Review: ICED

The year is 1 AWC—After the Wall Crash. The Fae are free and hunting us. It’s a war zone out there, and no two days are alike. I’m Dani O’Malley, the chaos-filled streets of Dublin are my home, and there’s no place I’d rather be.

Dani “Mega” O’Malley plays by her own set of rules—and in a world overrun by Dark Fae, her biggest rule is: Do what it takes to survive. Possessing rare talents and the all-powerful Sword of Light, Dani is more than equipped for the task. In fact, she’s one of the rare humans who can defend themselves against the Unseelie. But now, amid the pandemonium, her greatest gifts have turned into serious liabilities.

Dani’s ex–best friend, MacKayla Lane, wants her dead, the terrifying Unseelie princes have put a price on her head, and Inspector Jayne, the head of the police force, is after her sword and will stop at nothing to get it. What’s more, people are being mysteriously frozen to death all over the city, encased on the spot in sub-zero, icy tableaux.

When Dublin’s most seductive nightclub gets blanketed in hoarfrost, Dani finds herself at the mercy of Ryodan, the club’s ruthless, immortal owner. He needs her quick wit and exceptional skill to figure out what’s freezing Fae and humans dead in their tracks—and Ryodan will do anything to ensure her compliance.

Dodging bullets, fangs, and fists, Dani must strike treacherous bargains and make desperate alliances to save her beloved Dublin—before everything and everyone in it gets iced.

Title: ICED (Fever ~ Book 6)
Author: Karen Marie Moning
Publication Date: October 30 2012
Publisher: Delacorte Press
ISBN: 0385344406
Length: 495 Pages
Add it to your TBR Pile: Goodreads
Buy It: Amazon US / Amazon UK

Source: Purchased (Kindle Edition)
Cover Love: Dani looks fierce and I am loving the ice!
Point of View: 1st person, following Dani mostly, however there are some chapters from Christian and Kat's POV also.

My Rating: 5 Stars

As Dani would say... "Dude! This was feckin amazing!!"

When I finished Shadowfever and I saw the words 'The End' I was distraught.  Then I clicked my Kindle over one last page and was ecstatic.  These two little words gave me hope.  Gave me hope that this was not going to be the last I saw of my favorite characters.  Gave me hope that I had something new to look forward and countdown to.  What were those two little words?

'For Now...'

That was it.  It was The End, For Now...  Let us rejoice!

I would like to start out by saying that if you haven't read the first five books in the Fever series I strongly suggest you do so before reading ICED.  There is so much world building and character building in Fever and I fear you may be a bit lost if they were not read first.  However, if you have not read them but want to keep reading this review just please know that there may be spoilers to events that took place in the previous books.  You have been warned...

So here we are, the first of the five new planned books in the Fever series is upon us.  There will be a total of three from Dani's point of view, ICED being the first.  Then we will be back to Mac's point of view with number nine and ten.  I have to admit when I first saw that the next three would be from Dani's point of view I was a little nervous.  Dani was such a 'loud' voice in the previous books but I understand why as a side character she had to be written this way.  She is no wallflower but around characters such as Mac and Barrons you need to be loud to be noticed.  So I was curious to see if Moning would write her just as loud.  The answer to that is yes and no.  Dani is her same big headed, Mega, superhero wannabe but from within her own head she is not a loud.  If that makes sense...

With my opening statement of this being awesome I am sure you have already guessed I absolutely loved ICED.  It was so great to be back in the Fever world.  I am going to do my best not to be an over excited fangirl during this review but I can make no promises because it was just that good and I just love these characters so much!

If you know and love the Fever series you will no doubt love this book.  This made me an uber fan of Dani's, I mean I already liked her but now I love her.  She is amazing and talk about kick ass!  Dude, I would not want to be an Unseelie facing down the the end of her sword.  Not in a million years.

We have the same cast of characters coming along for the ride.  Those that are hoping that Mac and Barrons play a huge part, sadly they don't but I wasn't too disappointed.  However, with that said on page one when I read Barrons' name I did have to fan my face a little and I literately had to use my fingers to pull my smile down.  But this was more due to the fact that I am in love with Barrons.  Yes you heard it here first, I love the man.  He is by far my #1 fictional male character and probably always will be. So even though we hardly get to see him in ICED, even randomly seeing his name on the page was enough because I knew I was in the 'world' where he exists.

However... Ryodan has quickly moved up into my #2 spot.  Hot darn is this man smokin'!  Moning has never had any trouble writing about hot men and he is no doubt one of her best.  We didn't get to see much of him in the previous books so having him around more was a pleasure.  His interactions with Dani makes for some great moments and the way they speak and deal with each other is pure entertainment.  Let me just say that Ryodan is a very patient man... he may think he is the top dog around Dublin but Dani sure knows how to put him in his place and does so many times.  Of course he gets his back just as many times but if it were Barrons who was dealing with her I have a feeling she would already be dead.

I know there was a lot of talk worrying about Dani only being 14 in this novel and seeing as how Moning does not shy away from sexual themes people were worried about it being pervy or weird with her being so young.  She has already publicly said many times that Dani does not have sex in this book so I am giving nothing away from saying it again here.  There are sexual scenes in ICED but none that include Dani.  It is obvious that Ryodan is fascinated by Dani, we knew that from the earlier books.  But I am still not convinced his feelings for her are of a sexual nature.  There are moments when I think yes I can see the attraction and it could be sexual in the future but then I wonder if it is just more of an admiration for her and him wanting to keep her safe.  All I know that whatever 'it' is, it makes for some great reading.

Dani also has two other admirers.  We finally get to know Dancer and of course Christian is in the mix.  Again if you have read the earlier books then you know what has happened to Christian and you know what he is turning into to, an Unseelie Prince.  This is not a good thing.  The transformation is taking place throughout ICED and it is torture to watch it unfold.  Christian is so sweet and kind hearted and he is turning into a monster.  I also like Dancer, he is super smart and takes good care of Dani.  It is quite obvious that he has feelings for her and would do anything to keep her safe.

Once again Moning has blown me away with the world she has created.  She really is one of the best writers that I have ever had the pleasure of reading.  Her way with words draw you into the world with her characters.  I find her books so hard to put down and this is the the main reason why I took the day off work on the day ICED was released.  I knew I wanted to just sit at home and read it as I would not have been able to concentrate at work knowing it was just there waiting for me to delve into.

We all know how KMM's novels end and ICED was no exception.  What an ending!!  UGH!! How can it end there when currently the expected publication for Burned just says 2013.  We can all hope and pray that it will be earlier in the year but sadly I am sure it will be toward the end.  *sigh*  Let the countdown begin!

“I figure the folks that are the most interesting get to go to heaven. I mean, if I was God, that’s who I’d want there with me ... I’d rather be a superhero in hell than an angel in heaven. What the feck would I do all day if I wasn’t kicking demon ass?”

“There are only two things to worry about in life: either you’re free or you’re not.  If you’re free, there’s nothing to worry about.  If you’re not, you kick the shit out of everything around you until you are.”  

“You’ll never be just anything. A tsunami can never be ‘just’ a wave.”

“Get off my chin.”

“I like that about you. Waves are banal. Tsunamis reshape the Earth. Under the right circumstances, even entire civilizations.”

I blink.

“You’re going to be one hell of a woman one day, Dani.”

MORE QUOTES FROM ICED

Review: Easy

When Jacqueline follows her longtime boyfriend to the college of his choice, the last thing she expects is a breakup two months into sophomore year. After two weeks in shock, she wakes up to her new reality: she's single, attending a state university instead of a music conservatory, ignored by her former circle of friends, and failing a class for the first time in her life.

Leaving a party alone, Jacqueline is assaulted by her ex's frat brother. Rescued by a stranger who seems to be in the right place at the right time, she wants nothing more than to forget the attack and that night--but her savior, Lucas, sits on the back row of her econ class, sketching in a notebook and staring at her. Her friends nominate him to be the perfect rebound.

When her attacker turns stalker, Jacqueline has a choice: crumple in defeat or learn to fight back. Lucas remains protective, but he's hiding secrets of his own. Suddenly appearances are everything, and knowing who to trust is anything but easy.

Title: Easy
Author: Tammara Webber
Publication Date: May 25 2012
Publisher: Originally Self Published, now with Penguin
ISBN: 0425266745
Length: 304 Pages
Add it to your TBR Pile: Goodreads
Buy It: Amazon US / Amazon UK

Source: Purchased (Kindle Edition)
Cover Love: I am not usually a fan of up close faces as I like to imagine what the characters look like myself.  However, after finishing I think this cover works perfectly!
Point of View: 1st person, following Jacquelin

My Rating: 5 Stars

Simply amazing!  This is one book where you should 100% believe the hype.  I have yet to come across a negative review for Easy and now that I have read it I can see why.  It really is simply amazing!

I strongly believe that Easy should be required reading for any female high school senior prior to starting college.  The subject matter involved is serious and is never taken lightly in the story.  Thankfully I have never found myself in a similar situation to Jacqueline but I believe it is all too easy for girls to forget their surrounds on a night out and bad things do happen, far too often!  With the book starting with and dealing with such a heavy subject matter you may get the impression this would be a depressing book, but trust me it is not!  Yes I cried, but to be honest I'm a bit of a softy and cry quite often during books that pull me in emotionally.  But there is plenty of joy and laughter also, so please don't think of this as a 'Debbie Downer', it is perfectly balanced.

The characters are believable. Jacqueline is a strong female lead and I don't fault any of her actions.  Not having the same experiences it would be easy for a bystander to criticize how she handles her dilemma.  But I would never assume to know the emotions and feelings that take place in that moment and would never judge how somebody gets through that type of trauma.

Lucas is just... well... Lucas is just swoon worthy to the highest degree!  Tattoos, lip ring, crystal clear eyes, dark hair and he is an artist.  What is not to love?  He is also strong, caring, sweet but very troubled.  It becomes evident that while he is helping Jacqueline get through what has happened to her he has also had something happen in his past.  This is just another reason why I loved Easy.  This isn't the knight in shining armor story you would assume it is, Lucas is being saved by Jacqueline just as much.

I started this book in the evening and I found myself at 80% at 2:00am.  Although it was the night we set the clocks back so really it was 3:00am.  And if it wasn't for the fact I had to be somewhere the next day I so would have finished it in one sitting.  I was finding it so difficult to put it down.  Even despite the late night I was up at 8:30am and the first thing I did was grab my Kindle and didn't get out of bed until I was finished.

At the end I found myself wondering how I have never read any of Tammara Webber's Between the Lines series, I have now added them all to my TBR pile!  So please, do not hesitate in reading Easy!  I could not suggest it more and I think you will also become a fan of Webber's writing from the first chapter.  My only disappointment is that this is a one off novel as I would have loved to see more of Jacqueline and Lucas in the future.

“Choosing to be with you isn't a difficult decision, Jacqueline," he breathed, pulling back one final time to stare into my eyes. "It's easy. Incredibly easy.”

MORE QUOTES FROM EASY

Book Blogger Spotlight: Babbling of a Bookaholic

Babbling of a Bookaholic


When and why did you become a book blogger?

I started my blog on August 10th of this year! I have always loved reading and in July of last summer I started reviewing books on Goodreads.  I enjoyed it so much I wanted to do something more so I started my blog.

How did you come up with the name of your blog?

It just came to me, I talk a lot so babbling fit and Babbling of a Bookaholic just sounded catchy to me.

What is your favorite thing about blogging?

The people you get to meet, it is so fun to hear what others think about my reviews and posts. I love talking and meeting new people. (:

What do you find the hardest about blogging?

For me I think it's the fact that I want to become a bigger blog one day so I try to get involved with a lot of different things and sometimes it becomes stressful.  I want reading to always be an enjoyment and never feel like a job.  Also, keeping up with the posts for my blog.  I participate in quite a few weekly features and sometimes it's difficult to find the time to keep up with them.  I try not to just throw my blog posts together, I like to spend time on them and make them what/how I want them so it gets hard sometimes!

Does your blog participate in any weekly features and if so which is your favorite?

My blog participates in quite a few actually, my favorite is Cover Characteristics hosted by Sugar and Snark. Every week there is a new characteristic and you get to pick out 5 different book covers that include the characteristic. I love book covers, sometimes I buy books just because of the covers, so it's just really fun!

What has been your favorite moment since you became a book blogger? Which review, interview or giveaway have you been most proud of?

There are too many moments to pick just one, I think when I got my first ARC book I was really excited. The review I'm most proud of is my review of Tilt by Ellen Hopkins or my review of Frozen by Mary Casanova.  Ellen is my all time favorite author and she actually commented on my review of Tilt and shared it for others to see.  That was one of my all time favorite moments and I really love the review I did of that book.  I also really love my review for Frozen because I feel like it just fits the book really well.  I suggest you read both books, amazing reads!

What kind of genres do you enjoy reading and reviewing the most?

I recently got into really loving paranormal books but I've always leaned towards books about real life problems or mystery/thrillers.

What is your favorite individual book or series? What makes you love it so much?

My favorite series right now is probably the Midnight Breed series by Lara Adrian. They're a really neat twist on vampires and I love how each book is about a different couple. My favorite stand alone is harder to answer, I really loved Impulse and Identical by Ellen Hopkins. Both are amazing books about real life problems people deal with every day.

Who is your favorite fictional male character, why and from what book or series are they from?

I have a few but I think Connor from Impulse is one of my all time favorite male characters because in the story he seems like the one character in Impulse who has the least of the problems but in the end he's the one who was the worst. I think he just shows readers that just because people seem okay on the outside doesn't mean they're actually okay below the surface.

Who is your favorite fictional female character, why and from what book or series are they from?

This might be a bit peculiar but Kristina from The Crank Series by Ellen Hopkins. I found this series after someone that means a lot to me had gotten arrested for something that had to do with drugs. It really helped me through the situation and in a way better understand how it all could have gone down.  Kristina was really raw, what you got wasn't a sugar coated story of her life with 'the monster' it was all very real. In some way her story helped me deal with the loss of someone that means a lot to me at that time. I am forever grateful for this series.

Who are your favorite three authors and why?

Ellen Hopkins is my all time #1 favorite author because of how amazing and unique her writing is. Her books are about things that people go through every day and all of her books are so raw and uncensored. You get the real thing, not a sugar coated fairy tale.

Nicole Williams because she never fails to create swoon worthy male characters for me to dream about. I love all of her books.

Lara Adrian because she can take an over used story and make it her own.

What are you reading right now?

Ever by Jessa Russo, I'm not that far into it but Toby is really mysterious and I'm excited to learn more about him.

Paper books or ebooks?

Paper Books, forever and always.

Which would be your favorite place to read? Curled up on a cold day in front of a fireplace, in front of a window on a lovely overcast rainy day or outside on a hammock on a warm summer’s day?

In front of a window on a lovely overcast rainy day with the window open if that's possible. I love the smell of the rain and the rain in general.

Milk chocolate, white chocolate or dark chocolate?

Milk chocolate! I can't stand dark chocolate and I'm really not a huge fan of white chocolate either.

Coffee or hot tea?

Hot tea! I get it from my Gammy, she's a huge tea fanatic.

Would you like to give any other details about yourself? How can others find you around the web? Such as Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, etc...

Thank you so much for interviewing me, Christine!  I had a blast answering all of your questions.

Blog: http://www.babblingofabookaholic.blogspot.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BabblingOfABookaholic
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BabblingReviews
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/11347908-kylee

Review: Crewel

Incapable.  Awkward.  Artless.

That’s what the other girls whisper behind her back. But sixteen year-old Adelice Lewys has a secret: she wants to fail.

Gifted with the ability to weave time with matter, she’s exactly what the Guild is looking for, and in the world of Arras, being chosen as a Spinster is everything a girl could want. It means privilege, eternal beauty, and being something other than a secretary. It also means the power to embroider the very fabric of life. But if controlling what people eat, where they live and how many children they have is the price of having it all, Adelice isn’t interested.

Not that her feelings matter, because she slipped and wove a moment at testing, and they’re coming for her—tonight.

Now she has one hour to eat her mom’s overcooked pot roast. One hour to listen to her sister’s academy gossip and laugh at her Dad’s stupid jokes. One hour to pretend everything’s okay. And one hour to escape.

Because once you become a Spinster, there’s no turning back.

Title: Crewel (Crewel World ~ Book 1)
Author: Gennifer Albin
Publication Date: October 16 2012
Publisher: Faber and Faber
ISBN: 0374316414
Length: 368 Pages
Add it to your TBR Pile: Goodreads
Buy It: Amazon US / Amazon UK

Source: Direct from Publisher via NetGalley
Cover Love: Breathtaking! Fits the novel perfectly...
Point of View: 1st person, following Adelice

My Rating: 5 Stars

There is no way possible that I can write a review of Crewel that even comes close to describing how unique and creative this book is.

This is the first novel by Gennifer Albin and I have to say she has some major skills!  The world building that takes place is quite impressive.  It is also a very s-l-o-w build... there are so many layers and Albin doesn't give up all of Crewel's secrets straight away which creates a beautifully woven story.  Not that this story is slow, it is actually quite the opposite.  I was surprised at how quickly I had feelings for the characters.  I understood the emotions they were feelings and was feeling them also.  I had many surprised moments while reading and I love when that happens!  I never felt complacent as the story was always twisting and turning.

Adelice is a strong character.  Not in a 'she can kick your ass' kind of way but she is smart, makes good decisions and doesn't have to rely on others to get things completed.  I really love her for that.  She has to face a lot and stays strong. Yes she has her moments of 'why bother' but honestly if I had to go through what she is having to face I would have crumbled a long time ago.

There is a love triangle... I know, I know that puts a lot of people off but trust me it is not all that bad.  The boys in question are Jost and Erik and I do like them both.  Of course I have a favorite but I don't want to join a Team just yet.  I shall let you all read it and come to your own conclusions about them both.  At first I sighed because I thought it was all a bit 'instant love' but then if you think about the circumstances it really isn't.  This is a world where the girls are segregated from the boys until 16 years of age.  Then testing takes place to see if you have what it takes to be a weaver.  If you fail at testing you are then given a profession and you will have access to the pamphlets which will show you the eligible boys that are ready for marriage. This is how you meet your future husband.  So when Adelice is taken to the coventry for her weaver training and there are two boys there who show her attention she has never received before.  So I can see how emotions are heightened and I would not call this 'instant' love at all.

This is honestly one of those books that if you go into too much detail with the review you will inevitably have spoilers and I want to do my best to avoid that.  I want this to be as fresh and creative for you when you read it as it was for me when I did.

There is no date yet announced for book two in the series but I for one will be on the look out and will be reading it upon release!  It is not that this book ended with a huge cliffhanger but more of a place where there is going to be an eager anticipation to see where we are taken next.  I can't wait...

Book Trailer: ICED

We are exactly 7 days away from the release of Karen Marie Moning's new book ICED.  We have been away from the Fever World for far too long and I for one am very excited about this release.

To get everybody a bit more excited (if that is even possible)... here is the book trailer!

Enjoy!

Review: The Lost Prince

Don’t look at Them. Never let Them know you can see Them.

That is Ethan Chase’s unbreakable rule. Until the fey he avoids at all costs—including his reputation—begin to disappear, and Ethan is attacked. Now he must change the rules to protect his family. To save a girl he never thought he’d dare to fall for.

Ethan thought he had protected himself from his older sister’s world—the land of Faery. His previous time in the Iron Realm left him with nothing but fear and disgust for the world Meghan Chase has made her home, a land of myth and talking cats, of magic and seductive enemies. But when destiny comes for Ethan, there is no escape from a danger long, long forgotten.

Title: The Lost Prince (The Iron Fey: Call of the Forgotten ~ Book 1)
Author: Julie Kagawa
Publication Date: October 23 2012
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
ISBN: 0373210574
Length: 400 Pages
Add it to your TBR Pile: Goodreads
Buy It: Amazon US / Amazon UK

Source: Direct from Publisher via NetGalley
Cover Love: Love it! But it does have some competition with the UK Cover.
Point of View: 1st person, following Ethan

My Rating: 5 Stars

We have all been here.  There is a series of books that you just fall in love with, they ended so perfectly that you would never imagine the author going back into that world and disrupting what has already been a wonderful ride.  Then one day out of the blue you see it, the confirmation that the author is doing just that.  They are messing with your series!  How can this be?  What will happen now?  NoooOOOooo I forbid it to happen!

Then you actually stop and think about it... The original series was so awesome how can the author mess it up that badly?  And at the very least we may get to see some of our favorite characters again.  hhhmmm... maybe this isn't such a bad idea after all.

Well those of you who have read and loved The Iron Fey series, you can rest assured. Kagawa has done an immaculate job with The Lost Price.  It has everything that a good spin-off book needs in order for it to be remarkable and worthy of the love you have for the original series.  There are great new characters and just enough 'page time' with the old ones to satisfy that craving.

The Lost Prince follows Ethan, Meghan's half brother.  To be honest it is only fitting that everything should be ending with Ethan seeing how it was him being kidnapped in The Iron King that started Meghan off on her original journey.  Ethan is human and at first you think, what could be so interesting about him to deserve an entire spin-off?  Well Ethan has always had the Sight.  He can see the fey around him and they have never left him alone his entire life.  So although he is no part fey he is still very much tied to their world.  I really felt for Ethan and the understandable torment that he has gone through over the years.  His thoughts and actions are exactly how I would think a teen would react in certain situations and it was refreshing to read something that seemed so authentic in such a magical and unauthentic setting as the Nevernever.  In other words I believed what I was reading.  He is harsh, angry and sick and tired of everything fey and to be honest I would be also if I were him!

I have to say that for a moment I was in fear that there was going to be a love triangle but thankfully that did not happen.  It is not that I hate the love triangle but it was such a large part of the original series and I just did not want to see that storyline again.  But as I said it doesn't appear that will be happening so that made me very happy.

Because I felt the characters were so real and believable it made me instantly fall in love with them.  I understood the decisions that they made and never really had the 'book thrown at the wall' kinda feeling that I sometimes get when silly decisions are made that I can not comprehend.  We also get to see our fair share of old characters and all I can say is that I am so glad that I was alone at one point.  When Puck showed up I honestly did a 'whoop' and fist pumped the air a few times, I was that excited.  What can I say; I absolutely love everything about Puck!

So as you can tell I really enjoyed The Lost Prince and I am so excited to have another book in this series to look forward to.  Kagawa has already titled the next book, The Traitor Son and as of right now it is listed as being published in September 2013.  I know that is a long time to wait but I promise you it should be worth the wait.  Do not hesitate at all to pick up this book because I really do think you will enjoy it if you liked The Iron Fey at all.  There was so much action and it was lovely to have the story continued...  I sound like such a fan girl but it is hard not to gush when you just liked something so much.

“I can’t stop it.  I can’t stop Them from following me.  If it was just me that the fey picked on, I’d be okay with that.  But someone else always pays for my Sight.  Someone else always gets hurt instead of me.” Tearing my gaze from hers, I looked out over the fields.  “I’d rather be alone,” I muttered, “then to have to watch that again.”

Book Blogger Spotlight: Cuddlebuggery

Cuddlebuggery


When and why did you become a book blogger?

Kat Kennedy: We're bookbloggers? I thought we were trying to take over the world?

Stephanie Sinclair:  We are taking over the world. One book at a time.

Kat Kennedy:  Good point.  Okay, we wanted to become bloggers so we could win the hearts and minds of our future peasants.

Stephanie Sinclair:  Bow before us, peasants!

How did you come up with the name of your blog?

Stephanie Sinclair:  I actually have no idea what Cuddlebuggery means. Bugs like cuddles?

Kat Kennedy: Very, very special cuddles.  Like what I do to Steph when nobody is looking.

Stephanie Sinclair:  So now you're a bug. That's kinda something you mention on the first date, Kat!

Kat Kennedy:  My bad.  You'll still cuddlebuggery with me though, right?

What is your favorite thing about blogging?

Kat Kennedy: The love and admiration of all my peasants readers.

Stephanie Sinclair:  I just love it when Kat works me like an Egyptian slave. Really gets my blood going.

Kat Kennedy: I love working Steph like an Egyptian slave.  And all the authors we get to torture.

Stephanie Sinclair:  And books. Those fit in there somewhere too.

Kat Kennedy:  Books?

What do you find the hardest about blogging?

Kat Kennedy:  When Steph works me like an Egyptian slave

Stephanie Sinclair:  Oh, do I get to play the master now? Don't forget the safe word this time!

Kat Kennedy: We should probably answer these questions seriously and say something appropriate.  Like, "Educating all the little boys and girls in the fine art of literary criticism."  But truthfully - for me it's coming up with new dick jokes.  You'd think there'd be more of them…

Stephanie Sinclair:  Dicks. Dicks everywhere.

Kat Kennedy: trufax

Does your blog participate in any weekly features and if so which is your favorite?

Stephanie Sinclair: No, because we are lazy and can't schedule our way out of a brown paper bag.

Kat Kennedy: Weekly features?  You mean ORGANIZE something?  I dunno, Steph.  Want to get drunk and dance naked instead?

Stephanie Sinclair:  This. This is why I love you.

What has been your favorite moment since you became a book blogger?

Kat Kennedy: My favourite moment is when we first started working together and I realized that Steph was my eternal blogmate.

Stephanie Sinclair:  wipes tear And only after avoiding me for a solid month.

Kat Kennedy: you are never letting that go...

Stephanie Sinclair: not on your life

What kind of genres do you enjoy reading and reviewing the most?

Kat Kennedy: I don't particularly like "genres" per se. More like a lot of death and sexy times.  I'm a simple creature.

Stephanie Sinclair: I like YA high fantasy because I like swords. A lot.

Kat Kennedy: Specifically, you like hitting things with big swords.  Kind of phallic, doncha think?

Stephanie Sinclair:  You have me pegged!

Kat Kennedy: More like skewered

What is your favorite individual book or series? What makes you love it so much?

Stephanie Sinclair: Harry Potter is so cliche, so I'm going with... Harry Potter!

Kat Kennedy: Bwhahaha.  Predictable - but then, I know you're going to immediately pick what I'll say.

Stephanie Sinclair:  And I like cause it's awesome.  Kat likes anything by Melina Marchetta. She'd read her grocery list and think it was "god's touched." <--- Did you see what I did there?

Kat Kennedy: LOL!  Yes! We know each other too well!

Who is your favorite fictional male character, why and from what book or series are they from?

Kat Kennedy: Barrons from the Fever series.  Because he kicks a lot of butt?!  And he has a magical penis.

Stephanie Sinclair:  Hmmm... right now the first male character that pops in my mind is The Darkling from Shadow and Bone from Leigh Bardugo. That's mainly because I can't seem to get this image out of my mind.


Kat Kennedy: Steph!  Now I have to take a cold shower!  I've warned you about this!

Stephanie Sinclair:  I regret nothing.

Who is your favorite fictional female character, why and from what book or series are they from?

Kat Kennedy: Mac - also from the Fever series. Because without someone like her, Barrons would have sucked so bad and I would have hated him.

Stephanie Sinclair:  I'd choose Sailor Moon from the manga. I fell in love with her character as a young girl and since I can still pass for a middle schooler, it's fitting for me.

Kat Kennedy: Sailormoon is so awesome.

Stephanie Sinclair:  The only Mary Sue I will ever truly love.

Kat Kennedy: Let's dress up as Sailor scouts and go to comicon next year!

Stephanie Sinclair: YES! Neptune and Uranus!

Kat Kennedy: Oh!  I knew you would choose those two, you saucy minx!

Who are your favorite three authors and why?

Kat Kennedy: We can only choose THREE?!

Stephanie Sinclair:  The Queen: J.K. Rowling, Joanne Katherine Rowling and Jo Rowling. Oh, wait...

Kat Kennedy: Your girlcrush is showing again, Steph.  Melina Marchetta, Veronica Rossi and Jay Kristoff

Stephanie Sinclair: Down, girl crush. Down!  Yes, Marchetta definitely!  And also Marissa Meyer is a new fav of mine.

Kat Kennedy: Marissa Meyer, Rachel Hartman, Claire Legrand

Stephanie Sinclair:  Claire Legrand, is amazing!

Kat Kennedy: Leigh Bardugo, Rick Lipman, Elizabeth May... there are too many!

Stephanie Sinclair:  Yes, Yes, Yes! What she said!

If you could turn one book or series into films, what would you pick and who would you cast as the main characters?

Kat Kennedy: That's a hard one.  Think Christine is trying to trip us up?

Stephanie Sinclair:  I think she is. How do we possibly choose?

Kat Kennedy: Daughter of Smoke and Bone.

Stephanie Sinclair:  YES

Kat Kennedy: I think Elle Fanning would do that part well

Stephanie Sinclair:  I'd also love to see either The Pendragon series by D. J. MacHale or Lumatere Chronicles by Melina Marchetta.

Kat Kennedy: The Lumatere series - that one will break my heart

Stephanie Sinclair:  "Be prepared for the worst, my love, for it lives next door to the best."   weeps

Kat Kennedy:  Oh god…

Stephanie Sinclair:  I have no idea who could play their roles, but they'd have to be kickass

Kat Kennedy: Seriously, seriously amazing actors ONLY

Stephanie Sinclair:  I picture a young Charlize Theron for Isaboe.  Imagine her staring at you, saying that line. chills

What are you reading right now?

Stephanie Sinclair: Scarlet by Marissa Meyer and Prodigy by Marie Lu.  Kat is not reading anything, but she stares at pages.

Kat Kennedy:  I'm reading Crewel!  Kind of.  Or I will be shortly.

Stephanie Sinclair:  And how long have you been kind of reading Crewel? <-- That's supposed to be in my Edward Cullen voice.

Kat Kennedy: Shut it before I send Buffy after you!

Stephanie Sinclair:  NoooooOOOOOoooo...

Paper books or ebooks?

Stephanie Sinclair: Ebooks because my kids are feral and like to tear shit up

Kat Kennedy: ebooks.  To the future!

Stephanie Sinclair:  and beyond?

Kat Kennedy: No.  Only if we're going to infinity

Stephanie Sinclair:  Oh, that's right. Infinity is on Tuesday's not Wednesdays.

Which would be your favorite place to read? Curled up on a cold day in front of a fireplace, in front of a window on a lovely overcast rainy day or outside on a hammock on a warm summer’s day?

Stephanie Sinclair: Kat?  Curl up with me by the fire place?  Bring your books, darling! I'll bring the snacks!

Kat Kennedy: Nice!  Sounds like a date!  And yes, same for me!

Milk chocolate, white chocolate or dark chocolate?

Stephanie Sinclair:We have to pick?!

Kat Kennedy: Dark chocolate.  White chocolate is the devil.

Stephanie Sinclair:  gasp  Who are you?

Kat Kennedy:  Oh my god, have we finally discovered something you DON'T know about me?

Stephanie Sinclair:  Somehow, even with you living in my brain, you've managed to hide this very important thing from me. #wounded

Kat Kennedy: Hate it.  I will take milk chocolate but I prefer Dark

Stephanie Sinclair:  I'm just kidding. I don't care for white chocolate either. 

Kat Kennedy: IT'S NOT REAL CHOCOLATE!

Coffee or hot tea?

Stephanie Sinclair: Tea all the way. I can't stand coffee, though, I could always use caffeine in my life.

Kat Kennedy: Tea too

Stephanie Sinclair:  OMG, soulmates!

Kat Kennedy: Like we didn't know THAT already

Would you like to give any other details about yourself? How can others find you around the web? Such as Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, etc...

Blog: http://www.cuddlebuggery.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cuddlebuggery-Book-Blog/310469449012258
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Cuddlebuggery
Formspring: http://www.formspring.me/Cuddlebuggery
Tumblr: http://www.cuddlebuggery.tumblr.com/

Goodreads
Kat: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/3270188-kat-kennedy
Stephanie: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/4642710-stephanie-sinclair

Review: Iron's Prophecy

Meghan Chase is finally getting used to being the Iron Queen, ruler of the Iron Fey. Her life may be strange, but with former Winter prince Ash by her side at last, she wouldn’t have it any other way.

But when they travel to the Summer and Winter courts’ gathering for Elysium, the oracle from Meghan’s past returns with a dire prophecy: “What you carry will either unite the courts, or it will destroy them.” Now Meghan faces a devastating choice that may determine the future of all fey—and her and Ash’s unborn child…

 Title: Iron's Prophecy (The Iron Fey Novellas ~ Books 4.5) 
Author: Julie Kagawa 
Publication Date: September 01 2012 
Publisher: Harlequin Teen 
Length: 67 Pages
Add it to your TBR Pile: Goodreads
Buy It: Amazon US / Amazon UK

Source: Purchased (Kindle Edition)
Cover Love: Snakes.. eeeewww!  But I promise the snake is a part of the story!
Point of View: 1st person, following Meghan

My Rating: 4 Stars

This novella is used as a bridge between Julie Kagawa's Iron Fey series and her new spin off series, The Iron Fey: Call of the Forgotten.

If you have read the blurb then you know that Ash and Meghan are together and that she is pregnant with their first child.  Meghan is visited by the Oracle while her and Ash are at Winter's Elysium.  She is reminded of the prophecy that was so quickly forgotten before...  In The Iron Queen it was told to Meghan that her and Ash's unborn child would bring them nothing but grief.

The Oracle would now like to give Meghan a glimpse into one of the possible futures that may come to pass.  In this future we see a glimpse of their son standing over a bloody, dead body.  Who is dead?  Well I am not going to tell you that... but I strongly suggest you read this before you start The Lost Prince so that you can find out.

This is a quick read but it was nice to get a bit more of Ash, Meghan, Puck and Grimalkin.  I know the spin off series is in the same 'world' but I am unsure as to who is going to play a part so any extra time with these guys is a good thing.

“This is real. This is what's important to me now. I'm not worried about the future, whatever it brings. I have all I need, right here.”

MORE QUOTES FROM IRON'S PROPHECY

Review: The Iron Knight

"My name--my True Name--is Ashallayn' darkmyr Tallyn. I am the last remaining son of Mab, Queen of the Unseelie Court. And I am dead to her. My fall began, as many stories do, with a girl..." To cold faery prince Ash, love was a weakness for mortals and fools. His own love had died a horrible death, killing any gentler feelings the Winter prince might have had. Or so he thought.

Then Meghan Chase--a half human, half fey slip of a girl--smashed through his barricades, binding him to her irrevocably with his oath to be her knight. And when all of Faery nearly fell to the Iron fey, she severed their bond to save his life. Meghan is now the Iron Queen, ruler of a realm where no Winter or Summer fey can survive.

With the unwelcome company of his archrival, Summer Court prankster Puck, and the infuriating cait sith Grimalkin, Ash begins a journey he is bound to see through to its end--a quest to find a way to honor his vow to stand by Meghan's side.

To survive in the Iron Realm, Ash must have a soul and a mortal body. But the tests he must face to earn these things are impossible. And along the way Ash learns something that changes everything. A truth that challenges his darkest beliefs and shows him that, sometimes, it takes more than courage to make the ultimate sacrifice.

Title: The Iron Knight (The Iron Fey ~ Book 4)
Author: Julie Kagawa
Publication Date: October 26 2011
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
ISBN: 0373210361
Length: 394 Pages
Add it to your TBR Pile: Goodreads
Buy It: Amazon US / Amazon UK

Source: Purchased (Kindle Edition)
Cover Love: Love it!  How can you not love the ice blue eyes of Ash?
Point of View: 1st person, following Ash

My Rating: 5 Stars

I do not wish to hide this entire review under a spoiler tag so please use this as a warning that if you have not yet read the earlier books in this series, please continue with caution.  And secondly, why have you not yet read the previous books in this series?  I strongly suggest that you do... quickly!

There was no better way to end this series than by letting us inside the head of Ash as he faces his hardest challenges yet.  As he fights his way through the Nevernever to reach the End of the World as he attempts to earn his soul and become human so that he can be with Meghan in the Iron realm.

There is hardly any Meghan in this story but I really didn't find myself missing her.  We know her story and the decisions she has made.  This is all about Ash, his past, his present and his future.

The same cast of characters are along for the adventure... Ash, Puck, Grimalkin, a new face and an old one also come along for the ride.  There are a lot of trials and tribulations that are faced along the way and not everybody makes it out alive...  The world building has continued to be exceptional in this series.  I know quite a bit is pulled from previous fey stories and legends but Kagawa has blended the past and future seamlessly. 

Puck is his same old self, funny, caring and loyal.  I have never hidden my love for Puck and why would I want to?  He is the most amazing character and as much as I have also come to love Ash I do feel for Puck.  He has appeared to have accepted Meghan's decision to be with Ash but you can see there is still hurt there.  Obviously with Puck being Puck I think he will be able to move on, of course at his age this can not be the first time he has been in love and will not be the last. It is obvious that he loves Ash as a friend just as much as he loves Meghan and he does want them to be happy.  I loved that we were able to see Puck and Ash's relationship evolve into something new.  The vow that Ash made to kill Puck long ago was made at a moment of anger and pain.  It has always been apparent that his heart was never in the task.  If Ash really wanted Puck dead I believe it would have been taken care of a long time ago.  It was nice to see them working through their problems.

In order to know what it is to become human, Ash must face his past.  The walls that he has built up over his long life, the damage he has done to others around him, the death he has caused, the heartache... He has not always been a very nice guy.  He also feels what it will be like to have a human body.  His strength and agility will disappear.  He will be able to be at Meghan's side but at what cost?  He is her Knight and has vowed to protect her forever.  When you are mortal the days will add up, unlike when you are fey and time does not matter. 

The choice is difficult and it is one that can not be changed once made.  What will he choose in the end?

I have read a few stories here and there that Kagawa had intended the Iron Fey series to be just the three books.  I would have gone insane if it would have ended after The Iron Queen.  To be honest it would have been hard for me to pick up anything else she wrote because I would have felt there was an empty space that needed filled.  I truly say that The Iron Knight has filled that empty space and I am very happy with the way this series has ended. 

Now with that said, there is a spin off series starting very soon, The Iron Fey: Call of the Forgotten.  There is one final novella that I must read before I can start The Lost Prince but I am very excited to see where this world will be taking me next...

“There is nothing more terrible than a spurned faery queen, particularly if you defy her a second time. I escaped the Winter Court with my life intact, but just barely, and I won't be returning any time soon. My loyalty - and my heart - belongs to another queen now.”

MORE QUOTES FROM THE IRON KNIGHT

Extra Tidbits: Daemon and Kat Go Halloween Costume Shopping

I love nothing more than when authors give us fans a little something extra from our favorite characters!  It can be a long hard wait between books and these extra tidbits really help pass the time.

Jennifer Armentrout is really good about writing extra scenes and this along with others can be found on her website, HERE.

With this being October, what a perfect scene to fit right in with Halloween!  We find Daemon and Kat shopping for that perfect Halloween costume.  Oh.. and Daemon is as hot as ever, glad to see nothing has changed there.

Enjoy!

“I’m not wearing that.”

Daemon’s extraordinary green eyes, the color of dew-covered grass, flicked away from my scowl to the black and red scrap of cloth he held in his hands.

“What’s wrong with this?”

Did I really need to spell it out for him? Yep. “That is barely enough clothing to cover my stomach, let alone any other part of my body.”

“I don’t see a single problem with that.” I folded my arms and leveled a stare at him.

“What?” One side of his lip curled up as he lifted his other hand. Two fury black ears were attached to a rhinestone headband. “It even comes with ears and a cute tail. A kitten costume is perfect for my Kitten.” Shaking my head, I turned back to the rack of Halloween costumes and started flipping through a various selection of sexy animal outfits.  “I am not wearing anything that has a tail.”

He circled an arm around my waist and his breath was warm against my neck. “I think it’s a perfect outfit.” Turning my cheek, I sucked in a sharp breath when his lips brushed my cheek. “So you’re okay with me wearing something that my butt and boobs will be coming out and saying ‘hello,would like to have a cup of tea?’ to everyone?”  Daemon stiffened.  I tipped my head back, meeting his gaze.   His eyes were narrowed, and I grinned. “Didn’t think so.  Moving on.”

He was silent for a whole second. World record right there. “How about you buy just the ears and wear them for me?  Later.”

Turning in his embrace, I cocked my head to the side. “Just the ears?”

The grin he wore now was half challenging and half sin. “Yeah. Just the ears. Absolutely nothing else. Okay.  Maybe heels, ‘cuz that would be sexy. It can be our own personal trick or treat.  And I promise you, I’ll have a big treat for you.”  My mouth dropped opened.  So did the older lady who was holding a nun outfit behind him.  She sucked in a huffy breath and muttered, “Well!”

Daemon glanced over his shoulder and then shrugged. “Or not.”

My face flaming, I smacked him on his rock solid chest. “I can’t take you anywhere.”   His deep chuckle sent a shiver down my spine and he leaned in, kissing my cheek. I hurried around the rack before I turned into a total puddle of goo or we started making out in front of everyone and the baby Jesus costume.  Spotting a purple fedora and fluffy scarf, I yanked it off the rack and whirled around. “How about this for you?”

Daemon’s brows shot up. “A pimp outfit? Seriously?”

Giggling, I stuck it back in the rack and then pulled out another one. “What about this?”

“A priest outfit?”

“Well, you are so very modest.”

“Ha. Ha” Daemon took the costume from my hand and put it back. “I don’t think there is anything — whoa, look at that.”

“What?” I turned, following his gaze. Up on the shelf was a mask with two flesh-colored plastic ears attached to a mask that was brown on one side and white on the other.  I said I wasn’t wearing ears or a tail, but this… oh no, this was so different.

“Oh, sweet baby aliens, is that what I think it is?” Daemon edged around me and reached up, yanking the full outfit down. Lean muscles of his back flexed under the black shirt, almost distracting me from what he held in his hands. I hopped up to his side, clapping my hands together like a seal on crack. He was trying not to laugh. “Yep, I think it is. Or you have to pee. One or the other.”

I ignored that, my eyes focused on the cute white dress with brown arms and a ring of brown fur along the bottom hem. It even came with white socks with brown trimmings. “The official Gizmo costume,” Daemon said, reading the tag.  He cleared his throat.  “Excuse me, the official sexy Gizmo costume. Well, that’s kind of disturbing. Since when is Gizmo sexy?”

“I have to have it,” I said, making grabbing fingers. “Gimme.” He handed it over, and I clutched it to my chest. I was about to make a mad dash to thecash register when I noticed pointy green ears, reptilian like, poking out from behind the rest of the Gizmo costumes.  My eyes bugged and I darted around Daemon, grabbing the costume. Whipping around, I shoved Spike, the Gremlin costume at Daemon.

“You have to get this. We could be Gizmo and Spike. And you like Spike, remember? You said he was a badass.”

“He is.” Daemon frowned. “But this looks like pajamas.”

“But it has a mohawk. Win.”

“I see.” Daemon shook his head, sighing. “I can’t believe I’m considering this.” Considering this meant he was going to do it, probably with a lot of complaining and sulking, but he’d do it, because it was Daemon.

He’d do it for me.

Stretching up to the tips of my toes, I kissed his slightly parted lips. “Thank you.” His eyes flashed an intense shade of green as he lowered his head, pressing his forehead against mine. When he spoke, his lips brushed mine. “You’re so going to owe me for this.”

“You’re right.” I grinned, taking a step back. Turning around, I picked up the furry black ears and faced him. “I’ll buy the kitten ears too.”

Daemon’s lips parted. “And that’s all?”

“That’s all.”

*Special thanks to Doris for finding the perfect costume for Daemon and Kat*

Review: Summer's Crossing

A Midsummer's Nightmare? Robin Goodfellow. Puck. Summer Court prankster, King Oberon's right hand, bane of many a faery queen's existence—and secret friend to Prince Ash of the Winter Court. Until one girl's death came between them, and another girl stole both their hearts.

Now Ash has granted one favor too many and someone's come to collect, forcing the prince to a place he cannot go without Puck's help—into the heart of the Summer Court. And Puck faces the ultimate choice—betray Ash and possibly win the girl they both love, or help his former friend turned bitter enemy pull off a deception that no true faery prankster could possibly resist.

Title: Summer's Crossing (The Iron Fey Novellas ~ Book 3.5)
Author: Julie Kagawa
Publication Date: June 01 2011
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
ISBN: 1459206401
Length: 72 Pages
Add it to your TBR Pile: Goodreads
Buy It: Amazon US / Amazon UK

Source: Purchased (Kindle Edition)
Cover Love: Favorite in the series so far! Loving the green and I love Puck as a crow!
Point of View: 1st person, following Puck

My Rating: 5 Stars

I have mentioned before the difficulty I have in rating a novella.  However, with that said I have to say that I have no hesitations at all with rating Summer's Crossing with five huge sparkly stars!  My only complaint is that it couldn't be longer.

This is told from Puck's point of view which was so much fun! I am absolutely smitten with Puck.  This novella follows Puck as he goes with Ash to track down our favorite feline, Grimalkin.  When they are about to set off they are stopped by the exhiled Queen, Leanansidhe.  Ash did the unthinkable and promised her a favor in return for a favor that she granted him in the earlier book.  So what does she want?  She wants him to break into the Summer Court to steal back a 'violin' which Queen Titania stole from her.  Luckily for Ash Puck is along for the ride and this 'should' make it much easier for the task to be completed.  Because Puck is a part of the Summer Court they can easily get in and out... what could possibility go wrong?

This mini adventure is filled with schemes, danger and plenty of laughter.  I mean with Puck telling the story how can it not be funny?  I love his interactions with Prince 'Ice Boy' Ash, the banter between these two is classic and will keep you laughing.

Of course along the way Puck is faced with temptation... Just think, what if Ash was caught in the Summer Court?  This would mean the end of Ash and Puck would be free to be with Meghan.  What will Puck decide to do?  What feelings are deeply hidden behind his jokester actions?

Guess you will have to read it to find out but I promise you will not be disappointed... well like me you may be disappointed that it wasn't a bit longer!

“I would be more than her guardian and her champion and the jester who made her laugh. 

I would be her everything, if I could.”

MORE QUOTES FROM SUMMER'S CROSSING

Sneak Peek: Iced: A Dani O'Malley Novel

The year is 1 AWC—After the Wall Crash. The Fae are free and hunting us. It’s a war zone out there, and no two days are alike. I’m Dani O’Malley, the chaos-filled streets of Dublin are my home, and there’s no place I’d rather be.

Dani “Mega” O’Malley plays by her own set of rules—and in a world overrun by Dark Fae, her biggest rule is: Do what it takes to survive. Possessing rare talents and the all-powerful Sword of Light, Dani is more than equipped for the task. In fact, she’s one of the rare humans who can defend themselves against the Unseelie. But now, amid the pandemonium, her greatest gifts have turned into serious liabilities.

Dani’s ex–best friend, MacKayla Lane, wants her dead, the terrifying Unseelie princes have put a price on her head, and Inspector Jayne, the head of the police force, is after her sword and will stop at nothing to get it. What’s more, people are being mysteriously frozen to death all over the city, encased on the spot in sub-zero, icy tableaux.

When Dublin’s most seductive nightclub gets blanketed in hoarfrost, Dani finds herself at the mercy of Ryodan, the club’s ruthless, immortal owner. He needs her quick wit and exceptional skill to figure out what’s freezing Fae and humans dead in their tracks—and Ryodan will do anything to ensure her compliance.

Dodging bullets, fangs, and fists, Dani must strike treacherous bargains and make desperate alliances to save her beloved Dublin—before everything and everyone in it gets iced.

Title: Iced: A Dani O'Malley Novel (Fever ~ Book 6)
Author: Karen Marie Moning
Publication Date: October 30 2012
Publisher: Delacorte Press
ISBN: 0385344406
Length: 353 Pages
Add it to your TBR Pile: Goodreads
Buy It: Amazon US / Amazon UK

There is absolutely no way that I can put into words how excited I am about the release of Iced.  I have been on countdown for quite a while...  Officially we are now at 13 days away.

Oh. My. Goodness!! 

I was blown away with the first five books in the Fever series and was so depressed when I reached the page of Shadowfever which read 'The End'... that is until I clicked the page over one last time and saw the words 'For Now...'   I was excited to think that there would be more someday.  Then I saw the announcement that there would be a spin-off trilogy which focused on Dani.  I was so excited!  I will admit that my main love of the Fever series is because of Jericho Barrons *swoon*.  I know that he is not going to be a large part of this trilogy but even just seeing his name on the page again will be exciting... Oooohhh how I love Barrons!!

Now... if you have read any of the Fever books you will know that they do not shy away from sex.  These are not Young Adult books and have never been marketed as such.  However, with Dani being 14 years old a lot of questions have been thrown out there about her having sex at such a young age, Karen has said the following on her Facebook page.

Guys, ICED is NOT Young Adult. Dani ages during the next three books of the Fever Series. Yes, there's sex. I like writing about sex. I always write about sex.  No, 14-year old Dani doesn't have sex. Other people do. I promise you all the magic you've come to expect from the Fever World.  I don't write YA. This series isn't YA. 
Please spread the word so my inbox will calm down :)

So there you go... that answers a little bit about what we can expect.  And without further ado please find the links to the Prologue and first 27 pages of Iced below.  Enjoy!

PROLOGUE OF ICED

 READ THE FIRST 27 PAGES OF ICED

Also, if you haven't read this series yet I strongly suggest you do.

They are simply amazing and I could not give them a high enough praise!!

Review: The Iron Queen

My name is Meghan Chase.

I thought it was over. That my time with the fey, the impossible choices I had to make, the sacrifices of those I loved, was behind me. But a storm is approaching, an army of Iron fey that will drag me back, kicking and screaming. Drag me away from the banished prince who's sworn to stand by my side. Drag me into the core of conflict so powerful, I'm not sure anyone can survive it.

This time, there will be no turning back.

Title: The Iron Queen (The Iron Fey ~ Book 3)
Author: Julie Kagawa
Publication Date: January 25 2011
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
ISBN:  0373210183
Length: 358 Pages
Add it to your TBR Pile: Goodreads
Buy It: Amazon US / Amazon UK

Source: Purchased (Kindle Edition)
Cover Love: I like that they have continued with the swirls, it is easy to see the books are part of a series.
Point of View: 1st person, following Meghan. There is an Epilogue at the end which is from Ash's POV

My Rating: 5 Stars

Now this is what I was talking about... I have very much enjoyed this series but the other books just lacked something that I could not put my finger on.  But then came The Iron Queen and I was so happy with what I was reading and how the story was progressing.  I feel quite comfortable giving it five stars! 

It is quite difficult to write a review of a book in the middle of a series without giving something away from the previous books. I won't be hiding this review under a massive spoiler tag so please just use this as a warning.  I will try my best not to give too much away.

As with the other books in the Iron Fey series this picks up almost exactly where the previous book left off.  We find Ash and Meghan in the mortal world, recently banished from the Nevernever, on their way to see her family but without quite knowing how their relationship is going to work in the 'real world'.  Will she go back to school? Will Ash go to school? What about college and jobs?  Yeah I don't think they thought this through...  Luckily it doesn't matter as all too soon Meghan is attacked by the Iron Fey and she realizes she is not going to escape the Faery world and that if she goes home it will just be to bring the Iron Fey to her family's doorstep.

Meghan must learn to fight and use her glamour which Ash and Puck are there to help her do. Then the Summer and Winter court come calling for her help as they believe she is the only one that can stop the false Iron King as he advances on the Nevernever.  So off they all go again, back to where they have been banished to try to save everybody.

I was disappointed in Meghan in book two but I have to say she stepped up her game here.  She was strong (for the most part) and made some really difficult decisions on her own.  She finally brought Puck up to speed on how she feels about Ash so that he can finally move on.  Well... not really move on because he does love her deeply and he has done for many, many years.  So moving on will be a slow process but he does understand and there were some touching moments where he realizes that he needs to step aside because his two friend's happiness is worth a lot to him.  I also fell for Ash a bit more... I always liked him but before this book I was kinda rooting for Puck.  I am much happier for Meghan and Ash to be together now.  He has grown a lot and I feel I understand him more now.

Make no mistake that this book is jam packed with action!  There is only really one section where it is a bit slower but even that was not s-l-o-w...  There is a huge battle and also a lot of side battles that take place so I never felt bored and in fact I read the book in one day so that just shows I really couldn't put it down.

I just realized that the next novella, Summer's Crossing is told from Puck's point of view which I am really excited to read.  Also, from what I can tell from the Synopsis of The Iron Knight it appears to be from the point of view of Ash which will be a welcome change.  Would love to see what is really going on in that icy heart of his...

“Fairy godmothers didn't exist, and even if they did, they wouldn't wave a magic wand and make everything better.  (Not without a contract, anyway.)  Besides, I had something better than a fairy godmother; I had my faery knight, my faery trickster, and my faery cat, and that was enough.”

MORE QUOTES FROM THE IRON QUEEN

Book Blogger Spotlight: Pink Fluffy Hearts

Pink Fluffy Hearts


When and why did you become a book blogger?

You know it's funny you should ask that. I'm pretty sure it was about three weeks ago, haha. I've had this massive list of books to read on my Goodreads shelves for just about ever and I was like jeez I need to get through these books. So, I decided that as a way to get through them I was going to review each one I read, it turns out that was actually really good motivation. I enjoy writing about my opinion way more than I thought I would. That sounded a little conceited didn't it? haha I just mean I have an opinion about so many things, like a lot of people do, so why not let it be heard?

How did you come up with the name of your blog?

That's actually an amusing story. I used to watch that TV show Smallville and my friend Mandy and I are super in love with Chloe Sullivan and Oliver Queen, two of the characters from the show. Well they got married at the end of the series, but we sort of possibly read an early script and new it was going to happen like six months before it aired haha. So we would fangirl on AIM about how they were perfect for each other and we were like twelve year old girls drawing pink fluffy hearts around their names in our notebooks. And ever since then we would draw virtual pink fluffy hearts around anything we loved. Books, characters, coffee haha. And thus the name was born.

What is your favorite thing about blogging?

Oh wow, that's a hard one. You know I think my favorite thing about it is getting to meet new people with similar interests. There is an entire virtual world out there and so many amazing bloggers and activists. So, it's really fun to try and connect with those people and be a part of something bigger than what you have right in front of you.

What do you find the hardest about blogging?

The amount of time it takes up. I've got a part-time job, I'm a part-time student, and I write like it's nobody's business haha. So fitting in blogging schedules between everything is a lot more time consuming then I thought it would be, but I love it anyway because who needs sleep? I've got six Stabucks gift cards, a Keurig coffee maker on my desk, and about forty different flavors of coffee, I'm good. ;)

Does your blog participate in any weekly features and if so which is your favorite?

Yes! We actually just started that this week. We participate in Tune in Tuesday, which is currently being hosted by Kate's Tales of Books and Bands. We also participate in Feature and Follow Friday, which is hosted by Parajunkee's View and Alison Can Read. And we have Top Ten Thursday, which we adapted from The Broke and the Bookish's Top Ten Tuesday.

We also have two original features that we created (as far as I know) called Fun Fact Friday, which is all about crazy, but interesting facts people don't know and Turn off the TV and Read. We'll be debuting that feature this Sunday. Basically we choose a TV show or movie and then we give you three books that you would enjoy based on that TV.  Sort of an if you like this show you'll like these books.  It was just something cute that my friend Andi came up for our blog that we thought would be fun.

What has been your favorite moment since you became a book blogger? Which review, interview or giveaway have you been most proud of?

Oh, oh I've got a good one for this, haha. I recently read Dina Silve's One Pink Line, great book by the way truly touching, through Netgalley. I posted my review in Netgalley, on Goodreads and on my website. A few days later I received an email from Dina Silver telling me how much she enjoyed my review. The email was so unexpected and so sweet and it was nice to know that my words touched her enough that she sent out a personalized email to me.

What kind of genres do you enjoy reading and reviewing the most?

I read a lot of paranormal books. I also read a lot of young adult books. I'm just now branching out into other genre's, but I think YA is my niche.

What is your favorite individual book or series? What makes you love it so much?

My favorite individual book at the moment, or in the past few months rather, has been Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire. It was gritty and real and not all bubblegum and unicorns. Her main character, Abby is wonderful. She's the perfect mixture of sassy and sweet. She's sort of relationship-phobic, like me, which is something I enjoyed reading because most books tend to paint women as always wanting a relationship, guess what that's not true haha. But when she met Travis, who I love as much as Abby it was like I don't know the rules changed. I don't want to give anything away, but if you like snarky characters and a compelling story, then you should check it out.

My favorite series is Fire Spirits by Samantha Young. I am so hopelessly in love with Jai. It's sad haha. She's got three books out in the series already and I know the forth one is coming out soon which means I need to get all my ARC books done so I can read it immediately haha.

Who is your favorite fictional male character, why and from what book or series are they from?

Jai from the Fire Spirits novels I totally want to draw pink fluffy hearts around him haha. I love him because he isn't perfect. He's got flaws and this tragic past that makes me want to hug him. He's guarded and professional, but there's this whole other side to him that once you see it's like god, runaway with me! He's a very well rounded and developed character and he's got so many sides to him that I can't wait to see what's explored next.

Who is your favorite fictional female character, why and from what book or series are they from?

Huh, this one is harder...Wow. I actually don't know who my favorite female character is. I like a few, Ari from Fire Spirits, Tris from Divergent, Abby from Beautiful Disaster, but I'm not sure any of them qualify as my favorite. I liked Alex the first 240 pages of Ashes. Jeez, I guess if I  had to pick a favorite out of these characters I would say Abby from Beautiful Disaster because I relate to her most.

Who are your favorite three authors and why?

Amelia Atwater Rhodes - She made me fall in love with reading. I was never a huge reader when I was younger. I was the girl in  high school who would rather be out partying with football players than reading a book haha. But then a friend recommended In the Forests of the Night and I fell in love. Not only with  this world that she had created, but with reading. It wasn't long after that I started writing myself.  Her books continue to be my favorite. I own all of them and every 6-7 new books I read, I re-read one of hers.

Veronica Roth - DIVERGENT! I love Four I love Four! ...Do you need a better reason than this? ;)

Samantha Young - I've read quite a few of her books and the ones I haven't I own and am waiting to get to. She's proved herself to be a very well rounded writer from YA novels to her very first adult novel that just came out. She's got this vision and when she writes about it and I read her words it's like I'm transported to this magical place where anything can happen...Like Jai popping put of the book haha. Kidding. Honest. Maybe.

If you could turn one book or series into films, what would you pick and who would you cast as the main characters?

Fire Spirits! Oh god that's hard! Bites lips. For Ari I think I would cast Naya Rivera or Maiara Walsh and for Jai I honestly haven't seen an actor I think fits his description as of yet haha.

What are you reading right now?

Right now I am reading an ARC of Ever by Jessa Russo and an ARC of Death and the Girl Next Door by Darynda Jones

Paper books or ebooks?

Both. See here's the thing, I've got three bookcases and they are all over flowing. So I need to vett my books. There are some I just need in hardcover or paperback because I love them and have collected the whole series like the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich or Amelia Atwater Rhodes books. So if I read an ARC or an ebook and I fall in love with it I will absolutely by it in hardcopy because as much as I love my Kindle Fire to death, nothing beats the smell of books.

Which would be your favorite place to read? Curled up on a cold day in front of a fireplace, in front of a window on a lovely overcast rainy day or outside on a hammock on a warm summer’s day?

I'm going to say either curled up on a cold day or in front of a window on a rainy day listening to the sound of the rain as I read. I'm not a big fan of the heat, I'm very much in love with the cold weather.

Milk chocolate, white chocolate or dark chocolate?

Milk chocolate with coconut or raspberry.

Coffee or hot tea?

Coffee, forever and ever. Most people's bodies are made up of 60-70 percent water, mine is 60-70 percent coffee. ;)

Would you like to give any other details about yourself? How can others find you around the web? Such as Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, etc...

I've got a dog named Luigi who thinks he's a human! haha

Blog: http://pinkfluffyhearts.blogspot.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/corina.lombardi
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CorinaLombardi
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/2919367-corina