Review: The Gathering Storm

The Gathering Storm 
Robin Bridges
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Release Date: January 10, 2012

St. Petersburg, Russia, 1888. As she attends a whirl of glittering balls, royal debutante Katerina Alexandrovna, Duchess of Oldenburg, tries to hide a dark secret: she can raise the dead. No one knows. Not her family. Not the girls at her finishing school. Not the tsar or anyone in her aristocratic circle. Katerina considers her talent a curse, not a gift. But when she uses her special skill to protect a member of the Imperial Family, she finds herself caught in a web of intrigue.
An evil presence is growing within Europe's royal bloodlines—and those aligned with the darkness threaten to topple the tsar. Suddenly Katerina's strength as a necromancer attracts attention from unwelcome sources . . . including two young men—George Alexandrovich, the tsar's standoffish middle son, who needs Katerina's help to safeguard Russia, even if he's repelled by her secret, and the dashing Prince Danilo, heir to the throne of Montenegro, to whom Katerina feels inexplicably drawn.
The time has come for Katerina to embrace her power, but which side will she choose—and to whom will she give her heart?

I was pretty excited for The Gathering Storm. Russian historical fiction with a supernatural twist? Heck yeah! However, it wasn't everything I had hoped for. It was still entertaining and enjoyable, but I was hoping for a tad bit more. 

Once thing that I did love about this book was the Russian history. This is something that I'm interested in but don't know much about. I'm glad to see it making it's way into YA. Although, it was a bit hard to follow at times. But I'll tell you nothing about Russia is un-complicated.

Katerina. Stubborn loyal Katerina. It was hard to relate to her, but I did grow to like her. Like I said, she was stubborn, but I liked that about her. And I applauded her loyalty. 

My biggest issue with The Gathering Storm is that it was slow at times. And hard to follow. It's not that there were times when nothing happened. It's just that I got a little...dis-interested in it at times. But there were times that it picked up, too. 

Was The Gathering Storm enjoyable? Yes. Was it everything I hoped for? No. Will I read the sequel? Maybe. I guess I'll just have to see. 

Review: Take a Bow by Elizabeth Eulberg

Take a Bow
Elizabeth Eulberg
Publisher: Point
Release Date: April 1, 2012

From the fantastic author of The Lonely Hearts Club and Prom & Prejudice comes a story of all the drama and comedy of four friends who grow into themselves at a performing arts high school.Emme, Sophie, Ethan, and Carter are seniors at a performing arts school, getting ready for their Senior Showcase recital, where the pressure is on to appeal to colleges, dance academies, and professionals in show business. For Sophie, a singer, it's been great to be friends with Emme, who composes songs for her, and to date Carter, soap opera heartthrob who gets plenty of press coverage. Emme and Ethan have been in a band together through all four years of school, but wonder if they could be more than just friends and bandmates. Carter has been acting since he was a baby, and isn't sure how to admit that he'd rather paint than perform. The Senior Showcase is going to make or break each of the four, in a funny, touching, spectacular finale that only Elizabeth Eulberg could perform.

Elizabeth Euelberg's first two novels were very cute and fun--and take a Bow was no different. Although there were a few problems, I still really enjoyed it. 

In Take a Bow, there were four main characters--Emme, Ethan, Sophie, and Carter. Some I liked--and some I didn't.

I'm going to start with Sophie. She was so selfish--and not in a way that makes a character real. She was willing to take down anyone to get what she wants. Regardless, I don't think you, as the reader, are supposed to like her. She's a character you love to hate. 

And Ethan. He just needed to grow a pair. He did, eventually. And I did grow to like him. Even though he was pretty needy, he was still sweet.

Emme was very naive, to a fault.She was a real pushover. But toward the end I felt that she really grew strong. I ended up really liking her in the end.

Oh, Carter. He was by far my favorite. I felt he was the most real even though he was a child star. He really had to work to find himself. He was sweet and caring. I already said this, but he was my favorite character.

This was a short and light read; nothing too serious. I do wish there was more focus on the school aspect. I would have liked to see more of the performing arts boarding school dynamics. 

Take a Bow goes great with Eulber's other books; it's light and fun. I do wish there was more, but I did enjoy it. 

Under-appreciated Books

If you spend any time in the bookish world you know that some books get a lot of buzz, and some don't. Well, today I'm here to tell you some of my favorite books that didn't get as much credit and buzz as I believed they deserved. Some of them are more heard of than others. Some are even my all time favorites.

 Willow by Julia Hoban

One of my favorites ever. It was so heartbreaking and beautiful.

John Belushi is Dead by Kathy Charles

This is one of my more recent favs. It has some of my favorite things that we seldom see in YA these days (old movie and celebrity references) and it's just awesome. It had both heartbreaking and fun moments. Plus, look at that awesome cover!

Read my review here. 

Once dead Twice Shy by Kim Harrison

This may not be a favorite, but it's still really fun and unique. It's a series that I started reading right when I started really getting into reading. Who doesn't love reapers?

The Nature of Jade by Deb Caletti

This is another favorite of mine. It's so good! I loved everything about it. 

Girl at Sea by Maureen Johnson

Okay, this may have gotten a lot of buzz just because it's Maureen Johnson. But, it gets nothing compared to Suite Scarlet or 13 Little Blue Envelopes. This is one of my favorite books that I've read this year, and it may have even earned a spot on my favorites shelf. It was so good! Diving and Italy and treasure hunts: there may not be a better combination. 

Read my review here.

Soul Screamers series by Rachel Vincent
Again, this may not be exactly not well know, but it is definitely under-appreciated. It's one of my favorite series. It's so amazing and it gets ten times better with every book!

And there are a ton more. 

Let me know, what are some books you think don't get enough credit?

Charming Covers [34]

Charming Covers is a feature here at Book Fanatics where I show off covers that have recently been revealed/ that I've recently found.

UnWholly by Neal Shusterman
August 28, 2012

In a society where unwanted and troublesome teens are salvaged for their body parts, Connor, Risa and Lev continue to fight against the system that would 'unwind' them. Thanks to their high-profile revolt at the Happy Jack Harvest Camp, people can no longer turn a blind eye to unwinding. Ridding society of so-called troublesome teens might be convenient, but its morality has finally been brought into question and a new law passed. However, unwinding has become big business, and there are powerful political and corporate interests, not to mention the illegal 'Parts Pirates', that want to see it not only continue, but expand.
Connor, Risa and Lev each struggle to rescue as many AWOL teens as possible and offer them sanctuary. But life at the Graveyard is hard, rivalries bubble under the surface and the cracks are beginning to show.
And then there is Cam, a teen who does not exist. Made entirely out of parts from one hundred other 'unwinds', Cam is a 21st century Frankenstein, a rewound, struggling to find a true identity and meaning, and a place in society. But when a sadistic bounty hunter who takes "trophies" from all the 'unwinds' he captures starts to pursue Connor, Lev and Risa, Cam finds his own fate inextricably bound with theirs…


I'm so excited for this book; you don't even know. Unwind was one of the first dystopian novels that I read and I absolutely loved it. One of my favorites. When I heard that there was going to be a sequel, I was ecstatic. 
I don't like this cover as much as the first. The first was creepy but not in an in your face way. This does capture the feeling of the book I think, though. Especially with the Frankenstein kid. 

Review: Purity by Jackson Pearce

Purity
Jackson Pearce
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Release Date: April 24, 2012

A novel about love, loss, and sex -- but not necessarily in that order.
Before her mother died, Shelby promised three things: to listen to her father, to love as much as possible, and to live without restraint. Those Promises become harder to keep when Shelby's father joins the planning committee for the Princess Ball, an annual dance that ends with a ceremonial vow to live pure lives -- in other words, no "bad behavior," no breaking the rules, and definitely no sex.

Torn between Promises One and Three, Shelby makes a decision -- to exploit a loophole and lose her virginity before taking the vow. But somewhere between failed hookup attempts and helping her dad plan the ball, Shelby starts to understand what her mother really meant, what her father really needs, and who really has the right to her purity.

I am a big fan of Pearce's other books, especially Sisters Red, and was really excited for her contemporary debut. Although it wasn't my favorite, I enjoyed Purity. It was filled with heartache, development, and a few laughs.

One things that Purity did not lack was Jackson Pearce's way with words. The writing is so clever and so truthful. I really enjoyed this part of Purity.

Shelby has really struggled since her mom died. she has been obsessed with the promises she made her mom because she feels that it will bring her closer to her mom. A big part of this book was Shelby's healing process and her finding a balance with her promises. I didn't always agree with Shelby's decisions, but I did like and respect her. She really came into herself throughout the book.

Purity is a fast read. It was really short and I'm not going to lie, I wanted more. I got really into the world of Purity and it ended too fast. However, I did enjoy what was there. I guess if there has to be a problem with a book, wanting more isn't the worst that could happen.

Jackson Pearce's first contemporary is a good edition to her collection. Even though I didn't like it as much as her others, I am looking forward to more of her contemps.

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I'd like to See Made into a Movie

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. For more information or to participate visit here.


If you couldn't tell from the title, this week is Books that I Want to See Made into a Movie. Now, I believe that there are some books that would make great movies, but not all of them. So, here is my list. (In no particular order.)

1. Wanderlove by Kirsten Hubbard- I would love to see the setting in this book come to life. It would be awesome!
2. Graceling by Kristin Cashore- This was an amazing book! With all the action and adventure (and romance) this would make an awesome movie. I'd love to see this world come to life. 
3. Girl at Sea by Maureen Johnson- Similar to Wanderlove, I would love to see this setting come to life. Plus, who doesn't love a treasure hunt?
4. Amy and Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson- This is one road trip I'd love to experience. 
5. Divergent by Veronica Roth- I don't think I need to explain myself with this one. 
6. Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce- I really liked this book and would like to see it be made into a movie. 
7. Bleeding Violet by Ria Deeves- This book is so weird and awesome at the same time. I'd love to see these monster be brought to life. 

Review: The Vicious Deep by Zoraida Cordova

The Vicious Deep
Zoraida Cordova
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Release Date: May 1, 2012

For Tristan Hart, everything changes with one crashing wave.
He was gone for three days. Sucked out to sea in a tidal wave and spit back ashore at Coney Island with no memory of what happened. Now his dreams are haunted by a terrifying silver mermaid with razor-sharp teeth.

His best friend Layla is convinced something is wrong. But how can he explain he can sense emotion like never before? How can he explain he’s heir to a kingdom he never knew existed? That he’s suddenly a pawn in a battle as ancient as the gods.

Something happened to him in those three days. He was claimed by the sea…and now it wants him back.

I'm going to start off by saying that I love mermaids and mermaid books. I always have. That being said, there have been some hit or miss when it comes to mermaid books that I've read in the past. As it turns out, The Vicious Deep was one of the better ones, though it wasn't everything i was looking for.


One thing that bothers me about mermaids is that it is next to impossible to find a mermaid book sans the cheese factor. But I was surprised by The Vicious Deep. While it wasn't completely without cheesiness, it didn't bother me like it normally does.


I was wary of this world at first. When it was first introduced, it was confusing. But once I learned more, about it, I started to like it more. A little more world-building wouldn't have hurt, but it was still an interesting take on the mermaid world. 


One of my favorite parts about this book was Triston. He was funny and felt real. He made mistakes but was sweet and felt real. I enjoyed getting to know him. 


The Vicious Deep was a fun ride. It wasn't exactly completely original, but I still felt that it brought something new to the table.