Yearly Archives:: 2012

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Review: Destiny’s Fire by Trisha Wolfe

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Destiny’s Fire
Trisha Wolfe
Release date: January 10th, 2012
by Omnific Publishing

Goodreads / Purchase

It’s the year 2040, and sixteen-year-old Dez Harkly is one of the last of her kind—part of a nearly extinct race of shape-shifters descended from guardians to the Egyptian pharaohs. Her home and her secret are threatened when the Council lowers the barrier, allowing the enemy race to enter the Shythe haven.

As the Narcolym airships approach, Dez and her friends rebel against their Council and secretly train for battle. Not only is Dez wary of war and her growing affection for her best friend Jace, but she fears the change her birthday will bring. When Dez’s newfound power rockets out of control, it’s a Narcolym who could change her fate… if she can trust him.

Dez’s guarded world crumbles when she discovers why the Narcos have really come to Haven Falls, and she’s forced to choose between the race who raised her and the enemy she’s feared her whole life.

*A copy was provided by Omnific Publishing for review purposes*
As a new steampunk novel, Destiny’s Fire delivers with a lot of action, steamy scenes and a fantastic futuristic setting. On the brink of extinction, enemy races Narcolym and Shythe are going to have to learn to live with each other, because Haven Falls’ protective barrier has come down.

While I had difficulty at the start, I ended up captivated by the world that Trish has built. Right from the beginning we’re thrown into this world with Nacrolyms, Shythe, and the intriguing history surrounding them. I was a bit disjointed at first, not knowing the specifics of this reality. How they live, the barrier, why they are at war; the politics behind the plot take a while to become clear. Combined with the slower pace, I wasn’t sure what to make of the book. However, about half-way through it picks up quite a bit, along with deeper world building which quickly turns it into an engrossing tale.

Inside this world resides quite a few fascinating characters. Dez, our main character, is determined, strong, with an attractive personality. I loved her attitude, as well as her realistic reactions to the events in the story. Her “secret” also promises an exciting, action packed series. The only thing I didn’t like was how she treated Jace as sort of a stand-in for her real interest. I loved Jace. He’s so sweet and genuine; I really felt for him. Dez’s best friend, Lana, is a fun, well-rounded character that you get to care about as much as the protagonist. She’s exuberant and simply fills the pages with life.

The unique lore together with unexpected plot twists gives us a remarkably elaborate story. Everything blends together wonderfully. I especially enjoyed the romance that allows a breather from the intensity. There is definite chemistry between the love interests which is perfectly paced to make us long for more. Altogether well written and gratifying, Destiny’s Fire is an honorable debut that I recommend to all steampunk fans.

Fun fact: I have a strong dislike for the word eyeteeth. (Which does not, in fact, mean eyeballs on teeth *phew*) O_o  

4 Hot Espressos

Dusty Reads (16)

Posted by on 01/10/2012 • 36 Comments

Dusty Reads is a weekly meme, hosted here, featuring a book that has been sitting unread on my home shelf for some time. To participate, add your link at the bottom.  If you wish, you can grab the button and find more information here.

My pick this week:

The Lovely BonesAlice SeboldReleased July, 2002Goodreads / Purchase

Sophie Mercer thought she was a witch. When we first meet Susie Salmon, she is already in heaven. As she looks down from this strange new place, she tells us, in the fresh and spirited voice of a fourteen-year-old girl, a tale that is both haunting and full of hope.

In the weeks following her death, Susie watches life continuing without her — her school friends trading rumors about her disappearance, her…

Still Waters Tour Stop

Posted by on 01/09/2012 • 22 Comments

As part of the Still Waters Tour, I have Emma Carlson Berne stopping by the blog today to answer some fun questions regarding her book, Still Waters. And because you all were nice enough to come take a look, you may have a chance to win!What is Still Waters about?

Still Waters Emma Carlson BerneRelease date: December 20th, 2011by Simon Pulse

Goodreads / Purchase

Hannah can’t wait to sneak off for a romantic weekend with her boyfriend, Colin. He’s leaving for college soon, and Hannah wants their trip to the lake house to be one they’ll never forget. But once Hannah and Colin get there, things start to seem a bit…off. They can’t find the town on any map. The house they are staying in looks as if someone’s…

Cover Reveal: Untouched

Posted by on 01/09/2012 • 14 Comments

Untouched(Denazen, #1.5)Jus AccardoRelease date: February 21st, 2012

Add it to your Goodreads

Synopsis currently unavailable

The Denazen series:   

This whole series is gorgeous! What do you think of this new pretty?

In My Mailbox (17)

Posted by on 01/08/2012 • 103 Comments

“In My Mailbox” is a meme, created by Kristi at The Story Siren, that features books I have received/ purchased/ borrowed during the week.  I hope you guys had a good week. Back to business this week huh? Don’t fret, there’s only 352 days until Christmas! But, who’s counting?

What I got this week for review (click on cover for Goodreads):

I want to thank Omnific Publishing, Flux Books, Bloomsbury, Random House, HarperCollins, AR Wise, Megan Mc Dade and SJ Davis for the review copies.

I have bought:

I have won:

How did I win this? Well, I took part in the Masquerade ball over at Cambria’s site during her blog tour. We all submitted a picture of us in a gown and my picture was one of the…

Cover Reveal: Stealing Parker, Return to Eden, Until Next Time & The Unnaturalists

Posted by on 01/07/2012 • 23 Comments

Stealing ParkerMiranda KenneallyRelease date: October 2012by Sourcebooks Fire

Add it to your Goodreads

About a 17-year-old girl named Parker who falls for the new 23-year-old coach of the baseball team.

Companion to CATCHING JORDAN.

Books by Miranda Kenneally:  Return to Eden (The Soulkeepers, #3)G.P. Ching Release date: Winter, 2012 Add it to your Goodreads

Synopsis currently unavailable

The Soulkeepers Series:

Until Next Time Amy Lignor Release date: February 1st, 2012 by Tribute Books Add it to your Goodreads

How does a girl choose between the one who steals her heart and the one who owns her soul?

Matt and Emily were created for a specific job. Raised and trained as the ultimate angel/warrior team, they are sent down to save, defend, judge and forgive, depending on the…

Fresh Batch (Jan. 8th – 14th)

Posted by on 01/07/2012 • 19 Comments

Exclusively titled for Xpresso Reads, Fresh Batch features the hottest releases of this upcoming week. Flavour of the week: =”1″>

Ditched

Robin Mellom Goodreads / Purchase 

High school senior Justina Griffith was never the girl who dreamed of going to prom. Designer dresses and strappy heels? Not her thing. So she never expected her best friend, Ian Clark, to ask her.Ian, who always passed her the baseball bat handle first.Ian, who knew exactly when she needed red licorice.Ian, who promised her the most amazing night at prom. And then ditched her.

Now, as the sun rises over her small town, and with only the help of some opinionated ladies at the 7-Eleven, Justina must piece together — stain by stain on her thrift-store dress — exactly how she…

Review: The Alchemy of Forever

Posted by on 01/06/2012 • 32 Comments

The Alchemy of ForeverAvery WilliamsRelease date: January 3rd, 2012by Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers

Goodreads / Purchase

After spending six hundred years on Earth, Seraphina Ames has seen it all. Eternal life provides her with the world’s riches but at a very high price: innocent lives. Centuries ago, her boyfriend, Cyrus, discovered a method of alchemy that allows them to take the bodies of other humans from jumping from one vessel to the next, ending the human’s life in the process. No longer able to bear the guilt of what she’s done, Sera escapes from Cyrus and vows to never kill again.

Then sixteen-year old Kailey Morgan gets into a horrific car accident right in front of her, and Sera accidentally takes over her body while trying…