Book Review: The Twilight Kingdom

What if a high-tech computer game was a gateway to the dangerous Realm of Faerie?

THEIR LAST CHANCE…

Jennet Carter and Tam Linn are almost out of time. Feyland, the most immersive computer game ever designed, is about to be released into the world—along with the Realm of Faerie’s dangerous magic.

WIN THE GAME…

The faeries, desperate to break free from their realm, have set treacherous plans in motion. Despite magical allies of their own, Jennet and Tam have no idea what dire threats await, both in-game and out.

OR DIE TRYING…

Battling for their lives against the united powers of the Dark Queen and Bright King, Jennet and Tam’s quest to stop the fey takes them into the perilous Twilight Kingdom, where illusion reigns—and magic can break all the rules.

The Twilight Kingdom is book three in the Feyland trilogy by Anthea Sharp. I was lucky enough to receive an arc, though it is out now. And I loved it. In book one, Jennet and Tam went up against the Dark Queen. In book two, it was the Bright King. But now the two monarchs have teamed up to open a portal to the mortal world for good. They are sent into the Twilight Kingdom to wake the elder fey to restore balance.

I love Jennet and Tam, and I've enjoyed watching their relationship grow. The interactions with all of the characters is great. The story is unique. And to top it off, Anthea uses faery lore correctly. And that, to me, is the most important aspect of any faery book. While this book may have commonalities with other modern YA faery books (i.e. Seelie and Unseelie courts, humans drawn into their world), this series is also unique. Did you see the part about gaming?

The faeries have tapped into the Feyland game, and are going to use that to drain mortals and feed the faeries. It's an interesting, fun twist that makes this series very unique. I highly recommend it. And if you haven't seen, I'm giving away an ebook trilogy right here. Check out the post below this one! Enter and good luck!

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"Fallen Too Far" by Abbi Glines

Publisher: Self-Published
Release Date: December 14, 2012
Pages: 207

From Goodreads: "To want what you’re not supposed to have…

She is only nineteen.

She is his new stepfather’s daughter.

She is still naïve and innocent due to spending the last three years taking care of her sick mother.

But for twenty-four year old Rush Finlay, she is the only thing that has ever been off limits. His famous father’s guilt money, his mother’s desperation to win his love, and his charm are the three reasons he has never been told no.

Blaire Wynn left her small farmhouse in Alabama, after her mother passed away, to move in with her father and his new wife in their sprawling beach house along the Florida gulf coast. She isn’t prepared for the lifestyle change and she knows she’ll never fit into this world. Then there is her sexy stepbrother who her father leaves her with for the summer while he runs off to Paris with his wife. 

Rush is as spoiled as he is gorgeous. He is also getting under her skin. She knows he is anything but good for her and that he’ll never be faithful to anyone. He is jaded and has secrets Blaire knows she may never uncover but even knowing all of that…

Blaire just may have fallen too far."

Despite having followed Abbi's amazing story online for years- from self-published author sensation to tacking traditional publishing, I must admit that this is the first book of hers that I have ever read (and despite having almost every book one of her books on my Kindle, unfortunately my ever-growing TBR review pile often doesn't often afford me the freedom to read books outside of it), as such I have nothing else of hers to compare this book to- it is very much one of those cases of "it is where it is" (whereas I have read a number of reviews where people have stated that this wasn't there favourite of her books as they find it too similar to the previous). On the whole I personally really enjoyed it and I believe it to be one of my most favourite new adults of 2012.

There's no denying it. Blaire is a bad-ass, from pulling a gun on Rush's best friend/ ex-stepbrother, Grant, to never for a second doubting her mother, to making a heart breaking decision at the end of the novel. She's self-sufficient, while she may certainly enjoy a male presence in her life she doesn't necessarily need one, and she doesn't want handouts in life, almost annoying so. And despite being broken/ being dealt a crappy hand in life she very rarely lets it get her down. She's almost everything that I want in a female character.

Rush, like Blaire, is broken, however, due to the loss of a childhood rather than the loss of loved ones. While Blaire's biggest trait is that she is self-sufficient Rush's is that he is honest. What you see is what you get with him and if you don't like it he will gladly show you to the door. Together, these two are explosive, slowly chipping away at one another's prickly exteriors, revealing the at-times soft or gentle beings that they are harbouring.

The secondary characters are almost exceptionally notable, especially Grant and Woods. Grant is the light where Rush is the dark- be brings much needed lightheartedness to the novel. Whereas Woods propels the storyline almost as much as Rush and Blaire themselves do, being one of the few people who doesn't look down on Blaire for being country rather than designer. The only real complaint I had with this novel was Cain, Blaire's best friend and ex. I'm just not quite sure how necessary he was to the story- only being mentioned in passing until the last couple of pages, where we finally meet him in all of his (not) glory.

While this was my first Abbi book it will certainly not be the last! Not only am I excited to check out all of her previously released books- those of her "The Vincent Boys" series and her "Sea Breeze" series- but the sequel to this, "Never Too Far"!

Rating: 5/5

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"The Sea of Tranquility" by Katja Millay

Release Date: November 13, 2012
Publisher: Atria
Pages: 380

From Goodreads: "I live in a world without magic or miracles. A place where there are no clairvoyants or shapeshifters, no angels or superhuman boys to save you. A place where people die and music disintegrates and things suck. I am pressed so hard against the earth by the weight of reality that some days I wonder how I am still able to lift my feet to walk.

Full of rage and without a purpose, former pianist Nastya Kashnikov wants two things: to get through high school without anyone discovering her past and to make the boy who took everything from her pay.

All 17 year-old Josh Bennett wants is to build furniture and be left alone, and everyone allows it because it’s easier to pretend he doesn’t exist. When your name is synonymous with death, everyone tends to give you your space.

Everyone except Nastya, a hot mess of a girl who starts showing up and won’t go away until she’s insinuated herself into every aspect of his life. The more he gets to know her, the more of a mystery she becomes. As their relationship intensifies and the unanswered questions begin to pile up, he starts to wonder if he may ever learn the secrets she’s been hiding or if he even wants to.

The Sea of Tranquility is a slow-building, character-driven romance about a lonely boy, an emotionally fragile girl, and the miracle of second chances.

Please Note: This book contains mature content including profanity, drug/alcohol use, and sexual situations/language."

Admittedly I had an entire review written about how I was "iffy" about this book and so on, but I deleted it. Why? Because every day since finishing this book (and writing the original review- near two months ago) I have thought about this book (and recommended it to almost everyone I know) and realized that I am in no way, shape, or form "iffy" on this book- I am entirely committed to it and then some. This book is the epitome of one of those books that sneaks up on you, ensnares you in its teeth and refuses to let go (not that you really put up much of a struggle once it does) .

In all honesty it took me a fair while to become wholly invested in this novel- I found that the first forty percent of the book dragged its feet, the plot kicking and screaming the entire way, with the characters sloooooowly introducing themselves to us, their histories, their world, and so forth. However, once I hit the 40% mark, and the characters really revealed themselves to us and there was a change in Josh and Nastya's relationship- going from the strange (sometimes bordering on creepy) girl who randomly shows up one day and the boy with a force field of death surrounding him- to friends (and eventually beyond), I was HOOKED. However, after finishing this book and thinking about it I realize that the original 40%, however slow it may have been, was necessary- the build-up is quite unlike any other I have ever experienced before.

When I think about this novel the two elements which jump to mind first are the characters and the romance- both which are flawed beyond belief, but both which work. Nastya, who has as many layers of emotion and depth as she does of make-up on her face, Josh, who is the break in the storm  clouds, revealing the sunshine, and Drew, who despite his playerish ways brings a child-like innocence to the book. The romance being one of the best I have ever encountered before- the progression from strangers, to friends, to confidants, to boyfriend/ girlfriend (the closest romance that I have every encountered before is that of Jay and Vi in Kimberly Derting's "The Body Finder" series).

All in all, I don't think that I can ever do this book justice in a review. All I can say is that this is a book that I will visit time and time again (and never tire of). I recommend this book to everyone, even those who are not fans of contemporary as this book can (and WILL) convert them.

Rating: 5/5 

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January Giveaway: Feyland Trilogy

What if a high-tech computer game was a gateway to the dangerous Realm of Faerie?

WHEN A GAME…

Feyland is the most immersive computer game ever designed, and Jennet Carter is the first to play the prototype. But she doesn’t suspect the virtual world is close enough to touch — or that she’ll be battling for her life against the Dark Queen of the faeries.

TURNS REAL…

Tam Linn is the perfect hero — in-game. Too bad the rest of his life is seriously flawed. The last thing he needs is rich-girl Jennet prying into his secrets, insisting he’s the only one who can help her.

WINNING IS EVERYTHING…

Together, Jennet and Tam enter the Dark Realm of Feyland, only to discover that the entire human world is in danger. Pushed to the limit of their abilities, they must defeat the Dark Queen… before it’s too late.

INSIDE THE GAME...

Jennet Carter escaped the dark faeries of Feyland once. Now, fey magic is seeping out of the prototype game, beguiling the unwary and threatening everyone she cares about.

MAGIC...

Tam Linn may be a hero in-game, but his real life is severely complicated. Still, he'll do whatever it takes to stop the creatures of Feyland, even if it means pushing Jennet toward the new guy in school--the one with an inside connection to sim-gaming... and the uncanny ability to charm everyone he meets.

ALWAYS WINS...

Despite the danger, Jennet and Tam must return to Feyland to face the magic of the Bright Court--and a powerful new enemy who won't stop until the human world is at the mercy of the Realm of Faerie.

THEIR LAST CHANCE…

Jennet Carter and Tam Linn are almost out of time. Feyland, the most immersive computer game ever designed, is about to be released into the world—along with the Realm of Faerie’s dangerous magic.

WIN THE GAME…

The faeries, desperate to break free from their realm, have set treacherous plans in motion. Despite magical allies of their own, Jennet and Tam have no idea what dire threats await, both in-game and out.

OR DIE TRYING…

Battling for their lives against the united powers of the Dark Queen and Bright King, Jennet and Tam’s quest to stop the fey takes them into the perilous Twilight Kingdom, where illusion reigns—and magic can break all the rules.

I was given the opportunity to read arcs of all three of these books, and I loved them! I love many books about faeries, including books by Melissa Marr, Holly Black, Charles de Lint, Maggie Stiefvater, and Tiffany Trent to name a few. And something all of these authors have in common is that they do faeries right! Meaning, it's not some random mess of winged-creatures. They're faeries based on ancient lore, often involving courts. Anthea Sharp, like the authors mentioned above, knows her faery lore. And adds a unique twist with the gaming. I'm not a gamer (except occasional Guitar Hero), so don't let that twist put you off.

And... since I loved these books so much, I'm giving away ebook copies. Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or Smashwords... your choice.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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2012 At A Glance

On a personal note 2012 has been a big year for me- I finished my undergrad (a B.A. in bioarchaeology anthropology), I started grad school (a Masters of Library and Information Science), I finished the first draft of the WIP I have been working on since summer '11 (and I edited two-thirds of it), I adopted out ~35 kittens in the summer (and only kept 2 for myself! ;) ), and I saw my little sister get engaged.

However, on a blogging-note (number-wise) 2012 hasn't been quite as big of a year as I would have liked- I only managed to read 112 books this year (whereas last year I had read 137). Of those 112 books I reviewed a mere 88. Unfortunately real life got in the way of reading/ blogging many a'time (especially around exam time and grad school app time). But... Those 88 books review brings my blog's grand total to 223 books read and reviewed. Not two bad in a little over 2 years time, in my opinion.

However, on a personal blogging-note it was also a big year- I made so many great friends this year (Chelsea Cameron, Ciara @ Lost At Midnight, Isabel @emberchyld, A.A. Omer, Sara @ Addicted to Reading, and @libraychickD, just to name a few) had friendships solidified (Ashley @ Book Labyrinth and Rachel @ Fiktshun, again, just to name a few) (and there are many, MANY more out there, I'm sorry that I don't name y'all, if I did I'm sure that this would be my longest post ever) and I've established a ton of connections I never dreamed that I would. I attended my first Book Blogger Meet-Up (and while I didn't get to meet my beloved Cassie Clare I still had an amazing time meeting authors Elizabeth Miles and Leslie Livingston). I participated in both the YA Sisterhood Heroine Tourney (Tessa and I came in second place) and the YA Crush Tourney (while Cricket and I didn't place all that high we did manage to gain an additional 10% of the votes throughout the day).

I also saw a lot of people who I love succeed in ways that BLOW MY MIND- both Chelsea and Samantha Young becoming NYT best-selling authors and selling their books, Chelsea to Harlequin and Samantha to Penguin. Stephanie Oakes, fellow book-blogger, also sold a two-book series to Penguin (the first of which is entitled "Minnow"), Kellie Sheridan announced the 2013 release of her debut novel "Mortality", and Komal Lewis climbed the Amazon ranking system like no other with her "Impossible"!

And I wouldn't be anything without all of you, my amazing followers, whether it be on here, on Facebook, on Twitter, or wherever! Thank y'all so much- YOU make this for me!

With the good comes the bad, but overall I'd say that 2012 was a great year and I look forward to seeing what 2013 has in store for me (*cough, cough, the end of almost 20 years of education*)!

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2012 Reading Challenges

This year I challenged myself to read 125 books. And by books, I mean novels, novellas, graphic novels, mangas, and short stories. Over 100 of these 125 books were actual novels, which was the goal! I've been keeping track of smaller goals on the sidebar, but since they're about to be deleted for my 2013 lists, here they are!

12 New Releases)
1. A Perfect Blood by Kim Harrison
2. Before I Wake by Rachel Vincent
3. Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore
4. Black Heart by Holly Black
5. The Calling by Kelley Armstrong
6. Carnival of Souls by Melissa Marr
7. City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare
8. The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
9. Shine by Jeri Smith-Ready
10. Storm by Brigid Kemmerer
11. Feyland: The Twilight Kingdom by Anthea Sharp
12. Thirteen by Kelley Armstrong

12 Books That Have Been on my Shelf Too Long (YA)
1. Birthmarked by Caragh O'Brien
2. The DUFF by Kody Keplinger
3. The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale
4. Hunger by Jackie Morse Kessler
5. Keeping You a Secret by Julie Anne Peters
6. Little (Grrl) Lost by Charles de Lint
7. Magic Under Glass by Jaclyn Dolamore
8. Matched by Ally Condie
9. Rampant by Diana Peterfreund
10. The Secret Year by Jennifer Hubbard
11. The Dark Wife by Sarah Diemer
12. Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson

12 Middle Grade
1. A Puff of Pink by Miranda Jones
2. Aidan of Oren: The Journey Begins by Alan St. Jean
3. Castle Magic by Miranda Jones
4. Double Trouble by Miranda Jones
5. The Fairy-Tale Detectives by Michael Buckley
6. Forsaken by Katherine Langrish
7. Holly and the Winter Queen by Sarah Diemer
8. Make a Wish by Miranda Jones
9. Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy
10. Splendors and Glooms by Laura Amy Schlitz
11. The Eternity Code by Eoin Colfer
12. Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick

Graphic Novels
1. Kuroshitsuji 8 by Yana Toboso
2. Polly and the Pirates 2 by Ted Naifeh
3. Cinderella: Fables Are Forever by Chris Roberson
4. Jack of Fables 8 by Bill Willingham
5. X-Men: Worlds Apart by Christopher Yost
6. Black Panther: Civil War by Reginald Hudlin
7. Black Panther: The Deadliest of the Species by Reginald Hudlin
8. Black Panther: Little Green Men by Reginald Hudlin
9. X-Men/Black Panther: Wild Kingdom by Peter Milligan
10. Avatar: The Last Airbender - The Promise 1 by Gene Luen Yang
11. Avatar: The Last Airbender - The Promise 2 by Gene Luen Yang
12. Avatar: The Last Airbender - The Promise 3 by Gene Luen Yang

6 Classics (15 years or older)
1. Adventures of a Brownie by Dinah Mulock Craik
2. Annie on my Mind by Nancy Garden
3. The Last Battle by CS Lewis
4. The Secret Circle: The Power by LJ Smith
5. The Silver Chair by CS Lewis
6. Winnie the Pooh by AA Milne

Adult
1. Amityville Horrible by Kelley Armstrong
2. Bound by Sophie Oak
3. Forbidden by Kelley Armstrong
4. GunShy by Seleste deLaney
5. Kiss of Death by Seleste deLaney
6. One Solstice Night by Elora Bishop

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2012 Reading List

Here is my list for 2012: start Jan 1 and end Dec 31.

N = Novel
Na = Novella
M = Manga
GN = Graphic Novel
A = Anthology

Short Stories are listed at the bottom

January

1. Never to Sleep by Rachel Vincent (Na)
2. The Secret Circle 3: The Power by L Smith (N)
3. Static by Tawny Stokes (N)
4. GunShy by Seleste deLaney (Na)
5. Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare (N)
6. Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick (GN)
7. Nightshade by Andrea Cremer (N)
8. Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer (N)
9. Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher (N)
10. Bloodrose by Andrea Cremer (N)
11. Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan (N)

February

12. Dragons Don't Dance (beta-read) by Julie Particka Kulmb (N)
13. The Calling by Kelley Armstrong (N)
14. Everblue by Brenda Pandos (N)
15. Feyland: The Dark Realm by Anthea Sharp (N)
16. The Strange Case of Finley Jayne by Kady Cross (Na)
17. Black Butler volume 8 by Yana Toboso (M)

March

18. A Perfect Blood by Kim Harrison (N)
19. Trees by Harry Behn
20. Huntress by Malinda Lo (N)
21. Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore (N)

April

22. Black Heart by Holly Black (N)
23. Across the Universe by Beth Revis (N)
24. Magic Night by Isobelle Carmody
25. Polly and the Pirates volume 2 by Ted Naifeh (GN)
26. Cinderella: Fables are Forever by Chris Roberson (GN)
27. Jack of Fables volume 8 by Bill Willingham (GN)
28. X-Men: Worlds Apart by Christopher Yost (GN)

May

29. Black Panther: Civil War by Reginald Hudlin (GN)
30. Black Panther: The Deadliest of the Species by Reginald Hudlin (GN)
31. The Unnaturalists by Tiffany Trent (N)
32. Black Panther: Little Green Men by Reginald Hudlin (GN)
33. X-Men/Black Panther: Wild Kingdom by Peter Milligan (GN)
34. Shift by Jeri Smith-Ready (N)
35. Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson (N)
36. Darkest Powers: Dangerous, Divided, and Disenchanted by Kelley Armstrong (A)

June

37. Purity by Jackson Pearce (N)
38. Sirenz by Charlotte Bennardo and Natalie Zaman (N)
39. Keeping You a Secret by Julie Anne Peters (N)
40. Grl2grl 2 by Julie Anne Peters (Na)
41. Elemental by Brigid Kemmerer (Na)
42. City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare (N)
43. Forsaken by Katherine Langrish (Na)
44. Codename: Sailor V, vol 1 by Naoko Takeuchi (M)
45. The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater (N)

July

46. Sugar Moon by Sarah Diemer (Na)
47. Sirenz Back in Fashion by Charlotte Bennardo and Natalie Zaman (N)
48. Evergreen by Brenda Pandos (N)
49. The Dark Wife by Sarah Diemer (N)
50. Thirteen by Kelley Armstrong (N)
51. Before I Wake by Rachel Vincent (N)

August

52. Shine by Jeri Smith-Ready (N)
53. Magic Under Glass by Jaclyn Dolamore (N)
54. Storm by Brigid Kemmerer (N)
55. The Big Green Book by Robert Graves (illus by Maurice Sendak)
56. The Secret Year by Jennifer Hubbard (N)
57. The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore by William Joyce
58. Hunger by Jackie Morse Kessler (N)
59. The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
60. Frankenstein by Rick Walton
61. Rampant by Diana Peterfreudn (N)

September

62. Avatar: The Last Airbender: The Promise, vol 1 by Gene Luen Yang (GN)
63. Avatar: The Last Airbender: The Promise, vol 2 by Gene Luen Yang (GN)
64. Sorcerers & Secretaries, vol 1 by Amy Kim Ganter (M)
65. Mangaman by Barry Lyga (GN)
66. The DUFF by Kody Keplinger (N)
67. Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy (N)
68. Little (Grrl) Lost by Charles de Lint (N)
69. The Fairy-Tale Detectives by Michael Buckley (N)
70. Sorcerers & Secretaries, vol 2 by Amy Kim Ganter (M)
71. Kiss of Death by Seleste deLaney (N)
72. The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale (N)

October

73. Ice by Sarah Beth Durst (N)
74. Annie on my Mind by Nancy Garden (N)
75. Feyland: The Bright Court by Anthea Sharp (N)
76. Bound by Sophie Oak (N)
77. The Silver Chair by CS Lewis (N)
78. Make a Wish! by Miranda Jones (N)
79. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky (N)
80. It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown by Charles Shulz
81. Salt Water Taffy: The Legend of Old Salty by Matthew Loux (GN)

November
82. Avatar: The Last Airbender: The Promise, vol 2 by Gene Luen Yang (GN)
83. The Adventures of a Brownie by Dinah Mulock Craik (N)
84. Aidan of Oren: The Journey Begins by Alan St. Jean (N)
85. The Last Battle by CS Lewis (N)
86. My Faith in Frankie by Mike Carey (GN)
87. Matched by Ally Condie (N)

December

88. Amityville Horrible by Kelley Armstrong (Na)
89. The Pearl Wars by Nick James (N)
90. Double Trouble by Miranda Jones
91. Birthmarked by Caragh O'Brien (N)
92. The Walking Dead, vol 1 by Robert Kirkman (GN)
93. Forbidden by Kelley Armstrong (Na)
94. One Solstice Night by Elora Bishop (Na)
95. The Dark Woods by Sarah and Jennifer Diemer (A)
96. A Puff of Pink by Miranda Jones
97. The Eternity Code by Eoin Colfer (N)
98. Winnie-the-Pooh by AA Milne (N)
99. Castle Magic by Miranda Jones
100. Splendors and Glooms by Laura Amy Schlitz (N)
101. Feyland: The Twilight Kingdom by Anthea Sharp (N)

Short Stories

1. "Yes Alana, There is a Santa Claus" by Seleste deLaney
2. "Christmas in Chains" by Seleste deLaney
3. "Devil's Bargain" by Seleste deLaney
4. "What Have I Done" by Seleste deLaney
5. "The Cost of Love" by Seleste deLaney
6. "Just a Man" by Seleste deLaney
7. "Shift River Scene" by Jeri Smith-Ready
8. "Forever" by Jeri Smith-Ready
9. "Dangerous" by Kelley Armstrong
10. "Divided" by Kelley Armstrong
11. "Disenchanted" by Kelley Armstrong
12. "V-Plates" by Kelley Armstrong
13. "The New Guy" by Kelley Armstrong 14. "Off-Duty Angel" by Kelley Armstrong
15. "A Question of Power" by Cassandra Clare
16. "The Act of Falling" by Cassandra Clare
17. “Far” by Sarah Diemer
18. “The Witch Sea” by Sarah Diemer
19. "From Russia with Love" by Kelley Armstrong
20. “Crow Roads” by Charles de Lint
21. “Seek” by Sarah Diemer
22. “Our Lady of Wolves” by Sarah Diemer
23. “We Grow Accustomed to the Dark” by Sarah Diemer
24. "The Forever Star" by Sarah Diemer
25. "Belonging" by Kelley Armstrong
26. "Hallow's Eve" by Sarah Diemer
27. "Once Upon a Hallow's Eve" by Sarah Diemer
28. "Click-Clack the Rattlebag" by Neil Gaiman
29. "Trouble on the Reserve" by Kim Harrison
30. "Holly and the Winter Queen" by Sarah Diemer

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