The Dreamblood Series by N.K. Jemisin | Review

I just want to take a moment and appreciate the covers of both books.

 

[sigh...]

Discovered: BookRiot.com

Status: Read

Purchased: BookRiot Quarterly Box; Barnes & Noble Online

Mode: Paperback

Goodreads Rating: *****

Aren't they beautifully epic?! A few posts back, I received The Killing Moon from the Book Riot Quarterly box. It was one of three books and I was instantly enamored with the cover. It's just so effin' pretty! Then I read the synopsis and was instantly hooked. 

I've never been an adventurous fantasy reader. My foray into "things beyond reality" is limited to the paranormal. My alternate reality "comfort zone" consists of vampires and a sprinkling of werewolves. So I was pretty surprised when my "need-to-read-like-now" radar perked after getting my hands on The Killing Moon. Maybe it was the excitement of receiving my first Book Riot Quarterly? Probably. I also couldn't resist the pull of the unique and seductive world of the Dreamblood.

In The Killing Moon, we have Ehiru and Nijiri, Gatherers of the Hetawa, which is the religious cult of Gujaareh. And there is Sunandi, a fierce diplomat from the neighboring and rival city-state of Kisua. In the face of a megalomaniac Prince, a Reaper, political and religious conspiracy, and world war, these three characters journey to achieve a far-reaching diplomatic endeavor to preserve the fate of humanity

The Shadowed Sun is set ten years after the conclusion of The Killing Moon. It mainly follows Wanahomen, the exiled son of the previous megalomaniac Prince, and Hanani, a Healer of the Hetawa. It also follows Tiannet, a young woman whose struggles show that power and greed are not limited to ruling political and religious bodies. Recurring characters such as Nijiri and Sunandi are also present as everyone comes together to reclaim Gujaareh from Kisuati rule. In addition to war, our characters must battle an epidemic that has crossed political lines into the dreamworld. To put it simply, Jemisin takes the world she's built in The Killing Moon and flips it upside down in The Shadowed Sun and it's pretty damn epic! 

While The Killing Moon and The Shadowed Sun are nostalgic of ancient Egyptian culture, Jemisin manages to weave a fantastical and independent world with its own culture, politics, and mysticism. The startlingly familiarity of certain aspects of the setting is thought provoking. For instance, both books present a world that is fascinatingly contradictory. In The Killing Moon, love and sexuality are presented unbound by our own traditional definitions of the norm, yet Gujaareh is governed by a monarchy and single religion. In The Shadowed Sun, the Banbarra tribe is presented as barbarian and nomadic, yet the customs are role reversing. Men wear veils, while women rule and conduct family businesses. Doesn't this just sound so cool?

Both books have opened the doors of adult fantasy for me. Whilst reading, I'm usually the voyeur peering into the world and lives of the book. Rarely do I have a book where I feel like I'm walking side by side the characters. The Dreamblood series seem to have bridged that gap between reader and book.

Young Adult, Fantasy and Everything In Between | Book Haul

Do you ever have that constant thought of meaning to buy some particular item/s? And that desire to buy those items constantly bothers you night and day? So you just go to the store and run your hands all over said items wishing you had the capacity to purchase them? Well, that happens to me A LOT (you know you do this too). And I have a love/hate relationship with my URRRRge to buy everything on my TBR pile. I love the fact that there are just so many damn good books to read out there. But I also hate the fact that I don't have them yet! 

So I went a little mega on my book haul this month and just bought most of the books I've been wanting to read. Yes, it'll take a while to read them but at least I have them in my hands, right? And I am ecstatic! 

I've already completed reading The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms before publishing this post! Don't judge me; there was a gap between the arrival of my first batch and second batch. 

Without further ado, here's my mega book haul!

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

After reading Eleanor & Park I just had to get Fangirl. It's just not enough reading just one of Rainbow Rowell's books. I see Fangirl on the shelves of every Barnes & Noble I happen to peruse and the YA BookTube community is raving about it. So Fangirl, COME. TO. ME.

How To Tell Toldeo From the Night Sky by Lydia Netzer

This is a lovely book I heard of on one of the episodes of The Book Riot Podcast, in which Rebecca Schinsky and Amanda Nelson rave about this new release. Since I trust Book Riot's recommendations I knew I would love this book as well. Also, I don't read a lot of books with an astrology premise. The last one I read was The Movement of Stars by Amy Brill and I loved it. It's about time I get lost in the stars again.

The Inheritance Trilogy by N.K. Jemisin

Speaking of getting lost in stars, let's get lost with hunky gods, goddesses, and godlings. After being sucked into the Dreamblood series, I just had to get my hands on N.K. Jemisin's other works. This trilogy was published before the Dreamblood series and it's just as good. I already finished The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms and the feels, THE FEELS! A review is well under way people!

The Blood Eden Series by Julie Kagawa

A paranormal dystopian! A vampire romance! And *drumroll* an Asian/American heroine in a YA series. Now, you don't see that often. Naturally, I had to get my hands on this series. Yes, there are many books out there with similar premises. Heck these days, the YA genre is dominated by dystopias and vampires. But a vampire + dystopia? I peruse a lot of paranormal books and I have yet to come across another series that combine both premises. If there are others, feel free to recommend. And although I've been really into fantasy lately, I've always been a lover of paranormal fiction. Since high school, I found those elements more sexy and trilling. So I just know I'll get a unique reading experience with The Blood Eden series while still dipping into one of my favorite genres. Also, hurrah to Julie Kagawa and Harlequin Teen for bringing diversity into YA literature. 

The Grisha Trilogy by Leigh Bardugo

Have you seen this trilogy everywhere? Good, so have I. I've heard of this trilogy on Book Riot, Twitter, and BookTube; and I've seen it on the YA front shelves of every bookstore. I admit, I wasn't able to jump on the boat/moment of other big name trilogies, so I didn't want to miss out on this one. But that's now the only reason why I've bought these. I'm actually a lot more interested in this trilogy than any other books that have been turned into movies. I admit (again), I'm not as excited to read this as I am of my other books, but I have a pretty good feeling that I'll end up loving them all the same. Woohoo books!  

The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson | Review

Discovered: Goodreads and BookRiot.com
Status: Unfinished
Purchased: Barnes & Noble
Mode: Hardcover
Goodreads Review: *

The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson was recently published on July 8, 2014 by Henry Holt and Co. This is the same publisher that published the successful Shadow and Bone Trilogy. The Kiss of Deception is the first book of The Remnant Chronicles, another fantasy series that perked my fantasy-loving senses. I was really eager for this book and I really wanted to like it, but unfortunately I couldn't. The act of forcing myself to read for the sake of getting my money's worth was making me miserable. So after 250 pages I set the book aside and returned it to Barnes & Noble.

First, the plot was quite boring even after 250 pages. The most exciting part happens in the beginning when Lia runs away from her father's kingdom due to an unwanted arranged marriage. But it's not much of a surprise considering readers already know that from the synopsis. After, there are 200+ pages of Lia's new life in Trevia with her BFF Paulina. I was waiting for something, ANYTHING, to happen. Perhaps, the exciting parts are supposed to be the love triangel between Lia, Rafe, and Kaden. Yet I found their interactions trivial. It was an all too familiar love triangle scenario that could be taken out and placed into any other genre. Also, I found the world bland. There was nothing unique or captivating about Morrighan or Trevia, which reminded me of Cinque Terre or any other Italian coastal city.

Second, the writing was redundant. I agree, the writing and descriptions were nice, almost flourishing. But it was also redundant considering the lack of momentum in the plot. Yes, Lia and Paulina have an amazing friendship and Trevia is so beautiful, but I already knew that 100 pages ago.

Third, I did not respect the characters enough to take them seriously. Personally, I find something wrong with the concept of a privileged girl choosing to live the tough life of labor just to prove a point to herself and her family, compared to a girl born into such circumstances. If you think about it, Lia had it pretty good. She's a princess who had access to shelter, food, and an education. Both her parents are living and she's surrounded by loving brothers.

I won't nitpick the selfishness of the whole running away part because that would defeat the original premise of the story. I understand and even sympathize those teenage feelings of fierce independence and rebellion. But after 250 pages, I did not see any character development from Lia. For one thing, her sense of judgement diminishes as she is unable to sense an assassin right under her nose. Isn't she a skilled rider who was able to lose her pursuers? Conveniently, all except for Rafe, Kaden, and Walther. Instead, she doubts Gwyneth, who has the foresight to sense danger. This is one of the many contradictions in Kiss of Deceptions. Right before this sudden doubt, Lia had felt a close bond among the ladies after revealing Pauline's predicament.

In addition to Lia, I found the other primary characters ( Pauline, Rafe, and Kaden) to be wishy washy teens full of contradictions. True, I did not finish the book and don't know whatever deception/s came to closure. Unfortunately, I was no longer invested in the story and characters to find out.

Giving Up On A Book | Bookish Musings

Recently, I gave up on a book. I read about 250 pages, a bit more than half of said book, then set it aside and returned it to the bookstore. I was quite deflated. If you'd been as eager as I was for this book, you probably would have had the same slump in your shoulders that day.

I don't usually not finish a book because, naturally I read a book I want to read. However, there are times when I just cannot finish a particular book for the following reasons:

Keep in mind, these are my personal opinions and I don't speak for the general reading population.

• The plot is boring. Quite simple, really. The book may be about the most horrendous crime in the west coast, a fantastical world war in another dimension, or a crazy family in the roaring twenties; however I lose interest if the plot is lackluster. The premise could be intriguing, maybe even unique, but if the story is going no where or certain situations get chewed on and on like stale gum, I need to stop.
• The writing is redundant. I admit, not every book I read had the best writing. I recall some having punctuation errors and others having a lack of punctuation. However, the writing of some of those books was fun; it flowed with the plot and characters. Although it did not conform to traditional (and at times pretentious) standards of fiction, the writing made my reading experience enjoyable. Unfortunately, writing could be redundant to the extent that it causes the story to become just words on a page. When the setting of the book or the relationship one character has to another are described over and over again, the writing is redundant. The prose may be fluffy, but it no longer compliments the characters or the plot. I get bored! The world of the book dissipates and my window into another time or existence shatters. I'm just skimming two-dimensional words and pages.
• I no longer respect the main character/s. Sure, a character may be a cold and ruthless murder or any other heinous being an author could conjure, but he/she has a depth and vitality I cannot brush off. I want characters to evoke emotions of love, anger, hate, fear, even annoyance that contribute to my reading experience, not deter it. I no longer respect a character when she loses his/her legitimacy to the point that I cannot stand him/her. I do not see the attributes the readers and author have given him/her. Have you ever had that feeling you just wish you never met a certain character? Yes, that feeling.

You may have read this as a rant (because it partly was), but it is also a statement that it is absolutely okay not to finish a book or even like a book you've read. Read what you want to read and don't read what you don't want to read (unless, of course, you're forced to read a book for class). Personally, there has always been an obligation to read or finish a book. But I learned that such "rules" only deter the pleasure I get from reading. Don't be obligated to read or finish a classic. And don't feel guilty to set aside a popular book so you could get back to your more particular tastes. 

It's like church. When my mom forces me to go every Sunday, I begin to dread it. I won't let that happen to my reading.    

Magical Realism and Gothic Historicals | Review

 

Discovered: Barnes & Noble
Status: Read
Purchased: Kobo
Mode: Kobo Glo

My previous post has my in-depth reflection of The Enchanted by Rene Denfeld. As previously stated, The Enchanted is one of the most enthralling novels I've read this year. The book is chiefly enthralling due to its magical narrative. You may even mistake is as a fantasy, but its stark portrayal of prison and vice will leave you gasping at the horrors humans are capable of. Yet The Enchanted also portrays redemption and the power of hope even among despair and wretchedness.

Discovered: Books On The Nightstand
Status: Read
Purchased: Barnes & Noble
Mode: Hardcover

If you're looking for a book that has you walking away in soot and blood, The Quick is definitely for you! A recommendation on Books On The Nightstand twitched my interest, but it wasn't until I saw the book's cover at my local Barnes & Noble retailer that I got really interested.  I mean look at it, a sepia photograph of a classic dapper Oxford gentleman reading beside a gorgeous bookshelf. But wait! The photograph is tainted with blood. At first glace, The Quick is a Gothic adventure just waiting to happen and I was hooked after reading the synopsis.

The Quick is about various characters that get entangled in the politics and violence of London's darkest society. It is very easy to ruin the twist of this book, so if you want that "WTF" moment I urge you to just pick it up and read it without doing too much research. Before you know it you'll be drawn into London's bloodiest secrets while strolling through its darkest alleys and inside its most exclusive club.

Magic

 

Discovered: Oyster
Status: Read
Purchased: Oyster
Mode: iPhone

Dragonwyck by Anya Seton is another Gothic romance marvel I picked up at Oyster. Hooray for Oyster for their awesome Gothic Romance list! First published in 1944, Dragonwyck follows Miranda Wells, a young woman from a humble farm, who goes to live with her mother's distant wealthy cousin, Nicolas Van Ryn, as companion to his wife and daughter. At Dragonwyck, Miranda, who had always disdained her humble upbringing, is instantly wooed by the rich and bourgeois lifestyle. She also becomes infatuated with Nicolas who embodies all her romantic notions of genteel and masculinity.

Dragonwyck is a Gothic indulgence. There is the ill-fated love between a young and naive heroine and the older mysterious gentleman. We see this kind of pairing in Rebecca and Jane Eyre. And the story includes other Gothic elements such as the haunted manors, married men and their first wives, mysterious deaths, etc. But Dragonwyck is more than just an angsty love story. It shows the destructive consequences of excess and perceived invincibility. Materialism, class snobbery, even romantic naivete are no longer defenses against the force of social trends and tensions of the time as we see Miranda and Nicolas face their own limitations.

Stay tuned next month for another post on Frontlist Favorites and Backlist Marvels!

The Enchanted by Rene Denfeld | Review

Discovered: Barnes & Noble

Status: Read

Purchased: Kobo

Mode: Kobo Glo

The Enchanted by Rene Denfeld was published on March 4, 2014 by Harper Collins. I first noticed it on the front shelves at my local Barnes & Noble retailer. I picked it up thinking it was a fantasy because of its title and grim cover. I initially thought the three horses to be unicorns (haha). After reading the synopsis, I set the book aside because I was intimidated of reading a story about prison. I admit, I tend to read books about friends, love, and happy endings because I want the lingering emotions of a finished book to be happy not grim. But after much consideration, I quickly purchased The Enchanted on my Kobo Glo before I changed my mind. And let me say, The Enchanted is one of the most enthralling novels I read this year. 

The book takes place at an old unnamed prison. Most of the story is narrated by one of  the inmates on death row. Our narrator has been stuck in his cell for quite some time, separated from general population inmates due to the horrors of his crime. Yet his mind goes beyond the boundaries of his solitary confinement as we learn about the prison and its inhabitants through his point of view. The story is mainly driven by "the lady" as she attempts to save York, a fellow inmate, from death row. As an investigator, she is hired by attorneys to build cases in defense of death row inmates. It is a unique career that questions her own sense of morality and humanity. You ask, why defend and sympathize with murderers? And then you ask, what is this lady's history and what has she gone through? She decides to accept York's case because, unlike previous death row inmates, he has chosen death over life in prison. 

The Enchanted is chiefly enthralling due to its magical realist narrative. It was this element of the novel that propelled me to continue reading despite raw issues of prison corruption, death row, rape, and murder. Our narrator, whose name we later find out to be Arden, sounds surprisingly innocent and childish as he weaves his magic. There are the men between the walls, the flibber-gibbets in the crematorium, and the golden horses underground. The prison seems really enchanted!

Yet despite the magical elements of the novel and prison, Rene Denfeld does not undermine the horrors of humanity. We see it in the prison among the more villainous inmates and their cronies. We see it among the guards who protect the thieves, rapists, and murders rather than protect the victims. But how could there be victims in prison? Are they not all criminals, whose crimes effect the good and innocent? The Enchanted tackles these questions, which stem from our tendencies of clumping evil from the good. 

Also, The Enchanted brings up an enlightening question: Are the inmates cold-blooded murderers or are they also victims of a much larger and broken system? Rene Denfeld suggests that there is always a story beyond the crime. While criminals are cold-blooded killers, they are also products of their own tragic and abusive upbringings. York and the lady are both victims of early childhood sexual abuse, yet the former is behind bars while the latter is free. Again, the strong division we place between good and evil is not so clear.  

The Enchanted truly drew me into the magical and frightening world of prison. At times, I couldn't believe what was happening because the voice seemed so guileless, almost childlike. Yet, the magical realism does not deter the novel from delving into human nature and the complicated divide between good and evil. It also approaches complicated processes of forgiveness and healing among victims and criminals.