Book Review: The Day of First Sun by Sheryl Steines

This is a fast and engaging read.
The Day of First Sun
by Sheryl Steines

• Paperback: 378 pages
• Publisher: CreateSpace (February 2, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1469990474
• ISBN-13: 978-1469990477

Genre:  Fantasy
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Product Description
When Princess Amelie of Amborix is murdered by magical means, Annie Pearce and Bobby “Cham” Chamsky of the Wizard’s Guard are called in by the FBI. Their job is to help solve the crime while keeping the non-magical world from discovering the existence of the Wizard Council.

During their investigation, Annie and Cham discover that Princess Amelie’s death is connected to a series of other crimes in the Chicago area. A larger plot involving, a vampire, a rogue wizard and an army of soul-less zombies is revealed, but can Annie and Cham discover who is responsible before The Day of First Sun? 

Review:

There is a lot of imagination in this magical world. Annie and Cham are part of a complete magical community in Chicago that remains hidden from the non-magical world. They are trained and well respected members of the Wizard’s Guard who have been called in to investigate the murder of a Princess from a foreign country. Princess Amelie’s boyfriend, Jordon, is the prime suspect. As they begin to investigate they realize there were several magical traces at the crime scene, indicating that magic had been used for a spell, curse, hex, jinx or other magical action.

Annie and Cham have also been trying to capture a vampire, Sturtagaard, who is believed to be involved in a plot to create zombies. Soon their investigation into the murder crosses paths with their hunt for Sturtagaard. They discover that a special magical orb, a necessary element to create the zombies, has been stolen.  As Annie and Cham search the evidence and interrogate the witnesses and suspects they learn that a special knife has been taken from the Wizard archives. It appears that there is a mole in the Wizard’s Guard who is betraying the Council.

Annie and Cham are a nice couple who have been friends since childhood and Annie just realizes that they are good companions and can be more. The light romance is hesitant in writing but sweet as Ms. Steines stretches each encounter from holding hands to kissing to slightly passionate kissing. Annie and Cham may be good at their jobs but they make mistakes and let Sturtagaard escape. Annie also manages to trap herself in a bad spot with a villain. 

There are several other characters who are developed nicely with unique personalities. I liked the magical packs that they shrink to carry. The story moves along at a quick pace with continual action towards solving the mystery and capturing the culprits. There is a nice mix of emotions, action and adventure. I was engaged by the story even though the writing seemed a bit immature. It’s not childish but seems aimed at a younger age even though the characters are in their twenties.  I’d like to see this author improve her writing technique a bit. I would enjoy another story with such an imaginative plot and lots of action. [Note: After reading the author's Blog Post I am wondering if she didn't deliberately downplay the language in this novel. So perhaps what I commented on is just an effort to reach a younger audience by keeping the writing light.]

Thank you to the author and Novel Publicity for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This story takes place in Chicago so I will note that in Where Are You Reading Challenge. I will also add this to my ARC and New Author challenge lists.  
CHECK THE EXCERPT NEXT.
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About the book: A vampire, a rogue wizard and an army of soulless zombies are par for the course for Annie Pearce and Bobby “Cham” Chamsky of the Wizard’s Guard. But when the non-magical princess, Amelie of Amborix, is murdered by magical means, a deeper plot unfolds. Get it on Amazon.  

About the author: Behind the wheel of her ’66 Mustang Convertible, Sheryl is a constant surprise, using her sense of humor and relatable style make her books something everyone can enjoy. Visit Sheryl on her website, Twitter, Facebook, or GoodReads.

Book Review: My Sparkling Misfortune by Laura Lond

This is a fun, fast read with lovely illustrations; good for adult or young readers.

My Sparkling Misfortune 

by Laura Lond

• Paperback: 126 pages
• Publisher: CreateSpace (March 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1460922360
• ISBN-13: 978-1460922361

Gernre:  YA, Fantasy

My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2011

***1st place Reader Views Literary Award 2010 winner in the Young Reader category***

Lord Arkus of Blackriver Castle readily admits that he is a villain and sees no reason why it should stop him from being the protagonist of this book. After all, Prince Kellemar, an aspiring hero, has defeated him in a rather questionable way. Bent on revenge, Arkus attempts to capture a powerful evil spirit who would make him nearly invincible, but a last-minute mistake leaves him with a Sparkling instead--"a goody-goody spirit that helps heroes, watches over little children, and messes up villains' plans." Bound to Lord Arkus for five years of service and sworn to act in his best interests, the Sparkling is not easy to get rid of, and of course his understanding of "best interests" is quite different from what Lord Arkus has in mind.

Review:
Lord Arkus loves being a villain known as Arkus the fearsome and Dreaded Lord. Prince Kellemar is a neighboring enemy and would be hero.  Kellemar flatters and tempts Arkus to steal a gold stash. The plotting Prince has set a trap so that just as Arkus is about to retrieve the prize he is faced with the beast that is set on killing him. Arkus usually escapes the beast by running to the white towers where the beast won’t go but Prince Kellemar has destroyed the surrounding towers! Arkus runs far away to escape.

Prince Kellemar claims that he killed the infamous Lord Arkus and Arkus wants revenge. But Arkus can’t return until he heals and finds a way to stay protected from the beast. Arkus decides to capture an evil spirit, a mighty Gormak, to give him power. Instead the creature he captures is a “sparkling”, which is a good spirit who only helps heroes. Arkus doesn’t think he can use the help of the sparkling, whom he names Jarvi, until Arkus discovers that Jarvi can be very helpful by preforming three miracles each day. The trouble is that Jarvi cannot do any evil or harm.

Jarvi finds a way to twist Arkus’ evil intentions to something good and suddenly, against his own wishes, Arkus rescues the local Princess and becomes a hero known as the Lakeland Knight. The ambitious Prince Kellemar appears as the fiancé of the Princess and tries to expose Arkus as a villain. With a twisted irony, Kellemar is now becoming a villain while Arkus remains a hero. When Kellemar kidnaps Arkus friend, the young prince of the local royal family, Jarvi offers his special sword to help Arkus. Arkus may be able to use the sword to defeat the Kellemar and the ever hunting beast, but his victory may cause great injury to Jarvi.

The story is told by Lord Arkus in a first person account of his life and adventures. It is quickly clear that Arkus is a likable villain and you wonder what set him off on the path of misdeeds. There are hints of an event where he lost a childhood friend but the details are not revealed in this book. It is heartwarming to watch as Jarvi shows Arkus how to trust and do good. Jarvi is an absolutely adorable character. He is a cross between an angel and a genie with a joking, prankster attitude. I have to say he almost steals the spotlight from Arkus, although he doesn’t mean to.

This is a good book for an older child and it is entertaining for adults too. My only disappointment was the ending which seemed very abrupt, leaving open questions  which can only be answered by the next book.

Arkus' comments on villainy:

There are no heroes without us villains. Location 51

Arkus' thoughts when Prince Kellermar says "Arkus, you are despicably wicked."

Blatant flattery, I noted. He must want something. Location 70.

I received this book to review as part of Bewitching Blog Tour.
Please learn more about the author in the Interview with a Giveaway in the next post. 

I will add this to my ARC and New Authors challenges.

Check the blog tour here.

Purchase links:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004JXVYR2

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/my-sparkling-misfortune-laura-lond/1103787180?ean=2940012086907

Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/38174

iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/my-sparkling-misfortune/id418425922?mt=11

Sony: http://ebookstore.sony.com/ebook/laura-lond/my-sparkling-misfortune/_/R-400000000000000340276

BooksOnBoard: http://www.booksonboard.com/index.php?BODY=viewbook&BOOK=1149022

DriveThruFiction: http://www.drivethrufiction.com/product_info.php?products_id=97527

Audible Book Review: Linger by Maggie Stiefvater

Highly Recommended! This second book in the series is even better than the first! 

Linger
• UNABRIDGED
• by Maggie Stiefvater
• Narrated by Jenna Lamia


• LENGTH
  10 hrs and 43 mins
• AUDIBLE RELEASE DATE
  07-01-10
Genre:  Paranormal Romance, YA; 
My Rating: 4.75.
Publisher's Summary
in Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver, Grace and Sam found each other. Now, in Linger, they must fight to be together. For Grace, this means defying her parents and keeping a very dangerous secret about her own well-being. For Sam, this means grappling with his werewolf past...and figuring out a way to survive into the future. Add into the mix a new wolf named Cole, whose own past has the potential to destroy the whole pack. And Isabelle, who already lost her brother to the wolves...and is nonetheless drawn to Cole.

At turns harrowing and euphoric, Linger is a spellbinding love story that explores both sides of love - the light and the dark, the warm and the cold - in a way you will never forget.

Review:  This story continues and expands from Shiver. Here we have four character perspectives: Grace, Sam, Isabelle and new character Cole.

Sam has been staying with Grace, and although they have not been sexually active, they have grown accustomed to sleeping together and sharing most of their free time when Grace is not in school and Sam is not at work. 

Spring is approaching and Cole is the first of the wolves to shift back. This is particularly frustrating to Cole since he is an angry, bitter young man and is trying to lose himself in the wolf. Isabelle finds him in her house and although she doesn’t like his attitude, she is inexorably drawn to his magnetic darkness. Isabelle lost her brother Jack who refused to remain a shifting wolf and died from the attempted “cure.”

That is only a minor irony in comparison to the big problem. Sam did survive the cure and he no longer shifts. But as the story moves on Grace becomes ill and it is fairly clear her body is fighting the wolf that struggles within her. Sam is burdened with the responsibilities of caring for the pack and preparing for their shift for the summer. He is initially disgusted and somewhat frightened by Cole’s arrogance and destructive nature. 

Now Grace’s parents have forbidden him from their home and are trying to ground Grace. Grace will break away to be with Sam.  As Grace gets weaker and sicker, can Sam hold on to the “summer” girl he loves?

I loved the four voices in the Audio. There are tidbits of Sam’s songs through the book and then a bit more in the studio practice (a birthday gift from Grace.) I really like the gentle love story, the ethereal music and the suspense of what is to happen. I’m ready for the next book!!

 I acquired this audiobook through my subscription at Audible.

Audio Book Review: Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

This is a very engaging and haunting story of young love.

Shiver
by Maggie Stiefvater
  David LeDoux (Narrator), Jenna Lamia (Narrator)

• Reading level: Ages 13 and up
• Audio CD
• Publisher: Scholastic Audio Books (August 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0545165067
• ISBN-13: 978-0545165068

Genre:  Paranormal Romance, YA
My Rating:  4.5 of 5.0

Product Description: For years, Grace has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf—her wolf—is a chilling presence she can’t seem to live without. Meanwhile, Sam has lived two lives: In winter, the frozen woods, the protection of the pack, and the silent company of a fearless girl. In summer, a few precious months of being human… until the cold makes him shift back again.
Now, Grace meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away. It’s her wolf. It has to be. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human—or risk losing himself, and Grace, forever.

Review:
These are YA characters but the story is very engaging with real emotions and an ethereal tone.
Grace is dependable and strong, a good student and reliable teen. Her parents are mostly absent as her dad is at work and her mother is an artist absorbed in her studio. Grace was bitten by wolves as a child. No one knew they were shifter-wolves because she did not shift. What made her different?

Even though Grace survived that trauma she looks to the woods and almost yearns for the wolves. Especially the one with the yellow eyes.

Sam has been a winter wolf for a long time. His parental situation is so sad but it brought him to Beck, the wolf leader,  who has raised him to lead the pack when Beck is gone.  Sam writes lilting, emotional songs that fit the loneliness and confusion of a boy caught between two worlds.

Sam has been enamored of Grace for several years. He saw her in the bookstore where he works in the summer but she didn’t recognize his interest ... until now.  They spend a glorious summer together but as winter approaches, when Sam will shift again, they struggle for a way to stay together. There are dangers facing the pack as certain members of the community hunt the wolves in the woods. Some other teens have disappeared and Beck has brought some strangers back to renew the strength of the pack.

The biggest problem is that this may be Sam’s last year of shifting. The wolves only get about 15 years of human shifting and then they remain in the wolf form. Sam doesn’t want to be separated from Grace but what can they do? Can Sam and Grace find a way to be together?

I really like the Audio version of this book. As the chapters rock from Grace to Sam there is a female and male voice. Both narrators do a wonderful job portraying the gentle kindness of Sam and the strong minded but tender Grace.  They also capture the other characters: Grace's parents, Beck and Grace's friends, the wealthy and somewhat arrogant siblings, Jack and Isabelle, and Grace's curious friend, Olivia, who loves to photograph the wolves.  I also enjoyed that Sam reads poetry and his song prose is haunting. I highly recommend the Audio version!

This was a SYNC YA Listening download from AudioBook Community. I am so thankful I got this as I might not have read it otherwise.

Audiobook Review: Immortal by Gillian Shields

This is entertaining in a YA appropriate fashion.

• Audible Audio Edition
• Listening Length: 7 hours and 23 minutes
• Program Type: Audiobook
• Version: Unabridged
• Publisher: Harper Audio
• Audible.com Release Date: June 29, 2010
• Language: English

Genre: YA
My Rating: 3.75

Publisher's Summary:
Wyldcliffe Abbey School for Young Ladies, housed in a Gothic mansion on the bleak northern moors, is elite, expensive, and unwelcoming. When Evie Johnson is torn away from her home by the sea to become the newest scholarship student, she is more isolated than she could have dreamed. Strict teachers, snobbish students, and the oppressive atmosphere of Wyldcliffe leave Evie drowning in loneliness.

Evie's only lifeline is Sebastian, a rebellious, mocking, dangerously attractive young man she meets by chance. As Evie's feelings for Sebastian grow with each secret meeting, she starts to fear that he is hiding something about his past. And she is haunted by glimpses of a strange, ghostly girl—a girl who is so eerily like Evie, she could be a sister. Evie is slowly drawn into a tangled web of past and present that she cannot control. And as the extraordinary, elemental forces of Wyldcliffe rise up like the mighty sea, Evie is faced with an astounding truth about Sebastian, and her own incredible fate.

Gillian Shields's electrifying tale will dazzle readers with suspense, mysticism, and romance.

Review:  This YA tale is full of mystery, evil witches, ghostly presence and a haunting romance.

Evie feels like an outcast at the exclusive and oppressive Wyldcliffe school.  She longs for friendship and thinks that Helen, the other “scholarship/sponsored” girl, will be her friend but instead Helen gives her a brief tour and then seems indifferent to her.

Evie begins to experience strange flashes of a girl named Agnes - a girl from the past. Unknown to Evie at first, her necklace plays an important part in the history of the school and all the mysteries.  Meanwhile Evie is sneaking out to meet a mysterious young fellow, Sebastian.  Sebastian and Evie grow closer and closer but Sebastian is hiding secrets.  The romance is light and appropriate for the age of the story’s primary audience.

There are secretive meetings going on with the teachers and some students have died although their odd deaths have been declared as accidents.  Finally Helen reveals the extent of danger to Evie and another friend, Sarah.  The girls agree to become a coven to fight the evil witches.

The story wasn’t overwhelming but the mysteries and the flashes to Agnes kept it interesting enough. I enjoyed the different POV presentation from Evie and Agnes’ diary. I also liked the gothic feel and the slowly revealed mysteries. The narrator has a light, crisp British accent that tends toward breathy, delicate and ethereal. It seems to fit the young girls for the story.

I might get the sequels if they were on sale...but I won’t be rushing to get them with all the other books available.  I appreciated receiving this book through the Sync YA listening program at Audiobook community. This story was paired with Wuthering Heights and although there were some similarities in the Gothic setting and the ill fated romance I don’t think Immortal met the depth of the tragic characters found in Wuthering Heights.

Book Review- Audible- Inside Out by Maria V. Snyder

An exciting dystopia read. If you liked Hunger Games and other stories in this genre you will like this.

Inside Out (Harlequin Teen)  by Maria V. Snyder

• Reading level: Young Adult
• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Harlequin; Original edition (February 15, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0373210116
• ISBN-13: 978-0373210114

 Genre: Sci fi Fantasy, Dystopia
     My Rating:  4.75 of 5.0

Product Description
"Imagine every space in this room filled with people. Constantly being jostled and pushed. In the lower levels there is no quiet place. No peace. To a scrub, this room is paradise."
I drew a deep breath. I'd spoken more in one burst to this stranger whose room I'd invaded than anyone else in weeks. And with a single word he could alert the Pop Cops and send me to the Chomper. We stared at each other for a few heartbeats.
Before I could retreat he said, "My name's Riley Narelle Ashon. Any time you need peace, you're welcome to use my hideaway."
I'm Trella. I'm a scrub. A nobody. One of thousands who work the lower levels, keeping Inside clean for the Uppers. I've got one friend, do my job and try to avoid the Pop Cops. So what if I occasionally use the pipes to sneak around the Upper levels? The only neck at risk is my own...until I accidentally start a rebellion and become the go-to girl to lead a revolution.

Review:  This is a very engaging story and I listened to it in about two days as I didn't want to stop.

Trella is a teenage girl, a Lower,  who works as “a scrub”, cleaning pipes on "Inside" which is the world as she knows it. Her best friend, Cogan, is a leader among the Lowers who hate the Uppers who control them and keep them in their places of labor by threat of the Population Control Cops (Pop Cops).  One of Cogan’s friends, is a computer genius, Logan. Unknown to the Uppers, Logan makes all sorts of handy gadgets that help Trella to spy and gain information around the systems. Another friend  believes he has found information leading to Gateway which will lead them to “outside” with information that Trella can help gain.

Trella moves freely among the pipes, provided she gets her job done and shows up when expected so the Pop Cops don’t harass her.  While crawling through the pipes she discovers what appears to be an empty room - which is a luxury to the crowded Lowers. Then she meets a boy there, Riley, and even though he is an Upper they develop a friendship. There is mystery in how the Uppers lord it over the Lowers and Trella and Riley are surprised to learn that life “on the other side” is not as either has been taught.  Riley gives Trella a sheep stuffed animal which they call Sheepie. Ultimately that becomes the symbol of the Lower’s rebellion by a “force of sheep.”

This story moves along very quickly with good twists.  I enjoyed the characters, the story, the surprises and the good narration. This is YA but that did not lessen the enjoyment and I was anxious to listen to book two.  This is an author I really like. I enjoyed her early trilogy, the Study series which I recommend too.
My review of the second book, Outside In, is my next post.

Review and Giveaway - Bloodmaiden by Christine E. Schulze

This is an engaging “other world” romance and adventure with dragons, unique races and a differnt plot.

Bloodmaiden by Christine E. Schulze

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Old Line Publishing, LLC (May 12, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0984476881
• ISBN-13: 978-0984476886

Author's Website

Rating 4:0 of 5.0

Product Description
Zale. Gauthier. Varden. These three dynasties... They all sound like something out of an ancient, oriental myth or fairy tale. The concept of humans and dragons helping and living in harmony with one another, without fear. To me, that's exactly what they are. A distant dream only read of, whispered secretly, quietly yearned for. For, you see, I am the new Quelda of Tynan. These words echo the mystery, horror, and romance found within Schulze's fantasy novel. Along with her new husband, Chalom, Crislin must choose to embrace cruel tradition, run from it, or stand against it. The young couple's only hope is to rally the help of the three peaceful dragon dynasties of Sulaimon-but tradition is not on their side, even outside the realm of Tynan. The dragons outside Tynan's borders have been rumored as too stubborn and proud to believe their Tynanian brothers would commit such horrors as inflicted upon the Quelda. Gaining their aid is not a likely hope. Yet, any hope at all is valued in Tynan... If they are to stand a chance of bringing cruel tradition to a permanent end, Crisilin and Chalom must brave the constant, consuming blizzards of the Ever-white. They must brave the three dynasties and the challenges awaiting there. Together, they must convince the dragon emperors to allow them access to the shrines which house the sacred Aria - protective strands of music which may be able to disperse the evil from Tynan and unite the four dynasties of Sulaimon as a whole once again. Their only aid stems from a sprite whose moods are as unstable as her magic, a young minstrel, and a mysterious fox. Despite the odds, such plans are daring, dangerous, unprecedented, but fully possible - if they can escape the Wall first.

Review:
The author has done a great job of creating a world of beauty, magical creatures and meanness too.  The world of Sulaimon has four kingdoms ruled by dragons. Years ago the dragons made a special pact to protect the humans and placed musical Aria’s as guards of the fragile balance between the species. Unfortunately, in Tynan the dragons no longer protect the people but instead they require a blood sacrifice. Young (teenage) Crisilin has been chosen as the new Quelda who must mate a man selected for her, preform special tasks designated by the dragons and ultimately sacrifice herself and her new husband.  Crisilin is lucky that her chosen mate turns out to be her best friend, Chalom. Now there is even more at risk for them as they will lose their lives and their love if they don't try to stop the sacrifice rituals.

Rather than submit to the tradition of tyranny, they manage to escape their captivity. Then, with unexpected help from unusual sources, they move forward on their quest to change the order in their own country.  They must collect the three Aria and a friend from each of the other regions who is willing to join their mission. Only when they bring the other three Aria back to Tynan, will they have a chance to change the Tynan dragons.

The dragon clans they meet in the other regions have their own quirks. Some are friendlier than others but they each include stubborn and spiteful representatives who present a different challenge to overcome to get to that region’s Aria.  I especially liked the riddling clan and tried to figure out each riddle.  I also enjoyed the sense of awe and beauty created with the description of haunting music upon collecting each Aria. The friends Crisilin and Chalom gather along the way are also magical and unique. The secondary relationships of their friends are fun to follow, especially a surprising and bittersweet reunion of an estranged family who has been separated due to the tragedy of the Quelda sacrifice.

The writing manages to convey a sense of innocence turned into sad knowledge of pain and terror. The world and challenges are interesting. The romance and friendships are sweet. There are some moments of tension when it is not clear how they will resolve the next problem. Overall there is an atmosphere of magic making this an easy and enjoyable fantasy read suitable for all ages.

xxx

Thank you to the author and Old Line Publishing for this book to read and review.

TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY FOR THE BOOK:
1. Comment on the review or tell me your favorite fantasy creature.
Alternative comment: visit the author's website or facebook page and tell me something you learned there. Please leave your e-mail!
You may want to check out the trailer for Ms. Schulze's November release Tears of a Vampire Prince - The First Krystine. There is a chance to win that book there!

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