Just This Once by Rosalind James

“An unsure dutiful marketing executive who escapes to NZ for a vacation VS a sure stable rugby player”

Series: Escape to New Zealand #1

Well, this brief plot summary should cover everything already. I like the heroine as she is independent and strong, if not too dutiful and bound by those she loves. So, after her long years of work and responsibilities, Hanna flies to NZ for a three-week vacation where she is rescued from rips by Drew, a charming rugby player. 

They know they enjoy spending time with each other and they know fall in love with each other, but despite Drew’s obvious intention to keep their relationship after Hanna flies back to the States, Hanna is pretty unsure and pretty insecure about Drew and his commitment. 

Somewhat the best part for me is how a person can escape for a peaceful vacation – maybe I’m in need of one myself. Indeed, the freedom to roam wild and be released from the confining world is really beautiful.

Drew is nice. I guess this is the way I enjoy reading about male characters in so-called chick lit and romance. He is thoughtful, observant, caring and committed. The scene he asked Hanna to show her apartment and her office around is rather sweet, for he tells Hanna he can imagine where she is and what she looks at when they talk on the phone. 

I can help comparing the books with Chicago Stars Series since it is all about famous sportsmen as eligible bachelors. Yet, in this first book, the heroine here is not as financially unstable as that in CSS.

I may continue reading the book two though. 

Hmmm, I give B. Too bad that although Hanna’s insecurity is understandable, it is somewhat not a plot for me.

Warprize and Warsworn by Elizabeth Vaughan

Series: Chronicles of the Warlands, #1 and #

<<  WARPRIZE  >>

I immensely enjoyed reading about a capable and strong heroine, and that’s why I almost immediately liked Lara, who has a determination for saving the captive enemies, and later, for saving her own people.

And the real motive of the hero, Keir, is rather sweet. How he actually falls in love with her and all. Although I like the concept of what “Warprize” actually means, I do not really enjoy the plot of ‘misunderstanding’ of how Lara and her people VS Keir and his people interpret the meaning of the it differently. For readers, it is quite plain to see the real significance of it, but then for Keir and his people? I would say ignorance is in the way. Nevertheless, it was also fun to read how Lara adapted to new culture while positively affecting those around her.

Still, I was not particularly happy with the before-ending, especially with Keir’s decision.

The rate is B-.

<<  WARSWORN  >>

Despite the joy I found in book one, I must say I did not enjoy reading this sequel much. It is probably that I feel against the main plot: fighting the plague. Personally, in Warsworn, Lara is too naïve/ignorant/stubborn, and she ruins everything with getting her own way. It was too uninteresting reading about illness and the plague, and that this plot possesses too much space in the book.

From a capable and strong character in Warprize, she reduces herself to be short-sighted. This is especially clear when she ‘devotes’ herself to heal the ill people in the village and tells others to ‘burn’ her if she is ever infected. Well, this may sound brave and selfless of her, but to think that she is a queen with the duty to bind her country with another land, she fails miserably. This is not to say that in the end she brings the plague into the army, and those around her lay dying.

I miss a thoughtful woman in book one, and hard seeing a rather ‘whimsical’ girl here.

I don’t think I will go on with book three unfortunately. Yes, it is given C-/D.

Wolfskin by Juliet Marillier

Well, nothing to say, it's JM book that I have possessed for years on the shelf already!  

“A boy learning to find his place in the world while balancing the sense of right or wrong and of loyalty.”

Hmm, although there are a lot of same ingredients from JM for me, it does not really suit my liking. The setting - grim setting of the Northern Europe and reality of Viking warriors. The male lead – a bit too simple boy who is hampered by his ‘so-called’ brother/ friend and yet burden/bad influence. The villain – too cruel a man is already disheartened, but how about too cruel a man with ambition? The outcomes are much sadder.

Personally, I feel this book is too destructive in the leading plot. Yet, I also enjoyed the courage of many brave men and women in the book.

And somehow, I feel even though I like JM books, I still prefer her later works since the early ones hold too many tragedies. In addition, the story telling in the beginning of her books always has a sense of foreboding!

I give it C+

Shadowfell by Juliet Marillier

It is Juliet Marillier's work..

“A girl who flees the King’s army for her unusual ability is learning about who she is and how her ability can make the better kingdom.”

 

A tiring and demanding path a heroine must choose to follow and accomplish is indeed a typical theme for Juliet Marillier's characters to walk through. Yet, so far, this is the first time the stake is not just about the lead characters and those around them, but just about the whole kingdom! 

I have always enjoyed the subtle love in her books and this time I also did the same. Love the way the hero secretly harbours the feelings for the heroine, and love the way, through his silent yet steady care and concern, she gradually returns the affection back to him. It is heart-warming to see a patient man who is just content to love her and care for one girl, without wanting anything back in return but her safety and well-being.

Juliet Marillier has been one of my favourite fantasy writers, and aye, after reading this book, it remains so!

Back to the book, I from time to time feel annoyed with Neryn’s too-stubbornness in the beginning and the middle of the book. Somewhat it feels sad and lonely to see her go through the dangerous, challenging journey by herself. But then, this enhances the part of travelling together with another character, and her coming-of-age in the end of the book helps many of her then-seemingly-unreasonable becomes reasonable and understandable.

It is normal to see magical creatures in Juliet Marillier books, and even particularly normal that they somehow ‘demand’ the main character to fulfil a duty and taste a test. In this book, the Good Folk show themselves and demand such test too, but they are more amiable than those in other books.  Indeed, it is clear that the Good Folk provide help and friendship, as well as get involved while those magical creatures from other books simply stand aloof with rather critical mind that is quick to judge.

I have found quite many topics in the books rather controversial. And these topics keep making me thinking about how right and wrong, white and black just all blurs. 

Hmm, this book is about a journey of a girl who discovers herself, find strength within her, and start fighting for what she has come to believe. And I think I give it B/B+.

Reading Book 2 now. I do feel it is nice and wise to wait until this one comes out. Or else, I could have been left hanging! But then, I fear I would simply be in the said state after it finishes!  

Oh, as for my choice of song for the book, it’s Damaged from TLC for both Neryn and Flint. After all, they are all living in a damaged land waiting to be mended, and they are too damaged by the world they live in.

I know I'm kinda strange, to you sometimes

Don't always say, what's on my mind

You know that I've been hurt, by some guy

But I don't wanna mess up this time

And I really really really care

And I really really really want you

And I think I'm kinda scared

Cos I don't want to lose you

If you really really really care

Then maybe you can hang through

I hope you understand

It's nothing to you

 Ps. Oh, I did not mean to write my review. But then, I did! It should be better to collect my own reflection once I finish the read!