The Winter People by Rebekah L. Purdy

Publication: September 2, 2014

Publisher: Entangled Teen

Source: Publisher

An engrossing, complex, romantic fantasy perfect for fans of Kristin Cashore or Maggie Stiefvater, set in a wholly unique world. Salome Montgomery fears winter—the cold, the snow, the ice, but most of all, the frozen pond she fell through as a child. Haunted by the voices and images of the strange beings that pulled her to safety, she hasn't forgotten their warning to "stay away." For eleven years, she has avoided the winter woods, the pond, and the darkness that lurks nearby. But when failing health takes her grandparents to Arizona, she is left in charge of maintaining their estate. This includes the "special gifts" that must be left at the back of the property. Salome discovers she’s a key player in a world she’s tried for years to avoid. At the center of this world is the strange and beautiful Nevin, who she finds trespassing on her family’s property. Cursed with dark secrets and knowledge of the creatures in the woods, his interactions with Salome take her life in a new direction. A direction where she'll have to decide between her longtime crush Colton, who could cure her fear of winter. Or Nevin who, along with an appointed bodyguard, Gareth, protects her from the darkness that swirls in the snowy backdrop. An evil that, given the chance, will kill her.

I began reading The Winter People without much expectation except for an interesting story. That is exactly what it was...interesting and unique. I don’t believe I have ever read a story quite like this one.

Years ago, when Salome was a little girl, she had a tragic accident and almost died in a frozen lake but was miraculously saved. Fast forward seventeen years later and not only is Salome afraid of winter, but she also keeps hearing voices. Sometimes there is a voice that is speaking directly to her. That would make anyone feeling as if they were going crazy, and Salome is no exception.

There is a mysterious boy named Nevin that Salome meets one day. She begins to feels a connection develop between them, but Salome has an additional two love interests in this story, Colton and Gareth. I wasn’t a big fan of the love triangle. It was okay. It seemed to work well enough in the story; I just don’t always like them.

Salome’s grandmother could have been more upfront with her about what was really going on. I know there was a reason for everything, but still.

The Winter People is filled with Fae, magic, romance, secrets, and mystery. It was a fun and original story to discover and get into. And it definitely got me in the mood for all things winter. Especially with all of this crazy humid heat we have going on in California.

RATING: 4 out of 5.

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Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass #2) by Sarah J. Maas

Publication: August 27, 2013

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens

Source: Bought

"A line that should never be crossed is about to be breached. It puts this entire castle in jeopardy—and the life of your friend." From the throne of glass rules a king with a fist of iron and a soul black as pitch. Assassin Celaena Sardothien won a brutal contest to become his Champion. Yet Celaena is far from loyal to the crown. She hides her secret vigilantly; she knows that the man she serves is bent on evil. Keeping up the deadly charade becomes increasingly difficult when Celaena realizes she is not the only one seeking justice. As she tries to untangle the mysteries buried deep within the glass castle, her closest relationships suffer. It seems no one is above questioning her allegiances—not the Crown Prince Dorian; not Chaol, the Captain of the Guard; not even her best friend, Nehemia, a foreign princess with a rebel heart. Then one terrible night, the secrets they have all been keeping lead to an unspeakable tragedy. As Celaena's world shatters, she will be forced to give up the very thing most precious to her and decide once and for all where her true loyalties lie...and whom she is ultimately willing to fight for.

I was surprised that I liked Crown of Midnight better than Throne of Glass. But both of these books are just awesome.

Celaena’s friendships, relationships, and loyalties are put to the test and she is forced to decide whose side is she really on and who she will trust.

“And what is so wrong with wanting my freedom? Haven’t I suffered enough to deserve it? So what if the means are unpleasant?” “I won’t deny that you have suffered, Elentiya, but there are thousands more who have also suffered— and suffered more. And they do not sell themselves to the king to get what they, too, deserve. With each person you kill , I am finding fewer and fewer excuses for remaining your friend.”

As far as the love triangle goes? At first I wanted her to be with Dorian, then I  thought I wanted her to be with Chaol because they seemed better suited for each other. But now I don’t that he really deserves her. It seems like he is to loyal to the King and I wonder will he ever be able to fully trust her or will he always see her as an assassin. Now I am not sure who I want Celaena to end up with.

I didn’t think it was possible, but I ended up enjoying Crown of Midnight more than I did Throne of Glass. The author did a really nice job with the flow of the storyline and character development. Even though I knew one of the main developments in the story, there were still a couple of twists to the story that caught me by surprise. I’m hoping that Heir of Fire will be even better. It releases on September 3, 2014. I can’t wait!

RATING: 5 out of 5.

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The Falconer by Elizabeth May

Publication: May 6, 2104

Publisher: Chronicle Books

Heiress. Debutant. Murderer. A new generation of heroines has arrived. Edinburgh, Scotland, 1844 Lady Aileana Kameron, the only daughter of the Marquess of Douglas, was destined for a life carefully planned around Edinburgh’s social events – right up until a faery killed her mother. Now it’s the 1844 winter season and Aileana slaughters faeries in secret, in between the endless round of parties, tea and balls. Armed with modified percussion pistols and explosives, she sheds her aristocratic facade every night to go hunting. She’s determined to track down the faery who murdered her mother, and to destroy any who prey on humans in the city’s many dark alleyways. But the balance between high society and her private war is a delicate one, and as the fae infiltrate the ballroom and Aileana’s father returns home, she has decisions to make. How much is she willing to lose – and just how far will Aileana go for revenge?

After the murder of her mother, Aileana is on a mission to hunt down and kill every single faery she can find. Especially the one who killed her mother. But her task is made even more difficult since she is a young lady of high society and she must be mindful of rules and appearances.

Aileana is one determined, headstrong, and tough gal. I love strong heroines. I can’t really say that I connected with her, but I will admit that she was interesting and a little complex.

This is one of the first steampunk books I have tried and I’m glad it did not disappoint. Some of the weapons and contraptions that are used in this story sounded really cool. I wished they were real.

I think the author did a good job with the world building and combining all of the different historical fiction, fantasy, and steampunk aspects into the story. Granted this is the first book I’ve read that combines all of those elements into one story, so I have nothing really to compare it to yet.

I wasn’t disappointed by the story, but I wasn’t wowed either. I liked it. Thought it was entertaining, but I never got that ‘OMG I have to keep reading this book to find out what happens next’ feeling.

RATING: 3 out of 5.

**I received this book on behalf of the publisher in exchange for nothing but my honest opinion. Thank you.**

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Between Two Thorns by Emma Newman

Synopsis:

Something is wrong in Aquae Sulis, Bath’s secret mirror city.

The new season is starting and the Master of Ceremonies is missing. Max, an Arbiter of the Split Worlds Treaty, is assigned with the task of finding him with no one to help but a dislocated soul and a mad sorcerer.

There is a witness but his memories have been bound by magical chains only the enemy can break. A rebellious woman trying to escape her family may prove to be the ally Max needs.

But can she be trusted? And why does she want to give up eternal youth and the life of privilege she’s been born into?

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Between Two Thorns starts off with Sam who is a Mundane being in the wrong place at the wrong time and witnessing a dead body being carried out of a building by otherworldly creatures He is caught before he has a real chance of escaping, and because the perpetrators cannot kill him, they instead bind his memory, so he will not remember anything. Sam ends up playing a vital role in the story, though his presence is scattered throughout the story.

And then there is Max, who is an Arbiter. What makes Max interesting is the fact that he lack emotions because his soul was taken from his body. So everything that Max would normally feel is felt instead by the carrier of his soul. Max is assigned with trying to find the missing Dignitary. His job is made ten times harder seeing as the witness to the crime cannot recall anything…enter Sam.

The picture perfect world of the Nether is not so prefect, and beneath that seemingly perfect façade lies a big struggle for power.

This is the home that Cathy comes from. She is tired of living in the Nether, and by rules laid out by the Fae Lords. In an attempt to escape and live a normal life, she uses a spell to help her blend in as a normal college student in Mundanus. However, this life for her is short lived because she is soon discovered and forced back into her old live in the Nether. But she does not give up and will try just about anything to gain her freedom, including offering her help to Max.

Final thoughts:

The world building was done really well. I think that it helped to enhance the story and draw me in deeper. The different characters were interesting to read about. Cathy was my favorite main characters. Her determination and spirit made her a strong character with a unique voice.

I thought this was fun story to get into. There seemed to be a lot going on and I had some questions regarding the reason behind certain things that were not answered. I am not sure if the writer did that on purpose or not.

All the loose ends do not get tied up in this story because there is a sequel in the works. Hopefully the big questions get answered in the next novel.

Rating: 3 out of 5.

** I received this book from Angry Robot / Strange Chemistry in exchange for nothing, but my honest review. Thank you!**

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