ARC Review: Grim Anthology

GRIM

Authors: Ellen Hopkins, Amanda Hocking, Julie Kagawa, Claudia Gray, Rachel Hawkins, Kimberly Derting, Myra McEntire, Malinda Lo, Sarah Rees-Brennan, Jackson Pearce, Christine Johnson, Jeri Smith Ready, Shaun David Hutchinson, Saundra Mitchell, Sonia Gensler, Tessa Gratton, Jon Skrovon.

Pages: 480

Average rating: 4 stars

Source: eARC provided by Harlequin Teen

Order it: Amazon/ B&N/ TBD

Summary:

Inspired by classic fairy tales, but with a dark and sinister twist, Grim contains short stories from some of the best voices in young adult literature today.

I am a huge fan of anthologies, that’s why when I read about Grim I was so excited to read it.

Anthologies are my chance to read short stories and different kind of topic that I haven’t read from my favorite authors.

However, most of authors of Grim where still unknown for me, and I’ll be looking forward to them after reading their stories.

Grim was a dark collection of fairy tales. I enjoyed most of them, but I didn’t like the fact that almost all stories felt incomplete and the endings were rushed or too open.

Some were straight re-telling, though I can say that only about the tales I already read.

Some other had a dark twist that made the story beautiful and unique.

Each story was different and that’s why I’ll try to say a little about each of them.

The Key by Rachel Hawkins (Bluebeard)

4 stars

This is the first story in the anthology, but the last one I read. It was a good is topic, but has an open ending. It felt like a prequel, though, I’d really like to read a whole book about Lana and Skye.

Figment by Jeri Smith-Ready (Puss in Boots)

4 stars

I’m a huge fan of Jeri Smith-Ready that’s why this was the first story I read. I this, Puss in boots is a lucky charm. It was about music (one of my favorite topics), I liked the writing and main character. I found it good, and it had a solid ending. Good, but forgettable.

The Twelfth Girl by Malinda Lo (12 Dancing Princesses)

3 stars

It was good but not memorable. I liked it, but didn’t love it. The setting was good, and so the plot.

The Raven Princess by Jon Skovron (The Raven)

5 stars

I’ve read this is an exact re-telling, but since I haven’t read the original one, I loved it. The writing was additive, the story was magical and the characters well developed.

It wasn’t dark; this was a real fairy tale. And yet, I loved it.

Thinner Than Water by Saundra Mitchell (Donkeyskin)

5 stars

This story was disturbing, dark and twisted. And to be completely honest, this was my favorite.

It deals with a hard and mature topic, but the main character and the writing was simply amazing.

Before the Rose Bloomed by Ellen Hopkins (The Snow Queen)

2.5

Well, I didn’t like the story and I didn’t like the writing style. It was hard to read, this was probably my least favorite.

Beast/Beast by Tessa Gratton (Beauty and the Beast)

4 stars

This one was good. I liked the writing, even though it wasn’t really different from the original.

The Brothers Piggett by Julie Kagawa (The Three Little Pigs)

5 stars
This was one of those few with a perfect ending. Julie Kagawa did it again. This re-telling was dark and twisted. I loved the Brothers Piggett, and of course, the wolf!

Untethered by Sonia Gensler (The Shroud)

3.5 stars

Since I don’t know the original story I didn’t find this remarkable. The ending was a bit shocking and unexpected, but except that, it was just plain good.

Better by Shaun David Hutchinson (The Pied Piper)

4.5 stars

This is one of the two sci-fi. Loved the writing and since I don’t know the original I loved the plot. This story was sad and tragic. The ending was phenomenal!

Light it Up by Kimberly Derting (Hansel & Gretel)

3.5 stars

A modern version of Hansel and Gretel… good, it felt like a contemporary story, with a good ending.

Sharper Than a Serpent's Tongue by Christine Johnson (Diamonds and Toads)

4 stars

I love the original story! This one was well done, adapted to the modern world. The writing was good, but… the ending was too open.

A Real Boy by Claudia Gray (Pinocchio)

5 stars

The second sci-fi. This is sad, and complex. For some reason this was the last story I read (I’m not a huge fan of Pinocchio). It was the perfect closure for me. A real boy was… wow! Incredible!

Skin Trade by Myra McEntire (The Robber Bridegrom)

3 stars

Don’t know the original story, but I love Myra McEntire, that’s why this story was the most disappointing. It was disturbing and dark? Yes. But again, a “too open” ending and it was too short.

Beauty and the Chad by Sarah Rees Brennan (Beauty and the Beast)

5 stars

Even though I had a hard time figuring out the setting, and I don’t appreciate a Beast saying “Dude”

This tale was fresh and funny. I laughed out loud with the amazing ending. It was hilarious!

The Pink by Amanda Hocking (The Carnation)

5 stars

Again I don’t know the original. I loved this one, though. A great ending (I feel sorry for the villain). Cute characters and cute love story.

Sell Out by Jackson Pearce (Snow White)

5 stars.

Snow White from a male POV. The adaptation and modern setting was amazing. I adored this one!

The writing, the characters and the ending.

It was a great, great ending to the anthology. 

***Thanks to Harlequin Teen for the chance to read this eARC*** 

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ARC Review: The Forever Song by Julie Kagawa

The Forever Song (Blood of Eden #3)

Author: Julie Kagawa

Pages: 416

Source: eARC for review.

Buying links: Amazon/ B&N/ TBD

Synopsis:

VENGEANCE WILL BE HERS 

Allison Sekemoto once struggled with the question: human or monster? 

With the death of her love, Zeke, she has her answer. 

MONSTER 

Allie will embrace her cold vampire side to hunt down and end Sarren, the psychopathic vampire who murdered Zeke. But the trail is bloody and long, and Sarren has left many surprises for Allie and her companions—her creator, Kanin, and her blood brother, Jackal. The trail is leading straight to the one place they must protect at any cost—the last vampire-free zone on Earth, Eden. And Sarren has one final, brutal shock in store for Allie. 

In a ruined world where no life is sacred and former allies can turn on you in one heartbeat, Allie will face her darkest days. And if she succeeds, triumph is short-lived in the face of surviving forever alone.

 

 

 

 Julie Kagawa made me believe in vampires again.

Those are the words I say every time someone asks me about the Blood of Eden series by this author.
Let me be completely honest. The books that turned me into a reader were the TMI series by Cassandra Clare but after that I read every vampire book I found. Because vampires were my thing back then.
But after all these years as a reader I find myself unable to read about the bloodsuckers again, because the vampire books I’ve found don’t worth it. Vampires became boring and a cliché.

That was before I read The Immortal Rules.
Then, I thought that was the best book by Julie Kagawa, but after The Eternity Cure I fell madly in love with this series, with Julie’s writing, with those amazing characters, and I couldn’t wait to read the final installment.

Now, after The Forever Song, I can finally say that The Blood of Eden series are the best vampire books of these days.
Even if you don’t like vampire books you’ll love these ones. Because they have everything you look for in a YA book, in a vampire book, in a post-apocalyptical book.

The Forever Song is by far the best ending I read. It will make you laugh, make you cry. It will have you on the edge of your seat. The Forever Song is an emotional roller-coaster, an action packed adventure.
This book is beautiful and heartbreaking.
It has the best characters ever. It has the best vampires ever. It has the best couple ever.
I was thrilled with all the unexpected twists and turns. It was impossible to put it down.

Thrilling
Fantastic
Stunning

TFS is one of the best books I’ve read in my entire bookish life. 

**I got this ARC thanks to the publisher. Thank you!**

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Book review: The Iron Traitor by Julie Kagawa

The Iron Traitor
Series: The Iron Fey: Call of the forgotten #2
Pages: 304
Source: ARC thanks to Harlequin Teen via NetGalley.
Pre-order ir: Amazon/ Audible/ TBD
Summary:

In the real world, when you vanish into thin air for a week, people tend to notice.  After his unexpected journey into the lands of the fey, Ethan Chase just wants to get back to normal. Well, as "normal" as you can be when you see faeries every day of your life. Suddenly the former loner with the bad reputation has someone to try for-his girlfriend, Kenzie. Never mind that he's forbidden to see her again.

But when your name is Ethan Chase and your sister is one of the most powerful faeries in the Nevernever, "normal" simply isn't to be. For Ethan's nephew, Keirran, is missing, and may be on the verge of doing something unthinkable in the name of saving his own love. Something that will fracture the human and faery worlds forever, and give rise to the dangerous fey known as the Forgotten. As Ethan's and Keirran's fates entwine and Keirran slips further into darkness, Ethan's next choice may decide the fate of them all.

 

With strong characters, a magical world and Kagawa’s addictive writing, the second book of The Iron Fey: Call of the forgotten is a must read.

If it’s been almost a year since you read The Lost Prince, I’m sure you will remember everything because that is one of those books you simply can’t forget.
In this new adventure Julie Kagawa take us to another side of the fey’s world where Ethan Chase faces a new kind of enemies he never expected, leaving readers on the edge of our seat, completely obsessed with Ethan’s new quest.

During the first half of The Iron Traitor we can see the Keirran we learned to love in the previous book, but we can also see how he’s changing while the prophesy follow its course. Keirran has an important role in the story, which will lead us to meet once again the characters from The Iron Fey that we loved before.
Ethan, on the other side is the same gorgeous character from The Lost Prince. A little more open, a little less tough (though, I really loved when he was tough). He sacrifices the normality he thought he finally had to help Keirran on a mission that could destroy everything. Kenzie is always by his side, always loyal, always brave.
So, the three of them take us again to the Never Never where we meet new, stronger and more deadly fey.

The Iron Traitor is a lot more romantic than The Lost Prince. The author manages perfectly a vision of both couples (Ethan and Kenzie, Keirran and Annwyl), while describing Keirran’s love interactions from Ethan’s POV on a very boy-ish way.
Ethan and Kenzie becomes a more solid couple. Their love scenes were cute and heartbreaking.
And on my personal opinion Ethan Chase has one of the best male POV I have ever read.

The Iron Traitor is not just a fantasy, action packed installment. Kagawa’s writing is far beyond that.  This is a book about life-changing choices, about and what it means to be in love and desperate to have a “forever” with that special person.

The ending of The Iron Traitor has a master cliffhanger.
Julie Kagawa will break your heart. She will leave is screaming and begging for the next book to come NOW!
The Iron Traitor by Julie Kagawa is a phenomenal and heart-stopping sequel.

 

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Fashion me #1 Dressing like Allison from The eternity cure.

 

Fashion me is new blog segment where characters teach us how to dress.

Do you wanna dress like a book character? Well, this is the perfect place to start.

Now, if you are a vampire girl. If you like black and want to look like a kick-ass dystopian vampire. You have to check out Allison's clothes.

 

"Stripping out of my torn, dirty shirt and jeans, I headed into the bathroom.

After a long shower, I left my filthy clothes in a heap on the floor, changed into the dark pants and shirt in the closet –did every vampire in this place wear black?"

"I certainly gave off the image of the sullen, brooding troublemaker -ripped jeans, shirt turned inside out, pierced ears and defiant smirk firmly in place."

Now, check out the book and add it to your Goodreads TBR list.

Summary.

In Allison Sekemoto's world, there is one rule left: Blood calls to blood

She has done the unthinkable: died so that she might continue to live. Cast out of Eden and separated from the boy she dared to love, Allie will follow the call of blood to save her creator, Kanin, from the psychotic vampire Sarren. But when the trail leads to Allie's birthplace in New Covington, what Allie finds there will change the world forever-and possibly end human and vampire existence.

There's a new plague on the rise, a strain of the Red Lung virus that wiped out most of humanity generations ago-and this strain is deadly to humans and vampires alike. The only hope for a cure lies in the secrets Kanin carries, if Allie can get to him in time.

Allison thought that immortality was forever. But now, with eternity itself hanging in the balance, the lines between human and monster will blur even further, and Allie must face another choice she could never have imagined having to make.

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Book Review: The Eternity Cure by Julie Kagawa

The Eternity Cure (Blood of Eden #2)

Author: Julie Kagawa

Pages: 446

Goodreads AVG Rating: 4.47

Source: ARC provided by NetGalley

Summary: / Add to your TBR pile

Allison Sekemoto has vowed to rescue her creator, Kanin, who is being held hostage and tortured by the psychotic vampire Sarren. The call of blood leads her back to the beginning—New Covington and the Fringe, and a vampire prince who wants her dead yet may become her wary ally.

Even as Allie faces shocking revelations and heartbreak like she’s never known, a new strain of the Red Lung virus that decimated humanity is rising to threaten human and vampire alike.

THE ETERNITY CURE is the perfect sequel for such an amazing debut as The immortal rules.

Julie Kagawa made vampire books appealing once again. With a devastating decision Allison Zekemoto starts a new quest to save her sire from the grip of the evil vampire Sarren.

Which lead us to a magnificent story of loss, love, betrayal, friendship and packed action.

Kagawa’s writing is fast and addictive. A page turner.

Readers will love the world building and the development of this series.

THE ETERNITY CURE has all you’d love in a dystopian –and vampire- book: memorable characters, a sweet, sweet love story, shocking betrayals, an emotional rollercoaster and an absolutely satisfying ending.

The feelings.

Julie Kagawa made vampires worth-reading again.

That’s what the first thing that came to my mind as soon as I finished reading THE ETERNITY CURE. Yet, this is the first sentence I can think to explain why I recommend this book.

You know, after a lot of vampire books I came to that part where vampire books are not appealing anymore.  Vampires that DON’T drink human blood, dystopian vampires that are NOT ‘real’ vampires, good vampires, friendly vampires, annoying vampires… Where the hell went the real blood suckers!?

Well, I was angry, mad to authors for ruining vampires.

So, when Julie Kagawa came with this brilliant idea of vampires ruling a dystopian world I knew I HAVE to read it.

I did.

And felt in love with this twisted and dark world created by her.

The Plot.

The summary tells us that this is Allie’s quest to find her sire Kanin. I don’t know what I was expecting and I know this is not what YOU are expecting. Because THE ETERNITY CURE is an unpredictable thing that will put you on the edge of your seat. It will drain your emotions; it will make your heart stop beating.

The main characters.

Allison: She is such a kick-ass girl! Brave, selfless, strong, passionate. I know how people like to compare strong heroines, but I only can think of Allie as a warrior fighting her demon inside. That, makes Allie more real, stronger, faith-worthy. 

Ezekiel: Because, of course, this book couldn’t have been that amazing without him. Since I can’t say a lot about him I’m just going to say this: If Julie Kagawa made vampire worth-reading, Ezekiel made “good boys” worth-loving again.

Kanin: There is something about Kanin that will draw you closer.  Allie’s sire is mysterious, enigmatic, a tormented soul.

Jackal: Hey! Jackal’s there! Though, I can’t tell you about him, either. Just listen to this: You might hate Jackal but he was so hilarious, he IS the distraction you need to help yourself not to have a heart attack while reading such emotional rollercoaster.

The evil ones: Just to make sure you have good or bad surprises I’m not going to say the name of the evil ones. But you WILL certainly hate them.

The romance:

Oh man! I wish I could tell you how wonderful the romance is. Yes, because a book with no romance is not a great book like this. But I can’t tell you! You have to discover by yourself why this romance was so achingly beautiful, so heartbroken.

The ending.

A killer ending.

Is it 2014 yet?

Powerful, heartbreaking, heart-stopping, a cliffhanger one… no, more than that! Killer is just the perfect word. If you thought that all the good thing that I said about THE ETERNITY CURE are not enough, well, then you better read it yourself and then thank me!

Gracias! <3

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My Never-ending Booknotes: The eternity cure by Julie Kagawa

 

My Never-ending Booknotes is a weekly meme created by my awesome friend April @ Books 4 Juliet  where we can share our favorites quotes or conversation from a book.

If you want to join, just go HERE and have fun.

Hello y'all! Today in my Never-ending booknotes I want to share with you a little part of The eternity cure, the second book in the Blood of Eden series by Julie Kagawa.
You see, the book will be published on April 30th and I really think that you HAVE to buy it. It's really awesome!
So, check out these quotes. Enjoy a little about this brilliant book!

"Zeke was a brilliant light that cut through the evil and darkness and bloodlust down to that tiny part struggling to stay alive."

"I will put my trust in hope once more, and perhaps this time, it will be enough."

"You were a most compelling quarry and I shall miss our time together. But you have already played your part in this symphony, Your voice, your music, is dying and soon will fade to nothing"

"The requiem has started, and when the last melody plays, the only applause will be sweet, eternal silence"

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Rock On! The author of April: Julie Kagawa

 

Welcome to the celebration of my favorite books of this year.

Each day, I will be featuring my favorite book and author of each month. And at the end of this celebration you'll have the chance to win a hardback copy of a book by one of my favorite authors.

 This last April I read an ARC of The Immortal Rules, which was really awesome. Because I loved it, though I will have to wait a long time to read the next book.

 

 

Julie Kagawa, the New York Times Bestselling author of The Iron Fey and Blood of Eden series, was born in Sacramento, California. But nothing exciting really happened to her there. So, at the age of nine she and her family moved to Hawaii, which she soon discovered was inhabited by large carnivorous insects, colonies of house geckos, and frequent hurricanes. She spent much of her time in the ocean, when she wasn't getting chased out of it by reef sharks, jellyfish, and the odd eel.
When not swimming for her life, Julie immersed herself in books, often to the chagrin of her schoolteachers, who would find she hid novels behind her Math textbooks during class. Her love of reading led her to pen some very dark and gruesome stories, complete with colored illustrations, to shock her hapless teachers. The gory tales faded with time, but the passion for writing remained, long after she graduated and was supposed to get a real job.
To pay the rent, Julie worked in different bookstores over the years, but discovered the managers frowned upon her reading the books she was supposed to be shelving. So she turned to her other passion: training animals. She worked as a professional dogtrainer for several years, dodging Chihuahua bites and overly enthusiastic Labradors, until her first book sold and she stopped training to write full-time.
Julie now lives in Louisville, Kentucky, where the frequency of shark attacks are at an all time low. She lives with her husband, two obnoxious cats, one Australian Shepherd who is too smart for his own good, and the latest addition, a hyper-active Papillon puppy.

 

           

          

 

For the giveaway, you have the chance to win a Hardback copy of one of the books featured in this celebration.

Today's pick is. 

 

Don't forget that if you already have this book, you can pick another from my favorites author of January, February or March.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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