A Temptation of Angels by Michelle Zink

A Temptation of Angels

A Temptation of Angels 1

Author: Michelle Zink 
Pages: 435 pgs
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Historical Fiction
Release Date: March 20th 2012
Review Source: Purchased

This was the first Michelle Zink book I discovered that I really wanted to read (along the way I discovered her other series as well). It sounded so interesting and right up my alley and, let me tell you, it did not disappoint.


After sixteen year old Helen Cartwright loses her parents, she's forced to intrust her safety to two brother's she's never met before. Soon she's discovering the existence of the Dictata and her place in world she didn't anything about.

Though she's been trained for path, nothing could have prepared her for finding the one person she never expected to see again. Will Helen be able to set things right and follow her heart?

I absolutely love Michelle's writing. There's just something so fluid about it that just makes me want to keep reading it. And before I'd even gotten a chance to read any of her work I (and my sister) got to meet her at a Teen Book Con back in March. Just hearing talk about her books, the legends she used, and the research she did only made me want to dig in more.

One of the things that I really enjoyed in this story was Helen's feistiness. There wasn't a clear time-frame for when it was set, but clearly it was during a time of corsets and propriety and you all know how much I love me some historical fiction. So, to have a female character in such a time period ready and willing to fight back was refreshing. She was a lady and was treated as one, but she also didn't allow the two brother's (or anyone really) to keep her out of anything. She was touch when she needed to be, yet gentle.

The intricate weaving of the story details was also another plus for me. So much takes place, but it isn't an overwhelming since of information. It is presented to the readers a little at a time, only adding to the already intriguing bases. YET, there is still so much that can be left to tell. I for one am crossing my fingers that there will be more.

I definitely love this book and can't wait to read more from Michelle, she has ensured that I will keep reading her stuff and I hope you guys will too!

Michelle Zink
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A Breath of Eyre by Eve Marie Mont

A Breath of Eyre
Unbound 1

Author: Eve Marie Mont 
Pages: 342 pgs
Genre: YA, Re-Telling, Time Travel
Release Date: March 27th 2012
Review Source: Kensington Publishing Corporation

Eve Marie Mont's debut YA novel was a fun read that thrust readers into the world written by Charlotte Bronte. I was initially intrigued and couldn't wait to check it out.

Emma Townsend is a bit of an outsider. Not only at her prep school, but also at her home. After losing her mom at a young age, she prefers to keep to herself and daydream the day away.

She receives a copy of Jane Eyre and a journal for her sixteenth birthday, both of which turn her world upside down. When Emma finds herself living in Jane's world and falling for Mr. Rochester, she finds herself wondering what's so great about her world. But is that truly where she belongs?

One of the things I really enjoyed about this story was the fact that Emma Townsend was very much a modern day teenage girl. She struggled with the same things we all have at one point or another and had to find herself. Just as could be said about Jane Eyre in the time period she was written about by Bronte. Those parallels were beautifully portrayed and I could see how Jane's world was so appealing to Emma.

But since Emma was a modern girl, I loved that Eve showed the difference in the two time periods. While she may have initially been drawn to Bronte's world, what Emma really wanted was much more. There was so much more to her story and it couldn't be discovered or figured out while living someone else's life. While I did find myself confused in certain places, I ended up understanding why Eve did what she did for Emma's story.

And, though there were no cliffhangers, I'm still anxious for the next book in this trilogy. At least after the description I read! Eve's new look at these classic stories is fun and compelling for any age and has even sparked my interest in checking out the originals.

Eve Marie Mont

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Arise by Tara Hudson

Arise
Hereafter 2

Author: Tara Hudson 
Pages: 404 pgs
Genre: YA, Paranormal
Release Date: June 5th 2012
Review Source: HarperTeen

I discovered this trilogy last year when Tara Hudson's debut, Hereafter, was set to be released. And I absolutely loved it! So, needless to say, I couldn't wait to get my hands on the sequel and I'm so glad I did.

Amelia's struggle with her inbetween existence is becoming more difficult for her to handle. Especially when she and her boyfriend Josh can only touch so much. She wants answers.

On a visit to New Orleans for Christmas, things only seem to get worse and Amelia has to decide what she's willing to do. And after meeting Gabrielle, everything Amelia wants could be possible. But at what cost?

Tara does an absolutely amazing job of telling Amelia's story. The struggles and worries of any teenage girl come across so clearly, but she isn't just any typical girl. I love how she manages to weave all of that in with such an intricate ghost story. It all seems to fit and flow together seamlessly and makes me want to know more.

One of the reasons I fell in love with this series was the relationship between Joshua and Amelia. It wasn't your typical forbidden romance, but yet still had all of those elements in there. Never have I wanted to characters to have their happily ever after than these two. And with the way things went with this story, I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

There's still so many answers that are left to be answered and so much left to happen, but I loved what we got in this sequel. Hereafter was about Amelia's awakening and discovering happiness in her existence. Arise was about her struggles and discoveries for more. She's gotten some answers and things she's longed for, but I can't even imagine what will be in store for her and Joshua in their conclusion.

Tara has given her readers a fabulous and amazingly weaved story and has ensured that I'll continue read her work even after this series is finished!

Tara Hudson
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Skylark Contest from Meagan Spooner

Yes, there is a pretty big contest for Meagan Spooner's Skylark on her website. Stop by and check it out if you're interested: http://www.meaganspooner.com/the-skys-the-limit-contest-for-skylark/

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Shadow and Bone
The Grisha Trilogy 1

Author: Leigh Bardugo 
Pages: 358 pgs
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Release Date: June 5th 2012
Review Source: Henry Holt and Co.

Shadow and Bone is one of those books that just drew me in from the very beginning. From the intriguing description to the amazing cover, I couldn't wait to read this amazing debut. And it was that... amazing!

Alina Starkov leaves in Ravka, a once beautiful and great nation, where she's studying to be a mapmaker in the military. But in order to continue she and her regiment have to cross the Shadow Fold which is a river of darkness containing terrifying monsters.

On their journey through the fold, Alina reveals a long dormant power in an effort to save her best friend. Before she knows it, Alina is whisked off into the world of the Grisha and the mysterious Darkling. But what secrets will she uncover while there and will it be too late to discover more about herself.

There is just something so amazing about this world that Leigh has created. I love the fact that it's Russian inspired, but still her design and creation. Even her story of how she came up with Shadow Fold that she told on tour earlier in June really added to it. Everything was just so unique and interesting and ready to be added to.

I was just discussing with me sister the other day how much I loved the fact that Alina never really saw herself as this great amazing beauty, even after entering the world of the Grisha. She still saw herself as plain and short and nothing really special, though everyone else around her didn't t see that. To me it's a clear description of how a teenager, or anyone really, would view themselves when they feel they don't measure up. You can be surrounded by beauty but not feel as though you fit in, and Leigh did an amazing job of portraying that.

Not only are the Grisha and the Darkling absolutely fascinating (and I can't wait to learn more about them) but I also loved Alina's personal journey throughout the story. She would have a moment of clarity, an epiphany about a situation or herself and then it was like the floodgates would open up for her. It really showed her growth and acceptance of what was happening and really added to the story for me.

Even though there's still quite a while until we get the next book in the series, I'm beyond excited for it and am patiently twiddling my thumbs as we wait for it. There's so much about this world that I can't wait to learn about!

Leigh Bardugo

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Cover Reveal: Clockwork Princess

I'm totally squeeing over this. Don't even have any other words except GORGEOUS:

Happy 4th!

To my U.S. followers!