Silver Shark by Ilona Andrews

Silver Shark is one of those books I have come back to read again and again. The main heroine, Claire, is so capable. Along with calm and intelligent quality, it makes her one of my all-time favourite girls.

My only complaint is I want a FULL book, not just a novella. It would have been great to read more about the interaction and see more of the development of feelings and emotions while learning more about the characters. I also want to know more about Venturo’s side – it would have been more two-sides had the readers been able to peek into his mind.

Yet, somewhat its brief length may make the book compact in itself. Only I love everything and I mean more.

BEST NOVELLA for me. No doubt A+ too!  

How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell

The only reason I read it is that I DO love the movies and series so much that I decided to learn more about the books – despite being fully aware that the plots are different.

As aimed for young boys, the book is written in the boyish and a bit sarcastic manner, which made me miss many of the soft and touching scenes in both movies and series. This is not to mention that Toothless is oh-so-different here! (Mind you! I’m simply into with the very-black-cat-like version in the films!!!)

Not that impressed, but still willing to dig more in other books!

Night's Honor by Thea Harrison

"A desperate human girl seeking a protection from a vampire lord?"

Hmm, it seems to be just that! The book is my far the least favourite in the series, and by that extent, the most boring one! I feel half of the book is spent on how the lead girl, Tess, adjusts to the new life under Xavier's roof, without any actions, without any events. The interactions the two leads have between each other are also repetitive and slow. And so, somewhat, instead of being a full-length book, Night's Honor should have been only a short novella - I feel that way it could have captured more of the readers' attention.

There is less moving action and less intense emotion in the book. Perhaps the most "active" scene is when Tess is fighting for Xavier's life, and yet it's rather a cliche scene to read. This is also especially trite with the decision of one minor character. I don't really feel any connection with Tess, and I also feel she doesn't deserve the love and devotion from Xavier. On the other hand, while the other books make the vampyre cold and aloof, the book gives us Xavier's personal insight and shows us a man full of goodness and greatness... to the point he becomes romantically fanciful. Or fancifully romantic? I don't know which case is right. Only that I know the man is too good a portrayal.

As Tess is a human, I can't help compare her to Grace in Oracle's Moon. And I still find Grace more interesting and likeable.

I'd rather spend time re-reading Kinked or Serpent's Kiss.

Give it C-/D+

The Last Stormlord by Glenda Larke

I fear I don’t really appreciate GL’s style and logic the way others seem to do. It was lovely enough in the beginning (lovely enough that I did buy the book!) before realising its flaws. So many things went wrong for me. The worst and most unforgivable one is when, despite having been trying so hard, the last stormlord gives up everything in the last minute and let the energy takes his land. One of the female lead has a great potential to be better, yet in the end, she’s worse than the most abhorrent outsider.

Not my cup of tea I must say .. although this is the best book in its series. 

The Practice Proposal by Tracy March

The book is a bit of “Chicago Stars” Series combined with “Bet Me” for me. I like the simplicity of falling in love in the series and how natural the leads feel with each other. Yet, the feelings are rather too much too soon for me, and after a while, it seems too melodrama to read: The girl, Lisa, nearly gets everything in life easily, being a rich and privileged girl she is, and that’s why I feel quite a bit annoyed when she makes her life suffer with her grief, and perhaps, her down-playing attitude. She’s too naively good to live in a dog-eat-dog world then!

The hero, Cole, too, appears too simple-thinking for my liking. While Chicago Stars Series make a number of heroes, such as Kevin and Dean, a bit more astute, Cole himself is a bit too shallow for me.

The most beautiful part for me, perhaps, is when Cole realised he falls for Lisa because she knows the before-him, the poor boy with nothing, and still liked him well enough.

Give it C+. It’s a bit too melodrama for my liking, and even I am in the mood for it, I still feel it lacking after a while. 

Star of the Morning by Lynn Kurland

I usually read about a heroine with magic/ healing ability rather than sword one, and so, the character is rather off for me. Not that having sword talent is annoying, but her personality is, especially when she has no patience and consideration.

I found the plot is contradicting, although three of the main characters are in hurry to complete a mission, their actions go on the other way around. And as a reader expecting the main leads to complete at least the mini (let alone small) quest, it is rather disappointing. Also, the plot itself is predictable.

Didn’t finish the book, unfortunately.  

Shield of Winter by Nalini Singh

Well, much that I like aloof heroes, I am not really the big fan of Vasic. Yet, ‘Shield of Winter’ becomes one of my most loved Psy-Changeling books.

The story line is believable. As the aloof and remote person, Vasic would not get personal with other people, but with duties bound, he is forced to form a so-called bond to protect and take care of Ivy, who, with her full-scale affection, is a perfect complement for him.

Hmm, my only objection is that Sasha, with her cardinal status, should have had more significance in solving the madness of the net, but then it can also be positive as she is not stepping over her role as a supportive character in the book.

Like ‘Kiss of Snow’, there is also another love interest going on, and I’m dying to read more about Java and Abbot!

Give B+. 

The Elite by Kiera Cass

After reading the first book, I predicted the gloomy situation of American and the prince in book 2, and well, it did come true! After his affection/infatuation towards her in book 1, it’s easy to see a ‘spoiled’ boy becomes frustrated when not getting what he wanted .. fast.

There are many elements I don’t really like in this book, and some of them are too predictable. Still, by the way, with the lifestyle and extravagance of the palace and the nobles, no wonder this country is in need of rebels and reform!

Don’t like

-          The staff and servants at the palace are all too supporting America.

-          The shocking fact about the King’s cruelity

-          The near-nothing logic of the rebels

-          America’s reaction/decision towards the project

Give it C+, though the book has much potential to develop from book 1. 

World After by Susan Ee

“A girl finding a way to protect her family while learning to trust the enermy.” (ANGLE FALL)

“A girl finding a way to reunite with her family while forming a bond with her angel.” (THE WORLD AFTER)

Wow! It’s been one of the best YA books I have read, and I am rarely impressed with the angel theme! Yet, the series blows my mind and makes me think differently!

At first, I didn’t really dare to read it as I truly DID enjoy ANGLE FALL and I feared that the book would be less than my grand expectation, but then, it went even better and better! The most charming aspect of the book is finding exits from grim and life-threatening situations for the characters.. when such situations seem too dark and hopeless.

Still, personally, the most beautiful moment in the book becomes the reunion of the two characters. In too many books, the yearning and longing lovers have for each other will be expressed by sweet words, too sweet and sugary words. But, in THE WORLD AFTER, it starts with awkwardness since neither of them doesn’t know how to start, to express their feelings in words, and they let comfortable silence speak for them. My favourite shot is when Penryn refers that Raffe’s sword has been missing him while, in reality, she is referring to herself. I find this particular shot truly believable, for in the beginning, the two characters has formed alliance to achieve their own goal, but they haven’t yet expressed their sensitive feelings to each other freely. The symbol is therefore just right.

Though I had been dreadful that the second book would end up bloodily like book one, THE WORLD AFTER leaves no enormous heart-breaking cliff-hanger. Yet, I still die to read book three just after finishing it. I really need to know the possibility of Raffe’s getting his wings back to his body, and INDEED, the direction of relationship between the two. Is it possible or is it not?

It's a relief to know that the series now extends to 5, not 3 like I first thought! Yeah!

Taste of Darkness by Maria V. Snyder

Much that I like the two previous books, I would have to say that I couldn’t finish this one. After a while, I felt the story is going nowhere and that it repeats much of the second book. The plot of Avry-the-valuable-bait-to-get-Tohon has been used far too many times and I myself can’t really understand why she has become this important. Somehow it is like she is the only one who tries hard..or perhaps this is so because half of the book comes from her point of view and we can’t see much of others. 

Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen

"A desperate tale with a cause"

Hmm, although the characters are all believable, I feel there are some elements missing for me. I fear, in the search of happy ending happy reading, I did not expect for a little grim story.

We all know the story of a benevolent Robin Hood since we were young. Still, a child's perception does not imagine much cruelty exists in this world, and we all learn this story without much thoughts. But what if the story behind is more complex than that? And maybe that's my reaction when I read Scarlet.

Since the storyline is much on the heroine, it's easiest to look into her head. And her point of view is rather grim. She can not stop acting, she can not stop doing something, anything... as she fears the moment she stops, someone might go hungry, get hurt or be killed. She never truly eats because another mouthful for her belly can also be another mouthful for other hopeless people out there. Worst of all, she regards herself beyond redemption, for she is a thief.

I used to love this fanciful tale of Robin Hood when I was young. However, by always providing for his people, how can Hood and his band can truly sustain the needs of so many people? There are too many people and too many needs VS too little manpower the band has. Indeed, 4 thieves against a sheriff and his army.

Somewhat that affects Robin Hood's attitude towards Scarlet as well. I normally go for aloof characters over lover boys. Yet, in this book, I feel Hood does not really deserve her. He says he does not know how to sort out his feelings towards her, and instead uses scornful insults as his protection. Also, I feel Scarlet is a convenience for Hood when it comes to stealing and intelling. A noble he is, Hood should have respected Scarlet more.

Despite hope the characters insist, I still feel despair looming in. Maybe I'm not a believer, maybe I'm too tired with donation fatigue.

The rate is B. I like the details given to the characters and yes, all action scenes.

With the summary for Book 2, not sure if I dare to read it!

Soulbound by Heather Brewer

I read the book for the high rate Goodread gives, and I am pleased I read this!

“A girl bound by the set of protocols fighting to become herself and follow her belief”

Hmm, there are both yes and no elements I find in SOULBOUND, some of which are frequently-used plots found in YA paranormal genre, such as love triangle, a new girl in school and so on. I like KAYA and her attitude, as well as her ‘side-kick’ helper MADDOX. What I’m not sure I like is the pattern of two boys aiming for her attention, and well, affection: 1) caring and close TRAYTON (whose weakness is his adherence to the rules) and 2) distant and cold DARIUS (with, however, his disregard to the rules).

The pace of the story is acceptable, but, only after a while, I find the plot a bit too repeating – sneaking at night and encountering murderous creatures, fighting the instructors and ending with extra duty (A.K.A. tending the roses) and, with less frequency, confronting a certain villain girl.

Overall, the storyline is quite intriguing, if not a bit predictable. I have wondered what KAYA will become and will find since I first read about her, and I still want to know more about her after I finished the book. The only problem for me is the climax/ ending if the book, which I feel rather unconvincing. I feel the two males become seriously injured only to test her real ‘bound’ to both boys.

But then, I will blame it on an-overthinking-adult-munching-on-YA-book because, despite my criticism, I did enjoy the book immensely, and I will definitely read SOULBROKEN!  

PS. I still don’t understand why I think about Harry Potter and his school setting while reading the book!