Posts By: Giselle

Monday, December 05, 2011

Review: The Magi by Kevin M. Turner

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The Magi
Kevin M. Turner
Released October 8th, 2011

Goodreads / Purchase

Thirteen-year-old Elijah Hawk has never heard of the Magi. He doesn’t know about the secret power they have. He has never been to Savenridge, the Magi city hidden deep inside the northern forests. Most of all, Elijah is unaware of the dangers hunting him, in search for something he has. After one terrifying night, however, all of that changes!

On a quest to solve the murder of his parents, Elijah stumbles upon the land of the Magi. Learning their secrets and training with their power is the least of his problems. In order to find out why his parents were killed, Elijah learns that he must confront the dangers that are hunting him. What’s more terrifying is learning that stumbling upon this new world of the Magi may not have been an accident afterall.

*A copy was provided by Kevin Turner for review purposes*
Sometimes I debate between 4 and 5 stars, wondering if the book really is a 5-star. But there was No question when It came time to rating The Magi. I would give it a hundred stars if I could! It’s completely magical, brilliantly clever and absolutely wonderful!

When Elijah Hawk learns about The Magi, and that he’s one of them, his life takes an abrupt turn and he’s thrown into an adventure he will not soon forget. Elijah is a incredible protagonist with a strong voice and admirable personality. He is determined, intelligent and profoundly realistic. Every time I started reading, he took me in his world and made me forget anything else existed. I felt like I was standing there with him. His fears, his grief, his joy – his emotions were all so real they were palpable. Accompanying Elijah, there are a number of supporting characters that are just as remarkable. There are friends, teachers, mentors, townsfolk. Every one of them are a great addition and complete the world that is created in The Magi.

Along with these fantastic characters, the world building in The Magi is equally exceptional. The first half of the book is dedicated to creating this magical world that I could not stop but admire. I could picture it all in my head as clearly as if I was standing in it. I’m going to say this book is comparable to Harry Potter, not because the story is so similar, but because I got the same thrill and magical feeling from reading this as I did when I was introduced to Hogwarts. The magic in The Magi is created using the 4 elements which is fascinating, really. The adventure we’re taken into is fast moving and exciting, and I could not help but read and read until it was all, sadly, over. Fortunately, this is a planned 5-book series that I doubt will even be enough to satisfy my need for more!

Harry Potter fans – I have no doubt you will LOVE this series. It’s complete with magic, adventure, mystery, friendship – really, everything! Any adult and children alike will undoubtedly adore it!

5 Hot Espressos
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Cover Reveal: Onyx

Posted by on 12/05/2011 • 15 Comments

You have heard about Obsidian, right? For those who haven’t / living under a rock:

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ObsidianJennifer L. ArmentroutRelease date: December 6thby Entangled Publishing

Goodreads / Purchase

Starting over sucks.When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I’d pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring…. until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.

And then he opened his mouth.Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something…unexpected happens.

The hot alien living next door marks me.You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and…

In My Mailbox (12)

Posted by on 12/04/2011 • 113 Comments

“In My Mailbox” is a meme, created by Kristi at The Story Siren, that features books I’ve  received/ purchased/ borrowed during the current week. 

Hey guys! I told myself a few weeks ago I wouldn’t buy any books before Christmas and so far I’m doing great! Some awesome books just came out though so… it may not last o_O  BUT- only 21 days this Christmas! SQUEEEE.

I did, however, get some wonderful books for review. Here’s what I got (click on cover for Goodreads):

I want to thank Elizabeth Marx, Lynn Rush, Hachette/Orbit, Sherry Gammon and St. Martin’s Press for the review copies! <3

Curious about All’s Fair in Vanities War?Drop by February 9th for the blog tour!

What goodies did you get this week?

Fresh Batch (Dec 4th – 10th)

Posted by on 12/03/2011 • 18 Comments

Exclusively titled for Xpresso Reads, Fresh Batch features the hottest releases of this upcoming week. Flavour of the week:

Obsidian

Jennifer L. Armentrout Goodreads / Purchase 

Starting over sucks.When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I’d pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring…. until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.

And then he opened his mouth.Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something…unexpected happens.

The hot alien living next door marks me.You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and…

Review: Arson by Estevan Vega

Posted by on 12/02/2011 • 16 Comments

ArsonEstevan VegaReleased May 4th, 2010by Tate Publishing

Goodreads / Purchase

Arson Gable feels like a freak. He can create fire. He never asked for it. He never wanted it. But he can’t shut it off. Before now, three things were true: he both loved and despised his grandmother; his life was going nowhere; and he was alone. But when a strange girl—who feels more normal behind a mask than inside her own skin—moves in next door, Arson hopes to find something he’s never had: purpose. Using what he fears most about himself, Arson must face his consuming past and confront the nightmare that is his present as he walks the fine line between boy and monster. Dark, moody, and breathtakingly relevant, Arson, the chilling chronicle of an isolated boy…

Review: Before by Cambria Hebert

Posted by on 12/01/2011 • 23 Comments

Before(Heven and Hell, # 0.5) Cambria HebertReleased November 16th, 2011

Goodreads / Purchase

What if your life was charmed and everything in it was perfect… Before.This is the story of my past. Of what things were like for me when everything was normal. Of what every teenager’s life is like. Clothes. Parties. Boys and summer vacation. What’s so wrong with that? I liked it. I was happy. Until things changed. I changed.I didn’t know that lies and secrets were about to take over my existence. I didn’t know there was someone out there, someone meant just for me. I didn’t know that I was about to go on a journey, a journey that would lead me to the girl I am today.This is the beginning of the worst year of…

Waiting on Wednesday (12)

Posted by on 11/30/2011 • 97 Comments

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine and spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.  My pick this week:

                                 Something Strange and Deadly                                  Susan Dennard

                                 Release date: July 24th, 2012

There’s something strange and deadly loose in Philadelphia…

Eleanor Fitt has a lot to worry about. Her brother has gone missing, her family has fallen on hard times, and her mother is determined to marry her off to any rich young man who walks by. But this is nothing compared to what she’s just read in the newspaper—

The Dead are rising in Philadelphia.

And then, in a frightening attack, a zombie delivers a letter to Eleanor…from her brother.

Review: Dreamfever by Karen Marie Moning

Posted by on 11/29/2011 • 30 Comments

Dreamfever(Fever, #4) Karen Marie MoningReleased August 18th, 2009by Delacorte Press

Goodreads / Purchase

They may have stolen my past, but I’ll never let them take my future.

When the walls between Man and Fae come crashing down, freeing the insatiable, immortal Unseelie from their icy prison, MacKayla Lane is caught in a deadly trap. Captured by the Fae Lord Master, she is left with no memory of who or what she is: the only sidhe-seer alive who can track the Sinsar Dubh, a book of arcane black magic that holds the key to controlling both worlds.

Clawing her way back from oblivion is only the first step Mac must take down a perilous path, from the battle-filled streets of Dublin to the treacherous politics of an ancient,…