving up the one person she needs the most. Secondly, Flo hears a story about strange goings on in the nearby forest, and becomes obsessed with the magical things that might lie in its green depths.

A Vision of Green is the second instalment in the Florence Vaine trilogy, where Flo finds herself yet again immersed in mystery, romance and things that are just a little bit scary. She will come across new adversaries, supernatural and otherwise, discover more about her own identity and grow in ways she had never anticipated.

Review

I have an admission. I actually read this book several months ago. I had emailed L.H. Cosway to let her know that I had read the first of the Florence Vaine trilogy and had posted a review of it on this blog. She was so gracious as to send me book two to read. I gobbled up the book in just a few short hours. It was thoroughly amazing. Now for the reason why I waited this long to review it. Well, it was because I didn't want the book to end, and so, by not reviewing it earlier, it felt like I was still enmeshed in Florence's world. I was also a little embarrassed about my review of the first book, A Strange Fire, where I mentioned that I didn't think it necessary that Florence was portrayed as an abused teen. I was so wrong. So my apologies.

In book two, we are further brought into Florence's life where she is dealing not only with the horror that comes from being abused, but also furthering her relationship with Frank. And really that is the least of it. I was so upset that the book ended and couldn't believe that I would have to wait until summer 2013 for book three to come out. But wait I must. I totally recommend reading the Florence Vaine Trilogy. It is fast paced, exciting and riveting.

I can't say enough about L.H. Cosway. She is an incredible writer that takes you on a journey and brings you so vividly into the world that she has created. You cry when the characters cry, wince when they do, laugh with them and feel like you are really there. Her books are rich with detail and imagery that flows brilliantly with the story. L.H. Cosway is fast becoming one of my favourite YA authors.

Rating: 5 of 5 stars

Rated by: Jessica

Review: Chaos Walking Trilogy by Patrick Ness

Story Synopsis

Prentisstown isn't like other towns. Everyone can hear everyone else's thoughts in an overwhelming, never-ending stream of Noise. Just a month away from the birthday that will make him a man, Todd and his dog, Manchee -- whose thoughts Todd can hear too, whether he wants to or not -- stumble upon an area of complete silence. They find that in a town where privacy is impossible, something terrible has been hidden -- a secret so awful that Todd and Manchee must run for their lives.

But how do you escape when your pursuers can hear your every thought? (from Goodreads)

My Review

I'm cheating a little today. I'm going to review the trilogy as a whole. I know, I know, that's three books at once, so each book gets only a third of the attention, but it had to be done this way. I read through the trilogy so fast, there was no stopping between books to do something so down-to-earth as a review. These books transported me to another world - one that was at times beautiful, at times heart-wrenching, and at times infuriating - but always fascinating.

I won't say much about the plot, because I'd much rather let you discover it for yourself, but it's fantastic. Like all good sci-fi, the futuristic setting is disguises contemporary themes, so that what you get is a thought-provoking reflection of our world...but with spaceships. It's a fast and fun read, and when the characters drove me crazy, they did it in a good way, because I had to keep turning pages to find out what would happen.

The first book is told from a single POV, the second from two, and the third from three. All first person. Oh eff, was my thought, as soon as I hit that second POV in the second book. (Except, as the main character would say, I didn't think, "eff".) Not now, not when I'm so into it. My least favorite POV is multiple first-person. I find it confusing. I don't like the way I have to twist my brain to accommodate several different voices, all calling themselves "I". But I was in for a surprise. Ness did such an excellent job of creating unique voices for his three POV characters that I had no problems slipping into the different mind-sets. It probably helped that each voice was in a different font. My un-twisted brain thanks whoever had that brilliant idea.

I loved these books. Think Hunger Games, or Harry Potter. I read them with that level of page-turning obsession. I can see why it won loads of awards. When my cousins are old enough, I'm buying them these books. They're that good.

Rating: 5 stars

Rated by: Blair

Review: Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

Story Synopsis:

Three years ago, Sophie Mercer discovered that she was a witch. It's gotten her into a few scrapes. Her non-gifted mother has been as supportive as possible, consulting Sophie's estranged father--an elusive European warlock--only when necessary. But when Sophie attracts too much human attention for a prom-night spell gone horribly wrong, it's her dad who decides her punishment: exile to Hex Hall, an isolated reform school for wayward Prodigium, a.k.a. witches, faeries, and shapeshifters.

By the end of her first day among fellow freak-teens, Sophie has quite a scorecard: three powerful enemies who look like supermodels, a futile crush on a gorgeous warlock, a creepy tagalong ghost, and a new roommate who happens to be the most hated person and only vampire student on campus. Worse, Sophie soon learns that a mysterious predator has been attacking students, and her only friend is the number-one suspect.

As a series of blood-curdling mysteries starts to converge, Sophie prepares for the biggest threat of all: an ancient secret society determined to destroy all Prodigium, especially her. (From Goodreads)

My Review:

I really enjoyed this book. Sophie Mercer is a funny, engaging character who has you rooting for her from the first page. The world Rachel Hawkins created is fun, intriguing and filled with awesome characters. Hex Hall itself is like a school for paranormal delinquents, filled with witches, vampires, shifters, werewolves, and fairies.

Though it took me a little while, I was completely hooked by the half way point and devoured the second half of this book. I loved Sophie, her friends and though Archer was a compelling love interest. I enjoyed the twists and themes, and while I suspected things may go a certain way, I found the plot twists entertaining.

For those of you who like a sassy main female character and the paranormal genre, this book is an excellent read. If you read and enjoyed Paranormalcy, by Kiersten White, you'll enjoy Hex Hall. I cannot wait to get my hands on book two.

My Rating: 4 Stars

Rated by: Lisa

Review: Glimmer by Phoebe Kitandis

Story Synopsis:

When Marshall King and Elyse Alton suddenly wake up tangled in each other's arms with zero memory of how they got there or even who they are, it's the start of a long journey through their separate pasts and shared future.

Terrified by their amnesia, Marshall and Elyse make a pact to work together to find the answers that could restore their missing memories. As they piece together clues about their lives, they discover that they're in the idyllic mountain resort town of Summer Falls. Everyone seems happy there, but as Marshall and Elyse quickly learn, darkness lurks beneath the town's perfect facade. Not only is the town haunted by sinister ghosts, but none of its living inhabitants retain bad memories of anything--not the death of Marshall's mom, not the hidden violence in Elyse's family, not even the day-to-day anguish of being a high schooler.

Lonely in this world of happy zombies, Marshall and Elyse fall into an intense relationship founded on their mutual quest for truth. But the secrets they're trying to uncover could be the death of this budding love affair--and of everyone, and everything, they love in Summer Falls. (from Goodreads)

Blair's Review:

Holy cow!

This book just came out of nowhere, and it's so good. Lisa got it for free at a sci-fi conference we both went to (cause we're geeks), and we both read it, and let me reiterate: holy cow.

Best free book ever. But I would have happily paid for it.

I'll admit that when I was reading it, I wasn't thinking many review-y type thoughts, because I was too engrossed in the mystery. Books which begin with a memory wipe can be a little cliche (Oh...the character doesn't remember anything...where have I heard that before? Only everywhere.), but Kitandis weaves such a gripping mystery around the memory loss that the trope seems fresh and new. I especially loved the disconnect between the characters' real selves and the selves they presented to the world, because it felt so true.

I've been asked to give my professional opinion on the memory loss. The truth is, I don't have one. When books try and pass off their neurological phenomena with a quasi-scientific explanation, I'm much more likely to huff and puff and pick holes and complain. Nothing suspends my disbelief quite as effectively as bad science. But it's pretty obvious within the first five pages that we're dealing with magic here. Magic's okay. Magic doesn't exist within my scientific world. I can suspend my disbelief for magic. Ironically though, the fact that the characters lose their names along with their histories actually makes this magical story more scientifically plausible than all the 'I-only-remember-my-name' stories.

Lisa's Review:

I'll reiterate Blair's "Holy Cow" statement. Yes, I was totally thrilled to score this awesome read at a sci-fi conference. Not because it was free and hardcover (and that doesn't affect my review, by the way). But I found this world and the plight of Marshall and Elyse so engrossing I couldn't put this book down. Seriously. I need to make a new category for this sort of book, like the "sleep-lost-reading-this" rating or "useless-the-next-day-at-work" rating or the "I-even-took-reading-breaks-at-work" rating. Because when all those things happen, the book is clearly five stars for me.

Is that subjective? I guess so.

 Blair's Rating: 5 stars

 Lisa's Rating: 5 stars

Review: Eon's Door by J.G. McKenney

Synopsis:

A 2012 Reviewers Choice Award winner and Eric Hoffer Award finalist! 

The Dark Forest is moving and a horde of bloodthirsty monsters is on the hunt. For the peaceful denizens of Erla, time is running out. 

Two thousand years have passed since the three clans fled the world of humans through Eon’s Door to find sanctuary in a realm called Erla, and now a prophecy left to them by the ancient race that created the tree portal is coming true. A trusted sage has stolen the portal’s key and is using the awesome power that separated the worlds to tear apart the very soul of Nature. The key must be taken back and Eon’s Door closed—before it’s too late.

Hope lies with a “child of doubt” from the world the clans left behind and the courageous young Erlan who’s been sent to find him. Together they must retrieve the key and close Eon’s Door. It won’t be easy. Abominations of beasts and trees stand between them and their goal. Even worse, the sage knows the prophecy and is expecting them.

EON'S DOOR is a fantasy adventure recommended for readers age 12 and up.

Jessica's Review:

One of the first books I was ever given to read was a fantasy book. It took me on a journey to unknown lands and created a vision of possibilities. That book gave me an understanding that there is so much more to this world than just what we see. Eon's door is very much like that. J.G. McKenney's ability to describe a world so much and so unlike our own is impressive.

Eon's door is a classic fantasy adventure story that faces off between good and evil. Strange and delightful characters fill the novel creating a well rounded story. I was so immersed in the world that J.G. McKenney had created that I didn't want the story to end. I thoroughly enjoyed going on the adventure with Bobby and Scotty to save another world and perhaps in some ways our own.

Eon's Door reminds me of an epic fantasy and I found myself wanting to spend more time in this world and learn more about the people and the places. Perhaps there is or will be a second book and if there is I will look forward to continuing the journey through the lands of Erla.

Rating: 4.0 stars
Rated by: Jessica