Review: Innocent Darkness by Suzanne Lazear

Title: Innocent Darkness
Author: Suzanne Lazear
Series: Aether Chronicles #1
Publisher: Flux
Genre: Steampunk Young Adult
Release Date: 08/08/12
Reviewed by: Sara
Buy the Book:

Summary:

A hoverboard appeared in her rearview mirror. “This is the Los Angeles Air Patrol,” a voice boomed. “I command you to land your vehicle in the name of the law.”

Noli Braddock and her best friend V’s incident with a flying auto have landed them in a heap of trouble. And when Noli is sent to a spirit-squelching reform school in San Francisco, she’s sure that her rebellious adventures are over.

Meanwhile, Kevighn Silver has been ordered by the Faerie Queen to bring a mortal girl back to the Otherworld. The magic requires a blood sacrifice every seven years, and only a mortal girl who shines with the Spark -- a girl like Noli -- will keep the Otherworld from complete destruction.

When an ill-timed wish sends Noli tumbling into the Otherworld, she’s more homesick than ever... until V arrives to save her from an untimely demise. But who exactly is V? And if he helps Noli escape, who will save the realm of Faerie from utter annihilation?

Plot: 4 Stars
I'm really starting to love steampunk novels that also have paranormal elements, and somehow faeries really mix well. I really enjoyed the worldbuilding in this novel, and it was a really big part of the novel since the author intoduced the reader to two worlds: the steampunk world that Noli knows and the faerie world that she falls into. The author had an attention to detail that really made the worlds come to life without bogging the reader down in tons and tons of description. It was a great balance and I loved learning the ins and outs of each.

Pace: 3 Stars
I think the novel was both helped and hindered by the multiple points of view. There were points in the novel in which the POV jumps were needed for the reader to get the full picture. Then there were times that the POV jumped in the middle of a scene, and by the time the novel got back to that POV to finish the scene, it seemed like more time should have gone by. As much as I loved getting all of the information from the different points of view, there were times that it slowed the novel down a bit for me. There was also a bit of repetition in the middle of the novel, but I'm glad I didn't put it down because the ending was a race to the finish.

Characters: 4 Stars
Noli is a fantastic character. She was strong and independent, yet vulnerable. She was a bit of a troublemaker, but had good intentions. She was riding hoverboards and fixing flying cars while most girls her age were learning how to tend to the home. I really enjoyed Noli and all of her layers, and was definitely invested in what happened to her. V, Noli's best friend, was another interesting character. I liked how he complimented many of her qualities, kept her from getting into too much trouble. Kevighn was a mysterious character, and I'm still not quite sure how I feel about him. As much as he came across as the bad guy, there were some moments in which he was sweet and caring towards Noli.

Cover: 3 Stars
There are so many things about this cover that I love. The font choice and the details around it immediately drew my eye. And the zepplin in the background told me immediately that this was a steampunk title and sealed the deal. The buildings in the background and the cover model's outfit just added to the steampunk goodness. The colors worked really well with all of the images and the overall feel. But I just can't get over the cover model's expression. She looks bored as she plays with her hair, and I cannot reconcile this cover model with the lively girl I met while reading this novel. Noli was full of life and spunk and mischief, and I just wish I could've seen a little of that in the cover model's gaze.

Overall: 3.5 Stars

Disclosure: I received an eARC of this novel for review from Netgalley.

Review: God Save the Queen by Kate Locke

Title: God Save the Queen
Author: Kate Locke
Series: The Immortal Empire #1
Publisher: Orbit
Genre: Steampunk
Release Date: 07/03/12
Reviewed by: Sara
But the Book:

Summary:

Queen Victoria rules with an immortal fist.

The undead matriarch of a Britain where the Aristocracy is made up of werewolves and vampires, where goblins live underground and mothers know better than to let their children out after dark. A world where being nobility means being infected with the Plague (side-effects include undeath), Hysteria is the popular affliction of the day, and leeches are considered a delicacy. And a world where technology lives side by side with magic. The year is 2012 and Pax Britannia still reigns.

Xandra Vardan is a member of the elite Royal Guard, and it is her duty to protect the Aristocracy. But when her sister goes missing, Xandra will set out on a path that undermines everything she believed in and uncover a conspiracy that threatens to topple the empire. And she is the key -- the prize in a very dangerous struggle.

Plot: 4.5 Stars
My favorite part of this novel was how the plague mutated and is the cause behind vampires, werewolves, and goblins. I especially like the lengths in which the author went to make it scientifically believable. The little details included really made the book for me. I also really enjoyed all of the intricacies involved in society. I especially liked the interactions between the Aristos and the Halvies. Xandra's search for the truth involving her sisters made for many twists and turns I wasn't suspecting, and this novel kept me on my toes from beginning to end.

Pace: 3 Stars
I loved everything about this book... Except for the pace. There were a number of points in which it felt like it would never end. It took me about eight days to finish, and that's way too long even for me. I had a hard time coming up with my rating for this book because of the pace. Normally, when a book drags for me, it's because of more than one factor. This is the first time I've come across a book that was amazing, but really slow-moving. There were a couple times I almost put it down, but I had to know what was going to happen because the plot had me hooked and I enjoyed the characters too much. Around two-thirds of the way through, the plot started flowing a little more and I finished the rest in one sitting.

Characters: 4 Stars
Xandra was a great leading lady. I really enjoyed her thirst for the truth, even if ignorance was the easier choice. She had to make some tough decisions and learned some things about herself that weren't easy to hear, but she didn't let it get her down. In fact, she gained a confidence throughout the novel I was a bit envious of. Her siblings were each unique and interesting characters, and I hope to see more of them in the next novel. Even though the goblins aren't seen in the greatest light, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the goblin king.

Cover: 4.5 Stars
This is the most adorable little hardcover I have ever seen. When I picked it up and saw how tiny it was, I'll admit, I giggled. It's barely bigger than a mass market paperback and smaller than even the smallest trade paperback I could find on my shelves. Instead of a dust jacket, the cover image was right on the hardcover. As for the actual cover image, I loved the representation of Xandra. Between the bright red hair, the tiny handgun, the clothing, and the cover model's expression, it was exactly how I imagined Xandra to look. I loved the gritty background and the bold font. My favorite part was the little poster on the back that said, "Keep calm and pray for dawn."

Overall: 4 Stars

Disclosure: I bought a copy of this novel for my own reading pleasure.

Mini-Review: Wicked as They Come by Delilah S. Dawson

Title: Wicked as They Come
Author: Delilah S. Dawson
Series: Blud #1
Genre: Paranormal/Steampunk Romance
Release Date: 03/27/12
Reviewed by: Sara
But the Book:

Summary:

Have you ever heard of a Bludman? They’re rather like you and me—only more fabulous, immortal, and mostly indestructible. (They’re also very good kissers.)
Delilah S. Dawson’s darkly tempting debut drops her unsuspecting heroine into a strange faraway land for a romantic adventure that’s part paranormal, part steampunk... and completely irresistible.
When Tish Everett forces open the ruby locket she finds at an estate sale, she has no idea that a deliciously rakish Bludman has cast a spell just for her. She wakes up in a surreal world, where Criminy Stain, the dashing proprietor of a magical traveling circus, curiously awaits. At Criminy’s electric touch, Tish glimpses a tantalizing future, but she also foresees her ultimate doom. Before she can decide whether to risk her fate with the charming daredevil, the locket disappears, and with it, her only chance to return home. Tish and Criminy battle roaring sea monsters and thundering bludmares, vengeful ghosts and crooked Coppers in a treacherous race to recover the necklace from the evil Blud-hating Magistrate. But if they succeed, will Tish forsake her fanged suitor and return to her normal life, or will she take a chance on an unpredictable but dangerous destiny with the Bludman she’s coming to love?

Mini-Review: There is one word to sum up the awesomeness of this novel: bludbunnies! Little blood-sucking bunnies! After falling into this strange new dimension of Bludmen and clockwork devices, it wasn't long before Tish was punting the little bludbunnies away like a natural. I really loved how Tish fell into this new world while asleep. And the alternate dimension she fell into was a creepy and crazy world that was a touch dystopian, a big part steampunk, with a fresh take on vampires known as Bludmen. I really loved all of the circus performers, and hope we will see more from them in the next book. Criminy Stain was a very interesting character. He was mysterious, humorous, dangerous, and definitely a performer. He accompanies Tish on her quest to find the missing locket, and this journey brings them all over this new world. There were twists and turns I never saw coming, and all sorts of new places along the way. The cover itself is a gorgeous blue. I loved the hints of blood and gears, and the cover model's outfit is perfect.

Plot: 4.5 Stars
Pace: 4.5 Stars
Characters: 5 Stars
Cover: 4 Stars
Overall: 4.5 Stars

Disclosure: I bought a copy of this novel for my own reading pleasure.

Review: The Iron Thorn by Caitlin Kittredge

Title: The Iron Thorn
Author: Caitlin Kittredge
Genre: Steampunk YA
Release Date: 02/22/11
Buy the Book:

Summary:

In the city of Lovecraft, the Proctors rule and a great Engine turns below the streets, grinding any resistance to their order to dust. The necrovirus is blamed for Lovecraft's epidemic of madness, for the strange and eldritch creatures that roam the streets after dark, and for everything that the city leaders deem Heretical -- born of the belief in magic and witchcraft. And for Aoife Grayson, her time is growing shorter by the day.

Aoife Grayson's family is unique, in the worst way -- every one of them, including her mother and her elder brother Conrad, has gone mad on their 16th birthday. And now, a ward of the state, and one of the only female students at the School of Engines, she is trying to pretend that her fate can be different.

Plot: 4 Stars
The Steampunk details the author brought to the table were my favorite part of this novel. Not only were all of the different vehicles and machines explained in detail, but also the social structure of the world that was built. The city of Lovecraft ran on steam and was controlled by order. There was a slight "Big Brother is watching" feel to the government agency. When Aoife makes it out of the city, on her quest to find her brother, she finds a totally different world out in the countryside. A world not so different from the magic and witchcraft the government is so against. The end of this novel was fantastic. There were a couple twists that threw me completely on my head, and now I can't wait for the next novel to be released. Dean, her other travelling partner, was the polar opposite of Cal, but I enjoyed him more.

Pace: 3 Stars
This was a large novel. It clocks in at a little over five hundred pages. And it felt a little over five hundred pages as I was reading it. Although I did enjoy the details of the book, they were a bit wordy at times. There was also a span in the middle of the novel where Aoife wasn't making much progress in the attempt to find her brother that really slowed the plot down. Even when the plot called for urgency, it didn't always come across as urgent due to the amount of details included in every explaination. But near then end, the twists and turns sucked me back in and the pace picked up for the last one hundred pages.

Characters: 4 Stars
Aoife was a fantastic leading lady. She was a bit of a tomboy and was studying to work with the machines of the city. Even though the government forbids heretics, Aoife never squashes those thoughts, she just learns what she can and cannot say out loud to stay out of trouble. Cal, Aoife's best friend, was really annoying for the majority of the journey. Between his whining and talking down to Aoife, I wanted to punch him in the face. But when he was needed most, he came through in a very surprising way. This information Aoife finds out about her brother and father was very interesting, and I hope it is expanded on in future novels.

Cover: 3 Stars
This cover stands out against it's fellow Young Adult novels, while still blending in a bit. Overall, the cover is a bit dark. I like that you see more of the cover model than just her face. But she looks a bit computer animated. Something about her eyes just doesn't seem real. I'm also a bit confused as to why her clothes are falling off, although her outfit does fit the time period. The birds in the background are a great touch. The curling design behind the title is a detail that is pretty prevelant within many Paranormal Young Adult covers, but it works well when paired with this font. The font chosen is severe and blocky, so the curling design softens it a bit and helps it blend into the rest of the image.

Overall: 3.5 Stars

Disclosure: I bought this novel for my own reading pleasure.

In My Mailbox (74)

Thanks to Kristi at The Story Siren for hosting In My Mailbox every week.



Bought:

This Side of the Grave by Jeaniene Frost
The Iron Thorn by Caitlin Kittredge
The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan
Angelology by Danielle Trussoni

Giveaway Winners: The Greyfriar by Clay & Susan Griffith

There were 23 participants for a total of 90 total entries. Using random.org, I randomized the list of entries, and then random selected the winners. The three winners of The Greyfriar by Clay & Susan Griffith are...

6. Mardel
45. Robin K (Intense Whisper)
86. Marg K. (Clockwork Reverie)

You have 72 hours to respond to my e-mail with your mailing information, so I can pass it along to Pyr. Congratulations!

And for those that didn't win, Abigail at All Things Urban Fantasy is also giving away three copies of The Greyfriar here. Ends on Wednesday November 17th at midnight.

Giveaway: The Greyfriar by Clay & Susan Griffith

Thanks Pyr books, I have three copies of The Greyfriar by Clay & Susan Griffith to give away. You can read my review here.

Title: The Greyfriar
Author: Clay & Susan Griffith
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release Date: 11/02/10
Summary:

In the year 1870, a horrible plague of vampires swept over the northern regions of the world. Millions of humans were killed outright. Millions more died of disease and famine due to the havoc that followed. Within two years, once-great cities were shrouded by the gray empire of the vampire clans. Human refugees fled south to the tropics because vampires could not tolerate the constant heat there. They brought technology and a feverish drive to reestablish their shattered societies of steam and iron amid the mosques of Alexandria, the torrid quietude of Panama, or the green temples of Malaya.

It is now 2020 and a bloody reckoning is coming.

Princess Adele is heir to the Empire of Equatoria, a remnant of the old tropical British Empire. She is quick with her wit as well as with a sword or gun. She is eager for an adventure before she settles into a life of duty and political marriage to a man she does not know. But her quest turns black when she becomes the target of a merciless vampire clan. Her only protector is the Greyfriar, a mysterious hero who fights the vampires from deep within their territory. Their dangerous relationship plays out against an approaching war to the death between humankind and the vampire clans.

Vampire Empire: The Greyfriar is the first book in a trilogy of high adventure and alternate history. Combining rousing pulp action with steampunk style, Vampire Empire brings epic political themes to life within a story of heartbreaking romance, sacrifice, and heroism.

Giveaway Rules:
Open to U.S. residents only.
Fill out the form to enter.
Must include e-mail address.

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The giveaway will end at midnight on Tuesday 11/09 and the winners will be chosen randomly, using random.org on Wednesday 11/10.

Review: The Greyfriar by Clay & Susan Griffith

Title: The Greyfriar
Author: Clay & Susan Griffith
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release Date: 11/02/10
Summary:

In the year 1870, a horrible plague of vampires swept over the northern regions of the world. Millions of humans were killed outright. Millions more died of disease and famine due to the havoc that followed. Within two years, once-great cities were shrouded by the gray empire of the vampire clans. Human refugees fled south to the tropics because vampires could not tolerate the constant heat there. They brought technology and a feverish drive to reestablish their shattered societies of steam and iron amid the mosques of Alexandria, the torrid quietude of Panama, or the green temples of Malaya.

It is now 2020 and a bloody reckoning is coming.

Princess Adele is heir to the Empire of Equatoria, a remnant of the old tropical British Empire. She is quick with her wit as well as with a sword or gun. She is eager for an adventure before she settles into a life of duty and political marriage to a man she does not know. But her quest turns black when she becomes the target of a merciless vampire clan. Her only protector is the Greyfriar, a mysterious hero who fights the vampires from deep within their territory. Their dangerous relationship plays out against an approaching war to the death between humankind and the vampire clans.

Vampire Empire: The Greyfriar is the first book in a trilogy of high adventure and alternate history. Combining rousing pulp action with steampunk style, Vampire Empire brings epic political themes to life within a story of heartbreaking romance, sacrifice, and heroism.

Plot: 4.5 Stars
This was a very interesting novel. It felt both historical and futuristic at the same time, with a splash of steampunk. Although some of the weapons and contraptions and ships could've been described a little better, the overall feel of this new world was very great. The vampires in this novel were very unique, from the ability to float to the inability to take warmer climates. They were a breath of fresh air, because of their originality and how evil and harsh they were. The two halves of the world, the evil vampires up north and the surviving humans down south, were so different, it was as if they were on different planets.

Pace: 4 Stars
This novel starts out slow, but catches you by surprise about forty pages in. From there, it grabs you and doesn't let go. The alternating points of view give you a better understanding of the story, because certain scenes were happening at the same time. Plus, the multiple points of view also gives insight into multiple characters' heads. The pace slowed down a tiny bit near the end, but it felt like (and was) the calm before the storm. The action-packed ending was fantasic and left me wanting the next book now without being a cliffhanger.

Characters: 4.5 Stars
Adele was a great heroine. She was strong and confident, and really held her own once the story got going. I wish I could've seen a bit more of her younger brother, and hope he's in future novels. The American general that she is engaged to wasn't a favorite character of mine, although I am interested to see what his war plans are for the future. Most of the vampires were just evil and bloodthirsty, but a few stood out. And then there's Greyfriar and the mystery surrounding him. Thought to be just a myth, he comes to the rescue multiples times in this novel. Plus, he's a very interesting characters.

Cover: 4.5 Stars
Chris McGrath makes absolutely gorgeous covers. And you can always tell when a cover is one of his. This cover was no exception. The grey color fit the mood, although it was a bit dark. Made it a bit tough to see the cover models' facial expressions. Hopefully it'll be a touch lighter on the fnished copies. Normally I'm not the biggest fan of grayscale, but when given to this story, it just works. I liked the cover models chosen to portray Adele and Greyfriar, and I love the jacket he's wearing. The multi-colored title was really eye-catching, and I always love when a cover includes the series name so that I can keep track.

Overall: 4.5 Stars

Disclosure: I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via the publicist.

In My Mailbox (49)

Thanks to Kristi at The Story Siren for hosting In My Mailbox every week.

This week was a HUGE week of new releases that I had to have. I was at the bookstore almost every day, either picking up books I had ordered or finding new ones on the shelf. Some of these books weren't purchased this week, but did arrive this week. So I didn't spend quite as much as it looks like this week (thank goodness I get paid on Friday). I was also sad that Blameless by Gail Carriger hasn't made it's way to any of the stores in my area, but hopefully it'll be here soon.

Review:

Sparks by Laura Bickle



Bought:

Plain Kate by Erin Bow
Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins



Cold Magic by Kate Elliot
Ghost of a Chance by Simon R. Green
Native Star by M.K. Hobson
Truthseeker by C.E. Murphy



Sixty-One Nails by Mike Shevdon
Unraveled by Gena Showalter
Blood on Silk by Marie Treanor
The Haunted by Jessica Verday

Review: Here There Be Monsters by Meljean Brook

Title: Here There Be Monsters (Burning Up anthology)
Author: Meljean Brook
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Release Date: 08/03/10
Summary:

Bring these four authors together and it's sure to ignite a spark...

Angela Knight pairs a vampire warrior and his seductive captor in a battle against demonic predators.

Nalini Singh returns to the world of her Psy-Changeling series as a woman in lethal danger finds an unlikely protector -- and lover.

Virginia Kantra continues the haunting tales of the Children of the Sea in her story of a wounded soldier rescued by an enigmatic young woman.

Meljean Brook launches a bold new steampunk series about a woman who strikes a provocative -- and terrifying -- bargain for freedom.

Plot: 4.5 Stars
I haven't read too much steampunk and am fairly new, so I was pleasantly surprised by this novella. I didn't really think steampunk and romance would mix together all that well, but I was so wrong. I also didn't think such a small amount of words could describe such a fantastic and intricate world. There were some details about the steampunk world that the author developed that could've been explained a bit better, but I'm sure the upcoming novel, The Iron Duke, will go further into detail about these things and be even better.

Pace: 4 Stars
Normally, I don't really enjoy the short stories and novellas in these anthologies because they often feel rushed or lack a lot of detail. But this story had everything. It sucked me in within only a few pages and didn't let go. The author has an attention to detail that really adds to the richness of the story and made this a truly enjoyable read.

Characters: 4 Stars
Ivy was a very strong female lead in this novella. I really enjoyed that not only did she have a very masculine occupation as a blacksmith, but that she excelled in her profession. Her inner conflict throughout the story was very genuine, and she came across as a very likeable character. Mad Machen was a very intimidating pirate captain, with an even more intimidating reputation. But what I liked about him the most was how patient he was with Ivy. Although they are very different, the two make a very interesting pair.

Cover: 3 Stars
While there's nothing wrong with this cover, it seemed a little generic: a shirtless male cover model with tribal tattoos. I only read one of the four stories within this anthology, so I can only speak for this story, but the cover didn't fit. There was no sort of steampunk element at all. Even the font choices were generic. But the reddish color of the background fit the feel of this story, so it wasn't a complete loss.

Overall: 4 Stars

Disclosure: I bought this book for my own enjoyment.

Waiting on Wednesday (33)

This book blog meme is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

Title: Cold Magic
Author: Kate Elliot
Genre: Steampunk/Fantasy
Release date: 09/09/10
Summary:

It is the dawn of a new age... The Industrial Revolution has begun, factories are springing up across the country, and new technologies are transforming in the cities. But the old ways do not die easy.

Cat and Bee are part of this revolution. Young women at college, learning of the science that will shape their future and ignorant of the magics that rule their families. But all of that will change when the Cold Mages come for Cat. New dangers lurk around every corner and hidden threats menace her every move. If blood can't be trusted, who can you trust?

Teaser Tuesday (4)

This weekly book blog meme is hosted by Misb at Should be Reading.

Here are the rules:
- Grab your current read
- Open to a random page
- Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
- BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn't give too much away. You don’t want to ruin the book for others.)
- Share the title & author too, so that other Teaser Tuesday participants can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teasers.

Title: Boneshaker
Author: Cherie Priest
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release date: 09/29/09

The rifle made her feel safer. She squeezed it hard and silently thanked her late father for his taste in firearms. -- pg. 134