Truthwitch by Susan Dennard

Title: Truthwitch
Author: Susan Dennard
Format I Read: ARC
Pages: 384
Genres: Fantasy
Release Date: January 5, 2016
Stars: 5
Goodreads Link

Susan Dennard has made me fall in love—with the characters, the world, the magic, the politics, the chemistry, the writing, everything. I was completely torn between wanting to devour every word and wanting to savor every word. I don’t really know what to say. I’m a little in shock.

For those who are unfamiliar with Truthwitch:

On a continent ruled by three empires, some are born with a “witchery”, a magical skill that sets them apart from others.

In the Witchlands, there are almost as many types of magic as there are ways to get in trouble—as two desperate young women know all too well.

Safiya is a Truthwitch, able to discern truth from lie. It’s a powerful magic that many would kill to have on their side, especially amongst the nobility to which Safi was born. So Safi must keep her gift hidden, lest she be used as a pawn in the struggle between empires.

Iseult, a Threadwitch, can see the invisible ties that bind and entangle the lives around her—but she cannot see the bonds that touch her own heart. Her unlikely friendship with Safi has taken her from life as an outcast into one of reckless adventure, where she is a cool, wary balance to Safi’s hotheaded impulsiveness.

Safi and Iseult just want to be free to live their own lives, but war is coming to the Witchlands. With the help of the cunning Prince Merik (a Windwitch and ship’s captain) and the hindrance of a Bloodwitch bent on revenge, the friends must fight emperors, princes, and mercenaries alike, who will stop at nothing to get their hands on a Truthwitch.

Dennard wove together such a fantastic tale. I honestly think that this is going to be the next sensation in fantasy. I don’t want to sound presumptuous, but I’m definitely sensing a new classic in the leagues of the more recent Throne of Glass and the timeless Lord of the Rings. The world created in Truthwitch was truly captivating. Between the fantastically imaginative take on “elemental” magic and the suspenseful tangle of politics, I was sucked in.

I loved the magic of the novel. It was such a unique and thought out interpretation of elemental magic. It was like Avatar: The Last Airbender, but with a twist. There are general groups of magic—Aether, Air, Water, Earth, Fire, and Void. But, within each group, there are more specific types of witches. For example, both Safiya and Iseult are Aetherwitches. However, Safiya is a Truthwitch and Iseult is a Threadwitch. I loved the intricacies! Though the world was definitely overwhelming at the beginning, as expected with such a well-developed world, it was easy to catch on and get caught up in the story.

The politics were edge-of-your-seat interesting. I was constantly scanning through every mention of every character, trying to puzzle together each person’s allegiance. Every chapter revealed a new clue, snapping a piece into place. I loved trying to figure out everyone’s individual plans. It was also so interesting how the Witchlands were loosely based on the real world. If you look on the map, Venaza City is in Italy—it’s clearly an iteration of Venice. The Marstoki people were definitely more Turkish, both in their location and in their style. It was so cool to make those connections!

But to the most notable part of this book… God, the characters. Dennard didn’t just write the characters; she actually created them. I literally feel like Iseult, Safiya, Merik, Aeduan, and everyone else are sitting here with me as I write my review. From the first paragraph of the first chapter, the characters were enchantingly real. They had so much personality and so much individuality. And, sweet Lord, that chemistry. The relationships that Dennard created were heart-capturing. I loved the Thread-Families and the variety in the relationships that the Threads fostered. There was the to-death friendship of the Threadsisters and Threadbrothers, like Iseult and Safiya, as well as Merik and Kullen. There was the deep-seeded love of the Heart-Threads, like Ryber and Kullen. And then there were the constantly developing and changing Threads—which I won’t go into, for fear of spoilers. But, guys, so good.

I also really admired the romance of the novel. I don't know if you noticed, but I didn't labelTruthwitch as a romance. I only labeled it as fantasy. Yes, there was romance and it was absolutely swoonworthy. But it wasn't the main focus. It was a slow-building, realistically developing relationship. It took a backseat to the friendships at play in the novel, which I found amazingly inspiring.

I adored Dennard’s writing. She is truly gifted. I felt the voice of each individual character whispering in my mind—no lie. The characters were so well-developed and so unique. Just by the writing, I could tell whether it was Iseult or Safiya talking. I literally felt like I was in the Witchlands every time I cracked the book open. Dennard is definitely a Wordwitch because—wow. Magic is honestly the only explanation.

Overall, Truthwitch definitely deserves a whopping 5 stars. Susan Dennard created the perfect start to what will surely be an amazing fantasy series. Let’s just do a quick recap of all of the characteristics that Dennard absolutely nailed:

1. Strong characters (particularly women)
2. Inspiring female friendships
3. Badass action scenes
4. Swoonworthy men
5. Riveting world
6. Nail-biting politics
7. Undeniable chemistry
8. Unique magic
9. Beautiful writing
10. Distinct voices

Basically, you better get your butt in gear and preorder this book that will surely sweep the fantasy genre off its feet. Go.

The Burning Sky by Sherry Thomas

Title: The Burning Sky
Author: Sherry Thomas
Format I Read: Kindle
Pages: 464
Genres: Fantasy, Romance
Release Date: September 17, 2013
Stars: 5
Goodreads Link

Okay, this book was freaking splendid. Absolutely fantastic. I devoured it. I'm basically drowning in work and stress (with the mental breakdowns to prove it), but I couldn't put this book down. I've been meaning to read it ever since people started going gaga over the third book (The Immortal Heights). And now I finally got around to it. God, it did not disappoint.

To those who aren't familiar:

It all began with a ruined elixir and a bolt of lightning.
Iolanthe Seabourne is the greatest elemental mage of her generation—or so she's been told. The one prophesied for years to be the savior of The Realm. It is her duty and destiny to face and defeat the Bane, the most powerful tyrant and mage the world has ever known. This would be a suicide task for anyone, let alone a reluctant sixteen-year-old girl with no training.
Guided by his mother's visions and committed to avenging his family, Prince Titus has sworn to protect Iolanthe even as he prepares her for their battle with the Bane. But he makes the terrifying mistake of falling in love with the girl who should have been only a means to an end. Now, with the servants of the tyrant closing in, Titus must choose between his mission—and her life.

Just a heads up that this review is going to be absolutely wretched for two reasons:

1) I haven't written a review in 108432 years because college life is freaking hard.

2) I'm giddy over this book.

Guys!!!! This book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm going to have to break it down into parts to review it because otherwise I'm just going to be gushing and crying over it.

Characters:

The characters were absolutely perfect. Titus and Iolanthe had such amazing chemistry. They were so real and believable. Even when Iolanthe was being a silly, shallow little girl (focusing on jealousy instead of the life-or-death situation at hand), she completely acknowledged it. It made it endearing and heartwarming instead of annoying and frustrating. I honestly can't find a single flaw in their portrayal. Of course, they did have flaws (as the best characters do), but that made them all the more captivating. They were perfect, charming leads. I honestly couldn't have asked for better main characters. And the romance was gradual and seamless. It was utterly realistic. Thomas perfectly captured the slow and painful development of their relationship, the ups and downs of the partnership. It was fantastic.

Worldbuilding:

If I could scrounge up a complaint about this book, this is where it would be. Honestly, I can't really explain the world to you. I know that there are elemental mages and Atlantis is the enemy. Other than that, the details are pretty vague. I don't know if it's because I was so eager to find out what happened next that I didn't pay enough attention or if it's because the world really wasn't explained enough. Also, one of the big reasons I may not have understood it as well as I should have might have been because I read it on the Kindle. Sherry Thomas included a ton of amazing notes in the back of the book that you could flip to as you read. They seem to be super relevant to the story: an awesome resource for worldbuilding. So if you read a physical copy of the book, your experience with the worldbuilding should be much better than mine! But even in my case, it didn't detract from the story itself at all.

I loved the world! I feel like Thomas could make five million prequels and still have more to talk about. There was so much depth to the world and so many facets to it. I want to read more about everything mentioned, from the January Uprising to the potion books. With that, the Crucible was utterly fascinating and one of my favorite parts of the book. It was literally captivating. I want a copy right now. The Crucible itself was like a whole other world in and of itself. I also loved the jumps between the mage world and nonmage world. It was super interesting to see the contrast there, and I really enjoyed the way Thomas toyed with that.

Writing:

Do words count as an element? Because if so, Sherry Thomas is a word mage. Or a mind mage of storytelling?? Are these things??? Because they should be. And Sherry Thomas deserves those titles. The writing was amazing. However, there does need to be a disclaimer here since I literally sucked this book down. Which means that I didn't get to fully embrace the writing. I have every intention of rereading this baby later and relishing in every single word, don't worry.

Plot:

The plot was flawlessly developed. It was simultaneously simple and complex. It was complex in that it was multi-layered with twists and turns. But it was simple in that it wasn't too overwhelming. I felt that I could, if necessary, boil the story down to one core plot. The relative straight-forwardness of this main plot balanced out the disorientation of the worldbuilding. It made it easier to follow the story and jump into the world, since we had that core to latch onto. It did wonders for the story. Not to mention how creative the plot was. Thomas put such a unique twist on something that can be so monotonous and overdone (elemental magic).

With the logistics: a 4.5 rounded up to a 5!

In conclusion: please go read this book right this second because you will not regret it and it was so cute but also so exciting and so action-packed. I gasped multiple times and my heart stopped a couple times too. But then I aww'd and hugged the book to my chest a couple times. And also laughed a couple times because THE CANARY. And basically, yes to this book. A million times yes.

Someone go buy me the next two books please?

(And seriously more apologies for the poor quality of this review. I haven't written a review since summer because college is literally so overwhelming and exhausting. But I had to write one for this book.)

Soundless by Richelle Mead

Title: Soundless
Author: Richelle Mead
Format I Read: ARC
Pages: 272
Genres: Fantasy, Romance
Release Date: November 10, 2015
Stars: 4
Goodreads Link

There is nothing more satisfying than finishing an amazing standalone novel. There's something about the perfectly packaged story of a standalone that just leaves you so content. Honestly, I have the loveliest feeling in my heart right now. I feel like I can move mountains and change the world. I feel that good--Soundless was that amazing.

For those who are unfamiliar with Soundless:

For as long as Fei can remember, there has been no sound in her village, where rocky terrain and frequent avalanches prevent residents from self-sustaining. Fei and her people are at the mercy of a zipline that carries food up the treacherous cliffs from Beiguo, a mysterious faraway kingdom.

When villagers begin to lose their sight, deliveries from the zipline shrink and many go hungry. Fei’s home, the people she loves, and her entire existence is plunged into crisis, under threat of darkness and starvation.

But soon Fei is awoken in the night by a searing noise, and sound becomes her weapon.

Richelle Mead takes readers on a triumphant journey from the peak of Fei’s jagged mountain village to the valley of Beiugo, where a startling truth and an unlikely romance will change her life forever...

Since reading the synopsis and seeing the absolutely gorgeous cover, I've been coveting this book. Luckily, I got it in a spontaneous galley drop at BEA this year. As I read this book, I savored it--I let it muse in my mind, spreading the relatively short book out over four days. I'll have you know, this is not something I normally do. I'm a "devour the book in one sitting with no regrets" kind of girl. But Soundless was just different. There's something about Mead's writing that just makes me want to drown in her words. I really don't know what it is about Richelle Mead's books, but I just want to wrap myself up in her stories.

The characters were fantastic. Fei was such a great main character. She had imagination, she had passion, she had compassion, she had spirit. She was well-rounded and real. I really loved her. Though I didn't always agree with her decisions, I respected her. In addition to having a strong and contemplative heroine, Soundless also had a completely swoonworthy hero. Li Wei was strong and realistic, but also romantic and creative. He was hard and soft, tough and kind. His romance with Fei was lovely and natural. I felt like their relationship was perfectly balanced with the story!

The only character I didn't like was Zhang Jing, Fei's older sister. I felt like Zhang Jing played the role of Prim to Fei's Katniss. She was the weak sister who evoked all of Fei's protective instincts, driving every single action Fei made in the book. The relationship just didn't click with me. I felt like Zhang Jing was ungrateful and shallow, while Fei was stifling and smothering. Their relationship just wasn't natural. Perhaps if Zhang Jing was younger and more helpless, it would've been more believable. Unfortunately, it didn't strike as much of a chord with me as Fei's relationship with Li Wei.

The world that Mead created was also fascinating. I loved the culture and folklore that coated the story. Though the fantasy element was peculiar, it was still interesting. You see, Soundless was only really a fantasy in theory at the beginning. It was fantasy in that we didn't know what was causing the deafness, so it must've been magic. What else could be causing the loss of the villagers' senses? However, in the last twenty or so pages, the Mead cranks up the fantasy. I loved how it all came together with the folklore. It made so much sense and was really satisfying!

I just really think that Soundless is a perfectly balanced book--it's a perfect, quick bite of brain food. It was short and sweet. Like a roller coaster, the ride was brief but exhilarating. And, like a roller coaster, the wait will be well worth it. The book achieved the charming balance between romance, adventure, mystery, fantasy, family, and culture. Mead mixed everything together and popped out a fresh standalone that will earn a place in your heart.

Overall, Soundless earned four well-deserved stars in my books! Mead, the queen of the series, was astoundingly successful in this fantasy standalone. I definitely recommend pre-ordering it if you enjoy diversity, folklore, and short reads!

Trial by Fire by Josephine Angelini

Title: Trial by Fire
Author: Josephine Angelini
Format I Read: ARC
Pages: 374
Genres: Fantasy, Romance
Release Date: September 2, 2014
Stars: 5
Goodreads Link

I quite literally read this book nonstop, with only a mild pause for much-needed sleep. Angelini completely sucked me in. My mind is boggled. Boggled. This book has to be one of the most interesting, most intricately created, most fascinating books I've read in a while. Angelini did a damn good job at building this mind-blowing world.

I've read many reviews of this book, and it seems that a lot are not favorable. I picked up an ARC of the sequel, Firewalker, at BEA, not even realizing that it was a sequel. Thus, in order to read Firewalker, I had to get my hands on Trial by Fire. I then stalked the #booksfortrade tag until I got a copy. Unfortunately, with all the reviews that I'd read, I was extremely nervous that I was going to hate Trial by Fire and be stuck with an ARC that I totally didn't want to read. So I went into Trial by Fire with lots of reservations. Fortunately, I ended up absolutely loving the book (and I will be starting the sequel as soon as I'm done with this review).

For those who are unfamiliar with Trial by Fire:

This world is trying to kill Lily Proctor. Her life-threatening allergies keep her from enjoying experiences that others in her hometown of Salem take for granted, which is why she is determined to enjoy her first high school party with her best friend and longtime crush, Tristan. But after a humiliating incident in front of half her graduating class, Lily wishes she could just disappear.

Suddenly, Lily is in a different Salem—one overrun with horrifying creatures and ruled by powerful women called Crucibles. Strongest and cruelest of them all is Lillian . . . Lily's other self in this alternate universe.

What makes Lily weak at home is what makes her extraordinary in New Salem. In this confusing world, Lily is torn between responsibilities she can't hope to shoulder alone and a love she never expected.
To start: the world building, guys, the world building! Angelini created such a fascinating world (or worlds, I guess). I don't want to go too far into it, but I have to gush. Basically, this different Salem is a bizarre mish-mash of modern and medieval. In Lillian's Salem, the witch trials were more than 200 years ago. When the townspeople chose to burn witches instead of hanging them, they allowed the course of history, as Lily knows it, to be drastically altered. The highest level of witch is called a firewalker, someone who can literally burn on a pyre while absorbing the energy that the fire gives them. Burning witches at the stake ironically gave them enough power to create a whole new world--one where witches are in charge. It was so insanely cool to see exactly how Lillian's Salem branched off from Lily's Salem, or our world.

I also loved the world building with the science. Lillian is crusading against science--she went worldjumping, which is how she pulled Lily into her world. In her worldjumping, she saw the danger and destruction associated with science. Science falls second to the witch's magic and is seen as a more barbaric way of getting things done in Lillian's Salem. However, many people are forced to resort to science, because the witches refuse to give them the necessities they need to survive: energy, food, medicine, etc. These people are stuck as Outlanders, living in constant fear of the Woven, hybrid monsters with a thirst for blood, an experiment gone wrong. They need science to survive, but Lillian is hunting down the scientists one by one, leaving them to hang.

I loved how all of the science had a parallel in our world. A few scientists are dealing with elemental energy--to us, nuclear energy. Other scientists are feeding mold to sick children--to us, antibiotics. It was so fascinating to connect it all!

Honestly, Angelini had an explanation for everything. Even the food that Lily had to eat! Witches are taken care of and watched out for by mechanics, who can heal and protect their witch. Rowan, who used to be Lillian's most loyal mechanic until a falling out, is one of the best and strongest mechanics. He's constantly advising Lily about the biology of her body, as he knew Lillian's body better than anyone. Lily and Lillian have the same body, after all. Angelini carefully explains how salt is important to a witch for its electrical charge, how Lily's allergies have real foundation in her identity as a witch, how everything is meaningful. I loved the careful blend of biology, science, and magic. It was riveting!

I'll be honest, there were some things that were unexplained and slightly underdeveloped. Like I said earlier, Lillian's world was a mish-mash of modern and medieval. That threw me off because there was no clear explanation of that Salem's history and development. It all had to be pieced together as you read the story. That was a little disorienting, but also a bit exciting. You had to figure it out as you went, just like Lily!

Some people didn't like Lily. They say that she's lovestruck and weak. They say that it's unbelievable how all of this power is just thrown into her lap. I completely disagree. Lily didn't abandon her world because she felt betrayed by Tristan. She abandoned her world because she felt trapped by her life, felt useless in her body, felt ostracized by anyone and everyone. I think that's perfectly acceptable. She wasn't just a scorned little girl; her reasons were valid. And then there's the reminder that she didn't consciously abandon her world. In reality, she was tricked and kidnapped. If a little voice in your head says, "You can escape," why wouldn't you agree? It's not like the voice is real... It's just your little pity party. Unless there are witches involved, of course. I loved Lily. I thought she was spunky and strong; I was so excited that she finally got the chance to be her, the her who wasn't inhibited by her weak body. I didn't think that her character switch when she got to Lillian's Salem was bizarre. I think that Lily always had that sass and strength in her. She could just never express it because she was trapped by her sickened body. Lily's powerful magic also didn't feel unnatural. It made sense. She literally has the same body as Lillian--of course she has the same amount of power. It was logical. I didn't feel like it was forced at all! I honestly loved Lily; she was a fantastic main character.

I also loved all of the other characters: the Tristan in Lillian's world, the Juliet in Lillian's world, and (of course) Rowan. God, Rowan was swoonworthy. He's totally my new book boyfriend. I loved him so hard. And I loved the looks that we got into his head, too! It was cool how Angelini let us peek into his emotions and memories. Juliet was also so fantastic. I really enjoyed seeing her struggle between Lillian and Lily, both of which feel like her sister. She has to decide between what's right and what's wrong, no matter how loyal she wants to be to Lillian. She was a really strong minor character. I really hope we get to see more of her!

Beyond the characters and the world, the writing was absolutely amazing. Angelini sucked me in with her words. The descriptions, the thoughts of the characters, the style--it was all captivating. The dialogue was so well-written and I loved the characters' interactions. I also really liked the fact that she wrote in third person; it allowed the primary focus to be on Lily, but also let the reader sneak a peek into the other character's heads, like Gideon (the villain) and Juliet.

And here's where I have to stop before I give the entire book away. Already, I think this might be one of my longest reviews in months. I could talk about this book for days! Everything was just so... entrancing. I can't wait to read the sequel.

Overall, Trial by Fire was a fantastic book with exquisite world building. I loved the characters and the concept. The story was intricately woven and endlessly fascinating. Definitely a must-read!

The Cage by Megan Shepherd

Title: The Cage
Author: Megan Shepherd
Format I Read: Hardcover
Pages: 400
Genres: Science Fiction, Fantasy, (Romance)
Release Date: May 26, 2015
Stars: 3
Goodreads Link

Ever since I saw the cover for this book, I've been dying to get my hands on it. It sounded fantastically intriguing and I loved Megan Shepherd's ideas--her retellings of classics seem so fascinating. I couldn't wait to see what she'd whipped up for The Cage. Unfortunately, I think this set my expectations up too high. The book was well done, with a captivating concept, but it just fell a little flat.

For those who haven't heard of The Cage, here's the synopsis:

When Cora Mason wakes in a desert, she doesn't know where she is or who put her there. As she explores, she finds an impossible mix of environments—tundra next to desert, farm next to jungle, and a strangely empty town cobbled together from different cultures—all watched over by eerie black windows. And she isn't alone.

Four other teenagers have also been taken: a beautiful model, a tattooed smuggler, a secretive genius, and an army brat who seems to know too much about Cora's past. None of them have a clue as to what happened, and all of them have secrets. As the unlikely group struggles for leadership, they slowly start to trust each other. But when their mysterious jailer—a handsome young guard called Cassian—appears, they realize that their captivity is more terrifying than they could ever imagine: Their captors aren't from Earth. And they have taken the five teenagers for an otherworldly zoo—where the exhibits are humans.

As a forbidden attraction develops between Cora and Cassian, she realizes that her best chance of escape might be in the arms of her own jailer—though that would mean leaving the others behind. Can Cora manage to save herself and her companions? And if so . . . what world lies beyond the walls of their cage?

The book started off great--Shepherd immediately sucked me in with the intrigue and mystery of the cage. She hinted at Cora's past, which involves eighteen months in a juvenile detention center. She then hinted at Lucky's connection to her past. It sparked an immediate interest in the characters. I became invested in them right away. They were just so likable and captivating at the beginning. Shepherd continues to develop this interest by alternating the chapters' focus, designating certain chapters to certain characters (though she remained in third person the entire time). This created a very interesting effect. Unfortunately, it didn't really resonate with me. I found it a little too confusing and disorienting!

Unfortunately, for me, the book started going downhill around halfway through. The only thing that really kept me reading was my psychology class I took last year. If I hadn't taken psychology, I may have dropped the book, if I'm completely honest. I just started to hate the characters so much. They all turned on each other; all of that likability that I described at the beginning faded away and I wanted to throttle just about everyone. The entire cast of characters grew so petty and delusional. The sole reason I continued was because I justified it all with psychology. It was nice how Shepherd kept referencing lab rats and using the psychological experiment reference; it helped remind me that the degradation of the characters was expected. It wasn't because of Shepherd's bad character development--it was the natural psychological response when stuck in captivity with six other people. This helped me keep going. I just don't deal well with novels like this; other people may love it!

As the book went on, the only solid base that remained was Cora. She was the only one who held strong and the only one who I remained even remotely partial to. But then she had to go and fall for her captor! She just became so flimsy as the book went on. She rants and raves about how she's always treated like a victim, how she's really stronger than anyone else thinks. But she keeps giving in to her attraction to Cassian (one of the aliens, or Kindred, who kidnapped her) and swooning over him?! I just felt like her character traits (both as described by Shepherd and as described by Cora herself) did not match her actions whatsoever. She was strong one second but weak the next. It grated on my nerves a bit. Luckily, my dislike for her only really developed at the very end of the novel. For most of the book, I thoroughly enjoyed her as a main character.

Nonetheless, I loved the whole concept of the book. The idea that more advanced and intelligent aliens could use humans the same way that we use animals. The idea that humans could be looking out of the zoo (or cage) instead of looking in. It was all such a fascinating idea. I also enjoyed what a puzzle the book was. The reader never really knew what was going on; I felt like every other chapter had a big reveal. It kept me on my toes and made me constantly wonder what was going to happen next. One thing The Cage has going for it: it wasn't predictable!

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the concept! The execution was a little rocky and disorienting, though that may simply be because the idea was an ambitious one to tackle. However, the biggest nail in the 3-star-coffin was the devolution of the characters. I understand why it had to happen and I don't fault Shepherd for it at all; it just wasn't the best read for me because I can't handle when characters become so frustrating!

Even so, I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys books like Alienated by Melissa Landers or anyone who enjoys psychological novels. It was an interesting and innovative read!

Well done on such an ambitious new book, Ms. Shepherd!

The Witch Hunter by Virginia Boecker (and Giveaway)

Title: The Witch Hunter
Author: Virginia Boecker
Format I Read: ARC
Pages: 368
Genres: Fiction, Fantasy, Historical Fiction
Release Date: June 2, 2015
Stars: 5
Goodreads Link

Virginia Boecker makes a stunning debut with her new novel, The Witch Hunter. She expertly creates her 15th century world and effortlessly develops her characters. I truly couldn't put this book down.

I'll be completely honest: I picked this book up on a whim at BEA. I didn't expect to love it. I didn't expect to become completely entranced by Boecker's storytelling. I didn't expect to become completely invested in the political intrigue. But I did.

For those who are unaware of the pure gem that is The Witch Hunter, I've included the synopsis:

Your greatest enemy isn't what you fight, but what you fear.

Elizabeth Grey is one of the king's best witch hunters, devoted to rooting out witchcraft and doling out justice. But when she's accused of being a witch herself, Elizabeth is arrested and sentenced to burn at the stake.

Salvation comes from a man she thought was her enemy. Nicholas Perevil, the most powerful and dangerous wizard in the kingdom, offers her a deal: he will save her from execution if she can break the deadly curse that's been laid upon him.

But Nicholas and his followers know nothing of Elizabeth's witch hunting past--if they find out, the stake will be the least of her worries. And as she's thrust into the magical world of witches, ghosts, pirates, and one all-too-handsome healer, Elizabeth is forced to redefine her ideas of right and wrong, of friends and enemies, and of love and hate.

From the start, the reader is sucked into the entangled web of magic and betrayal. Though I felt that the first few chapters were a little slow, I was soon sucked right in. Elizabeth starts off as a bit of a lovestruck teenage girl who is merely pretending to be a big bad witch hunter. She grew up around Caleb, a fellow witch hunter, and has followed him around ever since. She acts strong, but she's really just a lovesick puppy. However, her arrest is the catalyst that forces her to grow up and be more independent.  Despite her original loyalties and her history, Elizabeth becomes someone who does what is right. She bypasses the opportunities to protect herself at the expense of others and begins to see the meaning of family. The character development was honestly astounding. I loved everyone and the way that they changed. Even the minor characters were fantastic: Nicholas, John, Fifer, George, Peter, Humbert, Blackwell, Caleb, and so many more. Everyone had depth (which is a huge point for me).

And the world--wow! Boecker honestly captivates with her interpretation of 15th century politics. I loved the interaction between magic and politics. From the Thirteenth Tablet (which made magic illegal) to their young king (whose parents died of a plague started by magic), magic was deeply rooted in the entire story. Even where the reader thought magic wasn't involved, it ended up being intertwined--completely fascinating! I also loved Boecker's descriptions of the different magical creatures and the different wizards/witches. It was absolutely amazing.

Not to mention the crazy ending (and the big reveal that actually occurred in the middle of the book)! The story was like a piece of art. Everything fit together in a huge puzzle at the end. I adored this book. It's such a fantastic read--which is why I want to share the love!

Giveaway

I have an extra ARC of The Witch Hunter. I know it's already been released, so you can get a shiny hardcover (which you should totally do), but I figured I'd spread the love anyway!

Important information

• This giveaway is US only
• Must be 18+ or have parental consent to enter
• This is a giveaway for an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC), which is not for sale. Please don't sell it after you've read it. Pass it on, like I'm doing!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh

Title: The Wrath and the Dawn
Author: Renee Ahdieh
Format I Read: Kindle
Pages: 396
Genres: Fantasy, Fiction
Release Date: May 12, 2015
Stars: 4
Goodreads Link

One word: finally. I feel like I've been waiting for this book forever, even though I've really only known about it for about two months. But those two months have been the most agonizing wait.

Alas, the wait was well worth it. I honestly just sat down and read all 396 pages in one four-hour sitting. Renee Ahdieh is a magician; her words are truly magical. That's the only way to describe it. I can't think of the last time I read a book with such captivating writing. But before I get too far into the review, I should probably explain what the book is about (for those of you who live under a rock).

I'm currently out of town so I'm just going to use the Goodreads synopsis:

Every dawn brings horror to a different family in a land ruled by a killer. Khalid, the eighteen-year-old Caliph of Khorasan, takes a new bride each night only to have her executed at sunrise. So it is a suspicious surprise when sixteen-year-old Shahrzad volunteers to marry Khalid. But she does so with a clever plan to stay alive and exact revenge on the Caliph for the murder of her best friend and countless other girls. Shazi's wit and will, indeed, get her through to the dawn that no others have seen, but with a catch . . . she’s falling in love with the very boy who killed her dearest friend.

She discovers that the murderous boy-king is not all that he seems and neither are the deaths of so many girls. Shazi is determined to uncover the reason for the murders and to break the cycle once and for all.

First topic up for discussion: the characters! Wow, did Ms. Ahdieh nail it with the characters. All of the characters had such astounding levels of depth. Everyone had genuine motivations and explanations for their actions. The prime examples are Shazi and Khalid. Their past really played into their present and their future and we got to see that. Fantastically well done. Beyond their depth, almost all of the characters experienced development. Even the minor characters were dynamic. It was amazing. Again, the prime examples are Shazi and Khalid. All of this just made them all the more real. I honestly felt like the characters were real people. So well done. [[And now is also probably a good time to announce my insane love for Despina. She was such an awesome character and I completely fell in love with her and Shazi's banter!]] Oh, and Khalid is completely swoonworthy.

Second topic up for discussion: the retelling aspect! I've never actually read A Thousand and One Nights, but I'm obviously familiar with the story of Aladdin (though that's the extent of my knowledge). But The Wrath and the Dawn managed to be a retelling without being a retelling. Ahdieh expanded on the story in so many new ways and took so many creative liberties; she really only used the bones of the original. This made for a really fascinating and unique story that completely sucked me in!

Third topic of discussion: real books! I read this book on the Kindle, which I felt didn't give me the whole experience. I definitely recommend buying the real book. First of all, it's beautiful. Second of all, there's a glossary in the back. You can't access this as well on an ebook. And the setting and culture are so foreign and new that it can be a little overwhelming and confusing at first. I think that easy access to the glossary would make the transition into Shazi's world a lot more seamless. Third of all, you're going to want to mark quotes. It's inevitable. Ahdieh's writing makes you want to coat the book in highlighter (this is coming from someone who is completely anti-writing-in-books). Her writing is that good. I've found it's easier to mark fantastic quotes with a sticky in a real book than highlighting on an ebook.

Fourth topic of discussion: my complaints! I have very few complaints, and they didn't really have a big impact (considering I still gave it 4 stars). Like I said above, the content can be pretty overwhelming. There's a lot going on and there's a lot that the reader has to juggle. However, it all came together in the end and it was a really awesome puzzle! At times, I just felt like there were too many plot lines and conflicts going on at once. But Ahdieh tied them all together at the end. My only other complaint is the love triangle! Tariq got a little annoying, simply because he was an obstacle for Shazi and Khalid. Which was frustrating because I really liked Tariq, outside of the complications he caused. Those are my only complaints though, neither of which had a huge impact on my opinion of the book.

Fifth topic of discussion: similarities! This book had very similar bones to lots of other books (which is not a bad thing at all)! I just wanted to include this to help some people with recommendations. Shazi's relationship with Tariq (and Khalid) reminded me a lot of Fire by Kristin Cashore and Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard. The whole "leaving a boy back home only to fall for a royal/noble/important guy in this new place" was definitely repeated. The Wrath and the Dawn was also very similar to those two novels in terms of genre. So fans of Kristin Cashore and Victoria Aveyard: buy this book as soon as possible!

In conclusion: I was not disappointed by this book. The wait was well worth it and I have fallen in love with the world that Renee Ahdieh created. The characters, the setting, the diversity, the culture, the writing... it was all exquisite. Now I'm just crying as I wait for the next book (tentatively titled The Rose and the Dagger) because that ending, wow.

Congratulations, Ms. Ahdieh, on a fantastic debut!

Inspire by Cora Carmack

Title: Inspire
Author: Cora Carmack
Format I Read: Kindle
Pages: 284
Genres: Romance, Fantasy, New Adult
Release Date: December 15, 2014
Stars: 3
Goodreads Link

I'd have to say that Inspire fell in the middle of the pack for Ms. Carmack this time. I love the Rusk University novels. Losing It and Faking It were meh for me. Inspire was just about in the middle.

I loved the concept. Kalli, the main character, is really Kalliope, the muse. She needs to inspire to survive. If she doesn't assist artists by bleeding out her inspiration, she will go mad. She struggles to live a normal life. And then she meets Wilder. She believes him to be a rational business man, someone who won't be endangered by her inspiration. Because too much inspiration can lead some people to insanity. Greatness is dangerous, which she had to learn the hard way. Kalli struggles to juggle her life without dropping any of the pieces. But is it possible for a muse to be normal?

The mythology was super fascinating. Ms. Carmack definitely did her research! The plot was impressive. Nonetheless, the book fell a little flat. Kalli was just a little too much for me. Her struggle and her insanity at times were a bit too overwhelming. Wilder was all things smolder and kind. He was the bad boy under the good boy facade. As much as I loved Kalli, I felt like Wilder who was the character who shined. He had more depth and complexity, in my opinion. I loved his character, though he did get a bit wishy-washy at the end.

Which brings me to the end. I didn't like it, but I kind of did at the same time. It was very abrupt and ended as a huge cliffhanger. I felt like the entire novel built up to something, some resolution, and suddenly "JUST KIDDING. BAM." It was disarming, to say the least. But I'm still interested, so I guess that says something.

So I'm torn with this novel. I'll definitely read the next installment because I'm dying of suspense. But the plot was just a little spotty and it kept tugging me back and forth. Kalli was a little too on edge for me. However, I'm still impressed. Ms. Carmack strikes again!

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

Title: Red Queen
Author: Victoria Aveyard
Format I Read: Kindle
Pages: 320
Genres: Fiction, Fantasy, Romance
Release Date: February 10, 2015
Stars: 5
Goodreads Link

I will always love a strong female protagonist who refuses to be defined by her love affairs. One of my favorite responses to the Team Peeta/Team Gale question is by Willow Shields, who declared herself "Team Katniss." In Red Queen, Team Mare always wins. Yes, there's Kilorn. Yes, there's Cal. Yes, there's Maven. But in the end, there's Mare. Mare proves time and time again that she isn't a silly, lovesick little girl. She isn't just everyone's little lightning girl.

Basic premise: Mare lives in a world divided by blood. You're either a Red or a Silver. The Reds keep the empire running--they're the servants, the laborers, the workers, the soldiers. However, the Silvers have the real power. The Silvers are the new gods--they have powers reminiscent of X-Men. Each Silver has an ability, varying for super strength to controlling metal to controlling minds. The empire fights a longstanding war that leaves thousands threatened by conscription. Mare is no different in that case. When she turns eighteen, she will have to leave her family. But a run in with a strange boy named Cal plops her into the royal family's summer home. She is no longer a thief, but rather a servant. But she soon finds out that she's more than just a Red. Rife with politics, fantasy, betrayal, and sprinkles of romance, Red Queen will blow you away.

I loved everything about this book. From the characters to the setting to the world Aveyard created to the fierce politics. I loved Mare. No matter her flaws, I was rooting for her. And I still am. The characters reached a new level of complexity. Maven and Cal were far more than they appeared. The second I thought I knew them, surprise, they shocked me. They kept me guessing, just like real people do. Ms. Aveyard did a fantastic job creating her characters--creating everything. The setting was exquisite. The world she put together was simultaneously awe-inspiring and fear-inducing. Everything fit together so perfectly and was so well structured. It was all so captivating. It will take me a while to realize that, no, I do not live in a world where people have cool powers. She just sucked you in.

I'd also just like to give a huge round of applause for Ms. Aveyard's plot twist. I never would have guessed that would happen. So wow. I'm not sure that I've ever been so caught of guard. Well done!

Anyone who compared Red Queen to The Selection needs a rude awakening. Red Queen is so much more. In The Selection, the love triangle is the main attraction. In Red Queen the love square (?) is just an afterthought. It's just a small detail in the grand scheme of things. It's just an added layer to the neverending web of lies, betrayal, and politics in the novel. Red Queen blew The Selection out of the water.

Ms. Aveyard's debut left me speechless. Congratulations on the release and I can't wait to see what's in store for the world you created.

For anyone who likes Game of Thrones, X-Men, The Hunger Games, Merlin, or all of the above, this is definitely the book for you.

Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins

Title: Rebel Belle
Author: Rachel Hawkins
Format I Read: Hardcover
Pages: 345
Genres: Romance, Fantasy
Release Date: April 8, 2014
Stars: 5
Goodreads Link

Rebel Belle made me goofily smile numerous times, to the point where I had to hide my face in the pages. It was a fantastic read. I both started it and finished it today. Amazing!

The basic idea is that Harper Price, an overachiever and well-established "popular," becomes a Paladin. What the heck is a Paladin?, you may say. Well, it's a wonder you ask! A Paladin is like a super bodyguard. When Harper ends up in the crossfire of her killer history teacher and her not-so-ordinary school janitor, she ends up with the duties of a Paladin. And she's bound to protect David Stark, her enemy since just about birth. But why? And how will she juggle being a super bodyguard and preparing for Cotillion, while also keeping her best friend and boyfriend from getting too suspicious? She's wondering the same thing.

I thought that the book was wonderfully done. The character development didn't jump at all. Harper and David's relationship was natural and progressed as expected considering the situation. The book gave me flutters. The only thing that I didn't like was Mary Beth, one of their classmates. She was just too bitchy and her actions didn't sit well with me. However, that was really my only complaint.

The plot, setting, and lore behind the events was exquisitely presented. The story was completely original and kept me at the edge of my seat. Very interesting.

The "love triangle" (as some people may call it) was nearly non-existent. Yes, there was a struggle between the two boys, but I felt like it was pretty understated. There was no massive "Oh no, who do I choose?" It wasn't the major plot point; it was more of a side note. That was great.

I also just loved Harper and David. And Bee and Ryan, and basically everyone. They were all such great characters. Harper had such depth and I loved her voice. As a fairly neurotic high school student myself, I definitely related to her perfectionist/overachiever attitude. She was fantastic. She even had a background story in which her sister Leah-Anne died in a fairly substantial scandal. She was way more than what met the eye, and I loved that. David was the cutest mix of quirky, hipster, and ambitious. Bee was literally the best friend anyone could ask for. I kept waiting for the moment when I would start to hate her, but she was perfect. Ryan was the perfect southern boyfriend. As much as I wanted to hate him so that Harper-David could happen, I really couldn't. I couldn't really hate anyone (except for Mary Beth oops). They were all amazing.

Overall, I just loved it. Definitely 5 stars. I can't wait for the sequel (April 7 is so far away, nooo). Props to Ms. Hawkins!

The Rising by Terra Harmony

Title: The Rising
Author: Terra Harmony
Format I Read: Kindle
Pages: 271
Genres: Fantasy
Release Date: November 7, 2013
Stars: 3
Goodreads Link

I wouldn't say I hated this book, but I definitely didn't love it. It was an interesting concept, sure. Who would've thought to put mermaids and werewolves together? But it just fell a little flat to me.

Basically, Serena is part of the Undine (mermaid) community. In order for her species to reproduce, they need to go onto the beach to mate like humans and later give birth on the beach. However, the werewolves, who used to protect them on shore, revolted in a massacre during a mass birthing. Serena was the only survivor of that massacre. She constantly sneaks out of the water, which is against the rules. As punishment, she becomes the Werewolf Liaison. This brings her to Liam, a werewolf, where the truth behind the revolt unfolds.

The book lacked a solid romance, which hurt for me because I'm a huge romance girl. The (mild spoiler) battle at the end just suddenly killed off a ton of people for what felt like no reason. I just felt like that was completely unnecessary.

However, one thing I will say about this book: the backstory and the setting were amazing. The creation of the werewolves and the relationship between them and the mermaids (or the Undine) were so well thought out and fascinating. I loved the world that Ms. Harmony created. It was a very interesting take on the mythology, which I give mad props for. I just didn't feel any connection to the characters or the plot really.

For mermaid (or Undine) lovers, definitely check it out though. It's a really cool explanation! However, if you like romance, this may not be the book for you.

Transformed by E.V. Fairfall

Title: Transformed
Author: E.V. Fairfall
Format I Read: Kindle
Pages: 273
Genres: Fantasy, Supernatural, Romance
Release Date: January 1, 2014
Stars: 3
Goodreads Link

*I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*
There may or may not be spoilers, so tread carefully. (correction: lots of spoilers oops)

I was initially drawn to this book by its cover. It's absolutely beautiful, truly a work of art. The book was similar. On the surface, it was wonderful. The author does a fantastic job of conveying herself and the writing is, in short, fantastic. The concept was fresh, exciting, and fascinating.

To take on such a new view of the creation story was truly a feat. Not only that, she incorporated a plot twist! The plot was well thought out and executed well. I especially liked the way Thea's plan worked out, but not as she had wished. It was interesting that it all fell together. I loved that!

For those who enjoy adaptations of myths or new interpretations, you should definitely read. It was completely fresh and engaging as a whole, though it lagged in a few spots.

So props to Ms. Fairfall on her debut novel! Well done!

However, now for the criticism (and spoilers):

<spoiler> At times, I felt disjointed. I felt as if Thea wasn't acting how she should. However, this was understandable, as she is not typically a human. Her human form is accelerating her emotions and her actions. That made sense.

Unfortunately, that wasn't the case for all of the characters. At multiple points in the book, I felt as if the character development was too rushed or a character's actions didn't fit with their person. I can give you two examples.
1. Chamber: As much as I fell in love with Chamber, I felt like he was just too rushed. From the "ooh look at the driver's eyes *swoon*" to the insta soul mate love, I was just flat down skeptical. I could deal with it though because of the soul mate concept. However, I couldn't deal with how he flipped back and forth what felt like a dozen times. He constantly seemed to go from "I hate Thea, how could she do this to me" to "I love her, I can't leave her." I felt like he was just jerky in terms of character.
2. Brice: I hated him. Absolutely hated him. Which made me angry at May for loving him. But I also just didn't get his character. I felt like he was just a stock character for a villain. Yes, a villain is a villain, but he needs depth. He needs reason. I didn't feel like Brice had that. He was skeptical about the immortality, yet he was willing to kill Thea for it? I just didn't feel like he was real.
3. May: I didn't understand her at all. First, she was a stereotypical bitch. Then, she ended up as Thea's roommate? I felt like she was as shallow as a puddle. She had zero personality. </spoiler>

To sum that part of the review up, I felt like Transformed was a bit too plot driven, rather than character driven. The plot was wonderful, yes, but I felt like the characters were too lacking. Don't get me wrong, it was well done. I just felt like the story was empty in a few places.

I was willing to try out the novel for the author, especially as I initially thought it was my taste. However, with such heavy plot, I probably wouldn't have finished it on a normal day. I would've probably given up. I'm glad that I finished it because it had a nice ending (though mildly unbelievable--how?).

Therefore, though it wasn't exactly my cup of tea, it was well written and had a solid plot. I take off one star for lack of character development and one star for some jerky progression and lack of realism.

I would still definitely recommend reading it if you enjoy the concept. I found the entire way the puzzle fit together fascinating. It truly was well done! I'm just a huge critic.