Feeling Fictional

Thursday, 3 June 2010

Review: Dido - Adele Geras

Aeneas leaned forward a little and kissed her on the mouth. Just one swift, soft touch of his lips on hers and then he turned and walked away.

Love can be deadly. Especially when two young women fall for the same man - one a queen, the other a serving maid.

Elissa knows she is playing with fire, but she can't resist. Queen Dido suspects nothing, until one fateful night ... Secrets are revealed, hearts are broken and as dawn breaks, a terrible tragedy unfolds.

A passionate tale of love, betrayal and revenge.

Adele Geras' books based on classic Greek Myths:
Troy
Ithaka
Dido

Visit Adele Geras' website for more information

Review:
This is the story of Queen Dido and nursemaid Elissa and their love for Trojan prince Aeneas. Dido and Aeneas are married but Aeneas is leaving to fulfill his destiny and Dido is distraught. Elissa has fallen in love with the Queen's husband, she knows it is wrong but she just can't help herself. The events of the book take place over one fateful night but we learn of events over the previous 2 years in the form of flashbacks from various characters. Dido and Elissa's tale is full of secrets, jealousy and lies - can if have anything other than a tragic ending?

Dido is a re-telling of a classic Greek myth, I have to confess that I don't know much about Greek mythology so I don't know the original story & can't compare this book to it. However, I can say how much I enjoyed reading Dido and what a fantastic job Adel Geras has done bringing these characters to life.

The story is told by 4 different narrators - nursemaid Elissa, Dido's sister Anna, Poet Iopas and kitchen boy Cubby. Sometimes I find having multiple narrators can make for a confusing read but Adele Geras has done such a great job of giving each of them individual voices that I found it easy switching between them. The way the story is told through flashbacks by the different narrators really added to the story, allowing the reader to see events from different perspectives and discover the character's feelings and motives.

I love the way various Greek Gods & Goddesses are brought to life and make appearances throughout the book meddling in the lives of the various characters. Although I have to say that the minute one appears to me I'll be running in the opposite direction as fast as I possibly can because even when they mean well they have a knack of causing more harm than good! I thoroughly enjoyed the story and am looking forward to reading Adele's other books based on Greek mythology - Troy and Ithakas.

Source: Thanks to RHCB for sending me this book for review

Other reviews of this book:
Chrissie's Corner
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Author's Animal Antics - Adele Geras

Author's Animal Antics is a new regular blog feature here at Sarah's Book Reviews where I'm very excited to have some fantastic authors come and chat to us about their pets. I'm thrilled to introduce the lovely Adele Geras as my guest today...

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I wrote this poem in 1999 when our beloved cat, Mimi, was still alive. She died in 2005 and we remember her with much love. She was a very beautiful tabby cat with a white shoulder, and, as her name suggests, the embodiment of elegance and grace. She was a completely useless hunter and quite often used to position herself as if to pounce but it never came to anything. Someone told us we were feeding her too well, but I just think she was both kind gentle. Every word of what follows is true.

MIMI'S DAY

From her position on the windowsill

she gives the garden her consideration.

Later, both the camellias and the ferns

will undergo a full investigation.

First, she will be a small domestic sphinx

unmoving on the carpet, enigmatic,

thinking: there was a fire here last night

and now it's gone. All life is problematic.

The second serious question of the day

is: where to sleep? Which bed or chair to grace?

The velvet spaces of the chesterfield?

Or should she seek a woolly resting‑place?

They sometimes leave (she thinks) jerseys on beds,

or there's the shawl spread softly on a chair.

Also a cupboard, full of fluffy towels

and gurgling darkness..maybe I'll go there.

She steps into the garden after lunch:

a meal she'd hoped might magically be prawns

but wasn't. She is philosophical.

It is the hour for stalking things on lawns.

Squirrels are jet‑propelled and every bird

annoyingly decides to fly away.

She races up a tree‑trunk, just to show

she might catch something, on some other day

and meanwhile, she'll adopt a watchful pose

on a convenient step, warm in the sun,

until her head grows heavy, droops and falls.

The work of sleepy cats is never done.

The moths come out at night. Then she's awake.

Their grey and blurring wings catch on her claws.

When they are still, she stretches, bends and yawns

and with a sharp pink tongue, tidies her paws.

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Thank you so much for visiting today Adele! Adele Geras is the author of the fab young adult novel Dido which was released in paperback in the UK in April. I've just finished reading Dido and will be posting my review later today along with a fantastic giveaway thanks to publisher Random House Children's Books

Find out more about Adele and her work here - Website

For more information about the Author's Animal Antics feature click here

2010 Summer Romance Challenge

I knew it wouldn't be long before I signed up for another challenge LOL. I couldn't resist joining the Summer Romance Challenge hosted by Book Chick City. Here are the challenge details in case anyone else wants to sign up:

1. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate.

2. 4 months, 8 books - that's doable, right? Or if you want to push yourself further double it to 16!!

3. Any book format counts

5. The books you choose can crossover into other challenges you have on the go.

6. If you decide to participate in this challenge with me, please use the link I have set up below with the button to post on your sidebar, this way others can find their way back to this post and join in the fun. Also, be sure to create a post telling others with a link back to this post so others can join in.

7. You can link your reviews HERE to be entered into the prize draw at the end of the challenge. Prize/s will be chosen at the end of the challenge. You must have at least a challenge post or the button on sidebar to be eligible for entry.

Romance Sub-Genres:

•Historical Romance
•Paranormal Romance
•Science Fiction Romance
•Contemporary Romance
•Romantic Suspense
•Western Romance
•Fantasy Romance

I'm going to aim for 16 books & will list the books I read below along with links to my reviews. If you're interested in joining me with this challenge you can sign up here. To check out reviews from other challenge participants click here.

I've actually completed this challenge now but I'm going to keep adding my links until the challenge officially finishes at the end of September to see how many romance books I actually read

Wednesday, 2 June 2010

Review: No Rest for the Wicked - Kresley Cole

UK Cover

A Vampire soldier weary of life...
Centuries ago, Sebastian Wroth was turned into a vampire - a nightmare in his mind - against his will. Burdened with hatred and alone for ages, he sees little reason to live. Until an exquisite, fey creature comes to kill him, inadvertently saving him instead.

A Valkyrie assassin dispatched to destroy him...
When Kaderin the Cold Hearted lost her two beloved sisters to a vampire attack long ago, a benevolent force deadened her sorrow - accidentally extinguishing all of her emotions. Yet whenever she encounters Sebastian, her feelings - particularly lust - emerge multiplied. For the first time, she's unable to complete a kill.

Competitors in a legendary hunt...
The course will take them through ancient tombs and catacombs, seeking relics around the world, and the prize for victory is powerful enough for Kaderin to change history and prevent her sisters' deaths. Sebastian competes as well, and begins winning - her. But when forced to choose between Sebastian and reuniting her family, how can Kaderin live without either?

Immortals After Dark Series:
The Warlord Wants Forever (Novella in the Playing Easy to Get anthology)
A Hunger Like No Other
No Rest for the Wicked
Wicked Deeds on a Winter's Night
Dark Needs at Night's Edge
Dark Desires After Dusk
Kiss of a Demon King
Untouchable (Published in the Deep Kiss of Winter Anthology)
Pleasure of a Dark Prince
Demon from the Dark
Dreams of a Dark Warrior
Lothaire
Shadow's Claim (The Dacians book 1)
MacRieve
Dark Skye

For more information visit Kresley Cole's website

Review:
Kaderin is a cold hearted Valkyrie who has made her life's work killing vampires ever since loosing her sisters a thousand years ago. Unable to cope with the sorrow of their deaths she prayed to be spared and ever since has felt no emotions - either good or bad. Sebastian was turned into a vampire against his will and has spent over 300 years wishing to die. When Kaderin is sent to kill Sebastian it should be simple but for the first time ever she finds herself unable to kill a vampire. Sebastian almost immediately recognises Kaderin as his Bride (soul mate) and finds in her a reason to live again. Kaderin on the other hand is horrified to find herself attracted to a vampire - one of her sworn enemies and tries to run away from her feelings.

Taking part in the Hie - a quest for immortals that includes all kinds of difficult tasks - Sebastian wants to win to prove his worth to Kaderin. Kaderin is the champion though & doesn't want anyone's help, having won the last 5 competitions on her own, but this time the prize is something that she is desperate to win - a way to save her sisters - and it looks like she is going to need to work with Sebastian if she wants the prize.

Although I liked A Hunger Like No Other I found I enjoyed No Rest For The Wicked even more. I liked Sebastian immediately and found him a much more lovable hero than Lachlain. Kaderin I found harder to like but she did grow on me as I learnt more about her history and as she began to change with the return of her feelings. I thought the developing relationship between Sebastian & Kaderin was very well done and I loved the passion between them both. I liked the fact that even though Sebastian knew she was his Bride he wasn't immediately confessing undying love for Kaderin but felt they would grow to love each other in time.

I enjoyed the action in the sub plot of the Hie, it added an extra element to the story and made it different from any other paranormal romance book I've read before. As with the first book there is still a large cast of characters but I'm finding it much easier to keep track of who everyone is now now I'm more immersed in the world Kresley Cole has created. Overall I felt that No Rest For The Wicked was a great continuation of the series - one I enjoyed even more than the last book & I'm looking forward to seeing where the series goes from here. I can't wait to start the next book!

Source: Library

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

US Cover

Paperback / Kindle:

May 2010 Recap

Here is the list of books I've read in May. (The links will take you to my reviews)

I started a new blog feature this month called Author's Animal Antics, I've got some great authors lined up to take part over the next few months so am really looking forward to reading their guest posts. You can find out more about the feature here. So far we've had some great posts from:

I'm happy with my progress on the reading challenges I'm taking part in. I've decided to try and aim for 200 books this year & I'm just over half way through so hopefully I should be able to do it. I really do need to get started on the Vampire Diaries challenge and start reading some Terry Pratchett books or I'm not going to be able to finish those ones on time though LOL.

100+ Reading Challenge - Read 101/200

Young Adult Reading Challenge - Read 31/50

Support Your Local Library Challenge - Read 37/25

Terry Pratchett Challenge - Read 1/12
L.J. Smith Reading Challenge (Vampire Diaries) - Read 0/5
Thriller & Suspense Challenge - Read 4/12
New Author Challenge - Read 46/50
Awesome Author Challenge - Read 20/20 COMPLETE

Paranormal Reading Challenge - Read 50/50 COMPLETE
Speculative Fiction Reading Challenge - Read 24/24 COMPLETE

NAC April Mini-Challenge Battle Royale - Read 5/5 COMPLETE

Giveaway: Hush, Hush - Becca Fitzpatrick - GIVEAWAY CLOSED

*UPDATE - THIS GIVEAWAY HAS NOW ENDED - Winners

announced here*

Fallen for the fallen...

For Nora Grey, romance was never part of the plan. Not until Patch came along. With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgement.

But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora isn't sure if she can trust him. Patch seems to be everywhere she is and to know more about her than her closest friends. And when she tries to seek answers, she discovers she is right in the middle of a centuries-old battle between the immortal and the fallen...and it's time to take sides.

For more information visit Becca Fitzpatrick's website

I recently received a copy of the new Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick paperback from Simon & Schuster UK for review. I have already reviewed the hardback of this book here but was really excited to read the sneak preview of the sequel Crescendo which will be released later this year. I'm really looking forward to reading Crescendo and finding out what happens to Nora & Patch next.

I purchased the hardback when Hush, Hush first came out but to be honest I prefer reading paperbacks (I find hardbacks more heavy & awkward to hold when reading in bed or in the bath). I'd like to say a massive thank you to Simon & Schuster for sending me the paperback. If you haven't read it yet then I'd recommend you give it a try.

I love the hardback cover but I don't need 2 copies of the book so as I prefer paperbacks I'm going to give my UK hardcover copy away. This has been read once but is in very good condition and comes in the beautiful shiny silver slipcover.

Giveaway Details:

The giveaway is international so anyone can enter
You don't have to be a follower to enter (although of course I'd love it if you were LOL)
You can get extra entries by spreading the word but that isn't required
To enter please fill in the form below
You have until 16th June to enter the giveaway and I'll announce the winner on the 17th. I will email the winner as well as announcing it on my blog and you will have 48 hours to contact me or another winner will be chosen.

Tuesday, 1 June 2010

Review: The Demon's Covenant - Sarah Rees Brennan

Mae's life has spun out of control.

She's just learned that her brother Jamie is a magician and Nick, the boy she'd set her heart on, has an even darker secret.

Jamie has been meeting with the new leader of the Obsidian Circle, who is hell-bent on persuading Jamie to join the magicians. When Mae calls on Nick and Alan to save her brother, the Circle sets in motion a plot to bring Nick down - by convincing his own brother to spring a deadly trap.

With brother set against brother and everyone's loyalties divided, Mae sees a chance to save them all - but it means approaching the mysterious and dangerous Goblin Market alone...

The Demon's Lexicon Trilogy
The Demon's Lexicon
The Demon's Covenant
The Demon's Surrender

For more information visit Sarah Rees Brennan's website

Review:
The Demon's Covenant continues the story a few weeks after the ending of The Demon's Lexicon. Nick and Alan are still on the run from the magicians but Mae and Jamie have returned home to continue their lives as normal. Mae is very worried when she discovers that the new leader of the Obsidian Circle has been secretly meeting her brother trying to convince him to join the magicians. The only people she can think of to help her are Alan and Nick so she turns to them for advice. What she doesn't expect is for the magicians to convince Alan to betray Nick and it seems like she is the only person who can stop it from happening. She has no choice but to ask for help from the Goblin Market but will they be able to stop Alan in time?

I really enjoyed The Demon's Lexicon which I thought was a fab debut novel but The Demon's Covenant was even better and I can't wait to see what Sarah Rees Brennan has in store for us in the final book of the trilogy. I've found before that the second book in a series doesn't always match up to the first but that was definitely not the case this time - The Demon's Covenant was everything I loved about The Demon's Lexicon and then some. I enjoyed hearing the story from Mae's perspective - she has a great voice and is completely different from Nick who was the narrator in the last book.

After the shocking twist at the end of the first book I was on the look out for hints at similar revelations in this book but I still didn't spot most of them coming so I was really kept on my toes again. I loved Nick in the first book but the more you get to see of him the more I love him and the same goes for Alan, Mae and Jamie too. It is unusual to read a book where you have such strong feelings for all 4 of the main characters but the way this series is written it is impossible not to like them all.

I love a book that can make me laugh out loud one minute and then have me fearful of what the future holds in the next. I feel really invested in the story and don't know how I'm going to survive the wait for book 3 to come out. If you've not already started this series then I'd highly recommend going out and getting a copy of The Demon's Lexicon. If you have read and enjoyed it then The Demon's Covenant is a must read book!

Source: Recieved for review from publisher Simon & Schuster

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.