Tag: paranormal

YA

Review: Dream a Little Dream by Kerstin Gier

Andge @ Down the Rabbit Hole

Series: Silver #1

dream a little dream -kerstin gierMysterious doors with lizard-head knobs. Talking stone statues. A crazy girl with a hatchet. Yes, Liv’s dreams have been pretty weird lately. Especially the one where she’s in a graveyard at night, watching four boys conduct dark magic rituals.

The strangest part is that Liv recognizes the boys in her dream. They’re classmates from her new school in London, the school where she’s starting over because her mom has moved them to a new country (again).

But what’s really scaring Liv is that the dream boys seem to know things about her in real life, things they couldn’t possibly know–unless they actually are in her dreams?

Luckily, Liv never could resist a good mystery, and all four of those boys are pretty cute….

4 Drink Me Potions

This sounds so trippy, was my very first thought upon seeing this book in the bookstore.

Weird lizard doorknobs? Talking statues? A girl with a machete? All found in crazy dreams that our protagonist Liv gets at night? Uh, heck yeah. This is totally trippy-sounding.

Knowing me and my love for Alice in Wonderland, Dream a Little Dream certainly seemed to remind me of Lewis Carroll’s level of eccentricity in storywriting. So I absolutely couldn’t wait to get my hands on this book.

Ok. Now I have to say, it wasn’t as crazy and eccentric as the premise may make it sound. That’s not to say that it wasn’t still very fascinating in so many facets. I will admit, this is my very first translated book. Most YA novels are just…well, written in English originally. However, I think this is not some story that gets lost in translation. It’s downright amazing. How so, you may ask? Friend, let me tell you.

The setting and culture
Yes, I think some people may start seeing a trend in which I absolutely ADORE stories set in London, whether historical or present day. There’s just something so fascinating with the Brits and their city. With the book beginning off with Liv and her sister and their au pair (I had to look up what this was…) leaving to move to London, I was more than excited from the start. And once they were there, the setting was just so beautifully described. I totally wanted to hop onto the next plane set for this destination. London just seemed to make this fantasy story really pop and come alive.

But – I think a lot of this excitement comes from loving the protagonist.

The characters
I shall start off with Liv. She makes for a wonderful character. She’s adventurous, curious when a mystery seems to be afoot, and sometimes even a little reckless when it comes to solving whatever has been hidden from her. I read a review where someone said that Gier writes with a voice that truly sounds like a teenager. And this statement is very true. Liv doesn’t come across as some mature little young person. She really does sound like a teenager trying to find her place in the world, while still enjoying the wonders of the world that seem more prevalent in teens.

And I love Liv’s relationship with the various secondary characters. From her younger sister Mia (who sounds more mature than Liv sometimes…), to her newfound almost-step family and even the not-always-the-nicest friend she made at school. They all fit into the story in their own place while enhancing the suspense as the big mysterious aspect of the story builds.

The “mystery”/plot twisters
There were a few rather interesting things that aren’t necessarily solved in this first novel in the series. Firstly, there’s some mysterious character named Secrecy who literally knows everyone’s secrets. It’s kinda scary how fast this person figures things out. And so far, this person’s identity remains a, well, secret. But, exciting, isn’t it? Especially when the answer doesn’t seem to be obvious to the reader.

The other thing was the ending that involved the central theme of the plot: the 4 boys who seem to have gotten themselves into rather dark dream magic. It was definitely an intriguing concept, being able to dream with someone else. Having a dream door that fits each individual’s personality? Man, makes me wonder what my dream door would look like. Being able to go into one’s dreams and live through that with them? Freaky and personal. Totally impinges on privacy rights – which makes it all the more cooler.

Anyway, I guess I’m saying that Dream a Little Dream definitely had its surprises when it came to the mysterious 4 boys. Plus, it didn’t hurt that all 4 of them were rather cute….and individually unique.

You’ve got Henry, who I still can’t make head or tails about. He’s so mysterious. Sometimes I wonder if we really know him yet. He’s definitely hiding something.
Then there’s Grayson, the sweet almost-stepbrother of Liv’s. He was introduced rather early on and I initially thought he’d be the one Liv falls for. Of course, I totally dig the big brother role he’s stepped into (and I think I’ve taken the little sis role heavily ’cause I DETEST his girlfriend).
Jasper’s…sweet, but not the brightest bulb in…well the world. He carries some innocence to his character, in the sense that the dark stuff they’re doing doesn’t tarnish who he is.
And finally, there’s Arthur. The golden boy and “best looking” of the four. I am still figuring him out.

That leaves me to just comment on one final thing.

Er, the romance
Don’t get me wrong. As you can see, I do love the boys. AND there was no love triangle! Hoorah! That’s like +10 points in my books already. I just…I love the one Liv picked but sometimes the chemistry didn’t feel quite right. Like, I’m not really sure how the guy suddenly fell for her. I understand Liv’s reaction more, but his attraction to her puzzles me. I hope it lasts through the sequel, but I really need closure on this or else I may just wish she ends up with her almost-step brother.

Anyway, this may not be as Alice in Wonderland-esque as I had wanted it to be, but it amazed me in so many other ways beyond what comparisons I initially may have drawn. Dream a Little Dream may be the only translated book I’ve read so far, but as biased as that may be, I think it’s probably the best I’ll find. Definitely worth the read. I cannot wait for book 2 – which is published but needs to be translated! Urgh! Impatience abounds.

Overall Recommendation:
Dream a Little Dream is a beautiful title for a beautiful fantastical story on dreams and mysterious magic. Set in the gorgeous city of London, we follow the amazing Liv as she finds herself in a new school and new possible stepfamily and – oh uh – falls into a mess that she cannot help but be curious about. Getting dragged into the world of shared dreams with four of the hottest guys at school, I must say, this book has it all. A definite must-read. Too bad it has to be published in German and then translated. I’m biting my nails in anxious impatience already! Gier is one story writer that you’ve got to try.

YA

Review: Frostbite by Richelle Mead

Andge @ Down the Rabbit Hole

Series: Vampire Academy #2

frostbite -richelle meadWHEN LOVE AND JEALOUSY COLLIDE ON THE SLOPES, WINTER BREAK TURNS DEADLY…

Lissa Dragomir is a Moroi princess: a mortal vampire with a rare gift for harnessing the earth’s magic. She must be protected at all times from Strigoi; the fiercest vampires – the ones who never die. The powerful blend of human and vampire blood that flows through Rose Hathaway, Lissa’s best friend, makes her a dhampir. Rose is dedicated to a dangerous life of protecting Lissa from the Strigoi, who are hell-bent on making Lissa one of them.

Rose has serious guy trouble. Her gorgeous tutor, Dimitri, has his eye on someone else, her friend Mason has a huge crush on her, and she keeps getting stuck in her best friend Lissa’s head while she’s making out with her boyfriend, Christian.

Then a nearby Strigoi attack puts St. Vladimir’s on high alert, and the Academy whisks its students away on a mandatory holiday ski trip. But the glittering winter landscape and posh Idaho resort only provide the illusion of safety. When three students run away to strike back against the deadly Strigoi, Rose must join forces with Christian to rescue them. Only this time, Rose – and her heart – are in more danger than she ever could have imagined…

3.5 Drink Me Potions

I’ll be honest. Having read the spin-off series Bloodlines first originally didn’t seem so bad. Until I realized that it spoiled the biggest twists of nearly all the Vampire Academy books. By then, of course, it was too late.

So upon entering Frostbite, I knew what the “surprise”/climax was going to be. That’s why it’s taken me this long to read the sequel even though its predecessor had definitely intrigued me.

With this thought in mind, for me to still give it a high enough rating when there was no surprise tells you how much I appreciate Richelle Mead’s writing. Rose is a delightfully strong and whole character. She knows who she is and she’s definitely not some damsel in distress. She’s the freaking knight in shining armor. In a smaller size and with greater hair, that is. I find her recklessness sometimes way too much for my own taste, but at least she’s distinctly someone I’ve never come across too often in YA novels. I guess I’m saying that she’s discernible in a world full of young, female teenage protagonists. Definitely refreshing.

As for the story, I didn’t find the pace too slow. It wasn’t fast, but the tidbits of suspense relating to the evil vampires (aka Strigoi) held my interest where other areas may not have. This book also revealed more about the special elemental magic known as ‘spirit’ in which Rose’s bestie Lissa had. Once again, not much of a surprise for me but I guess it was nice to see how the information slowly unravelled. I will say that one character I adore made an appearance here, although I’m not happy for what the near future holds for that person.

For a book that’s part of such a long series, it’s hard to rate them high as they are just one tiny part of the whole. I will say that a 3.5 is rather good for such a book, especially with the spoiled surprises included in the picture. There was not a lot of romance going on with Dimitri in this one, so romance people? Don’t get your hopes up. But then again, that’s one thing I love about it. Not everything has to be on just the romantic aspect to make it a good read.

Overall Recommendation:
Although Frostbite was ruined for me by reading the spin-off series first, it was still a fun and enjoyable read. More suspense is created from Strigoi attacks on Moroi vampires, leaving the world of vampires shaken. Rose is still her amazing self, bouncing between fighting and flirting. Even with a mild pacing, the unveiling of new details in this imaginative world of vampires and magic will be more than enough to keep you reading. It was the only thing that did it for me, and I already knew the twists! So for someone who hasn’t figured out the ending already, I’d say it may be even better for you.

YA

Review: From a Distant Star by Karen McQuestion

Andge @ Down the Rabbit Hole

from a distant star -karen mcquestionSeventeen-year-old Emma was the only one who hadn’t given up on her boyfriend, Lucas. Everyone else—his family, his friends, his doctors—believed that any moment could be his last. So when Lucas miraculously returns from the brink of death, Emma thinks her prayers have been answered.

As the surprised town rejoices, Emma begins to question whether Lucas is the same boy she’s always known. When she finds an unidentifiable object on his family’s farm—and government agents come to claim it—she begins to suspect that nothing is what it seems. Emma’s out-of-this-world discovery may be the key to setting things right, but only if she and Lucas can evade the agents who are after what they have. With all her hopes and dreams on the line, Emma sets out to save the boy she loves. And with a little help from a distant star, she might just have a chance at making those dreams come true.

2.5 Drink Me Potions

A copy of this book was given by Netgalley for an honest review.

The cover’s gorgeous. Too bad the story itself couldn’t match that.

To be honest, the whole story felt way too slow. It was understandable at the beginning because it took time and skill to catch us up to what happened to Lucas and to get a glimpse at his relationship with Emma. After that though? Not so much. It really tried my patience.

And this may seem like a spoiler – but honestly, you’ll figure out what’s so “different” about Lucas pretty quickly. Think a cross between The Host and E.T.. Did you guess it? That’s right. An alien has crawled his way into Lucas and is using him as a host body. Think that’s freaky in a cool way?

Guess again.

If there were more exciting moments, this would’ve been an interesting premise. If this story wasn’t just solely based on Emma’s journey in getting the alien – his name is Scout – back to his home planet, I would have definitely upped my rating. As it stands, the whole “journey” was rather predictable….and slow . I swear the driving part was where I was really contemplating putting this book down. And I NEVER really give up on books. So I’m serious when I say it was slow-paced.

But obviously, there were certain things that saved the novel too, in a way. After all, I managed to get through the rest of it, right?

For you romance lovers out there? Don’t expect too much. I FINALLY found a YA novel that does NOT centre on it. That’s not a bad thing. A rather refreshing accomplishment as most books throw it in rather heavily. Emma’s love for Lucas, the true Lucas and not Scout who’s just using Lucas’ body, was steadfast. From a Distance Star is not a book where someone falls in love with the alien trapped in the human body (aka The Host). No, this is the kind of love that speaks of believing till the very end. No cheating or even slight temptation at loving some other guy in that way. She never gave up on him, even when his family seemed to think there was no hope left for him.

And by that, I do mean his parents practically had his funeral and everything planned out. Man, I hated his mother. Mrs. Walker literally demeaned Emma, barely standing her presence in the house while she stayed and comforted Lucas – who was in a deep coma, by the way. Absolutely detested her. She even explicitly told Emma she did not hate her, she despised her. My goodness, Emma was some strong girl to have stayed respectful towards that woman.

You’d think I really liked Emma from the sounds of that, don’t you? Well….I can’t say I loved her completely. She was the dependent person in the relationship, always letting Lucas decide everything for them. Where they ate, what movies to watch, etc. That irked me a bit. Girl, some backbone, will ya? But she did grow from the experience as Scout obviously didn’t know the ways of Earth so Emma had to take charge. That is what I appreciated. Character development.

The only other redeeming quality was a few of the characters. Lucas’ younger bro, Eric, was just lovely. He’s brilliant in his own way, yet their mother obviously favoured her golden boy and firstborn. He never let it get to him, and was the one who convinced Emma to help Scout out. Speaking of our resident alien, I couldn’t decide on what I thought about him at first. There are tiny chapters that look at the situation from his perspective, though not written in first person. It made understanding him easier and I found his shy and caring personality endearing. I almost wished Emma couldn’t send him back to his home planet. He had a childlike wonder at everything on Earth that reminds me of how much I take all this planet has to offer for granted. That’s oddly deep…from a book that lacks in pretty much everything else.

Overall Recommendation:
From a Distant Star had the slowest storyline and nearly no twists in its plot, but there was just something that managed to keep my attention. I wouldn’t recommend it for everyone. Maybe just for those who don’t mind a slower paced book. A few of the characters were solid and it was a refreshing look at teenage love that is based more on actual friendship than attraction and lust. At the end of the day, it wasn’t great, but it wasn’t all terrible either. Reading it is up to you.