Title: Betrayals
Author: Lili St. Crow
Series: Strange Angels Series
Publisher: Razorbill
Published: November 17, 2009
Format: Paperback ($12.50 CDN)
Age Group: Young Adult
Copy: Provided by Razorbill
Synopsis:
She's no angel...
Poor Dru Anderson. Her parents are long gone, her best friend is a werewolf, and she's just learned that the blood flowing through her veins isn't entirely human. (So what else is new?)
Now Dru is stuck at a secret New England Schola for other teens like her, and there's a big problem—she's the only girl in the place. A school full of cute boys wouldn't be so bad, but Dru's killer instinct says that one of them wants her dead. And with all eyes on her, discovering a traitor within the Order could mean a lot more than social suicide...
Can Dru survive long enough to find out who has betrayed her trust—and maybe even her heart?
My Review:
This series just keeps getting better with each book I read. I am now part way into Jealousy, the third book in the series and I have the same feeling I did reading the Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead. With both series the first one was good but with each edition the depth of the plot grows in a direction you didn’t anticipate and the romantic intensity thickens until your tearing at the pages to see what happens next. In Strange Angels (the first book in the series) there was a relentless onslaught of action from chapter to chapter and in Betrayals it wasn’t much different. The action was well balanced with Dru’s growing awareness of the depth of the mystery of why her mother was killed, of who within the Order can or can not be trusted, and the growth of her interest in both Christian and Graves.
As a writer Lili St. Crow writes the kind of descriptions that occasionally have me stop just to read the sentence over again. She describes things in often gruesome detail but she describes each moment using all four senses, sight, smell, taste, and touch and then taps into the mystical fifth sense that so often is indescribable. I also enjoy that although Dru is now an orphan St. Crow keeps the relationship between Dru and her father and Dru and her grandmother alive though her recollection of her fathers teachings and her grandmothers mystical owl.
Title: Hourglass
Author: Claudia Gray
Age Group: Young Adult Series
Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers
Published: March 9, 2010
Format: Hardcover $22.50 CDN
Pages: 352
0061284416
9780061284410
My Rating: 3.5/5
From the Publisher:
Bianca will risk everything to be with Lucas.
After escaping from Evernight Academy, the vampire boarding school where they met, Bianca and Lucas take refuge with Black Cross, a fanatical group of vampire hunters. Bianca must hide her supernatural heritage or risk certain death at their hands. But when Black Cross captures her friend-the vampire Balthazar-hiding is no longer an option.
Soon, Bianca and Lucas are on the run again, pursued not only by Black Cross, but by the powerful leaders of Evernight. Yet no matter how far they travel, Bianca can't escape her destiny.
Bianca has always believed their love could survive anything . . . but can it survive what's to come?
My Review:
Hourglass is the third book in a four book series called Evernight, with the fourth due out next year. I was very excited about it's release but to be honest I was slightly disappointed for the first quarter of the novel. The first two books in this series were ripe with mystery and intensity and I was in love with the character dynamics and I felt like the first half of this book was one long drawn out chapter with little to no new development. Additionally there wasn't much going on between the two protagonists Bianca and Lucas during the first half of the book to really engage me in their story.
With that said by the second half of the novel I couldn't put Hourglass down! Things began to quickly steam up between Bianca and Lucas in a way that isn't usually written in a young adult novel. Although unexpected what I really appreciated was how the author portrayed intimacy in a realistic, progressive, and innocent way that I wish was more often true of young adult relationships. The reality is teenagers in our society are intimate at a very young age and we do not have enough positive role models to emulate how intimacy should be between two consenting and in-love "adults."
I was disappointed not to have a few of my favorite characters highlighted a bit more in this novel so I am eagerly awaiting the next novel in this series to showcase them more. The final few chapters was where things really got interesting and I found myself frantically turning the pages with the patience of a six year old at Disney. I know a book is good when after I read the final sentence and realize there is no more to read I feel compelled to throw the book across the room.
I gave this book a 3.5/5 because although a good read the book in its entirety didn't have me engaged and I felt that not enough went on outside of the relationship between Bianca and Lucas (aside from something I won't mention due to spoilers but that is quite a crazy twist) . This series as a whole is fantastic and I have high hopes that when the final book Afterlife is released in March 2011 I will have forgotten about anything I disliked in this book.
This is the second last edition of my themed posts on books that take place in boarding schools. The next post will focus on books that are not part of a series, books that I may have forgotten, and books that were recommended to me by my readers. This is going to be a long post so I am going to shorten it up a bit by only providing a synopsis of the first book in the series but links will be included for each series so you can quickly find more information if you need to!
First up is a relatively new series that was released just over a year ago by Claudia Gray. It is a hugely popular series and I can't wait to read the newest installment of the series, Hourglass, which came out in the beginning of March 9th. What appealed to me most about this series (other then the fact that it takes place in a boarding school) is the mystery that unfolds throughout the first two novels in the series. The main characters are well written and I was really able to make a connection with Bianca, the female protagonist. Claudia's descriptions are written in such as way as to enable the reader to visualize each scene with clarity and the tone and pace of the dialogue is easy to read. Despite all the wonderful things I could say about Claudia Gray as a writer the most important thing is she is an excellent story teller which is after all the most important thing (to me) about a writer.
Bianca wants to escape.
At the eerily Gothic Evernight Academy, the other students are sleek, smart, and almost predatory. Bianca knows she doesn't fit in.
When she meets handsome, brooding Lucas, he warns her to be careful-even when it comes to caring about him. But the connection between them can't be denied. Bianca will risk anything to be with Lucas, but dark secrets are fated to tear them apart . . . and to make Bianca question everything she's ever believed.
Evernight
-- Prologue
The burning arrow thudded into the wall.
Fire. The old, dry wood of the meetinghouse ignited in an instant. Dark, oily smoke filled the air, scratching my lungs and making me choke. Around me, my new friends cried out in shock before grabbing weapons, preparing to fight for their lives.
This is because of me.
Arrow after arrow sliced through the air, stoking the flames higher. Through the haze of ash, I desperately sought Lucas’s eyes. I knew he would protect me no matter what, but he was in danger, too. If something happened to Lucas while he was trying to rescue me, I could never forgive myself.
Coughing from the soot-thick air, I grabbed Lucas’s hand and ran with him toward the door. But they were ready for us.
Silhouetted against the flames, a dark, forbidding line of figures stood just beyond the edge of the meetinghouse. None of them brandished weapons; they didn’t have to in order to make their threat clear. They had come for me. They had come to punish Lucas for breaking their rules. They had come to kill.
This is all happening because of me. If Lucas dies, it will be my fault.
There was nowhere to go, no place to run. We couldn’t remain here, not with the blaze around us roaring, already so hot that it stung my skin. Soon the ceiling would collapse and crush us all.
Outside, the vampires waited.
Claudia Gray's website has a lot of fun things to check out. From here you can access the prologue from the second and third book in this series, Stargazer and Hourglass, various items to purchase such as t-shirts and mugs, and interesting links to character specific web sites. What I was very excited to learn is that their will be a fifth book in the series titled, Afterlife, coming out in March 2011 as well as a standalone novel about Balthazar which does not yet have a publication date. I have included a few videos I found on youtube including a video of Claudia Gray talking about the first book in the series, Evernight.
Fan made trailer for Evernight
Next up is my personal favorite in the "boarding school" genre and one of my favorite YA series of all time, the Vampire Academy Series, by Richelle Mead. Of all the books that take place in a boarding school that houses teenage vampires this is the one I can most relate to as an adult. The main character, Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a half human half vampire who is dedicated to protecting Lissa Dragomir, a mortal vampire known as the Mori. Both attend St. Vladimir's Academy which is located in the forests on Montana where Rose is training to be a professional bodyguard. While the plot is filled with mystery, magic, friendship, and fighting what makes me keep reading this series is the intense and exciting forbidden love between Rose and......(I'll stop here in order to not spoil anything!!!). If you like vampires, romance, and boarding schools THIS IS the series for you!
Title: Vampire Academy
Author: Richelle Mead
Publisher: Penguin Young Reader Group
Published: August 21, 2007
159514174X
9781595141743
St Vladimir's Academy isn't just any boarding school-it's a hidden place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess. They've been on the run, but now they're being dragged back to St Vladimir's-the very place where they're most in danger...
Rose and Lissa become enmeshed in forbidden romance, the Academy's ruthless social scene, and unspeakable night-time rituals. But they must be careful lest the Strigoi - the world's fiercest and most dangerous vampires - make Lissa one of them forever.
For those of you who have read the series and CAN"T WAIT for Spirit Bound to come out see below for a video filmed by Penguin where Richelle Mead reads an excerpt from the yet to be release book
Last but not least is the famous House of Night Series by P.C and Kristin Cast. When I began reading this series I was completely enmeshed but the last two books left me feeling kind of bored. I love the spiritual element and the incorporation of native myth and legend. I love the relationship between Zoey Redbird and her grandmother as well as the, at times, comical characteristics of Zoey's friends. What I don't like about the series is Zoey's constant change in love interests and how they portray the male characters in the novel. There are seven books in this series at this time and it all takes place in such a very, very short period of time (hence my dislike for her constant change in love interests). I am still very interested in reading the next book in the series and I do recommend this book to anyone who enjoys this type of book but I would be interested in hearing how my readers who have read this series feel about the last two books. I hate writing anything negative about books but I also hate being dishonest. In summary I do LOVE the vast majority of this series but I hope the next book in this series makes me forget some of the elements I have disliked in the last two books.
Title: Marked
Author: P.C & Kristin Cast
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Published: May 1, 2007
0312360266
9780312360269
Book Order: Marked, Betrayed, Chosen, Untamed, Hunted, Tempted, Burned (Release date for burned: April 27, 2010)
From the Publisher:
The House of Night series is set in a world very much like our own, except in 16-year-old Zoey Redbird''s world, vampyres have always existed. In this first book in the series, Zoey enters the House of Night, a school where, after having undergone the Change, she will train to become an adult vampire—that is, if she makes it through the Change. Not all of those who are chosen do. It’s tough to begin a new life, away from her parents and friends, and on top of that, Zoey finds she is no average fledgling. She has been Marked as special by the vampyre Goddess, Nyx. But she is not the only fledgling at the House of Night with special powers. When she discovers that the leader of the Dark Daughters, the school''s most elite club, is misusing her Goddess-given gifts, Zoey must look deep within herself for the courage to embrace her destiny—with a little help from her new vampyre friends.
I suggest checking out the House of Night Website where you can find A LOT of really fun stuff including, upleading your own picture to see what you would look like "marked," a yearbook where you will see pictures and character bio's for all the main characters, and information on the upcoming novel, Burned.
For those of you who don't already know the House of Night Series is being made into a movie. The only current information I can find is that Empire Pictures purchased the rights to the film and a screenplay for the book Marked is being developed by Kent Dalian. The projected release date for this film in sometime in 2011. I can't wait to see who they cast as all the main characters!
There are A LOT of fan made trailers to be found on youtube however this one is I believe one of the official book trailers for the series. Enjoy!
I think one of the things that set this series apart from other boarding school books is the time in which it was set. The novel is set at Spence Academy for girls in England in the year 1895 where our protagonist, Gemma Doyle is sent to after the tragic death of her mother in India. Starting a new school is always uncomfortable but having visions of the future that often come true is even more so. These novels are packed full of mystery, love, friendship, old world standards and expectations for women, girls who rebel against them, and otherworldly magic. When a spirit leads Gemma to find a mysterious hidden diary that unlocks the secrets of a mysterious order they find themselves in another world filled with new possibilities both fantastic and deadly.
Title: A Great and Terrible Beauty (Book 1)
Author: Libba Bray
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Published: March 22, 2005
0385732317
9780385732314
From the Publisher:
It's 1895, and after the suicide of her mother, 16-year-old Gemma Doyle is shipped off from the life she knows in India to Spence, a proper boarding school in England. Lonely, guilt-ridden, and prone to visions of the future that have an uncomfortable habit of coming true, Gemma's reception there is a chilly one. To make things worse, she's been followed by a mysterious young Indian man, a man sent to watch her. But why? What is her destiny? And what will her entanglement with Spence's most powerful girls-and their foray into the spiritual world-lead to?
Title: Rebel Angels (Book 2)
Author: Libba Bray
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Published: December 26, 2006
0385733410
9780385733410
From the Publisher: Gemma Doyle is looking forward to a holiday from Spence Academy-spending time with her friends in the city, attending balls in fancy gowns with plunging necklines, and dallying with the handsome Lord Denby. Yet amid these distractions, her visions intensify-visions of three girls dressed in white, to whom something horrific has happened that only the realms can explain.
The lure is strong, and soon Gemma, Felicity, and Ann are turning flowers into butterflies in the enchanted world that Gemma takes them to. To the girls great joy, their beloved Pippa is there as well, eager to complete their circle of friendship.
But all is not well in the realms-or out. Kartik is back, desperately insisting to Gemma that she must bind the magic, lest colossal disaster befall her. Gemma is willing to comply, for this would bring her face-to-face with her late mother''s greatest friend, now Gemma's foe-Circe. Until Circe is destroyed, Gemma cannot live out her destiny. But finding Circe proves a most perilous task. . . .
This sumptuous companion to A Great and Terrible Beauty teems with Victorian thrills and chills that play out against the rich backdrop of 1895 London, a place of shadows and light . . . where inside great beauty can lie a rebel angel.
Title: The Sweet Far Thing (Book 3) Author: Libba Bray Publisher: Random House Children's Books Published: December 26, 2007
0385730306
9780385730303
From the Publisher: IT HAS BEEN A YEAR OF CHANGE since Gemma Doyle arrived at the foreboding Spence Academy. Her mother murdered, her father a
laudanum addict, Gemma has relied on an unsuspected strength and has discovered an ability to travel to an enchanted world called the realms, where dark magic runs wild. Despite certain peril, Gemma has bound the magic to herself and forged unlikely new alliances. Now, as Gemma approaches her London debut, the time has come to test these bonds.
The Order - the mysterious group her mother was once part of - is grappling for control of the realms, as is the Rakshana. Spence's burned East Wing is being rebuilt, but why now? Gemma and her friends see Pippa, but she is not the same. And their friendship faces its gravest trial as Gemma must decide once and for all what role she is meant for.
I think this is a great series for any YA enthusiast. This series had many attributes that kept me reading but it was the unfolding mystery that really had me captivated by this series. I felt as though the main characters as a whole were believable, genuine, and accurate based the historical period in which the novels take place. I felt as though a lot of emphasis was placed on beauty and money being the most desired and important qualities a woman has or doesn't have however that is still fairly accurate to the period in history. The magical "other world" created by Libba Bray was very well written and her descriptive words had me clearly envisioning this world with vivid clarity. I think her unique portrayal of an alternate universe is refreshing to the YA genre as a whole where we are currently being bombarded with an overabundance of vampire fiction. Links Check out Libba Bray's website where you will find a few interesting goodies including sample chapters of each of her novels. Although IMDB still has this book categorized as "in production" with a estimated release date of 2010 I think they need to update their site as according to Libba Bray Icon relinquished the rights to this film and it will not be made into a movie for the foreseeable future (BOOOO). I posted yesterday a really well done fan made trailer of, A Great and Terrible Beauty but it seems fitting to end this post with it again!
Big thanks to all those readers who voted in my pole on what my next themed post would be. As you may have guessed by the posts title, boarding schools won! I hope you enjoy this first installment of many for books or series that take place in a boarding school!
Hallowmere Series by: Tiffany Trent
Series: Hallowmere
Author: Tiffany Trent
Publisher: Wizards of the Boast, Inc
Price: 8.95 (11.95 Canadian) Website Blog Hallowmere Web Site
Click here to read the first chapter of first novel in the series, In the Serpant's Coils.
From the Publisher:
As the Civil War ends, Corrine's nightmare begins.
Ever since her parents died, Corrine's dreams have been filled with fairies warning her of impending peril. When she's sent to live at Falston Manor, she thinks she's escaped the danger stalking her. Instead the dreams grow stronger, just as girls begin disappearing from school.
Then Corrine discovers letters of forbidden love by a medieval monk who writes of his entanglement with a race of vampiric Fey -- the same Fey who haunt Corrine's dreams. Who are these creatures and what do they want? Corrine knows only one thing for sure: another girl will disappear soon, and that girl just might be her.
My review:
I began this series about a year ago with the first novel, and recently purchased the rest of hte series when Chapters had a great sale going on. I would consider these books to be paranormal fantasy/fiction and they are published for young adults.
While I don't believe they are the best books in this genre they are a very entertaining read and I am eager to read the rest of the novels in this series. What I liked most about this series thus far, is the mystery element in regards to both plot and character as well as the somewhat spooky atmosphere the author creates. Additionally I found the flow and pace of the novel to be perfect for my reading tastes and her writing style was eloquent and easy to read and understand. Her characters were believable and genuine and the author didn't force too much information about them on you at any one given time.
I am absolutely captivated and obsessed by books that take place in boarding schools, especially when you involve the "magic" element. The idea that somewhere out there, a school exists, where all fantastical things are possible (and I am crazy enough to believe this is true) makes my little whimsical heart sing! Her descriptions of mythical creatures, sch as faeries, are not modernized or romanticized but rather stayed true to traditional descriptions which I found rather refreshing.
While as a series, these novels are not as popular as others that take place at a boarding school they are well written, entertaining, and will hopefully keep you turning the pages in eager anticipation.
Lastly I will include a list of all the books in this series in order with pictures and for your viewing enjoyment I have included the teaser trailer for the Hollowmere series. I hope you have enjoyed the first installment of my newest themed post featuring books that take place in boarding schools, Thank you all for voting for boarding school books to be my newest feature. It worked so well that I think I will continue to base my themed post choices on your votes! (See upper right poll with new voting content).
I may love to give solicited and unsolicited (I am a menace at Chapters when I see people browsing my favorite genre sections) advice on what books are good, bad, etc however I just as much love to receive book recommendations. Now that I am a part of a book blogging community I find new books every day thanks to your wonderful book reviews and recommendations. I also haunt author web sites looking for authors they read because who better to recommend to me new authors then the authors I already know and love! I have compiled a list of authors and books that have recently popped up on my radar to share with you. If you have read any of the books please feel free to comment.
First up is Hex Hall from author Rachel Hawkins. I was attempting to get to know a little bit about the author but not all the links on her web site or blog were working for me. Regardless I think shes funny, genuine, and worth checking out!
Title: Hex Hall
Author: Rachel Hawkins
Publisher: Hyperion Books For Children
1423121309
9781423121305
Author Blog: Reading Writing Rachel
Release Date: March 9th 2010
From the Publisher:
Three years ago, Sophie Mercer discovered that she was a witch. It''s gotten her into a few scrapes. Her non-gifted mother has been as supportive as possible, consulting Sophie''s estranged father-an elusive European warlock-only when necessary. But when Sophie attracts too much human attention for a prom-night spell gone horribly wrong, it''s her dad who decides her punishment: exile to Hex Hall, an isolated reform school for wayward Prodigium, a.k.a. witches, faeries, and shapeshifters. By the end of her first day among fellow freak-teens, Sophie has quite a scorecard: three powerful enemies who look like supermodels, a futile crush on a gorgeous warlock, a creepy tagalong ghost, and a new roommate who happens to be the most hated person and only vampire on campus. Worse, Sophie soon learns that a mysterious predator has been attacking students, and her only friend is the number-one suspect. As a series of blood-curdling mysteries starts to converge, Sophie prepares for the biggest threat of all: an ancient secret society determined to destroy all Prodigium, especially her.
Why It Hit My Radar
I am a sucker for books that take place in boarding schools, I am obsessed with all things paranormal, and I like a protagonist that you get to go on a journey of self discovery with. If a book mixes witches, faeries, shifters, etc all together I love to see what the author will do with that combination. I am usually apprehensive regarding what liberties authors take with the mythology of vampires, faeries, shifters, etc as I prefer to stick as close to the original mythology as possible while still bringing it into the 21st century (while I LOVE the Twilight series I still can't get over sparkly vampires). I was also reading Rachel Hawkins blog and was really captivated by her blog writing. She seems to have a great sense of humour and be a little quirky both qualities which I love in authors.
Next....
While checking out Kari Arthurs web site (author of the Riley Jenson Guardian Series) I checked out her books by friends section. A few of the authors I was familiar with but I the book jacket cover for author Tracey O'hara caught my attention.
Title: A Night's Cold Kiss (A Dark Brethren Novel)
Author: Tracey O'hara
Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers
Published: August 17, 2009
ISBN - 0061783137
9780061783135
I usually include the publishers synopsis but there is a great book trailer for this series that gives a good visual and audio sneak peak into main character and world that Tracey O'hara has created.
If your not yet convinced to check out the series there is a prequel online to Night's Cold Kiss available from her web site.
Onto Carrie Vaughn
I know there are a lot of very loyal fans of Carrie Vaughn out there as I have seen A LOT of blog posts about her Kitty Norville Series. To be honest I have passed these books many times and could just not get over the titles of the books and the fact that the main character, a werewolf, is named Kitty. I know I shouldn't judge a book by the title or the cover but I am going to give them a try. I originally went to her web site to check out The Kitty Norville Series but what really got me interested is her upcoming young adult series called, Voices of Dragons.
Title: Voices of Dragons
Author: Carrie Vaughn
Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers
Published: March 16, 2010
0061798940
9780061798948
Author Web Site: http://www.carrievaughn.com
From The Publisher:
On one side of the border lies the modern world: the internet, homecoming dances, cell phones. On the other side dwell the ancient monsters who spark humanity's deepest fears: dragons.
Seventeen-year-old Kay Wyatt knows she's breaking the law by rock climbing near the border, but she'd rather have an adventure than follow the rules. When the dragon Artegal unexpectedly saves her life, the rules are abruptly shattered, and a secret friendship grows between them.
But suspicion and terror are the legacy of human and dragon interactions, and the fragile truce that has maintained peace between the species is unraveling. As tensions mount and battles begin, Kay and Artegal are caught in the middle. Can their friendship change the course of a war?
If your interested check out the first chapter here. When I started to read the first few paragraphs I was mildly interested but when dialogue between Kay Wyatt and Artegal the dragon begins, I was immediately hooked. I am really looking forward to checking out Carrie Vaughn's debut young adult novel this March and I am going to head to my favorite used book store to pick up the first novel in The Kitty Norville series and give it a try.
The House of Night series by P.C and Kristin Cast is a somewhat new series of books much loved by the same fans that are obsessed with the Twilight series (to be slightly amused and horrified check out MLIT). The books take place at a local vampire high school in a world much like our own but with one major difference. In the world of Zoey Redbird, the main character of this series, vampires are a known but not necessarily accepted part of humanity, and she is one of them. Click here to visit The House Of Night web site. In the future I intend to re-read this series to post reviews for each book but in the mean time don't be afraid to try it out for youself!
As anyone who knows me/anyone who will listen knows, I HEART HARRY POTTER almost as much as I heart my husband, friends and family combined. I was "one of those people" in costume, in a line up, eagerly waiting for midnight to come around so I could purchace my shiny little hard cover copy of J.K Rowlings latest masterpiece of imagination. The world of HP is for me a place of comfort, adventure, and happiness, where in just the time it takes for me to take the book off the shelf I can be back with my fictional best friends solving riddles, casting spells, brewing potions, and getting into trouble from Professor Snape. If you havnen't yet read HP I have half a mind to reach through my computer screen and bonk you on the head. I advise you to not tempt my wrath any further so please make your way as quickly as possible to your nearest book store and pick up your very own copy. I hope you love the series as much as I do. Maybe one day if we're really lucky we'll meet eachother at the Hog's Head and have ourselves a Butter Beer. Click on the links for, J.K. Rowlings web site, Alivan's Wand Shop, (where you can get your very own one-of-a-kind wand), and Muggle Net, (for the best up to date news on eveyrthing HP.
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