Review: Untamed by P.C. and Kristin Cast

House of Night #4

Untamed by P.C. and Kristin Cast, UK edition cover.

Title: Untamed (A House of Night Novel #4)
Author: P.C. and Kristin Cast
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Young Adult
Publisher:  Atom (4th June 2009)
Blurb:

‘I saw the end of everything’ Aphrodite’s voice was as haunted as her face. ‘I saw all of it happening because you were dead, Zoey. Your death made it happen.’ ‘Ah, hell,’ I said and then my knees gave way and I had to sit down.

A week ago Zoey had a group of special friends, three boyfriends and a (kinda) clear conscience. Now she has none of the above. Luckily, ice-queen Aphrodite is showing signs of melting and ex-roomie Stevie Rae isn’t as dead as she’d thought. Though Stevie Rae’s now hanging out in tunnels with freaks – totally gross.

Assuming she can get them to listen, Zoey will need all her friends as events take a frightening turn at the House of Night school for vampyres. Shocking true intentions are about to come to light, loyalties will be tested and an ancient evil is about to rise again.

Some days being special just doesn’t seem all that . . .

Rating:**** (4 stars)

Review:

Untamed is the fourth book in P.C. and Kristin Cast’s epic House of Night series. This book is brilliant; I almost gave it five stars. The narrative begins a couple of days after the events of Chosen.

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In My Mailbox (7)

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren, it is a weekly meme where people record what books they received that week. As I don’t receive books every week, I do the meme as and when I can.

This weeks books arrived on Wednesday, the first part of the books I ordered from Amazon.co.uk for this month.

Alpha and Omega 3

Fair Game (Alpha and Omega #3) by Patricia Briggs
Faery Tales & Nightmares by Melissa Marr

I’m really looking forward to getting to read these books, which will hopefully be soon. Can’t wait for the other books to be delivered 🙂

What’s in your mailbox this week?

 

Review: Chosen by P.C. and Kristin Cast

House of Night #3

Chosen by P.C. and Kristin Cast, UK edition.

Title: Chosen (A House of Night Novel #3)
Author: P.C. and Kristin Cast
Genre:Paranormal Romance, Young Adult
Publisher:  Atom (27th April 2010)
Blurb:

I guess it had gone okay with Stevie Rae. I mean, she had agreed to meet me tomorrow. And she hadn’t tried to bite me, which was a plus. Of course, the whole trying-to-eat-the-street-person thing was highly disturbing . . .

Zoey’s best friend, Stevie Rae, is undead – in an eww! zombie! kind of way, not in a cool vampyre kind of way. She’s struggling to retain her humanity and Zoey doesn’t have a clue how to help. But she does know that anything they discover must be kept secret.

Unfortunately, trust has become a rare commodity. Sinister forces are at work in the House of Night, where the line between friend and enemy is becoming dangerously blurred.

Rating:**** (4 stars)

Review:

Chosen is the third book in P.C. and Kristin Cast’s House of Night series, and like Betrayed the story takes up pretty much from the end of the previous book (although an indeterminate amount of time has passed).

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Waiting on Wednesday (7)

“Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

I discovered this weeks book through this meme, and I am really looking forward to reading it.

Blood Prophecy #1

Blood Born by Jamie Manning

Blood Born (Blood Prophecy #1)
by Jamie Manning

Published: 24th April 2012

Waking up in a coffin hungry for blood is only the beginning for sixteen-year-old Ava Blue. When Chance Caldon, the hottie who dug her up, tells her that she’s half vampire, Ava’s world really turns upside down.

Half vamp? Ava can’t believe it…she doesn’t even know what that means! Not until Aldric, a thousand-year-old vampire, shows up and tells her it’s true–and that he’s the one who turned her. Then Ava truly begins to believe what she is. Now, she has to deal with a sudden and powerful bloodlust, the desire to see Aldric dead, and her growing crush for Chance. Ava knows she’s a monster now, she can feel it; and her life is over.

But redemption isn’t lost. Aldric is giving her a chance to regain her humanity. The price? Kill a hundred vampires, or remain a bloodsucker forever.

So Ava sets out to get her life back. But killing vampires begins a battle that could destroy everything she is working toward. In the end, Ava’s decisions will forever change her life and the lives of those she loves.

Want to find out more about this book? Then you can find it on Goodreads here.

I think this book sounds really interesting, and it seems to have lots of good reviews. I also like the fact that this book harks back to how vampires used to be pre-Twilight (how I remember them). I’ve also heard that this book is supposed to be a little bit Buffy the Vampire Slayer and a little bit Supernatural which sounds like it could be an interesting mix.

What book(s) are you waiting on this week?

Top Ten Tuesday (4)

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. This feature was created because they are particularly fond of lists at The Broke and the Bookish. They’d love to share their lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

This weeks Top Ten topic is:

Top Ten Tips For New Book Bloggers

I still consider myself a bit of a newbie in book blogger terms – this blog has only just had it’s one year birthday – so I don’t really feel I can (or should) answer the question. So instead, I am going to do:

Top Five Female Heroes

Night World #95. Raksha Keller from Witchlight (Night World #9) by L. J. Smith (YA)

Raksha is one of my top five female heroes because she is totally kick-ass. She is a very strong female lead, and knows her duty – and is prepared to do her duty at all costs. She is also very brave. I really enjoyed reading about her in Witchlight and am looking forward to seeing if she’ll appear in Strange Fate (whenever it is published).

4. Rose Hathaway from Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead (YA)

I’ve only read Vampire Academy so far, but I’m really loving Rose as a character. She’s really strong. She’s someone who lives in the now. She’s brave and I think totally awesome. I also like that she has a strong sense of duty. I’m looking forward to reading more about her 🙂

Women of the Otherworld #13. Elena Michaels from Women of the Otherworld series by Kelley Armstrong

Elena rocks. She does, trust me. She’s a very strong and caring character. She knows what she wants. She is also very loyal – she’ll do just about anything for those she loves. She’s also quite fun and she doesn’t let anyone boss her around. She has brute strength but she also uses her brains, and I like that. I also love her banter with Clay, but that’s for a totally different list 😉

Anita Blake:  Vampire Hunter #12. Anita Blake from Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter by Laurell K. Hamilton

Anita Blake is kick-ass. She’s powerful and she can shoot, so who seriously would want to mess with her?! She’s also very moral, and dislikes hurting those weaker than her. She can’t stand bullies. She may doubt herself from time to time, but when the bullets start firing or the magic starts she’s there trying to solve the problem. I really admire that about her.

1.  Alanna the Lioness from The Song of the Lioness quartet by Tamora Pierce (YA)

Alanna has to be my number one female hero. Her quartet was the first series I can remember reading that had an awesome kick-ass female lead, that could stand up to AND beat her male contemporaries. The girl has backbone – she trains to become a knight when only men can become knights. She knows her duty and is very loyal. She is good with a sword and with sorcery. What more could you want from a female hero – she can protect the people she loves.

Top Five Male Heroes

5. Althalus from The Redemption of Althalus by David and Leigh Eddings

I have a soft spot for characters that don’t really fit the typical hero characteristics, and Althalus is definitely one of those characters. He’s a professional thief, about as far away from a typical hero as you can get. Yet Althalus is very definitely a hero. He just uses his cunning rather than a sword to win his fights.

Curse Workers #14. Cassel Sharpe from The Curse Worker Trilogy by Holly Black (YA)

In many ways Cassel is almost an anti-hero, but he is very definitely a hero – he can’t help doing the right thing. Cassel cares about people, particularly those closest to him. Yet Cassel is very much a con artist – he likes skirting the letter of the law. So why have I included him in a list of heroes? Because when it comes down to it, when all the cards are down, there is a definite moral streak in him. He does what’s right, even if it costs him. And I admire that.

3. Wizard Howl from Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones (YA)

Howl isn’t what most would consider a typical hero. He can appear selfish, self-absorbed, cavalier and dishonest. But there’s more to him than there appears. There’s something very likeable about him, and I think heroes should be likeable.

Harry Potter #12. Harry Potter from Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling (YA)

How could I have a list of male heroes and not include the Boy Who Lived?! The answer is, I could not. Harry is definitely a hero. He’s brave and he doesn’t give up. He relies on his friends and is very loyal. He tries to see the best in people (though not all the time, and not with every person). He doesn’t see himself as special – but he is.

1. Aragorn son of Arathorn from The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien

Aragorn has to be my number one male hero. He knows and does his duty, even when it costs him. He is very loyal to those he trusts. He doesn’t give up. He’s brilliant with a sword and he knows how to look after himself. I wouldn’t want to meet him across a battlefield.

What are your tips for new bloggers? Who are your top ten heroes? Please comment below with either your list of a link, as I would love to hear your thoughts.

In My Mailbox (6)

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren, it is a weekly meme where people record what books they received that week. As I don’t receive books every week, I do the meme as and when I can.

This week my In My Mailbox is thanks to WHSmith’s discount card which allowed me to get 20% off books. I only got 4, but they’re all the next part in a series I’m reading and I cannot wait to get to them.

House of Night #7House of Night #8

Soul Screamers #2Vampire Academy #2
Burned (House of Night #7) by P.C. and Kristin Cast
Awakened (House of Night #8) by P.C. and Kristin Cast
My Soul to Save (Soul Screamers #2) by Rachel Vincent
Frostbite (Vampire Academy #2) by Richelle Mead

What’s in your mailbox this week?

Giveaway Winner

A HUGE thank you to everyone who entered my giveaway, to have the chance of getting a signed copy of Nature Mage by Duncan Pile. It was my first giveaway – the first competition held on this blog – so I was a little nervous.

Congratulations to Sadie Forsythe for winning the giveaway. I have sent you an email, please let me know if you haven’t received it.

Review: A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray

A Great and Terrble Beauty by Libba Bray

Title: A Great and Terrible Beauty
Author: Libba Bray
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult
Publisher:  Simon and Schuster UK (2nd May 2006)
Blurb:

It’s 1895 and, after the death of her mother, 16-year-old Gemma Doyle is shipped off from the life she has known in India to Spence, a proper boarding school in England. Lonely, guilt-ridden, and prone to visions of the future that have an uncomfortable habit of coming true, Gemma finds her reception a chilly one. She’s not completely alone, though . . . she’s being followed by a mysterious young man, sent to warn her to close her mind against the visions.

It’s at Spence that Gemma’s power to attract the supernatural unfolds, as she becomes entangled with the school’s most powerful girls and discovers her mother’s connection to a shadowy, timeless group called The Order. Her destiny awaits . . . if only Gemma can believe in it.

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Review:

A Great and Terrible Beauty is the first book in Libba Bray’sGreat and Terrible Beauty trilogy.

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Waiting on Wednesday (6)

“Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

This week as I’m still “waiting on” the book I was last week, I thought I would post a couple of books that whilst they already published I can’t wait to get my hands on them.

Immortal City by Scott Seer, UK edition cover.

Immortal City (Immortal City #1)
by Scott Speer

Jackson Godspeed is the hottest young Angel in a city filled with them. He’s days away from becoming a full Guardian, and people around the world are already competing for the chance to be watched over by him. Everyone’s obsessed with the Angels and the lucky people they protect – everyone except for Madison Montgomery.

Maddy’s the one girl in Angel City who doesn’t breathlessly follow the Angels on TV and gossip blogs. When she meets Jackson, she doesn’t recognize him. But Jackson is instantly captivated by her, and against all odds the two fall in love.

Maddy is swiftly caught up in Jackson’s scene, a world of glamour, paparazzi – and murder. A serial killer is on the loose, leaving dead Angels’ wings for the police to find on the Walk of Fame. Even the Guardians are powerless to protect themselves in the face of this threat … and this time it’s up to Maddy to save Jackson.

This sounds like it could be an interesting read. Not really a fan of the cover. But I want to give this a try. It kinda sounds like it will be a “male version” of The Hills or Strange Candy both of which I like so we’ll see…

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games #1)
by Suzanne Collins

Could you survive on your own, in the wild, with everyone out to make sure you don’t live to see the morning?

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she is forced to represent her district in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before-and survival.

I’ve heard some good things about this book, and the film seems really interesting. I really want to pick this up and see if it lives up to my expectations, or not.

Whilst you’re here, why don’t you check out my one year blogverary giveaway (it’s international): a signed copy of Nature Mage by Duncan Pile. Check out my review here, and for details on how to enter click here.

What are you waiting on this week?

Giveaway! Nature Mage by Duncan Pile

As promised I am giving away a signed copy of Duncan Pile’s Nature Magic.This is a late celebration of TheFlutterbyRoom’s First Blogversary.

To enter and have a chance of winning, follow the linkie –> https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dFJmQV9ydGkyQnFwN0lsMnRNUndnamc6MQ Giveaway is now CLOSED. Check back tomorrow to see the winner.

Rules:

  • To enter this competition you must be 13 years old or older.
  • This competition is open internationally (except where prohibited by law)
  • +1 entry if you promote this giveaway on your twitter, blog, or tumblr.
  • The giveaway runs from 10th April 2012 12:00 BST to 13th April 2012  12:00 BST. The winner will be announced on the blog on 14th April at 12:00 BST. They will also be emailed.
  • The winner will have 72 hours from the 14th April at 12:00 BST to respond to my email, if they do not respond within that time a new winner will be chosen.
  • Each entry will be assigned a number. The winner will be picked by The True Random Number Generator at Random.org
  • TheFlutterbyRoom is not responsible for any loss or damage of the book in transit.
  • TheFlutterbyRoom reserves the right to cancel this competition at any time without any prior warning.
  • TheFlutterbyRoom reserves the right to disqualify any entry at any time.

Good luck! Even if you don’t win, make sure to pick up this book.