Dreamless: review

Title: Dreamless (Starcrossed #2)
Author: Josephine Angelini
Genres: greek mythology retelling ya, urban fantasy
Summary: As the only Scion that can enter Hades at will, Helen descends to the Underworld in search of a way to overcome the Furies and end the cycle of revenge that has cursed the Scions. But she’s running out of time. Each descent weakens her both in mind and spirit. A mysterious stranger might be her only salvation, but the price may be her love for Lucas Delos.

As an unforgettable love triangle emerges, Josephine Angelini’s compelling saga becomes ever more intricate and spellbinding. The eagerly awaited sequel to the internationally bestselling Starcrossed, Dreamless delivers with a huge emotional impact that will leave readers satisfied—and longing for more.


I'm so happy I finally got to this! It was super fun, and I read it in a day and half. Now I really can't wait for the last one...but it's so far away. I wonder what it will be called!?

I love that moment--however delayed it may be--of figuring out the title of a book. Like WHY it is called that? You know that, right? Yep. Had that about halfway through, though felt slightly slow when I did.

Alright. Once again, it's always easier to write reviews on books I hate, than ones I thoroughly enjoyed, so I'll try my best.

THERE ARE SPOILERS FOR STARCROSSED.

I only read Starcrossed once, a few months before it came out. I remember about 20% of it. It took me a few pages to remember who the Mortal-Best-Friends were: Claire and Matt. And what happened to Daphne: she disappeared. Also, what the status between Lucas and Helen was: sorted out almost immediately, seriously you can't miss it.

There! Now you don't have to go back and reread it before picking up this awesome sequel.


I just love the mythology in this series! I haven't found good quality modern retelling Greek mythology since Percy Jackson. She ties in all these crazy gods attacking innocent mortals and you're like, awesome.
There is a strong main cast of characters, all the teenagers the 'reincarnations?' of the ancient heroes/people. My favorite it Hector! I feel the need to hug him every time he is mentioned. Which isn't a lot in Dreamless, by the way. Because of the whole Outcast thing.

In Starcrossed...the romance is awesome. Lucas is a great love-interest and doesn't sparkle or anything, which is always nice. BUT then you find out the whole Scion thing, and who Helen's parents are and then it all goes downhill. HELLO THEY ARE RELATED. But it's so sad!! They fell in love, Helen and Lucas (Paris) and now they're cousins! It should bother me more, but I am still rooting for them in the end, even though Orion is okay.

Orion is more than okay. He is a good rivalry for Lucas, but...not...because the two become sort of friends (new twist on that cliche!) and also, Orion and Helen aren't related as closely so it's kind of not as creepy for them to be together!

*group hug*

Still team Lucas. He can fly.

As far as the plot of Dreamless goes, honestly, there was a LOT of misleadingness--a great relief on my part!
Oh it's so hard to write this without spoilers.........................................................................................okay. I guess all i can say is, if you are suspecting something bad is going to happen maybe rethink it. Especially at the end. Concerning memory.

I almost forgot, I had some major deja vu when reading this. And I STILL can't put my finger on what it is! The thing that triggered it: Helen was sick the entire book with a sort of demigod sleeping disorder. She doesn't really tell anybody, but just accepts it as a part of fate and ignores it. Where have I read that before? The main character getting sicker and weaker as the book goes on? Anybody??

There is this one scene SMALL SPOILER ALERT! where I actually felt like I was choking and gagging, which I kept telling myself it is good writing if I can't breathe. But that was my reaction only because Helen's throat had just been cut, not because of some squealy scene. I seriously felt like it was happening to me too, while she is hopelessly trying to communicate and blood is spurting out of her neck... Probably best part of the book in my opinion. END SPOILER.

Giggling. That's what happens to me when the whole banished, Outcast thing pops up. And that's originally how Helen and Lucas had met, right? Set eyes on each other, both belonging to different houses, and BAM. "I have the sudden need to kill you." "Ditto." Totally a turn on, right? I know.
It's just such a crazy idea and so creative, and a big part of the arc-story in the series. Looove.

A heads up, the ending is one of those rare ones that leaves you reasonably hanging, but NOT where you are annoyed as hell, picking your jaw off the floor, or throwing the book against a wall. It has an end enough to keep you happy and wanting more at the same time.

Well, I don't think I'm missing anything. Wait, yes I am. I have something to admit. When I read Starcrossed, I knew it was mythology based. That's it. So when I went to Changing Hands to meet Josephine Angelini and get my book signed (^_^) I was met with a surprise. In her talk in taking turns between Veronica Roth (!!!!got Divergent signed too!!!!) and Aprilynne Pike (Huge fan as well!), she mentioned her new book Starcrossed was a retelling of the Helen of Troy story. My reaction: "Wait, WHAT?" *Facepalm* I think everyone knew that but me.

You will LOVE this book, if you're at all a fan of Die for Me by Amy Plum, the Percy Jackson series, or anything mythology in general.

Only a year till I learn the fate of Helen and Lucas...
-Jane

Flirting in Italian: review

Title: Flirting in Italian (standalone, but there will be a companion novel)
Author: Lauren Henderson
Genres: contemporary ya, 'chic lit'
Release Date: June 12th, 2012
Summary: The Goodreads summary completely sucks, but the one on the back of my ARC is about a page long, and I really don't feel like typing it up. I hope when the publishing date comes closer, a better summary will appear, so keep an eye out. It's a lot more interesting than this current summary: Four girls. One magical, and possibly dangerous Italian summer. Family mysteries, ancient castles, long hot nights of dancing under the stars . . . and, of course, plenty of gorgeous Italian boys! Seriously, that's the lamest summary of a book. Ever. -I'll keep an eye on the page and update this post if it does change. 




So, I have mixed feelings about this book. At some parts I loved it, and some parts I had to notice bad pacing and a wobbly storyline. If I didn't look up the author, I would think this is her debut, but by the end, it made some sense.

I didn't really know what to expect when I started Flirting in Italian. I opened it up to read the first chapter, which is what I usually do when deciding if I want to read a book. So, I had been standing in the middle of my room reading over 50 pages without looking up, when I realized apparently this is a book I want to read...so I sat down and finished it.

As a traveller, I am a sucker for books that take place in other countries. It's always a nice change of scene from the boring, stupid American school setting. My two recent favs: Anna and the French Kiss, which takes place in Paris, France. And the setting of Wanderlove, is Central America. This took place in a town near Firenze, Italy. (I've been there!) Honestly I'm not sure if the exact location was mentioned.

The part I didn't like of the book was the sort-of-there-sort-of-not premise. Violet wants to go to Italy because of a random painting she sees in a museum of a girl who looks like she could be her twin. The portrait is from the 1800s, but Violet has always felt strangely left out of the family genes, a 'throwback'. She could pass for Italian, even though her mom is Norwegian and her dad is Scottish. What would you do? Well Violet convinces her mom to take a summer study course in Italy when she really plans on investigating the history of the painting.

It just seemed lame, you know. Because once she gets there, three other girls are taking the course with her (more on that in a second) and 80% of the book is them all out partying with a bunch of Italian guys! Really? Here and there, she goes back to her original mission. And she finds out the portrait of the girl is from the family tree of the hot guy love interest, Luca. Oh, and he is a prince, and lives in a creepy old castle. They might be distant cousins! Gasp.

The part I DID love a lot: the three girls she is staying with. Kelly, the poor bookish redhead from Essex; and Kendra and Paige, the Americans. And they are VERY typical spoiled rich little American teenagers. Violet, our protag, lives in London, which took me a few pages to figure out.
Immediately, they are all so well defined by where they come from. It was fun for me to read from Violet's point of view, the kind of things she notices that the American girls do. Their antics, expressions, I've never read it from a foreigner's point of view. Those were the moments that made me crack up. Kelly, on the other hand, kind of bonds with Violet because they are both from the same place, though opposite upbringings.

It's a fun and silly read, and if you're in the mood for something to take your mind off your problems, this is a great escape. First I thought this was a standalone book, but nearing the end, and only having a week of the eight (of the course) gone by, I figured it would be continued. And at the end, my hunch was confirmed. There will be a companion, Following in love in Italian.

...that doesn't sound right. Shouldn't it be Falling in love in Italian?? But I've seen two sources with it, so it's not a spelling error. Unless I'm the first to find that mistake... ;)

A solid three stars! And a half. Yeah, three and a half stars.

If this book were a food: strawberry frosting.

-Jane

Independent Book Blogger Award

Please vote for me! I would really love it. :) Voting starts April 10th, and ends the 23rd!

Also, if anybody wants me to put their blog button thingy on the side of my blog, I will totally do it, as soon as someone helps me figure out how to post my own...

-Jane

Vote for this blog for the Independent Book Blogger Awards!
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Illuminate: review

Title: Illuminate (Gilded Wings #1)
Author: Aimee Agresti
Genres: ya paranormal, angels, urban fantasy
Summary: Haven Terra is a brainy, shy high school outcast. But everything begins to change when she turns sixteen. Along with her best friend Dante and their quiet and brilliant classmate Lance, she is awarded a prestigious internship in the big city— Chicago—and is sent to live and work at a swanky and stylish hotel under the watchful eyes of a group of gorgeous and shockingly young-looking strangers: powerful and alluring hotel owner Aurelia Brown; her second-in-command, the dashing Lucian Grove; and their stunning but aloof staff of glamazons called The Outfit. 

As Haven begins falling for Lucian, she discovers that these beautiful people are not quite what they seem. With the help of a mysterious book, she uncovers a network of secret passageways from the hotel’s jazz-age past that leads her to the heart of the evil agenda of Aurelia and company: they’re in the business of buying souls. Will they succeed in wooing Haven to join them in their recruitment efforts, or will she be able to thwart this devilish set’s plans to take the souls of her classmates on prom night at the hotel? 


This was so much better than I expected!

I am not a fan of the angel genre. I have tried a few of the popular series' like Fallen, Unearthly, Angelfire, Angel (no-not the Max Ride one!), Daughter of Smoke and Bone...and I was very unimpressed with all of them, putting them all down halfway through (mostly because it's a God themed genre of books, and as an atheist, it didn't grab me)...I know, very sad. I didn't realize until recently that the City of Bones books are totally angel books. Those don't count! I worship those books. :) It's just way differently approached, so it's set apart. This is also true for Illuminate.

It starts off strong, not focusing much at all on the high school setting and soon enough we are swept up in the amazing Lexington Hotel. I learned lots about Chicago history! Al Capone and the Outfit being the centre of things. I have to say that the setting and all it's surprises has to be my favorite part of the book. The Vault- nightclub, felt real and vibrant. The focus of photography, from the black and white original pictures from the 20s to the new ones Haven takes that start to...change.

At first, Haven really annoyed me! For about the first 30 pages. She comes off as a true nerd in every term, so I should have related to her, but it was in the bookish college fast track way, not the sic-fi way I am, I guess. So she says things like, "She folded the napkin into an isosceles triangle."...yeah, sort of wordy, but it doesn't last long, or maybe I just got used to it. Haven really grows up in here though, in her coming of age story. She is smart of course, but is way out of her league. Unfortunately she follows directions blindly from a diary that has writing appearing in it nightly...Riddle anyone? So besides that stupidness, she is a very resourceful and determined protagonist.

Dante is pretty cool, but I don't like his favorite word, 'superhot'. There really needs to be a space there. My favorite character was Lance! Keep an eye on him. :)

The selling point in me picking up Illuminate was Josephine Angelini's blurb on the cover..."Part The Picture of Dorian Gray, part The Devil Wears Prada...." I read no further. What could THAT mean?? What a bizarre mix!!! And I have to say now, after reading it, that's exactly the way to describe it!

I don't really know what to say about the plot. It's in the angel genre, no doubt, but as this is the first book in the series, or trilogy-not sure yet, there is not much angelic stuff till the end (which I liked!) And there is no God connection/mention, though there is Satan, I suppose. More focused on the mythology of it, than the religion aspect. It's all weaved into something strange and hooking, and I am glad to have read this. I can't wait till the next one! Loved the ending, but I do need more.

-Jane

The Count of Monte Cristo: review

Title: The Count of Monte Cristo
Author: Alaxandre Dumas
Genres: adventure, historical fiction, French literature
Summary: Falsely accused of treason, the young sailor Edmond Dantes is arrested on his wedding day and imprisoned in the island fortress of the Château d'If. Having endured years of incarceration, he stages a daring and dramatic escape and sets out to discover the fabulous treasure of Monte Cristo, and to catch up with his enemies. 

A novel of enormous tension and excitement, The Count of Monte Cristois also a tale of obsession and revenge. Believing himself to be an 'Angel of Providence', Dantes pursues his vengeance to the bitter end, only then realizing that he himself is a victim of fate.

Alright. How do I start? I always have such a hard time reviewing books over a thousand pages... (1243 for my copy)

The first half: I loved the sort of storybook life Dantés has for his future with the lovely Mercédès. Until of course, he is sent to jail. Then that was kind of depressing. But those whole 14 years in there, with Abbé Faria, and what he goes through to escape, I just couldn't stop reading! The detail of everything, from the tools he creates (like that knife from the metal ring in the water bucket handle, among others), to the book that's written on old rags of clothing. And his actual escape, I was so hooked!

The Transformation!: From this point on, until pretty much the very end, there is no more Edmond Dantés. There is the Count of Monte Cristo, godlike figure. Mysterious and endlessly rich, entity belonging to no country, and whom everyone either absolutely loves, or greatly despises. Brilliant. I can't get over it. I mean, *I* was convinced at some points that he was otherworldly!

The middleish: I got bored. I'm so sorry, Dumas, but that whole Italy affair with the random guy Franz, and Albert and Vampa, it took me twice as long to read through those parts, as it took to read the other 1000 pages of the book. But! I do know it does totally pertain

After about page 450 or so to the end. Aka. Arrival to Paris: This is where it gets completely interesting again! Over the span of about a page. All those trivial characters and places, relationships and secrets, they alllll start to tie together! From this point on, it's non-stop engaging.

It's kind of erie how manipulative Monte Cristo is. Every single action he does manages to either totally help his new neighbor, and/or destroy an old enemy's marriage. Yes, it's that black and white. I would hate to be along his track of revenge because boy do those three people who sent him to jail sure regret it, even though they don't ever know it. That's Fernand, Danglars, and Caderousse-oh, and the fourth who sealed the deal to Edmond's fate, de Villefort. (That's a badass name by the way, kind of like Vader or something.)
Morrel on the other hand, is his one true friend from the beginning, so MC forgives him and really helps him...not die and stuff.

The ending: I thought it would end up differently!!! Seriously, for a whole 25 pages or so, the suspense and confusion of everything ending, I was like "Whoa!! That would rock and fit perfectly and be dramatic and everything ohmygod!" But it didn't. It actually made sense, and was almost sweet? Which was okay, don't worry. It's a good ending, I just didn't want the book to end, and honestly, that doesn't happen to me with books written before the 19th century. I still keep looking at my nightstand expecting to see it there, bookmark tucked in the middle that never seems to move, notes sticking out of it, but no, it has migrated toward my 'already-read-classics bookshelf'. I liked it better than The Three Musketeers, which was pretty awesome, just not quite as awesome as this one.

My favorite (or at least most memorable) characters:

Monte Cristo- nuff said. He rocks my world now.

Valentine- You know, I kind of hate her and love her at the same time. Pyramus and Thisbe! But oh-so-dramatic. She is one of those whiney obedient daughters who really should take more initiative in her life. She is incredibly devoted to Noirtier (also very fascinating character! Not a man of many words.) but seriously needs to move out.

Mlle Eugénia de Villefort- the ONLY feminist in this entire book! I can't count how many times I felt the need to rip a page out from everything everyone was saying that put women down! I know, I know it IS the times. Still, it is infuriating. So this girl is probably in only mentioned in about 50 pages all together, but I will remember her. The way she has this independence and doesn't want to marry, but run away to become a traveling musician with her friend; I was surprised Dumas wrote this character back in the 1800s. *claps happily*

Lucian Debray- is it just me, or is he secretly a werewolf? I mean he is like the most random character in the book. I think he was introduced in Paris, but for all I know, he was in there the whole story and I only noticed him then? Pretty sure he is a journalist, but he didn't seem to have much point in anything. I don't even remember if he was going to marry anybody!

Julie and Emmanuel- such a sweet couple, they kept popping in at times, and since Julie is Morrel's daughter MC does look over her and help her have her fairy-tale ending. I think that's because he couldn't have his.

All in all, this is now one of my all time favorite books. It's complexity is genius, and Dumas was a fantastic writer; it's witty, funny, and ever so insightful.

-Jane

Wishlist Wednesday

I just stumbled upon this blog hop today on Red Headed Bookworm's blog, and so I have decided to join in the fun! Wishlist Wednesday is hosted by Dani, at Pen to Paper, and it's a meme in which you can post a book that you've had on your wish list for a while, but haven't found the time to actually read yet.

So what do you need to do to join in?

• Follow Pen to Paper as host of the meme.
• Please consider adding the blog hop button to your blog somewhere, so others can find it easily and join in too! Help spread the word! The code will be at the bottom of the post under the linky.
• Pick a book from your wishlist that you are dying to get to put on your shelves.
• Do a post telling your readers about the book and why it's on your wishlist.
• Add your blog to the linky at the bottom of this post.
• Put a link back to pen to paper (http://vogue-pentopaper.blogspot.com) somewhere in your post.
• Visit the other blogs and enjoy!

So, the book on my wishlist is...Dreamless, by Josephine Angelini!

It is the second in the Starcrossed trilogy, and comes out in May.

Goodreads summary: As the only Scion that can enter Hades at will, Helen descends to the Underworld in search of a way to overcome the Furies and end the cycle of revenge that has cursed the Scions. But she’s running out of time. Each descent weakens her both in mind and spirit. A mysterious stranger might be her only salvation, but the price may be her love for Lucas Delos. 

As an unforgettable love triangle emerges, Josephine Angelini’s compelling saga becomes ever more intricate and spellbinding. The eagerly awaited sequel to the internationally bestselling Starcrossed, Dreamless delivers with a huge emotional impact that will leave readers satisfied—and longing for more.


I actually do have this on my shelf now, an ARC. But it's been sitting there for two weeks or so. I really liked the first one, but forgot a whole bunch, so now I am debating whether to reread the first, Starcrossed, or to just dive right in to Dreamless and hope it does a good catch up. Either way, I am bound to start it soon! (Oh, just after this pile of books sitting on my dresser I forgot about.)


-Jane

The Book Life!

I always like promoting things about my favorite books...well, Cinder is way high on my list this year.

The Book Life blog! The Month of Cinder! :)

Again, I highly recommend Cinder, it's one of those rare great debuts. :)


-Jane