Showing posts with label Flux. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Flux. Show all posts

September 17, 2012

REVIEW: Silver by Talia Vance

Title: Silver (Bandia #1)
Author: Talia Vance - Website || Twitter
Publisher: Flux Books
Publication Date: September 8, 2012
Format: eARC* 374 pages
Rating: 4.5/5
Get it: Amazon | B&N | The Book Depository
"As I step into the room, a silver flash blurs my vision. Before I can take a breath, the world falls away."

Brianna has always felt invisible. People stare right past her, including the one boy she can't resist, Blake Williams. But everything changes at a house party where Brianna's charm bracelet slips off and time stands still. In that one frozen, silver moment, Blake not only sees her, he recognizes something deep inside her she's been hiding even from herself.

Discovering she is descended from Danu, the legendary Bandia of Celtic myth, Brianna finds herself questioning the truth of who she is. And when she accidentally binds her soul to Blake, their mutual attraction becomes undeniable.

But Blake has his own secret, one that could prove deadly for them both.

Bound together by forbidden magic, Brianna and Blake find themselves at the heart of an ancient feud that threatens to destroy their lives and their love.

My thoughts, feelings, and reactions.
Silver by Talia Vance is one magical book. It really surprised me in the best possible way. The mythology was so cool, the romance was sizzling and the entirety of the book was even better!

Brianna Paxton- the girl made of beauty and power.

She was smart and grounded, albeit all little boy crazy for Blake (Hey, I can’t blame her, the boy’s hot), but she also lacked confidence and self-esteem. I felt her focus was all about being unnoticed, not being the center of attention like her best friend Haley, and I hated that because she never really gave herself credit. As Brianna started to embrace her power, she became that strong, confident girl I hoped and wanted her to be. Her transformation and the growth of her character as a woman and as a bandia was truly incredible. She literally becomes this woman who stands up, fights back, and ultimately kicks butt! Brie’s self-discovery was the pivotal turning point that really solidified the book for me because no longer was that insecure, invisible girl I first met. In her place becomes this courageous, I-am-a-woman-hear-me-roar type of person that had me rooting for her until the end. She really turned herself around and I loved that. 

Brianna and Blake’s romance- the definition of Facebook’s ‘complicated’ status.

Don’t get me wrong, Brie and Blake’s romance was hot hot hot. There was the perfect amount of tease, tension, swoon and heart racing moments that could last me a lifetime. The best part about them is that it’s so complicated, so forbidden, it’s a rush. Their relationship was doomed from the start and they both know things will end badly, but this doesn’t stop them from getting it on! It’s exhilarating for them to be near each other. Not only do they have this emotional connection, but they have this physical connection that literally makes their touch heat up, spark up, and light up. Their not so conventional boyfriend-girlfriendness is one big roller coaster that has plenty of ups just as much as downs. Their love is tragic, sad, and a bit heartbreaking but it’s all worth the ride, folks. 

Writing, pacing, mythology and more! 

Talia Vance’s writing is off the charts! Silver was easy to read, easy to understand, I was devouring the whole thing in no time. Talia really brings Brie’s voice and character to life. She was the reason I wanted to keep reading further and the mystery surrounding her power is what drove me to want to know more. While reading, I always felt like something bad, something good, something that I cannot seem to explain is going to happen. I was always on that edge, not nearly there, but so close that had me so engrossed in the book. The action and fighting and the use of magic was prominent in the book at almost every turn and dang it all, I loved that. My favorite part of this book was the mythology. Although I wished Talia explored more of it, she gave great background story. She thoroughly explained all about the bandia, the Seventh Daughters/Sons, Sons of Killian, Daughters of Danu, the Milesians, Gods and Goddesses, origins of power and so much more than I cannot even begin or end. The unexpected epic and crazy good plot twists and revelations are jammed packed in this book, all spiraling down to one awesome ending. It was amazing.

Overall, I loved Silver! It introduced me to a new type of mythology that I really liked. It had great characters that dominated the book, and a romance that gave me chills. I can’t wait for Gold! 

*Thanks to Netgalley and Flux Books for allowing me to read this book

August 8, 2012

REVIEW: Innocent Darkness by Suzanne Lazear

Title: Innocent Darkness (The Aether Chronicles #1)
Author: Suzanne Lazear - Website | Twitter | Facebook
Publisher: Flux
Published: August 8, 2012
Format: Netgalley eARC* 408 pages
Rating: 4.5/5
Wish. Love. Desire. Live.

Sixteen-year-old Noli Braddock's hoyden ways land her in an abusive reform school far from home. On mid-summer's eve she wishes to be anyplace but that dreadful school. A mysterious man from the Realm of Faerie rescues her and brings her to the Otherworld, only to reveal that she must be sacrificed, otherwise, the entire Otherworld civilization will perish.

My thoughts, reactions and feelings.
Innocent Darkness by Suzanne Lazear was a terrific book! I cannot believe I didn’t read it any sooner. It had everything I could want in a book and it surely opened my eyes and heart to new aspects and concepts I never dreamed of falling in love with.

What I liked:

The writing was exquisite.
 
  • There was definitely a great amount of elegance and sophistication in Lazear’s writing. Not only that, it was easy to read and it’s not difficult at all to understand what was such an amazing and intricate writing style. She was simply able to transport me to a different time and place. The whole book moves at a nice pace, allowing you to absorb every detail and event that happens with all the characters. It didn’t take long for me to become completely involved with Noli’s journey from the mortal world to the Otherworld.

The world created was astounding!
  • Innocent Darkness definitely had that historical feel with steampunk going on that I adored so much. I never thought I would love a world like this. Lazear did a great job of weaving in the cool gadgets into the story. I definitely wanted to know more about hoverboards and air autos. She even made the mortal world parallel to the Otherworld, giving them a distinct difference. I loved how opposite yet beautiful the worlds were. The Otherworld was especially intriguing with all the magic within it. The unknown and scariness of the Otherworld is definitely a place many will fall for.

Noli was a strong main character. 
  • 
I really grew to love her. She was independent and decisive. She does what she wants and what she thinks is best despite what society thinks, while still taking care of her reputation. Although Noli lived in a man’s world with women’s equality not apparent, she stands her own ground and doesn’t let silly rules stop her drive. What I loved most about Noli was her adventurous and boisterous side along with her intelligence and enthusiasm to build and fix things. Even through everything she goes through at Findlay house and then in the Otherworld with the High Queen, Noli still held her bravery and her high spirits.

There are two boys that will capture your heart!
 
  • V is Noli’s sweet and kind best friend. He’s smart and looks out for Noli. He has a good heart, but he’s not who he seems to be which makes him more appealing. He also does the right thing despite being torn between two things he holds dearly. It doesn’t hurt that he’s handsome and charming all the way. Not only that, he’s strong, skilled, a hard-worker and just down right lovely. Kevighn is the complete opposite. He’s dark, sexy and all kinds of dangerous. He’s definitely not the boy to bring home to mom, but he’s too yummy to resist even with his manipulations and bad intentions. He’s daring, powerful and oozes so much sex appeal for one to handle. The best part of Kevighn is his radiance, kind heart, and gentleness rooted deep inside of him.

What I didn't like:

Charlotte’s solution.
  • This was probably the only part in the book that I didn’t particularly like. It was sad, but I found it a little too convenient in solving Noli’s problem. I had a feeling it was coming and although it was slightly disappointing, I still loved the story.

Overall, Innocent Darkness was a mystical and enthralling book to read. With an unexpected ending that packs a punch to the gut, readers will be vying for more! If you love history and steampunk with added magic and fantasy, this book is a definite read!

*Thanks to Netgalley and Flux for allowing me to read this book!

Purchase Innocent Darkness NOW!