Monday, December 31, 2012

The Iron Witch.

Title/Author:  The Iron Witch by Karen Mahoney.

Genre: UF.

Publisher: Signet Books.

Source: Received at BEA

Favorite character:  Xan.

All in all: A good premise.

Synopsis: Freak. That's what her classmates call seventeen-year-old Donna Underwood. When she was seven, a horrific fey attack killed her father and drove her mother mad. Donna's own nearly fatal injuries from the assault were fixed by magic—the iron tattoos branding her hands and arms. The child of alchemists, Donna feels cursed by the magical heritage that destroyed her parents and any chance she had for a normal life. The only thing that keeps her sane and grounded is her relationship with her best friend, Navin Sharma.

When the darkest outcasts of Faerie—the vicious wood elves—abduct Navin, Donna finally has to accept her role in the centuries old war between the humans and the fey. Assisted by Xan, a gorgeous half-fey dropout with secrets of his own, Donna races to save her friend—even if it means betraying everything her parents and the alchemist community fought to the death to protect.~Goodreads.com
My Thoughts:  The Iron Witch took me into familiar territory with fairies and elves and their not so harmonious relationship with humans.  I enjoyed the first few chapters when introduced to main protagonist Donna. I liked her voice and the fact that she had to wear long gloves at all times.  Not exactly something to make you look cool but a great plot device.  I also liked meeting "Xan" (Alexander) and getting to know him.  Bad boy at first, but he connects to Donna because they are both different.  They accept their feelings toward each other, which I found refreshing.  None of the games and pretending and keeping each other at arms length like in so many other books. 

Donna is also discovering that her world, not so mundane as it is anyway, has even more secrets than she realized.  This causes her to mistrust the adults in her world and take on the mission laid out in this story mostly by herself.  While she gets a lot of help from Xan it is her own stubborness that allows her to save her best friend, Navin. 

Although it started fast, I felt as if it slowed down at times, kind of pushing me along and then holding me back as a reader.  The book also had an interesting premise, but I felt there was something missing.  I don't need everything spelled out and The Iron Witch definitely had some mysteries with answers sprinkled throughout the story, but I still felt like I closed the book still being a tad confused, a bit like I had missed something.  It was as if I got from point A to point C and had to infer point B.  Which again, isn't always a bad thing, I just personally had a hard time with it.  

Maybe it's because I've read soooo many fairy stories that it's hard to reinvent the wheel.  But I also think that you could always put a new spin on your wheel, or pull them with your characters.  I liked the characters in The Iron Witch, but I didn't feel absolutely invested in them.  Donna and Xan confide in each other and it's not that it is too soon for them to do so, maybe it's because I needed a little bit more from them to begin with.  Some of the writing just didn't have that ease for me.  I know that this is just the first one in the sequel so hopefully the tale will get stronger as the story continues.

There is a lot more in this story as well, Alchemist lore, friendships and the backgrounds of Donna and Xan.  So, just because it didn't grab me don't let that deter you.  Check out other reviews from Goodreads and Amazon before you decide.


2012 AADNOLA Reading Challenge Winners!

This was a little surprise contest that I held.  The participants did not have to do anything except post their reviews. 

I appreciate everyone who joined and posted.  The three readers who posted the most reviews were:

Cat Named Easter (Caroline) - 8 posted reviews on Facebook.

Debra from Good Choice Reading - 6 posted reviews

Brandy Swain from All the Fun Starts After Dark - 6 posted reviews. 

Thank you for joining the Challenge ladies and enjoy your Amazon Gift Cards!  If you'd like to check out the books the participants read please click HERE.

Annnnd...if you would like to join my 2013 AAD Savannah Reading Challenge please click on the button located on the sidebar.



Saturday, December 29, 2012

2013 TBR Challenge hosted by Roofbeam Reader



I needed impetus for reading some books in my HUGE TBR pile, so I thought this was the perfect challenge to join.  Hosted by Roofbeam Reader, the goal is to finish and review 12 books by the end of the year that you've been meaning to read but haven't gotten to yet. The only rule is that they have to have a publishing date before January 1st of 2012.

Check out my pile below.

For complete rules and to join this challenge please click HERE.

See below to check out my list.


1. World Made by Hand by James Howard Kunstler. (Pub. 2/11/2008.)
2. The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe. (Pub. 6/9/2009.)
3. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer (Pub. 9/27/2011.)
4. Trapped by Michael Northrop. (Pub. 2/1/2011.)
5. Lost Souls by Poppy Z. Brite (Pub. 9/10/1993.)
6. The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey (Pub. 9/22/2009.)
7. Mister Slaughter by Robert McCammon (Pub. 1/1/2010.)
8. AThe Taker by Alma Katsu (Pub. 9/6/2011.)
9. The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larsson (Pub. 7/28/2009.)
10. A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness  (Pub. 12/27/2011.)
11. Graveminder by Melissa Marr (Pub. 5/9/2011.)
12. The Passage by Justin Cronin (Pub. 6/8/2010.)

I  have no alternates at this time, but may add one or two as I find more books in my TBR pile.



Friday, December 28, 2012

Top 10 in 2012 - Books I'm looking foward to in 2013.

 
 

The Top 10 in 2012 week is hosted by the following bloggers:
Lisa from A Life Bound By Books
Jessica from Confessions of a Bookaholic
Rachel from Fiktshun
Jamie from Two Chicks on Books
Mindy from Magical Urban Fantasy Reads

From Monday December 24, 2012 through Friday December 28, 2012 please stop by for my list of Top 10 in 2012.  If you want to join in on the fun, click the button above!

Books I'm Looking Forward to in 2013

Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi














My Name is Rapunzel by K.C. Hilton














Antigoddess by Kendare Blake














Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea by April Genevieve Tucholke














4:59 by Gretchen McNeil (no picture)












Dead and Buried by Kim Harrington













Smoke and Bone #3 by Laini Taylor

 












Raven Cyle #2 by Maggie Stiefvater













Paper Valentine by Brenna Yovanoff













Dr. Sleep - Stephen King (no cover picture).












Thursday, December 27, 2012

Top 10 in 2012 - Best Book Boyfriends of 2012.

 
 

The Top 10 in 2012 week is hosted by the following bloggers:
Lisa from A Life Bound By Books
Jessica from Confessions of a Bookaholic
Rachel from Fiktshun
Jamie from Two Chicks on Books
Mindy from Magical Urban Fantasy Reads

From Monday December 24, 2012 through Friday December 28, 2012 please stop by for my list of Top 10 in 2012.  If you want to join in on the fun, click the button above!


Best Book Boyfriends of 2012.

Since this must be from a book released in 2012 and from a book I've read in 2012, it is a short list.  I don't read a lot of books that come out in a current year since I have so many to get to!  However, I think this list is a case of quality vs. quantity.

Anna Dresed in Blood - Cas.  Yeah, I try not to crush on characters in YA books, since, you know, I'm old enough to be their mother.  But if I was younger I might tattoo his name on me.

Royal Street - Jake.  One third of the love triangle between main character D.J.  Jake appears to be the "nice" one, which he is.  However, I think there is more there underneath than just being nice. There is depth to him, chivalry and integrity.



Raven Boys - Adam.   He is just soooo sweet and sincere.  What he has to overcome breaks my heart.  I hope he finds his way before the end of the series.

Days of Blood and Starlight - Mik.  Okay, this guy crosses deserts with his girlfriend and is all set to complete three tasks to win her hand.

Perception - Gabriel.  I really like Gabriel because he is mature and responsible.  A little more so than Clarity's ex, Justin.  Gabriel proved himself in this book to really care about Clarity and her feelings. 



Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Top 10 in 2012 - Best Bad Boys of 2012

 
 

The Top 10 in 2012 week is hosted by the following bloggers:
Lisa from A Life Bound By Books
Jessica from Confessions of a Bookaholic
Rachel from Fiktshun
Jamie from Two Chicks on Books
Mindy from Magical Urban Fantasy Reads

From Monday December 24, 2012 through Friday December 28, 2012 please stop by for my list of Top 10 in 2012.  If you want to join in on the fun, click the button above!

                       Best Bad Boys of 2012.
This was a readers/blogger choice.  Check out the other participants to see what they picked.  The choices were (Villains, Contemporaries, Dual POV's, Novellas, Adult Titles, New Adult titles, Love Triangles, Couples, Bad Boys or Debuts.)  Unfortunately, I could only come up with 4.

4. Joey Crouch from Rotters.  Even though he is really a nice kid in difficult circumstances, I don't think I could ever be friends with main protagonist Joey.  The things he has done by the end of this book are just truly horrific.  (Shudders.)


3. Jack from Blood Red Road.  Jack is cocky and arrogant and at times seems very full of himself  But he is awesome!


2. Cas from Anna Dressed in Blood.  Not truly a bad boy, but very confident and sure.  He reminds me of Dean from Supernatural a little bit.  You can't get any badder than that.  Or maybe it's just bad ass!

1. Ronin from The Raven Boys.  Definitely the #1 bad boy I've read this year, if not all time.  Part of me hates him.  I'm a little afraid of him.  I wouldn't want to be around him.  But you know that deep down he is a good guy with a heart of gold and is fiercely loyal to those he loves.

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Top 10 in 2012 - Best Book Covers of 2012.

 
 

The Top 10 in 2012 week is hosted by the following bloggers:
Lisa from A Life Bound By Books
Jessica from Confessions of a Bookaholic
Rachel from Fiktshun
Jamie from Two Chicks on Books
Mindy from Magical Urban Fantasy Reads

From Monday December 24, 2012 through Friday December 28, 2012 please stop by for my list of Top 10 in 2012.  If you want to join in on the fun, click the button above!

Best Book Covers of 2012.

A book cover should make you want to grab that book and dive in.  It is like a piece of art and you are drawn to it to find out what's behind the image.  Here are by Top Best Book Covers of 2012. (I could really only come up with 9).  I haven't read all of them (if I have there will be a link) but they are definitely on my TBR pile.

Under The Never Sky by Veronica Rossi.
There's something about this cover that I had gravitated to.  The colors, the title all made me want to read it!












Eyes Like Leaves by Charle de Lint.
I can always count on CDL for gorgeous cover art.












The Diviners by Libba Bray.
Iconic!












The Providence Rider by Robert McCammon.
I'm looking forward to reading this one.  It takes place in the early 1700s and has plenty of murder and intrigue.












The Mammoth Book of Best New Horror.
Creepy!  Yay!












Breathe by Sarah Crossen
Again, I love the colors in this cover.  I also love the cracked earth foreground with the domed city in the distance that basically sets the stage.












The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa.
I think this cover is subtly creepy.












The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater.
Ravens are very symbolic and I think just putting this bird on the cover speaks volumes.

Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor.
Just a beautiful cover.













Monday, December 24, 2012

Top 10 in 2012 - Best Books I've Read in 2012

 
 

The Top 10 in 2012 week is hosted by the following bloggers:
Lisa from A Life Bound By Books
Jessica from Confessions of a Bookaholic
Rachel from Fiktshun
Jamie from Two Chicks on Books
Mindy from Magical Urban Fantasy Reads

From Monday December 24, 2012 through Friday December 28, 2012 please stop by for my list of Top 10 in 2012.  If you want to join in on the fun, click the button above!

                       Best Books I've Read in 2012.
These are not in exact order, but they are a close approximation.  Click on the links to read my thoughts.

10. Rotters by Daniel Kraus.












9. Blood Red Road by Moira Young.

8. The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab.

7. My Life as a White Trash Zombie by Diana Rowland.












6. Mind Games by Carolyn Crane.












5. Three Days to Dead by Kelly Meding.












4. The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater.












3. Carrie by Stephen King.












2. Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake.












1. Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor.















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