Review: Dante Valentine - Books 4-5 (Lilith Saintcrow)

Dante Valentine: The Complete Series by Lilith Saintcrow

Publisher: Orbit (2011)
Format: Paperback | 1280 pages
Genre(s): Urban Fantasy, Science Fiction

Description (GR): "Necromancer. Bounty hunter. Killer. Dante Valentine has been all three in her life. But in the beginning, she was a Necromancer for hire. And while she was choosy about her jobs, there were just some she couldn't turn down. Like when the Devil showed up at the door and offered her a deal. Her life - in exchange for the capture and elimination of a renegade demon. But how do you kill something that can't die? Dante Valentine, one of urban fantasy's hottest series, is compiled into one volume for the first time. Included in this omnibus edition are: Working for the Devil, Dead Man Rising, The Devil's Right Hand, Saint City Sinners, and To Hell and Back." 

WARNING: SPOILERS and somewhat ranty review ahead

BOOKS 4 & 5: Saint City Sinners & To Hell and Back

These books are part one and two of the "epic" (not so much) conclusion of the Dante Valentine series. In book 3, Lucifer decided to randomly appoint Dante as his 'right-hand' (read: assassin and/or catcher of rebellious demons), the post held before by Dante's Fallen (read: boyfriend) Japhrimel. At the same time Gabe, Dante's Necromance friend calls her with a request to return to Saint City and help her with an investigation. Chaos (and I mean it, it's plot! chaos) ensues.

The pacing of both books is frenetic and because book 5 is a direct continuation I decided to review them both. They are too similar in plot style and character development, really.

A lot goes on in these books, but mostly it's in Dante's head. She pulls an "Anita Blake" on the readers and spends most of these last two books deciding if she can or can't trust Japhrimel, who is (still) a bastard. So it's kind of a valid question, but Dante is pretty weak willed and it's annoying. Japhrimel with his "trust me and don't ask questions, just do as I say" speech is also annoying; I mean he could have learned, right? His 'beloved' is always telling him that way won't work with her.

Since all this emotional angst is unresolved, much of the books is a collection of Dante's anguished inner ramblings. And then something really bad  happens to our heroine and she's left near madness (really everything happens to Dante. Too much!). So we get to read what's happening through her fractured mind. And maybe that's why the plot seemed so thin, convoluted and really random sometimes. Everyone's plotting and there are plots within plots or so the author would have us believe but in the end it's all very simple: there's a rebellion and since Dante is the 'right-hand' she's being used by everyone. And everyone gets this but her (of course if she did get it, the book would be a lot shorter). It's kind of... annoying?

Overall, I thought the author was just giving us the same old storylines she gave us in books one and two; there was nothing innovative in the last three books and the main characters were pretty aggravating with their attitudes. The plot was thin although the writing was meant to make the reader think it was complex.
Saintcrow did create a passably original and engrossing world and you can tell she had the history of it all figured out, but she only explored a tiny part of it. I'd love to read more about the world although maybe not through Dante. It's a pity the author focused so much on one race of supernaturals when there were so many others to know about. And we never got to understand more about Jado or Abracadabra or the gods.
A nice futuristic urban fantasy series that could have been so much better. The world-building is good but while the main character starts out ok, she turns into an exasperating whiner who can do little by herself. 

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Review: Dante Valentine - Books 1-3 (Lilith Saintcrow)

Dante Valentine: The Complete Series by Lilith Saintcrow

Publisher: Orbit (2011)
Format: Paperback | 770 of 1820 pages
Genre(s): Urban Fantasy

Description (GR): "Necromancer. Bounty hunter. Killer.Dante Valentine has been all three in her life. But in the beginning, she was a Necromancer for hire. And while she was choosy about her jobs, there were just some she couldn't turn down. Like when the Devil showed up at the door and offered her a deal. Her life - in exchange for the capture and elimination of a renegade demon. But how do you kill something that can't die?
Dante Valentine, one of urban fantasy's hottest series, is compiled into one volume for the first time. Included in this omnibus edition are: Working for the Devil, Dead Man Rising, The Devil's Right Hand, Saint City Sinners, and To Hell and Back."

WARNING: SPOILERS!

BOOK 1: Working for the Devil

I was pleasantly surprised by this first book in the Dante Valentine series. I bought this five book omnibus because the price was good and the series was completed. I really thought it would be a standard urban fantasy, and in many aspects it is. But... the setting is slightly different, as it's the future and there are plasguns and holo-vids. The world-building reminded me a lot of the "Downside Ghosts" series by Stacia Kane (or maybe it's the other way around since the Dante Valentine series is older?) which is a plus, of course, since I love Downside Ghosts. I was also surprised that I liked Dante so much since I was convinced she would be a very stereotypical character... again, in a few ways she is, but there is also something appealing in her.

Overall, I liked this first book. It was a good introduction to the series and the characters and world-building make it interesting enough. Sure, the world needs more explaining but there are four more books.

Book 2: Dead Man Rising

WARNING: SPOILERS for book 1

In this second book of the Dante Valentine series we are treated to more development of the world although many parts aren't very well explained still. Dante is now a little more than human after what happened to her in the first book and she is dealing with Japhrimel's death by throwing herself into work. But when her friend Gabe asks for her help in an awful murder investigation Dante may just have to revisit her past.

This book was less impressive than the first. It was useful because we got to know more about the world and more about Dante's past but the mystery was pretty simple and there wasn't a lot of suspense. I think the whole thing with Japhrimel was pretty obvious too. This book is clearly meant to develop the characters and little more. That said I didn't particularly like where Dante is going as a character, but oh well. I'd also like to know more about Anubis and the other gods.

Overall a nice UF read but nothing special.

Book 3: The Devil's Right Hand

WARNING: Spoilers and Rant ahead

Really? With a fully developed world filled with supernaturals and psionic humans and still so much to discover we're back to 'Hell's denizens'? Really?

Book 3 sounded a lot like book 1, except there is no resolution, there's less action, the mystery plot is almost nonexistent, Japhrimel is an idiot and Dante is an even bigger idiot (and a whiner). Oh there are explosions and stuff, but there's not much development in terms of story (seems like the last three books are the same big story arc) and there were tons of things that could have been explored but weren't. All Dante does in this book is to whine, cry and feel cheated because her boyfriend is abusive but she luuurves him so! But she is independent! But she also luuurves him so! Woes, the hurt. It hurts.

In the middle of all the angst (Japhrimel really is a bastard in this book, to give Dante some credit), there is some story about the Prince of Hell wreaking havoc in everyone's life. What annoyed me is that Dante doesn't evolve as a character. In most urban fantasy books heroines either develop the skills to fight stronger foes or try against all odds; not Dante. She just goes on and on about how demons are stronger and she could never ever hope to fight them and she's so lucky Japh is so big and strong and can protect her.

Basically the characters in this book were mostly awfully annoying and boring. Dante alternates between damsel in distress and though 'I-don't-need-no-man' chick and Japhrimel's possessiveness towards his 'woman' and general treatment of her was frankly revolting. So it's getting difficult to like Dante, Japhrimel outlived his usefulness and nothing much happens.

We get it, demons are strong. What about writing about the other supernaturals in your world Ms Saintcrow? Diversity makes a UF series thrive, me thinks. I don't think it's going to happen since the series is finished, but it's still a pity. There is much that could be done with this series world which still is the series' best feature. 

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Review: Web of Lies (Jennifer Estep)

Web of Lies by Jennifer Estep

Publisher: Pocket Books (2010)
Format: Mass Market Paperback | 400 pages
Genre(s): Urban Fantasy

Description (GR): "Curiosity is definitely going to get me dead one of these days. Probably real soon. I'm Gin Blanco. 
You might know me as the Spider, the most feared assassin in the South. I’m retired now, but trouble still has a way of finding me. Like the other day when two punks tried to rob my popular barbecue joint, the Pork Pit. Then there was the barrage of gunfire on the restaurant. Only, for once, those kill shots weren’t aimed at me. They were meant for Violet Fox. Ever since I agreed to help Violet and her grandfather protect their property from an evil coalmining tycoon, I’m beginning to wonder if I’m really retired. So is Detective Donovan Caine. The only honest cop in Ashland is having a real hard time reconciling his attraction to me with his Boy Scout mentality. And I can barely keep my hands off his sexy body. What can I say? I’m a Stone elemental with a little Ice magic thrown in, but my heart isn’t made of solid rock. Luckily, Gin Blanco always gets her man . . . dead or alive." 

First read of 2012, kind of. I started this book with plenty of time to finish it in 2011 but I kind of 'dropped it' once or twice. It's not that the book was very bad, I simply thought it was "more of the same" as it was so similar, plot wise, to the first one. Plus it kind of annoyed me that the world-building is still so incipient as if the author thought it was not important to develop it after telling us that Gin's world is basically an alternate version of our own with vampires, elementals, dwarves and giants roaming the cities of the US of A. You can't start like that and just get on with the program as if the fact that at least four different 'species' co-exist with humans. That was why I was going to give this one 2 stars; but the final chapters did provide a little more development of the magic system/ world in the series so...

I still can't feel a connection to the main character. I feel like Estep is trying to make the reader approve of Gin Blanco's flawed logic (she's an assassin) especially by making Caine (who opposes her set of morals) to be kind of a dumb character who can't explain his ideals. I actually understood Caine better than Gin, the protagonist and I recognized more depth in his character than in hers (which I'm pretty sure wasn't what the author was aiming at). I'd have liked the character more if she recognized that killing is wrong but she does it anyway... owning up to who she really is. But no. Gin makes excuses as to why she has to kill certain people and I think that just isn't believable, since the author wants her to be moral at the same time. It doesn't work, or at least for me it doesn't.

It's pretty hard to read a series if you don't really like the main character but I'm glad Caine is out of the picture... I never did understand the attraction between characters.

Estep still has her little habit of repeating herself by describing features and objects or features already described in the first book or even in this book (like Gin's grey eyes, Caine's golden eyes, the silverstone knives,etc). The name thing also continues to happen in this book and it annoyed me to no end... everyone is almost always treated by their first and last names. Caine is Donovan Caine; Fletcher is Fletcher Lane; Mab is Mab Monroe, almost every time. It's pretty tiring, as if the author doesn't know whether her character should think of someone by their first or last name... :P

Overall: the series still doesn't stand out in the urban fantasy world. The world building is weak as lots of things are left unexplained and the magic has a very minor role in the books so far, which I kind of think is pretty weird since there is magic. Many times I felt like I was reading an ordinary mystery book since Gin doesn't like to use her 'elemental' powers and giants, dwarves and vampires are very similar to humans.

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Review: Magic to the Bone (Devon Monk)

Magic to the Bone by Devon Monk

Publisher: Roc (2008)

Format: Mass Market Paperback | 355 pages

Genre(s): Urban Fantasy

Description (GR): "Using magic meant it used you back. Forget the fairy-tale, hocus-pocus, wave a wand and bling-o, sparkles and pixie dust crap. Magic, like booze, sex, and drugs, gave as good as it got.

Everything has a cost. And every act of magic exacts a price from its user - maybe a two-day migraine, or losing the memory of your first kiss. But some people want to use magic without paying, and they Offload the cost onto innocents. When that happens, it falls to a Hound to identify the spell's caster - and Allison Beckstrom's the best there is.

Daughter of a prominent Portland businessman, Allie would rather moonlight as a Hound than accept the family fortune - and the strings that come with it. But when she discovers a little boy dying from a magic Offload that has her father's signature all over it, Allie is thrown into the high-stakes world of corporate espionage and black magic.

Now Allie's out for the truth - and must call upon forces that will challenge everything she knows, change her in ways she could never imagine ... and make her capable of things that powerful people will do anything to control."

I've read this book when it first came out and reviewed it on Goodreads before I started posting english reviews here, so...

Imagine an alternate world where magic is real and you can use it at your leisure... if you pay the price, of course. Magic is a wild resource and it's as bad for you as alcohol and drugs. But the rewards are worth it; or at least some people think so.

Allie Beckstrom is the heir to the company that came up with the technology to harvest and use magic. But, tired of her manipulative father she ran away from home and is now a Hound; a sort of private eye that literally tracks (with smell and other magic-enhanced senses) people who use magic wrongly.

One day she discovers her father had made wrong use of magic; shortly after confronting him, Mr Beckstrom turns up dead. Now Allie is the prime suspect.

I bought this book mainly because it seemed original (by the summary in the back cover) in the urban fantasy genre. I was actually intrigued by the idea of magic as a commodity in the modern world; something you could harvest and sell. Something that used you as you used it.

Maybe I had too many expectations, because I was sorely disappointed by this book. While the world building was solid and interesting, the story was all over the place; it was sometimes, confusing. The identity of the "bad guys" was painfully obvious.

The characters weren't amiable at all, I didn't really care much for any of them, including the main character, Allie. They were all very much like the mass produced heroes and heroines we read about in urban fantasy nowadays. They even seemed one dimensional at times.

Will probably not follow these series, unless the synopse in the back cover of the second book is shiny. I confess I might continue reading just for the quirky world-building. :|

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Review: Spider's Bite (Jennifer Estep)

Spider's Bite by Jennifer Estep

Publisher: Pocket Books (2010)
Format: Mass Market Paperback | 395 pages
Genre(s): Urban Fantasy

Description (GR): "My name is Gin, and I kill people. They call me the Spider. I'm the most feared assassin in the South — when I'm not busy at the Pork Pit cooking up the best barbecue in Ashland. As a Stone elemental, I can hear everything from the whispers of the gravel beneath my feet to the vibrations of the soaring Appalachian Mountains above me. My Ice magic also comes in handy for making the occasional knife. But I don't use my powers on the job unless I absolutely have to. Call it professional pride.
Now that a ruthless Air elemental has double-crossed me and killed my handler, I'm out for revenge. And I'll exterminate anyone who gets in my way — good or bad. I may look hot, but I'm still one of the bad guys. Which is why I'm in trouble, since irresistibly rugged Detective Donovan Caine has agreed to help me. The last thing this coldhearted killer needs when I'm battling a magic more powerful than my own is a sexy distraction...especially when Donovan wants me dead just as much as the enemy."

WARNING: Contains a few SPOILERS!

The Elemental Assassin series is one of the most popular urban fantasies out right now so I've been steadily buying the books for a while. I've also been afraid to pick them up and be disappointed.

I was. I mean, I understand why people like the series; the heroine, Gin Blanco is likable enough and she isn't exactly a goody two-shoes. She is unusual. But... as I read the story I felt like I had seen this one too many times. Yep, it's a common movie plot: famous assassin gets double-crossed, famous assassin gets angry and famous assassin goes on a punishing killing spree. Nothing new there.

On the other hand I kind of get that this first book is clearly introduction for the rest as the author does tie all the loose ends and the plot follows quite a neat line. It was a gamble to start with this book, but I think Estep was clever. I prefer an entire book about why Gin retires than just an hasty explanation in a prologue.

Still, besides the over-used plot, a few other things bothered me. Like the fact that we are plunged into Gin's world with little to no explanation. What are elementals? How did they come to be? Are they human? How come vampires can withstand daylight and are they turned or just another kind of wizards? Nothing is explained and with vampires going out in daylight and being overall quite human I'd certainly like to know more. Still, this is just the first in a series, so I suppose I can wait. It just bug me that there was no explanation of Ashland's society.

Another thing that bothered me: the romance. It felt rushed and there was no chemistry. Also, why the heck did Estep think it was a good thing to have Gin call the male protagonist by his full name every single time? Really I got tired of reading the words 'Donovan Caine' every other sentence. Gah!

Overall, this book was a pretty standard urban fantasy. There wasn't anything special about story or characters and the world-building was pretty weak. The writing style was engaging and the pace was good but these are mostly the only things to recommend it. Since it is clearly an introductory book I am hoping the series gets better though.

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Review: Skinwalker (Faith Hunter)

Skinwalker by Faith Hunter

Publisher: Roc (2009)
Format: Mass Market Paperback | 320 pages
Genre(s): Urban Fantasy

Description (GR): "Jane Yellowrock is the last of her kind-a skinwalker of Cherokee descent who can turn into any creature she desires and hunts vampires for a living. But now she's been hired by Katherine Fontaneau, one of the oldest vampires in New Orleans and the madam of Katie's Ladies, to hunt a powerful rogue vampire who's killing other vamps..."

WARNING: Contains SPOILERS!

After the disappointment that was Bloodring, I wasn't sure when I was going to pick up this book by Faith Hunter. Still, I was in the mood for urban fantasy and a book about a Skinwalker seemed good.

It was... such a frustrating read. Like Bloodring, Skinwalker also distinguishes itself by the relatively original concept but on the other hand the writing style, the overall focus of the narrative and the unlikable heroine ruined the book for me. I'm not sure how to voice my opinions objectively so I guess I'll rant a bit about this book by listing the pros and cons. :P

Pros:

- The Concept: Bloodring had an amazing one and while Skinwalker's was a little more run-of-the-mill urban fantasy it had a nice twist when it came to Jane's origins. I loved the bit about the Skinwalkers and the mysteries behind Jane's past. I don't think I ever read much about Skinwalkers in UF books, except as villains, so I liked it. You can see that Hunter did some research on the mythology she uses (Indian legends and all that). Really good.

- Beast: sure, 'beast-speak' chapters were a little annoying after a while but Beast is a refreshing character. Especially since I didn't like Jane Yellowrock that much.

Cons:

- Writing Style: yep, writing style. Too much useless (and boring) description. I mean, I don't like books where the heroine skips steps and in one scene is doing one thing and in the next is doing something different, but this book exaggerates on the description. Some parts are so info-dumpey and boring I felt like throwing the book at the wall. I get the author had to research several things to write the book but the reader does not need to have it pasted onto the book. Descriptions of weapons (in painful detail) and its uses, descriptions of Jane's bike, descriptions of clothes and jewelry, descriptions of tea and ways to prepare tea. And not just once either. Every time guns appear they are described again and again; every time Jane drinks tea we are treated to a lengthy summary on how she brews it, what kettles she uses, etc, etc. All this seemed unnecessary and distracted me from the story, which felt cluttered with all the description. Gah.

- Plot focus: so, this book has a mildly interesting supernatural mystery going on but the protagonist does very little to solve it. She 'shifts' several times into her 'beast' form to track her quarry but mostly the book is about how Jane Yellowrock establishes relationships with some of the inhabitants of the place she is investigating (mainly she is contrary and rude). Interactions with vampires, their thugs (we are told they are all so full of muscles... and hot) and the rare human (since humans are 'sissies', 'weak' and 'prey') are what most of this book is about.

- Jane Yellowrock: ... reminded me a lot of Anita Blake. And not in a good way. She is contrary and rude to everyone, doesn't understand 'girly things' like eating salads, make-up and dresses. Of course she is of the opinion (just like most men, apparently) that all women are weak, feeble and whimsical. Oh and dumb as rocks. They can't fight, hold their own or handle guns. As such, Jane is not your typical female, no! She is tough, wears leather and of course 'fights like a man', is good at sports (we all know all women suck at sports) and can shoot guns. And likes steaks... because we all know women wouldn't dare to eat such a manly food as steaks (rare) or drink bear. Of course, in pursuit of being the perfect warrior (which can only be male... women are weaklings) she can't be sexy or beautiful or feminine.

So basically, the protagonist's attitude made me gag. I just hope she has a better side to her because well this behaviour is very outdated, I think. I'm not saying Jane had to like frilly pink dresses, but to erase all traces of female personality from the character? Maybe Hunter should write about John Yellowrock instead? O.o

Overall: this book had many of the same problems as Bloodring. The over-the-top description, the focus of the narrative and the heroine who lacks charisma (really I doubt male or female readers would identify with her). The concept is great, sure, but the execution is messy and leaves much to be desired. Still, I want to know more about Jane's world (yes, the concept and general world-building are that good) and that is why I gave it this rating (and not one star or close). A bit better than Bloodring, but still not enough to be truly enjoyable.

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Review: No Proper Lady (Isabel Cooper)

No Proper Lady by Isabel Cooper

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (2011)
Format: Mass Market Paperback | 329 pages
Genre(s): Historical Romance, Urban Fantasy

Description (GR): "England, 1888. The trees are green, the birds are singing, and in 200 years demons will destroy it all. Unless Joan, a rough-around-the-edges assassin from the future, can take out the dark magician responsible. But to get close to her target she'll need help learning how to fit into society.

Simon has his own reasons for wanting to destroy Alex Reynell, and Joan may be his perfect revenge. But as each day passes, Simon is less sure he wants her anywhere near Reynell. Because no spell in the world will save his future if she isn't in it."

WARNING: Contains SPOILERS!

No Proper Lady was an impulse buy (I know I have a lot of those, gah). I wanted to read an historical romance, but somehow I also wanted a bit of paranormal. So when I read the synopsis for this book, I thought it was exactly what I was looking for.

And it was, in a way. The idea is still pretty good. The execution (yes, you read right, it's one of those... sigh), however...

I was okay with time travel and Joan being a though female. Very good. I did not like the way her first encounter with Simon (the hero) went down. It appears Simon is a wizard and doesn't frown on bright lights and women from the future... which means he pretty much took it in stride and didn't doubt her. There was no fights, no disbelief, no period of adjustment. It was like: "Oh right I'll help a strange woman, give her dresses and all". I just... didn't feel like it was realistic behaviour.

Also it bugged me that the focus of the book was Joan learning to fit Victorian society. Half the book is about that (and the instantaneous attraction between her and Simon) and I was kind of bored, because, well it was boring and the interactions were not very interesting. Or conductive to attraction. Basically, the protagonists had no chemistry.

After this first half, Joan and company move to London to meet their foe (Simon's former friend), who could have been a layered, complex character but ended up being the villain of the jour. As mean as they come and strangely with a tendency for self-pity (Woe, no-one understands my evilness) that made me roll my eyes. The part where the heroes deal with this very dangerous villain is short and anti-climatic after all the talk of him being so powerful and so dangerous. It was like Cooper was tired of the story and decided to end it abruptly after spending much of the book focusing on Joan and how she couldn't dance or eat properly.

I think the major problem with this book is that it tries to be too much: time-travel story, mystery and thriller, paranormal fiction, historical romance... and consequently none of these are very well developed. Same for the characters.

I did like the descriptions of Joan's world (great setting for gritty urban fantasy) and her flashgun. I did not, however, like Joan that much. I didn't connect with any of the characters, really.

Overall: No Proper Lady could have been an interesting book (it certainly had an interesting idea behind it) but the author seemed to want to cram so much into the story it ended up being underdeveloped. And generally boring, except for a few select parts. Not a "time-travel romance" I would recommend.

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Review: Forbidden (Jana Oliver)

Forbidden by Jana Oliver

Publisher: MacMillan Children's Books (2011)
Format: Paperback | 416 pages
Genre(s): Young Adult, Urban Fantasy

Description (GR): "Riley's beginning to think being a demon trapper isn't all it's cracked up to be. Her dad's been stolen by a necromancer, her boyfriend's gone all weird and she's getting warm and fuzzy feelings for someone who's seriously bad news. It's tempting to give it all up and try to be normal, but that's not an option. Because the demons have plans for Riley. And they're not the only ones."

And... the plot thickens.

I wasn't sure if I was going to be disappointed with this second book or not. Even if I only gave 3 and half stars to the first book I actually think these are very original and cool stories for young adults. My main problem with "Forsaken" was the lack of background story in some parts, but the author resolved that in this second book. I liked "Forbidden" well enough too, I just wasn't convinced with Ori. I get why Ori and Simon are in Riley's life but honestly I just wanted her to get rid of them and move on (you readers of this series know who I'm talking about, eheh). None of them were very appealing, from the start.

In this second book, Riley Blackthorne has even more problems to contend with. After the attack on the Trappers' Guild suspicions are high, especially because her father appeared a few moments before they were ambushed... so now Riley has to deal with the other trappers thinking she betrayed them in addiction to being the first (and only) female trapper. Then there's the fact that a fiend is after her and Ori, the mysterious demon hunter is following her everywhere.

So in "Forbidden" Riley's life takes a turn for the worse. She was already looked at funny for being a female trapper and now people think she's in league with the fiends. As I said, the plot thickens.

I felt like the story moved very slowly (as in the first book). While a lot of stuff happens to Riley, nothing significant happens in terms of plot except in the final chapters (as with the first book). You get a sense that there is something more to the story but there is no real development, which is frustrating.

So why the four stars? Well, just because the story moves at a snail's pace it doesn't mean it wasn't an entertaining book. It was. Riley is a very likable character and I really liked the fact that we also have Beck's perspective on things (Beck is a great character). Oh and Peter is very cool too.

Plus, Oliver does give us a lot more information about her world in this book and I was pretty happy with that. Still think it's a weird set up for a young adult series (it reads like adult UF most of the time), but it's really good nonetheless.

So, basically, while the plot seems to be shaping up to be pretty interesting (if the author manages to gives all the proper background story it needs), the strong point of this series are its charismatic characters (including the Magpie, eheh) and the original and complex (for an YA book) world. I admit Ori spoiled it a bit for me (and the fact that there was almost but not quite insta-love in this book as well), but in general I liked this book.

Overall "Forbidden" was another engaging read. The characters seem to have depth and the story is engrossing. There are a few YA tropes at play (like all the yummy-licious guys after the heroine), but I think the story is very well-thought and the world building is top notch for YA books. The author really is trying to write more than a paranormal romance and I think that's positive. Perhaps it won't appeal to everyone since the romance is definitely secondary but for everyone who's looking for a nice urban fantasy story reminiscent of the Kate Daniels' series, The Demon Trappers books won't disappoint, I think.

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Review: Forsaken (Jana Oliver)

Forsaken by Jana Oliver

Publisher:  MacMillan Children's Books (2011)
Format: Paperback | 448 pages
Genre(s): Young Adult, Urban Fantasy

Description (GR): "Riley Blackthorne just needs a chance to prove herself – and that’s exactly what the demons are counting on…

Seventeen-year-old Riley, the only daughter of legendary Demon Trapper, Paul Blackthorne, has always dreamed of following in her father's footsteps. The good news is, with human society seriously disrupted by economic upheaval and Lucifer increasing the number of demons in all major cities, Atlanta’s local Trappers’ Guild needs all the help they can get – even from a girl. When she’s not keeping up with her homework or trying to manage her growing crush on fellow apprentice, Simon, Riley’s out saving distressed citizens from foul-mouthed little devils – Grade One Hellspawn only, of course, per the strict rules of the Guild. Life’s about as normal as can be for the average demon-trapping teen.

But then a Grade Five Geo-Fiend crashes Riley’s routine assignment at a library, jeopardizing her life and her chosen livelihood. And, as if that wasn’t bad enough, sudden tragedy strikes the Trappers’ Guild, spinning Riley down a more dangerous path than she ever could have imagined. As her whole world crashes down around her, who can Riley trust with her heart – and her life?"

2018, Atlanta. Global economy has failed. Gas is so expensive people turned to horses for transportation. Cities declare bankruptcy. People live in the streets and old hotels; kids go to school in broken-down Starbucks. And demons roam the streets.

Riley Blacktorn lives in an old hotel with her father, a demon trapper. Demon trapping is dangerous work and it barely pays the bills, but Riley wants to be a trapper anyway... the first female trapper. Except... something is not right. The fiends have taken too much interest in her and when the worst happens, Riley will have to face prejudiced trappers, an annoying acquaintance, thieving necromancers and of course... some determined fiends.

I had 'mixed' expectations about this book. P7 really liked it and she usually likes the same books I do but I was a little wary at first because the synopsis said something about three guys and I was imagining lots of teen drama about romance and guys.You know, same old, same old.

Fortunately, it didn't happen (the love quadrangle, what?). The book reads a lot like an adult urban fantasy (it reminded me of the Kate Daniels series which I love to bits, actually). I liked the world-building even though it was a bit inconsistent at times: I mean the author doesn't explain if all the magic being public is a recent thing or not. So I was a little disappointed because there is much about Riley's world that's not explained. I also didn't like Simon much.

I did love Riley she was kick-ass without being bitchy; she was pretty cute. Oh and of course I liked Beck, eheh. I think Jana Oliver really wrote something intricate and original in terms of young adult fiction.

The story did drag a bit, but overall I liked all the action, Riley and Beck. The ending was pretty good and left me very interested in the next book.

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Review: To Seduce A Sinner (Elizabeth Hoyt)

To Seduce A Sinner by Elizabeth Hoyt

Publisher:  Forever (2008)
Format: Mass Market Paperback | 359 pages
Genre(s): Historical Romance

Description (GR): "THE ONE THING HE CANNOT REVEAL ... For years, Melisande Fleming has loved Lord Vale from afar ... watching him seduce a succession of lovers, and once catching a glimpse of heartbreaking depths beneath his roguish veneer. When he's jilted on his wedding day, she boldly offers to be his.

TO THE ONE WOMAN HE MOST DESIRES ... Vale gladly weds Melisande, if only to produce an heir. But he's pleasantly surprised: A shy and proper Lady by day, she's a wanton at night, giving him her body --- though not her heart.

IS HIS DEEPEST NEED ... Determined to learn her secrets, this sinner starts to woo his seductive new wife --- while hiding the nightmares from his soldiering days in the Colonies that still haunt him. Yet when a deadly betrayal from the past threatens to tear them apart, Lord Vale must bare his soul to the woman he married ... or risk losing her forever."

After reading "The Agency" by Y.S. Lee, I felt like reading something historical... and romantic. So I picked up "To Seduce a Sinner" by Elizabeth Hoyt, one of my favorite authors within the genre.

And as always, Hoyt didn't disappoint.

Jasper Renshaw, Viscount Vale is left at the altar by his fianceé, Miss Templeton. As he sits pondering on how he had managed to alienate her, a woman enters the room. She is Melisande Fleming a shy, plain girl who is often overlooked by men. Melisande offers her hand in marriage and Jasper thinks, why not? He has to marry after all. It is only after the wedding that he begins to see that his wife is much more than she first appeared

Melisande has been in love with Lord Vale for years. A secret, silent love for he doesn't notice her. So when the chance to marry him comes she doesn't hesitate. Now she finds herself married to the man of her dreams... and discovering he is different from what she first thought.

I really like the arranged marriage theme in historical romance so this book was right up my alley. Melisande and Vale were both very charismatic and interesting, with their suitably tortured pasts. The pace was great, they got to know each other in a somewhat realistic manner and I really liked how the author explored the problem of PTSD which, of course, was not something that was recognized in those times.

Of course the book was incredibly formulaic, but it was still an engrossing read.

Overall, an entertaining historical romance. Well written, interesting and with captivating characters, it will appeal to fans of the genre.

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Review: A Spy in the House (Y.S. Lee)

A Spy in the House by Y.S. Lee

Publisher:  Candlewick Press (2011)
Format: Paperback | 352 pages
Genre(s): Young Adult, Mystery / Thriller, Historical Fiction

Description (GR): "Rescued from the gallows in 1850s London, young orphan (and thief) Mary Quinn is surprised to be offered a singular education, instruction in fine manners — and an unusual vocation. Miss Scrimshaw’s Academy for Girls is a cover for an all-female investigative unit called The Agency, and at seventeen, Mary is about to put her training to the test. Assuming the guise of a lady’s companion, she must infiltrate a rich merchant’s home in hopes of tracing his missing cargo ships. But the household is full of dangerous deceptions, and there is no one to trust — or is there? Packed with action and suspense, banter and romance, and evoking the gritty backstreets of Victorian London, this breezy mystery debuts a daring young detective who lives by her wits while uncovering secrets — including those of her own past."

WARNING: Contains SPOILERS!

"A Spy in the House" is the first book in a new series featuring Mary Quinn, a Victorian heroine.

It is 1858 and Mary Quinn (formerly a street urchin) is drafted into "The Agency", a mysterious organization where all the agents are (apparently) women. The supposition that women are easily ignored because they are considered beings of inferior understanding is what drives this Agency. According to the leaders, women make the better spies.

So, Mary is sent on her first mission: to be a paid companion to the daughter of a rich merchant who seems to be smuggling jewels. She is to keep her ears open and report back. Seems like a fairly simple mission... except that Mary isn't happy with just sitting back and listening; and there is James Easton, a handsome engineer who is also investigating her charges.

At first glance, "A Spy in the House" looks like a fun mystery with lively characters, plenty of suspense and some romance. It is an entertaining read, sure. But there are too many inconsistencies with the plot construction and world building.

While I recognize Mary is not your typical female (she is an agent after all) I still didn't understand James' reactions to her behavior. He seems to take the fact that she's a sleuth and dresses like a boy more or less in stride. It's something that you see a lot in historical romances, but there it has a purpose. In a YA book that is first and foremost a historical mystery I really don't think it worked. I mean, Mary might be ahead of her time but she still has to conform to the norms of Victorian society. That didn't happen... there were a few occasions when her reputation would have been severely compromised. It kind of bothered me because if she was trying to prove that women are better spies then the best thing to do was to behave as a model of Victorian female perfection... which she didn't.

Another problem I had with the book: Mary and James didn't seem all that smart. She agrees to enter "a partnership" with a virtual stranger (James) because he told her he was investigating the Thorolds (the family she was meant to watch); he believed her story about investigating the disappearance of a maid, yet wasn't suspicious even once when she seemed more interested in the Thorold's financial records.

Also, the chemistry between James and Mary? Not good.

Overall: "A Spy in the House" was an interesting debut, with a compelling mystery, yes, but still rather lackluster. The mystery, the characters' behavior and the world building were implausible really. While I liked the book in general I felt there were many flaws in the portrayal of Victorian life, beliefs and behavior.

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Review: Drink, Slay, Love (Sarah Beth Durst)

Drink, Slay, Love by Sarah Beth Durst

Publisher:  Margaret K. McElderry (2011)
Format: Hardcover | 386 pages
Genre(s): Romance, Young Adult, Humor

Description (GR): "Pearl is a sixteen-year-old vampire... fond of blood, allergic to sunlight, and mostly evil... until the night a sparkly unicorn stabs her through the heart with his horn. Oops.

Her family thinks she was attacked by a vampire hunter (because, obviously, unicorns don't exist), and they're shocked she survived. They're even more shocked when Pearl discovers she can now withstand the sun. But they quickly find a way to make use of her new talent. The Vampire King of New England has chosen Pearl's family to host his feast. If Pearl enrolls in high school, she can make lots of human friends and lure them to the King's feast -- as the entrees.

The only problem? Pearl's starting to feel the twinges of a conscience. How can she serve up her new friends—especially the cute guy who makes her fangs ache—to be slaughtered? Then again, she's definitely dead if she lets down her family. What's a sunlight-loving vamp to do?"

WARNING: Contains some SPOILERS!

Eh. How to start this review? Ah yes. There are vampires in this book. Lots of vampires. If you are tired of vampires... read this!!

Pearl is a vampire. A bad vampire (or a good one, depending on your point of view). She lives in a basement, can't stand the sun and snacks on Brad the ice-cream boy every other night... she doesn't sparkle, sure, but that is a minor detail.

One day, after snacking (again) on Brad, she sees something that does spark... and isn't supposed to exist: a unicorn. A unicorn that stabs her in the heart with its shiny horn.

Pearl thinks she's done for, so when she wakes up on her doorstep safe and sound the next dawn she is puzzled. And even more when she discovers she can actually stand in daylight! Her parents are pretty happy and she soon has a mission: to infiltrate the local high school and round up some cattle people to feed the vampire king. Easy peasy? Not so much when you actually talk to the food. And start to grow a conscience.

Features evil (and not sparkly) vampires, very sparkly unicorns, scheming high schoolers and newbie vampire hunters. Oh and 80's TV shows.

"Drink, Slay, Love" was the funniest book I've read in a while. Sarah Beth Durst really managed to write a great vampire themed parody - ok, maybe her Twilight snark had something to do with the fact that I loved this book, but I'm pretty sure that it was the rest too. Like how she managed to make the most ridiculous-sounding plot ever work really well. Or how there wasn't insta-love. Or how Pearl seemed so genuine and truly grew throughout the book.

Pearl is a delightful heroine. She really is pretty mean at the beginning, but she's never a character you don't like. From page one she has charisma.

I must say I wasn't very enthused with Evan or Bethany (the other main characters in the story) but I did like Tara and Pearl's adventures in the track team with Sana made me think of Japanese shoujo manga (may it be because it was a track team? Or because the girl was named "Sana"? Eheh.) Pearl's family was hilariously evil and Uncle Pascha was great with his long chess game and his Shakespeare quotes.

The story was pretty standard but the author's humorous prose and the characters made it an easy, engrossing read.

There is not much more to say about the book, except that it was a funny, good read. It was what Insatiable by Meg Cabot would have been if the author had managed to write really amusing characters. I really liked Pearl, she was a great protagonist and was amazed at how the author managed to turn an idea that could have gone badly wrong into a gripping story. I think people who are tired of the old cliches of vampire (and YA paranormal) fiction will probably like this.

I don't really do this at all, but I just have to add a "notable quote" from this book. Ah!

"After three gulps of AB-negative, she said. "I saw a My Little Pony refugee. Horselike. Kind of glowy. Big sharp horn. It looked as if it had jumped off a poster from the bedroom of an eight-year-old girl. (...)"

--- "Drink, Slay, Love", page 17.

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Review: Shut Out (Kody Keplinger)

Shut Out by Kody Keplinger

Publisher:  Poppy (2011)
Format: Hardcover | 273 pages
Genre(s): Romance, Young Adult

Description (GR): "Most high school sports teams have rivalries with other schools. At Hamilton High, it's a civil war: the football team versus the soccer team. And for her part,Lissa is sick of it. Her quarterback boyfriend, Randy, is always ditching her to go pick a fight with the soccer team or to prank their locker room. And on three separate occasions Randy's car has been egged while he and Lissa were inside, making out. She is done competing with a bunch of sweaty boys for her own boyfriend's attention

Then Lissa decides to end the rivalry once and for all: She and the other players' girlfriends go on a hookup strike. The boys won't get any action from them until the football and soccer teams make peace. What they don't count on is a new sort of rivalry: an impossible girls-against-boys showdown that hinges on who will cave to their libidos first. But what Lissa never sees coming is her own sexual tension with the leader of the boys, Cash Sterling..."

"Shut Out" is a quick, easy read just like "The DUFF", Keplinger's first novel was.

Kody Keplinger tries her hand at writing a modern, teen version of the Greek play "Lysistrata" by Aristophanes with her new novel.

The main character is Lissa Daniels, girlfriend of the quarterback of the football team. Except in her school there isn't only a football team... there's also a soccer team. And they've been at each other's throats forever. So Lissa decides to take action and she and the other players' girlfriends decide to withhold sex until the rivalry is over.

Like I said before I enjoyed this book. I liked the fact that the author managed to tackle an important issue: sex in high school, how differently boys and girls view it and are treated. This matter is handled in a rather obvious manner as the girls get together, talk and basically rehash all the ideas that usually form the core of teen mentality on sex (and of many adults as well, unfortunately). Keplinger exposes the double standard existent in our society concerning sex and gender.
Of course, like I said, the author is 'obvious' about it but I think it's important to pass the message and this is a teen book after all, so the fact that she isn't exactly 'subtle' didn't bother me very much.

Sex and gender issues aside, "Shut Out" is basically a teen romance with all the stereotypes that come with the genre: the jerk boyfriend, the sexy hero (here named Cash Sterling which is as bad as Griffin King, really) and the torn heroine. Misunderstandings and lust ensue.

The characters were pretty much stereotypes and weren't particularly well developed.

Overall, "Shut Out" was a fun, quick read that uncovers the views and prejudices of our modern, supposedly equal society concerning sex. This is explored in a light manner but it still makes an important point: that when we talk about sex there is no normal, no definite rules and that the double standard is actually upheld by both men and most women due mostly to education and wrongful perpetuation of old values. It's not exactly a subtle, layered book but it entertains and tries to address an important subject and that has some merit.
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Review: Mercy (Rebecca Lim)

Mercy by Rebecca Lim

Publisher:  HarperCollins (2010)
Format: Paperback | 281 pages
Genre(s): Urban Fantasy, Young Adult

Description (GR): "An electric combination of angels, mystery and romance, MERCY is the first book in a major new paranormal series.

There's something very wrong with me. I can't remember who I am or how old I am, or even how I got here. All I know is that when I wake up, I could be any one. It is always this way. There's nothing I can keep with me that will stay. It's made me adaptable. I must always re-establish ties. I must tread carefully or give myself away. I must survive. "

WARNING: Contains SPOILERS! 

"Mercy" is an 'angel book'. And I don't usually have much luck with books about angels; I disliked "Hush, Hush" immensely, thought "Fallen" was awful and was even disappointed with "A Touch Mortal". The only exception was "Unearthly" which I thought was a real breath of fresh air.

So I've had "Mercy" on my shelf for a while now but I've been a bit weary of reading it. All this to say that I picked this book up with strong reservations but it ended being a great read!

Mercy doesn't know who or what she is; not really. She doesn't even know if her name is Mercy. She only knows that she takes over random people's bodies again and again, living borrowed life after borrowed life without having any control over when she wakes up in a different one.

She's been living like this for what is seems like forever, losing old memories and building new ones. The only thing that keeps her anchored are her dream conversations with beautiful Luc.

When Mercy wakes up in the body of teenager Carmen Zappacosta she prepares herself for a new life and a new set of memories. She soon becomes immersed in Carmen's life, an insecure girl who sings at a choir and is boarding with a family torn apart by the disappearance of their daughter, Lauren, two years ago. While pretending to be Carmen, Mercy tries to find out what happened with the help of Lauren's twin brother Ryan and at the same time begins to piece together what happened to her.

So... why is "Mercy" different from other YA books with angels?

Rebecca Lim did a brilliant job when creating Mercy that's why. Most YA paranormals feature a supernatural character that is hundreds of years old, but they don't act it. They act like teenagers. Which I can understand, to a point. These books try to appeal to young adult readers after all.

But Lim shows us that you can write a character who's very old and in a teen's body but still realistic. Mercy's voice is weary, tired of life, sardonic at times. She's been through a lot, through lives and it shows. At the same time, the fact that she loses her memories makes her lack the sort of wisdom an immortal being would have. She experiences things over and over again but they never lose their 'freshness' completely. As such she is always level with humans.

Mercy was then, the reason I loved this book so much. Her characterization is great. Other characters are interesting as well, sufficiently multi-layered (especially Ryan and his parents), but Mercy was the real stroke of genius.

As for the story, I liked it well enough. The "mystery" was pretty straightforward, although I must say that the author made me doubt my suspicions once or twice; still the villain ended being who I thought it was.

I preferred to read about Mercy's journey to find herself and her identity. It's not yet over, because she doesn't really know everything, but it seems to be shaping up to be a rather epic and engrossing story.

That's why I'll be getting the rest of the books as soon as possible.

Overall, "Mercy" was, like "Unearthly" a breath of fresh air. I loved Mercy as a character and as the protagonist; she was strong and focused, not flighty like so many heroines in YA books. I really liked what I glimpsed of her story and I want to know more. There is almost no romance in this book, so probably not everyone will enjoy it if they like romance with their books, but I loved the story just the way it was. Recommended!

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Review: A Northern Light (Jennifer Donnelly)

A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly

Publisher: Harcourt Paperbacks (2004)

Format: Paperback | 396 pages

Genre(s): Historical Fiction, Young Adult 

Description (GR): "Sixteen-year-old Mattie Gokey has big dreams but little hope of seeing them come true. Desperate for money, she takes a job at the Glenmore, where hotel guest Grace Brown asks her to burn a bundle of secret letters. But when Grace's drowned body is fished from the lake, Mattie discovers the letters reveal the grim truth behind a murder.

Set in 1906 against a backdrop of the murder that inspired Theodore Dreiser's An American Tragedy, this astonishing novel weaves romance, history, and a murder mystery into something moving, real, and wholly original."

WARNING: Contains SPOILERS!

"A Northern Light" is a difficult book to give an opinion about, because while I was reading it I was not pulled to the story all that much. I disliked the way the plot was structured: it opens with Mattie (Mathilda) our main character working at a hotel to make some money. It also opens with the death of a young woman, a guest at the hotel. This woman, Grace Brown has given something to Mattie; something that can help solve the mystery of her drowning.

I was pretty thrilled with the first chapter. I thought this would be a mystery book with a young maid as the sleuth.

But... it wasn't. In a way the story is much, much better: it's actually the story of Mattie, of her life, her friendships and all the hardship that comes from being a young woman in rural America in the early 1900s. Especially a young woman who likes to read and has dreams. I quickly grew to love this part of the story, the harshness of the character's life and Mattie's personality.

That is why I didn't understand the need for the random chapters speckled throughout, about the murdered girl and about what she gave to Mattie. These chapters are few and sometimes far between and are basically Mattie's present. The rest of the story is a retelling of what led to Mattie being in the hotel, working.

Basically, what bothered me, as I said above, was the structure. Why not follow a strait timeline and present the mystery in the end? I thought the "present chapters" (let's call them that) were detrimental because they cut the flow of Mattie's own story. And even if these "present chapters" end up being about Mattie as well and very important, I just didn't feel like those letters Grace gave to Mattie should have mattered that much.

Royal's attitude, Miss Wilcox's story and example, Mattie's own character; yes, I could see her making her decision because of one of these factors (or maybe all); but the letters... didn't seem like a proper trigger for change.

Overall: I loved this book's main story, Mattie's. There were a few parts that could have been better - Weaver for example sometimes didn't seem very smart if you take his attitudes into account - but on the whole I really liked reading about the harsh life of farmers and the harsh life of women in 1906. I loved Mattie's spirit. I do think however that adding the story of Grace Brown's murder (which happens to be a real story, I discovered) to the mix was not for the best. It served no real purpose as Mattie could have had her "epiphany" some other way and really the random appearance of chapters concerning the murder was annoying.

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Review: Echoes (Melinda Metz)

Echoes by Melinda Metz

Publisher: HarperCollins (2010)
Format: Paperback | 517 pages
Genre(s): Young Adult, Urban Fantasy

Description (GR): "Can't believe she did that . . .
. . . at four-thirty I have to . . .
. . . I hate this place . . .
Rae Voight is losing her mind. When she walks down the halls of Sanderson Prep, she hears voices . . . even when no one is talking. Other people's thoughts crowd her head, a confusing tangle of insecurities and dark secrets. Just when Rae reaches her breaking point, one voice comes screaming through the din, loud and clear:
. . . Rae must die . . .
If Rae doesn't figure out who the thought belongs to soon, she could lose more than just her sanity."

Rae Voight's life is good: she hangs with the popular crowd and she dates the hottest guy in school. But good things don't last and one day Rae starts hearing voices and freaks out.

A few months later she is back at school after a stay in a mental ward. But everything's changed: her old friends are afraid of her and her boyfriend is dating another girl. Rae's old life seems to have vanished. To make matters worse, the voices, the "not-me thoughts" as she calls them are still in her head, haunting her. And she has to go to group therapy. Oh... and someone seems to be after her.

"Echoes" is a bind-up that includes the first three novels in the "Fingerprints" series.

It was another entertaining read. Rae has a supernatural ability that isn't very common in paranormal YA literature and I liked the way the author dealt with it; Rae reacted in a very realistic way when she 'discovered' her 'talent'. Most heroines act all cool and collected and go to libraries to do research; Rae simply thought she was crazy, which is actually a much more human response to the sudden appearance of foreign voices in one's head. It's not a perspective we see explored that much in these kinds of books.

I really liked the male protagonist, Anthony (and yay to the fact that people didn't call him "Tony", ugh). He was also well developed, lifelike. Metz really has a knack for creating intriguing, relatable characters and for making them interact perfectly: I loved the exchanges between Rae and Anthony and their developing relationship was... believable (no insta-love in these books, bonus points for that!). Of course, some of the minor characters (like Jesse and Yana) could have been better developed, but as far as the protagonists go, I can't complain.

The story for the three books is pretty typical of these kinds of novels. There's the girl with the supernatural ability, her mysterious parent (and their equally mysterious past) and a bunch of unknown enemies. Book one, "Echoes" had great pace and was very engaging; but from book 2 the pace slowed way too much and books 2 and 3 didn't have as much story or character development. It is clear the author decided to "stretch" the plot instead of creating a new one for every book. It seems to be a very common occurrence with older YA books, if all these omnibus I've been reading are anything to go by.

Overall I liked the general plot (even if the individual 'book' plots weren't very good) and... behold! A book with a teen romance that gradually develops instead of being 'lurve at first sight'! Refreshing! Recommended for fans of YA paranormal books looking for an interesting, light but realistic read.

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Review: 13 Little Blue Envelopes (Maureen Johnson)

13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson

Publisher: Harper Teen (2006)
Format: Paperback | 321 pages
Genre(s): Young Adult

Description (GR): "When Ginny receives thirteen little blue envelopes and instructions to buy a plane ticket to London, she knows something exciting is going to happen. What Ginny doesn't know is that she will have the adventure of her life and it will change her in more ways than one. Life and love are waiting for her across the Atlantic, and the thirteen little blue envelopes are the key to finding them in this funny, romantic, heartbreaking novel."

WARNING: contains minor SPOILERS! 

Let's see if I can piece together some sort of review for this book. But I must warn you now: it's not going to be objective and I suspect it is more of a rant then a review.

Imagine that you're a 17-year-old, completely average and normal American girl who just happens to have a fun but somewhat crazy [favourite] aunt. Said aunt decides suddenly to leave her New York flat and the next thing you (the teenager) and your family know she is dead.

Then an envelope comes for you (annoyingly little and blue) and it's from your aunt and she wants you to grab the 1000 dollars in the envelope and buy a ticket to London. And you just... go. Why? I don't know. A letter comes for you, out-of-the-blue asking you, a teenager, to go from America to Europe with only a backpack and a set of written instructions.

I'm sure everyone must have realized what the problem with this entire story line is. Yep. I doubt there are many parents out there who would let their teenage daughter just catch a plane to Europe with no money, barely any clothes and no cell phone. What? I mean, what? I just didn't buy it. And the fact thar there was no conversation between the main character (Ginny) and her parents at all didn't make it any better, obviously.

Still this is fiction. This is teen fiction. I was willing to suspend my disbelief at this completely wacky plot line. Maybe something interesting would happen.

But it didn't. The entire book is just about Ginny (Virginia) who is possibly one of the most dull protagonists ever (just like Finley, remember her?) running around all over Europe with a backpack, very little cash and no maps. I could suspend my disbelief no longer; 13 Little Blue Envelopes just didn't work. It was implausible, random and in spite of all the descriptions of European cities, boring.

Any self-respecting person, teenager or not would be annoyed that their aunt was apparently making them travel all over for no discernible or logical reason, but not Ginny. Since she is dull, as I mentioned above and just devoid of any personality whatsoever she meekly followed all the crazy instructions in the various envelopes and I was honestly surprised she didn't get lost and/or wasn't repeatedly robbed or beaten up for the contents of her backpack.

Johnson's descriptions of Europe are flawed, as if it is some sort of magical land where nothing wrong ever happens. Oh, sure, Ginny has some problems but somehow they get solved in the most fantastic and unrealistic ways: like, when she didn't have a place to stay, an American family just happened to find her and invite her to stay with them.

Of course, no teen novel is complete without a romantic interest. Ginny falls for Keith, an English wannabe-actor (at first sight, of course). They keep running into each other (either because they're going the same way or because he decides to show up where she is, at random, as if traveling through Europe costs no money at all) but don't ever know each other very well. But they are still in luurve.

In the end there was no point to the whole exercise. Ginny traveled, met a few people and went back home. She didn't change much (or if she did, we're never told).

Overall: this book was... not very good. It was pointless, dull and random. The main character was not interesting at all, her quest was annoyingly vapid and unrealistic and in the end nothing changed. The whole setting was too implausible for words. When I compare this book to the recent YA paranormal fiction I read and find the fantasy books more believable than this one then something is definitely wrong. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone, teenagers or adults. There is just too much in this book that doesn't work.

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Review: Possess (Gretchen McNeil)

Possess by Gretchen McNeil
Publisher: Balzer + Bray (2011)
Format: Hardcover | 379 pages
Genre(s): Young Adult, Urban Fantasy

Description (GR): "Fifteen-year-old Bridget Liu just wants to be left alone: by her mom, by the cute son of a local police sergeant, and by the eerie voices she can suddenly and inexplicably hear. Unfortunately for Bridget, it turns out the voices are demons – and Bridget has the rare ability to banish them back to whatever hell they came from.

Terrified to tell people about her new power, Bridget confides in a local priest who enlists her help in increasingly dangerous cases of demonic possession. But just as she is starting to come to terms with her new power, Bridget receives a startling message from one of the demons. Now Bridget must unlock the secret to the demons' plan before someone close to her winds up dead – or worse, the human vessel of a demon king."

WARNING: Contains minor SPOILERS!

You know those books that are so beautiful you just have to have them? Yep, "Possess" by Gretchen McNeil is one of those. The cover is gorgeous, with its shimmering blue color, the graphic work on the model's face, the simple but elegant lettering. I am a sucker for a pretty cover (lol). And since the story itself seemed quite gripping - not to mention the fact that lots of people seem to have loved the book - I thought I should give it a try. So I bought this.

It was a decent first effort, I'll recognize as much. And bonus points to the author for not falling into the usual romantic clichés: the insta-love and the love triangle. Plus, the idea was interesting enough, I suppose.

But (yes, there are a few buts)... it wasn't as good as it could have been. As I was reading, the word "disjointed" kept flashing in my mind. It's a good word to describe this book I think. There are too many random things happening in the book, situations seem to happen out of order or for no discernable reason and the characters are developed weirdly, in a way that makes them seem like completely different people in the end. No, I don't mean that they grow and develop, I mean they do things that are almost... out of character.

The plot was pretty predictable (the villain? Yeah, I knew who he was early on), even if the reader basically 'crashes' into the middle of the story and is treated to a few flashbacks that explain certain things that happened before. Basically, Bridget Liu has some strange 'powers' and is being coached on how to use them by a priest. Of course, as the book opens Bridget already dealt with all these issues so she's a ready-made heroine that jumps into the action five pages in. This did not work for me. It would have worked better if the book started with Bridget discovering her powers or if Bridget had known about them all along.

The way we're introduced to McNeil's (or Bridget's) world is too abrupt. The relationships and dynamics between all the important characters are already established (except for Father Santos) in a way that just didn't sit well with me. Alright, so it didn't bother me very much when I was reading about Hector's and Bridget's friendship because after all, all teenagers have friends. It did bother me in the case of Bridget and Matt's relationship or Bridget and Monsignor Renault. These should have been explored differently.

Another aspect that kind of ruined the book for me: the romance. Okay, I said there was no insta-love, yes, but it was still a very 'out of the blue' kind of thing... Bridget goes from thinking her love interest is slightly annoying to loving him (yes, love).

Overall: "Possess" was by no means a bad read, but I was expecting more. It was, as I mentioned before, a little disjointed and even a bit hard to get into. Some scenes seemed random, the story was predictable and the supernatural aspects could have been better explored. The characters' behaviour was a bit odd at times, they almost seemed OOC if that makes sense. The romance was not very well developed. An average read that will nonetheless appeal to fans of paranormal young adult novels.

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