Review: Looking for Alaska by John Green

Title: Looking for Alaska
Author: John Green
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Contemporary Fiction
Publisher: Speak Books, Penguin Group
Format: Paperback, 221 Pages
ISBN: 9780142412213
Release Date: August 14, 2008
Source: Borrowed from Wentworth Library
Rating: 4/5

Purchase Here: Kindle // Paperback

Tagline(s): ~NONE~

Summary: Before.

Miles "Pudge" Halter is done with his safe life at home. His whole existence has been one big nonevent, and his obsession with famous last words has only made him crave the "Great Perhaps" (Francois Rabelais, poet) even more. He heads off to the sometimes crazy, possibly unstable, and anything-but-boring world of Culver Creek Boarding School, and his life becomes the opposite of safe. Because down the hall is Alaska Young. The gorgeous, clever, funny, sexy, self-destructive, screwed-up, and utterly fascinating Alaska Young, who is an event unto herself. She pulls Pudge into her world, launches him into the Great Perhaps, and steals his heart.

After.

Nothing is ever the same.

Review:

Looking for Alaska was POWERFUL. That is the first word that pops into my head when I think about this book. There are messages within messages that you could totally miss if you're not really thinking about what you're reading, they are so seamlessly written into all the other aspects of the story. Everyone will come away with something different by the time they finish reading.

The next words I can come up with are EMOTIONALLY CHARGED. You will laugh, you will get upset, and you will cry. Pudge goes through a lot in his short time at Culver Creek--and although the other characters have pretty big emotional points, because Pudge is our narrator, readers will feel more connected to his feelings than the others.

And finally, Looking for Alaska is THOUGHT PROVOKING. I still don't have any definite answers to these questions myself, but there are three questions in Looking for Alaska that I feel deserve some thought:

1. Pudge goes to Culver Creek to search for a Great Perhaps. What is your Great Perhaps?
2. Alaska's favorite last words were Simon Bolivar's when he said, "How will I ever get out of this labyrinth!" She comes to the conclusion that the labyrinth is not life or death, but suffering--so she asks, How do you get out of the labyrinth of suffering?
3. Their Religion teacher, Dr. Hyde, tells them about their final exam and that each of the religions they studied brings a message of radical hope, so the question he leaves them with is, What is your cause for hope?

These are all very important questions that are difficult to answer, but Looking for Alaska makes you think about your own answers to these questions.

About this Author:

John Green's first novel, Looking for Alaska, won the 2006 Michael L. Printz Award presented by the American Library Association. His second novel, An Abundance of Katherines, was a 2007 Michael L. Printz Award Honor Book and a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize. His next novel, Paper Towns, is a New York Times bestseller and won the Edgar Allen Poe Award for Best YA Mystery. In January 2012, his most recent novel, The Fault in Our Stars, was met with wide critical acclaim, unprecedented in Green's career. The praise included rave reviews in Time Magazine and The New York Times, on NPR, and from award-winning author Markus Zusak. The book also topped the New York Times Children's Paperback Bestseller list for several weeks. Green has also coauthored a book with David Levithan called Will Grayson, Will Grayson, published in 2010. The film rights for all his books, with the exception of Will Grayson Will Grayson, have been optioned to major Hollywood Studios.

In 2007, John and his brother Hank were the hosts of a popular internet blog, "Brotherhood 2.0," where they discussed their lives, books and current events every day for a year except for weekends and holidays. They still keep a video blog, now called "The Vlog Brothers," which can be found on the Nerdfighters website, or a direct link here.

PART OF....

Review: Magic Strikes by Ilona Andrews

Title: Magic Strikes
Series: Kate Daniels #3 
Author: Ilona Andrews
Genre: Urban Fantasy Fiction, Supernatural Fiction
Elements: Bean sidhes, Vampires, Necromancers, Shapeshifters, Werewolves, Psychic Abilities, Mages 
Publisher: Ace Books, Penguin Group
Format: Mass Markest Paperback, 310 Pages
ISBN: 978-0-441-01702-7
Release Date: April, 2009
Source: Borrowed from Wentworth Library
Rating: 4/5

Tagline(s): When magic strikes and Atlanta goes to pieces, it's a job for Kate Daniels...

Summary: Drafted to work for the Order of Knights of Merciful Aid, mercenary Kate Daniels has more paranormal problems these days than she knows what to do with. And in Atlanta, where magic comes and goes like the tide, that's saying a lot.

But when Kate's werewolf friend Derek is discovered nearly dead, she must confront her greatest challenge yet. As her investigation leads her to the Midnight Games--an invitation-only, no-holds-barred, ultimate preternatural fighting tournament--she ans Curran, the Beast Lord, uncover a dark plot that may forever alter the face of Atlanta's shapeshifting community...

Review:

Curran's first law as Beast Lord was, "Don't touch the Games." The Midnight Games is a gladiatorial-style tournament where teams of supernaturals are pitted against each other. When Kate's friend Derek is found near death, all signs point to a team in the tournament called the Reapers. Determined to find those responsible, Kate and a small team of rogue shapeshifters infiltrate the tournament. But the tournament hold potential exposure for Kate, and those who work for her father are closer than she ever thought.

Kate's stepfather told her that having friends would be the death of her, and that may be so considering the number of times she's been near death because she was helping someone out. But I think Kate has also gained strength from having people she wishes to protect. The fact that Kate risks potential exposure at the tournament shows a change in her priorities and she's finally starting to live for herself. This sacrifice is significant in that she is starting to open herself to new friendships and relationships. And her loyalty to those she chooses as her friends is undeniable. But she still fears these relationships because she fears these people being caught up in her ever-approaching battle with her father. She has lost so many people in her life already because of who she is and she doesn't want to lose anymore. Derek's attack at the hands of the Reapers brings those fears into reality.

Curran's advances toward Kate reach the stalker-level in Magic Strikes. After the reeve attack in Magic Burns, Curran replaced her apartment door and kept a copy of the key for himself. He goes to her place once in a while, watches her sleep (and let's face it, he's probably the one who ate her apple pie), just to know that she's safe. And after Kate was attacked by some of the members of the Pack, Curran put out an order stating that anyone who attacks her will be punished. Then there is the Universe-explosive kiss that just leaves Kate wanting more. It's no wonder Curran thinks that they're mated. Though Kate will deny it, Curran notices her fear that there may actually be something more between them. I have to say that I would love to be stalked by Curran (who wouldn't?), and the verbal sparring between Curran and Kate is just too funny. The only thing holding Kate back is her fear that Curran will be killed because of who she is. With Curran's persistence though, Kate won't be able to hold out forever.

Kate's father, who we know to be the infamous Roland, hires the Reapers to take out the Pack. Curran's Pack is the second largest in North America and it's growing everyday, so Roland sees them as a threat to his growing empire. He has also sent Hugh d'Ambray, his Warlord, to oversee the job and make sure that the Reapers do as they were hired to. He goes so far as to lend them one of his personal weapons, forged of his own blood, the Scarlet Star. This is the risk to Kate. She is the only one who has the power to destroy Roland's sword, but doing so will expose who she really is. The fact that Kate risked her own life to protect them is not lost on her shapeshifting friends. This is Kate first big show of loyalty to the Pack. This is a very powerful and important moment in the Kate Daniels series so far. It's also a big moment for Kate, because she learns that she also has the same ability as her father to shape her blood.

Magic Strikes shifts from the usual Euro-Greco-Roman mythology of the first two books to Hindu mythology. There is mention of Hindu gods, creatures, and artifacts. And all of this informations is given to us by Dali, an Indonesian, vegetarian, were-tigress. I usually prefer Euro-Greco-Roman mythology to others, but the Hindu mythology used in Magic Strikes was a refreshing change since I don't know much about it.

Stand Out Quotes:

"You're screening your calls?"
"Why not? It saves me from conversations with idiots."
"Is that an insult?"
"You're not an idiot. You're just a deadly psychopath with a god complex. What is it you want?"

"The Beast Lord--my own personl stalker. Gee, every girl's dream."

"I had no idea you were a sausage expert."
Die, die, die, die....
"Is he choking?"
"No, he just needs a moment. Young bouda males. Easily excitable."

"You came for me."
"Always."

About this Author:

Ilona Andrews is the pseudonym for a husband-and-wife writing team. Ilona is a native-born Russian and Gordon is a former communications sergeant in the U.S. Army. Contrary to popular belief, Gordon was never an intelligence officer with a license to kill, and Ilona was never the mysterious Russian spy who seduced him. They met in college, in English Composition 101, where Ilona got a better grade. (Gordon is still sore about that.)

Gordon and Ilona currently reside in Oregon with their two children, three dogs and a cat. They have co-authored two series, the bestselling urban fantasy of Kate Daniels and romantic urban fantasy of The Edge.

Review: Magic Burns by Ilona Andrews

Title: Magic Burns
Series: Kate Daniels #2 
Author: Ilona Andrews
Genre: Urban Fantasy Fiction, Supernatural Fiction 
Elements: Shapeshifters, Werewolves, Shamans, Witches, Druids, Vampires, Necromancers, Deities
Publisher: Ace Books, Penguin Group
Format: Mass Market Paperback, 260 Pages
ISBN: 978-0-441-01583-2
Release Date: April, 2008
Source: Borrowed from Wentworth Library
Rating: 4/5

Tagline(s): Down in Atlanta, tempers--and temperatures--are about to flare...

Summary: As a mercenary who cleans up after magic gone wrong, Kate Daniels has seen her share of occupational hazards. Normally, waves of paranormal energy ebb and flow across Atlanta like a tide. But once every seven years, a flare comes, a time when magic runs rampant. Now Kate’s going to have to deal with problems on a much bigger scale: a divine one.

When Kate sets out to retrieve a set of stolen maps for the Pack, Atlanta’s paramilitary clan of shapeshifters, she quickly realizes much more at stake. During a flare, Celtic god Morfran supersedes goddess Morrigan for witch coven worshippers of the Crow, and sea monsters from the Underworld enter via the Cauldron of Plenty. Kate starts looking for Pack maps and 13-year old Julia's witch mother, and ends up uniting shapeshifters and vampire zombie controllers to save the world.

Review: 

A magic flare is coming to Atlanta, causing the shift between technology and magic to be more unreliable and haphazard. It's also the perfect time for those of divine origin to manifest in our world. And that would be disastrous. 

When a magic imprint on a bolt fired during one of her Guild jobs registers as "human divine," Kate sets out to find the crossbowman. Then the Pack approaches Kate for help retrieving some survey maps that were stolen and just so happen to have been taken by the crossbowman she's looking for. These two events bring Kate to Julie, a young girl looking for her missing mother. But what Kate discovers along the way is even more disturbing.

Kate Daniels is moving up in the world in Magic Burns. After her role in the Red Stalker case, Kate has been given a new job as Liaison between the Order and the Guild. She's also been given Friend of the Pack status with the Atlanta shapeshifter Pack. On one hand, Kate has to deal with the knight-protector, Ted Moynohan and Curran, the Beast Lord, on the other. And she'd rather not have to deal with either. Ted is a human supremest who wants to eradicate anything with an ounce of magic. And Curran basically just gets Kate hot-and-bothered and that freaks her out.

"Not only will you sleep with me, but you will say 'please.' You will say 'please' before and 'thank you' after."

After that good luck kiss in Magic Bites, Curran has been slowly moving in on Kate. And, boy, is he subtle about it. Kate doesn't know what he's doing until others in the Pack tell her. For example: When Kate was severely injured in an attack by the reeves, she was brought to a Pack safehouse ans healed by Doolittle. Bowls of soup were brought in for her and Curran pick one up, looks at it with a look of contemplation, and hands it to Kate. Now for shapeshifters, food has a special significance. Food is how animals express love. The fact that Curran gave Kate food signifies his serious interest in her.

Curran's pursuit kind of freaks Kate out. Kate is someone who doesn't have close connections with anyone. The main reason for this is because of who she is. Her blood makes her a target and intimacy means sharing her magic. But another reason is because she's scared. Every person she's ever cared about has been killed or died because of her--first her mother, then her stepfather, and more recently her guardian, Greg. Kate avoids close relationships because she's being hunted and she's scared of losing anyone else she loves because of who she is the daughter of.

There is a perfect example of this in her relationship with Bran. Bran is one of Morrigan's warriors. Kate didn't know him for long, but she came to care about him and understand him. Her grief and sadness was so great that, as she cried over his body, small white star-shaped flowers with centers as black as his eyes bloomed all around them. But because of these flowers, Bran's heroics that day will always be remembered, just as he always wanted.

Kate grows emotionally in Magic Burns and the world of the series grows as well. New places are introduces to us in great detail and we learn more about what life is like for the people in those places. I'm excited to see how much more Kate ans the world of this series continue to grow in the next book.

About this Author:

Ilona Andrews is the pseudonym for a husband-and-wife writing team. Ilona is a native-born Russian and Gordon is a former communications sergeant in the U.S. Army. Contrary to popular belief, Gordon was never an intelligence officer with a license to kill, and Ilona was never the mysterious Russian spy who seduced him. They met in college, in English Composition 101, where Ilona got a better grade. (Gordon is still sore about that.)

Gordon and Ilona currently reside in Oregon with their two children, three dogs and a cat. They have co-authored two series, the bestselling urban fantasy of Kate Daniels and romantic urban fantasy of The Edge.

Review: Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews

Title: Magic Bites
Series: Kate Daniels #1
Author: Ilona Andrews
Genre: Supernatural Fiction, Urban Fantasy Fiction
Elements: Vampires, Necromancers, Shapeshifters, Mages, Psychic Abilities, Werewolves
Publisher: Ace Books, Penguin Group
Format: Mass Market Paperback, 260 Pages
ISBN: 978-0-441-01489-7
Release Date: March 27, 2007
Source: Borrowed from Wentworth Library
Rating: 4/5

Tagline(s):  Atlanta would be a nice place to live if it weren't for the magic...

Summary: When the magic is up, rogue mages cast their spells and monsters appear, while guns refuse to fire and cars fail to start. But then technology returns, and the magic recedes as unpredictably as it arose, leaving all kinds of paranormal problems in its wake.

Kate Daniels is a down-on-her-luck mercenary who makes her living cleaning up these magical problems. But when Kate's guardian is murdered, her quest for justice draws her into a power struggle between two strong factions within Atlanta's magic circles.

The Masters of the Dead, necromancers who can control vampires, and the Pack, a paramilitary clan of shapechangers, blame each other for a series of bizarre killings—and the death of Kate's guardian may be part of the same mystery. Pressured by both sides to find the killer, Kate realizes she's way out of her league—but she wouldn't have it any other way…

Review: 

A magical apocalypse has destroyed the technological world we all know so well in Magic Bites. Our once proud technological advancements have been laid waste by the resurgence of Old World magic that now runs wild once again. Skyscrapers are ruinous heaps that are home to magical outlaws, while guns fail to fire and vehicles fail to start. When magic hits, technology doesn't stand a chance.

After learning of her guardian's death, Kate Daniels travels to Atlanta in search of answers. But the questions lead to a building feud between the Pack and the People, and Kate is caught in the middle. Both factions have members mysteriously murdered and they are blaming each other. Pressured by both sides, Kate must figure out who (or what) is behind the killings and what they have to do with her guardian's murder, before war breaks out.

The world of Magic Bites is really intriguing and complex. I mean, there are so many factions and groups that it's hard to keep them straight sometimes. There is the Pack, the People, the Order, the Division, and the Guild just in this first book. I'm not even sure what all of their purposes are, especially the law enforcement factions. But the intricacies of the Pack and the People are really interesting. There is still so much to learn about this world and its people.

I loved the dynamic between Kate and Curran. They both push each others buttons, in good and bad ways. I loved the incident where Kate sent Curran a saucer of milk at a restaurant when she finds him basically spying in her. It was such a hilarious moment, I couldn't stop laughing. And you can definitely feel something simmering between them. We don't see much in Magic Bites, but you just know something is going to happen between them.

Magic Bites was a great introduction to the world and people in the Kate Daniels series. We meet key characters that will show up throughout the series, and I'm sure there's going to be even more about post-magical-apocalyptic Atlanta to learn in future books. This is an exciting start and I can't wait to read the next installment!

About this Author:

Ilona Andrews is the pseudonym for a husband-and-wife writing team. Ilona is a native-born Russian and Gordon is a former communications sergeant in the U.S. Army. Contrary to popular belief, Gordon was never an intelligence officer with a license to kill, and Ilona was never the mysterious Russian spy who seduced him. They met in college, in English Composition 101, where Ilona got a better grade. (Gordon is still sore about that.)

Gordon and Ilona currently reside in Oregon with their two children, three dogs and a cat. They have co-authored two series, the bestselling urban fantasy of Kate Daniels and romantic urban fantasy of The Edge.

 

 

 

PART OF....

Challenge Review: Iron Kissed by Patricia Briggs

Title: Iron Kissed
Series: Mercy Thompson #3
Author: Patricia Briggs
Genre: Supernatural Fictions, Urban Fantasy Fiction
Elements: Werewolves, Fae, Shapeshifters, Ghosts
Publisher: Ace Books, Penguin Group
Format: Mass Market Paperback, 287 Pages
ISBN: 978-0-441-01566-5
Release Date: January 2, 2008 
Source: Borrowed from Wentworth Library
Rating: 4.5/5

Tagline(s): ~NONE~

Summary: I could smell her fear, and it satisfied something deep inside me that had been writhing under her cool, superior gaze. I curled me upper lip so she could get a good look as my sharp teeth. I might only weigh thirty or so pounds in my coyote shape, but I was a predator...

Mechanic Mercy Thompson can shift her shape--but not her loyalty. When her former boss and mentor is arrested for murder and left to rot behind bars by his own kind, it's up to Mercy to clear his name, whether he wants her to or not.

Mercy's loyalty is under pressure from other directions, too. Werewolves are not known for their patience, and if Mercy can't decide between the two she cares for, Sam and Adam may make the choice for her...

Review:

In Iron Kissed, Uncle Mike and Zee call in the debt Mercy owes them for borrowing fae objects to kill two vampires. Someone has been murdering fae on the reservation, and with Mercy's nose she may be able to sniff out who did it. BFA agent O'Donnell was present in each of the victim's homes, but when Uncle Mike and Zee pay the guard a little visit, they find him dead in his home. Now Zee is being framed for the murder of O'Donnell. Mercy, great and loyal friend that she is, will not let Zee go down for something he didn't do. At least not without a fight.

Mercy couldn't have gotten herself in a more dangerous situation than sticking her nose (literally) into fae business. Though she was asked to help, she has gained the attention of some very powerful fae, ones who aren't very happy with her knowing their secrets.

First, there is the Great Carrion Crow, who goes by the name Nemane, who also happens to be blind. She finds Mercy sniffing around O'Donnell's place and having possession of one of their treasures. Then there is The Fideal, who catches Mercy sniffing around the local Citizens for a Bright Future chapter. He decides that since he hasn't had a good meal in a while, Mercy will make a great snack. It's amazing that Mercy is still alive considering how much trouble that nose of hers gets her into.

The treasure that I mentioned Mercy being in possession of is a walking stick that is supposed to cause its owner's sheep to bear twins. For some reason the walking stick has grown attached to Mercy and will show up wherever she is. I thought it important to mention the walking stick because it appears in future books and sometimes plays a key role in saving Mercy's life.

We learn about a couple anti-fae groups in Iron Kissed. The first is the one O'Donnell was a member of, Citizens for a Bright Future. This anti-fae group is more for the common, blue-collar person. Whereas the John Lauren Society, which is the largest anti-fae group, is geared toward those of the high class variety. Coincidentally, the lawyer Mercy hired to represent Zee is a member of this group.

Another cool thing that is revealed to us is what Zee really looks like beneath his glamour. By my mental image, he looks pretty awesome!

The side story in Iron Kissed centers around Mercy's indecision concerning Adam and Samuel. Warren warns her that she needs to choose one or neither of them before one of them loses control. They both have been in pretty good control of themselves, but Adam is more restless and his temper more volatile.

We learn the reason for this lies in Adam's mate claim being unfulfilled. When Adam claimed Mercy, a spot was opened for her in the pack, and that opening (which has not been filled) is a weakness within the pack. Adam is absorbing the effects and that leaves him constantly on edge. So there is a lot more to Adam's claim than Mercy thought, so she needs to really think about her choice.

Ben was a character that I had a love-hate relationship with. But when Ben had a one-on-one talk with Adam it really made it easier to understand him. His hatred of women and his feelings about the rape he was accused of really make sense after this. Ben even seems to soften toward Mercy after this point. Ben is probably one of my favorite characters in thise series now.

Mercy shows great strength in the face of a terrible circumstance. But it will take time for her to heal completely and I can't wait to see how she grows after this point.

About this Author:

Patricia Briggs was born in Butte, Montana to a children’s librarian who passed on to her kids a love of reading and books. Patricia grew up reading fairy tales and books about horses, and later developed an interest in folklore and history. When she decided to write a book of her own, a fantasy book seemed a natural choice. Patricia graduated from Montana State University with degrees in history and German and she worked for a while as a substitute teacher. Currently, she lives in Montana with her husband, children and six horses and writes full-time, much to the delight of her fans.

PART OF....

Challenge Review: Blood Bound by Patricia Briggs

Title: Blood Bound
Series: Mercy Thompson #2
Author: Patricia Briggs
Genre: Supernatural Fictions, Urban Fantasy Fiction
Elements: Werewolves, Vampires, Fae, Shapeshifters, Witches, Ghosts, Sorcerers, Demons
Publisher: Ace Books, Penguin Group
Format: Mass Market Paperback, 292 Pages
ISBN: 978-0-441-01473-6
Release Date: January 30, 2007  
Source: Borrowed from Wentworth Library
Rating: 4/5

Tagline(s): ~NONE~

Summary: Under the rule of science, there are no witch burnings allowed, no water trials or public lynchings. In return, the average law-abiding, solid citizen has little to worry about from the things that go bump in the night. Sometimes I wish I was an average citizen...

Mechanic Mercy Thompson has friends in low places--and in dark ones. And now she owes one of them a favor. Since she can shapeshift at will, she agrees to act as some extra muscle when her vampire friend Stefan goes to deliver a message to another of his kind.

But this new vampire is hardly ordinary--and neither is the demon inside of him... 

Review:

In Blood Bound, Stefan calls in the favor Mercy owes him and asks her to accompany him (as a coyote) to act as a witness to his meeting with a vampire in town without permission. When they arrive at the vampire's hotel room the situation quickly deteriorates, leaving Stefan incapacitated and Mercy trapped. When the sun begins to rise, Mercy is left injured and Stefan has altered memories of what happened in the hotel room. The hunt is on for the vampire-sorcerer, and until he's caught, no one is safe.

Though Blood Bound is about the vampires and the sorcerer terrorizing the Tri-Cities, what really stood out for me was the relationships between the characters. Whether the relationship is romantic or just friendly, they seem to take more a front seat than the hunt for the evil vampire-sorcerer. This gives us more insight into the characters and even the reasons behind why they do what they do within these relationships.

Tensions within the Mercy, Adam, Samuel triangle are at an all time high with the arrival of the sorcerer. Mercy is avoiding Adam because the power he has over her makes her uncomfortable. What time she does spend with Adam is making Samuel jealous, especially when she comes home smelling like Adam. Samuel and Adam try to stay out of each others way except when it's necessary for them to be in the same place. And now it seems like this triangle may become a quadrangle when Stefan tells Mercy that she's "important" to him.

The sorcerer being in town is causing those beings with a volatile nature to lose control, especially the werewolves. Samuel seems to be affected the most but also he is showing signs of a werewolf that wants to die. It gets really bad when he has to care for an infant who was a victim on a car accident. It's well known how much Samuel loves children and this incident brought back to the forefront what happened to him in Texas before he returned to Montana. Samuel's painand heartache are so heartbreaking, especially when it's causing him to lose control and just want to give up. Also the fact that Mercy can't give Samuel what he wants adds to that heartbreak.

There was a moment that I found just as terrifying as Mercy did. I think it would terrify just about anyone to wake up and find that your creepy enemy has found you while he's outside slicing your trailer to ribbons trying to get in. It's definitely a good thing that vampires can't enter your home without permission or invitation.

It was interesting to see how much power Mercy actually has within the werewolf pack. Because Adam publicly claimed her as his mate in front of the entire pack in order to protect her, she now has his rank within the pack, and since Adam is the alpha Mercy is next in rank in the pack. It's easy to see how most of the pack would not be happy having a coyote dominant over them.

When Warren is brought back severely injured and Adam and Samuel go missing in search of the sorcerer, Mercy comes to the rescue (really, what would they do without her?). While one enemy is destroyed, another is given pardon. Mercy can't accept that and goes hunting. What this action will mean for the future we won't know until later books, but it's bound to be another adventure.

About this Author:

Patricia Briggs was born in Butte, Montana to a children’s librarian who passed on to her kids a love of reading and books. Patricia grew up reading fairy tales and books about horses, and later developed an interest in folklore and history. When she decided to write a book of her own, a fantasy book seemed a natural choice. Patricia graduated from Montana State University with degrees in history and German and she worked for a while as a substitute teacher. Currently, she lives in Montana with her husband, children and six horses and writes full-time, much to the delight of her fans.

Review: Dire Needs by Stephanie Tyler

Title: Dire Needs
Series: Eternal Wolf Clan #1
Author: Stephanie Tyler
Genre: Supernatural Fiction, Paranormal Romance
Elements: Werewolves, Shapeshifters, Deities, Witches, Ghosts, Demons
Publisher: Signet Eclipse Books, Penguin Group
Format: Mass Market Paperback, 390 Pages
ISBN: 978-0-451-23623-4
Release Date: March 6, 2012
Source: Borrowed from Wentworth Library
Rating: 4/5

Tagline(s): ~NONE~

Summary: The full moon is their mistress. They are predators of pleasure and pain. Feared by humans, envied by werewolves, the Dire Wolves are immortal shifters, obeying no laws but their own bestial natures. Once they were many, but now only six remain, a dangerous wolfpack forever on the hunt…

Rifter leads the pack, embracing the lifestyle and ethics of an outlaw biker even as he battles an ancient enemy who has become a new, powerful force. But with his Brother Wolf raging inside him, howling to be unleashed, he needs to satisfy his hungers. And when he meets a drop-dead gorgeous blonde drinking alone in a bar that caters to both human and inhuman, Rifter’s primal instinct is to claim her.

Gwen has her own desires, long unfulfilled. She hopes a passionate night with the leather-clad, Harley-riding biker will ease her suffering. The seizures that have wracked her body her entire life are incurable—and they’re killing her.

But none of that will matter if Rifter can’t stop the growing threat to them all–trappers who are determined to enslave humankind and use the Dire wolves as part of their nefarious plan.

Review: 

"When Fenrir was killed by the god Odin, Hati created two beings in his image who would become known as Mother and Father Wolf, Dire wolves born in human form so they could walk among the humans without fear, but change to their true form at will."

Thus the Dire race was born, but as the packs grew, they became envious of what the humans had. In their quest to gain power, wealth, and respect, the Dires began killing humans and eventually became uncontrollable. The Elders sent them a warning, but it was not heeded and the Elder set the Extinction upon them. Now there are only six known Dire alphas left, cursed with the inability to die and charged with protecting the very humans their ancestors murdered.

"Rifter needed a woman, Brother Wolf needed to run wild, and their appetites for sex and destruction mingled, rose with a hot howl as Rifter's Harley roared through the winter night."

One night as Rifter was out riding his bike, he stopped at a bar named Bite, because he smelled danger. There at the bar was a young woman who, not only caught the attention of all the men, but Rifter as well. Gwen is a human and for some reason Rifter feels drawn to her.

"She was already living with a death sentence, so why make it harder?"

Earlier that day, Gwen went to a neurology appointment for her seizures, and the truth wasn't good. The seizures are killing her and the medication isn't helping. So with that news, Gwen went to the bar, looking to awaken long-buried instincts she suppressed because of her illness. When she literally felt Rifter walk into the bar, she knew he wouldn't be gentle and treat her carefully.

This fated meeting between Rifter, the reluctant King of the Dire pack, and Gwen, the dying doctor who only wants to live, will change both their lives forever.

I thought it was interesting how in this series the wolf is their natural form and the man their secondary. It's different from how shifter stories are usually written with the man turning into the animal, instead of the animal turning into the man. The coexistence between the men and their Brother Wolves was pretty tame. Everything is equal, they work together, and there isn't any struggle for control between the two. There is one thing both man and wolf disagree on: their goals in life. In Rifter's case, his Brother Wolf's main goal is to become Father Wolf, which can only happen through mating. The fact that there are no Dire females makes that near impossible. Whereas Rifter only wants to die. Although that changes when he meets Gwen.

Rifter is a reluctant hero in Dire Needs. He doesn't want the responsibility of leadership, but knows that he needs to accept that role for the good of the pack. I think what will make him a great leader is his humbleness. He's confident and self-assured in his abilities, but he doesn't gloat about it. Confidence is good, but too much confidence can be a leader's downfall.

"According to Facebook, Rifter left the bar with a human. Twitter confirms."

Okay, am I the only one who thought that the use of social media was hilarious and kind of unbelievable? I mean, they value secrecy and don't want humans to know about their supernaturalness. How in the world could they keep humans from seeing their status updates and tweets? That is the unbelievable part. There is just no way. The hilarious part is the picture I get in my head as I read the quote Stray said above. He sounded like a teenage girl using Facebook and Twitter to stay in the know. He's this huge, masculine guy using social media for confirmation regarding Rifter. That just paints a funny picture in my head.

I really liked Rogue's description of Gwen and I totally agree with him that it's going to make things a whole lot more interesting. Gwen is hovering between life and death, she's a healer and a destroyer. She's dying because of her seizures, but she recently learned that she may yet live. Gwen is a doctor who heals the sick, but she also has the ability to destroy the Dires. It's like Gwen's very existence is liminal, an inbetween exixtence. She's inbetween who she was and who she's going to be. She's half one thing and half another. It's very interesting to think about. I can't wait to see how her liminality affects future events.

With the revelation that there are more Dires in the world than was thought, a great war between the supernatural and humans is beginning, and long-dead prophecies are turning out to be true. Stray will need to call in his brother, Killian, to help in the upcoming battles, but why was Killian kept a secret from the rest of the pack? I can't wait to find out in the next book, Dire Wants.

Standout Quotes:

"You are magic to my logic."

"Forget your science. Embrace your wolf."

About this Author:

NY Times Bestselling author Stephanie Tyler writes what she loves to read - romantic suspense with military heroes and paranormal romance - all with happy endings. Her Eternal Wolf Clan series begins with DIRE NEEDS, which is available March 6, 2012 from NAL.

She also co-writes paranormal erotic romance for Bantam Dell under the pen-name Sydney Croft.

She lives in New York with her husband, her daughter and her weimaraner and she adores her job.

For more information on Stephanie, please visit www.stephanietyler.com or email her at stephanie@stephanietyler.com.

For more information on Sydney, please visit www.sydneycroft.com or email Sydney at sydney@sydneycroft.com.

PART OF.... 

Review: Winging It by Deborah Cooke

Title: Winging It
Series: The Dragon Diaries #2
Author: Deborah Cooke
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Supernatural Fiction
Elements: Dragons, Shapeshifters, Mages, Deities, Ghosts, Werewolves
Publisher: New American Library, Penguin Group
Format: Paperback, 339 Pages
ISBN: 978-0-451-23489-6
Release Date: December 6, 2011
Source: Borrowed from Wentworth Library
Rating: 4/5

Tagline(s): ~NONE~

Summary: Zoë Sorensson yearns to come into her powers as the only female dragon shifter. But being part of two worlds is more complicated than she expected. It’s bad enough that she’s the target of the Mages’ plan to eliminate all shifters—she also has to hide her true nature from her best friend Megan, a human. For her sixteenth birthday, all Zoë wants is one normal day, including a tattoo and a chance to see hot rocker Jared.

Instead, the Pyr throw her a birthday party but ban Megan from attendance, putting Zoë in a tight spot. Things get even worse when Zoe is invited to the popular kids’ Halloween party and Megan’s left out. Zoë knows the party is a trap laid by the host, an apprentice Mage. When Megan gets a last-minute invite, Zoë must save the day—and her best friend—without revealing her fire-breathing secrets . . .

Review: 

Zoë's adventures continue in Winging It. When her two worlds collide, someone's bound to get hurt. Between fighting with her human best friend, pining over her rocker love interest, worrying about her parent's marriage, and being hunted by the Mages intent on destroying all shifters starting with her, Zoë's got a lot on her plate. No pressure. 

In Flying Blind, Zoë was just coming into her powers, and I found her to be quite immature. She was letting herself be ruled by her emotions, and wasn't leading the way she could have. But in Winging It, Zoë has experience and she leads intelligently, and uses her intuition to help her make decisions. She's definitely to be admired in this book. Not only does she have personal family and friend drama being dumped on her, but she also has the Mages coming at her too. She's in a stressful position, but she keeps her cool and does what needs to be done. 

I did find Meagan, Zoë's best friend, a little annoying for most of the book. The way she was always getting upset when Zoë didn't tell her every...little...thing just really irked me. It's totally unreasonable for Meagan to expect Zoë to tell her about things that Zoë clearly stated she could not talk about. Everyone has something they can't or won't tell someone else about, and being a very private person myself, I was just really irritated by Meagan's attitude and treatment toward Zoë.

I loved the addition of the love triangle between Jared, Zoë, and Derek in Winging It. While Zoë is waiting for some kind of commitment from Jared, Derek makes his way in and is there for Zoë when Jared is not. Derek's dependability is what could sway Zoë to finally give up on Jared. The thing is, Jared doesn't know about Derek. I have a feeling that this triangle could potentially be painful for one or all of them. It'll be interesting to see what direction Deborah will take it all. 

About this Author:

Deborah Cooke also writes under the names Claire Delacroix and Claire Cross.

Deborah makes her home in Canada with her husband. When she isn't writing, she can be found knitting, sewing or hunting for vintage patterns. Deborah Cooke has always been fascinated with dragons, although she has never understood why they have to be the bad guys. She has an honors degree in history, with a focus on medieval studies. She is an avid reader of medieval vernacular literature, fairy tales and fantasy novels, and has written over thirty romance novels under the names Claire Cross and Claire Delacroix.

Challenge Review: Bitten by Kelley Armstrong

Title: Bitten
Series: Women of the Otherworld #1
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Genre: Supernatural Fiction, Urban Fantasy Fiction
Elements: Werewolves
Publisher: Plume Books, Penguin Group
Format: Mass Market Paperback, 436 Pages
ISBN: 978-0-452-28603-0
Release Date: September 7, 2004
Source: Borrowed from Wentworth Library
Rating: 4/5

Tagline(s): ~NONE~

Summary: Elena Michaels seems like the typically strong and sexy modern woman. She lives with her architect boyfriend, writes for a popular newspaper, and works out at the gym. She's also a werewolf.

Elena has done all she can to assimilate to the human world, but the man whose bite changed her existence forever, and his legacy, continue to haunt her. Thrown into a desperate war for survival that tests her allegiance to a secret clan of werewolves, Elena must reckon with who, and what, she is in this passionate, page-turning novel.

Review:

Life's not easy when you're the only female werewolf in existence trying to live a normal human life. In Kelley Armstrong's Bitten, we meet Elena, a Canadian journalist just trying to lead a normal life and forget a past, and love, that's been haunting her since the fateful day she was bitten. But the past has come calling when the Alpha of her werewolf Pack asks for her to return home to Stonehaven to help with a mutt that's been causing some serious trouble that could endanger them all. Though reluctant to leave Toronto, Elena returns home to the Pack and Clay--the one who changed her life forever. With a mutt plot to take down the Pack set in motion, Elena has to put the past behind her, at least until this threat has been eliminated.

I love how imperfect Elena is as a heroine. She's had a tough life, but she does what she can to rise above the events of her childhood and not let it define who she is. I like that she stands up for herself and doesn't take crap from anyone--especially Clay.

What I love about Elena and Clay's relationship is that it's not new and perfect--it's got more than it's share of baggage. Elena has her issues and Clay wants what he wants. They are at each others throats most of the time. But when they can't resist the attraction anymore, they are explosive in a different way. They can't get enough of each other in these moments. I was really happy when Elena stopped fooling herself and admitted that she does love Clay--it took almost losing him, but I thought it has a big break-through moment for them.

I like to think of Elena as the "leader" of the Women of the Otherworld since the first book in the series is from her POV. Bitten is a great introduction into the world of the series, as well as the werewolf Pack itself. I couldn't help but love Clay, Jeremy, and the other members of the Pack. I can't wait to see what happens next in this amazing series.

About this Author: 

Kelley Armstrong has been telling stories since before she could write. Her earliest written efforts were disastrous. If asked for a story about girls and dolls, hers would invariably feature undead girls and evil dolls, much to her teachers' dismay. All efforts to make her produce "normal" stories failed.

Today, she continues to spin tales of ghosts and demons and werewolves, while safely locked away in her basement writing dungeon. She's the author of the NYT-bestselling "Women of the Otherworld" paranormal suspense series and "Darkest Powers" young adult urban fantasy trilogy, as well as the Nadia Stafford crime series. Armstrong lives in southwestern Ontario with her husband, kids and far too many pets.

CHALLENGE: MONTH ONE

BITTEN BY KELLEY ARMSTRONG

 

Review: Bloodrose by Andrea Cremer

Title: Bloodrose
Series: Nightshade #3
Author: Andrea Cremer
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Supernatural Fiction
Elements: Shapeshifters, Werewolves, Witches, Incubi, Succubi
Publisher: Philomel Books, Penguin Group
Format: Hardcover, 407 Pages
ISBN: 978-0-399-25612-7
Release Date: January 3, 2012
Source: Borrowed from Wentworth Library
Rating: 5/5

Tagline(s): Is true love worth the ultimate sacrifice?

Summary: Calla has always welcomed war.

But now that the final battle is upon her, there's more at stake than fighting. There's saving Ren, even if it incurs Shay's wrath. There's keeping Ansel safe, even if he's been branded a traitor. There's proving herself as the pack's alpha, facing unnameable horrors, and ridding the world of the Keeper's magic once and for all. And then there's deciding what to do when the war ends. If Calla makes it out alive, that is.

In the final installment of the Nightshade trilogy, New York Times bestselling author Andrea Cremer creates a novel with twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat until its final pages. A dynamic end to a breathtaking trilogy.

Review:

Bloodrose is the final book in the amazing Nightshade series. Bloodrose is full of twists and turns that will leave you reeling.

I viewed this book as really bittersweet. It seemed that for every victory there was a tragedy, for every joy a sorrow. There was a moment toward the end that left me completely heartbroken. I had to stop reading so I could collect myself.

My favorite part of the whole book was the romance. I enjoy reading stories involving love triangles and anticipating who will eventually end up with who. Though Calla decided she wouldn't choose between Shay and Ren until the war was over, I felt that Ren was never really given a fair shot. It seemed like Calla's decision was made that night in the garden with Shay in Wolfsbane. She always seems to be pushing Ren away instead of giving him the shot he deserved. As a member of Team Ren that kind of bothered me. There were a lot of great swoony moments between both couplings, but my favorite was the shower scene with Calla and Ren.

This is a completely personal opinion, and I'm not saying that I didn't like Bloodrose (I did indeed love this book), but I was kind of disappointed with how the book ended. It wasn't anything like I thought it would end. Most series finales leave a feeling that the characters are still living on and the story continues, but the end of Bloodrose seems more final. Though I didn't like the ending myself, I think that there will be quite a few who do.

This may be the end of the Nightshade series' main story, there is the prequel, RIFT, to look forward to in the summer.

Quote:

I'd always welcomed was, but when the last battle ends, what life is left for a warrior?
- Chapter 31, Page 395

Book Trailer:

 
About this Author:

Andrea Cremer spent her childhood daydreaming and roaming the forests and lakeshores of Northern Wisconsin. She now lives in Minnesota, but she thinks of her homeland as the “Canadian Shield” rather than the Midwest.

Andrea has always loved writing and has never stopped writing, but she only recently plunged into the deep end of the pool that is professional writing. When she’s not writing, Andrea teaches history at a very nice liberal arts college in St. Paul.

In the little spare time she can find, Andrea stares up at trees, rescues infant rabbits from predatory cats, and invents names for pug puppies with her husband. She has an unfortunate tendency to spill things – white carpets beware!

Her debut novel, NIGHTSHADE, the first of a YA fantasy series, will be published in fall 2010 by Penguin (Philomel). 

Review: Snow in Summer by Jane Yolen

Title: Snow in Summer: The Tale of an American Snow White
Author: Jane Yolen
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Fairy Tale Retellings
Elements: Magic
Publisher: Philomel Books, Penguin Group
Format: Hardcover, 243 Pages
ISBN: 978-0-399-25663-9
Release Date: November 10, 2011
Source: Borrowed from Wentworth Library
Rating: 3.5/5

Tagline(s): Fairest of Them All

Summary: With her black hair, red lips, and lily-white skin, Summer is as beautiful as her father's garden. And her life in the mountains of West Virginia seems like a fairy tale; her parents sing and dance with her, Cousin Nancy dotes on her, and she is about to get a new baby brother.

But when the baby dies soon after he's born, taking Summer's mama with him, Summer's fairy-tale life turns grim. Things get even worse when her father marries a woman who brings poison and a magical mirror into Summer's world. Stepmama puts up a pretty face, but Summer suspects she's up to no good. Is Summer powerless to stop her?

Master storyteller Jane Yolen crafts a brand-new Snow White tale filled with magic and intrigue, set during the early twentieth century in Appalachia, that will be hard to forget.

Review:

Snow in Summer takes place in West Virginia's Appalachian Mountains during the 1940's. Jane Yolen re-tells the fairy tale of Snow White in a more modern time that we're familiar with.

Summer's life was like a fairy tale until the day her mother and baby brother died and her father retreated into himself from heartache. Then Summer's father starts visiting her mother's grave every night after dinner and she hopes it's a sign that her father is coming back to her. What she didn't expect was for her father to walk down the mountain one day from visiting her mother with a woman on his arm. Summer and Cousin Nancy quickly realize that Summer's father is besotted and under the woman's spell. With no defense against the woman's magic, Summer is easily beguiled by her. Unable to please the woman who becomes her stepmother, Summer is hunted by the man her stepmother hired to kill her. She is able to escape and finds safety in the mountains with six German jewel mining brothers. But she can't escape her stepmother that easily.

Snow in Summer is an innocent girl who has a big name to live up to. She loves fairy tales and believes in True Love. And she knows evil when she sees it. She's called Summer by her family and friends, but Snow by her stepmother. With her mother gone and her father lost in heartache, Summer quickly grows really close to Cousin Nancy. But when she's beguiled by the woman who would become her stepmother, she desperately wants a mother's love and tries her hardest to get her stepmother to love her. But when she realizes that her stepmother can't love her and she sees how evil her stepmother really is, she tries to escape. When she is being hunted by the man that her stepmother hired to kill her, she finds a safe haven with six German miners in the mountains. She finds happiness there, but she knows she must always be careful in case her stepmother finds her.

I like how Jane Yolen stays with the main elements of the Snow White tale, but adds a few unique touches all her own. I also like the heroines name. It shows the two sides of the story. Snow (which she's called by her stepmother) shows the cold and oppressive side of the story. When the heroine is trapped by her stepmother. And Summer is the warm and hopeful side of the story. Where True Love is found and good always wins.

Quote: After all, it was True Love from the very first moment we met. the best kind, born out of adversity and hard work and destined to last happily ever after. Of that we are both absolutely certain. - Page 243

About this Author:

Yolen was born at Beth Israel Hospital, the first child of Isabel Berlin and Will Hyatt Yolen. She and her family moved to California when she was young but returned to New York a few years later. After her younger brother was born, her father joined the army and served on the European front during WWII. Yolen spent her childhood taking piano lessons, ballet dancing and writing a neighborhood newspaper with her brother. Yolen spent her teen years in Westport, Connecticut, and became involved in choir, basketball, debate, language clubs and the school paper. She graduated from Smith College with several publications in literary magazines already to her name.

In 1962, Yolen married David Stemple. They had three children together and six grandchildren. Stemple passed away in 2006 from cancer. Yolen now divides her time between her homes in Western Massachusetts and Scotland.

Yolen has written over 280 books, including picture books, books of poetry, science fiction, fantasy, historical fiction and more. Her books are part of the core curriculum for schools across the country and have been translated into several languages.

Review: Flying Blind by Deborah Cooke

Title: Flying Blind
Series: The Dragon Diaries #1
Author: Deborah Cooke
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Supernatural Fiction
Elements: Dragons, Shapeshifters, Mages, Psychic Abilities
Publisher: New American Library, Penguin Group
Format: Paperback, 322 Pages
ISBN: 978-0-451-23388-2
Release Date: June 7, 2011
Source: Borrowed from Wentworth Library
Rating: 4/5

Tagline(s): ~None~

Summary: Zoë Sorensson is perfectly normal---well, as normal as a girl obsessed with drawing dragons can be. The thing is, she's always been told she's special and destined for great things. It's not just because of her good grades, either. Zoë is the Wyvern of the Pyr---the one female dragon shape shifter with special powers. But Zoë is at the bottom of the class when it comes to being Pyr, and her powers are AWOL. Worse, there's no reference book to consult, and the last Wyvern is dead... 

Everything changes when Zoë's best friend is bullied and Zoë reacts. Before she can blink twice, her inner dragon is loose, and she's suspended from school and headed to a shape shifter boot camp with guys she's known all her life. But soon she's doubting her powers---and even some of her friendships. 

Zoë quickly realizes she has to master her powers yesterday---there's danger ahead and boot camp is a trap. A secretive group, the Mages, wants to eliminate all shifters and the Pyr are next in line---unless Zoë and her friends can solve the riddle and work togetherto save their own kind.... 

Review:

To be completely honest, I didn't like the beginning of the book all that much. It starts with Zoë dreaming of a hot guy (nothing wrong with that), then she goes into a little about the Covenant (information is good, especially for those who haven't read the Dragonfire series). But what really bothered me was how much Zoë complained about her non-existent boobs and period. It's a bit immature for a fifteen-year-old. I was hoping the "Puberty Show" would get on the road, too, just so she would stop complaining about it even five seconds. Now when it comes to her Wyvern powers, I'd probably be doubting myself too if they hadn't manifested yet. 

I have to admit that I did admire Zoë's readiness to protect her best friend when she was being bullied. It shows us a glimpse of her inner strength that we don't see much of until later in the book. Zoë's anger at these mean girls is what triggers her first semi-transformation. But because she's being ruled by anger she doesn't have any control over her dragon. In the end, she ends up suspended from school (when she didn't even do anything wrong, she didn't even touched anyone), she broke the Covenant twice, and is headed for boot camp. 

I found Zoë's jealousy over Nick and Isabelle's obvious feelings for each other kind of annoying. (And in her jealous fits her immaturity shines bright). Having grown up with the Pyr she should have realized a lot sooner than she did that two Pyr cannot be mated. Sure, she was being influenced by a spell to feel that much jealousy, but I thought it was a little too much. Especially when there's Jared showing interest in her. Where can you go wrong with a guy who believes in you even when you don't believe in youself, and offers you support when you need it? 

I love the atmosphere that the setting of boot camp creates. What could be more foreboding that being stuck in a cabin in the middle of nowhere during a Minnesota blizzard? I love books that take place in my state where I live and grew up. I felt the Minnesota winter setting fit pretty well with the events happening at boot camp. Winter, in any place, but mostly those places where it's known to be really cold and snowy, like Minnesota or Maine, always gives off that "Oh no, what's going to happen next?" feeling. And the plot and storytelling help give it that foreboding, dangerous feel.

I liked how throughout the book we were given small doses of Pyr history without it all being dumped on us at once. That's really helpful when you haven't read the parent series that the Dragon Diaries is spun-off from. There's isn't a lot of romance in Flying Blind, but where it does show up it's very swoon-worthy. Finally, you have this younger generation coming into their own. It's a heart-warming moment when all their father's show such pride in them.

Zoë's connection to the other Pyr being blocked somehow is only the beginning as tempers flare, friendships are tested, and jealousy rages.

About this Author: 

Deborah Cooke has always been fascinated with dragons, although she has never understood why they have to be the bad guys. She has an honors degree in history, with a focus on medieval studies. Deborah has written romances as Claire Delacroix and as Claire Cross. She has published over forty books and novellas, and has won numerous awards for her word, including the Orange County RWA Book Buyer's Best and the Colorado RWA's Award of Excellence. She has been a nominee for the Quill Award and for numerous Romantic Times awards.

Deborah makes her home in Canada with her husband. When she isn't writing or reading, she can be found knitting, sewing or hunting for vintage patterns.

GNA Review: Vampire Academy: A Graphic Novel

Title: Vampire Academy: A Graphic Novel
Series: Vampire Academy: The Graphic Novel #1
Author: Richelle Mead
Adapter: Leigh Dragoon
Artist: Emma Vieceli
Genre: Young Adult Graphic Novel Adaptations, Supernatural
Elements: Vampires, Dhampirs, Magic
Publisher: Razorbill, Penguin Group
ISBN-13: 9781595144294
Release: August 23, 2011
Rating: 2/5

Tagline(s): Only a true best friend can protect you from your immortal enemies...

Summary:

Lissa Dragomir is a Moroi princess: a mortal vampire with a rare gift for harnessing the earth's magic. She must be protected at all times from the Strigoi, the fiercest vampires---the ones who never die. The powerful blend of human and vampire blood that flows through Rose Hathaway, Lissa's best friend, makes her a dhampir. Rose is dedicated to a dangerous life of protecting Lissa from the Strigoi, who are hell-bent on making Lissa one of them.

Review:

Adaptation

There's nothing wrong with the wording, it's all taken straight from the book. But it's like the adapter only took the bare minimum of the story to put in the graphic novel. All of the juicy, meaty parts are left out. There are a lot of events and conversations not even included. I think the story part of this graphic novel would have been better with more substance to it.

Art

To be perfectly honest, I don't really like the art. I also don't like that it's in color. When I read graphic novels I prefer them to be in black and white. The art doesn't really add much character to the faces. Maybe it's just that I don't like American-looking art styles in manga.

My Final Thoughts:

I was sort of disappointed with the whole graphic novel. I thought it could have been much better.

When graphic novels are done in color, for me, it takes something away. It doesn't look as deep as it could be if it were in black and white. And with the pages being glossy it adds a glare that makes it difficult to read.

The adaptation wasn't any better. The story was so watered down that all the depth was sucked out of the story.

If I had to choose between reading the original book or the graphic novel, I'd choose the original hands down.

About this Author:

Scorpio Richelle Mead is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of urban fantasy books for both adults and teens. Originally from Michigan, Richelle now lives in Seattle, Washington where she works on her three series full-time: Georgina Kincaid, Dark Swan, and Vampire Academy.

A life-long reader, Richelle has always loved mythology and folklore. When she can actually tear herself away from books (either reading or writing them), she enjoys bad reality TV, traveling, trying interesting cocktails, and shopping for dresses. She's a self-professed coffee addict and has a passion for all things wacky and humorous. 

About this Artist:

Emma Vieceli (born June 13, 1979, in Essex) is a professional British comics artist of Italian-English heritage. She is currently a resident of a small village in Cambridgeshire, England.

Vieceli joined Sweatdrop Studios in 2002, and through the group released her own comic series, 'Dragon Heir'. She has also contributed to anthology titles including Boiled Spoons, Cold Sweat, Love, Sweat & Tears, Pink is for Girls and Planet Manga (A&I Covermount) and in 2005 she achieved a runner up position in the first Rising Stars of Manga United Kingdom & Ireland Competition, with her 15-page shōjo entry, "Between the Lines". She included cameo appearances of various titles being published under Sweatdrop Studios in her short story; Looking for the Sun, Once upon a Time, Fantastic Cat, as well as Dragon Heir.

She has worked on comic adaptations of William Shakespeare's Hamlet and Much Ado About Nothing for Self Made Hero. Amongst other projects, has worked on the art and design of the collectible card game Herocard Cyberspace from Tablestar Games and was also of the head contributors to Draw Manga Sweatdrop Studios from New Holland Publishers (UK) Ltd. Vieceli has worked with Spacedog Entertainment, illustrating the cover to eV, a short story in Princess Ai: Rumors From The Other Side, both published by Tokyopop, and a story in Tori Amos' Comic Book Tattoo a 480 page anthology published by Image Comics on July 3, 2008. In addition, she created Violet for The DFC, which was previewed in The Guardian Comic on May 31, 2008. In 2011, Vieceli provided the art for the Vampire Academy graphic novel, based on the novels of the same name.