reviews July 27, 2013

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

A Discovery of Witches (All Souls Trilogy 1) by Deborah Harkness

Deep in the stacks of Oxford’s Bodleian Library, young scholar Diana Bishop unwittingly calls up a bewitched alchemical manuscript in the course of her research. Descended from an old and distinguished line of witches, Diana wants nothing to do with sorcery; so after a furtive glance and a few notes, she banishes the book to the stacks. But her discovery sets a fantastical underworld stirring, and a horde of daemons, witches, and vampires soon descends upon the library. Diana has stumbled upon a coveted treasure lost for centuries-and she is the only creature who can break its spell. (Goodreads)

The book starts when Diana Bishop discovers a bewitched manuscript,called Ashmole 782, in a library at Oxford. It has been lost for centuries and soon all kind of witches, daemons and vampires are trying to get it. One of them is Matthew Clairmont, a scientist who is also vampire.
Diana is from a powerful family of witches but after her parents’ death she has refused to use her powers. But when things starts to take dangerous turn she learns that she can’t ignore her heritage anymore.

Book is told from Diane’s point of view and it worked here. She’s strong, brave, intelligent and she’s historian. What’s not to like? It was interesting to see how she grew during the book, fing herself again and learning to control her powers.

Matthew is over 1000 year old vampire who takes interest in Diana. At first he is just looking for Ashmole 782 but soon finds that he can’t keep her out of his thoughts. But vampires and witches aren’t supposed to be together as they are about to find out. I liked Matthew and the chemistry between him and Diane. Sure he had this medieval thing about protecting women and stuff but I thought he was still quite adorable.

There was quite a lot talking about DNA and alchemy and I have to say that it went way over my head. But it was still interesting and it didn’t made m enjoy it any less.

And there was a finnish witch called Satu Järvinen :) That doesn’t happen often and just made me happy. Of course she was one of the bad guys but you can’t have it all, can you? She kinda leaves a lasting impression on Diane, not to mention traumas.

I really liked this book! I liked the first half book better with Matthew and Diane getting to know eachother. In later part things started to move much faster and while it was fun it didn’t feel the same.

A word of warning: the books has much detailed telling about things. How wine or food tasted and or smelled and their reactions to it. So if you’re not into that kind of thing you should be warned.

4,5/5
Published: Viking (2011)
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 579
Source: library

reviews July 27, 2013

The Reckoning by Kelley Armstrong

The Reckoning (Darkest Powers Trilogy 3) by Kelley Armstrong

Chloe Saunders is fifteen and would love to be normal. Unfortunately, Chloe happens to be a genetically engineered necromancer who can raise the dead without even trying. She and her equally gifted (or should that be ‘cursed’?) friends are now running for their lives from the evil corporation that created them.

As if that’s not enough, Chloe is struggling with her feelings for Simon, a sweet-tempered sorcerer, and his brother Derek, a not so sweet-tempered werewolf. And she has a horrible feeling she’s leaning towards the werewolf…

Definitely not normal. (Goodreads)

Chloe, Tori, Derek and Simon are safe now with Andrew, a friend of Simon and Derek’s father. Andrew introduces the kids to group of supernaturals (necromancer, witch and shaman) hoping they could teach the kids and helping them to control their powers. They don’t seem to believe that the Edison Group is actually trying to kill them. And when they found out how powerful the kids really are without training, things are starting to go from bad to worse.

Chloe has always been little too nice and I’m happy she’s finally learning to stand up and not letting others run her down. She finally stands up to Derek who seems to take out his frustrations on Chloe more than anyone else. Derek has his first Change and I love how supportive Chloe is about the thing. But I found it little funny how well she seems to understand Derek in his wolf form. How many different snort/frown can a wolf have? I love it how in books everyone knows what others are thinking and how eyes seems to show everything…

Tori has made some growing up and while she’s still bitchy she seems to be more part of the group. And the thing about her dad was so unexpected! I wish there would have some more information on that.

Simon wasn’t much in the book and it seemed his only purpose was to be a part of a love triangle. But for once the triangle didn’t bother me and the guys weren’t really fighting each other for it.

I still wish there would have been more about their powers. Like why were they given the experiences? What was the ulterior motive?

I enjoyed the book but it left the feeling that it was unfinished. As far as I know there’s no more books but I could be wrong though.

4/5
Published: Orbit (2010)
Format: Paperback
Pages: 391
Source: my own

reviews July 27, 2013

The Awakening by Kelley Armstrong

The Awakening (Darkest Powers Trilogy 2) by Kelley Armstrong

Chloe Saunders is on the run
and raising hell. Literally. 

Chloe Saunders is not your average supernatural teenager. Genetically altered at birth by a sinister team of scientists, she can barely control her terrifying powers. Now the team that created her has decided it’s time to end the experiment. Permanently.

Now Chloe is running for her life along with a charming sorcerer, a troubled werewolf and a temperamental young witch. Together they have a chance for freedom – but can Chloe trust her new friends? (Goodreads)

The Awakening starts from where The Summoning left. Chloe, Tori and Rae has been recaptured by the Edison Group. Chloe and Tori escapes and starts to search for Derek and Simon. After they are reunited they decides that the best solution is to look for a family friend of Derek and Simon who could help. They’re trying to learn to control they’re new powers and to figure out what was done to them.

It’s been some time since I read the first book and didn’t remember these were so much fun!

Chloe is trying to learn how to control necromancy and her power just seems to grow. She’s also trying to accept what she learned about her Aunt who was always there for her.

I like her , and the fact that she doesn’t come complete idiot when a boy is around, and she is starting to believe in herself more. Sure she does some stupid decisions that leads her needing to be rescued but still. From the first book she has had a crush on Simon who is this nice, thoughtful guy but there is also Derek who most of the time is kinda rude at everyone but at times is kind and caring.

I liked Simon and thought he was fun but Derek is the mysterious one. Chloe understand him and helps him with his struggle with the wolf. And I can’t feel hoping there would be more between the two!

I wish we would have been told more about how the kids have been genetically altered. It’s told that they were but never more than that. And it doesn’t come clear what is supposed to be normal so you don’t really know how different the kids really are.

Personally I found it interesting when we found out that Simon has diabetes. It doesn’t come across often in the books and not with something about medication plan explained. And even though it’s not a big deal in the story, there is still the proper information.

I really enjoyed this and it was kinda quick read too. Can’t wait to start Armstrong’s adult serie too!

4/5
Published: Orbit (2009)
Format: Paperback
Pages: 357
Source: my own

reviews July 27, 2013

Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

Nightshade (Nightshade 1) by Andrea Cremer

Calla Tor has always known her destiny: After graduating from the Mountain School, she’ll be the mate of sexy alpha wolf Ren Laroche and fight with him, side by side, ruling their pack and guarding sacred sites for the Keepers. But when she violates her masters’ laws by saving a beautiful human boy out for a hike, Calla begins to question her fate, her existence, and the very essence of the world she has known. By following her heart, she might lose everything–including her own life. Is forbidden love worth the ultimate sacrifice? (Goodreads)

Calla is the alpha female of the younger generation of her werewolf pack. In Calla’s world there are werewolfs called the Guardians who serves witches called The Keepers. The Keepers are in war with Searchers who used to be part of The Keepers. Calla has always known her future: to bond with Ren, the alpha male of the other pack, and to form a new pack with him. But when their packs are beginning to merge, things start to change.

When Calla is on a patrol she comes across human hiker, Shay, being attacked by a bear and can’t let him die. But when Shay turns out to be a new student in Calla’s school things are about to get complicated.

I’m glad to tell that I loved this book! I’ve read so many great reviews and I feared I would end hating it and I’m glad I was wrong.

Calla is strong, has a sense of duty and knows what is expected of her. She has been raised as a warrior and isn’t afraid to speak her mind. I liked her and the fact that she wasn’t a damsel in distress waiting for someone to save her.

And of course there is the love truangle.
Ren is the young alpha male of the Bane pack – hot, womanizing and he’s used to girls fallin’ at his feet. But he is lot more insecure about Calla than he pretends to be. I may or may not have a liitle crush on him…

Then there’s the human boy Shay. There’s something about him that Calla can’t let him die and ends up saving him against every rule. I kinda liked him but had some problems too. He keeps insulting the werewolves and can’t understand Calla’s loyalty to the Keepers. And he has problem with the tradition of bonding with someone who’s been chosen to be your mate. Because Calla’s should be able to choose for herself and of course Shay is the right one for that. I thought he was little selfish at times.
Don’t get me wrong, I liked Shay but I could have lived without him too. I liked Ren and I think he was much better for Calla and didn’t understand the need for love triangle. I just wanted more Calla-Ren scenes.

I’m surprised that there wasn’t any characters who really annoyed me. Because I didn’t hate Shay but just didn’t like him to be with Calla. And I would have liked to read more about Mason and Nev. Now there would have been a story!

I’m looking forward reading the next book and I’m hoping there will be more Ren in it!

4/5
Published: Atom (2011)
Format: Paperback
Pages: 454
Source: library

reviews July 25, 2013

Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Delirium (Delirium 1) by Lauren Oliver

They say that the cure for Love will make me happy and safe forever. And I’ve always believed them. Until now. Now everything has changed. Now, I’d rather be infected with love for the tiniest sliver of a second than live a hundred years smothered by a lie. (Goodreads)

When people turn 18 they’ve procedure to cure themfrom a disease called love, or amor deliria nervosa. Love is the reason that made evything to turn into chaos and a cure was developed. The feeling of love for a best friend, a parent, or a pet is not tolerated.

Lena can’t wait for her procedure but then she meets Alex. At first she’s horrified at the feelings she now has but slowly starts to question the way of life. She has always wanted to be happy and ordinary and the procedure is the answer to that. But what if there is another way?

I haven’t read many dystopian books before and I’m surprised how much I liked this. And I think the idea of love thought as disease is interesting.

It started little slowly but things starts to go swiftly little by little. I actually liked Lena. At first she is rather insecure and feels like she is in her best friend Hana’s shadow. Hana is the type that catches all the attention at first and then there is Lena’s mother’s suicide that still cast a shadow on Lena’s life. I loved to see that Alex made her start believing in herself more. But when Lena’s procedure starts to approach she starts to think about running off with Alex .

While I liked the book there was few things that bothered me. I would have liked to learn why the government suddenly started to force everyone to be cured. It was said love and feelings was the reason for wars and that people were unhappy but I kept thinking if there was something that really set things off.

And it’s said that it’s dangerous to take the procedure before you turn 18 because of side effects but then later on we’re told that some people who has gotten the deliria is forced to take procedure earlier. It kinda came out like it’s a normal thing when just before it’s stated to be dangerous.

But all in all it was fascinating reading and I’m looking forward reading more of her books!

4/5
Published: Hodder & Stoughton (2011)
Format: Paperback
Pages: 393
Source: library