Nocturnal Book Reviews

YA Fantasy Review: Stolen Songbird by Danielle L. Jensen

Monday, April 21, 2014 | Posted by kara-karina@Nocturnal Book Reviews

Stolen Songbird by Danielle L. Jensen (The Malediction Trilogy #1)

Egalley thanks to Strange Chemistry

Synopsis from Goodreads
For five centuries, a witch’s curse has bound the trolls to their city beneath the ruins of Forsaken Mountain. Time enough for their dark and nefarious magic to fade from human memory and into myth. But a prophesy has been spoken of a union with the power to set the trolls free, and when Cécile de Troyes is kidnapped and taken beneath the mountain, she learns there is far more to the myth of the trolls than she could have imagined.

Cécile has only one thing on her mind after she is brought to Trollus: escape. Only the trolls are clever, fast, and inhumanly strong. She will have to bide her time, wait for the perfect opportunity.

But something unexpected happens while she’s waiting – she begins to fall for the enigmatic troll prince to whom she has been bonded and married. She begins to make friends. And she begins to see that she may be the only hope for the half-bloods – part troll, part human creatures who are slaves to the full-blooded trolls. There is a rebellion brewing. And her prince, Tristan, the future king, is its secret leader.

As Cécile becomes involved in the intricate political games of Trollus, she becomes more than a farmer’s daughter. She becomes a princess, the hope of a people, and a witch with magic powerful enough to change Trollus forever.
Amazon US/UK | Amazon kindle US/UK(£2.71) | The Book Depository | Fishpond

9/10

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I don't read YA fantasy often, but when I do I'm incredibly lucky to rely on it as a pretty great read. Kristine Cashore, Maria V. Snyder, Sarah J. Maas, Laura Lam or Sherry Thomas with her Burning Sky - they all hit the mark and were highly rated reads on this blog.

Now I can add Danielle L. Jensen to this list.

Tags: 9/10, danielle l. jensen, fantasy, magic, YA, магия, подростковый фикшн, фэнтэзи |

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The Postman Knock #75

Sunday, April 20, 2014 | Posted by kara-karina@Nocturnal Book Reviews

photo credit: chicks57 via photopin cc

HAPPY EASTER, everyone!

Personally, I'm here for the cake. We also have egg hunts on regular basis as our chickens hide them all over the places :)

Lovely week with lots of people coming for our BBQ! Wow, I was so knackered afterwards I took a day off :) How was your week, peeps?

I've READ:

MAGIC BREAKS was absolutely awesome! In fact, I was ever so lucky in reading only excellent books this week. The list also included MURDER IN RETRIBUTION which will have a nice dark surprise for all the fans of Acton, and ONE KICK, which was a chilling, high-octane thriller. At last, SERAPHINA was a very beautiful read, and I enjoyed it immensely.

Yay, I am clear of all my review books, peeps! Such a cool feeling of freedom :) I actually don't know what to read next!

BOUGHT:

This is it for me this week, guys. Have a great weekend and enjoy good weather!

Tchau!

Tags: bookshelf, new books, the postman knock, книжная полка, новые книги |

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Friday Mini Reviews #21 - Sierra Dean, Emma Chase & Ava Lovelace aka Delilah S. Dawson

Friday, April 18, 2014 | Posted by kara-karina@Nocturnal Book Reviews

source

KARINA:

Winter by Sierra Dean (Dog Days #2)

bought

Synopsis from Goodreads

Eloise “Lou” Whittaker can’t shake the feeling she’s forgetting something.

After surviving the explosion of the Poisonfoot Library, she struggles to find her footing again, and she’s grateful Archer Wyatt is there to make sure she’s all right. But Archer seems to be around an awful lot and Lou has trouble controlling herself when she’s with him. She should be thrilled the most popular guy in school wants to be with her, but still, there’s that nagging feeling…

Cooper Reynolds knows he ought to let Lou go. He was putting her at risk by letting her in the first time, and now that she’s a blank slate he should just let her go on blissfully unaware of his curse. But she’s given him a taste of something dangerous… hope.

Can Cooper and an unlikely ally help Lou break free from the spell she’s under?

And can they do it before a new force threatens to destroy the whole town?

Amazon US/UK | Amazon kindle US/UK(£1.87)| The Book Depository US/UK | Fishpond

8/10

* * *

I like the development of this series; a very enjoyable paranormal YA, and coming from Sierra Dean it's done just right. Autumn was good, but Winter is even better. If you are a fan of Caster Chronices by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl or Brightest Kind of Darkness series by P.T. Michelle, this blend of magic and mystery is right up your alley.

* * *

Очень неплохо написанный паранормальный подростковый фикшн, особенно потому что разводить сопли для Сьерры Дин совершенно нехарактерно. Первая книга, Осень, хороша, но вторая, Зима, ещё лучше. Советую поклонникам Ками Гарсии и Маргарет Стол, а также П.Т. Мишель.

VIKA:

Holy Frigging Matrimony: A Tangled Series Short Story (Tangled #1.5)

bought

Synopsis from Goodreads

What does Drew Evans have to say next? Find out in this forty page short story, filled with his sexy charm, unique advice and hilarious one-liners.

Marriage: the final frontier. Steven went first. He was kind of our test subject. Like those monkeys that NASA sent off into space in the fifties, all the while knowing they’d never make it back.

And now another poor rocket is ready to launch.

But this isn’t just any posh New York wedding. You’ve seen my friends, you’ve met our families, you know you're in for a treat. Everyone wants their wedding to be memorable. This one’s going to be un-frigging-forgettable.

Holy Frigging Matrimony takes place about a year after Tangled’s end and is from Drew’s POV.

Amazon kindle US($0.99)/UK(£0.75)

8/10

* * *

This was a very fun and sexy short story that I would definitely recommend to fans of the series. For some reason I didn’t realize until after I finished Tangled that the second book is not out yet, so this was my sweet treat, as I was craving more of Drew (and who wouldn’t, right?). Of course I was also dying to know how he and Kate were faring, and I’m happy to find him still trying to make it work and be the boyfriend Kate deserves, but the guy can’t stay out of trouble long. It’s all in good fun though. So expect plenty of shenanigans once more; told in Drew’s humorous and sarcastic tone it makes for another laugh-out-loud funny and entertaining reading experience.

* * *

Замечательный короткий рассказ от Эммы Чейз! Я как-то уже успела соскучится по Дрю и его юмористическому и саркастичному тону повествования, и, в общем, не смогла устоять и решила прикупить эту историю. Все-таки, хотелось убедиться, что все его старания не пошли насмарку, и он и Кейт поживают благополучно вместе. Все конечно так и есть, но это совсем не мешает Дрю попадать в разные забавные ситуации, что собственно и описывается в этой истории. Так что, фанатам серии рекомендую читать.

JOINT REVIEW:

The Lumberfox by Ava Lovelace (aka Delilah S. Dawson)

Ecopy courtesy of the author

Synopsis from Goodreads

Caught in Atlanta's Snowjam 2014, self-confessed geek Tara is rear-ended by the hottest guy she's ever met. Ryon is a beer brewer and restauranteur who fits the bill of what Tara and her friends call a "lumberfox": sartorial lumberjack style, cultivated facial hair, tattoos, and specialized tastes. When he invites Tara to spend the snowstorm in his nearby condo, she takes a gamble and slogs through the Hothlike blizzard, where she learns that a man who takes that much time with his mustache knows exactly what to do with his mouth.

Amazon kindle US/UK

7/10

* * *

Vika:
Well, this was different. And I truly didn’t know what to expect but found myself enjoying this quirky short story from the talented Ms. Dawson, who, under the pen-name of Ava Lovelace, is exploring a new-to-her genre. Speaking of genres, ever heard of geekrotica? Cause it’s certainly a first for me!

What did you think K.?

Karina:
I haven't heard of it either, V., and while I consider myself geeky, the majority of cultural references (apart from the obvious ones!) went way over my head. Still, it was funny (especially the vibrator moment), sweet and adorable, and despite the shortness of the story, warmed my cockles. I hear, that Delilah plans on two more stories in this novella format, and I'm looking forward to reading them too. Recommended.

* * *

Вика:
Очень забавный рассказ. Я честно не знала что нас тут будет ожидать, но была приятно удивлена. Талантливая г-жа Доусон решила попробовать себя в новом для нее жанре литературы, который она любовно называет эксцентричной эротикой. Когда нибудь слышали о таком? Нет? Я тоже нет, поэтому было весьма любопытно почитать.

Какие у тебя мысли на этот счет Карина?

Карина:
Эротика для ботаников или скорее для ярых поклонников Звёздных Войн? Нет, сталкиваться мне с ней не приходилось. И меня и Вику заинтриговало такое описание новой работы Делайлы С. Доусон под псевдонимом Ава Ловлэйс, так что мы решили прорецензировать её вместе.

Что я могу сказать? Мило, смешно и неожиданно коротко, так как по размеру это - новелла. Происхождение большинство шуточек я не смогла понять, а узнала только те, что уж очевидно относились к Звёздным Войнам. Рекомендую, но не очень восторженно. Читать можно для книжного перекуса.

Tags: 7/10, 8/10, ava lovelace, delilah s dawson, emma chase, friday mini reviews, sierra dean |

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Vika's YA Fiction Review: The Fault in Ours Stars

Wednesday, April 16, 2014 | Posted by Victoria S

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

bought

Synopsis from Goodreads

Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten.

Amazon US/UK | Amazon kindle US/UK | The Book Depository | Fishpond

9.5/10

* * *

I’m sure that The Fault in Our Stars needs no introduction. It made a big splash a few years back when it was first published, won a bunch of awards and lots more praising reviews from many of its readers. Furthermore, it is now going to be a major motion picture event which will increase its audience exponentially. So, excuse me if I’m trying to “sell” you on a book that’s been pushed at you so many times before, but I would be wrong if I didn’t tell you how truly terrific it was.

Tags: 9.5/10, fiction, john green, YA, джон грин, подростковый фикшн |

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