Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea Book Review | Gatsby-esque Horror Romance

Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
(Between #1)
April Genevieve Tucholke
Genres: Paranormal, Horror, Romance
Age Group: Young Adult
Publication Date: 3rd April 2014
Number of Pages: 360
Source: Netgalley

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You stop fearing the devil when you’re holding his hand…

Nothing much exciting rolls through Violet White’s sleepy, seaside town… until River West comes along. River rents the guest house behind Violet’s crumbling estate, and as eerie, grim things start to happen, Violet begins to wonder about the boy living in her backyard.

Is River just a crooked-smiling liar with pretty eyes and a mysterious past? Or could he be something more?

Violet’s grandmother always warned her about the Devil, but she never said he could be a dark-haired boy who takes naps in the sun, who likes coffee, who kisses you in a cemetery... who makes you want to kiss back.

Violet’s already so knee-deep in love, she can’t see straight. And that’s just how River likes it.

Blending faded decadence and the thrilling dread of gothic horror, April Genevieve Tucholke weaves a dreamy, twisting contemporary romance, as gorgeously told as it is terrifying—a debut to watch.

Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea is a modern day Gatsby-esque drama including vintage mansions, wealthy families with the drama and infidelity all mixed together.

Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea is narrated through Violet's perspective, a 17 year-old book-loving, intelligent teenage girl who's quirky and vintage style all stems from her grandmother Freddie. After Freddie's death a couple of years ago, Violet now likes to remember her grandmother by wearing her vintage clothes and imagining she's speaking to her in her head. But since Freddie's death, Violet's family has let their historic mansion turn to ruins and when Violet's parents run off to Europe to divulge themselves in art, Violet and her brother Luke are left to think of ways to earn money. Since they've never worked a day in their lives and their family is major part of small town, Echo's, heritage they post a flyer advising their guesthouse for rent. Cue River, the mysterious handsome 17 year-old stranger, who rides into town and rents Violet's guesthouse. But River is not to be trusted and as Violet starts to become interested in him, she learns that River is a compulsive liar and he's hiding a dark and horrific secret.

Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea was an addictive read to begin with, I loved the Gatsby-esque similarities and location, and the beginnings of Violet's and River's relationship was intoxicating. Unfortunately though, as the story progressed and River's secrets began unravelling, the story started to become very predictable and began to feel a little rushed. Overall, a gorgeously descriptive and imaginative story but I would have preferred the action and horror aspects of the story to be a little more rounded and un-rushed.

If you're looking for a story with a vintage flair and will-they-won't-they romanic storyline then this is definitely a book to check out!

City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare | This series just keeps getting better!

City of Lost Souls 
(The Mortal Instruments #5)
Cassandra Clare
Genres: Paranormal, Fantasy, Romance
Age Group: Young Adult
Publication Date: 9th September 2012
Number of Pages: 544
Source: Bought

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WARNING! This synopsis contains spoilers for the first 4 books in this series.
Jace is now a servant of evil, bound for all eternity to Sebastian. Only a small band of Shadowhunters believe he can be saved. To do this they must defy the Clave. And they must act without Clary. For Clary is playing a dangerous game utterly alone. The price of losing is not just her own life, but Jace's soul. Clary is willing to do anything for Jace, but can she still trust him? Or is he truly lost? What price is too high to pay, even for love?

This series has stepped up yet another gear, with City of Lost Souls possibly being my favourite book in the series so far!

I've had a love/like/sometimes bored relationship with The Moral Instruments series up until City of Lost Souls. I loved City of Bones, liked City of Ashes, found City of Glass a little boring in places but overall liked it - I thought I would have loved it if I hadn't been spoiled on a couple of things - and liked City of Fallen Angels. Therefore when I was starting of City of Lost Souls I wasn't sure how I'd feel about it - but I loved it!! Possibly my favourite or at least 2nd favourite book of the series so far. I'm so excited to wrap up the series with City of Heavenly Fire, any day now.

City of Lost Souls was a breeze to read from start to finish. I loved the further development of characters who aren't necessarily main characters e.g. Maia and Jordan,  as well as the continuing relationship between Simon and Isabelle, Jace and Clary, and of course Alec and Magnus. The wealth of characters and POVs is definitely a major reason why I love this series.

The travel locations in this book also added a lot of variety to what could have been a very repetitive storyline - Venice, Paris, New York as well as the small settings within these locations were all amazing!

Cannot wait for the final book - give me now!! :-)

Splintered by A.G. Howard | Creepy and Spellbinding Fairytale Retelling Book Review

Splintered 
(Splintered #1)
A.G. Howard
Genres: Fairytale Retelling, Fantasy, Romance
Age Group: Young Adult
Publication Date: 1st January 2013
Number of Pages: 371
Source: Bought

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This stunning debut captures the grotesque madness of a mystical under-land, as well as a girl’s pangs of first love and independence. Alyssa Gardner hears the whispers of bugs and flowers—precisely the affliction that landed her mother in a mental hospital years before. This family curse stretches back to her ancestor Alice Liddell, the real-life inspiration for Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Alyssa might be crazy, but she manages to keep it together. For now. When her mother’s mental health takes a turn for the worse, Alyssa learns that what she thought was fiction is based in terrifying reality. The real Wonderland is a place far darker and more twisted than Lewis Carroll ever let on. There, Alyssa must pass a series of tests, including draining an ocean of Alice’s tears, waking the slumbering tea party, and subduing a vicious bandersnatch, to fix Alice’s mistakes and save her family. She must also decide whom to trust: Jeb, her gorgeous best friend and secret crush, or the sexy but suspicious Morpheus, her guide through Wonderland, who may have dark motives of his own.

The Forbidden Library by Django Wexler | Imaginative MG Fantasy Book Review

The Forbidden Library 
Django Wexler
Genres: Fantasy
Age Group: Middle Grade
Publication Date: 10th April 2014
Number of Pages: 336
Source: Netgalley

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Do you remember the first time you climbed into the wardrobe with Lucy and emerged in Narnia? Flew on the back of Falkor the Luck Dragon with Bastian? Followed Alice down the rabbit hole? Welcome to your new favourite adventure.

Late one night Alice Creighton hears her father having an argument with a fairy - a snarling, bald beast with warts and needle-like teeth. It is threatening her father, insisting he accept a mysterious offer, or else.

When Alice's father goes down in a shipwreck, she is sent away to live with distant relative Mr Geryon, owner of a huge, dark library that is off limits to Alice. After meeting a talking cat who is willing to sneak her in, Alice opens a book and suddenly finds herself inside it - and the only way out is by conquering the dangerous creatures within. Alice has stumbled into a world where all of magic is controlled by Readers through books - she must open more books, face increasingly powerful foes, be the lead character in the quest to find a happy ending.

The Forbidden Library is an enthralling  adventurous story of a young girl discovering a magical world where reading is power. 

Alice is a 12 year old whose coming to terms with the disappearance of her father - but Alice knows the truth, her father was mixed up in some mysterious magical mayhem. Before his disappearance, Alice overheard a conversation between her father and a monstrous looking fairy which suggested that the fairy had a sinister plan which involved their family. Only days after this conversation, Alice's father disappeared and Alice makes it her mission to hunt down that fairy and find out what led to her father's disappearance!

Along the way, Alice discovers the magical world hidden to most humans which includes fairies, talking cats and dragons. She explores dark and dangerous worlds in order to discover the truth behind her father's disappearance and  consequently finds out that she has magical powers of her own as a 'Reader' - someone who can enter books and became part of the story just by reading a few words.

The Forbidden Library was a magically adventurous Middle Grade fantasy book which beautifully described the settings and monsters involved within the story. The illustrations add a lot of depth to the writings and further help imagine this magical world.

The Forbidden Library is one of those stories which can be enjoyed by both children, teenagers and adults alike.

Days of Blood and Starlight | Audiobook Review

Days of Blood and Starlight - Audiobook Version
Laini Taylor (Narranted by Khristine Hvam)
Genres: Fantasy, Romance
Age Group: Young Adult
Publication Date: September 27th 2011
Number of Pages: 424
Source: Audible

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It began with the breathtaking Daughter of Smoke and Bone... The story continues in the astounding sequel, Days of Blood and Starlight. 

Once upon a time, an angel and a devil fell in love and dared to imagine a new way of living - one without massacres and torn throats and bonfires of the fallen, without revenants or bastard armies or children ripped from their mothers' arms to take their turn in the killing and dying.

Once, the lovers lay entwined in the moon's secret temple and dreamed of a world that was a like a jewel-box without a jewel - a paradise waiting for them to find it and fill it with their happiness.

This was not that world.

After listening to Daughter of Smoke and Bone back in the summer of 2013, I decided to carry on with the series in audiobook form and got my copy of Days of Blood and Starlight from Audible.com. Although I’d somewhat enjoyed the first book, I wasn’t a huge fan of the world and characters but I wanted to give the series another chance and continue to discover more of Karou and Akiva’s relationship.

As soon as I started to listen to Days of Blood and Starlight though, I was confused, lost, bored and generally uninterested. I will pre-empt this review by saying that the Daughter of Smoke and Bone series may be not be the best series to listen in audiobook form purely because of the fantasy elements which I think had I of read in book form, I may have been able to think about more and imagine the world in my mind. This was especially true for the second book though as the story constantly jumps between about 5 or 6 characters, about half of which are new in Days of Blood and Starlight and aren’t introduced in other chapters before we are thrown into their POV. This was the major aspect to my confusion whilst listening to this story!

Overall I am just not invested in this story, I don’t think I’ll be continuing on with the series as I just want to use my time towards series that I am enjoying. This doesn’t reflect my overall view of audiobooks though as I actually have enjoyed listening to books during my drives to and from work. I won’t say I’ll never finish the series, because there is only one book left and it would be nice to say I had finished it, but I certainly won’t be rushing out to purchase Dreams of Gods and Monsters.

The Watchtower by Lee Carroll | Urban Fantasy Fey Story

The Watchtower
(Black Swan Rising #2)
Lee Carroll
Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance
Age Group: Young Adult
Publication Date: 4th August 2011
Number of Pages: 397
Source: Borrowed from the Library

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With her fair share of problems - money (lack of), an elderly father, a struggling business - Garet should be just like any other young, feisty, single New Yorker. If only it was that simple...

It begins with the old silver box that had been soldered shut. All Garet has to do is open it. A favour for the frail owner of the antiques shop. Who wouldn't help?

Only it's then that things start to change. Garet doesn't notice at first, the shifts barely perceptible. But the city in which she grew up is beginning to reveal a long-hidden side - darker, and altogether more dangerous: parallel world of chaos, smoke and blood.

And now it's out of the box...and it has no intention of going back in.

The Watchtower is the second book in the Black Swan Rising series and after reading book 1 (Black Swan Rising) at the end of 2013, I decided to loan book 2 from my local library to investigate if this series was worth continuing. I had enjoyed book 1 but felt like some of the world-building and literature references within it were confusing, I was however interested to see how the relationship between Will and Garet would develop further. Read my review of Black Swan Rising.

The Watchtower was a more enjoyable read than Black Swan Rising, in part due to the London and Paris settings, the more varied Faerie folk that are introduced within this book (Jean Robin, Morgan, Octopus lady) and also the retelling of Will’s journey to vampirism. At times however, I did find young Will incredibly annoying and also Garet’s journey felt lumpy as she was just passed onto Faerie to Faerie with no great events happening in-between.

I did however enjoy the alternating chapters between Will and Garet and the two time periods within The Watchtower. This made the uneventfulness of the book read a little quicker because of the back and forth chapters but when all the characters ended up in the Summer Country the POV got a little confusing to follow as I was finding it hard to keep up with which Will was in which chapter!

The ending to The Watchtower though has posed a predicament for me, I was 100% positive I wasn’t going to carry on with the series whilst reading the book but after the cliff-hanger ending I may just have to read the third book (The Shape Shifter) to find out what happens next!

Black Swan Rising by Lee Carroll | Urban Fantasy Fey Story set in New York City

Black Swan Rising
(Black Swan Rising #1)
Lee Carroll
Genres: Supernatural, Paranormal, Fantasy, Romance
Age Group: Young Adult
Publication Date: 25th November 2010
Number of Pages: 400
Source: Netgalley

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With her fair share of problems - money (lack of), an elderly father, a struggling business - Garet should be just like any other young, feisty, single New Yorker. If only it was that simple...

It begins with the old silver box that had been soldered shut. All Garet has to do is open it. A favour for the frail owner of the antiques shop. Who wouldn't help?

Only it's then that things start to change. Garet doesn't notice at first, the shifts barely perceptible. But the city in which she grew up is beginning to reveal a long-hidden side - darker, and altogether more dangerous: parallel world of chaos, smoke and blood.

And now it's out of the box...and it has no intention of going back in.

Garet James thinks she’s a normal 20 year old but she’s really a Watchtower, one of the four fey protectors of the universe! When Garet enters a watchmakers shop one day and acquires a silver box matching her mother’s swan engraved ring, events begin to happen which turn her life upside down: A group of suspicious burglars shoot her father, putting him in the hospital, and steal some of the expensive paintings from his gallery; a mysterious mist covers New York causing everyone to go a little ‘mad’; and Garet starts to see people for what they really are… the fey. With the help of Oberon, her father’s nurse and the King of the Fairies, aiding her to discover her true identity, ancestral heritage and powers, Garet soon learns about the evil alchemist John Dee who is set on releasing the demons Despair and Discord on NYC.

I’d been reading a lot of Young Adult books before reading Black Swan Rising and this was one of the reasons I picked it up as I knew it was more of an adult read. The beginning of the book felt slow but I related this to the adult and descriptive writing style which I had not experienced for such a long time. However, elements of the vast world-building of the fey and the villain, John Dee, also contributed to this ‘slow feeling’ because aspects of the history, the explanations of alchemy and the New York setting went over my head. I even had to google some of the history of alchemy to understand some of the world-building. Some elements of the story I did like however were the references to England and William Shakespeare which I was able to relate to and grasp a little better. However I also struggled to fully understand some of these references but I’m not an English Literature graduate or classical reader - Maybe this was a sign I need to increase my knowledge :-)

Overall, Black Swan Rising was more enjoyable the further I got into the story however my feelings are it had all the ‘right elements’ but never quite excelled. I enjoyed the introduction of Will Hughes’ character and, although the romance element was all a bit ‘blah’, I do hope to learn more about Will and his family’s heritage as well as how he and Garet develop their friendship/family connection/romance relationship. Certainly from the ending, it looks like this may be a major plot within book 2 which I will be picking up and continuing with shortly.

The Dark King (Fae #2) by C.J. Abedi | Cover Reveal

I have a fantastic cover reveal for you today for a book I cannot wait to get my hands on. I was lucky enough to review the first book in the series, Fae, and thoroughly enjoyed it. Find my review for Fae here. Now let's share the cover reveal is for C.J. Abedi's second book in the paranormal, fantasy, romance Fae series, The Dark King.

The Dark King 
(Fae #2)
C.J. Abedi
Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Paranormal
Age Group: Young Adult
Publication Date: Spring 2014 (in both ebook & paperback)

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Darkness descends over Roanoke Island in the sequel to the young adult bestseller, FAE.

Devilyn Reilly has crossed over to the sinister world of The Dark Fae, reigning over the realm as its King. He is to fulfill a prophecy--to unite the Light and Dark Fae once and for all, but those who love him now fear that he will never be the same again, that he can no longer be trusted, that every trace of the Light he once had is gone forever.

Caroline Ellis, the final heir of the Light Fae, must learn to survive without the protection of her one true love. She must come to embrace her own strength to evade those in the Dark court who seek her destruction—for the power is within Caroline to use Light to change Fate itself...

Caroline and Devilyn’s chemistry is undeniable. Their destiny together inevitable if only they have the will to overcome The Darkness and The Fates.

THE DARK KING, the second installment of the stunning Fae trilogy propels readers into the mystical and magical world of the Light and Dark Fae, where star-crossed love ignites a battle between two powerful kingdoms, one that can consume everything that stands in its path.

Firstly this cover is amazing, I love the similarities with the Fae cover and the use of the same tree. Secondly, the moon is so eerie which will no doubt match the theme within this book magically. I love it!

On another fantastic note, it was announced on Monday this week that Ridley Scott (Director of the Blade Runner and Alien movies) has purchased the film rights for the trilogy. You can read more about this news on Deadline: Ridley Scott eyes YA Franchise with bestselling series Fae

Will you be adding The Dark King to your TBR list?

Caroline Ellis sixteenth birthday sets into motion a series of events that have been fated for centuries. A descendant of Virginia Dare, the first child born in the lost colony of Roanoke, and unaware of her birthright as the heir to the throne of the Light Fae, it isn't until she begins a tumultuous relationship with Devilyn Reilly that the truth is revealed.

Devilyn is the only one of the Fae who is both of the Light and of the Dark, and struggles to maintain that precarious balance to avoid succumbing to the power of the Dark within him. He is the only one who can save Caroline from those who would destroy her and destroy all hope for unit among the Fae. He promises Caroline that he will protect her at all costs, even when it means protecting her from himself.

Told from the alternative perspectives of Caroline and Devilyn, FAE draws on mysterious, myths and legends to create a world, and a romance, dangerously poised between Light and Dark.

Not yet read FAE, then grab a copy from the following retailers:

Diversion Books	Book Depository
Amazon UK	Amazon US

C. J. Abedi is made up of the sister writing team Colet and Jasmine Abed who wrote the upcoming series Fae.  They have always had a love of writing and began collaborating on many projects when they were very young.  Their passion for all things creative led them to the world of the entertainment industry where they have worked since completing their education.

Authors' Links: 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FaeTrilogy 
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/cjabedi 
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/CJAbedi/ 
Fae Homepage: http://www.thefaearecoming.com 
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19349278-the-dark-king

The Rising by Terra Harmony | Mermaid & Werewolf Conflict

The Rising (The Painted Maidens #1)
Terra Harmony
Genres: Fantasy, Supernatural, Romance
Age Group: Young Adult
Publication Date: 7th  November 2013
Number of Pages: 271
Source: Netgalley

Add to your TBR shelf:	Grab yourself a copy now:
	Amazon UK Amazon US

Fifteen-year-old Serena is the youngest member of a dying race. The increasing acidity of the ocean is destroying her home, slowly eating away at the once thriving underwater landscape. But since the night of Serena’s birth, it is an outside force that most threatens their dwindling population. Werewolves, who once served as protectors for mermaids in the Kingdom of the Undine, now seek to eliminate all who dwell in the ocean — and Serena is about to find herself right in the middle of the deadly conflict.

Given the title of Werewolf Liaison, Serena is determined to make things right for her people. When she ventures to The Dry, she meets Liam, the werewolf with hazel eyes, and her whole world gets turned upside down. As Serena discovers the real history between werewolves and mermaids, she is left wondering who her true enemies are.

The Undine species are mermaids who are able to visit ‘The Dry’ by changing their fins into legs and protect themselves by encasing their bodies in an armour of scales. The Undine are facing many challenges as the world evolves: the humans, or Ungainly’s, are continuing to explore more of the ocean and the Undine risk being found; ocean pollution is destroying their food sources and habitat; but the most threatening of all is their conflict with the Werewolves who were once their protectors. The Werewolves were responsible for protecting the Undine during their mating and birthing events which have to occur on land during a full moon. The conflict began when the Werewolves carried out the ‘Maidens Massacre’ 15 years ago and since then the Undine have not been able to carry and birth any new infants.

Serena is a 15 year old Undine – the last Undine to have been born! Serena is also an orphan and is an outcast within the Undine. When Serena is presented before the Undine Court with charges against her of meddling with the Ungainly world, Serena becomes the latest celebrity within the Undine World – her worst nightmare – and a trial begins which may result in her being sentenced to death. As the trial continues, Serena is given the job ‘Werewolf Liaison’ (the first in 15 years) which she attributes to the fact that the King hates her. However, events soon unfold which led Serena to discover the real reason for the Werewolf/Undine conflict and also secrets within her own past.

I wasn’t quite sure whether I was going to enjoy The Rising before starting it. I’d read a couple of mermaid based stories recently which were quite disappointing and I was starting to think that maybe I wasn’t a mermaid story kind of person. But WOW, The Rising was great and unlike any other mermaid story I’ve read. I’ve loved Serena’s character, at times she was indecisive but I’m not against this in a character, she was introverted but as the court trial proceeds and she is laboured with the job ‘Werewolf Liaison’ she becomes stronger, kicks Werewolf arse and also sticks it to the Undine. I was routing for Serena to discover the truth all through this story and I was definitely wishing she’d be found innocent of her meddling charges.

I also really enjoyed the world building involved within this story, especially the Undine culture and their traditions. I liked the way that modern issues, such as ocean pollution, were presented as affecting the Undine and their constant battle against preserving their species. All the aspects that are explained about the Undine traditions, such as the complexity of their mating and birthing process and the reasoning behind their job system, made me feel that I understood the Undine well and why they did what they did, which sometimes felt a personal attack on Serena and others.

The unveiling of the conflict’s truth was also incredible and the ending – OMG! When can I get my hands on the second book - don’t leave me hanging Terra Harmony!