Review: The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa

Pages: 359 Release Date: April 15th 2011 Publisher: Mira Books Source: Friend

Goodreads:

Half Summer faery princess, half human, Meghan has never fit in anywhere. Deserted by the Winter prince she thought loved her, she is prisoner to the Winter faery queen. As war looms between Summer and Winter, Meghan knows that the real danger comes from the Iron fey—ironbound faeries that only she and her absent prince have seen. But no one believes her.

Worse, Meghan's own fey powers have been cut off. She's stuck in Faery with only her wits for help. Trusting anyone would be foolish. Trusting a seeming traitor could be deadly. But even as she grows a backbone of iron, Meghan can't help but hear the whispers of longing in her all-too-human heart.

My review:

I really really enjoyed ‘The Iron Daughter.’ The series just keeps getting better and better in my opinion!

I particularly liked how much more of the setting took place in the Winter Court (Tir Na Nog) as I didn’t get to see a lot of this from the previous book. Everything was richly described and felt so effortless. Julie Kagawa is an absolutely amazing author! She makes you feel as if you are in the environment she has described.

The characters are developed a lot more in ‘The Iron Daughter’ and are introduced to some new characters. I really did not get along with Ash at the beginning of the story, but that soon changes and you realise his motives.
I felt like Meghan matured a lot in this story, much more than ‘The Iron King’ which is a very good thing. I also enjoyed how we got to see a lot more from Puck (in a more romantic way), as I felt it was important to view his side, although I’m team Ash ;)

The plot was as amazing as always! It kept me hooked from the very first page to the very last. There were some unexpected surprises thrown in, so was not predictable in any way. I loved all the sarcastic comments they will actually make you laugh out loud! :)

Recommend to everyone! Although, it’s probably important that you read ‘The Iron King’ before this one.

5 out of 5 stars.

Review: Forgive My Fins by Tera Lynn Childs

Pages: 293 Release Date: July 1st 2011 Publisher: Templar Source: Won

Goodreads:

Lily Sanderson has a secret, and it’s not that she has a huge crush on gorgeous swimming god Brody Bennett, who makes her heart beat flipper-fast. Unrequited love is hard enough when you’re a normal teenage girl, but when you’re half human, half mermaid like Lily, there’s no such thing as a simple crush.

Lily’s mermaid identity is a secret that can’t get out, since she’s not just any mermaid – she’s a Thalassinian princess. When Lily found out three years ago that her mother was actually a human, she finally realized why she didn’t feel quite at home in Thalassinia, and she’s been living on land and going to Seaview high school ever since, hoping to find where she truly belongs. Sure, land has its problems – like her obnoxious, biker boy neighbor Quince Fletcher – but it has that one major perk – Brody. The problem is, mermaids aren’t really the casual dating type – when they “bond,” it’s for life.

When Lily’s attempt to win Brody’s love leads to a tsunami-sized case of mistaken identity, she is in for a tidal wave of relationship drama, and she finds out, quick as a tailfin flick, that happily-ever-after never sails quite as smoothly as you planned..

My review:

‘Forgive My Fins’ is a fantastic laugh out loud story! It was the perfect summer read and can’t wait for the sequel ‘Fins Are Forever.’

I enjoyed reading about the mermaid kingdom of Thalassinia; it was one of the best bits in the story. Everything was well thought out and because I was reading it on holiday, it made me want to run into the sea! :)

The main character is Lily; she is funny, smart and of course has a teenage crush. I thought that I could relate to Lily, as we have all had an embarrassing teenage crush with a boy who you’ve never had a proper conversation with. She acted like a normal girl and she wasn’t perfect.
I really liked Quince; I thought he was perfect for Lily! :) He was seen as the ‘bad boy’ who rode a motorbike and wore boots, but he was really sweet to Lily.
Then of course, you have the clique stereotypical girls who hate Lily, which I thought was a bit predictable.

Admittedly, the plot was a bit predictable at times, sometimes I just wanted to shake Lily and make her realise things! But apart from that I really enjoyed it! I thought the ending could have been better but there is still a sequel to come so I’ll definitely read that one!

I would recommend it to fans who like mermaids and love stories.

4 out of 5 stars.

Review: The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

Pages: 293 Release Date: April 19th 2011 Publisher: Harlequin Teen Source: Won

Goodreads:

It's always been just Kate and her mom—and her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear her mother won't live past the fall.
Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld—and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.

Kate is sure he's crazy—until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she'll become Henry's future bride, and a goddess.

My Review:

‘The Goddess Test’ is one of those novels that sticks with you after you have read it. It was fantastic! It deals with tough emotions very well, but also creates realistic situations.

‘The Goddess Test’ is based mainly on Greek mythology, me being a fan I was looking forward to reading about it. Myths such as Persephone, Hades, Zeus, Hera, Aphrodite, Apollo etc. all feature in the story and even if you don’t know much, you will still understand the concept.

The majority of the setting in ‘The Goddess Test’ takes place in Eden Manor, with Henry. It is described as being extravagant, with massive wardrobes and huge country estates. It’s shrouded in mystery really.

The characters were richly developed over the course of the novel and I particularly enjoyed the twist at the end! Aimee Carter has the wonderful ability to create such vivid emotions in the story, I actually felt myself welling up at certain times, I could never imagine losing a parent to a disease but the emotions in ‘The Goddess Test certainly felt very real.
Kate is a normal, down to earth girl who just wants to look after her mother. She is not interested in dating boys or making friends or partying. She has a strong mind of her own and I like her for that.
Her mother, I feel very sorry for. I’m very close to my mother –like Kate, and I thought it was a very very sad situation. But that twist! I did NOT expect that!
Henry is the dark, mysterious brooding character, who we meet in the dead of night. Instantly, I wanted to know more about him and I was glad that his personal side was revealed throughout the story.
I really enjoyed reading about the majority of characters and I loved the twist at the end!

The plot was wonderful to read. I didn’t expect some of the situations to take place, such as one major twist near the end, regarding Kate’s near-demise. I did expect some things to happen, but the majority of the time I didn’t.

I would recommend this book to fans of love, mystery, suspense and Greek mythology. I cannot wait for ‘Goddess Interrupted’ which will definitely be as good –if not better than this!

5 out of 5 stars.

Notice of Inactivity

This is just a quick post to let everyone know that I'm going on holiday tomorrow for 2 weeks! :D
Yes! I'm excited!!!!! :D

I'll be having a lot more posts up when I get back as I'm taking a few (cough 10) books with me!
Thought I'd share what I'm taking with you all :)

The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter,
Love, Inc by Yvonne Collins,
Texas Gothic by Rosemary Moore-Clement,
Forgive My Fins by Tera Lynn Childs,
The Van Alen Legacy by Melissa de la Cruz,
Blood Promise by Richelle Mead,
Rockaholic by C.J.Skuse,
Flawless by Lara Chapman,
Darkness Becomes Her by Kelly Keaton,
Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini.


So, I hope all of you have a nice time and I'll write again when I get back :D

Winner of My 100 Followers Giveaway!!

Hello Everyone! :D Today was the last day to enter my 100 Followers competition :) Thank you to everyone who entered! I'm going to be having more giveaways soon!

So, the winner of the UK book giveaway is....


Becky (Beckyinwonderland) and she won Feed by Nina Grant!

She has 24 hours to respond until a new winner will be drawn.
random.org chose the winner.



The international giveaway winner is....


Mia and Sofia from Gripped into Books

They have 24 hours to respond until a new winner will be drawn.
random.org chose the winner.

Thanks everyone! More giveaways soon!

Book Blogger Hop (2)

Join in! Click HERE!


“What are you most looking forward to this fall/autumn season – A particular book release? Halloween? The leaves changing color? Cooler temperatures? A vacation? (If your next season is other than fall/autumn, tell us about it and what you are most looking forward to in your part of the world!)”

Well, it's Autumn here now but it feels a lot like Winter! :) I love Winter! My birthday is in Winter, plus Christmas! I love getting all wrapped up drinking hot chocolate or tea by the fire and being all snug! :)

I do love Halloween as well and then there's Bonfire Night, where I live there are loads of firework displays on the beach with massive bonfires! It's great :D

I'm also looking forward to The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa which comes out here on October 21st! :) I love the series and I'm completely addicted to them all :)

Author Guest Post: Charlotte Blackwell

Hello everyone! :) Today I have Charlotte Blackwell with me, who is doing a guest post on 'Why YA?' :)

Hello to everyone at “Steph Likes Books”. My name is Charlotte Blackwell and I’m the author of the newly released Embrace Series a paranormal romance for young adults. Book one Immortal Embrace and book two Forbidden Embrace, are both available. Book three Mystic Embrace will follow this coming November.

One question I’m always asked is why young adult(YA)? Well the answer is easy, I have a young adult. My eldest daughter Jorden will be thirteen this coming November. I’m very lucky in the fact that we have a very close and open relationship. Jorden and I talk about anything and everything. Unfortunately not every parent is as lucky as I am; this is why I enjoy to write YA. Oh and what woman doesn’t want to be 17 again.

As a teenager I, like many teens had my share of insecurities and felt pressured from others. I was never comfortable to talk with my mom about these issues and too embarrassed to talk to my friends. So I internalized them, which caused me to feel very alone. I don’t want the young adults of today to feel alone as there’s so many more demands today. By writing my stories in first person, I get the opportunity to face some of the feelings that I had, also that my daughter and her friends now have. I hope that my books can show the readers that they are not alone and we all face the various struggles. Whether young adults talk to a friend, sibling or adult, we have to trust someone and by doing so, good things may come.

The Embrace series subtly addresses issues such as insecurity, trust, friendship, family and love. But young adults today have to deal with so much more like sex, pregnancy, sexual identity, drinking, drugs and death. The characters of the Embrace series also deal with many of these issues. My greatest hope is that readers young and old can gain a sense on security and comfort from my books.

Now of course it’s not all about the serious issues, the Embrace series is fun and exciting. The group of friends go on many different adventures trying to protect the innocent people of their town from various supernatural entities. Not only do the help the town, they also help themselves by learning so much more than they could have ever expected.

Thanks so much for having me here today, the Embrace Experience has already proven to be a blast with all the great blogs and people I’m meeting.

Char

Check out her first book HERE!

You can find Charlotte on:
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/CharBlackwell
Blog: http://charlotteblackwell.blogspot.com/
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4836172.Charlotte_Blackwell

Here is a little look at the Book Trailer for Immortal Embrace:


I will be doing a review of this book a little bit later! :) I can tell you it's amazing!


Hope you enjoyed reading this :)

Check out the next stop on the blog tour tomorrow at SeeItOrReadIt where there will be a review of the second book Forbidden Embrace plus a giveaway! :)