Tuesday, December 26, 2017

Review: Prom and Prejudice by Elizabeth Eulberg

Synopsis: It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single girl of high standing at Longbourn Academy must be in want of a prom date.
After winter break, the girls at the very prestigious Longbourn Academy become obsessed with the prom. Lizzie Bennet, who attends Longbourn on a scholarship, isn't interested in designer dresses and expensive shoes, but her best friend, Jane, might be - especially now that Charles Bingley is back from a semester in London.
Lizzie is happy about her friend's burgeoning romance but less than impressed by Charles's friend, Will Darcy, who's snobby and pretentious. Darcy doesn't seem to like Lizzie either, but she assumes it's because her family doesn't have money. Clearly, Will Darcy is a pompous jerk - so why does Lizzie find herself drawn to him anyway? (from  the online description)

Review: This is a cute, quick, re-telling of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Set in a modern prep school, among the rich and powerful of the world. The writing is quick and tight, the plot maintains the same basic lines as Austen, but adds enough to keep it fresh and interesting. The characters are true to Austen, but with a modern update. While not the best book ever, it was entertaining, perfect for a light read by a pool or on a beach.

Bookmarks: 3.5 of 5

Awards: None

ISBN: 978-0-545-33916-2
Year Published: 2011
Date Finished: 11-16-2017
Pages: 231

Monday, December 25, 2017

Review: Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo

Synopsis: Soldier. Summoner. Saint.The nation’s fate rests with a broken Sun Summoner, a disgraced tracker, and the shattered remnants of a once-great magical army. The Darkling rules from his shadow throne while a weakened Alina Starkov recovers from their battle under the dubious protection of the zealots who worship her as a Saint. Now her hopes lie with the magic of a long-vanished ancient creature and the chance that an outlaw prince still survives. As her allies and enemies race toward war, only Alina stands between her country and a rising tide of darkness that could destroy the world. To win this fight, she must seize a legend’s power―but claiming the firebird may be her ruin. (from the online description)

Review: The same issues I had in the first and second book exists in this one as well – despite excellent world-building and plot, the characters seem a bit shallow. Alina, in particular, spends most of the book fluxing between Mal and the Darkling, and being angsty over Mal. It was important to the story, at first, but after the first few chapters, it started to detract from the story. The plot and pace suffered because of the constant focus on Alina’s feeling for Mal and Mal angst’s about her. It made the book tedious.
The only redeeming factor was the ending. It was unexpected and entertaining.  While not the satisfy ending I wanted, it wrapped up things nicely in a non-trope way. 
it was a good read and if you enjoy fantasy-based young adult novels, this one will appeal to you greatly. 

Bookmarks: 3.5 of 5

Awards: None

ISBN: 978-0-8050-9461-9
Year Published: 2014
Date Finished: 11-12-2017
Pages: 422

Saturday, December 23, 2017

Review: Siege and Shadow by Leigh Bardugo (The Grisha Trilogy, Book II)

Synopsis: Soldier. Summoner. Saint. Alina Starkov’s power has grown, but not without a price. She is the Sun Summoner―hunted across the True Sea, haunted by the lives she took on the Shadow Fold. But she and Mal can’t outrun their enemies for long. The Darkling is more determined than ever to claim Alina’s magic and use it to take the Ravkan throne. With nowhere else to turn, Alina enlists the help of an infamous privateer and sets out to lead the Grisha army. But as the truth of Alina's destiny unfolds, she slips deeper into the Darkling’s deadly game of forbidden magic, and further away from her humanity. To save her country, Alina will have to choose between her power and the love she thought would always be her shelter. No victory can come without sacrifice―and only she can face the oncoming storm.(from the online description)

Review: As with the first book, this one has excellent world-building and a fast-paced plot. But the characters left something to be desired.  Flat and a bit one-dimensional, they felt like tropes in a play. Alina, as a character, becomes more of a leader, and it was interesting to see that growth in her. But the others remained stagnate.
However, because the other elements of the story remained strong, it was a good read and if you enjoy fantasy-based young adult novels, this one will appeal to you greatly.

Bookmarks: 3.5 of 5

Awards: TBD

ISBN: 978-0-8050-9460-2
Year Published: 2013
Date Finished: 11-5-2017
Pages: 435

Friday, December 22, 2017

Review: Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo (The Grisha Trilogy, Book I)

Synopsis: Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, a swath of near impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. Now its fate may rest on the shoulders of one lonely refugee. Alina Starkov has never been good at anything. But when her regiment is attacked on the Fold and her best friend is brutally injured, Alina reveals a dormant power that saves his life_a power that could be the key to setting her war-ravaged country free. Wrenched from everything she knows, Alina is whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling. Yet nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. With darkness looming and an entire kingdom depending on her untamed power, Alina will have to confront the secrets of the Grisha . . . and the secrets of her heart. (from the online description)

Review: Although a bit rough and full of angsty YA tropes, due to Bardugo's world-building, this book rises about the normal YA dribble. The world has a reality to it, with a bit of darkness, a bit of light, chaos and order. It is a world, dominated by war and want. Into this come Alina and Mal, a cartographer and tracker for the Ravka military. Raised together, Alina and Mal are conscripted into the military, like other orphans. But when in danger, Alina shows a power she didn't know she had - a power desperately needed in her world. And desperately wanted by the darkness.
The plot and pace are excellent, the characters, both main and secondary are developed and well-rounded. My only complaint was the lack of depth in the main character – Alina. While watching her discover her power is interesting ,  there is a little to really make you care about her as a person.
However, the overall story is excellent and I enjoyed reading it. I see way it is so popular.

Bookmarks: 4 of 5

Awards: TBD

ISBN: 978-0-8050-9456-6
Year Published: 2012
Date Finished: 11-4-2017
Pages: 356