Book #92 - Poison Princess (The Arcana Chronicles #1)

Poison Princess (The Arcana Chronicles #1), Kresley Cole
ARC - Publish date:  October 2, 2012
384 pages
post-apocalyptic, urban fantasy, paranormal romance
Started 8/14/12
Finished 8/19/12
4 STARS

I obtained an ARC of Poison Princess, the first in a new series by Immortals After Dark author, Kresley Cole, at a book signing, which was indeed providence, as I had really been looking forward to reading it anyway. My overall impression is that it is a really great, unique read, albeit a bit confusing and slightly disjointed at times. Evie's story is told in flashback form as she recounts the circumstances of her life over the past eight months to a serial killer who is looking to make her his next victim.

Our heroine, Evie Greene is getting ready to start her junior year of high school after spending the summer away at a mental institution. She has visions and sometimes hears voices - never good when you're a rich almost-16-year-old heir to a sugar cane plantation. On her first day back, she meets rogue Jackson Deveaux, a Cajun boy from the wrong side of the swamp. It's a love-hate relationship right from the start.

But then the world nearly ends in a fiery apocalypse, and surviving is now priority numero uno. Evie and Jack find each other and set off on a mission together, growing closer even while Evie tries to keep the vision-seeing and voice-hearing a secret.

The mythology of this story is steeped in astrology and Tarot Cards. Perhaps I wouldn't have been as confused as I was at times if I understood anything about those two things. As I do not, I need to rely on the story and the author's ability to explain things in the proper context. I felt that could've been done a bit better. Although Cole did explain some about Tarot, I felt it came a little too late in the story to be as helpful as I needed it to be.

However, I did think the world building and character development was done very well. The story mainly takes place in Louisiana. I really liked how Cole made the Bayou come to life for someone like me who has never been there. 

 Evie had lots of depth and emotion. She is this rich chick who is dealing with the belief that she's nuts, and she's trying to hide it from everyone. One would think she would be delicate and high-maintenance, but when the crap hits the fan and the world falls apart, Evie shows incredible strength and courage. 

Jack, I liked too, although a little less than Evie. He's very crass and rude, almost to a fault. I get that he's supposed to be rough and unapproachable and that it's supposed to be Evie that softens him. Sometimes I felt that he was almost too mean and irate, so that he was almost a caricature of "the bad boy." There were, however, moments when Jack balanced out, and I really felt like he cared about Evie. Those moments were too few and far between though. I desperately wanted Evie and Jack to figure things out so they could be together. I really loved those two when they were good to each other.

All-in-all, this was a solid four-star book. I will warn you - as good as it is, the ending is abrupt and cliffhangerish. It made me crazy! It's a good long wait until the next book is out. And, as my friends know, I have no patience.

Book #91 - Destined (Wings #4)

Destined (Wings #4), Aprilynne Pike
307 pages
paranormal romance
Started 8/13/12
Finished 8/14/12
4.5 STARS

This series has come so far for me. I remember completing Wings (Wings #1) and feeling very "meh" about it. The only character at that point that evoked any real emotion from me was Tamani. I felt that Laurel and David were very childish, and I wasn't engaged. I very nearly didn't continue with the series. But, Tamani drew me forward, and I am SO glad I went on. Because Destined was such a wonderful ending to the series.

Avalon and its inhabitants are literally fighting for their lives. And, in the front lines are Laurel, David, Chelsea, and Tamani. Laurel has to reach deep down to harness her powers and all she has learned to help those that she loves. And Tamani and David need to learn to allow her to do so, despite their first instincts, which are to lock her away to protect her. As the war escalates and the final battles are fought, lives end up literally in the balance.

One of my favorite parts of this book is that Laurel finally, FINALLY, makes a choice!! For the past three books, she's been back and forth between David and Tamani, and it's been one of my biggest irritations with the series. Thank the Lord, she comes to her senses and makes a real and final choice. I loved that.

This book was action-packed. It started nearly from the very beginning and didn't end until the very end. It's one battle after the other, and Aprilynne Pike did a fantastic job describing it all to me. I could hear the screams and smell the smoke and taste the panic in the air. I loved those moments that Laurel was able to steal with Tamani and David away from the battles that are raging around them. It softened her and made her much more likable.

As flat as Laurel and David seemed in the first book, they both were that much more vibrant in the fourth. Pike did a great job maturing them and making them more real. And, Tamani - well, he was perfect the whole way through. I love that faerie.

Overall, I would say, this series is the perfect example of why you shouldn't give up after only one book in a series. You never know what the next one will be like. And, you may end up loving it in the end.   

2012 PAYA Festival - Bringing YA to PA!

Me, Jen and Jennifer L. Armentrout (and Pepe!)

On Saturday, my good friend Jen from At Random and I went to the 2012 PAYA Festival sponsored by the organization Bring YA to PA. Nearly thirty authors were in attendance to chat with fans and sign books. As was the case with YA Fest that Jen and I attended earlier in the month, there were also raffles and food sales. Bring YA to PA is an organization that is devoted to encouraging teens to read and love books; that's certainly something I can get behind! So, I happily bought some books and some raffle tickets and settled in to enjoy the day.

Jeri Smith-Ready signing my Shade series books

I went with five books and came home with 15 - not a bad haul for one day! I bought a few additional books to have signed, and I also donated a few dollars in exchange for a grab bag of ARCs - I know, right?? Jen and I had a little squeal between us when we saw those. And, of course, there was swag. :)

Some of my favorite authors were there, which was just icing on the cake. We got to see Jennifer L. Armentrout again, which was great since Onyx (Lux #2) was just release two weeks ago! A few other favorites that I got to see included Wendy Higgins (Sweet Evil), Maria V. Snyder (Poison Study), Jeri-Smith Ready (Shade) and Jessica Spotswood (Born Wicked).

Authors that appeared were: Susan Shaw, Victoria Schwab, K.M. Walton, Margie Gelbwasser, Charlotte Bennardo, Jackie Kessler, Amalie Howard, Ellen Jensen Abbott, Jennifer Hubbard, Jennifer Murgia, J.R. Wagner, Shannon Delany, Beth Kephart, Brigid Kemmerer, Jaclyn Dolamore, A.S. King, Jessica Spotswood, Jeri Smith-Ready, Maria V. Snyder, Cyn Balog, Josh Berk, Cesya MaRae Cuono, Gwendolyn Heasley, Dianne Salerni, Rebecca Serle, Jennifer Armentrout, Christine Norris, Alissa Grosso, Wendy Higgins, Amy Holder, Elisa Ludwig, and Tiffany Schmidt. It was so exciting!

But, what was more exciting were these pretty additions to my bookshelf at home!

Books I had signed

My grab bag ARCs

Look at all the swag!