STOLEN NIGHTS - REBECCA MAIZEL - REVIEW

Book: Stolen Nights
Author: Rebecca Maizel
Publisher: PanMacmillan
ISBN: 9780330520454
Rating: A

The pulse-quickening, heartbreaking, devastatingly powerful follow-up to INFINITE DAYS. Lenah Beaudonte should be dead. But having sacrificed herself to save another, she finds herself awakening with strange powers that are neither vampire nor human - and with a new enemy on her trail. In her vampire life, Lenah had thought that being human was all she ever wanted; but the human heart suffers pain, heartbreak and loss. With her new powers growing and the dark force of the Nex after her soul, Lenah faces a choice: between the mortal love of gorgeous Justin, whose passion fed her human soul, and taking a different path to become the mistress of her own destiny, wherever that may lead ...

Now this is what I"m talking about. This is what I have been waiting for way too long and it was exactly what I wanted. Picking up right after the dramatic events of the predecessor Stolen Nights follows Lena and Vicken as she struggles to keep Rhode within her grasp but deny their love whilst realises her true feeling for Justin. 

Boy did this blow me away. This is a really deep emotional book. The plot was amazing. The amount of time and effort that was poured into this book and the plot is absolutely amazing and this was well worth the wait. The plot was so delicate yet extravagant and dramatised at the same time that it simply mesmerised, sending you into a trance, from which you could not break. It was glued to this.

The writing was amazing as ever. Maizel ha this beautiful simplicity to her writing that makes it a absolute pleasure to read. The writing just flowed so smoothly and perfectly like a river so to speak and it just sent you reeling in awe. The combination of the plot with the writing was an utter match made in heaven.

Now this goes in a complete different direction introducing Vicken, who we TBH don't particularly like from book 1 and in this book that completely changes. As he becomes a main character you get let into his head and you really warm to him. You realise what he is truly like and you get to hear his story which is extremely different to Lena's.

This book verges a lot more onto the magic side, and I really like that, because I always find that YA fiction seems to try and stay to real and I am perfectly happy with a full blown Fantasy because who doesn't love a bit of magic. This is definitely a good to read.

After waiting for this was so long I was not disappointed and I honestly can say this book was a pure and utter pleasure to sink my fangs into. (if you'll pardon the pun)

C J REDWINE - GUEST POST - DEFIANCE BLOG TOUR

The Making of a Cover in 20 Easy Steps

1.       Have a discussion with my editor about my (fairly lame) ideas for a cover. Use the word “FIRE” a lot until finally my editor admits that all I seem to want is a cover that is on fire.

2.       Agree that the cover on fire would be awesome, if somewhat dangerous, and that bookstores might show a certain reluctance to shelve a flaming missive by other flammable books.

3.       Leave the cover design in the capable hands of Harper’s amazing design team.

4.       Hear from them a few weeks later that they’re thinking of using a super long cloak to wrap around the spine the way the dresses wrap around the spine in the Luxe books.

5.       Squeal at the brilliance of it and ask if the title can be flame-tipped because … Fire. How cool would that be?

6.       Learn that the cover will be a photo shoot and that they are auditioning models.

7.       Pick out the model with editor and agree that she’s fierce and perfect for the character of Rachel.

8.       Receive a cover comp a few weeks later that looks like anime fan art but that is undeniably COOL even though there is no fire anywhere in sight.

9.       Be assured that the cover comp isn’t the real thing, but just a way for the art department to work out the design specifics before they actually do the photo shoot.

10.   Also discover that wardrobe is sewing a long cloak specifically for the book.

11.   Begin dreaming about breaking into Harper after the photo shoot and absconding with the cloak to wear at signings and Halloween and Christmas and my neighbor’s uncle’s kid’s best friend’s birthday party.

12.   Wait eagerly for news about the success of the photo shoot.

13.   Wait even longer for the first official draft of the cover.

14.   Receive the draft of the cover, open the email, and feel tempted to lick the monitor because the cover is STUNNING.

15.   Decide it no longer matters if there’s fire anywhere on the cover because this idea is so much better.

16.   Read through the list of revisions sent by the art department (font change, bring leaves out of the background, minor color changes) and sign off on them.

17.   Share the cover draft with three closest friends who all are tempted to lick their monitors as well.

18.   Wait a few more weeks and get final cover copy.

19.   Nearly cry because it’s so perfect for the book, and because suddenly it seems REAL.

20.   Start the entire process over again for book 2, only without the mention of lighting the entire thing on fire.

DEBUTANTES - CORA HARRISON - REVIEW

Book: Debutantes

Author: Cora Harrison

Publisher: PanMacmillan

ISBN: 9781447205944

Rating: A

It's 1923 and London is a whirl of jazz, dancing and parties. Violet, Daisy, Poppy and Rose Derrington are desperate to be part of it, but stuck in an enormous crumbling house in the country, with no money and no fashionable dresses, the excitement seems a lifetime away. Luckily the girls each have a plan for escaping their humdrum country life: Rose wants to be a novelist, Poppy a jazz musician and Daisy a famous film director. Violet, however, has only one ambition: to become the perfect Debutante, so that she can go to London and catch the eye of Prince George, the most eligible bachelor in the country. But a house as big and old as Beech Grove Manor hides many secrets, and Daisy is about to uncover one so huge it could ruin all their plans - ruin everything - forever.

Debutantes is definitely one to remember. I don't usually read stuff like this and I tend to shy away from historical fiction but after enjoying Pretty Young Things I thought I would give this a go, and I was more than pleasantly surprised. This book blew me away. This was just a whirlwind of mystery, love, and a good ol’ tale about family and friendship. It’s a beautiful crafted novel, that will keep you up for hours reading!

The plot is a masterful one, set in a time which I haven't read much about, so it’s clear a lot of research went into it. The plot is very unique and although it has some of the historical fiction cliches, I can honestly say I’ve never seen anything like it before, and that I loved it. It was a tantalizing mix of romance and mystery, but not paranormal in any way.

There isnt really a main character because it seems to be fairly split between the sisters but If I had to say one, I would say that Daisy seems to take more of the attention than any of the other girls and she is the one you get to know the most!

The book in itself was very easy flowing and growing and simple to understand. There were no complexities or hard parts to understand. It was all really easy to understand, and it flowed very smoothly.

The writing is gorgeous. Harrison knows how to please the mind, building a whole new timeframe in your mind, transporting back to the 20’s with the vivd description and beautiful prose. The writing really was a pleasure to read and I would love to see a sequel in the works.! I’m a stickler for a series. I just love them!

Overall the book was a gorgeous novel, masterfully crafted and written with the uptomost effort. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN- LILY BLAKE - REVIEW

Book: Snow white and the huntsman

Author: Lily Blake

Publisher: ATOM

ISBN: 9781907411700

Rating: C

A breathtaking new vision of a legendary tale. Snow White is the only person in the land fairer than the evil queen who is out to destroy her. But in a twist to the fairytale, the Huntsman ordered to take Snow White into the woods to be killed becomes her protector and mentor in a quest to vanquish the Evil Queen. Includes fold-out film poster!

I liked tis book. I really did and I think the only thing that let it down was the storyline, which by no means was fault of the author but the script writer as this is a book of the film type of book.

The book is very burtonesque and dark and gothic, definitely a new tale on the classic tale of snow white and the idea is really good. The story hasn't been done before and the concept is clever and witty but I felt a lack of magic for a fairytale so beautiful and magical. I just felt the magic was limited to the queen and when your expecting ugh a magical book this kind of lets you down, to find magic only used in snippets of it.

The writing however was absolutely gorgeous. It was so whimsical and airy. Almost lyrical, it just flows so smoothly, a cascade of prose and description building up scenes, characters and emotions in your mind in such vivd detail that it's just beautiful. I honest gloved it so much and would definitely like to see more from this author.

The description was perfect, there wasn't to much and it was perfectly balanced with the dialogue and the actual storyline to relay the novel to in perfection.

The characters were very different from the typical disney ones and i found it nice. I liked the way every thing wasn't perfect and that all the characters seemed to have this slightly darker more gothic side to them. It really added atmosphere and character to the book, and I was definitely influenced by the casting from the film.

My favourite character would have to be queen ravena. She is just so awesome, and the only one with magic. But what i liked about her this time was that she wasn't simply evil, for no reason like in the disney one. she was so much deeper. She had a story to tell herself. she had reasons and she had a history and it wasn't as simple as black and white. there was a grey.

Overall the book is a witty, fast paced, whimsically dark retelling of the tale of snow white and I absolutely love it.

THE SERPENTS SHADOW - RICK RIORDAN -REVIEW

Book: The serpents Shadow
Author: Rick Riordan
Publisher: Puffin
ISBN: 9780141335681
Rating: A+

Carter And Sadie Kane, descendants of the magical House of Life, are in pretty big trouble. Despite their bravest efforts, Apophis, the giant snake of Chaos, is still threatening to plunge the world into eternal darkness. Now the Kanes must do something no magician has ever managed - defeat Apophis himself. No pressure there then. Battling against the forces of Chaos, their only hope is an ancient spell - but the magic has been lost for a millennia. Will they find the serpent's shadow, or will they be led to their deaths in the depths of the Underworld?

Ok, so this review is well overdue and well over the last year if I've learnt one thins it's that blogger hates me... Any way the review.

The Serpents Shadow is the final book in the amazing Kane Chronicles by Rick Riordan who is intact one of my most favourite authors in whole wide world, and this book did not disappoint at all. I love Riordans book beau case every time you read his next book it just gets bette rand better! Its like he just turns it up a notch with every new book! 

The Serpents shade picked up where The Throne of Fire, pretty much left of with the storyline {not the same location or anything}. The story follows Carter, Sadie, their monkey and the rest of their crew as the battle monster, demons and a whole load of evil magicians, not mention Apophis before the sun is swallowed and the world is ended. So yeah! Definitely one to read.

The plot line in this was everything you want for a last novel. If was fast paced, action packed, and funny in all the right places, keeping you reading till the depths of night. This book keep you filled with a sensation of fear, tense, or even happiness/laughter at all times!


The characters were pretty much the same, barely any new ones being introduced, which is always nice because you get to know the existing ones, even better, and become even closer to them. They really grow on you and the added gods and goddesses really take a larger role. My favourite character would have to be Carter, just because I feel sadie often overpowers him and he's a tad quieter.


Overall and brilliant novel and a fantastic way to end a fantastic series. Riordan has finished this saga and only has the Heroes of Olympus left to finish but maybe a spin of series for this! I would love it!

THE IMMORTAL RULES - JULIE KAGAWA - REVIEW

Book: The immortal Rules
Author: Julie Kagawa
Publisher: Mira INK
ISBN: 9781848450943
Rating: A


In a future world, vampires reign. Humans are blood cattle. And one girl will search for the key to save humanity. Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten. Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them. The vampires who killed her mother and keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself is attacked - and given the ultimate choice. Die...or become one of the monsters. Faced with her own mortality, Allie becomes what she despises most. To survive, she must work with her vampire creator and learn the rules of being immortal. Including the most important: go long enough without human blood, and you will go mad. When Allison is separated from her creator, she flees into the unknown, the world outside her vampire city, beyond the wall. There she joins a ragged band of humans who don't know what she is, seeking a legend - a possible cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike.


For starters may I apologise for the fact that this review is well overdue, due to technical issues with blogger.


When I heard about this I was very skeptical because, Vampire novels dominate the YA genre, and their dare some many that you have to be careful, but because it was written by Kagawa and I adore her Iron Fey series, I was willing to give it a go and I was pleasantly surprised. This was a fun and gripping novel, definitely taking completely new twist on the vampire genre, making it an enjoyable read with my fellow bloodsucking friends.


The book is basically in a post apocalyptic world where Vampire pretty much ruled, using humans as cattle, and then you get the humans who refuse o be used and are basically the slummers. The book is based on Alice, a slummer who ends up as vampire and da dum: she sets out on her quest of discovery.


The plot is definitely like nothing I've red before but in a good way. It keeps you tight and captivated, always interested by what will happen next. It's definitely different and quite unique but I really did love the whimsically twisted plot. I have to admit it does take about three quarters of the book before you can actually if the plot is going anywhere, but nevertheless it is worth the wait and the first three quarters are ever amazing.


The writing is a beautiful as Kagawa's usual style. Just as lyrical and descriptive as I remember [from the iron fey]. the words flow so smoothly, and each one you savour, like cake. And to be honest, for a pretty large book, there is no unnecessary writing. This book is pure talent and pure amazingness. In fact when you read it, it is all so vivid it all plays out in you mind, and beautiful scribe of fantastical prose.


The characters are perfect in very way. They are all so perfect built up and all so right in every way. You hate who your meant to hate you love who your meant ti love and everyone just seems so perfect for the story they star in. The emotions are so vivid, especially helped by first person, that the characters become your friends and you see them.


Overall I did adore this book to the utmost and It was definitely a thrilling ride of blood, gore, love, mystery, mystery romance and horror. A true masterpiece.

MAKEOVER

As you can see Excellent Reads has been victim to a makeover and I have changed it all up a bit, going for more of this cool vintage look, and we'd also had our old design for over a year so it was time for a new look and a belated blogoversary celebration! Hope you like!