Review: Flamecaster (Shattered Realms #1) by Cinda Williams Chima

A treat for any fantasy fan.

Title: Flamecaster
Series: Shattered Realms
Author: Cinda williams Chima
Publisher: HarperCollins, USA
My ratings: 4 out of 5 stars
Released: 5th April, 2016
After reading so many reviews about Cinda Williams Chima, I was on tenterhooks to find out what the fuss was about. Flamecaster is a spin off series from her hugely popular Seven Realms series. Unfortunately this ignorant and busy reader hasn't had the time to read it. In fact this was the first time I've ever heard of it.

Regardless, I started this book with high hopes and was pleasantly surprised at the writing and the plot. The book starts with some shocking events (especially for fans of the Seven Realms) in our protagonists young lives which shapes them as young adults. Ash is determined to assassinate the King and Jenna is desperately trying to hold the rebellion against the King. The story is more complicated than that but it was not boring one single point.

The world building is all consuming and has all the hallmarks of a seasoned writer who knows it inside out. The characters multifaceted which kept the story moving. I was also surprised how much I was enjoying the book even without the essential (at least for me) romance. In fact my main complaint is about the romance. I'm sorry to say that it has insta-love of the worst kind. Believe it or not they were kissing by their second meeting! That had me shaking my head as I did not expect an acclaimed author taking that route. I felt they had absolute no chemistry. In fact I felt that Ash and Lila had more chemistry.

All over it is a treat for any fantasy fans with plenty of fantasy elements, evil kings, mysterious foreign ambassador, assassins parading as healers, mages and dragons.

Review copy provided by the publisher, HarperCollins

Review: And I Darken (The Conquerors Saga #1) by Kristen White

Welcome a new breed of YA heroine

Title: And I Darken
Series: The Conquerors Saga
Author: Kristen White
Publisher: Penguin Random House, UK
My ratings: 5 out of 5 stars
Released: 7th July, 2016
A And I Darken, is one of those rare breed of YA stories that makes you sit up and pay attention. Set in Eastern Europe in a time where not many books are set, it is more of a re-imagining of historical events than actual fantasy.

Imagine if Vlad the Impaler was not a man but a woman. How would the events unfold. We have Lada who is brutal, hard and vicious. And a delightful main character. I love this trend of dark heroines which brings a new flavour of heroines who are not just kick ass but are harsh and not afraid of embracing the darker side of life.

However, this story is not simply about Lada, but also follows her younger brother, Radu who is everything that Lada is not. Their relationship between them is convoluted and complex. Their love hate relationship had me on tenterhooks. Bring in Mehmed. Another complexity to these three peoples relationship and it is a recipe for the most festering, gritty and tortuous relationship I have ever read.

The story was a car crash I could not stop reading. The fierce wild Rada opposite the delicate, sly Radu set in an ever changing world of new religion and kingdoms, their abandonment shaped them as children and love and hatred kept changing them as adults.

This book explored so many aspects of life in the 500 years ago. What it means to be a woman? Is being physically strong the only way you can be powerful? Can you fight battles from court rooms? And what does it even mean to be an emperor? We had Rada hating her gender and trying her best to remove any form of feminity and loved that she discovers that sometimes being a women is how you fight your battles. While Radu was struggling with his own identity, his faith and his loyalties.

I hated the self-righteous Mehmed and I cannot explain the details without giving spoilers. What I can say is that this is one of the must read YA releases this summer, pushing the boundaries of YA story telling which will have you transfixed to the pages.

Review copy provided by the publisher, Penguin Random House, UK

Review: A Court of Mist and Fury (A Court Of Thorns and Roses #2) by Sarah J. Maas

Heart breaking romance and evocative world building

Title: A Court of Mist and Fury
Author: Sarah J Maas
Series: A Court of Thorns and Roses
Publisher: Bloomsbury Books, UK
My ratings: 3 out of 5 stars
Released: 2nd May , 2016
This is going to be my difficult review to date. And furthermore, this will contain spoilers for the previous book and this book. So if you don’t want to be spoilt, look away now.This could have possibly been the best book I've ever read but I have such mixed feelings about the events that took place in this book.

So in this edition, our newly changed Fae, Feyre is back in Spring Court but still reeling from the events in ACOTAR. She is suffering from PTSD and unfortunately so is Tamlin. While they are suffering the threat of Rhys coming to make good on this bargain with Feyre looms over them.

*Start of Rant (spoilers ahead)*

Right now comes the rant, so while Feyre and Tamlin are struggling, instead on talking they start drifting away. Feyre being the whiny person she is, starts resenting Tamlin his happiness of being reunited with his family and friends. He tries to protect her from dangers around her, which I admit he goes about the wrong way of doing, pisses Feyre off and she decides to leave for the Night Court.

My rant aside, the rest of book from this point is beautiful. I think S. J Maas is an author who really listens to her readers and tries to fulfil their requests. Unfortunately in this case, she changed the love interest. I had suspected something like this may be pulled off in this series as hints were scattered in the first book, but the way it was done, so quick and brutal that it left me feeling jarred. In the book, it occurs in the course of 5 months but while reading the book, it all happens in the first 15% of the book. For readers who loved ACOTAR, which was more romance than fantasy and especially if you reread it before ACOMAF, then it hurts. S. J Mass sold the whole story of the first book on the romance between Tamlin and Feyre and suddenly both of them behaving so out of character was not only disappointing but made me angry. SO angry that I had to stop reading for 2 days to give myself time to get in terms with it.

ACOTAR was sold to me as the TRUE LOVE story based on the Beauty and the Beast and it was delivered. Then it takes a U turn and goes in a completely new direction. Needless to say, I was really annoyed. In fact I was more than annoyed. Secondly , the new love interest is portrayed in a holier than thou light and it takes away all that mystery and edge that I loved in the first place. Worst of all, it was achieved but putting the first guy in a negative light. This is what annoyed me the most. Why does Tamlin have to be suddenly the bad guy? Why can’t they just drift away rather than make Tamlin act in way he never would have! At one point, I was ready to give up but with the hype surrounding it, I gave it a try and didn’t regret it.

*Rant Over*

It was everything and more I could have asked in a fantasy adventure. It was so beautifully written, with nee exciting characters and old characters given new dimension. Rhys was portrayed in a completely new light and the romance of utterly toe tingling. The chemistry between Rhys and Feyre was OFF. THE. CHARTS. The flirtations, the sexual tension, the interaction, the little notes, I died with pleasure each time (even if a little part felt unfaithful to Tamlin).

The new characters introduced added a wonderful layer to the story and as the story unfold, so does Feyre’s world and the Fearie World unveils more of it’s secrets. I also enjoyed how much more background information was included giving every character nuances which were lacking in the previous book.

If I’m honest most of the book lacked a solid plot and until the very end, not much really happens unless you count the amazing sex scenes. Yes, ACOMAF is not a YA and I’d definitely call it NA. S. J Mass outdid herself.

Regardless of the above issues and Feyre’s annoying habit of changing her mind and turning Rhys into another tortured hero who needs the right woman, the book was fabulous. It was excellent, addictive, exciting and delicious. It was book which compelled me to keep reading and while I wasn’t I occupied my dreams. How I wish, Tamlin was not declared the ‘True Love’ in ACOTAR.

ACOMAF is a must read for all fantasy fans. Hell, it’s a must read for all reader who love a great story which will have your running to the bookstore to the next book.

Review copy provided by the publisher, Bloomsbury Books, UK

Blog Tour: Resurgence (Silver Blackthorn Trilogy #3) by Kerry Wilkinson

The finale which will leave you asking for more

Title: Resurgence
Series: Silver Blackthorn
Author: Kerry Wilkinson
Publisher: Pan Macmillan, UK
My ratings: 4 out of 5 stars
Released: 5th May, 2016
A fter being impressed by the first two books in the Silver Blackthorn Trilogy, I was really looking forward the finale of this action packed, thrilling adventure.Read my review and blour tours for Reckoning and Renegade here, here and here.

The events in Renegade had the set up for Resurgence pat down and it was a fast paced adventure. Silver becomes the unlikely hero of these subjugated people while she is internally struggling with her own role in this rebellion. Her life has changed so much and it is evident as we see lots of character development.

What I enjoy most about this series has always been the friendships between the teens who suffered under the deranged king and his castle. Not just the friendships, but the relationships good or bad are nuanced and layered and a treat to read.

Some dystopian authors shy away from brutality and this fails to convince of the unfairness of a cruel regime. But I think this series is not only brutal but it encapsulates the misery and suffering of people so well, that the reader really starts rooting for this rag tag bunch of kids.

Of course, there is a vague love triangle but I was sure from the start, who the eventual winner of Silver’s heart was.

Kerry’s writing has always been spot on and he is quite clever with his plot devices and I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I will definitely recommend this series for readers who love dystopia and looking for a fix.

Review copy provided by the publisher, PanMacmillan, UK.

To celebrate this blog tour, I am able to give away 3 sets of the entire Silver Blackthorn Trilogy. Yes people, that 3 sets of 3 books for 3 winners! All you have to do is enter via the Rafflecoptor widget below. This giveaway if UK only, and end 22nd of May. Visit me on Instgram and Twitter for more chances of winning. Feast your eyes on this beautiful copy of Resurgence.

Photo credit: Escapism Fanatic on Instagram

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Blog Tour: The Winner's Kiss (The Winner's Trilogy #3) by Marie Rutkoski

A truly heart rendering romance with tension and thrills aplenty

Title: The Winner’s Kiss
Series: The Winner’s Trilogy
Author: Marie Rutkoski
Publisher: Bloomsbury Kids, UK
My ratings: 5 out of 5 stars
Released: 24th March, 2016
S ince the day I read Marie Rutkoski’s The Winner’s Curse, I knew all her books were going to turn out as gems. I am smitten with this series and all her books in this series simply too good to be missed.

As this is the last book in this trilogy, the stakes are high and the tension is intense. With the ending like in The Winner’s Crime, I was hanging on edge for The Winner’s Kiss. I am pleased to say that this book was one of the best out of the Trilogy. It was beautifully written and the plotting was perfection.

One of the strengths of this book is its main protagonist Kestrel. Set in an imaginary waring world but with no magic or fantasy elements, I never thought I will enjoy a heroine who couldn’t fight in an essentially fantasy story. Smart and beautiful, I love the fact that even if she cannot fight, she can still defeat her enemies with just her wits. She goes to hell and back and yet her inner courage shines through.

Her romance with Arin is beautiful and touching. While the first book was romance focused and the second book more about Kestrel’s life at court and The Winner’s Kiss has equal measures of romance and action.

I’ll admit it’s a long book, and usually long books give me hives but on this occasion I wanted even more. I adore how Rutkoski uses such gentle approach to storytelling. A little is always more and I simply couldn’t get enough of Arin’s and Kestrel’s interactions like an artist’s soft brush strokes coaxing colour on to his painting. On the action front, I cannot tell you how good the climax was. The interchanging scenes between Kestrel and Arin struck all the right cords for me. Each of them facing their enemies when the consequences of losing were dire.

Overall, this book is utterly unmissable. With characters that will stay with you, plenty of plotting and scheming, a truly heart rendering romance and tension and thrills aplenty. I whole heartedly recommend this book. Don’t think twice, just try this book!

As part of a blog tour, I’m pleased to say I have 3 copies of The Winner’s Kiss to giveaway. Enter via the Rafflecopter below or alternatively go to my Instagram or Twitter for an extra chance to win. UK only. Ends 15/04.

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Audiobook Review: Gameboards of the Gods (Age of X #1) by Richelle Mead

Futuristic, bad ass and ambitious

Title: Gameboard of the Gods
Series: Age of X
Author: Richelle Mead
My ratings: 4 out of 5 stars
Released: 4th June, 2013
Anything that Richelle Mead writes has always been enjoyable to me. However, mixed reviews for this series made me hesitate. I shouldn't have, as she reinstilled my faith in her. Gameboard Of the Gods is Mead's new adult series which I think has been her most ambitious yet.

While I have enjoyed her YA Vampire Academy series, I have always preferred her adult series. Georgina Kincaid series was my introduction into the world of urban fantasy and I never looked back. That series will always hold a dear place in my heart.

Gameboard of the Gods has an elaborate plot, world building and quite convoluted relationships and I wouldn't expect anything else from her. Without going too much into plot, the story is set in a futuristic version of North America where our main protagonists are Mae, a implant enhanced future super soldier and Justin, an exiled officer with questionable morals.

I admit it took me a little while to really get into the story but once I did I was wholly invested in it. Mead has a talent for writing in small clues throughout the story which beautifully comes together towards the end. But the best thing about Gameboard of the Gods was Mae. and Justin's relationship and both their personalities. Both of them are not exactly what you call good people. Selfish, rude and with eschewed morals (especially Justin) they make for an interesting pair. Their chemistry was off the charts and the whole forbidden attraction was played really well, which I may add this author is an expert in.

I had one complaint and this is about the narration. Emily Shaffer, the narrator did a great job of encompassing each character's personality but I wish she did male voices a little more huskier. While she managed to make Justin sound suitably flippant and cocky, his voice didn't sound any different from the female voice of Mae.

Overall, I'll recommend this book to all fantasy fans but will ask them to go in with an open mind and let the story take you. I seem to be in the minority who loved this book but I have a feeling if you go in not expecting Richelle Mead's usual style, you'll most certainly enjoy it.

Audiobook Review: The Rose Society (The Young Elites #2) by Marie Lu

Dark, bold and a new chapter for YA fantasy

Title: The Rose Society
Series: The Young Elites
Author: Marie Lu
Publisher: Penguin, UK
My ratings: 5 out of 5 stars
Released: 15th October, 2015
Last year I absolutely loved The Young Elites and the wait for The Rose Society felt torturous. But I am pleased to say, the wait was worth it.

The Young Elites ended not exactly on a cliff hanger but on the precipice of a new chapter in Adelina’s life. With an explosive climax in The Young Elites, the Rose Society begins with a steady pace leading to an end which blew my mind away. I do apologise for this reviews in advance, as it is difficult to write a cohesive review.

I won’t be delving into the premise as I don’t think it is needed. This book was dark, so very dark and from what I can see, the next book is going to be darker and I love it. This series has always been about our heroine (antiheroine?) Adelina and her journey as she grows into her power. From the discovery which I am sure will lead to her destruction. I love how she is not your typical sweet, nice YA heroine. Her evil(?) thoughts is atypical and at times seem selfish but I believe that makes her real. She is slowly growing in a villainous making me question my feelings and has me toen on what to root for.

We also see a return of old favourite characters and a few new ones which made thing all the more interesting. My favourite character was Terren in The Young Elites but now as Adelina slowly descends into a darker place, I think her selfishness us slowly making me like her more.

I know, it doesn’t make sense to me either. But I can guarantee that The Rose Society will have you teetering on the edge of your seats with its intricate, vast setting, and lush world building with characters which raises questions and offer more than just a good time. I did feel that the story lost it’s fast pace in the middle but the action towards the end more than made up for it. True to the previous book, The Rose Society also ended with nail biting tension making me scream for the next book. Highly recommended for all YA Fantasy fans.