Review: A Touch Of Power by Maria V. Snyder

                                             Touch of Power (Healer #1) by Maria V. Snyder

           Pages:  400  Published: December 20th 2011  Publisher: Mira  Source: Review

Goodreads:

Laying hands upon the injured and dying, Avry of Kazan assumes their wounds and diseases into herself. But rather than being honored for her skills, she is hunted. Healers like Avry are accused of spreading the plague that has decimated the Territories, leaving the survivors in a state of chaos. 

Stressed and tired from hiding, Avry is abducted by a band of rogues who, shockingly, value her gift above the golden bounty offered for her capture. Their leader, an enigmatic captor-protector with powers of his own, is unequivocal in his demands: Avry must heal a plague-stricken prince—leader of a campaign against her people. As they traverse the daunting Nine Mountains, beset by mercenaries and magical dangers, Avry must decide who is worth healing and what is worth dying for. Because the price of peace may well be her life....

My Review:

‘A Touch of Power’ was really really good! I’ve already read the Study series from Maria V. Snyder so I knew how amazing she was at creating whole new lands and exciting plot turns and A Touch of Power did not disappoint! 

Avry is the main character and she is a healer from Kazan. The whole setting is very interesting with different lands and of course the plague situation growing more dire each and every day. I liked reading Avry, she was an easy character to get along with and she was a smart, independent woman. Kerrick, Flea, Belen, Loren and Quain make up the rescuers and they all have their individual personalities, which made them seem even more real. They also have bad traits -Yes Kerrick, I’m talking about you! But everything was all tied together at the end and I loved it! Some parts are very sad! L Belen was my favourite, with Flea at a tie -he was so cute! Tohon was one creepy character! He was such a slimy little man, but of course, there needs to be a villain and Tohon certainly lived up to that! 

I enjoyed how all the relationships between the characters developed as they progressed and the horrible situation that Avry was in -heal someone and die, or not heal someone and survive- something that anybody would have trouble with. The way that Avry’s and Kerrick’s power is described was really interesting! I loved it! Plus, the new character’s along the way, from Sepp, Estrid, Jael and Noelle were all great to read about.

The plot was jam packed full of endless plot changes that I would have never guessed! I was genuinely shocked, so be prepared for anything when reading this! The Peace and Death Lily’s situation was a really intriguing aspect of the book, as it was completely new and very scary! 

Overall, it’s a fantastic read! It’ll definitely leave you gasping for more and luckily the next book is out next year in 2013! Highly recommended! Grab it now! :)

4 out of 5 stars.

Review: Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

Clockwork Prince (The Infernal Devices #2) by Cassandra Clare

Pages: 496  Published: 6th December 2011  Publisher: Walker Books Source: Bought

Goodreads:
The situation at the London Institute has never been more precarious. With Mortmain and his clockwork army still threatening, the Council wants to strip Charlotte of her power and hand the running of the Enclave over to the unscrupulous and power-hungry Benedict Lightwood. 

In the hope of saving Charlotte and the Institute, Will, Jem, and Tessa set out to unravel the secrets of Mortmain’s past—and discover unsettling Shadowhunter connections that hold the key not only to the enemy’s motivations, but also to the secret of Tessa’s identity. Tessa, already caught between the affections of Will and Jem, finds herself with another choice to make when she learns how the Shadowhunters helped make her a “monster.” Will she turn from them to her brother, Nate, who has been begging her to join him at Mortmain’s side? Where will her loyalties—and love—lie? Tessa alone can choose to save the Shadowhunters of London…or end them forever.


My Review:

Well, what can you say about ‘Clockwork Prince’ apart from… it’s absolutely AMAZING!!! READ IT RIGHT NOW! Cassandra Clare can seriously do no wrong in my eyes! She is one of -if not- my favourite author and I seriously devoured this book!

Every single character developed much much more than Clockwork Angel, particularly Will -can I please say dghjdkghdd??!!! His reason for his behaviour broke my heart. I was a die hard Will fan in the first book although his attitude was horrendous towards Tessa. In this book however, I saw Jem in a whole new light. I really enjoyed reading the parts he was in. I was surprised at a certain *cough* scene! I never thought he would be like that! So, it’s made me even more torn than ever now! I thought I was a die-hard Will fan but I really like Jem now! I enjoyed how Tessa developed throughout - particularly when a certain someone dies- I thought that was really tough. 

Plus, Jessamine I kind of feel really sorry for her, even though she did bring the whole situation on herself, but she truly believed that she loved Nathaniel and that he loved her back and that was quite sad to read.

The storyline! Oh, the twists and turns left me guessing right until the very end! I was shocked on one page, then laughing on the next, then crying… etc. Everyone must have thought I looked crazy but oh well! It was worth it! I loved it! It really makes me yearn for the 19th century! The whole atmosphere and surroundings that Clare develops make it all seem so real and tangible. 

Plus, can I just say.. That last page nearly killed me. No joke. I was in a mixture of emotions, I want -no, NEED, Clockwork Princess right now. Also, that scene, yes you know what I’m talking about with Will and Tessa! It was so heart wrenching, I felt so so so sorry for Will and Tessa! I just wanted everything to work out and for it to be a nice little happy ever after, but no. Wishful thinking on my part. 

I got the Collector’s First Edition and I loved the extras! Burning Bright was really interesting to read and Will’s letter!!! Amazing. 

I absolutely loved Clockwork Prince and everyone needs to read this book right now. It’s simply amazing. I thought it was much better than Clockwork Angel -which I didn’t think was possible. 

10 out of 5 stars!! ;)  okay.. 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Waiting on Wednesday (4)

Hey guys!  Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights an upcoming release we are greatly anticipating! :) Okay, so I know this book is already released but it sounds amazing and I can't wait to read it! :) 

Mine is....

Half-Blood by Jennifer L.Armentrout

The Hematoi descend from the unions of gods and mortals, and the children of two Hematoi-pure-bloods-have godlike powers. Children of Hematoi and mortals-well, not so much. Half-bloods only have two options: become trained Sentinels who hunt and kill daimons or become servants in the homes of the pures.
Seventeen-year-old Alexandria would rather risk her life fighting than waste it scrubbing toilets, but she may end up slumming it anyway. There are several rules that students at the Covenant must follow. Alex has problems with them all, but especially rule #1:Relationships between pures and halfs are forbidden.
Unfortunately, she's crushing hard on the totally hot pure-blood Aiden. But falling for Aiden isn't her biggest problem--staying alive long enough to graduate the Covenant and become a Sentinel is. If she fails in her duty, she faces a future worse than death or slavery: being turned into a daimon, and being hunted by Aiden. And that would kind of suck.


I can seriously not wait to read this! :)

Review: Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Pages: 384
Publisher: Puffin
Date released: January 5th 2012
Source: Publisher
Rating: 5 Stars















Goodreads:

Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . . 

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future. 

In this thrilling debut young adult novel, the first of a quartet, Marissa Meyer introduces readers to an unforgettable heroine and a masterfully crafted new world that’s enthralling.

My Review:
I really really really enjoyed Cinder! I loved the whole concept of Cinderella as a Cyborg in Beijing! It was a very unique idea and I can’t wait to read the rest of series. 

Cinder was a very interesting character. She was just a normal girl who was faced with the enormous task of saving the world. Most of the original characters from Cinderella were thrown in, the evil stepmother, mean stepsister, handsome prince and faithful friends. There were some characters who I just wanted to strangle! - Yes, I’m talking about the stepmother! Prince Kai was also a great character to read, he was friendly, loyal, brave and romantic. The Luna were very strange characters, Queen Levana especially. 

The Luetomosis disease was described in great detail throughout the story and it really increased the tension as more and more people died. There is definitely a lot of action in Cinder and you will be turning the pages all night. A lot of sci-fi elements pop up throughout which make the whole environment feel very real. 

I loved the twist at the end, although I did guess beforehand. The ending is definitely left on a cliff hanger and leaves unanswered questions! What? Why? Who?… 

All in all, a fantastic read to be added to your read it now shelf! A very interesting twist on a classic fairy tale that will leave you gasping for more long after the last page has been turned. 

5 out of 5 stars overall.


*Thank you to Puffin for sending me a copy of 'Cinder' for review.

Merry Christmas!

Hello everyone! :) I hope you all had a great Christmas!

My Bookworm Santa was hosted by Bree from The Magic Attic and Michelle from Book Briefs and it was really fun! I'm going to reveal what I sent and what I received! ....

I was Secret Santa to... I Write, I Read, I Review! :)  So I sent 'Cracked Up To Be' which was on her wishlist:


I received:

and I'm sooo happy! I can't wait to read it! :) Thank you! I don't know who my Secret Santa was, so if it was you then let me know! :D

Top 5 Young Adult Books of 2011

Top 5 Young Adult’s Books of 2011

With Christmas only around the corner (tomorrow!)  it’s time to start deciding what to buy as presents.
One staple gift to suit people of all ages is of course a good book. There is nothing better than settling down after devouring a huge Christmas dinner and getting stuck into a good read so WHSmith have come up with the ‘Top 5 Young Adult Books of 2011’ that will keep your sons, daughters, nieces and nephews reading all through Christmas and New Year.
From authors Becca Fitzpatrick to Louis Sachar, WHSmith have the perfect books for everyone to enjoy this Christmas.


Forever by Maggie Stiefvater
Grace and Sam found each other in SHIVER. In LINGER, they fought to be together. Now, in FOREVER, the stakes are even higher than ever before. Wolves are being hunted. Lives are being threatened and love is becoming harder to hold on to as death closes in.


Passion by Lauren Kate
Before Luce and Daniel met at Sword & Cross and before they fought the Immortals, they had already lived many lives. And so Luce, desperate to unlock the curse that condemns their love, must revisit her past incarnations in order to understand her fate. Each century and each life holds a different clue but Daniel is chasing her throughout the centuries before she has a chance to rewrite history. How many deaths can one true love endure? Can Luce and Daniel unlock their past in order to change their future? This is the third book in the brilliant "Fallen" series.


Silence by Becca Fitzpatrick
Patch and Nora have overcome the secrets riddled in Patch's dark past, bridged two irreconcilable worlds and faced heart-wrenching tests of betrayal, loyalty and trust and all for a love that will transcend the boundary between heaven and earth. Patch and Nora armed with only their absolute faith in one another enter a desperate fight to stop a villain who holds the power to shatter everything they've worked for and their love, forever.


Holes by Louis Sachar
Stanley Yelnats' family has a history of bad luck going back through generations, so when a miscarriage of justice sends him to Camp Green Lake Juvenile Detention Centre he is not too surprised. Nor is he very surprised when he is told that his daily labour at the camp is to dig a hole, five foot wide by five foot deep, and report anything that he finds in it. The warden claims that it is character building, but this is a lie and Stanley must dig up the truth. In this wonderfully inventive, compelling novel that is both funny and serious, Louis Sachar has created a masterpiece that will leave all readers amazed and delighted by the author's narrative flair and brilliantly handled plot.



Inheritance by Christopher Paolini
Not so very long ago, Eragon - Shadeslayer, Dragon Rider - was nothing more than a poor farm boy, and his dragon, Saphira, only a blue stone in the forest but now the fate of a whole civilization rests on their shoulders. Long months of training and battle have brought victories and hope, but they have also brought heartbreaking loss. And still the real battle lies ahead: they must confront Galbatorix. When they do, will they be strong enough to defeat him? If they can’t do it, no one can. There will be no second chances. The Rider and his dragon have come farther than anyone dared to hope. But can they topple the evil king and restore justice to Alagaesia? If so, at what cost? Featuring beautiful artwork by cult artist John Jude Palencar, this stunning book brings the bestselling "Inheritance" cycle to a breathtaking conclusion.

Teaser Tuesday (6)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! 

Just do the following:

                                                          
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 TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

~

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

"A scream filled Cinder's ears. She flinched, the sound peeking in her audio interface, and turned towards it. The market silenced." Page 14

"Cinder opened her mouth, about to announce that any human touch felt unusual, but her breath hiccuped. Fire and pain ruptured her spine, flooding her veins." Page 113

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I love this book, it's so good!